Remembering The Angels

16 December is a black day in the history of Pakistan. Before 2014, this day was observed as the day of Fall of Dhaka as East Pakistan was separated on 16 December 1971 from West Pakistan and was declared as a new state on the globe as Bangladesh. Bitterness of this deep wound and the pain was still felt in the hearts when after 43 years, in 2014, on the baleful day of 16 December, as many as nine terrorists attacked Army Public School and College (APS&C) Peshawar, opened point blank shooting and killed 231 students, 9 staff members including the Principal and 3 soldiers.

Declared as the most tragic terrorist attack in the history of Pakistan, all political parties, military leadership and the nation stood up for the final blow against terrorists and operation Zarb e Azb was launched with full thrust. Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Civil Armed Forces operating in Waziristan planned the operation and decided to fight the terrorism out till the last terrorist was eliminated.

Unfortunately, political government of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shareef (Prime Minister of Pakistan and head of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz) was not willing to go for military operation against Taliban and they were in the process of delaying any such operation under the blanket of holding "peace talks" with Taliban. Immediately after the start of military operation on the initiative of General Raheel Sharif, Prime Minister had no choice but to appear before National Assembly and had to own and declare war on terrorists in his address.

Attack on APS&C Peshawar will be remembered in the history of Pakistan because of two reasons: -

• Innocent children between the ages from 4 to 17 years were brutally massacred by boorish and barbaric terrorists. These little angels were assembled in school's auditorium for a demonstration on First Aid Training, as per their timetable. Terrorists fired each one of them in the head pointblank and had no mercy for the screaming and frightened kids. 
• The effect of this unfortunate incident was so tenderheartedly felt by the nation that the unity and support for the young students and their teachers was unanimous. Whole of the community and all quarters got united and they demanded stern and quick blow back to terrorists. This kind of oneness and unity in public was not seen earlier save at the time of Pak-India War of 1965. Pakistani nationals all over the globe in general and pan-Pakistan in particular displayed focused strength through unity and indistinguishability and proved to international friends and foes that Pakistan is ONE SOLID BROTHERHOOD irrespective of how much they were wounded through terrorism, sectarianism, and political corruption.

Elite of the nation paying tribute to martyrs on 1st anniversary

 

Although a year has passed, the attack on school seems like the happening of yesterday. As soon as a memory of the incident is repeated in the mind, eyes get wet. As Pakistanis, we salute the parents of martyrs of APS for their patience and great sacrifice, we salute our Armed Forces for not letting the blood of innocent and tender flowers, and we salute the nation for showing all the support, backing and getting united.

Probably on any such moment of grief, the great poet Mirza Ghalib must have said,

سب کہاں کچھ لالہ و گل میں نمایاں ہو گئیں
خاک میں، کیا صورتیں ہوں گی، کہ پنہاں ہو گئیں

"all wherefore? just a few tulips-and-roses in manifested are
dust/dirt in-it what faces must-be that merged-hidden are"

General Raheel Sharif - The Essence

General Raheel Sharif is 15th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Army. He was appointed as COAS on 27 November 2013 and is due to retire on completion of his tenure on 26 November 2016. Within two years in office as COAS, General Raheel Sharif has gained unprecedented support and backing of People of Pakistan. General took the charge as COAS when nation was in a state of pandemonium and uncertainty on different fronts. Terrorism was at its peak and suicidal attacks on every Friday had become a routine. Political government; instead of dealing with terrorists in the language they understood, was trying to hold peace talks with them. Situation in Karachi had gone worst, especially for business community who were beleaguered by extortionists and street criminals. Corruption in governmental institutions was at its peak and common people were exposed to unemployment, injustice, bad governance, and power crisis. 

General Raheel Sharif decided to fight against all social evils simultaneously and through concerted efforts of his team, he was not only able to gain control over most of the problems but also improved upon the general outlook of Pakistan internationally. He went head on at most challenging issues like terrorism in the country and law and order situation in Karachi. Immediately after taking over the command of Pakistan Army, he revised the methodology of military training and introduced more practical means in keeping the Armed Forces alert, trained, and ready for any combat operation. New weapons and equipment, specially to fight Close Quarter Battle (CQB) in Built Up Area (BUA), were developed and introduced for use by Infantry and Special Services Group (SSG).

On national front, General Raheel Sharif gained popularity as the most upright, brave, courageous, and firm leader within two years. This was made possible because of his revolutionary measures nationally and internationally to bring peace, stability, and improved foreign relations with other nations of the world. The gist of steps taken by him are as below: -

• Start of Operation Zarb e Azb against Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorists who were operating through Afghanistan and Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Waziristan was their safe heaven.
• Start of Rangers operation in Karachi against target killers, vehicles and cell phones/ jewellery snatchers, murderers, kidnappers, and terrorists. This resulted in bringing peace and stability in Karachi; the economic hub of Pakistan. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, big fish and mainstream political leaders have been questions and their close aides have been arrested. This operation brought life back to Karachi and public has overwhelmingly supported the actions taken by Rangers.
• Prompt and courageous decisions like implementation of death penalty, establishment of Military Courts for prosecution of terrorists and anti-state elements. It has not only frightened such elements of rapid decisions and execution but has also provided relief and protection to civilian judges in the courts of law who were threatened and terrorized by the criminals. Terrorists who has attacked and murdered children at Army Public School and College Peshawar, caused fiasco at Safoora Chorangi in Karachi killing passengers of Ismailia community, and other such incidents have been hanged. 
• Improvement and capacity building of Pakistan's nuclear and missile technology program. Successful test fire of FM 90 Missile has enhanced the capacity of Pakistan's strategic defense. Pakistan has become leading nation in the region in missile technology. IDEAS 2015 and other Defense exhibitions have provided new buyers of Pakistani weapons and war material to include JF Thunder (F-7 Fighter Aircraft). 
• Revisit of Pakistan's foreign policy with his personal interest. Steps in this regard have played vital role in paradigm shift of national foreign policy to enable improvement in the diminishing image of Pakistan in the comity of nations. Pakistan's relations have improved many fold with USA, Russia, China, Europe, and countries of South America through his personal visits and determined focus on national objectives.
• Solid and strong support and determined measures on ground to make China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a reality. Over and above Pakistan Government's agreements and signing of contracts, Pakistan Army, under the leadership of General Raheel has give surety to the neighboring sister country China for all kinds of protection, security, and peaceful work environment throughout the proposed corridor. This is the biggest project under foreign investment in the history of Pakistan and will bring job opportunities, industry, trade and prosperity nationwide.
• General Raheel Sharif is a strong believer in Democratic System. Unlike previous instances of imposing martial law by his predecessors; during troubled times, he dealt with the situations with patience and provided opportunities to political leaders to resolve the issues. Keeping democratically elected government intact, he has always provided full backing of Pakistan Army for the continuity of civilian and elected representatives of people of Pakistan. 
• For the first time, General Raheel Sharif implemented the process of accountability within Army. He dealt with the cases of corruption and misappropriation by senior officers in the Armed Forces and after thorough investigations/ inquiries, awarded severe punishments. This stern and bold action has been well received not only by all ranks of Pakistan Army but also by the civilian population. The mouths of those critics were also shut who used to bad mouth about the internal relaxation by Army Generals, whenever they started accountability of politicians, media, judiciary and civil bureaucracy.
• Keeping the Armed Forces of Pakistan abreast with latest means of communication, he took revolutionary steps regarding civil-military relationships. Department of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR); the institution to keep civilians informed about military, has been reshaped and improved. For the first time Officers of Armed Forces and ISPR in particular have been allowed, rather encouraged to use social media for enhanced interaction with public.
• General Raheel has always responded to natural disasters not only in Pakistan but in the region. Pakistan Army has been ordered to respond to any untoward incident without waiting for formal instructions and initiative to deal with such situations has been delegated to lower command echelons of Armed Forces. He has always reached in person at sight of such mishaps and has lead from the front. Floods in Sawat, Earthquake in KPK and floods in Sindh are some of the examples. These are unprecedented examples and have given tremendous respect and support by people of Pakistan. In the region also, Pakistan has always been among the first nations to respond to any calls in the name of humanity. Pakistan Army's prompt response Nepal Earthquake is an example of such response.
• Restoration of long suspended Defense Forces' Parade on 23rd March - In remembrance of 23 March 1940, when Resolution of Independence was passed at Lahore, is another very important courageous step taken by General Raheel. The parade was suspended due to Armed Forces' commitments in dealing with terrorists but restoration of parade has sent a vibe of security and stability to all Pakistanis.

Every individual has some personality traits which help him build the aura of every individual's outlook.  General Raheel Sharif carries the charisma of his personality, bravery, courage, uprightness but there is something more to all this that makes him so unique. General hails from a family that has military culture in his blood both from paternal and maternal side. His father, Major Sharif (late) was a profound officer. General Raheel's elder brother, Major Shabbir Sharif shaheed was a brave officer of Pakistan Army who was decorated twice. Due to his bravery and acts beyond the call of duty, he was awarded with Sitara e Jurr'at in Pak-India war 1965 and Nishan e Haider in Pak-India war of 1971. His maternal uncle, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed was also awarded Nishan e Haider. It is the highest gallantry award of Pakistan and has been awarded to only 11 Officers/ Other Ranks so far. Two of those 11 brave heroes of Pakistan are blood relations of General Raheel. He not only has to keep up with the qualities required out of an Army Chief but he also carries the legacy of two Nishan e Haiders. That makes him an extraordinary General and an examplary leader.

Because of his personality traits and the legacy of his brother and uncle, it is expected that he will act with the same elegance and wisdom when he is asked for extension in his service as COAS. He has already gained the rapport as a man of principles and uprightness. It is expected that he will simply step down from his appointment on its completion and will leave an example for others to follow.

Sorry Muslims !!!

This is a video by Chonleedonya Odum, a Black American justifying that shootings in USA are not necessarily acts of terrorism when Muslims are involved in such incidents. She apologizes from all the oppressed people in the world in general and in USA in particular. She can be reached on Facebook by clicking here. 

Caution: Language contains R rated words in the video. It is readers' discretion to avoid watching it if they are offended by language containing profanity.

General Elections 2018 - Probabilities

General elections for National and Provincial legislative assemblies are scheduled to be held in May 2018. Over past few decades, two party system has been the main criteria of political competition which has been challenged recently. After the adventurous 70s and military rule of Zia ul Haq from 1977 to 1986, two main political parties emerged as the force multipliers. These were Pakistan Muslim League (PML) (created by Zia ul Haq and later split into many groups) and Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) - founded by Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. These two parties have been political rivals and have taken turns in government one after the other. In the provinces, however, nationalist parties like Muttihada Quami Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP) and Balochistan National Party (BNP) have ruled Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah (KPK) and Balochistan provinces respectively while Pakistan Peoples Party has emerged single ruling party of Sind provinces for almost three decades.

 After military rule of General Pervez Musharraf (1999 to 2008), Pakistan returned to the track of democracy. Keeping in view the corruption, collusion, and signing of Charter of Democracy (COD) to facilitate each other in power marry-go-round, people of Pakistan wanted a third force to emerge and provide them social justice, socioeconomic opportunities, peace, and stability. Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) under the leadership of Imran Khan gained overwhelming popularity in General Elections (GE) 2008. Although PTI could not get many seats in the assemblies but PML-N and PPP realized that PTI had gained roots in all provinces and could be a major threat to their political monopoly in future.

Due to murder of Benazir Bhutto of PPP, Peoples' Party gained sympathy vote and was successful in forming central government with coalition provincial governments in Sind (with MQM), KPK (with ANP), and Balochistan (with BNP). In Punjab, however, PML-N formed the government. PPP's government proved to be highly unsuccessful as regards to governance, providing jobs to young and educated people, resolving energy crisis, and stabilizing law and order situation which had saturated due to terrorist activities by Taliban. The government under Asif Ali Zardari was rather accused of being involved in corruption, illegal gratifications, getting under the table commissions from local and foreign companies, and mismanaging means of mass transportation like Pakistan Railways, Pakistan International Airlines and other public sector transport facilities. Asif Ali Zardari removed ideological workers of PPP from important party positions and brought his personal friends and partners in crime at the forefront. Inefficient governance, dejection of common people and nepotism in Party's camp made PPP highly unpopular. PPP; a party once considered to be the symbol of federation with very deep rooted influence in all parts of the country squeezed to be a local party of Sind province. PPP's leadership was opposed by judiciary, bureaucracy, and generally by the middle leadership of Army. All these circumstances proved counter productive for PPP and in 2013, it was completely wiped of from all areas other than rural Sind.

GE 2013 were held in May and the real competition was between PML-N and PTI. Although PPP competed in all provinces as well as in the center but it was already known that they will lose due to their poor performance during the last five years' rule. As a result of GE, the country observed a new trend. All the provincial parties belonging to their specific provinces won the elections and no party could be identified as a central party with their influence all over the country. Punjab elections were won by PML-N: a Punjab based party, KPK elections by PTI: a party led by Imran Khan (Niazi from KPK), Sind elections went to PPP: a party lead by Sindhi (Bhutto/ Zardari dynasty), and in Balochistan, nationalists Baloch leaders got majority votes. As is the electoral system of Pakistan, any party winning in Punjab; based on population, is successful in forming central government.PML-N, therefore, formed the federal government in the center.

keeping in view the past performance, steps taking for the betterment of governance, socioeconomic development, mass transportation projects, involvement in law and order situation and restoration of peace in the country in general and in Karachi in particular, probability of winning elections in 2018 is discussed for major political parties as under: -

Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP)

Once known as "Chain of unity among all the provinces" has almost done political suicide after the murder of Benazir Bhutto. Asif Ali Zardari, who never enjoyed good reputation being involved in corruption, ruined the party by sidelining ideological and sincere workers, and appointing his personal friends at important party as well as governmental positions. This not only resulted in discontentment of old and loyal workers of PPP but also inflicted heavy losses to overall performance of the government from 2008 to 2013. Party shrank to Sind only with no representation in KPK and Balochistan. In Punjab, those PPP candidates, who won the elections, primarily got success due to their own rapport, social work, and influence in public. During the later part of PPP government in Sind, party had major split when two trusted friends of Asif Ali Zardari, former Interior Minister of Sind Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza and former Senator Faisal Raza Abidi could not take the corrupt practices of the party leadership and spoke on media against such practices. This gave a major jolt to PPP and its already diminishing support was rapidly hagridden. Recent operation in Sind by Pakistan Rangers and arrests of very close aides of Asif Ali Zardari like Dr. Asim Hussain and others have proven their involvement in aiding terrorists, target killings, corruption and anti-state activities. These negative developments have adversely effected the good-will of PPP and its existence in the country has a serious question mark. Unfortunately, after the death of Benazir Bhutto, party is void of any mature and visionary leadership. Asif Zardari has tried to launch his only son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in mainstream politics but he lacks experience, having lived in UK and ME all his life; does not know the dynamics of Pakistani social and political realities, and can not deliver what is expected from a leader who can replace seasoned and accomplished leader to the magnificence of Benazir Bhutto. On the face of it, it seems like Pakistan Peoples' Party has outlived its natural life and at present has no leadership, vision, and/ or plan that can revive its diminishing political entity in Pakistan. In 2018, it is expected that Peoples' Party will be able to win few provincial seats in interior Sind but on Federal level, will not have any worthwhile position. In Sind too, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has become a major threat in Badin and surrounding areas. Urban areas of Sind have already fallen in favor of MQM for last few decades. If PPP has to revive itself, it needs a visionary and dynamic leader, strong and active leadership in Punjab and KPK, and has to disassociate itself from the criminal and corrupt elements in the party.

Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI)

Because of stubborn and inelastic political behavior, not been able to analyze ground realities, taking wrong decisions at domestic as well as political fronts, Imran Khan has rapidly lost his popularity. He is leading "the single man standing" party which becomes valueless without his personal charisma. In the recent past, he has lost local bodies elections in Punjab, narrowly escaped defeat in KPK, and was outnumbered in Sind by other political forces. Imran Khan has lost on all moral grounds he has called public for sit-ins and protests against government. His plea of corruption and fraudulent practices in election of 2013 have been rejected by an apex level tribunal, formed on his own request. His party lost by-elections of NA-122 and could not gain any support in local bodies elections. Exactly a day prior to the conduct of elections, the announcement of his divorce to Reham Khan proved to be the last nail in the coffin. If PTI has to win in GE 2018, Imran Khan and party leadership must reorganize the party at gross root level and have to focus at revolutionary social welfare programs in KPK. They still have almost two years in term. Instead of crying over the spilt milk, PTI shall focus on the good governance and introduction of an ideal democratic system in KPK which they can showcase as a model for the rest of Pakistan. They must also adopt solid measures to gain popularity in rural and backward areas of Punjab otherwise they will only be visible in urban areas as a saturated party and that is insufficient for them to come into power for next ten years.

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N)

PML-N is ruling Punjab for the sixth term and has gained strong foothold in Punjab politics. Electoral system is such that any party winning GE in Punjab can easily form government in the center because of the population and number of seats for National Assembly. PML-N, being the ruling party for very long time has also acquired experience in use of unfair means during polling and is famous for misappropriation of votes. Party leadership is filthy rich and knows that "everything is for sale, if proper bid is offered" and this has always worked in their way. Party has never been hesitant in buying bureaucrats, members of provincial as well as national assemblies, lawyers, media persons and even Judges of lower courts to as high as Supreme Court of Pakistan. Party has no moral values or ethics. Its top leadership has told lies to the nation a number of times without feeling shame. Party's command is in the hands of Sharif dynasty and all key appointments within party as well as at government level are held by the family members of Sharifs. Party believes in such development projects which have tangible and visible effects with opportunities of earning high kickbacks. They are not bothered about providing basic social rights of education, health, clean drinking water etc to the public. Instead, their focus is on construction of motorways and metro bus system since such projects are visible to the public and are evidences of growth and development. Party, through Charter of Democracy (COD); an agreement of mutual cooperation between PPP and PML-N, bribery to those who are at the helm of affairs, blackmailing and corrupt practices in elections is likely to win GE 2018 in Punjab in particular and in KPK in general. Victory of PML-N is not because of their being popular party but its because of poor performance of other parties like PPP in Sind and PTI in KPK. In Punjab the ground is almost vacant for them because PPP has been wiped out and PTI has been unsuccessful in making any headway in the 80% population living in the rural areas.

Mutehidda Qaumi Movement (MQM)

MQM has been an influential sociopolitical ethnic group of Urdu speaking community in urban areas of Sind. MQM has been winning National/ Provincial, and Local Bodies elections in Karachi, Hyderabad and other urban areas of Sindfor the last three decades. Despite repeated efforts to have their influence in other parts the country, the party could not gain any worthwhile success. Recently, Altaf Hussain, leader of MQM; in self exile since 1984, is under investigation by Scotland Yard for cases of money laundering and murder of Dr. Imran Farooq: co-founder and close aide of Altaf Hussain, who had left the party due to conflicts with Altaf's policies. Within Karachi MQM is under clouds for strong evidences of involvement in target killing, providing protection to terrorists and anti-state elements, illegal land grabbing, kidnapping for ransom and collection of money from traders and merchants on gun point. These charges have deteriorated the image of MQM a great deal but due to their monopoly in urban areas of Sind for a long time, no immediate threat is present for them. PTI, Jamat e Islami (JI) and PPP are trying to replace them in urban areas but due to their poor performance people are not willing to elect them in forthcoming elections too. Although MQM's future is rapidly diminishing as their first tier leadership is directly involved in criminal activities but they have the capability to manipulate the election in the absence of any strong rival. MQM needs to reorganize and think outside the box for sustenance in future. They need to look for alternate leadership that can keep them united after Altaf Hussain and also need to build a rapport of non-involvement in criminal activities by handing over the criminals in their ranks to law enforcing agencies.