Take Lesson From The Past

Perusing history is one of the best ways to greatly improve the society, yet many people happen to be too inconsiderate to take critical look at the historical facts. Sadly, the tendency of not learning from the past usually leads to believing false or biased information; thus the misinformation continues to mislead the world at large.

Following is the brief history of two struggles – one political with some degree of civility, while the other one was bloody mutiny illegally supported by the neighbour’s military aggression.

Indeed, the comparison between “the advantages of Peaceful Struggle” for separation of Quebec from the federation of Canada and “the drawbacks of Armed Struggle” to chop off the eastern wing of Pakistan would make some sense in terms of crucial lessons for the generations to come:

CANADA 

The Bloc Québécois (BQ) a federal political party and Parti Québécois (provincial) are together for provincial sovereignty. They frequently share political candidates and support each other during election campaigns sharing the same voter base.

Racism and the language card is used along with many other issues just for attaining sovereignty of Quebec. But the federation and the rest of Canada keep on trying to make Quebecers feel comfortable. Encouragingly, most of the younger Anglophones are bilingual and they love Quebec as much as any other Francophone does.

A few years back, former Prime Minister Mr. Jean Chretien convinced Mr. Jean Charest of Progressive Conservative party to switch his loyalty from the weaker party to stronger provincial liberals as leader - in the best interest of Canadian unity against the looming break up. This worked miraculously well enough to get referendum results in favour of united Canada.

Moreover, during the last federal elections, the late NDP leader Jack Layton made the youth realise that the “separation stance,” the “political dinosaurs” kept on preaching - was nothing but a recipe for disaster. Here Jack Layton’s main message was positive and geared at the middle class, workers and women, to encourage reconciliation with Quebec within Canada, 43 % NDP support sends another message to the PQ. Around 71% of Quebecers don’t want another referendum now.

Hopefully, Premier Jean Charest (lib) will tour the province as promised in the coming days to explain to Quebecers that the province’s future lies with the minerals and natural resources of its vast northern reaches – and China’s apparently insatiable need for them.

All of this proves that a right communication and friendly atmosphere defeated the separatists from getting independence despite the powerful push from the external forces to seperate Quebec from Canada.

PAKISTAN

Language card, racism and some other issues were the motivating factors for east-west tensions which could have been resolved on the table. The Bengali Muslims felt left out, because Urdu had been declared as national official language.

In fact, loss of East Pakistan was the result of central government’s mishandling of the fragile situation in the eastern province and the external forces were fanning the dispute.

Furthermore, wrong timing for the national elections and military action were all non sense. Clearly, it was a golden opportunity for the prejudiced Hindu mind to aggravate the situation and disintegrate Pakistan.

General Mankeshaw claimed in his book that he had recruited 80,000 Hindus to create the Mukti Bahni. These terrorists were dressed up in Pakistan Army uniform and raped and pillage Pakistani Bengalis. They also were dressed up as civilians carrying out acts of sabotage against the Pak military and the government.

Moreover, Sheikh Hasina Mujib’s confession as below sheds new light on the events of March 23, 1971, because it proves that the Agartala Conspiracy was a real one sponsored by India against Pakistan and that the then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan had rightly described Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman as a traitor.

Hasina's Confession: “After breaking up Pakistan and declaring independence thanks to direct Indian military intervention, the Indian-backed “Mujib regime” killed more than 30 thousand Pakistani Bengali patriots who opposed Indian takeover.  Mr. Mujib’s first actions were to surrender the natural resources of Bangladesh to India. This includes water. These actions by the pro-Indian regime caused the man-made famine of 1974, in which three to five hundred thousand people perished, according to reports.”

Here Mujeeb’s daughter clearly admits her father was a traitor. She says Indians helped him raise an Indian-backed terror militia that raped and plundered in order to malign Pakistan Army.

As per Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission Report, the incompetence, moral degeneration and political conspiracies were the major factors for the 1971 fiasco. It was maintained in the report that the humiliating defeat suffered was not a result of military factors alone, but had been brought about as the cumulative consequence of immature political handling since 1947.

Too late, a majority of Muslim Bangladeshis woke up and came to senses when the discrimination of Muslims in West-Bengal and the imposing attitude of New Delhi were heartbreaking; they are still repenting why they took part in the partition of the largest Islamic country in the world. Now they have to either accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.

Currently, both the BLA (Baluchistan liberation army) and the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) are believed to have been externally created to carry out sabotage activities internally within Pakistan and Baluchistan; is a repetition of the same unholy practice to completely wipe out Pakistan from the map.

Ironically, Baluchistan has been supplying natural gas to the rest of Pakistan, but its own people remained deprived of this facility due to faulty policies of successive regimes. Targeted killings, sectarian violence and abductions have become common, yet the rulers are busy cashing in on the dead ones, merry making & partying; but are getting ready to pack up and disappear with the loot.

Too little too late, Pakistanis have started drawing comparison between Balochistan and the erstwhile East Pakistan. Fortunately, highly secured and safe Pakistani nukes are deterrent against any foreign aggression in future.

It seems as if desire of “Quebec Desh” remains on the back burner as long as there is no other referendum, however, “Bangla Desh” surely is a bitter reality.

Racism feeds suspicion and hatred, but communication would feed understanding and trust. Pakistan’s policymakers are right in demanding a mindset change in New Delhi for peace to prevail.

Mindset of racism and discrimination against creed, colour or language needs to be psychologically corrected.

The best forum to settle/address the national issues is through negotiation and not militancy. A competitive regime, sovereign parliament, independent election commission and an independent judiciary will help rid the country of all crises on a fast track.

“The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it  rightly.” 

Understanding and respecting is a good basis for unity and strength for the country.

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Safe Exit Not A Bad Option

[Image from Google]

Issuance of detailed verdict on the (national reconciliation ordinance) NRO review petition and the re-emerging issue of Zardari’s money laundering cases pending in the Swiss courts have been troubling Mr. zardari.
Nevertheless, he remains an accused of money laundering, yet that has lately been identified as an international offence. It is not considered serious enough of an offence to prosecute a head of state in a foreign court, especially while the president is still in power. Thus, he continues to enjoy protection from criminal prosecution in customary international law under the principle of "Head of State Immunity abroad " during his tenure as President of Pakistan.
But his troubles don’t stop here, as May 2nd incidence, strong wave of public anger directed at him - chanting “Go Zardari Go, and other political rhetorics” have put really deep dents in his strength despite his being a man of strong nerves.

The bundle of serious legal issues including the rejected NRO review petition, issuance of subpoena in memogate scandal to the top military brass to appear/file evidence before the apex court on Dec 16, have given a lot of stress to Pres Zardari lately.
And, the embattled president decided to address the joint session of Parliament to clear the air and prove his innocence.
Yet, all of a sudden, the President, under severe mental pressure, suffered a mild heart attack/stroke and an anxiety attack. So instead of stepping down and instantly losing legal immunity as head of state - becoming more vulnerable to face the long-standing corruption charges against him in Pakistan, it was his wise decision at the right time to seek further medical treatment and be safer abroad at the same time for the time being till the dust settles down in his favour.

While the general perception about the vanishing boss still remains that he has been facilitated with the safe exit. Whether he is returning shortly or never is too early to figure out. According to his party he hasn’t left to avoid possible impeachment or any other legal cases against him.
It’s understandable, article 6 of the constitution has never been invoked in Pakistan against coup makers/ usurpers, yet a criminal trial against civil leadership under article 6 is scary one indeed. Legal proceedings on December 16 or afterwards would actually bring to light all evidence regarding the ignited memo scandal. Of course, the accused is innocent till proven guilty. Till then the boss is immune too.


Since 2009, the SC has tried everything very patiently to get the federal government to implement the NRO judgement by writing to the Swiss government and asking them to restart the cases against the president. However, in view of the ongoing defiance of apex court verdicts by the federal executive for so long, the chief justice of Pakistan under article 190 is authorised to order the armed forces to execute the enforcement of all judicial verdicts so far defied/neglected by the government.


Constitutionally, the president is supposed to be non partisan, but Zardari has been ridiculously promoting his own political party (PPP) and keeping a dual office in clear violation of the rules.

Also, President has to be medically fit including mental fitness. In fact, Zardari absented himself from appearing in Swiss court by producing a medical certificate showing his condition of depression and dementia at the time.
As such, he has been elected as president in violation of the constitution which renders his immunity void ab initio. The incompetent Zardari regime delivered nothing but nonsense of instability and insecurity to the people and the institutions and tarnished the image of Pakistan.


Look who is talking?
A sudden emergence of his son in the political arena is quite thought provoking. Twenty three year old kid - fresh from school has started presiding over the Meeting of senior party leaders. Vow!
It appears Bilawal has finally entered practical politics to pick up from where his dad left off.
The dynastic babe is now presiding over a major political force when he is as much a travesty of democracy as any draconian dictatorship. Amazingly, the members of parliament and other senior party members behave like courtiers in front of him (a product of the unverified will).
Isn’t it a clear cut mockery of democracy? Even if the WILL was genuine one, there wouldn’t be room for dynastic politics in the modern day political environment as everybody is equal and just the merit should matter.


Moreover, eye brows were raised as Zardari wished to take Mr. Haqani along to Dubai despite his (Haqani’s) name on the exit control list.


Sadly, the general public have been deceived by their leaders time and again during the last sixty four years. Many people continue  looking for the children of the ruling elite as potential leaders of the future.
This mindset simply defies all logic.
Dynastic politics has to end now. Cashing in on dead ones is cheating the naive public in search of a soft corner. A political hypocrisy through Bilawal Zardari is aimed at maintaining the status quo.

Only a competent leadership from amongst the ordinary people would be in the best interest of Pakistan.
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UPDATES
Dec 16, 2011

Getting ugly:

Zardari hasn't yet filed his reply in the apex court as required.
In view of President's personal condition, Constitutionally, the Supreme court of Pakistan can order a formation of Medical Board to assess the mental and medical fitness of  Zardari sahib and confirm if the president as the supreme commander is healthy and alert enough to look after 180 million Pakistanis and protect the interests of the country.
"If article 47(1) of the constitution is invoked, I won't accept it because I am  healthy," says Zardari.

Dec 19, 2011

Back to Square one 




 Billionaire Zardari is a dual beneficiary of his immunity from (a) having bi-polar disorder and cardio-vascular disorder (b) being as head of the State. 
The frustrated Pakistanis feel Zardari's holding on to the position of co-chairmanship and the Presidency at the same time in violation of the constitution makes him a national headache of the century who has wasted precious four years without delivering. His democracy is really taking revenge through bringing the country almost towards total collapse.
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