Plight of the Islamic World During 2013

Another year has almost ended, yet the ‘unfriendly status quo’ continues to irritate the Muslim world, whereas, the Islamic countries are perceived as the worst nations on the planet. Serious crises, worst form of terrorism, and the general unrest is the ongoing fate of these States. Nevertheless, the foreign meddling by the vested interests is usually blamed for all ills.

The problem adds further as the mutilated history of the Islamic World is allowed to spread maliciously based on the ulterior motives.

The fact is the Islamic world has been continuously experiencing loss of life of innocents including children and the elderly. An irreparable damage done to the movable and immovable property runs into billions of dollars because of the ongoing terrorism.
Terrorism: As the word terrorism is not properly defined, we need to be clear about the concept of terrorism in order to fully understand the menace: This barbaric attitude is applied through a ‘systematic use of violence,’ intimidation and threats aimed at coercing to achieve some goal, especially the political ones. In other words, it’s a state of fear and submission.

All terroristic methods of governing or of resisting a government fall under this category. True, some are freedom fighters, but they have been re-categorized as terrorists. This is also a fact that some terrorist groups are proxy warriors employed only to weaken the writ of the targeted country. The rebels are freedom fighters and are terrorists too depending on which side they are on. So it’s a complicated phenomenon, and unfortunately, the so called Muslims (fake ones) are hired to do the dirty job in the Muslim lands through insurgency, militancy and terrorism. But the media is bound to speak for the benefit of its pay master; that paves the way for the stakeholders. In nutshell, terrorism is said to be in existence when National or International laws are disrespected. Some examples of the unpleasant scenarios are as follows:
Bangladesh:

Sadly, a Bangladeshi citizen ( an Islamic scholar of prestige possessing high caliber) has been put to sleep in a rush; the victim had been booked for his pro-Pakistan role dating back to the 1971 Indian sponsored insurgency aimed at clipping the eastern wing of the country.
After 42 years, the government suddenly wakes up to eliminate the opposition leader on the basis of fabricated charges through Kangaroo court. Indeed, this is unlawful judicial terrorism which is nothing but a politically motivated judicial murder just ahead of controversial Jan 5, 2014 general elections. Now, the Bangladeshi officials are busy arresting the protesters/activists from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its key ally Jamat-e-Islami in five districts, where police had been clashing with protesters. The BNP keeps refusing to field candidates for the January election, fearing the poll under Hasina will be rigged. Jamat-e-islami, the country’s largest party is barred from contesting the polls. Thus, the opposition is muscling up to topple Hasina.

Egypt: After a prolonged endeavor, Egypt embraced a legitimate democracy briefly and the democratically elected President Morsi was replaced by the illegitimate government with illegitimate constitution. More than 6800 innocents have been mercilessly killed in the last 5 months alone.

Afghanistan: After more than a decade, the country is bracing for the expected consequences once the 2014 withdrawal of foreign troops actually takes place.

Pakistan: Recently, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the States using drone strikes as a counter-terrorism measure to comply with international law; the UN acted on a range of issues relating specifically to the violation of human rights. The use of remotely piloted planes (DRONES) against the suspected terrorists contained in a comprehensive 28-paragraph resolution: titled “Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism” has now been regulated. It’s worth mentioning here that the portion about drone strikes was included as a result of intensive efforts made by the Pakistani delegation.

On the other hand: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered the formation of an anti-terrorist task force to combat militancy. The Punjab government intends to employ 400 instructors from Turkey and Pakistan army to train 2000 new recruits. Helicopters and advanced weapons will be provided to the proposed anti- terrorism force.

Another positive development is the European Union has allowed Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+ package) to Pakistan. The scheme is likely to give a major boost to Pakistan’s exports to Europe, especially the textile and apparel exports. The ‘All Pakistan Textile Mills Association’ (APTMA) expects the GSP Plus status would double the country’s textile exports to US$ 26 billion from the current US$ 13 billion over a four-year period.

Syria and Iran: President Obama was so eager to send his cruise missiles into Syria without having approval from the UN and the Congress. Now, there is no immediate threat of war, also Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons. However, the furious opposition forces are disappointed because they have been counting on the US air cover to advance their rebellion. Quite apparently, the Syrian rebels are supported by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, while Russia, China and Iran back Syria.

Furthermore, lifting of economic sanctions on Iran has encouraged Iran to give up developing nuclear weapons. Though the interim deal between Iran and P5+1 looks a little fragile at the moment, yet the Muslim countries have to forget about any sectarian differences in order to stand united on single page. Surely, a collective voice is the best path for promoting the world peace.

New Troika of Chiefs Suits the Chief Executive

New Troika of Chiefs Suits the Chief Executive
(Tariq M Javed) http://tariqmjaved.blogspot.com
Dec 11, 2013

With new leadership in the Presidency, at the GHQ and the Apex Court, maybe, the chaotic national scenario is up for a drastic change in any undetermined direction. The president though elected, yet is a favourite of the N-league.
The Chief Justice has been appointed based on his seniority rights, while appointment of Chief of the army staff is the result of superseding , as the seniority rule has been infringed altogether; thus policy of pure merit has been ignored.

Gen. Haroon Aslam’s seniority in this case has been violated; hence the senior most general had no option but to step down.
In other words, traditionally, the tendency in the past has been to ignore seniority rights to oblige the favourite ones through hand picking, indeed. Since President Ayub Khan’s time, mostly handpicked generals have been appointed as the army chiefs. Generals including Musa Khan, Yahya, Gul Hassan, Zia ul Haq, Asif Nawaz, Waheed Kakar, Pervaiz Musharraf, and Pervaiz Kayani, all had superseded their seniors.
Gen. Jahangir Karamat, however, remains an exception. In 1995, the late Prime Minister Ms Benazir Bhutto had appointed him as the Army Chief purely on seniority basis.

In the Current case, the expert analysis suggests that Gen. Raheel Sharif has been given preference mainly for two reasons: Number one is his experience of being in-charge of “Training and Evaluation of Army,” and secondly, he has been recommended for the post by two dignitaries i.e. former President of Pakistan Justice Rafiq Tarrar, and a retired Baloch General Abdul Qadir, who is now a cabinet member.
General Sharif, a soft-spoken gentleman, comes from a dignified family with a long military history: his father and brothers were all military officers. His elder brother, Major Shabbir Sharif shaheed, was among the country’s most decorated officers, winning both its highest military AWARDS, the Sitara-i-Jurret in 1965 and the “Nishan-i-Haider” for his brave role in the 1971 war. It’s worth mentioning here that Major Aziz Bhatti shaheed was his maternal uncle.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef has been suffering in past at the hands of military, he preferred to avoid another head on collision with any commando as head of the GHQ.
This paved the way for General Sharif, a downright professional soldier to get what otherwise belonged to his senior. So. he is the most lucky soldier for having been chosen for heading one of the most professional armies of the world for next three or more years.

JUDICIARY: Finally, one of the most competent judges, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary has already retired on December 11, 2013 after having served for seven years with utmost integrity, of course.
The current chief Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jilani will be in office for a few months before he retires as well, so he won’t be as aggressive as his predecessor has been.

Apparently, PM Shareef is now in more control of the situation after the new favourite troika of chiefs is in.
Resultantly, the stress level of the Chief Executive/Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must have already been in the mode of “easing off” by now.
However, the question remains whether the ‘improved comfort level’ would be any good enabling him to deliver as he promised during his election campaign?

Obviously, the top-level appointments in the military and judicial sectors should help curb corruption and improve overall picture of governance. Nevertheless, the PM must apply budgetary constraints to control financial crisis.
The fact is, unless those involved in corruption are held accountable and punished severely, PM Shareef stands no chance to cling to power for long.
The nation is fed up with status quo already. Moreover, due to the chronic nature of the ongoing scenarios, the hope for improved governance tends to be fading away faster than it was thought initially.
It’s highly disappointing that the civilian administration is still unable to adapt to the “changed scenario,” and the negative development only adds to the misery allowing the sub standard governance.
Unfortunately, the current regime is viewed as followers of the path of its predecessors, not good news, is it?

Surely speaking, only quick solutions to the problems afflicting the country would let the current regime led by Nawaz Shareef complete its tenure.
The clues are many, but some are more convincing enough to be tried at the earliest to pull the country out of the ongoing quagmire of debt.
Sooner the painful challenges are dealt with at a faster pace, better it is for the interests of Pakistan: A “Pakistan Friendly Foreign Policy,” elimination of terrorism, stopping brain drain, discouraging capital flight, measures to control mega corruption, reversal of hyper inflation, kick starting the stalled economy are all essential challenges to be prioritized.

“Trade not Aid” should be implemented in letter and spirit. Re-opening of the flood gates of foreign investment would only be facilitated once the Rule of Law is respected and the Constitution is strictly followed at all levels.
A viable military strategy and good diplomacy approach is the key to successful ties with all neighboring countries.
Most of all, each and every member of the civil society, media at all levels, government functionaries, military, and of course, the politicians have to share the pain together and help the country to stay afloat for years to come.