Dreaming for the Dust to Settle

TARIQ M JAVED

Beyond doubt, the biased reporting, misreporting or lying is morally and legally wrong. Maybe, the chronic disease of building fake stories is a good business for some, but it infringes the rights of all others who have to suffer because of it. Despite the bitterness, the truth is always beautiful. It simply speaks itself without real effort. In simpler words, one has to remember what was fabricated while the truth remains the same and there is no need to recall the verbatim.

Some champions of Pakistani democracy are “a bunch of liars,” they don’t focus on their main task; rather they are obsessively motivated to monopolize power to rule for their own selfish agendas. Since they are involved in violating the constitutional articles including article 6, article 63 and many others by ignoring the best interests of the country, they do contribute in the discomfort of the masses indeed.

The fact is democracy is said to be existing when it is of the people, by the people and for the people. Here,  the word “people” means people who are in majority, nevertheless, the rich elite always manages to rule the huge majority of general public consisting of the poor masses.

Eye brows are raised over the ‘polluted journalism’ which includes bashing, ridiculing and creating hype in the hot pursuit of rewards in cash or kind from the unknown sources.

Because of this nonsense, Pakistan is stuck in a cul-de-sac.

Of course, the ongoing dilemma is injurious for an overall health of the country and its inhabitants.

Media is a tool for the rich (the powerful elite), while the poor and the oppressed are just the tools to be used in favor of the powerful elite. Among other things, it’s usually noticed that some groups do have a dirty habit of conveniently encouraging media to do biased reporting.

According to Malcolm X, “The media is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control minds of the masses.”

In fact, the media does have the capability to generate public opinion as intended to satisfy the vested interests. But, the problem is the ‘unfriendly attitude’ of the main stream media towards the oppressed public in general.

On the other hand, the competition among the media businesses is in a desperate need of giving the truthful information by being objective and balanced in reporting. And the media is always bound by a code of ethics to continue as competitive and credible under all circumstances. A successful journalism has to be conscientious, because presenting the distorted facts is unethical and unlawful.

The job of Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) is to monitor to make sure that no TV channel is violating the terms and conditions of the license.

If PEMRA in the past had fined the TV channels found guilty of violating the code of ethics, the ground reality would have been quite the opposite.

Furthermore, the ‘never ending cycle’ of “tugs-of-war” between power-players is a bad news and now the eruption of civil-military tussle and the media hype to further the deterioration is something that would inflict too much damage to the country.

Obviously, the incompetence of elected representatives to come up with a political answer to the multiplying challenges does get compounded by the substandard TV debates.

We still remember executive-judiciary confrontation that topped the media charts for around three years. And the gossips about the Military establishment’s anger with the judiciary and the civil military rift are more than frightening. 
To figure out - is expected to remain complicated for some time unless scoping beneath the surface is carried out to analyze the dilemma.

Damage control and fixing the Snags:

By the way, a massive education program is to be introduced to eradicate the general illiteracy followed by computer literacy campaign so that people are able to know the difference between right and wrong.

·         Practising shamanism and idolizing the dead saints as redeemers of human problems has to be banned.

·         Land reforms are desperately needed to eliminate the curse of feudalism.

Restoration of writ of the State:

·         All responsible for terrorism have to be crushed brutally.  The terrorists, extortionists, killer gangs, saboteurs and arsonists are making a mockery of the Law enforcement and legal system. They need to be nailed for summary punishments.

·         The FATA region should be declared as province at par with other provinces of Pakistan.

Crushing the separatist movements and insurgency is the absolute necessity, as it is a proxy war to undo Pakistan. Only the Pak Military can finish the job if allowed by the government.

Unfortunately, there are similarities between Egypt and Pakistan situation.

To conclude:

·         A stage is being set in Pakistan unless the incompetent regime comes to senses before it’s too late.

·         The media is divided and judiciary integrity is under attack. The threat of May 11 is fast approaching. The fear is, with the military intervention in the best interest of the country, all democratic gains would vanish once again.

The bottom line:

If the media focuses on achieving the goal of opinion building based on balanced truthful journalism on merit, no power on the Earth can break the country.

Bandwagon of Blame Shifting to Pakistan Position

Most probably, the chronic attitude “Blame Pakistan” stems from the untreated Islamophobia. Because of the misguiding opinion, the Canadians of Pakistani origin end up being nervous.

“When it comes to world news, attitude is what marks the distinction between justice and vengeance. Justice is pure, but vengeance brings more ruin.”―Criss Jami

The question: Is it fair to keep suffering from PHOBIA directly or indirectly, as it leads to deteriorate the state of general health of all concerned?

Nevertheless, it seems as if the ongoing aggressive badmouthing against Pakistan is part of some kind of “hate contest” targeting a country in particular, for point scoring.

“I think that hate is a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding.”―Tennessee Williams

Certainly, the Canadian Pakistanis don’t deserve to be emotionally wounded by the irresponsible remarks of the Canadian minister of citizenship and immigration Mr. Chris Alexander who accused Pakistan of “state sponsored” terrorism. Furthermore, he has asked for allies help to take a joint action. Is he the right person to issue such a harsh statement endangering the great country that has sacrificed a lot while helping the World fighting a deadly war to eliminate terrorists?

The immigration minister should rather work on reducing 32 months limit to relieve the waiting Pakistani spouses and kids under 18 by deciding their cases on the fast track basis. Why is the picture entirely different for Indian spousal cases where time span is around a few months? The said minister’s immature comments on the non-issue clearly indicate where these are coming from.

How can a minister of citizenship and immigration give statement on behalf of the foreign minister? Pathetic! Surprisingly, the honorable prime minister and the foreign minister are still silent on this one.

The big global powers should not forget the fact that Afghanistan has always been a ‘bitter experience’ in the past. Even the allied forces despite Pakistani sacrifices couldn’t succeed in the prolonged war in the area.

Obviously, the rugged mountainous region is almost impossible to conquer. The problem is time of withdrawal has come, but terrorism is still a great threat in the region. Even Pakistan is not immune.

How can the World forget that Pakistan has been a “frontline State” to help the allied forces to tackle the menace and in so doing lost more than fifty thousand precious lives?

(REF) - “Pakistan: State Sponsor of Terrorism?” by Christine Williams for Gatestone Institute, April 7, 2014,

Pakistan’s High Commission to Canada rebuked Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander for calling Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. “Pakistan is not a state sponsor of terrorism, as naively alleged by Mr. Alexander, but is itself a victim of terrorism, determined to fight this menace and extend every possible co-operation to our neighbors and allies in this regard,” said Press Counselor Nazia Khalid.

Mr. Alexander served as Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan and authored the book, “The Long Way Back: Afghanistan’s Quest for Peace,” stated on a CBC television news program that “[t]he civilian government there [Pakistan] doesn’t control military policy, strategic policy… but the army and the intelligence service do…. and they have denied the obvious, postponed this reckoning for years with so many terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda.”

Update for Mr Alexander: Things have changed as Pakistan is a democracy and the Pakistan military and the ISI are under civil control. Interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign Pakistan is wrong.

Mr. Alexander (not a foreign minister) blames Pakistan for the ‘”failed Afghanistan mission” and blames Russia for the “failed Syrian interference.” He mentioned - "they are all connected".

Is he inferring “Russia” as the terrorist sponsor? One wonders: what are his views about China for having strategic ties with Pakistan.

The nervous Canadians may think that this nonsense has been designed to divert Canadians’ attention from the long list of difficulties related to the sub standard delivery of the Harper regime.

Some problems include the poor omnibus bills that camouflage changes from Canadians, the use of closure in order to prematurely end debate on legislation in many instances, the unfair elections act, and the riding nomination disputes. Scandals regarding appointments made by Mr. Harper are disturbing too.

Bottom line is whoever speaks ill against Pakistan is either misinformed or is just a tool in the hands of other trouble makers uttering naively.

Furthermore, the misinformed President Hamid Karzai also accused Pakistan of being behind a recent series of attacks and of blocking his government from striking a peace deal with the Taliban without substantiating his claim.

What should Canada really do?

Canada must help Pakistan in tackling neighboring State sponsored terrorism. Everyone knows what’s going on along the Pak Afghan Border in twelve or so Indian consulates engaged in training the BLA (Baloch liberation army) and dispatching professional terrorists to Pakistan for attacking on the pipelines and weakening the writ of State. The terrorism sponsor countries are involved in supplying state of the art weaponry and training to the anti Pakistan TTP (tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and most of other 100 criminal groups who are available on cash basis to do maximum damage of life and property in Pakistan.

There are groups that are specifically hired to attack the military compounds and security apparatus of Pakistan.

If such is the case, Canada must side with Pakistan to sort out the differing thoughts to reach a logical conclusion.

Good News for Canada:

In fact, after so much destruction, Pakistan is open for business and Canada is more than welcome.

Since the whole picture is crystal clear, the honorable minister must withdraw his following statement:

"Canada and its allies must take a united front against Pakistan because it is a state sponsor of terrorism that threatens world security.”

The fact is Pakistan has been extending full co-operation, including exchange of information and intelligence sharing to the international community; it has arrested several high profile terrorists and have lost more than fifty thousands of lives in the process in addition to huge property damage.
Trouble is, with all the information at their disposal as to the reality of Pakistan's national issues, some people enjoy making provocative statements based on bias or naivety. They keep blaming with no real substance to back up their claims.

Good thing is some countries always maintain softer tones towards Pakistan and say, “we have already made it clear that it is up to Pakistan whether to take military action against the terrorists or to hold peace talks with them. They desire to see peace in the region, including Pakistan. They share a common stance and that’s the main reason they are able to stay united despite the differences.” If the US and the West greatly appreciate all of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the region, and remain optimistic about achieving the shared peace objectives, then Surely, Canada will be an achiever by maintaining its traditional neutrality indeed.

Most importantly, one must be able to separate truth from mere allegations. Pakistan’s importance in the region cannot be over looked. Beyond doubt, a happy Pakistan is better for the betterment of the region and the entire World.

Long Live, “Canada-Pakistan" Friendship! 

Rejection of Quebec Nationalism

“Well, I am trying to put Quebec in its place — and the place of Quebec is in Canada, nowhere else.” (Pierre Elliot Trudeau)

Nevertheless, the Quebec separatists have always been looking for defying the Canadian Federalism, however, this time they failed miserably because the Quebec Liberals won a landslide victory.

Quebec has been constantly threatening to leave the Federation unless it gets more. Due to the blackmail, this province did play well when it came to milking the “mama-federation.” It’s like a spoiled child who gets addicted to receive and receive only.

After the recent Provincial Liberal win in Quebec, the threat of separatism seems to be disappearing.

Good thing is the Canadians didn't give up on Quebec, and the Quebecers have spoken in a louder voice this time to remain a part of Canada at all cost. At least, all other Canadians do have a better opportunity now to really love the Quebecers who are equally Canadians too.

In simpler words, the recent Quebec Liberals on their landslide win gave a great news for Canadian unity to have a federalist government in Quebec. Winnig a decisive victory over the Parti Québécois means a lot when it comes to a stronger federation in terms of unity.

Historically speaking, Mr. Pierre Trudeau entered politics to stop Québec separatism. His government would not grant Québec "special status," and it met the terrorism of the 1970 October Crisis with a toughness which surprised the Canadians, and alarmed some. The Official Languages Act (OLA) of 1969 implemented bilingual policies that remained controversial for the next quarter century, even though the act had a simple scope and aim. The OLA was meant so that the Canadians could receive federal government services in either official language.

Mr. Trudeau became a sharp critic of contemporary Québec nationalism who argued in favour of a Canadian federalism in which English and French Canada would find a fresh Equality. This term is commonly associated with various movements in Québec since the 1960s, most notably the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Bloc Québécois.

The PQ got re-elected in 1981 on a promise to defer the independence question for at least another full term of office. However, its popular support began to diminish, particularly after the resignation of Lévesque in 1985 and the defection of several prominent ministers. The party got defeated in the provincial election of 1985 by the Liberals under the rejuvenated leadership of former premier Robert Bourassa.

Again in October 1995, the PQ government had referendum proposing to negotiate an economic partnership with English Canada following a majority vote in favour of sovereignty.

But, about halfway through the campaign Premier Parizeau surrendered his ‘de-facto’ leadership of the ‘YES’ side to the more popular Bouchard. That caused the sovereignists to lose by a narrow margin in the October 30 referendum (49.4% to 50.6%), yet he managed to win a substantial majority among francophone voters.

Parizeau resigned by blaming the referendum defeat to “money and the ethnic vote.” He was replaced as premier by Lucien Bouchard. http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/separatism/

Furthermore, on 20 August 1998, the Supreme Court declared unanimously that under domestic and constitutional law, the Québec government could not initiate legal steps toward secession.

The federal government and the other provinces of Canada would be obliged to negotiate with the Québec authorities in good faith.

Clarity Bill: Dion subsequently drafted the Bill C-20 known as clarity bill under which a "yes" vote in a referendum would be regarded as a "clear majority" on a "clear question." It would involve more than 50% plus 1 (i.e. a simple majority), it did pass into law in June 2000.

Premier Bouchard failed to mobilize increased support for the separatist cause, and this failure, and later internal criticism from the more hard-line separatists in his party, caused his resignation as Québec premier in January 2001. He was succeeded by Bernard Landry in March 2001. Despite his strong and clear reaffirmation of his commitment to Québec sovereignty, he couldn’t deliver. Thus, the support for Québec independence eventually dropped to about 40%, its lowest point since the 1980 referendum.

http://www.prime-ministers.ca/trudeau/issues.php

Unless the liberal government delivers economic prosperity within its tenure, the pain of PQ's “divisive charter of values,” banning Quebec's public sector workers from wearing religious clothing would continue to have scar marks.

The separatists’ hype of “the xenophobia" would worsen the situation by making it illegal for public servants,  teachers and medical personnel to wear prominent religious symbols or garb, i.e. hijabs, niqabs, burqas, yarmulkes, crosses, turbans, etc. Remember! Islamophobia has caused a great deal of discomfort for the Muslim community.

True, the current liberal victory did neutralize the poisoned minds of the Quebecers who have been carrying the symptoms of separatism from time to time, yet all the previous referendums favouring a united Canada, Bill 101 and the deal with Canada always let the optimism stay in a fragile mode.

Hence, the fear remains that the question of Quebec sovereignty isn't over yet.

Since no miracles are expected of Couillard; he is simply unable to fix a large number of Quebec issues within the short span of his tenure.

How can we underestimate the aggressive tones of Pauline Marois and her coterie? They certainly will come back bickering about the issue in the near future.

Most definitely, the PQ will be more than happy to cash any failure coming from the federation. God forbid, if the PQ is back in power, it will find a way to divide the Quebecers to reach their dirty goals.

It’s encouraging to know that Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is in favor of a joint resumption of the Ontario-Quebec cabinet meetings in the wake of Philippe Couillard's election.

It’s strongly recommended that all of ‎the Canadian provinces must work together to disinfect the country of the “crazy germs of separation” that persistently keep stemming from Quebec.