Saturday, March 14, 2009
Minus One Formula...Ansar Abbasi .. The news ,,15/03/2009
President Asif Ali Zardari today stands completely isolated, as both the military-led establishment and the Gilani-led government are not convinced with the one-man recipe of the presidency to handle the present political crisis.
A source, while quoting an influential diplomatic source in Islamabad, who had earlier indicated about the resolution of the present political impasse before the long march reached Islamabad, now talks of the minus-one formula, insisting that things cannot be allowed to proceed as they are presently.
The source said that the requests by the prime minister, the Army chief and even by influential world capitals to cool down the present tempers remained unheard. The source said that such an indifferent response from the country’s president was surprising. He added that shying away from taking a political initiative to clear up the self-created mess was simply not understandable.
Although, the presidency is determined to fight the present crisis in its own fashion, things are worsening with every passing moment and may lead to a situation where the military may force the present political leadership to get to a political solution as was done in the mid 90s by General Abdul Waheed Kakar. “I am expecting that anything could happen at anytime,” a source said.
A key government minister, who is seen publicly defending President Zardari during these difficult days when most of the cabinet ministers are reluctant, said that Kayani had told the president that he needed to get the present political impasse resolved. The minister, on condition anonymity, said that the Army chief was upset with the present situation. He agreed that the situation may not come under the government’s control if corrective measures were not immediately taken. He, however, indicated that the president may still announce lifting of governor’s rule in the Punjab by 16th March and offer the PML-N to make the government in the province. The minister also said that at the eleventh hour, the government may also allow the lawyers and other participants of the long march to stage a sit-in in Islamabad, while ensuring that the participation remains thin. The minister conceded that despite tall claims of the governor Punjab, the PML-N continues to enjoy clear majority in the provincial assembly and the PPP had failed to muster the required support to make its own government.
A presidential aide, while talking to this correspondent on Friday, also indicated that governor’s rule in the Punjab could possibly be lifted by March 16, but said in a lighter vein that the Sharifs and the N-Leaguers, who are desirous of going on the long march, should at least see the government’s muscles before the crisis was resolved by the presidency.
“We faced jails, we were beaten up and maltreated in the past, now let them have a bit of it,” he said.
A recently retired Lt-General, who has served with the Army chief for long, said Kayani would be the last person to go for the option of military intervention. He, however, insisted that the Kakar formula might be the last option to overcome the present political crisis in the country.
However, a source, who closely knows President Zardari, insisted that Zardari was not the kind of person who would surrender to pressures.
While the president continues to show a brave face and insists that he is capable of countering the present challenges, Prime Minister Gilani is really upset and so are the majority of his cabinet members. They are not convinced with what President Zardari did on February 25. The departure of respected and saner voices, Raza Rabbani and Sherry Rehman being the latest, have also saddened Gilani and his cabinet colleagues as they also see the popularity graph of the government and the PPP falling severely.
While tension in the public further grew after the prime minister and Army chief’s meetings with the president on Friday remained inconclusive, a diplomat representing an influential European capital said that the options were getting limited for the president. The source said that it was a matter of days that things might change - the Nov 2, 2007 judiciary getting restored, the office of the prime minister becominstronger and a national government formed.
A source, while quoting an influential diplomatic source in Islamabad, who had earlier indicated about the resolution of the present political impasse before the long march reached Islamabad, now talks of the minus-one formula, insisting that things cannot be allowed to proceed as they are presently.
The source said that the requests by the prime minister, the Army chief and even by influential world capitals to cool down the present tempers remained unheard. The source said that such an indifferent response from the country’s president was surprising. He added that shying away from taking a political initiative to clear up the self-created mess was simply not understandable.
Although, the presidency is determined to fight the present crisis in its own fashion, things are worsening with every passing moment and may lead to a situation where the military may force the present political leadership to get to a political solution as was done in the mid 90s by General Abdul Waheed Kakar. “I am expecting that anything could happen at anytime,” a source said.
A key government minister, who is seen publicly defending President Zardari during these difficult days when most of the cabinet ministers are reluctant, said that Kayani had told the president that he needed to get the present political impasse resolved. The minister, on condition anonymity, said that the Army chief was upset with the present situation. He agreed that the situation may not come under the government’s control if corrective measures were not immediately taken. He, however, indicated that the president may still announce lifting of governor’s rule in the Punjab by 16th March and offer the PML-N to make the government in the province. The minister also said that at the eleventh hour, the government may also allow the lawyers and other participants of the long march to stage a sit-in in Islamabad, while ensuring that the participation remains thin. The minister conceded that despite tall claims of the governor Punjab, the PML-N continues to enjoy clear majority in the provincial assembly and the PPP had failed to muster the required support to make its own government.
A presidential aide, while talking to this correspondent on Friday, also indicated that governor’s rule in the Punjab could possibly be lifted by March 16, but said in a lighter vein that the Sharifs and the N-Leaguers, who are desirous of going on the long march, should at least see the government’s muscles before the crisis was resolved by the presidency.
“We faced jails, we were beaten up and maltreated in the past, now let them have a bit of it,” he said.
A recently retired Lt-General, who has served with the Army chief for long, said Kayani would be the last person to go for the option of military intervention. He, however, insisted that the Kakar formula might be the last option to overcome the present political crisis in the country.
However, a source, who closely knows President Zardari, insisted that Zardari was not the kind of person who would surrender to pressures.
While the president continues to show a brave face and insists that he is capable of countering the present challenges, Prime Minister Gilani is really upset and so are the majority of his cabinet members. They are not convinced with what President Zardari did on February 25. The departure of respected and saner voices, Raza Rabbani and Sherry Rehman being the latest, have also saddened Gilani and his cabinet colleagues as they also see the popularity graph of the government and the PPP falling severely.
While tension in the public further grew after the prime minister and Army chief’s meetings with the president on Friday remained inconclusive, a diplomat representing an influential European capital said that the options were getting limited for the president. The source said that it was a matter of days that things might change - the Nov 2, 2007 judiciary getting restored, the office of the prime minister becominstronger and a national government formed.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Zardari deals....
If Zardari does not accept the new deal then:
* Army, foreign powers will be left with no option but to implement ‘minus-one formula’.
* Presidents office will be completely marginalised, Zardari will be removed.
* Gilani will take over as power will be restored to Prime Minister’s office.
* Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will join the cabinet
* Deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikar Chaudhary will be reappointed.
Terms of the deal are as follows:
* Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani has been asked to convince Zardari to accept the new political and constitutional arrangement.
* The deal also states the removal of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who is an obstacle to good relations between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML (Nawaz).
* Implementation of the new Constitutional package through the Parliament.
* The deal also demands the restoration of Supreme Court Justice Ifthikar Chaudhary.
Since Wednesday (March 11), there have been a series of meetings that have shaped this deal.
The Pakistan Army Chief met Prime Minister Gilani in Islamabad on March 11, where in the ninety minute meeting the former essentially told the latter to set the deal in motion. On Thursday (March 12), the US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson met the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The reason ostensibly was after Sharif alleged that there was a plot to assassinate him.
* Army, foreign powers will be left with no option but to implement ‘minus-one formula’.
* Presidents office will be completely marginalised, Zardari will be removed.
* Gilani will take over as power will be restored to Prime Minister’s office.
* Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will join the cabinet
* Deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikar Chaudhary will be reappointed.
Terms of the deal are as follows:
* Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani has been asked to convince Zardari to accept the new political and constitutional arrangement.
* The deal also states the removal of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who is an obstacle to good relations between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML (Nawaz).
* Implementation of the new Constitutional package through the Parliament.
* The deal also demands the restoration of Supreme Court Justice Ifthikar Chaudhary.
Since Wednesday (March 11), there have been a series of meetings that have shaped this deal.
The Pakistan Army Chief met Prime Minister Gilani in Islamabad on March 11, where in the ninety minute meeting the former essentially told the latter to set the deal in motion. On Thursday (March 12), the US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson met the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The reason ostensibly was after Sharif alleged that there was a plot to assassinate him.
Might Be Good News...
Pakistan Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has reportedly given a 24 hour deadline to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to convince President Zardari to accept the new political deal backed by Washington and London.
If Zardari does not accept the new deal, then the Army and the foreign powers will be left with no option but to implement the ‘minus-one formula’ which will include Zardari’s removal from the Presidency.
Other consequences would be Gilani taking over and power being restored to the PM office, Nawaz Sharif will join the cabinet and deposed SC chief Justice Iftikar Chaudhary will be reinstated, a Times Now report said.
Gilani is expected to convince Zardari to accept the new political and constitutional arrangement and remove Punjab Governor Salman Taseer before the lawyer’s Long March reaches Islamabad.
If Zardari does not accept the new deal, then the Army and the foreign powers will be left with no option but to implement the ‘minus-one formula’ which will include Zardari’s removal from the Presidency.
Other consequences would be Gilani taking over and power being restored to the PM office, Nawaz Sharif will join the cabinet and deposed SC chief Justice Iftikar Chaudhary will be reinstated, a Times Now report said.
Gilani is expected to convince Zardari to accept the new political and constitutional arrangement and remove Punjab Governor Salman Taseer before the lawyer’s Long March reaches Islamabad.
Is it Not Fascism?
We strongly condemn Police torture on Musarrat Hilali and sorry to say that in all this barbaric and brutal event the government of Bacha Khan the great followers are involved...shame on U .
U have forgotten the philosophy of Love, brotherhood,humanity and respect for women....
A Good News?Should we be Optimistic....
A protest by lawyers and opposition parties for an independent judiciary threatens to bring political turmoil and comes as President Asif Ali Zardari's government is struggling to check rising Islamist militancy and to revive a sinking economy.Black-suited lawyers and flag-waving opposition activists launched a so-called long march from the cities of Karachi and Quetta on Thursday, and aim to reach Islamabad on Monday.The government has tried to foil the protest with detentions, bans on rallies, and road blocks, while at the same time looking for a way to avert a showdown that could become violent.Under a compromise Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is pushing, Zardari has agreed to yield ground to opposition demands, according to a presidential aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.The protesters are demanding the reinstatement of former Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was dismissed by former president and army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2007.Zardari has refused to reinstate the judge, seeing him as a threat to his own position, but the presidential aide said under the proposed compromise a constitutional court and an appellate court would be set up and Chaudhry would head one.
A good News?
Under a compromise Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is pushing, Zardari has agreed to yield ground to opposition demands, according to a presidential aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The protesters are demanding the reinstatement of former Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was dismissed by former president and army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Zardari has refused to reinstate the judge, seeing him as a threat to his own position, but the presidential aide said under the proposed compromise a constitutional court and an appellate court would be set up and Chaudhry would head one.
The protesters are demanding the reinstatement of former Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was dismissed by former president and army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Zardari has refused to reinstate the judge, seeing him as a threat to his own position, but the presidential aide said under the proposed compromise a constitutional court and an appellate court would be set up and Chaudhry would head one.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Fascism in action
Even in Pakistan's troubled history of democratic governance, it is rare to find examples of the kind of open fascism we are seeing today. As lawyers and activists prepared to set out for their 'Long March' to Islamabad, Section 144 was slapped into place in Punjab and a massive crackdown initiated with raids on the homes of dozens of PML-N workers and leaders. Hundreds have been arrested; some dragged out of homes in the darkness. The PML-N claims the figure runs to thousands. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the action seems to have been even more vicious, with police goons arresting a prominent human rights activist after bursting violently into her home. Though Tahira Abdullah was released after a few hours – the message is clear: The Zardari administration has laid aside all pretence of following democratic practice or even the mere norms of civilized conduct and has reacted in a manner that would make many bloodthirsty dictators proud. Hundreds of lawyers and activists in the city have been rounded up and efforts to nab others are reported to be continuing in Karachi and Quetta, from where some are said to have already set out on the journey towards the federal capital. The current round of midnight raids and swoops is netting those with the highest profile, who have a place and a voice in public life, all in the name of the preservation of law and order. The ordinary men watch askance, fearful of when it may be his door that feels the rap of the baton. Feel their own heels bumping through the dust as they are dragged in the direction of the paddy-wagon and not knowing when they will again see their loved ones. Fear has never been a good tool of governance, yet it seems in these days to be the tool of preference for a government that is looking increasingly panicked and uncertain. What makes the powers that be look even more foolish is the fact that there is obvious dissent within their own ranks. Some within the PPP apparently seek to stand by the values of the late Benazir Bhutto, who had herself announced plans for a long march in 2007. They are not as willing as her widower to abandon these. Leaders of the lawyers' movement were reportedly tipped off in advance about the plan for mass arrests. Many have gone underground, including Aitzaz Ahsan, who has lambasted the measures resorted to by his own party from a secret location. Arrests of this nature had not been expected – or at least not till March 16, when the protesters are scheduled to arrive at Islamabad. The fact that the detentions are illegal and have already been widely condemned by human-rights groups and the legal fraternity has not deterred the henchmen unleashed by the presidency. Across Punjab, banners asking people to join the Long March have been torn down and lists of persons to be arrested handed out to police. The PML-N has been forced to cancel a crucial meeting as reports of fresh arrests poured in – and it is being anticipated that some effort may now be made to clampdown on a media that has brought the shameful scenes we are witnessing into homes everywhere across the country.We spiral downwards in the direction of totalitarianism, of the destruction of democratic process and institutions. Whatever good we might have glimpsed in the aftermath of last years election has died, sacrificed on the altar of ambition and selfishness that sadly grips the minds of those who govern. It is Pakistan's tragedy that we have once more been betrayed. The forces that claimed to stand for judicial independence and democratic principle have turned brutally on people. Under its present leadership, the PPP has lost all right to be called a party of the people. Those who head it have been completely exposed. Their actions have plunged a struggling nation into still greater turmoil. History will not absolve them for what they have done.
I am proud of U ...
Superintendent of Police Gujranwala Athar Waheed was suspended on Wednesday for not obeying orders to arrest political workers.Talking to Geo News, Athar Waheed said the basic responsibility of police was to provide justice to the people. He said that police were primarily a services institution and its status as a forces institution was secondary. It is not a tool for politicians to settle their scores, he said. The police official said the dignity of police suffers and its reputation damaged when politicians use it for self-interest. The police had arrested many during the tenure of Musharraf and the PML-Q, he said, adding though none of them is on the scene now but by following their orders the department has lost much of its dignity and respect.The suspended police official believed that the primary objective of the police was to enforce the law and help in the dispensation of justice. “According to me, a police officer also has a conscience and should refer to it while performing his duties.îHe said that every policeman takes oath at the Police National Academy to obey the lawful orders of the superiors. ìThere should be concrete evidence to justify confiscation of a personís freedom.î While referring to the arrest of political leaders in the province, he said: ìThese are the same politicians with whom we had discussed transfers and postings of police personnel and we were answerable to them. But today we are being ordered to scale the walls of their houses and enter into their homes, insult the inmates and denigrate the sanctity of the household.îHe said some politicians were ordering them to do so keeping in view their personal interests. ìBut eventually itís the police to lose, not the politicians,î he added. ìWhether there is long march or not, my question is that when a policeman in Britain can arrest the son of prime minister Tony Blair for being drunk, why we canít even imagine such things here. We canít because the police are the loser in our country.î He said though it is generally believed police are all powerful in the country, but on the contrary they have been disgraced by the politicians. ìHow can we deny a citizen of his fundamental rights to the freedom of speech and movement?î
Is It Democracy?
I condemn the arests of those who are fighting for rule of law in Pakistan.What the government has got from Tahira Abdullah, a woman of 55 years and so many political workers , lawyers as well civil society activists... Just jihad for Rule of Law in pakistan....If it is crime then we all are criminal.....
A massive crackdown on the opposition parties and lawyers was launched on Tuesday midnight across the country to foil the long march and sit-in.Hundreds of activists of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and lawyers were rounded up, while a large number of political and lawyer leaders went into hiding.PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq was placed under house arrest at his sector G-7 residence in Islamabad. Raja Zafar, also a newly-elected senator, said he had received no detention orders but the police locked the gate to his residence from outside at 3am. He said he had heard that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had taken note of the incident and would intervene in the matter.
Former SCBA President Aitzaz Ahsan said the government could not foil the long march and the sit-in would be held at all costs. District Bar Association President Taufiq Asif said he had escaped arrest because he was not present at his house. “Caravans will reach Rawalpindi on March 15 then they all would proceed towards Islamabad via the Benazir Bhutto Road,” he added.
Agencies add: The Punjab government has decided to deploy Army in 30 districts and Rangers in 11 districts of the Punjab, Online reported. However, Punjab Home Secretary Rao Iftikhar Ahmad told reporters that the Army had not been deployed in any part of the province while the Rangers were on standby to maintain law and order.
Containers have been placed at borders of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan to stop caravans. The caravan coming from Balochistan would be stopped near Jacobabad at the Sindh-Balochistan border while caravans coming from different areas of Sindh and Balochistan would be stopped at Kashmore.
All these actions are hsameful and Condemnable.
A massive crackdown on the opposition parties and lawyers was launched on Tuesday midnight across the country to foil the long march and sit-in.Hundreds of activists of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and lawyers were rounded up, while a large number of political and lawyer leaders went into hiding.PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq was placed under house arrest at his sector G-7 residence in Islamabad. Raja Zafar, also a newly-elected senator, said he had received no detention orders but the police locked the gate to his residence from outside at 3am. He said he had heard that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had taken note of the incident and would intervene in the matter.
Former SCBA President Aitzaz Ahsan said the government could not foil the long march and the sit-in would be held at all costs. District Bar Association President Taufiq Asif said he had escaped arrest because he was not present at his house. “Caravans will reach Rawalpindi on March 15 then they all would proceed towards Islamabad via the Benazir Bhutto Road,” he added.
Agencies add: The Punjab government has decided to deploy Army in 30 districts and Rangers in 11 districts of the Punjab, Online reported. However, Punjab Home Secretary Rao Iftikhar Ahmad told reporters that the Army had not been deployed in any part of the province while the Rangers were on standby to maintain law and order.
Containers have been placed at borders of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan to stop caravans. The caravan coming from Balochistan would be stopped near Jacobabad at the Sindh-Balochistan border while caravans coming from different areas of Sindh and Balochistan would be stopped at Kashmore.
All these actions are hsameful and Condemnable.
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