‘Go Nawaz Go’ haunting PML-N for not living up to masses expecations

Go Nawa Go is haunting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well his party leaders now a day. The protesting parties’ leadership had advised their activists, supporters as well general public to raise slogans in any domestic or international forum being attended by the ruling party members. The move has added fuel to fire as the already frustrated by the sit-ins continued by the PTI and PAT for the 47 consecutive days. The first victim of Go Nawaz Go slogans was the Joint Secretary of the Pakistan Medical Association, Dr. Sohail, who was subjected to physical torture for chanting anti-government slogans in a ceremony held in Lahore. Then the overseas Pakistanis staging protest and chanting the same slogans outside UN headquarters in New York during PM Nawaz Sharif address to the General Assembly General Assembly. Later from school going children, lawyers and flood victims followed the same course. On Wednesday, he went to Wazirabad to meet flood victims. He also assured the affectees for every possible support to rehabilitate them. But the flood victims started raising Go Nawaz Go slogans complaining that they haven’t been given any financial or other assistance which was promised by the government
The political uncertainty continued creating panic among the general public due to the ongoing confrontation between the government and the protesting parties. The dialogue process has come to halt as none of the stakeholders ready to resume dialogue any further. The protesting parties have refused to meet with the government team while the political jirga trying on its level best to convince the PTI and PAT to end the deadlock. PPP has apparently changed its stance and watching the entire episode carefully. From Asif Zardari, Bilwal Bhttoo Zardari, Khursheed Shah, Kaira to Eitizaz Ehsan , Raza Rabbani and Yousaf Raza Gilani are changing their stance. They fully backed the PM during the joint session and assured him that PPP would continue supporting the incumbent government besides asking PM not to resign under any circumstances. Some of the heads of parliamentary even went extra miles by terming the participants of sit-ins as ‘ghusbethiay’, termed their demands totally undemocratic and unconstitutional and asked the PM to take stern action against the protesting parties who according to him have besieged the parliament and entire capital by occupying the venue.
Now all those parliamentary parties are not openly supporting the PML-n government and most of the parties have opted wait and see policy. The voice strongly raised by the PTI chief, Imran Khan against the alleged rigging is now being duly considered by these parties’ leaders who remained ignorant to the PTI’s demand of counting of votes in the four constituencies. The incumbent government used various tactics to delay the process on one or the other pretext. But since the serious revelations or rigging made by the former official of the election commission, Afzal Khan confirming the rigging stance of Imrn Khan, the ruling party had to face severe criticism by those parliamentary parties who stood shoulder to shoulder with the PM Nawaz Sharif. Now from former president Asif Ali Zardri to JI Ameer, Sirajul Haq is urging the incumbent government to pay serious attention to the very issue and resolve it without any delay. The government has announced formation of judicial commission to prove in to the alleged rigging in 2013 polls but of no use as the protesting parties are not ready to accept the legal status of the rulers arguing that present government came into power through fake ‘heavy mandate’.
The incumbent government stands on weak ground as both the protesting parties by successfully launching drive against the incumbent government, had developed consensus among various segments of the society over the alleged rigging. PAT chief is still seeking arrest of the PM, CM and the ministers for their alleged involvement in the Model Town tragedy, dissolution of assemblies, formation of national government for two years, introducing electoral reforms and across the board accountability. While the PTI Chief has repeatedly made it clear to all and sundry that his party did not want to derail the democracy but working to strengthen the system by purging the black sheep out from the election commission and introduction of electoral reforms. The government instead of taking in to account the demands of the protesting parties, tried to use force to move them from the venue that again turned the situation from bad to worst. Now PTI chief remained successful in creating awareness among the masses about their democratic as well constitutional rights and definitely matured the masses especially those who do not have access to educate themselves or their loved ones. ‘Go Nawaz GO” is not an anti-government slogan but it gave the people right to express their sentiments against the incumbent government to remind it any wrongdoing on the part of its leaders or bureaucracy.

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Mid-term polls or Go Nawaz Go: Clock is ticking

The mid-term polls seem inevitable under the prevailing circumstances as the end of political confrontation between the government and the protesting parties continued. The PTI and PAT continued sit-ins for the 50^th consecutive day while the PTI Chief Imran Khan once again told the rulers loud in clear that he would not end sit-in until the resolution of his demand i.e. resignation of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. His commitment was visible during his address to another successful procession held in Mianwali on Thursday. Imran Khan challenged Nawaz Shairf publicly to arrange even twenty percent of this crowd in a meeting and he (Imran Khan) would concede that there was no rigging in the elections.
PTI chief maintained that PML-N has won the 2013 polls through massive rigging and assured the gathering that he has caught Nawaz Sharif while cheating and will not leave him. Imran Khan also told that he will get Pakistan free as he had never surrendered in the past and will not allow the people to surrender to rigging now. He asked the Prime Minister not to resign in haste. PTI chief also vowed to make a new Pakistan where the poor will feel that the government was standing with them, introducing best local government system to resolve local issues he also told the people that the Parliamentarians would not be allocated development funds.
The ruling party facing numerous problems due to bad governance and its failure to fulfill the promises it made to the general public before winning the 2013 polls. Taking corrupt practicee to the task, ending nepotism, VIP culture and provision of cheap and speedy justice to the common man were the promises he and his party leaders made to the people. Most of the Pakistanis were not politically matured before 2013 polls but credit definitely goes to the PTI chief Imran Khan in particular while the PAT chief Dr Tahir ul Qadri who encourage the masses to stand up for their rights. Imran Khan no doubt by launching anti-government movement has created awareness among the masses about their democratic rights and how to fight for achieving their rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
The PTI received overwhelming response of the people of all walks due to his just struggle to expose the rigging committed in the 2013 polls. The Prime Minister, Chief Minister and rest of their cabinets as well party leaders are not ready to accept the charges of rigging. If their hands were cleaned, then they should have contacted PTI and other parties who also raised voices against the rigging and the role played by the Election Commission’s officials and the ROs. Had the Nawaz Sharif decided earlier to form commission to probe the charges of rigging, he would not have to face the current political crisis. The political crisis has reached to an extent that now holding of mid-term elections seems inevitable. The PML-N government is under severe criticism for not paying any heeds to the genuine demand of the PTI, mishandling the Model Town tragedy, failing to end corruption and VIP culture etc.
The involvement of two ministers has been reportedly aired on electronic media with footage. Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashood once again caught in the video openly talking about accepting bribes and unveiling the misdeeds on his part while acting as mediator. Another story of mall-practice has also been surfaced on the electronic media showing electricity being supplied to his house directly from the pole outside the house. Later a meter installed by the GESCO and a bill for the month of August amounting to Rs 27,000 was also shown in which connection number or which year/month the meter was installed was not mentioned. The reports of involvement of alleged corruption by the ministers would definitely damage the ruling party’s popularity which is already on the decline.
Most of the parliamentary parties are now appeared changing their stance as PPP’s Senator who during joint session termed the demand of PTI unconstitutional arguing that despite having reservations PPP decided to accept the results for the sake of democracy, now ready to issue white papers on the rigging in 2013 polls. Whereas JUI-F, PKaWMP’s heads are keeping low profile and even issued any statements with regard to the political deadlock and sit-ins in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after assuming power focused his attention on the power crises and started touring abroad to lure foreign investors to help resolve the energy crisis. He paid little attention to put and to inflation, employment, corruption and worsening law and order situation.The PM still have time to revisit the policies and take steps to address the genuine problems of the masses. PM has to take to the task to corrupt practice either belong to PML-N or any other party besides showing flexibility while dealing opponents otherwise he would have no option but to announce mid-term polls.

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Murder of a single person: Murder of entire humanity

Mufti Azam Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah delivered Hajj sermon on Friday in Masjid-e-Nimra at Mount Arafat and said that murder is a great sin and ‘haram’ in Islam.
He also urged the Muslims to shun evil, practice unity and teachings of Islam. “Islam is a complete code of life, it’s a perfect and definite religion of Allah, it teaches brotherhood among Muslims and provides spiritual, moral and social training. He also urged Muslims to keep away from heinous crimes like murder, violence and other evil deeds.
“The murder is great fitna (mischief) in Islam. Islam prohibits obscenity as haram and sin, murder of a single person is the murder of entire humanity, and the one who committed this act unduly shall burn in the hell forever.” He urged the Muslim rulers to discharge their duties honestly and said that they should not forget that they are answerable in front of Allah. The Mufti said un-Islamic forces are hatching conspiracies against Islam and Muslim countries. He urged Muslims to observe patience in their lives in testing times, protect each other’s lives and properties and work together for the success and prosperity of Muslim societies.
The sermon highlighted major issues Muslim countries are facing in today’s world, despite being the second largest population in the world based on almost 57 Muslim countries in the world, some of them the richest in the world, Muslims are facing brutalities by internal and external elements. The Hajj sermon from is appreciable however; we will have to see that who taught the lessons of oppression and brutality and who is the source of all this terrorism. International terrorist have made the lives of Muslims and other human beings miserable, Muslims are killing Muslims, after taking benefits and gains from the those called Mujahideen, the same are declared as terrorists, and Muslim countries are being attacked under the garb of fighting terrorism. Yemen, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Miyanmar, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan are special targets. The Hajj sermon from the Mufti e Azam of Saudi Arabia is appreciable within its own words however; we will have to see that who taught the lessons of oppression and brutality and who is the source of all this terrorism.
In Muslim countries, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan Muslims are fighting with fellow Muslims to gain the political goals, people in thousands were killed and extremism was on its peak as the pictures and videos of beheading and mass killings are floating on the internet, portraying the false picture of Islam which has nothing to do with the religion of peace and brotherhood. From last couple of years Syria is in fighting a war and hundred of thousand have been killed, people in huge numbers have migrated to other parts of the region, even the neghbouring countries like Jordan and Lebanon feeling the threats of the extremism. International War against terrorism has weakened the Al-Qaeda but a new extremely violent terrorist group ISIL threatening the peace of the world. It is an irony that Islam is being defamed by the heinous crimes of terrorists in the Muslim countries.
If the Muslims would keep fighting amongst each others than anti-Islam forces would keep exploiting the few groups of terrorists in Islamic world to gain hidden agendas. If Muslims would not be united then a country of few thousands like Israel would keep killing the Muslims of Palestine and rest of the Islamic world would be a mere spectator. It is the time to spread the message of brotherhood and peace, killing of any innocent person is condemned in the religion but what about the animals in shape of humans killing the fellow Muslims. It is the obligation of the clerics to spread the true message of Islam, which is peace. Muslim countries should also take serious actions to make OIC a powerful organization which could solve the issues faced by the Muslims of the worlds. After many decades of its establishment OIC could not play the role it was formed for, it is the need of the hour to give a powerful umbrella to the Muslims of the world. Leaders of Muslim world should play their duties efficiently in line with Islamic teachings and spend all the resources on the welfare of their nations. Islam preaches peace and abhors terrorism. Islam is against all sorts of terrorism and teaches to spread the word of peace in the universe, but need is to strictly follow the teachings of Islam. Islam does not allow terrorism at any cost. Islam condemns all violence and terrorism plaguing the world today. Muslims should demonstrate a love for peace and unity. Muslims are facing problems today because they have forgotten the true path. Success of Muslims lies in the unity and they must end their ethnic, regional, and sectarianism differences.

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Eid- ul- Azha in the backdrop of political situation

Like Eid-ul- Fitr, the celebration of Eid-ul-Azha involves some unpleasant events that are usually experienced by the general public. The masses are all set to celebrate Eid ul Azha. The PTI and the PTI has decided to mark the festival at the D Chowk,. PAT Chief has permitted his activists to go to their native towns and after celebration, return back to same venue. The PTI chief Imran Khan has announced that he would stay at the venue while PAT Chief Dr Qadri would lead the Eid prayers. This would bring some relief for the Isoolites to share greetings with their relatives without any fear of getting caught between the protesting parties’ activists and police. Most of the time the inhabitants of the sit-ins areas confined themselves in the home, but due to peaceful sit-ins by the PTI and PAT has gave them courage to move freely in and around the twin cities.
But the other factor which has always been ignored by those sitting on the helms of affairs, is overcharging. Like in the past this time masses are too being fleece by the transport mafia. They have been suffering a lot to buy tickets on regular prices as the transports have raised the fares again without fearing of getting caught. First of all being overcharged then the fear of delay in departure due to change in  schedules or dilapidated  roads always create anxiety among the people who wanted to celebrate  the events with the loved ones in their native towns. Likewise the city administration continues remain a silent spectator. There is no check on the buses stands for overcharging while it is almost next to impossible to get ticket on time without greasing the palm of the officials of the Pakistan Railways. Masses sufferings peak when they get stuck up in long queues on major highways due to heavy traffic. These are the plights recurring in the case of homebound people on the festive occasions of two Eids as all modes of transports and communication network are not capable of withstanding the mad rush of passengers that are witnessed on the eve of two festivals.
Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims being celebrated today across the country, is all about sacrifice, both spiritual and worldly.  As the Holy Quran mentions, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) did offer, at the behest of the Almighty, to sacrifice his most beloved son, Hazrat Ismail (AS), nearly 4000 years back. He had thus set a unique example of spiritual love for the Almighty Allah. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had showed his readiness to make any sacrifice and prove his unalloyed allegiance to Allah. But the Almighty recognising the true intentions, spared Hazrat Ismail(AS) and sent a lamb to be sacrificed. The followers of the religion of Islam do draw inspiration from this significant event and slaughter sacrificial animals during the Eid-ul-Azha every year recalling the submission the Prophet Ibrahim had made to the Creator.
The core essence of the celebration is that people should strengthen their mental resolve to avoid what is bad for them, their families, relatives, neighbours and the mankind as a whole and make sacrifices for any good cause not just for once in a year but for the year round. In doing so they should concentrate more on serving the humanity selflessly, particularly those who are in distress, financial or otherwise. As the world is getting more complicated, the people belonging to all faiths have become more self-centred. But the spirit of the Eid-ul-Azha teaches them not to be so and asks them to be sympathetic to the poor and needy. This time the political confrontation has created panic among the masses. None of the stakeholders ready to show any flexibility that may lead to end the political impasse despite the hectic efforts of the political jirga to resolve the issue peacefully. The PTI chief is in no mood to leave the D- Chowk until the resignation of the Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf. Saturday, he came up with another surprise by telling his supporters he is expecting mid-term polls are going to be held before next Eid.Well the possibility of clash between the PAT, PTI with the government is not being expected which is good news for the masses. But there are some other problems that worry the citizens. The heaps of leftover meet of sacrificial animals lay unattended for days in most of the areas of the twin cities.
The wastes created through the sacrifice of animals pose a big health threat to people living in cities and towns unless those are collected and disposed of promptly and hygienically. And this year, there has been an additional fear about prior use of steroids for fattening cows etc., in order to go for a higher ask-price for sales of sacrificial animals on this occasion. This has some severe adverse implications for human health.

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Mounting political intolerance

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) workers on Thursday stormed the hotel in Multan where Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed was due to address a press conference and raised anti-Imran and anti-Sheikh Rasheed slogans. N League workers also threw stones, rotten eggs at the building and tore down Sheikh Rasheed’s campaign posters. A number of PML-N workers also surrounded the Multan Press Club where Sheikh Rasheed was due to address the media and threw rotten eggs and stones.
PML-N Multan leader, Billal (Billu) Butt, said that Sheikh Rashid deserved to be treated like this. He said that Sheikh Rashid deserved to be treated like this. Rashid, while talking to various private TV channels from the hotel said that PMLN leadership had sent these hooligans under the auspices of police only to scare him away. He was of the view that he was seeing situations far worse than this and a bunch of hired goons cannot make him change his mind and he expressed his views in the press conference latter. PMLN workers, who were chanting slogans like ‘Sheeda Talli Haye Haye’, ‘Ro Imran Ro’, ‘Go Imran Go’ etc, also showered eggs on the hotel doors and posters bearing Rashid and other leaders.
It is not the first incident of intolerance in the recent political turmoil in the country; leaders of the political parties are encouraging their supporters and workers to involve in violent activities to embarrass the other political parties. Daughter of the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif seems busy in provoking the workers of PML N to get aggressive against anti-government elements in the country. In spite of condemning the shameful act of the workers of the party, Maryam Nawaz backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers who attacked and tweeted in the social website that, “Now N-leaguers from Lahore and Islamabad should also show some honor (by following the daring example of PML-N Multan). She expressed that time is nigh when Imran Khan will fear stepping out of the container”.
On the one hand, leaders of the PML N are trying to get all the credit for showing political flexibility to let the protesters demonstrating in the capital, outside the parliament building but on the other, leaders are encouraging to the workers to get brutal and attack the anti-government protesters. Quite surprisingly the notion ‘Go Nawaz Go’ has gone viral. Nawaz Sharif went to Kashmir and the people assembled there hurled ‘Go Nawaz Go’. Later on he went to Sargodha and received the same response from the public. Protesters also gathered outside the United Nations (U.N) headquarters and chanted ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogans when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was there to address to the General Assembly of UN. The slogan of ‘Go Nawaz Go’ haunted Pakistan’s Prime Minister even in New York as PTI and PAT workers reached the building well before Nawaz Sharif. Holding placards in their hands, the protesters demanded his resignation with the slogan of ‘Go Nawaz Go’. This slogan has created annoyance in the party leadership of the PML N and they are passing embarrassing statements in retaliation to answer go nawaz go slogan.
The rising vicious trends in the politics of the country would not leave a good impact on the masses and it would damage the democracy. It is a free country and laws permit free association with any political party and also freedom of speech and expression of thoughts. But the Political leaders and workers of all the parties must act with in the boundaries of decency. They must also give a second thought to their aggressive behaviors against each others.

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Standing against VIP culture

A case has been registered against Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, and his guards after they allegedly killed a student in Lahore.
The victim, Tahir Malik, and his brother Waheed, were going to a relative’s house on their bike to distribute sacrificial meat, when they came across Qadir Gilani’s motorcade.
Waheed in his statement to the police told that the guards shouted at and abused them, forcing them to stay away from the motorcade and by the time they crossed motorcade the guards opened fire at them, killing Tahir on the spot and he got injured. FIR has been lodged and guard has been arrested and is being interrogated.
Whether this family gets justice or not is another matter. The other family, of course, handed over the guard who was just pawn acting at someone’s orders but what about the master? Murdering any innocent human being is murder of the whole humanity.
Shameful VIP protocol culture of our political elite families, time is changing and elite must mend their ways, else they would be left with no place to hide. People are getting awareness about their rights and they have the feelings against VIP culture that enough is enough and this must be ended.

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Loc violatoins: UN, world community must intervene before situation gets worst

Pakistan despite being a nuclear power never violated the ceasefire and always offered Indian government to resolve the core issue of Kashmir through negotiations. Islamabad held several dialogues with the previous Indian governments to resolve the conflict through talks on the ground that peace can not be achieved in the region without the resolution of Kashmir issue. Pakistan approached in 1949 to United Nations which after carefully listening to both sides passed resolutions asking Indians to resolve the issue as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. But New Delhi never honoured the resolutions of the United Nations and instead reducing its forces keep sending more troops to suppress the freedom movement launched by the Kashmirs seeking right to self-determination. Pakistan once again approached the United Nations with a hope that the Secretary General Ban Ki Moon would take the issue seriously and force Indians to honour United Nations resolutions. Since coming to power, the Indian Prime Minister Modi has launched an ‘undeclared war’ against Pakistan by continuously violating the ceasefire at LoC and working boundary. India has now escalated the situation along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and the Working Boundary. Persistent shelling and firing by Indian forces has resulted in heavy civilian casualties on the Pakistan side. During the period 1-10 October, 2014, 20 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and 22 violations along the Working Boundary were reported, resulting in 12 civilian casualties, 52 injured civilians and 9 injured military personnel on the Pakistani side. From June to August 2014, there were 99 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and 32 along the Working Boundary. In all, during 2014, 174 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and 60 along the Working Boundary have been reported.
While defence analysts are of the strong opinion that further escalation would damage New Delhi’s reputation as a responsible nation and could rekindle a separatist insurgency on its side of Kashmir. Modi’s new policy is being orchestrated by Ajit Doval, Indian’s national security adviser, a retired intelligence official notorious for his role in dangerous counter-insurgency missions. Ajit Doval has been strongly campaigning tough action against Pakistan-based militant groups. Before joining Narendra Modi’s government, Doval reportedly told India must lay down core security policies, one of which was “zero tolerance” for acts of aggression.
In August, after days of cross-border firing between India and Pakistan, Doval reportedly attended a meeting along with the head of BSF in which a decision was made to give free hand to the commanders in held Jammu and Kashmir. There are also some elements in India who do not favour such kind of skirmishes with Pakistan. The Indian defence annalists comparing the policy of the previous government noted that most of time the previous governments only keep blaming Pakistan of helping insurgents, but BSF or the army was never given a free hand by those governments. The Modi government has taken very tough stand against Pakistan that could lead to war which can not be afforded by the both governments, they maintained. India is deliberately putting pressure on Pakistani security forces by opening the new front. The message from Modi administration seems very clear: ‘We will teach you a lesson.’ He has been also criticized by the Congress and other parties for pushing Indians towards another war with Islamabad. Even the Indians living in the border areas of Held Kashmir for decades are raising voices against Mode administration for ruining the peace in the areas bordering Pakistan.
The violations of ceasefire by the Indian forces at a time when our armed forces are successfully achieving the goals of operation Zarb-e-Azab appeared to be well-planned conspiracy on the part of New Delhi. World community especially the US must notice the situation immediately and stop Indian naked aggression against Pakistan as it could be harmful for the Washington too which is already in the process of pulling its forces out of Afghanistan.
Modi must not underestimate the power of the Pakistan armed forces. Our armed forces are fully capable to defend every inch of the country’s soil besides giving befitting response to any aggression. Islamabad has told New Delhi not to test its patience. Pakistan has exercised utmost restraint and responsibility in responding to these provocations. Our security forces are only responding to the continued unprovoked Indian firing along side LoC and working boundary. Indian army and BSF know very well that Pakistan forces have the capability to respond with full might but as responsible and civilized nation, Pakistan demonstrating maximum restraints. Indians must not consider our policy as our weakness. Islamabad hopes that better sense would prevail on the Indian side as war is no solution to conflict as it brings nothing but destruction. Prime Minister Modi must understand that he is playing with the fire that could engulf his house too.

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Ban on capital punishments and flow of illegal weapons

The rangers Monday successfully foiled the terrorist bid to get release their colleagues imprisoned in Central jail Karachi. The terrorists were reportedly digging up tunnel and were only 50 metres away from the barracks where over 100 dangerous terrorist were locked up. The effective coordination between the intelligence agencies and timely action by the rangers has not only save Karachi but entire Pakistan by foiling the plans. Had the terrorists managed to get their colleagues out from jail, the move would have nothing more than a catastrophic. These hardened terrorists languishing in jail for years at the expenses of the taxpayers’ hard-earned money deserve no mercy. Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorists’ acts since the launching of operation Zarb-e-Azab. The terrorists first holed up in tribal areas somehow managed to make their way across the country. Karachi is the major city where the terrorists are launching attacks on sensitive installations. In most of the cases, due to effective coordination among the law enforcement agencies personnel, the terrorists could not succeed in taking control or destroying the entire infrastructures in Karachi as well Quetta and other parts of the country. The use of sophisticated foreign weapons by the anti state elements speaks volume about the weapons smuggling in the country. It also exposed the credibility of those quarters who failed to track down the supply routes what to say about nabbing the dealers. There seems no effective check and balance in the offing to put an end to arms smuggling into the country. The most of the sophisticated arms since then fell in to the hands of terrorists’ outfits and other criminals who took full advantage of the situation. Now it is no secret to anybody that Pakistan’s streets has badly been infested with the illegal weapons. There is dire need to review the deweaponisation policy. It appeared now that the problem is far bigger than witnessed in the past. As reported most of the weapons dealers have been abusing the relevant arms import policy by under-invoicing their goods, they have brought into the country weapons in far greater quantities than their quota allowed. The previous PPP government made approved amendments to its arms import policy in 2014. But non-implementation of the policy till now has paved the way to the arm dealers to spread their network across the country and supply sophisticated weapons as one can easily buy from 9 mm pistol to Kilashunkov through middle men or by himself.
The practice needs to be curbed as country can not afford sale of arms any further , while the reasons behind the Pakistan’s ever-increasing graph of violence is disparate and many, there’s one thing that underpins it all; one thing that, so to speak, facilitates violence — readily available weaponry. If all the tensions that are currently ripping the country apart remained, even then it would be possible to argue that were this not such a heavily weaponised environment, the levels of threat-escalation would be lower. Nowhere is this more evident than in Karachi, which is seeing steadily increasing levels of heinous crimes . Then there are security challenges of a different nature which must be countered in different ways, as each equation demands. But in each case, reducing the number of arms coming into the country and deweaponisation are the first critical steps as it would definitely help in reducing violent crimes and might save our young generation from falling prey to any violent crime. The common man is the ultimate suffer as in most of the innocent citizens lost their lives after being targeting with highly sophisticated weapons.
It is a matter of concern too for those sitting on the helm of affairs that how the anti state element manage to smuggle Russian, Israeli, Indian and other foreign countries weapons into the country and still the deweaponisation policy is resting at the tables of bureaucrats who feel free to go anywhere with the army of heavily armed guards while a common man sleeps a restless night because he has nothing but to depend on government when it comes to have peaceful environment.
The government and all the stakeholders have to sit on same table to devise a comprehensive strategy to purge the country of illegal arms. The easy access to weapons ranging from handgun to anti-aircraft guns pose a serious threat to civilian as well government too as not a month goes by when the terrorists either blow up gas pipeline or fire mortar shell at the heavily guarded government installations. All what country need to purge the country of illegal arms and implement deweaponisation policy and ensure it’s implementation in letter and spirit. Thousands of terrorists are languishing in various jails across the country and pose a serious threat to country’s sovereignty. The government must lift ban on capital punishment. The self-confessed terrorists must be sent to gallows to get even with them.

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Justice must be served; VVIP culture mother of all ills

The PML-N government is continuously facing all sorts of crises due to the stubbornness attitude on the part of ministers and heavyweight bureaucrats. The killing of one Tahir on the third day of Eid ul Azha no doubt a challenge to ruling party to unearthed the facts and bring to the books to the murderers without taking into account their affiliation to any party. The killing can not be justified as the deceased was carrying ‘meat’ not ‘gun’ while riding motorbike with his younger brother. If the accused did not pose any threatening gesture towards the car reportedly carrying former Prime Minister’s son, then there was no need to shot him to death. The ex PM’s guard was so perfect in killing people that he shot the fire at Tahir which entered into his right eye and exited from back of his head. He would have warned them to stay away from the car or could have shot him in the leg. The practice of providing guards to former Presidents, PMs VVIPs etc must be confided to them but unfortunately, most of the time their family members not only enjoy the protocol but also used to get even with any of their ‘opponents’.
The VIP culture coupled with nepotism have brought bad name to the rulers. Masses have totally lost the faith in the current democratic set up. Now new political turmoil is brewing as the parliamentary parties that unanimously supported PM Nawaz Sharif during joint session, seem to changing their stance.
PPP, JI and ANP have clearly told the government that we did not save the PM but rendered support to uphold the supremacy of constitution and strengthening democracy. PM and his ministers are still claiming that the Parliament represents the voice of 180 million people and it will complete its mandated five year term.
The atmosphere remained tensed till now. Almost every major political party is holding processions to demonstrate their muscles. Heated debates are being made. The politics of character assassination is in full swing. Most of the parliamentary parties are locked in war of words blaming each other for bringing country on the verge of collapse.
The standoff between the government and the protesting parties is again damaging the spirit of democratic norms as it was witnessed that the ruling party and all the parliamentary parties including the opposition are openly siding with the incumbent government and keep insisting that PM would not resign under any circumstances. They again sent a clear message to the protesting parties that their demand of PM’s resignation is totally unconstitutional and unacceptable to the House. While the ongoing tussle is also taking its toll to the bureaucrats who are finding it extremely difficult to perform their duties.
The government officials can not perform their duties as the sit-ins of the protesting parties continued. The situation is getting worst with each passing day and government is being pressurized by the parliamentary to maintain the writ of the law. Most of the politicians are asking the government to continue its efforts in finding peaceful way to end the crises but in the same time they also criticized the government over its failure to deal with the protestors. Parliamentary leaders keep complaining that they are not getting funds for the development of their respective constituencies.

There were complaints that a few thousands protestors have laid siege to the Parliament House and other state buildings and government should take immediate steps to end the siege otherwise it could encourage others to follow the same path.
The PTI and PAT leaders are now not ready to give up. Both are insisting that Prime Minister must resign arguing that they can not get justice from the incumbent government as it would influence the judiciary.
Political stability is the essential requirement for growth of business activities and economic development of the country as no investor would come to invest in Pakistan in uncertain political environment. It is the duty of political leadership of the country to keep the national interest of the country always supreme and avoid any moves that may prove harmful for the country. The poor governance have badly tarnished the image of the ruling parties in the eyes of the common man. The influential are free to kill innocent people and do not have the respect for the law of the land. The incumbent government has to show its impartiality when it comes to providing justice to the masses otherwise people would have no choice but to take the law into their hands as it has been witnessed in Karachi and other parts of the country where enraged people killed the dacoits with bare hands instead of giving into the custody of police. Government must ordered impartial inquiry into the high profile cases to win the confidence of the masses. The VIP culture which is mother of all ills must be brought to an end

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NA-149 bye-polls and the negative role of the government

Stage is all set for by-polls in NA-149, Multan being held today. Neck on neck contest is being expected between Javed Hashmi and Amir Dogar. Hashmi is contesting the by-polls as independent candidate after saying goodbye to PTI. According to reports 285 polling stations and 770 polling booths have been set up for the polling. 105 polling stations have been declared sensitive by law enforcement agencies. Hashmi, the former PTI President, would not be casting his vote since it’s registered in another constituency, NA-148.
Javed Hashmi contested the 2008 polls as PML-N candidate while he emerged victorious in 2013 general elections on PTI ticket. Amir Dogar who had won the polls on PPP ticket has been running as independent candidate. Pakistan Peoples Party has also fielded its candidate Javed Siddiqui who has very little chances to win the polls.
The stakes are high as both the “Independent candidates” are unofficially being backed by the two major parties i.e. PML-N, and PTI. Javed Hashmi had been approached by the PML-N local leaders who offered him party support in the bye-polls. Amir Dogar, who had won the elections on PPP tickets earlier, now is fully backed by PTI.
People are terming the NA- 149 bye-polls very crucial as it would decide the popularity of the ruling party and PTI in days to come. Both PML-N and PTI are making hectic efforts to muster up support for their unofficial candidates. The bye-polling in NA- 149 has become controversial even before the announcement of the date for polling. Javed Hashmi has won the 2013 polls on the ticket of PTI with 83,000 votes appeared to be strongest candidate due to due to his political career and the sacrifices rendered by him for the cause of democracy. But political observer have expressed reservations about the outcome of the NA- 149 bye-polls arguing that due to ongoing political confrontation between the PML-N and PTI, one can not predict who is going to emerge victorious from the constituency.
The incumbent government which is already in trouble due to charges of alleged rigging in 2013 general elections seems to have not learned the lesson from the ongoing protest. The government should have remained impartial to ensure fair and transparent elections. But the ruling party is making same mistake by openly siding with Javed Hashmi. The unofficial support of PML-N can cause damage to Javed Hashmi to some extent. Amir Dogar silently enjoying the support of PTI and poses a serious threat to Hashmi this time.
The violation of code of conduct was witnessed Wednesday as pamphlets were dropped by the helicopters in favour of Javed Hshmi a day after expiry of electoral campaign deadline. The election commission has taken a serious notice of the violation and directed its officials to look into the matter. This move can be dangerous for Javed Hashmi as if found guilty; it would not only cost him his seat but might also face minimum six month imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10, 000.
While Javed Hashmi reportedly told the media that airdropping of pamphlets was not a part of his election campaign and it was only advertisement as the same pamphlet has been published in the newspapers Wednesday. Hashmi has also tried to clarify that one of his supporter named Azhar Baloch booked a helicopter from Multan Flying Club to drop pamphlets. Javed Hashmi has also told media that he would not maintain his seat as an independent candidate and would decided which party he would join after winning the bye-polls. He is likely to rejoin the PML-N as he has written in his ‘will’ that his body would be draped in Muslim League flag before being laid to rest.
Amir Dogar has been seen attending PTI’s rally in Multan sending a silent but clear message to the masses that Dogar is unofficial candidate of the party. The situation is very confusing. The polling agents were witnessed Wednesday carrying matter related to bye-polls on bikes, taxis and private cars without any escort by the police or rangers. The election commission which hired dozens of vehicles to shift the polling materials to respective polling stations under the supervision of police and rangers, failed to utilize the vehicles. ECP only came to action when the footage were started appearing on electronic media showing polling materials being shifted in sheer violation of he guidelines set up by the election commission.
It is an open secret that the ruling party PML-N is running the campaign of ‘independent’ candidate Javed Hashmi. The role of election commission is very important to ensure fair, transparent bye-poll in NA- 149 as whosoever win or lose would definitely hold the election commission responsible for ignoring the violations as witnessed on the expiry of deadline. The results would have far-reaching on the country’s political arena .The government should remain impartial during the entire process which is vital for its survival in the future.

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Confrontational politics only beneficial to anti state elements

Pakistan has urged the United Nations to implement its resolutions on Kashmir and stop India from unprovoked shelling along the Line of Control and Working Boundary. PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz in a telephonic conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sought an effective role of UN to stop ceasefire viiolaltions which is continued till today. So far innocent citizens have been martyred while numerous houses were damaged due to the Indian firing along side working boundary and LoC. Pakistan has also conveyed to the UNSG the situation could further aggravate if New Delhi did not stopped unprovoked firing along side the working boundary and LoC. A UN Military Observer Group visited the affected areas along side the Pakistani borders to assess the damages and see the ground realities. The UN Group was denied access to Indian side of borders. The UN observer group was supposed to prepare a detailed report which was later submitted to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Mon. But due to non-cooperative attitude on the part of Indian authority, the report was not prepared. Pakistan has once again approach the UNSG asking him to stop unprovoked firing by the Indian army.
The Indian unprovoked firing comes at a time when the country is faced with multiple challenges such as recovering from flood devastation, operation Zarb-e-Azab aimed at purging country’s soil from terrorists once for all and ongoing political confrontation. The rulers as well politicians either sitting inside or outside parliament had a great deal of responsibility to shun their petty differences and forge unity which is the only way dealing with the challenges.
The floods played havoc in the Punjab, AJK and Sindh to some extent. Over 360 people lost their lives while irreparable damages were caused to the standing crops and public property.
Armed forces have launched operation Zarb Azab to flush out the terrorists from NWA with firm resolve to achieve the desired goals. The security forces have given a 36 hours deadline to the extremists in Khyber Agency giving them choice either to surrender or face full-fledged military operation.
The issue of internally displaced people ( IDPs) is also being dealt by the government and Pakistan army as these people are also facing hardship and are deserve help. The extremism, terrorism had badly damaged the country’s economy as over 10 lac IDPs are totally depending on the government to live with dignity.
Masses had been passing through an ordeal for the last many months and the apathy of the government, agitating parties and some seasonal politicians was most unfortunate and indeed unforgiving at a time when the country is passing through very crucial time. Anti state and anti democratic forces are once again out there to create anarchy , causing damages to already shamble economy and fanning hatred among masses to destablise the country. It is evident from the facts that there seems no end to target killing. Rangers have been given extra powers and assisting police in maintaining law and order but despite the arrest of some target killers, the bloodshed continue unabated while the most of the killers remain at large.
The ongoing political confrontation between the protesting parties and the government continued. Ruling party, protesting parties even those parliamentary parties’ leaders who were striving hard to save the system, now appeared to be working on their own agenda i.e. promoting their party’s interest. PM Nawaz Sharif had announced that he would not resign at any cost. The crisis has once again reached at peak. The PTI has approached Supreme Court seeking disqualification of the Prime Minister who according to Imran Khan lied on the floor of assembly arguing that he has violated article 62, 63.
The government keeps blaming PTI and PAT leaders for damaging the country’s economy. Both the protesting parties are being blamed for the cancellation of Chinese President’s historical visit. The visit has been postponed and efforts are on from both sides to reschedule President Xi visit. That means Islamabad still enjoys the support of time-tested friend. The government must demonstrate more flexibility when it comes to dealing with political rivals. If ruling party is demonstrating maximum restraints despite repeated ceasefire violations of LoC and working boundary by the Indian forces, then it must continue efforts to address the genuine grievances of political parties.
Under the prevailing circumstances, the ruling party and other political parties must keep the national interest supreme. The character assassination policy, blaming each others for the wrongdoings would only help anti state elements that are bound to destablise Pakistan. The killing of eight labourers in Lasbella and robbery incident at Abdul Sattar Edhi’s home speaks volume about the credibility of those sitting on the helm of affairs. These latest incidents are not ordinary crimes but seem to be part of well-conceived plans of anti state elements to destabilize the country.

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Political uproar: What’s in the offing?

The government seems totally paralyzed in dealing with the multiple challenges the country is faced with. The law and order situation is getting from bad to worst again across the country. The incumbent government had failed to fulfill the promises it made to the general public. The loadshedding, gas shortage, sky-rocketing prices of items of basic commodities, ever rising menace of terrorism coupled with unemployment are the major issues which has badly damaged the credibility of the ruling party. PM and his teams went abroad to muster up world leaders’ support for Pakistani products easy access to European countries and convince foreign governments as well private sector to invest in Pakistan but ironically could not achieved the desire results. So far Pakistan has failed to attract foreign investors or receiving any significant aid from any major country that used to claim all out support to steer the country out of financial crises. Only IMF and World Bank are extending loans to Islamabad but on “their terms and conditions”.
After coming to power, the PM keeps claiming that he would end corruption, nepotism, terrorism and put an end to electricity crisis but unfortunately he could not live up to his words. The ruling party failed to take PPP to the task for plundering the national wealth. Not a single PPP’s leader or those corrupt practicees whose deeds are no secret to masses, instead of languishing in jails are enjoying all the perks and privileges. Nepotism has also touched new heights as one can see the “Blued eyed” persons being appointed heads of state institutions. Some of them even do not have the experience to run the day to day affairs what to say about appointments on merit. The law and order situation has again gone from bad to worst. Killing of eight labourers, robbery at world’s most renowned social activist, Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi speaks volume about government credibility. It was very sad to notice that from PM to most of our national leaders failed to even express their sympthies with Edhi sahib as nobody bothered to even contact him on phone what to say about visiting his home. PM, CM Puunjab Shahbaz Sharif and their ministers remained busy in politics of confrontation. Kh Saad who is also among some ministers acting “More Loyal than the King” keeps alleging PTI and PAT sit-ins were meant to stop Chinese Investment in the country. On Monday he disclosed India attracted investment worth 20 billion dollars from China. He said that Chinese president did not arrive in the country due to security issues developed from the political sit-ins. In other words he has admitted that ruling party has lost its grips when it comes providing security to high profile personality such as Chinese President Xi.
The incumbent government is accusing PTI and PAT for its failure to fulfill the promises it made to the common men. They have projected Imran Khan and Dr Qadri a danger to foreign investors, terming them fundamentalists. Before the sit-ins, the government was also facing hardship to convince the foreigners to invest in Pakistan. The foreign investors do want to invest but due to deteriorating law and order situation, sharp rise in corruption and appointments of some persons on key posts having “dubious credentials” barred foreign investors to come to Pakistan.
Instead of busy in character assassination, the government should have stay focused in wiping out terrorism, putting an end to corruption by holding across the board accountability etc. etc the ruling party deviated from the very stance and turned its guns on their opponents. The ruling party keeps claiming that PM can not be forced to resign at the whims of ‘few thousands’ people and could complete its tenure. The Prime Minister on Sunday has again told that general polls would be held in 2018. Keeping in view the processions being held by the protesting parties i.e. PTI, PAT, PPP and Jamaat-e- Islami, it would be hard to rule out the possibility of mid-term polls being expected to be held next year. PTI and PAT are striving hard to bring the ruling party on its knees and are not giving any space to PML-N to regain public’s confidence. The incumbent government did try on is level best to control the law and order situation but could not fulfill the promises it made with the common man.
The government not only failed on domestic front but it also remained unsuccessful on external front. Unprovoked firing by the Indian forces, shelling from Iran and Afghanistan are ample proof of failed foreign policy. The problems rulers are facing today are due to its own failure in fulfilling the promises it made to the people. The government seems to have not learned the lesson from its past mistakes. It is the dire need of the hour to revisit the domestic as well foreign policy based on purely in the best interests of the country.

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Dual standard of UN, world community and the Kashmir issue

DG ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa said on Wednesday Pakistan wants peace on its borders, but is ready to respond to any form of aggression from its neighbours. While talking to media men he said, “We do not want to disrupt peace but if the other side resorts to aggression then it will be responded accordingly.” While Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was of strong opinion thatPakistan wants to cultivate cordial relations with all the countries in the region. Our armed forces are fighting courageously in North Waziristan against the terrorists and giving sacrifices to ensure a peaceful and secure Pakistan.”
The military as well the government statements were in response to continued unprovoked firing and shelling across the LoC and the Working Boundary. Indian forces on Wednesday once again resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling at Charwah Sector,
targeting Bajra Garhi, Charwah, Domala, Tulsipur, Gor, Baghiari. So far 13 innocent and unarmed civilians have including women and 9-month-old boy embraced martyrdom due to the ceasefire violations by the Indian forces. People living alongside the working boundaries have left their homes to save their lives.
Islamabad has told New Delhi it believes dialogues are only way to resolve Kashmir issue despite the fact that our armed forces are fully capable to deal with any adversity at borders. Islamabad made it clear to Indians not to consider its desire for peace as weakness. Pakistan armed forces are fully capable to thwart any aggression but always demonstrated maximum restraints. Islamabad wants resolution of Kashmir issue as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people while Indian leadership not only refused to accommodate Kashmir’s leadership in the dialogue process but keep insisting occupied Kashmir as integral part of India.
One can easily differentiate the Indian approach towards resolution of the core issue of Kashmir through negotiations. Narendra Modi since assuming the office continuesly claiming that Pakistan has been taught a “befitting lesson” with the Army “shutting their mouth”, alleging they will not dare to repeat it again. Ironically, Modi not only accused Islamabad of violating the ceasefire but also assured those living close to the border with Pakistan that the Indian government will act promptly to provide adequate compensation to them. Even the Congress Party is criticizing Narendra Modi for escalating tension alongside Pakistan borders but what appeared to be part of election campaign, Mode continued singing anti-Pakistan songs to win the elections
The UN and rest of the world community remained silent over the Indians’ inhuman and cowardly acts against the Pakistani civilians. The United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon who have great responsibility on his shoulder also busy in lip-servicing as he hasn’t approached the Indian leadership to stop ceasefire violations. He has failed miserably in convening emergency session of United Nations Security Council to discuss the issue despite repeated requested made by the Pakistan for taking notice of this unprovoked Indian aggression. Whereas Pakistan has made every possible effort to resume the dialogue process with India but later keeps canceling the resumption of dialogues on one or the other pretext.
Making mockery of UN’ resolutions should be a matter of concern for the UNSC but it never took the issue seriously. The J&K valley has been illegally occupied by the Indian forces since 1948. Pakistan has raised the issue in United Nations which not only termed it as “Disputed territory” but also called Indian to resolve the issue through negotiations acceptable to all. But India never accepted the Kashmirs disputed territory and sent over 7 lac fifty thousands troops to suppress the Kashmiri people struggle for getting rid of foreign occupation.
Pakistan considers Kashmir as its jugular vein but despite unprovoked violations of the Indian security forces, Islamabad demonstrated maximum restraints and only responded to the situation to avoid civilian casualties. Pakistan had always raised the just cause of Kashmiris on national and international level but the world community failed to live up to its commitments.
But New Delhi must not forget that Pakistan armed forces are fully capable to respond to any aggression with full might when it comes to defending the country against any aggression and safeguard the territorial integrity of Pakistan. Modi must have to understand that negotiation is the only way to resolve the issue. Instead of relying on its military might, Modi should demonstrate maturity and sincerity and stop blame-game and point scoring. All conspiracies against Pakistan could be foiled if an active foreign policy was adopted and that Pakistan had the potential to meet all internal and external challenges related to economy, terrorism and foreign aggression. The UN has failed miserably to resolve the issue and being dictated by Washington that has the present centre of global politics. Pakistan must not depend on UN, Washington or any other country for the resolution of core issue of Kashmir. There is a dire need to send a clear message to Indians as well the world community that enough is enough.

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Quetta under attack

It is not the first Quetta, the provincial capital of the largest province of Pakistan; Baluchistan is under attack by the terrorists. Hundreds of thousands have migrated to other provinces or have left the country to get refuge abroad, but menace of terrorism is not being control despite of counter-terrorism strategies by the law enforcing agencies.
On Thursday, at least twelve people were killed in three incidents of terrorism. Unidentified armed men killed eight members of the ethnic Hazara community and injured six others in the Hazar Ganji area of the city. A study revealed couple of weeks before by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Balochistan chapter showed that the violence has driven as many as 200,000 Hazaras to relocate to other major cities of Pakistan or move abroad.
In another terrorist incident, At least two people were killed and dozens injured when a suspected suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside a Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) rally in Quetta. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman remained unhurt in the attack, which targeted his bullet-proof vehicle. Blast took place as thousands of JUI-F supporters left the venue at the end of the rally, which was held in honour of Mufti Mehmood at the Sadiq Shaheed stadium. The bomber blew himself up when he failed to climb the vehicle and was stopped by JUI workers. UI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said that the blast targeted his vehicle as he was departing from the venue of the rally. He said that he and his colleagues survived the attack as they were riding in a bullet-proof vehicle. The blast on Thursday was the third incident of terrorism of the day in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province which is plagued by a nationalist insurgency and extremist militancy. Banned militant group Jundallah has claimed responsibility for the attack. The leader of JUI F remained safe because of his bullet-proof vehicle but what the government is doing for the security of the people who do not have the luxury of bullet-proof vehicles? Would they keep suffering? Would their grievances ever be redressed or they would keep rendering their lives for the reason they are not aware with? It seems that our law enforcing agencies have miserably failed to provide the security to the common people.
 In the third attack of terrorism of the day, two people were killed and 12 were injured in an explosion that took place on Qambrani road as unidentified gunmen opened fire in the area following the explosion which was heard far and wide. The target of the attack was said to be a vehicle of the Frontier Corps (FC). The blast was followed by intense firing and panic spread in the area and, people were confined to their homes and shops. It was not the first incident of violence on the same road. Militants in recent days have intensified attacks against security forces and national installations in Balochistan, plagued by an insurgency and growing sectarian killings for more than a decade.
 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while taking notice of the incidents, directed the security agencies to ensure the arrests of the culprits. The premier ordered that swift and stern action is taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. The prime minister moreover directed the interior secretary to file an official report following a thorough investigation of the incident. But this is not the first time authorities ensured the rapid arrest of the culprits, they have pledges the same again and again but failed to do so. Shutter-down strike was observed in most parts of Quetta city, Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch arrived to condole victims at the Combined Military Hospital to express solidarity with the protesters at Alamdar Road. It is the time that incumbent federal and provincial government should make it their top priority to provide the security to the people as security of lives is the top most duty of the state, prior to the health and education and other facilities.
Hundreds of innocent people of Hazara community have been killed in last few years. It has happened number of times that the families who lost their loved ones refused to bury the dead bodies in a protest against the silence of the government to provide them security, they have staged the sit-ins, after the pledges of the high-ups of the government they buried the dead bodies that the terrorism would be arrested soon. But these pledges remained the tall claims of the law making authorities and despite claiming the responsibilities of the attacks by the banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jindullah, none of the terrorist was brought to justice. It seems that authorities are playing with the emotions of the innocent people or trying to test their patience.

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Hour of need: Local government elections

It seems that politicians are not willing to hold local body election in the country, the issue of local government elections has been delayed for years with the pretext of one to another lame excuses. It is ironic that Supreme Court of the country is pushing for the local body elections but the politicians don’t seem in the mood to do so. Just to make sure that the provincial governments of Sindh and Punjab hold local government elections in time, the Supreme Court (SC) has given another reminder to both the provinces to take it on a serious note.

This trend has to be changed that for every positive act, someone has to push us with force to do it. We are, as a nation not learning the lesson to fulfill our responsibilities. We are setting wrong trends; it is the time politicians must show some seriousness for the devolution of power by organizing the local body elections, which would provide the rights to the common people to redress their grievances on their own. A mayor has stakes to serve his people locally, because the he would understand the problems of people in a better way and would try level best to solve them to get votes to return to office. The court has sternly asked the ECP to complete its job in 45 days. Punjab government would take one more week to pass the Punjab Local government Amendment bill but taking advantage Sindh government has passed the Sindh Local Government Amendment Bill 2014. In the case of Punjab and Sindh, completion of the legislative process is the first step to organise local body elections. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is planning to organise local bodies elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in three phases. The elections will be held in last week of March 2015. Election Commission would start the process of preparing voter lists next month. After which, the election schedule for KPK would be announced in January next year. Around 120 million ballot papers and one million nomination papers will be printed. It would be great that electronic electoral system would be used in the election in KPK.

Although, Election Commission of Pakistan has requested the court to give it five months to conduct local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but court eliminated the request and ordered to ECP and also to the provincial government to submit their progress report within a month. It is mandatory for the provincial governments to conduct local government election, article 140 directs it. Punitive actions can be taken against the provincial governments if they would be found using the delaying tactics for not fulfilling the constitutional requirement.  

Considering the inefficiency of the politicians, it seems that laws are made to be violated. Matter of local body elections is not an exception. If there could have been genuine democratic tends implemented, the Supreme Court would not have had to intervene to force the provinces to conduct local bodies polls. It seems that taste of power is more delicious than respect for the rule of law or the constitution; the courts were left with no option but to intervene and force our prevaricating rulers to do the necessary acts they were supposed to do. It is amazing that on the one hand, politicians keep defending the democracy in the country for the progress of the nation but on the other side they are not willing to give the rights to the people at the grass root level by dissolving the right of power, which is the soul of true democracy. Supreme Court has been intervening time and again but politicians seem not willing to fulfill their responsibilities to the people whose votes have sent them to parliament.

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A good gesture for minorities

In the past decade all the country was facing the menace of terrorism as minorities were also became the victim of extremism. As the country is eradicating the terrorist elements from all parts, it is a good gesture that political parties showing their wishes to the Hindu community on the eve of Diwali the Festival of Lights. Sindh provincial government of Pakistan Peoples Party announced public holiday for the minorities to celebrate the Diwali. On Friday Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf also organized an event in Sindh, Umerkot for the Hindu community in the celebrations of Diwali. Keeping in mind the miserable condition of religious minorities living in the country, the demand is not as off-beat as it might appear at first glance. When it comes to discrimination against our minorities, both at the social and political level, Pakistan probably high on the list as mostly minority groups has not been harassed or threatened by the prevalent extremist mindset of society. Under these miserable circumstances, it is a good act doing some positive discrimination and announcing this festival as a public holiday, if not for the whole country then at least for the Hindu community. Steps like this would enhance the image of the country in the world.

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