ZARDARI IN CROSS FIRE

ZARDARI IN THE CROSS FIRE
Watching Q & A program on ARY on good journalism conducted by PJ MIR with his guests Nazir Naji, Shami and the editor of the Nation tempted me to put my point of view to the public. The whole panel was of great imminent journalists.
This is by no means an attempt to prove myself equal to them but feel myself duty bound to put my point of view as Pukhtoon nationalist with conviction that justice and freedom is for all.
It was one of the real praise worthy program and it goes without mentioning that PJ deserve all the credit to bring these 4 giants on one platform. It was informative with palpable truth and honest analysis of the situation.
I believe Nazir Naji remarks that “PPP is not one of us”, with a deep meaningful smile, spoke volumes without saying any thing.
There will be hardly some one who will come out to support that Mr.Zardari has proved himself a good politician or a good administrator by giving the country a transparent government, free of corruption and nepotism.
The shortage of basic needs inherited from Musharaf, have turned for the worse and it seems that government has run out of options or better say, had no plans from the very beginning to deal with these problems.
But none of the provincial governments have put up a better standard. The constitutional matters are the domain of the central government but other problems faced by the common man is the duty of provincial governments.
This is the point where should stop and pause to ponder over it. Pakistan in a real sense is Punjab. Let me repeat my words that Pakistan minus Punjab is nothing but with Punjab is Maha Punjab.
ML (N) is the alternative if Zardari falls or removed. Have they put up better standards, transparency and governance?
The country is in the grip of problems of all sorts of problems and bad governance has further complicated the issues.
It is no excuse that since the army is engaged in a war of survival of the country, so nothing else can be improved.
To put the political system back on tract, to solve the basic issues like quantum of provincial autonomy, giving a name to Pukhtoons belt, to halt army action in Baluchistan and the blood let in Pukhtoons belt.
Military establishment is involved to do their duty and their needs have to be met. None of our politician is in trenches with the army jawans, as I witnessed in Kabul during Dr. Najeeb government.
It will be silly to say that a democratic set up is in place. It is a fledgling civil set up.
I will add to Naji Sb analysis that there is a civilian government toeing the line of Military and army in turn is toeing the line of Pentagon.
If a journalist or politician denies the fact that the formation of any government in Pakistan, in present conditions in the country and the region will be without “OKAY” from Washington, can be a dream of insane but never of a political worker.
If US can influence the election of West Germany and can turn the tables in UK election; Pakistan is nowhere in this scenario to make a government without the prior consent of US.
In support of my thinking I will request the analysts of Pakistan that they must keep a very important change in US administration.
Prior to Mr. bush presidency the hierarchy of power in US used to be White House, State Department and then Pentagon. This sequence of importance was changed and Pentagon took the second position.
So it is obvious that for a general it is much easier to talk to a general rather to talk to a parliament house. They tried to cling on to Musharaf but when it was no more possible, they made the necessary changes in the armed forces high ups, before agreeing to install the civilian governments
It can’t be expected in international diplomacy that behind the close door should be made public. It is easy to sit in opposition and claim tall but it is difficult to say it, when in government.
If I am wrong in my assumption then some one has to convince me, why Mian Sahib is delaying to occupy the seat of leader of opposition? The government and opposition are sailing in the same boat but the rhetoric is for public consumption.
Secondly what were the reason behind that forced the government most vicious criminal, Musharaf to leave the country ceremoniously. The sectarian parties have the same control hub, but it is through Saudi Arabia.
The reason that the so-called friends and foes; with the close collaboration of important anchor in electronic media is attacking Zardari that PPP is not out of them (Establishment).
Zia has created a huge gulf between the two. Who so ever is heading the PPP will listen to the same music. It is not out of love for democracy but hate for PPP. In other words it is not the love for ALI, peace be upon him, but the enmity of Maavia philosophy at work.
I just fail to understand some of the politicians and journalists, how morally they justify themselves to reap the harvest of both worlds, to get the privileges to be in government but not a party to the problems.
If they could tolerate military rule of 36 years (From Ayub to Musharaf) and conspiracies from Liaquat Ali to Sikandar Mirza, will it not be a good idea to give some time to the civil government. I am left to believe that the establishment (Punjab) cannot tolerate any one from smaller provinces in policymaking seat. In Pakistan the establishment and Punjab is synonymous.
As for the constitutional amendments’ are concerned, it could satisfy Punjab but for us 17th bill or 58b has no significance. The 1973 constitution is no more acceptable. We are not for amendments’ but for reframing of a new constitution. The power distribution between P.M. and President houses is important but not a top priority.
The question to be answered does Punjab want to keep the federation or not?
The first and foremost issue is the recognition of Pukhtoons identity, halting the military action in Baluchistan and agreement of quantum of provincial autonomy with “historical sanctity.”
If we were refused this time, Talibanization will take over from moderation. It will unarm the democrats and nationalists. There are no ifs and buts any more.
COD is a testimonial between two parties and one of the important signatory has been assassinated, the views of Mian Sahib are abundantly clear to us. We refuse to accept the right of Raiwand to give us a name. We will see that Pakistan is named as Pkistan.
Let it be on record that 2 Prime Ministers from Sind were killed in Pindi and Mr Junejo was still in the air to be told that he has been sacked. Dr. Khan Sahib dead body was sent to us from Punjab.
A group of journalists have joined the establishment to make mountain out of mole. The same forces of 70s are again in action. His master voice speaks again. We cannot imagine not being a part and parcel of a genuine democratic and federal movement but the present piecemeal amendments stinks foul.
We see no moral justification to suggest to any party who could be their inner or outer circle whether it comes from journalists or politician. It shows their typical Islam Abad mental make up.
By Dr. Khurshid Alam. Dated 14th Nov 2009. Khurshidalam5@hotmail.com