Zardari for demilitarising Siachen ‘Talks failed due to India’s internal problems’

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the time has come to demilitarise the Siachen front and both Pakistan and India should withdraw their forces from that front because of heavy expenditure.

He was talking to the office-bearers of Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana Press Clubs on Friday here at the CM House. While commenting on the recently-concluded Pak-India talks, Zardari said the talks failed due to India’s internal political problems. However, he added that Pakistan was hopeful of resumption of a meaningful dialogue with India.

He said that the glacier at Siachen was melting and because of this, India would suffer heavy losses, and high military expenditures on that front were a burden on both Pakistan and India. He said Pakistan wanted to continue the dialogue process with India and he was hopeful that the water issue with the neighbour will be resolved amicably and with mutual understanding.

The president said that the Establishment was not involved in the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, adding that it was the Taliban factor that was involved in her assassination. The United Nationsí commission, constituted to probe the murder of the PPP chairperson, released its report in a very short period, he said.

He said Osama Bin Laden was provided money to remove the first Benazir Bhutto government. Zardari said the PPP saved Pakistan after the murder of its chairperson and raised slogans like ëPakistan Khappayí.

The president said that there was no need for a confrontation on water because ìwater is the need of all the four provincesî and urged the provinces to take steps to harness water. He said the people did not accept the nationalist forces and added that being a national party, the PPP had the responsibility to protect the rights of the people of the whole country.

He said the government was trying to introduce the Chinese irrigation system for better utilisation of water and increase the agriculture production. He said the government was taking steps to overcome the power crisis, which the previous regime had totally ignoredand which was the main cause of the shortfall of electricity.

The new power play

NRO has served its purpose as conceived. PPP, the main beneficiary, is now trying to consign it to the archives of a bygone age. It says there is no use beating a dead horse. But the Supreme Court verdict stands in the way. All kinds of contrivances are being resorted to in order to abort the effect of that verdict. The emerging reality in national polity appears to favour the PPP position. The shape that reality is taking is PPP-military alliance for governance. PPP is the facade, the military holds the strings. When Mr Zardari therefore asserts that no opposition can dislodge the present PPP dispensation, he has solid ground to say that.

On the other hand, the Brothers Corporation which goes by the name of PML (N) is out of the loop. It is being cornered constantly. The sudden outburst of a maligning campaign against the Punjab Government is not without sponsorship and purpose. Regrettably, Nawaz Sharif, twice failed to judge the military psyche, once when he showed the door to General Karamat, and again, when he failed to read the signal of a guard of honour given to General Musharraf on his departure. General Yahya lost half of Pakistan, while boozing and merry-making, but when he died, he was buried with full military honours by none else than the self-proclaimed Mard-e-Momin. Not only the PPP but also ANP is in the loop after Asfandyar Wali’s ‘fruitful’ visit to Washington early last year. MQM is also in the bag. Altaf Bhai is basking in the British sunshine. Nawaz Sharif was tricked into many missteps both by Zardari and his own flawed reading of the new realities. His decision to support the change of NWFP’s name to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cost him his strongest constituency of Hazara, whose vote in favour of joining Pakistan was the deciding factor in’ the historic referendum at the time of independence. His nomination of his son-in-law’s younger brother as PML(N) candidate in Mansehra resulted in a defeat at an awkward moment.

Instead of looking at the political scenario from an ivory tower of his own making, he should have realised that given his past track record, the military would be wary of a smooth working equation with him. He should also have known, the proverbial vengefulness of the elephant. US did not spare Bhutto for his nuclear ambitions. How could it overlook Nawaz’s defiance in detonating the bomb. His latest pleadings to the Prime Minister, which he readily accepted, to convene an all-parties conference to chalk out a comprehensive plan of action against ‘terrorism’ is being seen as an effort to remain relevant in the new power play. Terrorism is essentially the result of the quite thinly-disguised Judo-Christian crusade against Muslims all over the world together with the urge to grab their “abundant energy and other key resources for their exclusive access and exploitation.As a fellow-traveller when India, for instance, brands resistance fighters against its occupation in Kashmir as terrorists, the West may readily chime in to promote its own agenda but can we in Pakistan join the chorus. For us they are freedom fighters. Nawaz Sharif therefore fumbled again in picking up the fight against ‘terrorism’ as his first priority. He ignored the wide divergence of views held by the people about what they regard as ‘terrorism’ and whom they consider as ‘terrorists’. Voices were raised in massive rallies of protest against the Data Durbar tragedy throughout Pakistan that the hands behind it are of those who are bent on fanning sectarian conflict.

Again, when Nawaz Sharif rightly castigated the dastardly attack on Ahmadi places of worship, resulting in a heavy loss of innocent lives, his incautious choice of words in calling them ‘brothers’ was politically naive and made him an easy target of those religious elements who thrive on hatred of Ahmadis. He could have avoided that without diluting his condemnation of the crime. Now look at the other end of the spectrum. It is PPP’s political culture not to tolerate a political rival of consequence. Didn’t Bhutto constantly conspire against the opposition governments in NWFP and Balochistan and ultimately dismissed them. Didn’t he then follow it up with ordering military action in Balochistan? The genii he unleashed ultimately devoured him. There is a lesson in this for the present PPP outfit, which is a pygmy version of ZAB ‘s. Does the PPP think that with military’s pat on its back, it can rule as “master of all that I survey”: loot’ grab and squander or that it can not only defy the judiciary but campaign to bring down the judicial edifice and get away unscathed. It is PPP’s penchant for cantankerous politics that has further eroded the standing of the civilian component in national polity.

What is needed is a radical reassessment and reorientation of national polity — an agreement on an institutional working equation between the civilians and the military in governance. Repeated military interventions and willing civilian collaboration have established new ground realities. Unless these are recognised and necessary power adjustments made avowedly, the national polity will continue to be in doldrums as at present. On its parts, the military has to get down from the high horse and realise that it is not sophisticated hardware that ensures security but a contented people. We should have learnt that lesson for good after the 1971 national tragedy.

Sino-Pak relations: from Bhutto to Zardari

Since assuming office, President Asif Ali Zardari has declared relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. To enhance and cement the bilateral relations, Zardari decided to visit China quarterly. The recent visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to China is the 5th in a series of visits that started since assuming the office in 2008. Zardari’s visit came at a time when Pakistan faces a difficult economic situation because of war against terrorism and when China has embarked on a policy to redefine its economic objectives with Pakistan in particular and the world in general.

It is important to mention here that since President Zardari assumed office, Pakistan and China have concluded 60 agreements. The main focus of the recent visit was on the new economic initiatives that have been launched recently. It includes building hydro dams, expanding banking operations, transfer of hybrid seed technology, roads and communication networks, cooperation in the agriculture sector by focusing on optimal utilisation of water and development of new high yielding varieties of wheat and cotton, Thar Coal Project and dredging of Tarbela reservoir.

President Zardari has continued his policy initiatives that were taken with his first state visit of China in October 2009. During his first state visit Pakistan and China signed 11 agreements on trade and economic cooperation, infrastructure projects, agriculture, mining and communication. In order to realize his objectives and to give practical shape to his ideals president Zardari visited China again in 2009. Several MoUs were signed between China and Pakistan to promote political understanding and cooperation between the two ruling parties. Zardari’s efforts were hailed by Chinese media.

President Zardari highlighted the need to cooperate in economic and energy sectors. It is worth mentioning here that during his first state visit President Zardari was greeted with 21-gun salute presented to any Pakistani head of state after over a decade.

By focusing on China on a priority basis President Zardari has continued the policy initiated by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the PPP and the prime minister of Pakistan in the 1970’s. Bhutto as foreign minister during the Ayub regime convinced the latter to open up with China. Bhutto visited Beijing and signed trade and military agreements with the Chinese government. As a result of these agreements China offered help to Pakistan in a number of military and industrial projects. Sino-Pakistan boundary agreement was signed in 1963. In the 1970’s the PPP government under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto kept close relations with China.

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto followed in the footsteps of her father and cemented close ties with China. Recognising the efforts of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in cementing closer ties between Pakistan and China, President Hu Jintao on October 26, 2008 said, “Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto made prominent contributions to the initiation and development of the China-Pakistan relationship, which the Chinese people will never forget.”

President Zardari has continued the Bhutto legacy of maintaining close relations with China. He has reiterated time and again that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the person who founded Pakistan’s relationship with China at a time when China was ostracised from the international community. Zardari has given a fresh impetus to those relations by announcing to visit China every three months.

President Zardari wants to build a robust relationship with China. During his first visit, Asif Ali Zardari visited different regions of China to get an eye witness account of Chinese economic development. He hailed China as “the future of the world.” During his recent visit Zardari met business and energy leaders of China. The main focus of these meetings was joint economic projects, promoting regional connectivity, counter militancy and terrorism, harnessing new sources of energy and enhancing people to people contacts between the two countries. The president addressed a forum in Beijing whose main focus was energy security for Pakistan.

Since Pakistan is a neighbour of the resource rich countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and West Asia, the president emphasized the need to establish energy trade corridors among these countries. China has also announced 50 million Yuan grant to Pakistan to undertake new projects. The two countries also signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation. In this regard four MoUs were signed by the two presidents. They include health, agriculture, and geological survey.

The two sides agreed to hold meeting of the Pak-China Joint Economic Forum in Islamabad to decide on a host of issues ranging from currency swap to opening of branches of Chinese banks in Pakistan and relocating industries in the industrial zones. The Chinese commerce minister will visit Pakistan in this regard.

In order to fulfil Pakistan’s energy needs the China National Energy Administration will work out with Pakistani authorities modalities of tackling Pakistan’s energy needs. In order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic ties both countries decided to set up a special committee for the purpose.

In order to enhance regional connectivity both sides discussed the 500 million dollars Karakorum Highway up gradation and the National Trade Corridor. Both countries agreed to modernise transportation and trade. In a meeting with the Chinese ministers for Water Resources and Agriculture, President Zardari reviewed progress on the hybrid seed and irrigation projects. China also decided to increase scholarships for Pakistani students.

China has responded to Pakistan’s one China policy with an assurance to support Pakistan at UNO and at other multilateral forums. China has also assured Pakistan of full support in war against terrorism. While describing Pak-China relations President Hu Jintao said, “China is a friend and a strategic partner committed to the promotion of stability and economic progress of Pakistan. The two countries will continue to work together to further deepen people to people contacts.” To this president Zardari said, “It is our belief that Pakistan can act as force multiplier for China and we will continue to work towards this end.”

In order to fulfil Pakistan’s energy needs China has announced to install two nuclear reactors in Pakistan. On this president Zardari said that both the countries will honour their non-proliferation obligations while installing the reactors.

While commenting on President Zardari’s visit to China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said, “We believe that this visit of President Zardari has consolidated and deepened the traditional friendship of the two countries as well as boosted friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the two parties which made it very successful visit.”

Viewing by these developments which took place during Zardari’s visit to China it can be concluded that the visit was a great success. Pakistan can draw benefits from Chinese experience and development in the technological field. Pakistan needs China and China needs Pakistan as both are confronted by a hostile neighbour. The writer is a Provincial Minister Sindh & Secretary Information PPP Women Wing Sindh,

UN rules out reopening Benazir assassination inquiry report despite Pak's objection

The United Nations (UN) has ruled out reopening of the inquiry report over former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination following Islamabad's objection.

Talking to journalists here, Farhan Haq, associate spokesman for the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said that the agency would soon reply to Pakistan's objections over the commission's report.

"We're working on the reply," Haq said, adding that the report will be given a shape of a legal document.

He said Ki-Moon had full confidence in the commission, and that he would soon respond to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's letter in which he had raised objections over the probe concerning Bhutto's murder.

Qureshi's letter states that the UN commission's observations about the Pakistan Army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) were not based on evidence.

"Comments and observations about the Pakistan Army, the Inter-Services Intelligence or the so-called establishment, are only the opinions of the members of the commission. They do not represent authenticated determinations based on any fact or evidence," Qureshi wrote in his letter, which has been made public by the UN.

Qureshi stated that the report has a serious flaw because the commission has failed to approach third party states or to provide some reliable information to unearth, if any, international linkages perpetrating, planning, financing or abetting Bhutto's assassination. (ANI)

Rule of law must for progress: Nawaz

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif has said that he is not annoyed, but regrets the treatment that was meted out to him during the dictatorship. In an interview with a private TV channel, he recalled his confinement in the Attock Jail. “Once an Army major came and informed me in a mysterious manner that he had joined as the superintendent and was tasked with taking care of me. “At that moment, I recalled the episode of my arrest from the Prime Minister’s House. The troops that came had guns directed at me and gave the impression that they could open fire any moment. “The same night three generals came to me to get a piece of paper signed that I refused. The attitude of Gen Mehmood was the worst, but I challenged them to get the paper signed if they could,” Nawaz said, adding he regretted the threat he faced in Attock. “I had asked them what they desired from me. I refused to listen to the language they were using against me and told them that they could throw me in the river.” Nawaz was sure that such a behaviour could not have been meted out in the colonial era. To a question, he said the paper that they wanted to get signed was his resignation as the prime minister and dissolution of the National Assembly under certain articles of the Constitution. At that stage, they were enraged and threatened me of dire consequences. But I replied that it could only happen over my dead body. Then they threw the paper on the table and started requesting me and after repeated refusals, they again became violent. He said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had not signed a similar paper. “People came out on the streets to restore the chief justice but no one came for me.” Nawaz Sharif said he was not aware about his release, but one morning a representative of the Saudi king came along with Hariri, who is currently the prime minister of Lebanon, and “told me that they were there to take me away as desired by King Abdullah. They informed me that they had already met my parents and that my entire family was in favour of my accompanying them as King Abdullah had called me.” He disclosed that by that time, many Pakistan Muslim League leaders, including Sheikh Rashid, Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Ejazul Haq, had not only betrayed him but had also captured the party office and burned their pictures. “That happened when I was in the Attock Jail and the takeover was carried out under the protection of the ISI and the MI.” Nawaz Sharif went on to explain that the period of dictatorship was more than that of democracy in the country. “I took over as the Punjab chief minister after participating in the 1985 non-party elections,” he said, adding there had been democracy in India but in Pakistan there was a mixture of democracy and dictatorship. “Those who imposed the military rule and those whoi supported it had committed great mistakes. With the passage of time, it was realised that we must get rid of the martial law.” He was full of praises for Gen Karamat but said that one of his statements was against the national interests. At times, difference of perceptions had developed with Gen Aslam Beg but he used to appreciate the crux of the matter. The appointment of the Rawalpindi corps commander by the prime minister was a tradition eversince the Junejo period and Aslam Beg had also asked me to do so. I had appreciated that gesture but I also disliked some of his statements. Without naming certain countries, Nawaz Sharif said he had not agreed with Beg when he suggested strategic alliance with them. “It was because we were a part of the allied forces that were deployed in Saudi Arabia. The rulers in Saudi Arabia had pointed out this situation, saying such statements were emanating from Pakistan when Pakistani troops were with them.” Nawaz recalled that the question was also raised with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and exchange of views was held with Gen Aslam Beg. At times, he was associated in policymaking. “I never had differences with anyone because I believed in moving ahead in accordance with the Constitution, get them implemented and take note if anyone crossed the limits.” With regard to dismissal of his government in 1993, the former prime minister was of the view that the action was taken on flimsy grounds. “My government was restored by the Supreme Court that was unprecedented in the country’s history. Things became very complicated and I decided to seek a fresh mandate. In this connection, I set aside the perception that Gen Kakar mounted pressure. My father was also irked over my stance but I was sure of sweeping the elections. On the contrary, Benazir Bhutto won the elections because we never knew that secret agencies also had a role.” When asked about the reaction from the Army to the Kerry Lugar law, the PML-N chief said there might have been reservations but they were not supposed to issue a handout on the subject. The Army was supposed to talk to the government and express its point of view and the government was supposed to carry forward their stance. He admitted as a mistake the appointment of Pervez Musharraf as the Chief of the Army Staff. He avoided a question with regard to the extension of the tenure of the Army chief and said repeating the question was not advisable as our troops are in the state of war. When asked about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, he said he could not forget the moment. “A meeting was scheduled between me and her, but it could not take place because of her death.” When I rushed to the hospital after her death, the PPP workers had gathered around me and said Nawaz would ensure revenge for Benazir. I had promised to do it at the first available opportunity. Comparing his relations with Benazir and Zardari, he said she was very straightforward with him. Had she been alive, things would have been better. We were political adversaries but theenmity was over, Nawaz said. About Zardari, he said initially he was sincere. Although, he had signed the document to restore the chief justice but he did not mean it. That was the beginning of worsening of our relations. It ended up with my disqualification and dissolution of the Shahbaz Sharif government in the Punjab. He asked how Musharraf had accumulated Rs 580 million. Accountability has to be across the board. Corruption is never restricted to politicians. Generals, journalists, judges and civil servants had also plundered this country alongside politicians, Nawaz insisted. There has to be homework about the future of the country, Nawaz said. All the stakeholders and institutions have to sit down and evolve a methodology to run the country in accordance with the Constitution if a deadly revolution has to be avoided in the country. None should cross the limits of the Constitution and an economic and foreign policy has to be framed for the next two decades. Policies are not to be altered with the change of governments, he asserted. The former prime minister said the defence budget should also be discussed in parliament. With regard to normalisation of relations with India, he said the Kashmir issue by now would have been resolved, had there been no interruption in the peace process that was launched with the arrival of Vajpaee in Lahore in 1999. He said Pakistan was not the only party to the Kashmir problem, the people of Kashmir and India are also to be taken on board. With regard to relations with the US, he said there had been ups and downs in the last 60 years. The policy adopted by Clinton was positive and same is the case with Obama. Bush had ties with Musharraf only; he had no relations with the people and political parties of Pakistan. Nawaz said it was a mistake not to establish relations with Russia. The policy to dominate Afghanistan by Pakistan had failed in the past and we have to leave it now. Nawaz said as compared to the past, he had become more vocal and straightforward. “I spend two hours with my mother when I am in Lahore. She loves me and prays for me a lot whenever I meet her,” Nawaz said. Recalling his early childhood, he said his mother used to give him four Annas. He used to spend two Annas to purchase sandwiches and the rest for cold drinks. Recalling the best childhood friend, Nawaz said Shabbir Sharif Shaheed was his school days friend, who was martyred in the 1965 War. Khwaja Asif is his friend since they were in the Government College, Lahore. “My father also loved me a lot. He used to speak with me in Urdu while my mother talks in Punjabi. I used to draw inspiration from my father who taught me to serve the country and the poor.”

Govt not planning any curbs on media: Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Monday that the government is not planning to introduce any new restrictions on the media. Responding to a question at a press conference, Kaira said that a draft bill currently under discussion in the National Assembly’s standing committee was meant to do away with the amendments introduced by former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. He said some of the Musharraf-era amendments had already been removed by the parliament, while the rest would be ratified through the proposed bill. staff report

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park inauguration today

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park located on Boat Basin will be inaugurated on Wednesday (today) by Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Senator Almas Perveen.

Party sources disclosed that the decision to have Senator Parveen to inaugurate the park was taken on the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari who wished that a party worker should be handed the task. Senator Parveen has long been associated with the PPP and started as a worker in the party. Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, his cabinet members and prominent citizens have been invited as guests to the inaugural ceremony.

Work on Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park started two year ago. Located on around 50 acres of land situated at Boat Basin, Clifton, the park was built under Zardari’s Green Karachi programme and is the most expensive park in Pakistan with a sum of Rs. one billion having been spent on it. However, to date, half of the park remains incomplete and yet another two million would be spent on the construction of this portion.

Officials confirmed that the cost of one tree planted in the park is Rs45000 and hundred of such trees have been planted in the park. Most of the decorative items have been imported from China. PPP’s women wing chief, MNA, Faryal Taplur, who is also the sister of Zardari, has supervised the construction and purchasing of the beautification items installed in the park.

Though one half of the portion was completed six months ago, President Zardari was invited more then four times to inaugurate the park. However, arrangements for the inauguration were postponed at the last minute as every time the president changed his mind, official concerned informed.

Nawaz Sharif blames government for mismanagement in scathing attack

Islamabad: Former premier Nawaz Sharif launched a bitter attack on the government Tuesday, blaming it for economic mismanagement, rampant corrupt ion and confrontation with the judiciary.

Addressing a news conference in Lahore after a high-level meeting of his main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), he said his party would not remain a “silent spectator” and would play its role for containing the overall deterioration without upsetting the democratic system.

He demanded a thorough debate in the parliament on the conditions prevailing in the country in order to evolve a national strategy to reverse the drift into chaos.

Sharif once again denounced what he called attempts by the government to “buy loyalties of lawyers” and turn them against the judiciary by doling out financial grants to bars in Punjab province and other areas through its law minister. A number of bar associations had refused such handouts, he said and praised their stand recalling the struggle waged by the lawyer community and the PML-N that led to the restoration of the independent judiciary in March last year.

He said since the transition from dictatorship to democratic rule after the February 2008 general election, his party had taken care that the system was not destabilized, though it had to face criticism that it was acting as a friendly opposition to the Pakistan People's Party government.

“The economy is going down the drain and the situation in the country is rapidly deteriorating because of misrule and corruption. We cannot watch this deterioration silently; the direction has to be changed,” he said.

Sharif said courts in France have concluded that the Agosta submarine deal with Pakistan during the PPP government had involvement kickbacks. He said it was not difficult to pinpoint culprits and demanded that necessary action be taken.

He said when his party was in power the country's economy was flourishing, the value of Pakistani rupee was more than the Indian currency and the country did not have to beg loans from others.

The opposition leader's onslaught came amid ongoing tussle between the executive and the judiciary and emerging prospect of many federal and provincial lawmakers losing their seats as a result of a scandal over alleged fake educational degrees of parliamentarians.

Around 10 legislators belonging to PML-N, PPP and PML-Q have already quit in the wake of proceedings in courts on challenges to authenticity of their degrees they had furnished to contest the 2008 elections when graduation was a pre-requisite for participation in parliamentary polls.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is currently engaged in a process to verify degrees of hundreds of legislators, following a Supreme Court order to the Election Commission to initiate action against lawmakers whose degrees were found to be spurious.

Political analysts say if a large number of lawmakers stood disqualified such a situation could warrant holding of fresh elections instead of filling vacant seats through by-polls. The two-year old government has dismissed suggestions of mid-term elections.

Asked at his news conference about PML-N stance over the issue, Sharif said his party was watching the developing situation and would take a decision at the appropriate time.

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