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,

Pervez Musharraf planning to return to politics: Aide

ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf is planning to return to Pakistan from self-exile and head the newly formed All Pakistan Muslim League, his top aide said today.

"We have organised co-ordinating councils, we call them, which are at present involved in recruiting people or getting people to join All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) which is the political party, which Inshah Allah, be led by president Musharraf and will bring the sort of progress and prosperity to Pakistan that it had in time when Musharraf was around," retired general Rashid Qureshi said.

Qureshi, who was the military and presidential spokesperson for Musharraf, has been in the forefront in setting up the APML.

"You see, earlier on, president Musharraf was not actively involved in politics. Yes, he was at one time, the chief executive of the country and later on the President of Pakistan. But the political side was being handled by the PML(Q) and all political decisions were taken by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Parvez Ilahi, obviously in consultation with the president," he said.

"Some of these political decisions turned out to be not very popular with the people of Pakistan," he added.

Musharraf has lived outside Pakistan since mid-April last year. He left Pakistan after a slew of cases were filed against him in courts across the country. Musharraf is mostly based in London after leaving the country.

The former president was forced to step down as army chief in November 2008 and was earlier barred from active politics in the country for two years.

Nawaz calls for US participation in APC

ISLAMABAD, (SANA): Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz has said that US will have to be made part of All Parties’ Conference (APC) to eradicate the menace of terrorism once for all.

He said this while talking to a private TV channel, and said that that President Asif Ali Zardari was the mastermind behind many conspiracies including declaring me ineligible, toppling Shahbaz’s government by imposing Governor Rule.

He went on to say that President Zardari was not in the favour of judges’ reinstatement.

In an interview, Nawaz said Zardari had good intentions in beginning, but it got worse with the passage of time.

He said that no doubt he had political differences with Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, but no personal grudges with her.

He admitted that he made a grave mistake by designating General Pervaiz Musharraf as a Chief of Army Staff.

He also disclosed that approximately 3 trillion rupees are going to dog in terms of corruption.

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.”

Musharraf in Dubai to meet 'old friends' to garner support for political ambition

Lahore, July 5 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has flown to Dubai from London to hold talks with his 'old political friends' viewing a possibility of mid-term polls in Pakistan.

Buzz up!
According to insiders, eager to try his luck in the country's politics, Musharraf has invited several 'friendly' leaders in the PML-Q to Dubai to discuss the future course of action amidst speculation of a snap poll in the country.


Leaders like Hamid Nasir Chattha, Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Lala Nisar Muhammad Khan and several others have been invited to Dubai for the meeting.

A leader, who is likely to meet Musharraf, while requesting anonymity said that it would be an advisory meeting with 'old friends.'

"We have told Musharraf in the 'April Meeting' in Abu Dhabi that we have our own political priorities back home and we would not join your party," he added.

Sources said that the Musharraf camp is also trying to contact PML-Q chief and former Prime Minister Chaudhury Shujaat Hussain.

However, Musharraf's political schemes could receive a set back from Hussain, as the later has clarified on several occasions that he has no interest in the former general's political adventures.

Sources said that after the meeting, Musharraf would go back to London, where he is currently living on an unannounced exile, and formally announce the launching of his party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).

He is also expected to announce a date for his return to Pakistan, The Nation reports. (ANI)

Nancy Pelosi pays tribute to Benazir Bhutto at documentay premiere

WASHINGTON, June 30 (APP): Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi paid glowing tribute to Pakistan’s martyred prime minister Benazir Bhutto as politicians and policymakers gathered at the premiere of a documentary chronicling courageous life and democratic contributions of the popular leader.“She gave hope for future of the country and was a model of women’s development,” Speaker Pelosi told the gathering including American lawmakers, intellectuals and Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, senior Pakistani diplomats and Ms. Sanam Bhutto, Benazir’s sister and only living sibling.

Speaker Pelosi recalled her meeting with the Muslim world’s first and youngest woman prime minister in 1989, when Benazir Bhutto visited Washington and met with members of US Congress. Pelosi described the meeting with the young leader as a “thrill of the lifetime.” Pelosi spoke at the National Geographic Society headquarters where ‘Bhutto,’ a riveting documentary on life and work of the Pakistani icon of democracy - was screened by the Independent Television Service.
Speaker Pelosi told the audience she found Benazir Bhutto an “informal and unassuming” figure, although she was an immensely popular and fascinating politician.
She was a “great leader in the world,” Pelosi said of Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated on December 27, 2007, months after her return to Pakistan.
Ambassador Husain Haqqani, paying tribute to one of the most popular and influential leaders of the era, said Benazir Bhutto represented aspirations of the Pakistanis for modern democracy, empowerment of the poor and a model for intelligentsia. “She was a tolerant leader and had full faith in democracy, an inspiring figure for the people desiring change in their lives,” he added.
The ambassador informed the audience how the former prime minister motivated people to stand up against extremism and said she was the first politician who “fearlessly” spoke against parochialism.
Highlighting her ideas and ideals for democratic advancement, Ambassador Haqqani hoped that Pakistan would become a modern democracy as envisioned by Benazir Bhutto.
The 150-minute documentary captures the epic tale of the life, career, and assassination of Benazir Bhutto, who broke the glass ceiling as the first elected woman leader of Muslim world.
A post-screening discussion hosted by PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff provided additional perspective on the film and Benazir Bhutto’s life and work. The film’s director Duane Baughman and producer Mark Siegel participated and answered questions.

Pak trashes Musharraf's Kashmir plan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has trashed former President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula to resolve the Kashmir issue, saying it was "his thinking" which did not have the endorsement of Parliament or cabinet and suggested a fresh approach to address the vexed problem.

Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who will be meeting external affairs minister S M Krishna here on July 15, said the two countries should build on progress made in any area and look at ways to make progress where it has not been done.

"Any issue, whether it is Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water, any issue where progress can be made, should be made. Where it hasn't been made, we should look at ways and means how to make progress.
Where progress has been made, let us build on it further," Qureshi said in a wide-ranging interaction.

Asked whether his government endorses the four-point formula floated by Musharraf in December 2006 to resolve the Kashmir issue, he said, "The four-point formula that General Musharraf made then was his thinking. It was being done through quiet back-channel diplomacy."

"We are a democracy, Parliament has to own them, Parliament has to endorse them, Cabinet has to discuss them," the foreign minister said, adding that these proposals were "neither discussed by cabinet, nor endorsed by Parliament. So, as democrats, there are certain Parliamentary procedures that we have to fulfill."

Nawaz to devise new strategy against govt.

LAHORE: Quaid Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif has sought news proposals from senior party members in order to evolve new strategies against government, Geo news reported.

Nawaz Sharif seeks full stop against corruption of leaders of ruling party.

According to PML-N’s sources, the new face of Nawaz’s rigid and rude tone is a part of new strategy adopted against corruption of government leaders.

Instead of favouring or opposing mid-term elections, Nawaz Sharif will now unveil corruption of ruling leaders to award those involved the due punishment, sources told Geo news.

Also, Nawaz Sharif has directed senior party leaders of submitting requisitions to convene session of National Assembly soon.

The next NA session will witness debate on corruption cases of leaders and their associates.

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.

National reconstruction need of hour: Nawaz

Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has expressed concern over indifferent attitude of the PPP led government and said formulation of national reconstruction is need of the hour.

He said this while addressing a consultative meeting of the PML-N held at his Raiwind residence on Monday. Among others the meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal, Pervaiz Rashid and Sartaj Aziz.

The meeting discussed country’s political and economic situation and took some important decisions, sources said.

Addressing the meeting, Nawaz Sharif said that those who are criticising them should see their own misdeeds and apprise the nation about their programme and agenda.

He said that irresponsible speeches were delivered at the time of distribution of cheques of grants to the bar associations that made the whole process controversial. “Where were these grants when bar associations all over the country were struggling for independence of judiciary,” he questioned?

Nawaz said that no steps are being taken to correct wrongs committed during the last 10 years. He said that PML-N is duty bound to keep close eye on government affairs and also play its due role as opposition. He also called for adopting the policy of self accountability. “Failure could be converted into success through self accountability while nations that follow self accountability never fail,” he said. Nawaz further said that the PML-N had played heroic role for putting an end to dictatorship and we would lead the country to road to progress and prosperity with public support.