LEGEND has it that at the edge of many towns in the old American West stood a last chance saloon where cowboys could get a final drink before setting off to spend months in the open prairies.
More and more, the presidency is coming to resemble this mythical watering hole where all manner of dubious characters gather.
Talking to a senior PPP figure, I got the sense that the old guard are aware that this is the last time the party is likely to come to power. A number of those in authority and their front men appear therefore determined to rake it in while they can.
If they were also providing the country with decent governance and decisive leadership, we could perhaps put up with ministers sticking their snouts into the public trough. But back in Pakistan on a brief visit, I find the same power shortages, a mounting insurgency and runaway inflation. In addition, we have the ongoing scandal of the sugar shortage.
All countries have problems of one sort or another, even though we seem to be blessed with more than our share. But elsewhere, there is usually an attempt to come to grips with them. Islamabad currently appears to be good only for issuing statements increasingly divorced from reality.
There is a lot of realism in the tacit admission that this is probably the PPP’s last stint in power. Quite apart from this government’s abysmal track record over the last 18 months or so, demographic forces have been quietly at work to marginalise Pakistan’s biggest and most popular party.
Even a cursory analysis of last year’s general elections will reveal that the PPP’s power base is now limited to rural Sindh and southern Punjab, also a largely rural area. It has been virtually eliminated as a political force in Pakistan’s major cities. With the PML-N dominating north and central Punjab, and the MQM calling the shots in Karachi and Hyderabad, the PPP is being squeezed in areas where it was at least competitive earlier.
This trend has been evident for some time now, but the PPP chose to do nothing to arrest it. Increasingly, the rising Pakistani middle class looks to more than the traditional PPP promise of roti, kapra aur makan. They want good governance, education, security and employment. And unfortunately for the PPP, they think that the PML-N is the party that can deliver on these key issues.
Despite his many limitations, Asif Zardari has tried to fill the huge void left in the PPP after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. And to be fair to him, he has managed to keep the ship of state afloat by attempting to bring Nawaz Sharif on board, and forging some kind of consensus in the fight against terrorism. But at the end of the day, leadership is about more than backroom deals.
By withdrawing to the presidency and surrounding himself with cronies, Zardari is doing himself no favours. Another problem is the abundance of black hair dye on display in cabinet meetings. This underlines the absence of younger members at the upper levels of the party hierarchy. While experience is all very well, the PPP could certainly do with some energy, dynamism and fresh ideas. Above all, it could do with some idealism.
And although Bilawal Zardari Bhutto is being groomed for a future role as party leader, I’m afraid he does not appear to be cut out for the job. I saw him in London last year when he addressed a press conference soon after his mother’s murder. While he came across as a sensible and articulate young man, I thought then that he lacked the fire in the belly that set his mother and grandfather apart.
Never having lived in Pakistan for any length of time as an adult, and speaking little Urdu, I do not see him capturing the hearts of the PPP jiyalas as his mother and grandfather did.
Even more serious is the security threat he would be under were he to campaign in future elections. The reality is that the Bhuttos have many enemies in Pakistan, and not just from among the Taliban. Minus the Bhutto charisma and given the changing map of Pakistani politics, I do not see how the PPP can avoid the fate of being in permanent opposition.
If one adds the failure of leadership it is currently displaying to this depressing mix, I can visualise the PPP breaking up once the glue of power evaporates after the next election. Again, it was Benazir Bhutto’s personality that held the party together. The downside to her grip on the party was her unwillingness to encourage a strong second tier to emerge that could take over if the need arose.
For me, this analysis is tinged with considerable sadness. Ever since it came into being over four decades ago, I have supported the PPP. While I have been critical of many of its policies and politicians, I have broadly approved of what it stood for, even though it seldom delivered on its promises. Nevertheless, by at least addressing the concerns of the poor and the oppressed, it positioned itself as a champion of women, the minorities and the marginalised.
Even now, I find myself hoping that somehow it will drag itself up as it has done in the past. Alas, I just do not see the kind of leadership needed for this miracle to come to pass. The truth is that given his close proximity to religious extremism, I cannot support Nawaz Sharif and his faction of the Muslim League. I have always opposed the politics of ethnicity, so that rules out the MQM, despite its secular moorings. Obviously, I could never support army rule or a theocracy.
I suspect this is the dilemma many thinking Pakistanis face today. Many have stood behind the PPP over the years, but now find themselves frustrated and isolated. While I fervently hope this government will complete its term of office, I fear that deprived of the claim that it was not allowed to govern for five years, it will have its last electoral card trumped.
Finally, I do wish Zardari would stir out of his presidential bunker once in a while to express his sympathy for the victims of terrorism. It might pose a security risk, but as the old saying goes, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
irfan.husain@gmail.com
Showing posts with label Critical Supporters of People's Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Critical Supporters of People's Party. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 January 2011
This site has moved
This site has moved to http://criticalppp.com, click this link if you are not redirected
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Monday, 9 November 2009
In Defense of Let US Build Pakistan: Protect Freedom of Expression of Pakistani Bloggers
Shaheryar Ali
Source: Sherryx's weblog
It’s a very sorry state of affairs. For more than 2 years now I have been writing about the dangers of “intellectual hegemony”, “selective radicalism” and “double discourse on Rights” being prevalent in Pakistani corporate media as well in Pakistani blogging community. The Pakistani blogging community though is generally better than the media corporations but unfortunately is plagued by the same myopic intolerance when it comes to any dissenting views regarding the myths about Pakistan, its origin, its democracy and its national interests as defined by Right-of center media guru or a section of ex-Stalinists now turned liberals or centrists intellectuals.
The freedom of expression always is the freedom to express views which are deemed controversial. The demand for freedom of expression always arises for the marginalized opinion, one which is not acceptable to the state, rulers, moral vanguard of the society etc. It’s precisely this very right to differ, to challenge the dominant views that creates the issue of freedom of expression in the first place. Its so because, any other opinion one which operates within the realms of what is “acceptable” to the society or state in never in danger of suppression. Noam Chomsky for example points out that if we conceive freedom of expression as something for opinions which are acceptable than even Hitler was in favor of such freedom of expression. Freedom of expression is explicitly the freedom to be able to differ; to express opinions deems offensive, those which challenge the “fashionable conformities” weather political, nation or social in origins.
Few days back we saw one of the most heinous witch hunts in intellectual history of Pakistan. It started with attacks on the section of Pakistani columnist who have a Left wing background and who took a stand in support of democratic transition in Pakistan and tried to put forward a different perspective on Judicial Movement, war on terror and media activism. These people are a very tiny minority within Pakistan’s booming media business. Their view by no stretching of imagination can be called a dominant view in Pakistani media. The friction between these intellectuals and their opponents on the right side of political spectrum are ideological tracing its roots in the right-left polarization in Pakistan during 60s and 70s. The few left wing intellectuals who have survived the McCarthyist witch hunts by state and owners of media houses are now being put on media show trials by Pro-Taliban and Pro-Army TV anchors and columnists. Every abuse and every allegation from being an alcoholic to being a traitor have been put on them.
What these people themselves have been doing in media is nothing but shameless propaganda in name of news coverage. Mr Haroon Rashid who is on the forefront of this witch hunt against the tiny progressive element in Pakistani media , has been distorting facts and history in his columns but with a shameless face gives lectures about “modesty” and “tolerance’ to the victims of these witch hunts. I can go on and on about his academic honesty but I find it waste of my time. Simple two things can expose his dishonesty. In one of his Mccathry inspired columns against the socialist/ex-socialists intellectuals he shamelessly wrote that “Reds opposed Pakistan, once it came into being they never get out of shock”. It’s a shameless blatant lie. Communist Party of India and the Progressive Writers Association supported the demand of Pakistan. They even collaborated with Jinnah, the election manifesto of ALIML in 1946 elections was written by a communist Danial Latifi and many communists joined Muslim League as policy. Ironically it was the mother party of Mr Haroon Rashid Jamate Islami opposed Pakistan and Maudaudi compared it to “cooking of Pork” but Pakistani right forgets these historical details. After that I remember reading one of his columns against the great Urdu poets Ahmad Faraz. Every abuse and every label that Mr Rashid could think on was put on the great poet who recently died. In order declare Faraz infidel and traitor Mr Rashid quoted a verse which questioned the validity of divine revelation. Taking on the verse Mr Rashid went on and on to condemn Ahmad Faraz to great extant. What was ironic was the simple fact that the verse was not of Ahmad Faraz but of another progressive poet Mr Zaheer Kashmiri. Mr Aser Chohan wrote a column to clear the facts but Mr Haroon Rashid never had the decency to either apologies or retract the defamatory remarks.
Hamid Mir, who sadly has become a stain on the name of his great father, Prof. Warris Mir who was himself a victim of Jamate islami sponsored witch hunt in the 80s has taken this witch hunt to new heights. On his popular programme The Capital Talk he and Mr Ansar Abbasi , the pope of pro-Taliban media establishment took on the blog“Let US Build Pakistan” and put baseless allegation on it without any evidence. The language they used rings bells of alarm to anyone who is familiar with these crooks and their methods. It was said that the “blog is trying to create misunderstandings between Army and Media”. This is an open threat. It was said the blog is being run from presidential palace .etc etc. This is the most absurd thing which I have ever heard. Who has given these people the right to put baseless allegations without giving any proof? Let US Build Pakistan for the whole period of Lawyers Movement kept supporting the deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, even when the PPP government was using delaying tactics. The photograph of his lordship the most honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Chuadhry was prominently and permanently on display on side bar of the web site with explicit declaration: “This blog supports the restoration of deposed judges”. I bet this also came from the presidential palace?
Will Mr Chief Justice take any interest in the law of Press council and rules of engagement by the media barons? Or every ones name, reputation and character is at the will of this anchrocracy? The Pakistani blogging community had previously suffered the attack by state during the 3rd November emergency rule by General Pervez Musharaf . No one knows better about “right to dissent” than the lordship who himself exercised it in front of General Pervez Musharraf. Let Us Build Pakistan is a blog which openly supports Pakistan Peoples Party; it has never claimed to be an “independent news source”. They have explicitly mentioned their ideological ties with the largest and the only federal party of Pakistan. Last time I checked right to support Pakistan Peoples Party was not declared a crime in Pakistan. Anyone has the right to disagree with “Let US Build Pakistan” and “Pakistan Peoples Party” but no one has the right to spread disinformation. What was done on Geo TV was libelous defamation. People of Pakistan have a constitutional right to support and join any political party and to express views in its support. I would appeal to all people of conscience to support right of Let US Build Pakistan blog to express their opinion in a threat free environment.
What was most insensitive was the reaction of the Pakistani blogging community. Nothing of solidarity was observed. Pakistan Peoples Party and its support many be “out of fashion” in the class which blogs but let me tell my community that if right to have an opinion became focus of media witch-hunting none will be spared, not even the self proclaimed secular nationalists of Pakistan who are rabidly anti PPP and anti Left. The right may be busy focusing on PPP and a wider anti-PPP ideological alliance appears to be in place but as PPP govt goes many of you will be the target as well. Let US Build Pakistan is remarkable blog in many respects. It has shown remarkable strength on issues on which many of us shy away
1) This blog took a early and bold stand against Talibanization and sectarianism
2) This Blog took a conscientious stand on rights of Pakistani Miniorities
3) This blog showed a remarkable strength of conviction and conscience when it supported the restoration of judiciary against wishes of many in the Party whom they support. [I for example who is writing this article to support Let Us Build Pakistan was and is critical of lawyers movement and judiciary but this never came in way of either me or Let Us Build Pakistan]
4) This blog is pioneer in “Media Criticism” and has frequently demonstrated the “ideological biases” of Pakistani media hence upheld the fundamental right of people of Pakistan to un biased and/or alternative news and opinions
5) This blog has taken a democratic stand in support of marginalized groups and nationalities of Pakistan
6) This blog has covered the silent anti-Shia genocide taking place in Pakistan which finds no coverage any where,
I want to tell that I am proud of Abdul Nishapuri and the team of Let Us Build Pakistan, for being brave and for writing what they believe in. I also congratulate them for openly declaring them to be supporters of Pakistan Peoples Party unlike their detractors the Hamid Mirs, Shahid Masoods and Ansar Abasais who don’t have the moral courage to openly declare their political allegiance and wear the masks of being “independent” analysts and doing overtly political propaganda. I will only say to them what has been declared “greatest punch line in history of America”, it was in one of the “anti-communist hearings during McCarthy’s witch hunt. “Have you no decency Sir—-”
I would like to salute the bloggers who raised their voice in support of Let Us Build Pakistan, Rabia Shakoor, Umair Wasi and Pakistan Media Watch.
To my fellow bloggers who are indifferent and silent at plight of a blog which they don’t like because it supports PPP and Zardari and is critical of Army and agencies etc I will just say dear friends, today it is Nazir Naji and Lets Us Build Pakistan, who will be next think about it——–
Ode to Pakistani Bloggers, the poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller the poem which has become the greatest indictment of inactivity of German Intellectuals during Nazi regime.
“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me”
The links to various articles on this issue can be reached here, here and here. here
Geo TV and Selective Freedom of Expression.
To what extant these Media Jihadis can Go and scale of abuse read this article in Saudi Gazette.
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Sunday, 8 November 2009
GEO TV: Selective Freedom of Expression
Guest Blog by Aamir Mughal
Source: http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com
Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence. Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party,. REFERENCE: 1973 Constitution of Pakistan http://www.pakistani.org/One must raise objection on the comment of Mr Hamid Mir and Mr Ansar Abbasi that a bloghttp://letusbuildpakistan.
For complete article: http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/11/geo-tv-selective-freedom-of-expression.html
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Friday, 6 November 2009
Pakistani bloggers are united in support of the "Let us build Pakistan" blog
"Let us build Pakistan" has approached the "Committee to Protect Bloggers" in order to report the systematic and coordinated bullying of our blog by Hamid Mir, Ansar Abbasi (and other pro-Taliban anchors and journalists) in Pakistan's capitalist media (i.e., Geo TV talk show "Capital Talk").
We are very thankful to fellow bloggers in particular Rabia Shakoor, Umair Wasi and Pakistan Media Watch for raising their voice in support of the "Let us build Pakistan" blog.
Capital Talk Targeted Let Us Build Pakistan
By Umair Wasi
At last media has attacked the websites with all their so called "fair journalism" weapons, last night in capital talk that is hosted by Mr. Hamid Mir on "Geo News" with his 3 guests including Nisar Abbasi a "The News" journalist and Mr. Javaid Hashmi of PML(N) and Sumsam Ali Bukhari of PPP, Hamid Mir has exclusively shown the blog Let Us Build Pakistan maintained by my fellow bloggers Abdul Nishapuri, Socrates, Abbas Zaidi & Sarah, Mr. Hamid Mir and Mr. Nisar Abbasi criticized the blog through out the program with all their white journalism's' words, Mr. Hamid Mir highlight the program with the tag of "PPP members criticized army and media" and Mr. Nisar Abbasi added the statement that Let Us Build Pakistan is operated from the presidency.
This is not the first time that media is raising fingers on bloggers and webmasters, but the bloggers are ready to face the situation and will not sit quite at this time it will be dealt accordingly.
GEO TV Bullys Bloggers, Offers No Facts
November 6th, 2009
Hamid Mir: Media Bully
Commercial media giant GEO TV has launched an attack on a small blog (compared to gigantic Geo media network) in a disturbing case of media bullying as popular TV Host Hamid Mir and investigative editor for The News Ansar Abbasi lashed out against the blog “Let Us Build Pakistan,” a blog of PPP supporters that was started in 2008 and is run on the free service “Blogger.com“.
Unlike Hamid Mir and GEO TV, “Let Us Build Pakistan” bloggers Abdul, Sarah, Abbas Zaidi and Socrates, are quite transparent about their political affiliation and agenda and do not misrepresent their beliefs. Despite the transparency of the bloggers, these commercial media giants have bashed them for being propaganda.
Unfortunately, the commercial media journalists embarrassed themselves when they accused the bloggers at different times during the show of being both puppets of the President and CIA and Mossad. Of course, the so-called journalists present no evidence of these preposterous claims. The journalists also accuse the bloggers of causing a rift between media and military as if “media” were the government. Note to Mr. Mir and Mr. Abbasi: despite your face being on TV, you are not elected by anyone to any office.
Furthermore, while Mr. Mir and Mr. Abbasi make accusations against these bloggers, they fail to report that it is the commercial media giants that are causing a rift between military and civilian government and threatening to destabilize Pakistan during wartime.
In addition to presenting no facts or evidence for their accusations, Hamid Mir and Ansar Abbasi have engaged in the sort of media bullying that can create a “chilling effect” that results in citizens being afraid to speak their opinions freely. This is a direct assault on the Fundamental Rights of free speech provided in the Constitution.
Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.
Other Pakistani bloggers have begun coming to the defense of “Lets Build Pakistan,” in particular the “Views on Pakistan News” blog by Umair Wasi.
GEO TV and The News should immediately reprimand their two employees, Hamid Mir and Ansar Abbasi, for their irresponsible acts and poor journalistic ethics. Additionally, GEO TV and The News should require Hamid Mir and Ansar Abbasi to publicly apologize for their unfounded accusations and promise to never again accuse others without presenting any facts.
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Saturday, 31 October 2009
Monday, 23 February 2009
Abdul's Interview with The Pakistani Spectator
تعميرپاکستان
The following interview was conducted by Ghazala Khan of "The Pakistani Spectator" regarding my journey as a blogger on "Let us build Pakistan".
Source:
http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-blogger-abdul-of-let-us-build-pakistan/
Interview with Blogger Abdul of 'Let us build Pakistan'
Abdul, Sarah and Paindoo are the three brains behind the “Let us build Pakistan” blog. The Pakistani Spectator invited Abdul for an interview on behalf of their blog.
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Source:
http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-blogger-abdul-of-let-us-build-pakistan/
Interview with Blogger Abdul of 'Let us build Pakistan'
Abdul, Sarah and Paindoo are the three brains behind the “Let us build Pakistan” blog. The Pakistani Spectator invited Abdul for an interview on behalf of their blog.
Abdul is a research student in the field of social policy at a university in Lahore. Before that, and after his graduation, he worked as a waiter at a fiver start hotel in Islamabad. According to Abdul, “My father is a famous politician in Pakistan; he kicked me out of the house while I was 18 because of what I term as my non-conformist ideas and attitude.” Abdul joined the ‘Let us build Pakistan’ team in June 2008.
We are so happy to present this interesting as well as insightful interview to the TPS readers.
Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?
“Let us build Pakistan” was more an accidental than a planned project. One of our co-bloggers started this blog as a non-serious blog, kinda joke. Over time, he realized that some visitors were taking this joke seriously, and that there was considerable traffic. That’s when we decided to build upon this project as a meaningful contribution to the socio-political blog-sphere in Pakistan. The main inspiration was to provide critical, non-mainstream reflections on Pakistani politics and media.
What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?
“Let us build Pakistan” does not claim to be neutral. We are a bunch of critical supporters of secular and left-wing parties in Pakistan, particularly the Pakistan People’s Party. At the same time, we are sympathetic to the more inclusive Sufi tradition of Islam. We however endeavour to maintain a balance in our critique and analysis of various social and political issues and news items pertaining to Pakistan. We believe that our blog offers a credible source of critical and non-right wing news items and analysis. This has been confirmed by various visitors who have provided feedback to us through emails and comments.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Personally, I have yet to meet something I might call ’success’ in my life. I can’t say this on behalf of my co-bloggers Sarah and Paindoo, who are much more successful in life I must say.
What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
The happiest moment is when I am with my family members. The gloomiest is…I am pretty optimistic generally, however, remembering a regrettable event of the past may be saddening once in a while.
Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
I don’t know much about Urdu blogs except only a few. However, I have immense respect for all Urdu bloggers. I think they are pursuing a very important and challenging project, a great service to Pakistan and the Urdu language.
If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Moon (if we consider it a part of our world);
Almost all countries in the Middle East;
Amazon.
What is your favorite book and why?
Divan-e-Ghalib; the best piece of Urdu poetry and philosophy.
What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?
Aaloo Qeema; sports gear; squash.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
The face, I think.
Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?
Both have a long way to go, in my view.
How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Not sure. Our blog has not explored this option yet.
Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don’t go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?
I don’t know much about the word ‘oriental’. However, by virtue of its very design, a blog seems to represent one’s true-self. I think bloggers should be commended for being brave enough to expose at least part of their inner shell to the outer space.
What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
Still budding; tightly superordinated by certain powerful mafia in the cyberspace. I will keep my further comments reserved.
Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
All those bloggers whose perspectives are closer to “Let us build Pakistan” are my favourites. Names such as Shaheryar Ali and Rabia Shakoor come to mind.
Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?
Many of them are unique in certain ways.
What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?
Will depend upon the capacity as well as commitment of Pakistani bloggers.
You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
I take blogging as a break from my professional life. My personal life remains unaffected.
What are your future plans?
I would like to forge an influential network of secular bloggers in Pakistan.
Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Try to visit “Let us build Pakistan” once in a while. If you are a blogger, do consider providing a link to this blog on your blog roll.
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Friday, 30 January 2009
About
Let us build Pakistan
Welcome to our critical reflections on Pakistan's politics, society and arts. In the main, the blog offers a selection of editorials and op-eds from the Pakistani and international press. The blog is a project of 'Critical Supporters of Pakistan People's Party' (CSPPP); syndicated since June 2008.
Editor: Abdul Nishapuri
Co-editors: Sarah Khan, Omar Khattab, Jarri Mirza, Ahmer Asif
Critical Supporters of Pakistan People's Party (CSPPP)
Formed in June 2008, this group is committed to providing constructive criticism on the policies of Pakistan People's Party while remaining committed to the original 1970 manifesto of the party based on the following four principles:
Islam is our Faith
Democracy is our Policy
Socialism is our Economy
All Powers to the People
For further details or to be a part of this endeavour, contact: pakistanteam@gmail.com
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