Talat Hussain slaps Shaheen Sehbai and Shahid Masood

Frequently in their TV appearances (on Geo TV) and newspaper columns (in Jang and The News), agents of anti-democracy establishment, e.g. Shaheen Sehbai, Dr Shahid Masood, Ansar Abbasi and their cronies, have openly or implicitly invited General Kayani to intervene into political affairs of the country in an ultra-constitutional manner.

In the following op-ed, Talat Hussain condemns all such elements who are trying to derail democracy in Pakistan by encouraging or supporting military intervention into political affairs of the country. Talat Hussain requests General Kayani to pay no heed to such illegitimate voices.

We at Let us build Pakistan agree with Talat Hussain's analysis, and request Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to direct police to arrest all such so-called journalists (black sheep in the journalist community) and also their ruthless owners, and award maximum exemplary punishment to them under the Article 6 of Pakistan's constitution.
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Sultani Gawah: Have a heart, you are a 'crown witness', Mr Sehbai.

By Abdul Nishapuri

'Sultani Gawah' is an Urdu word meaning 'crown witness of the prosecution'. Those who understand the nature of power politics in Pakistan know where exactly crown (power) lies in Pakistan. Not very long ago, in 2002, Shaheen Sehbai was forced to leave the country because of his anti-ISI and anti-Pakistan Army columns. However, after a few years in exile (in which he wrote scores of articles defaming not only Pakistan Army but also declaring Pakistan as a terrorist state), he was allowed to return to the country in 2005. However, this time his role was a bit different. He was a "Sultani Gawah" of the establishment against the political class of Pakistan. This "Sultani Gawah" has nevertheless more than one masters, within and outside Pakistan.

In his words (The News, 26 November 2009): "Zardari's political colleagues are easy for him to handle because many of them are in the same boat of looted wealth and plundered resources." Source

Here is a brief historical overview which will help understand Shaheen Sehbai's current manoeuvres and manipulations.

Sehbai exposes ISI's connections with terrorists 2002

Mr Shaheen Sehbai (veteran journalist; currently resident editor of The News), escaped from Pakistan in 2002 to save himself from the so-called wrath of the establishment (Pakistan Army / ISI), after the controversy surrounding his story about the murder of Daniel Pearl. It was apparently simply to obtain the Green Card for himself, and his family in the United States. The Sehbai family dream came true when they finally got the USA passports.

On February 16, 2002, Sehbai let a story run that "exposed" Pakistan Army's ties with terrorist bombings in India (a story that also ran in The Washington Post and The International Herald Tribune). The government immediately stopped its advertisements in The News International, and asked The News to take action against those involved in the creation and publishing of the false story defaming the country and Pakistan Army.

Sehbai fired by Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman 2002

Because of the Daniel Pearl situation at the time, the Pakistani government was anxious to crush any rumors of connections to terrorism, and made a great deal of effort to reform its image. After the February 16th, 2002 article, The News CEO, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman asked Sehbai to resign because of his violation of the newspaper policy.

International smear campaign against Pakistan 2002-2005

In the USA, Mr Sehbai then started to run a web based news service, i.e., South Asia Tribune, funded through dubious sources (most probably by Mossad and CIA), in which he reported many cases of government and military corruption in Pakistan.

In 2005 he announced that he was closing The South Asian Tribune after three years of service. It is understood that he negotiated a deal with the establishment (Pakistan Army) and agreed to be a sultani gawah (crown witness for the prosecution) to promote establishment's interests in Pakistan.

During his self-imposed exile in the USA, he used to raise hue and cry against the military establishment that he and his family members’ life was in danger, but the so-called danger apparently vanished after the whole family getting the Green Cards.

Sultani Gawah 2005 - present

He then returned to Pakistan and that too under the same Musharraf regime, and joined ARY TV channel, then GEO, and then the News, where he is presently working. However, the secret deal struck between Sehbai and the ISI revolved around his role as a Sultani Gawah, an agents of the establishment against the political class in Pakistan.

Upon Zardari coming to power, he suddenly became active, and started writing almost a daily column in order to be noticed by Zardari. He was hoping to be appointed High Commissioner to Canada as he was competing with Haqqani. When this could not materialize, he became more bitter and along with other tools of the establishment (the pro-Taliban lobby including but not limited to Dr Shahid Masood, Ansar Abbasi etc) started yelping against the democratic government of Pakistan.

Invitation for a martial law 2008

Not only this Mr. Sehbai also tried to drag Pakistan Amry and wrote a letter to the Chief of Army Staff General Kayani urging him to intervene before the installation of political set up. The situation would be quite different if Mr. Sehbai was made ambassador to Canada, he would be praising Govt but alas the greedy dog could not get and now woofing madly.

Why is Sehbai unhappy with President Zardari?

Here is the list of various demands by Shaheen Sehbai and his cronies presented to President Zardari:

1. Removal of a criminal case against Shaheen Sehbai which was registered against Sehbai in 2001. The person who filed the complaint with the Rawalpindi police on 21 August is Khalid Hijazi, who is the former husband of a cousin of Sehbai. The complaint alleges that Sehbai carried out an “armed robbery” in his home on 22 February 2001. Sehbai was told by President Zardari that he must face these charges in a court of law.

2. Sehbai tried to approach Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar for ’settlement’ of this case but his request was turned down.

3. Shaheen Sehbai’s team members (Ansar Abbasi and Shahid Masood in particular) are vehement supporters of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. They are upset with President Zardari because of his decision to fight terrorist of Taliban and Al Qaeda.

4. On February 16, 2002, Sehbai let a story run that “exposed” government Pakistani ties with terrorist bombings in India (a story that also ran in The Washington Post and The International Herald Tribune by the work of the reporter, not Sehbai). The government immediately stopped its advertisements in The News, and put inordinate pressure on the company to fire those involved in the creation and publishing of the story.

5. Mr. Sehbai returned to America and started a web based newspaper, The South Asian Tribune, in which he produced many false stories against Pakistan. Obviously he became bitter towards Musharraf because of Musharraf’s tough stance on war on terror and also because Musharraf had decided to weaken ties between ISI and Jihadis/Talibans. In 2005, Sehbai, announced that he was closing The South Asian Tribune after three years of service.

6. Invitation to the Army Chief General Kayani to intervene in politics: In his highly controversial article in Daily The News on 2 September 2008, Shaheen Sehbai states that the very fact that Asif Zardari is about to become the head of the state of Pakistan proves how big a mess Musharraf made. He says thus it is the army’s duty to fix it as the political parties certainly are not capable of doing it. “Risking the charge that will instantly be thrown at me that I am inviting the Army to intervene again”, he offers a seven-step plan for General Kiyani.Extremely shameful articles by Shaheen Sehbai. He is asking for a new Martial Law. What a shame

7. In 2009, Sehbai approached Zardari to be appointed as a High Commissioner to Canada. Apparently, the military establishment declined to approve this nomination because of Sehbai's previous hate speech and anti-Pakistan Army campaign in the international media.

Source

Here is an excerpt of Shaheen Sehbai's interview with the Times of India (dated 18 March 2002):

Exposing the Pakistani establishment's links with terrorists can be a hazardous job. It cost Daniel Pearl his life, and Shaheen Sehbai, former editor of 'The News', a widely-read English daily in Pakistan his job. Fearing for his life, Sehbai is now in the US He speaks to Shobha John about the pressure on journalists from the powers-that-be in Pakistan:

Q. Is it true you had to quit because a news report angered the government?
A. On February 16, our Karachi reporter, Kamran Khan, filed a story quoting Omar Sheikh as saying that he was behind the attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13, the Kashmir assembly attack and other terrorist acts in India. Shortly after I am, I got a call on my cellphone from Ashfaq Gondal, the principal information officer of the government, telling me that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had intercepted the story and I should stop its publication.

I told him I was not prepared to do so. He then called my newspaper group owner/editor-in-chief, Mir Shakil ur Rehman in London and asked him to stop the story. Rehman stopped it in the Jang, the sister newspaper in Urdu but could not do so in The News as I was unavailable.

The next day, all editions of The News carried the story. It was also carried by The Washington Post and The International Herald Tribune the same day, as Kamran also reports for The Post. On February 18, all government advertising for the entire group was stopped.

On February 22, Rehman rushed to Karachi and called a meeting at 10 p m. He told me the government was 'very angry' at the story. He said he had been told to sack four journalists, including myself, if the ads were to be restored. He asked me to proceed to Islamabad to pacify the officials. Sham informed us that he had contacted the officials and was told by Anwar Mahmood, the information secretary that 'the matter was now beyond his capacity and we will have to see the ISI high-ups to resolve it'. I was told to go and see the ISI chief in Islamabad and also to call Anwar Mahmood on Eid and improve my 'public relations' with him.

I left the meeting with the firm resolve that I would neither call nor meet anyone, even at gunpoint. Sham, however, left for Islamabad to meet the officials. His meetings were unsuccessful. From my sources, I learned that the ISI and the government were not prepared to lift the ban unless I gave them specific assurances. If I refused, there may be trouble for me as the owner was already under pressure to fire me and the other three journalists.

On February 27, I took a flight out of Karachi to New York. On February 28, I received a memo from my owner accusing me of policy violations. In reply, on March 1, I sent in my resignation.

Q. Is the ISI still keeping a close watch on journalists after Daniel Pearl's killing?
A. The ISI has been a major player in domestic politics and continues to be so. That means it has to control the media and right now, it is actively involved in doing so. Pearl's murder has given them more reasons to activate the national interest excuse.

Q. Is there a sense of desperation within the Pakistan government that it should not be linked in any way to events in India?
A. Yes. That's why when our story quoted Omar Sheikh claiming such links, the government came down hard on us.

Q. Has there been any pressure on the staff of 'The News' to 'conform'?
A. Yes. The News was under constant pressure to stop its aggressive reporting on the corruption of the present government. A few months back, Pakistan International Airlines stopped all ads to The News as we ran a couple of exposes. A major story on the government owned United Bank was blocked when we sought the official version. Intelligence agencies were deputed to tail our reporters in Islamabad.

Q. This is not the first time you and your family have been under pressure, is it?
A. I have been the target of physical attacks in the past too for stories against the government. The first was in August 1990 when I was arrested and detained for 36 hours and falsely charged for drinking, before a judge gave bail. The second time, in December 1991, three masked men broke into my house in Islamabad, ransacked it, pulled guns on my two sons, beat them up and told them, "Tell your father to write against the government again and see what happens". In 1995, I was threatened once again and I had to take my entire family away. My newspaper then, Dawn, decided to post me to Washington as their correspondent. This time, I feared that I could be physically targeted again. So I decided to leave the country.

Q. What do you propose to do now?
A. I will be writing out of Washington for some time and will return to Pakistan around the October polls. My days in Pakistan were very exciting as I maintained a completely independent editorial policy and pursued it to the last day. In the memos written by the owner, he repeatedly complains that I was not consulting him on policies. I had no need to, as he watches his own commercial interests. Source

Oath of citizenship (United States)

The United States Oath of Allegiance (officially referred to as the "Oath of Allegiance," 8 C.F.R. Part 337 (2008)) is an oath that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens. The first officially recorded Oaths of Allegiance were made on May 30th, 1778 at Valley Forge, during the Revolutionary War.

The current oath is as follows:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

In acknowledgement whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.
Shaheen Sehbai 15 October 2004.

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Pakistani People's Action against Geo TV and Jang Group

’اسٹیبلشمنٹ نہیں کچھ اداکار حکومت ہٹانا چاہتے ہیں ‘

کراچی میں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے تینتالیسواں یومِ تاسیس کے جلسہ عام سے ایوان صدر اسلام آباد سے بذریعہ سیٹلائیٹ خطاب کرتے ہوئے صدر آصف علی زرداری نےکہا کہ پارلیمنٹ اور اپوزیشن بالغ ہوچکی ہے، اس لیے اپوزیشن اور نہ ہی اسٹیبلمشنٹ چاہتی ہے کہ یہ جمہوری نظام پٹڑی سے اترے۔ صدر زرداری نے کہا ’صرف سیاسی اداکاروں کی یہ خواہش ہے۔‘

انہوں نے کہا کہ سندھ نے پاکستان بنایا اور پیپلز پارٹی نے آج تک اسے قائم و دائم رکھا ہے اور آئندہ بھی رکھیں گے۔’چند لوگ یہ سمجھتے ہیں کہ اداکاری کرکے ان سے ان کا حق چھین لیں گے۔‘

صدر زرداری نے پاکستان کے ایک بڑے میڈیا گروپ کا نام لیے بغیر کہا کہ ایک چینل کی اجارہ داری قائم ہوگئی ہے ’وہ اپنا ریٹ لینا چاہتے ہیں مگر ہم اس کے ریٹ دیئے بغیر یہاں پہنچے تھے، ان کے ریٹ دیئے بغیر یہاں بیٹھے ہیں اور ان کا ریٹ دیئے بغیر آنے والے انتخابات میں کامیاب ہوں گے ۔‘

By Abdul Nishapuri

Pakistani People's response to blackmailing by Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and his slaves at Geo TV / Jang Group

The informed and politically aware people of Pakistan will not succumb to the blackmailing of Geo TV / Jang Group (Jang / The News).

This is our message to Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and his anti-democracy propaganda team, namely Dr Shahid Masood (President of Pakistani Taliban Union of Journalists), Ansar Abbsi (Taliban agent), Shaheen Sehbai (the Zionist mouthpiece against ISI, the USA passport holder), Muhammad Saleh Zaafir (Taliban apologist) and others.

DO NOT act as pawns of the establishment in trying to derail democracy. Do not weaken the already fragile institution of constitutional government in Pakistan.

DO NOT defame politicians while remaining criminally silent over corruption and mismanagement by the holy cows of the military and civil establishment in Pakistan.

DO NOT exploit the innocent people of Pakistan by creating an artificial Islam versus USA hype. Don't defame the war on terror; don't eulogize Taliban butchers.

If Geo TV, Jang and The News do not refrain from yellow journalism, and do not refrain from hatching conspiracies against the people's government, then we, the people of Pakistan, will be entitled to use the following legal means to express our displeasure:

1. We will stop buying Jang, The News and other newspapers published by the Jang Group.
2. We will stop subscribing to Geo TV and other TV channels of the Jang Group in Pakistan and abroad.
3. As owners and managers of private and multinational companies, we will not seek to advertise our products and services through Geo TV, Jang, The News and other publications and outlets of the Jang Group.
4. We will ask cable operators in our cities, towns and local communities to stop transmitting Geo TV to our homes and businesses.
5. We will put public pressure on federal, provincial and local governments to refrain from pumping the public advertising revenue to the media outlets, newspapers and TV channels of the Jang Group.
6. We will file cases in the courts of law in all the four provinces as well as in FATA, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan against the administrators and owners of Geo TV and the Jang Group for trying to subvert the legal and constitutional government of Pakistan through unconstitutional means.

List of publications and TV channels by the Jang Group:

• Daily Jang
• The News
• Geo TV
• Daily News
• Daily Awam
• Weekly Akhbar-e-Jahan
• Weekly The Mag
• Geo News
• Geo TV (entertainment)
• Geo Super
• Aag TV

Request to our visitors and contributors:

We at 'Let us build Pakistan' request you to provide us with substantial legal evidence and documents against the wrongdoings of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and his team so that these blackmailers could be dragged in a court of law in due course of time. We assure you of complete confidentiality and anonymity. Please write to us at: pakistanteam@gmail.com

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Shaheen Sehbai attempts (wishes) to convert Gilani into Leghari

By Abdul Nishapuri

They (agents of the anti-democratic establishment in Pakistan) have tried everything to derail democracy. So far, the PPP and its coalition partners have successfully foiled such plans with a smile and a firm commitment to the democratic system.

They tried to create an artificial anti-Kerry Lugar Bill hype, anti-Musharraf, anti-USA, anti-Swat operation, anti-Waziristan operation hype in Pakistan. Their main aim was to derail the democratic set up. But nothing has worked so far.

In their frustration, they also suggested the final resting place (grave) for Zardari. They offered a choice between Medina and Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. The suggestion created a few laughters, and no more.

Now the most dangerous tool of the anti-democracy establishment, namely Shaheen Sehbai, who is notorious for previously writing a series of anti-Pakistan and anti-Pakistan army columns in foreign newspapers, is trying to create a rift between Prime Minister Gilani and President Zardari. Once again, he is no friend or well-wisher of Gilani. He is a well-wisher of the establishment only.

Shame on you, Shaheen Sehbai. Scums of earth, such as yourself, will be remembered in history as Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs of Pakistani journalism. You along with Shahid Masood seem to be suffering from Zardari phobia. "Flies" like you are a pioneer of the Mullah Media Alliance in Pakistan.

People of Pakistan are indeed aware of your evil designs. We will soon drag you in a court of law for violating the Article 6 of Pakistan's constitution. You cannot escape the long arm of the law; the gallows await you, along with your other anti-democracy and/or pro-Taliban cronies.

Here is an op-ed written by Shaheen Sehbai which truly reveals his frustrated mindset.

How to clean up the bloody mess-2

Monday, November 23, 2009
News analysis

By Shaheen Sehbai

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Asif Zardari-led PPP set-up have reached a dead end on their political highway to nowhere. After the official release of the NRO list, it has become impossible for Gilani to sleep in the same bed with boggy and smutty crocodiles and cockroaches when he was about to quit his lucrative job if just a speck of the NRO dirt had hit his real life partner.

This is how outsiders see it. But those sitting inside the secure PM House have no different view and it is now widely known that the Syed from Multan is no longer prepared to take public or private snubs and insults anymore.

His many travels outside Islamabad have often left his hosts in a daze. Recently in Sindh, he was almost in tears recalling to some dear friends what huge burden he was facing on his conscience and how humiliatingly he was being treated by the party high command. In the recent CEC meeting, there was repeated mention of rebirth of Farooq Legharis within the PPP, arrows thrown at the PM by Zardari loyalists meaning that he was a traitor.

It was in this desperate state of mind that Gilani took his revenge and forced his law minister to go out and announce to the world the notorious list of thieves and crooks who had first robbed the country dry and then had taken refuge behind a disgraceful deal with a dictator. He was paying back his critics, in kind.

Once PM Gilani crossed that red line and made the shame and ignominy of even his top leaders officially public, he has left no room for a retreat. It would be the world’s most exciting conversation when President Asif Zardari and PM Gilani sit down again in the Presidency for another of their frequent one-on-one talks. There is no one present when they talk, but there are walls and there are flies on these walls, if not of the biological kind, of the electronic species. Of course, it is generally known that whatever is said within the four-walls of our big secure houses is not only heard by our own spooks and spies but sometimes by even listeners with headphones sitting thousands of miles away. Interestingly, when President Zardari meets anyone, a huge grandfather clock between him and his guest is always ticking. Electronic bugs could always sneak into that clock.

According to one such fly, a recent tense talk between the big two of the country was in such a bad taste and in such foul language that the Syed from Multan may have resigned and left for his hometown directly from the House on the Hill, if anyone else had been present to watch his humiliation. That he did not do so was because he did not want to surrender without his revenge. That was before the NRO sh— had hit the roof.

The situation as it stands today reminds me of a news analysis that I had written under the same headline as this piece, almost 15 months ago. It was on Sept 2, 2008, before Asif Zardari had become the president that I had said: “The sudden prospect of Asif Ali Zardari sitting on the most powerful and sensitive political hot seat in the country has shaken everybody. There is a greater sense of uncertainty in the political class as well as the civil and military establishment, although the presidential election should have removed the clouds of doubt hanging over the political scene.”

Another para had stated: “In short, the leaders and parties are not prepared, or capable, of handling this mess. It would, in fact, be unfair and totally unjustified to expect them to clear the nine-year-old backlog, in less than nine months. Basically, though, the responsibility of correcting the situation is on the elected representatives who should chalk out a plan, call an all-party conference, invite the Army leadership to reach a consensus or whatever, but they seem either not interested or not too involved in petty politicking.”

It was in this piece that I had politely asked the Pakistan Army to play its role, from behind the scenes, to clean up the mess which General Musharraf had left at the doorstep of unprepared politicians. There was a massive uproar in the country over my article and I had counted 29 columns and numerous TV talk shows attacking me for “inviting the Army to take over”. It was a preposterous charge. But look at what happened in the last 15 months.

I had suggested that General Kayani should use his influence to restore the judges to the Nov 2 position. The politicians made him do that on Mar 15. I had proposed that he should get the NRO repealed so that its beneficiaries should be made to face normal process of law and clear themselves. Again the failure of parliament has led to this now being done whether Asif Ali Zardari likes it or not. I had suggested that Kayani should cancel all the secret deals that Musharraf had made with politicians or foreign powers as these deals were not binding. The Kerry-Lugar fiasco and the GHQ reaction hinted at this approach.

It was also said that a National Accountability Commission, with men of undisputed credibility, strength of character and certified competence be set up so that all the corruption cases, past, present and future, are sent to it and anyone cleared by it is genuinely considered an honest and clean person. This is the next likely step to happen.

It was argued that Gen Musharraf must also be brought before it and made to face the charges, instead of providing him a blanket amnesty. Things are moving in that direction without any visible resistance from the Army.

Instead of stabilising the political system, giving a clean and effective government and supporting the Army and security forces to fight the menace of terrorism with full political backing and support, the arrogant and lop-sided governance style of President Zardari has messed up everything. Within a year he has reached the point where everyone is asking and discussing “what after him”. Musharraf took nine years to reach that stage when the Americans dumped him. Zardari was fast. He has now dug into his bunker and is ready to fight. But fight for what? Fight with his own self against his own failures?

Today’s mess is not for the Pakistan Army to clean, as it was 15 months ago. The Army has already played its behind-the-scene role to keep the system going. Today the failure is of the politicians and they should not blame anyone else, as is now becoming a habit in pro-Zardari circles. No one wants to destabilise the system. But the blunders and egocentricities of the PPP leadership is going to do that.

A very mischievous impression is being given that criticism of Zardari, and sidelining him, would mean another attack on Sindhi rights. He should be sidelined because he has failed as a politician and not as a Sindhi. He should pay for his acts of omission and commission, the rampant corruption unleashed all around and the failed policies that he has forced on everybody. All this has nothing to do with Sindh or the Sindhi card.

In fact, all reports from Sindh say people in Larkana and Nawabshah would be more than happy if the tyranny of these newly unleashed feudals is ended. The decades old servants and workers of Mr Bhutto’s ancestral homes would like to come back to their jobs and not live in wilderness any more.

The heavy onus of correcting the situation thus lies on the prime minister and the PPP, or whatever part of the organisation which can come out of the scare spell of the presidency. Gilani is considering many options, including his own resignation if he does not get his way. But right now the centre of power has shifted to his office and the presidency is in a lame-duck mode.

As a starter Gilani can slash his cabinet and remove all the tainted NRO hit ministers, advisers and ambassadors. In one go, he will boost his image and credibility and deliver a fatal blow to the one-man style of governance that has led the PPP into a corner in just two years.

The PM should then move with super speed to get the 17th Amendment repealed, get the competent and popular PPP leaders back into the party fold, take Mian Nawaz Sharif and others on board, even in his cabinet, as in the early days of the coalition. Get a political consensus on major issues, start a dialogue with moderates in the ranks of militants and then lead the country with a focus on ending the miseries of the poor harassed masses and crushing the militancy.

He should keep the president informed and on board if he wants to play along. But it should be clear that the buck would stop at the PM House. If this does not happen and Mr Zardari creates hurdles, plays his dirty tricks, unleashes his ‘Ghairat’ or ‘Izzat’ brigades against the PM, the media, the security establishment or all of them, he would be the one responsible for demolishing the system. No one else should then be blamed. (Source)

Also read: Trying to Knock out Zardari and Army Simultaneously?
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Pakistan after President Zardari

Hasan Nisar presents a realistic picture of a scenario even if the minus-one (minus-Zardari) formula of the pro-Taliban and anti-democracy establishment is implemented in Pakistan. Next is a column by Latif Chaudhry in which he compares certain senior members of the Mullah Media Alliance (Pakistani Taliban Union of Journalists) with the eunuchs (cheekhay) of the Mughal era. Only if wishes were horses...

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Why did Shahid Masood and Shaheen Sehbai go to meet President Zardari?

Why Dr Shahid Masood and Shaheen Sehbai try to meet President Asif Zardari last week? According to Hamid Mir, Zardari refused to see both of them, and instead asked them to continue writing and speaking against him as much as possible.

It would appear that these two gentle(?)men are after some kind of deal with Zardari (sherwani, ambassadorship, money?). Or their boss Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman (the CEO of Geo TV) is using them to have a tax bargain with the government. Geo TV is playing a dubious role.

Here is the op-ed by Hamid Mir in which he records this event:

Source: http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/nov2009-daily/16-11-2009/col2.htm

Comments (pkpolitics)

qaisanwar said:

پیر کاکی تاڑ؛ صحافی اور جانا شاہد مسعود کا ایوان صدر

نوے کی دھا۶ی کی بات ہے لاہور کی ہیرا منڈی میں ایک باریش پیر وارد ہوا ۔ پیر کی شخصیت میں کشش اور باتوں میں سحر تھا۔ جلد ہی

ہیرا منڈی کے لوگ پیرکے گرویدہ ہو گے۶۔ اب ہر وقت پیر کے گرد نوخیز دوشیزا۶وں اور مرجھا۶ی نا۶یکاوں کا ہجوم ہوتا۔ سورج ڈھلنے

کے بعد منہ نیچا کرکے ہیرا منڈی میں آنے والوں میں پیر کو دیکھ کر حسد اور حسرت کے احساسات بھڑک اٹھتے ۔ کہاں پیسے خرچ کرکے

دنیا سے چھپ کر تھوڑے سے وقت کے لیے آنا اور کہاں پیر کہ ہیرا منڈی میں ہی رہتا ؛ وہاں کے مکینوں کے ہاں کھانا کھاتا اور ہر روز نت

ن۶ے تحا۶ف وصول کرتا ۔ یار لوگوں نے پیر کا نام پیر کاکی تاڑ رکھ دیا ۔ پیر کاکی تاڑ کی شہرت صحافی تک جا پہنچی۔ صحافی نے پہلے تو

پیر کے خلاف مضامین لکھے اور ایک دن پیر کاکی تاڑ کے پاس جا پہنچا ۔ تعارف کروایا کہ فلاں ادارے سے تعلق ہے ۔ آپ کے برے کردار کے

متعلق بہت سنا ہے اور بہت لکھا ہے۔ آج آپ سے بالمشافہ بات کرنے آ۶ے ہیں اور پھر آپ کے خلاف لکھیں گے ۔ پیر نے کہا کہ میرا تعلق

ضلع قصور کے اس گا۶وں سے ہے صحافی بولا تو۔ پیرکاکی تاڑ نےکہا کہ اس گا۶وں میں سیدوں کا ایک خاندان ہے جس کے شجرہ نسب

اور نجیب الطرفین ہونے پہ کسی کو کو۶ی شک نہیں ۔ صحافی بولا تو ۔ پیر نے کہا میں اس خانوادے کا بیٹا ہوں ۔ صحافی نے کہا تو پھر کیا۔

پیر کاکی تاڑ نے کہا بیٹا ؛ اگر ایک سید زادہ ہیرا منڈی میں آکے بیٹھ جا۶ے تو اس کے لیے اس سےزیادہ ڈوب مرنے کی بات کیا ہو سکتی ہے

اب تم میرے خلاف جو بھی لکھو گے اس سے میری اس سے زیادہ بے عزتی نہیں ہو سکتی جتنی ہیرا منڈی میں رہنے سے ہو گ۶ی۔ تو

بیٹا لکھتے رہو یہ تمہارا کام ہے میں یہاں بیٹھا ہوں یہ میرا کام ہے۔اور ہاں کہ لفافہ میں تمہیں نہیں دوں گا ۔ اور پھر کچھ دنوں کے بعد لوگوں

نے حیرت سے سنا کہ پیر کاکی تاڑ لاہور کے اخبار میں کالم لکھتا ہے ۔

زرداری نے سیاست میں آنے کے بعد نہ بدنامیاں کم سہی ہیں نہ ہی کم سزا۶یں بھگتی ہیں ۔ اب شاہد مسعود اس کے خلاف لکھے یا اس

سے ملنے جاءے زرداری کو فرق نہیں پڑتا۔ لفافہ صحافی کی ضرورت ہے وہ ملنے ضرور جا۶ے گا لیکن اب کیا کہہ کر ڈرا۶ے گا کہ میں

تمہارے خلاف لکھوں گا ۔ شاباش زرداری بلوچوں کی شان رکھ لی اس بندے کو ویسے ہی نکالنا چاہیے تھا جیسے تم نے نکالا

Bawa said:

@ propolitics

Bawa, Have you heard that SM went to President House to see Zardari and Zardari refused to meet him.

بھائی جی ڈاکٹر شاہد مسعود کا زرداری کے پاس جانا کوئی بڑی خبر نہیں ھے. بڑی خبر یہ ھے کہ زرداری نے اس سے ملنے سے انکار کر دیا. ہر محفل میں بن بلائے گھسنا تو صحافیوں کا کام ہوتا ھے. جیسے ایک پٹھان کی کسی سے دوستی ہوگی تو ایک دن پٹھان نے اسکی ہتھیلی پر انگلی پھیری تو وہ غصے سے بولا کہ ہم ایسے ویسے آدمی نہیں ہیں. پٹھان بولا تم ایسے ویسے آدمی بھلا نہ ہو لیکن ہمارا تو کام ھے کہ ہم چیک کریں. شاید ڈاکٹر شاہد مسعود ہتھیلی پر انگلی پھیرنے گئے ہوں اور زرداری کو پہلے سے ہی پتہ ہو کہ وہ کس لیے ملنا چاہتا ھے اور اس نے ملنے سے انکار کر دیا ہو

Bawa said:

@ mujtaba-ali

باوا جی آج کل ڈاکٹر صاحب کا پروگرام مجھے بھی کچھ برا سا لگنے لگا ہے .ایسا لگتا ہے جیسے شائد کوئی ذاتی عناد شامل حال ہو .. خیر واللہ العلم ……. لیکن مجھے ڈر اس بات کا ہے کہ کہیں ان کسی دیں ان کے کسی ڈ بے سے کوئی جن ہی برامد نہ ہو جائے … کیوں کہ اس قسم کی کچھ کامیاب فلمیں بھی بن رہی ہیں … کچھ اچھے سینما گھروں میں

مجتبیٰ بھائی ڈاکٹر صاحب کو جو ڈائیلاگ دیے گئے ہیں ہو انہی کو پڑھ رہے ہیں. ہر انکر پرسن کے پاس اپنا اپنا سکرپٹ ہے جسے وہ پڑھ رہا ہے. ہر ایک کی روٹی روزی کا مسلہ ہے. باقی جن کہیں سے نہیں نکلنا صرف جن کا نام لیکر ڈرایا جا رہا ہے

Bawa said:

@ qaisanwar

آپ سے اتفاق کرتا ہوں کہ تنقید ایک حد تک ہونی چاہئیے. ہر روز ایک ہی بات کو کرتے جانا بات کا اثر کھو دیتا ہے

qaisanwar said:

@ Mujtab Ali

زرداری ملامتی ہے ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ تینوں کافر کافر آکھدے توں آہو آہو آکھ ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ سیاست کی ہیرا منڈی میں ایک ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

جس کی کامیابیاں اور بہادری کبھی بھی تماش بینوں کو اچھی نہیں لگی ۔

qaisanwar said:

@Bawa

اصل میں اب شاہد مسعود پر تبصرہ کرنے کو بھی دل نہیں چاہتا۔ صحافتی تاریخ میں میں بھٹو کے بدترین مخالف دیکھے ہیں صرف ایک شخص تھا اثر چوہان جو شاہد

مسعود کی سطح پر اترا تھا۔ ورنہ لوگ ایک خاص سطح سے نیچے نہیں آتے۔

@ qaisanwar

قبلہ ایک بڑی ہی … عرض یہ ہے کہ دل کی گھروں سے بڑی ہی مودبانہ عرض ہے … خدا کہ لئے یہ ظُلم تو نہ کریں … زرداری کو ذولفقار علی بھٹو سے تو نہ ملایئں

qaisanwar said:

@ Mujtab Ali

جب ہم چھوٹے تھے تو بھٹو کے متعلق جو کہانیاں سنتے تھے وہ زرداری سے متعلق کہانیوں سے بھی بھیانک تھیں

irfanakbarkazi said:

Dr. Shahid we are tired of listening you!! Can you now chose some other topic other than Zardari!!

For God sake Please!!

qaisanwar said:

@ Mujtab Ali

بھا۶ی ہم تو رد عمل میں زرداری کی حمایت کرتے ہیں ۔ ہم نے آج تک یہی دیکھا ہے کہ ایسٹبلشمنٹ ہر اصول ؛ ہر قانون اور ساری

اخلاقیات کا صرف بھٹوز پر اطلاق کرتی ہے ۔ اس سے ہم صرف اندازہ لگا سکتے ہیں کہ ایسٹبلشمنٹ صرف بھٹوز کی دشمن ہے ۔

ہم پھر اپنے دشمن کے دشمن کی حمایت کرتے ہیں

qaisanwar said:

@ Mujtab Ali

بھا۶ی آپ سچ کہتے ہوں گے۔ ہمارابڑھاپے کا عشق ہے جہاں دلا ۶ل کام نہیں کرتے ۔ ساری زندگی پیلپز پارٹی کی مخالفت کی

ہمارے دور میں انٹر نیٹ نہیں ہوتا تھا ہم تو پیلپز پارٹی کے خلاف تقریریں کرتے تھے اور جلوس نکالتے تھے ۔ اب جب وہ سارے

جو دعوی کرتے تھے کہ وہ ایسٹبلشمنٹ کے پیلپز پارٹی سے زیادہ مخالف ہیں تا ریخ کی دھند میں کھو گے۶ توہم ساری زندگی

کے تجربے کا حاصل سمجھ کر پیپلز پارٹی کے حامی بن بیٹھے ۔

mujtaba-ali said:

@ qaisanwar

پیپلز پارٹی کا حامی ہونا تو باری اچھی بات ہے یہ جیسے بھی ہیں جمہوری لوگ ہیں … بھٹو مرتا نہ تو … سیکھ کر دوبارہ اتا اور دوبارہ جیت جاتا اور پھر ملک کے لئے وہ کرتا جو کسی نے نہیں کیا آج تک .. بی بی نہ مرتیں تو وہ بھی ایسا ہی کرتیں کیوں کے وہ بھی بُہت کچھ سیکھ چکی تھیں … نوازشریف آج جو کچھ کر رہا ہے … وہ اسی عقل کا شاخسانہ ہے جو اس نے پچھلے ١٠ سال میں کمایی ہے … یہاں سب ایک سے ہیں سب آتےہیں اور کبھی نہ جانے کے لئے اتے ہیں اور خدا بن بیٹھ تے ہیں .. پھر جا کر عقل آتی ہے .. ہماری بعد کسمتی یہ ہے کہ جب ان کو عقل آتی ہے تو ہم ان کو مار ڈالتے ہیں … نوازشریف کی زنندگی کی دوا کریں … وہ سوہروردی ، بھٹو ، بی بی کے بعد چوتھا ایسا لیڈر ہے .. جو کچھ سیکھ چکا ہے

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An appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan

By Sarah Khan

An appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan

Apply Article 6 of the Constitution on Dr Shahid Masood, Shaheen Sehbai, Ansar Abbasi, their other accomplices, and owners of Geo TV/ Jang Group.

According to the constitution of Pakistan (Article 6):

6. (1) Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subverts the constitution by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.

(2) Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.

(3) Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.

Honourable Chief Justice:

It is common knowledge that certain agents of anti-democracy establishment in Pakistan, namely Dr Shahid Masood, Shaheen Sehbai, Ansar Abbasi and their other accomplices (Saaleh Zafir, Muhammad Ahmed Noorani etc), as well as owners of Geo TV / Jang Group, are openly conspiring to derail democracy in Pakistan. On more than one occasions in their columns or TV appearances, these persons have openly invited or encouraged the Pakistan Army to take ultra-constitutional measures to either dissolve the parliament or to remove President Asif Ali Zardari from his position as the duly elected constitutional president of Pakistan.

While we understand that the professional leadership of Pakistan Army is committed to its oath and duties as per the constitution of Pakistan, the conspiracies, acts and speeches of these three persons (Shahid Masood, Ansar Abbasi and Shaheen Sehbai) and also of their other accomplices in Geo TV/ Jang Group (and certain other parts of the Pakistani media and politics), tantamount to abetting and aiding in conspiring to abrogate, subvert or attempt or conspire to subvert the constitution by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means.

These three persons and their accomplices, therefore, my lord, are guilty of high treason according to the Article 6 of the constitution of Pakistan.

You are requested to initiate a suo moto acation against the culprits, and award them with an exemplary punishment consistent with the spirit of the constitution of Pakistan.

Yours sincerely
Sarah Khan
A citizen of Lahore, Pakistan

Evidence for specimen only:

• Shaheen Sehbai: http://letusbuildpakistan.blogspot.com/2008/12/shaheen-sehbai-what-is-his-agenda-is-he.html
• Dr Shahid Masood: Watch his TV program, Meray Mutabiq, 15 November 2009, Geo TV.

چیف جسٹس آف پاکستان کے نام ایک درد مندانہ اپیل

مٹ جائے گی مخلوق تو انصاف کرو گے ؟

ڈاکٹر شاہد مسعود انصار عباسیاور شاہین صہبای، ان کے مالکان (جیو اور جنگ گروپ ) جیسے لوگ جو کھلے عام جمہوریت کے خلاف باتین کرتے ہیں جو کھلے عام فوج کو آئین پاکستان توڑنے کی دعوت دیتے ہیں.. جوجنرل کیانی کو خط لکھتے ہیں یا اپنے پروگرام میں فوج کو مداخلت کی ترغیب دیتے ہیں، ایسے لوگوں کے لیے آئین میں سزا آرٹیکل نمبر ٦ کے تحت درج ہے.

ہم پاکستانی عوام چیف جسٹس آف پاکستان جناب افتخار محمّد چودھری سے اپیل کرتے ہیں کہ سو موٹو نوٹس لیتے ہوے عدالت ان دونوں غدداروں اور ان کے شریک جرم لوگوں کو گرفتار کر کے آئین کے تحت ان کو موت کی سزا سنائے.

آئین پاکستان کا جو غدّار ہے وہ قانونی طور پر پھانسی کا حقدار ہے

Related article: NRO, Supreme Court and Dr Shahid Masood's Naani
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Gilgit Baltistan Victory - An Eye Opener

Post by :Jarri Mirza

Guest Column by Usama Bhutto

The Gilgit Baltisan victory comes out to be an eye opener for the pro Taliban Anti democratic Media Persons and Journalists. Pakistan Peoples Party has won an over whelming vote in the region where speculations of the Pro-Taliban Media were opposite. I think it is high time for these elements to re-define their loyalties. Despite the row over the Kerry lugar bill and the NRO episode, the people of Gilgit Baltistan have altogether rejected the one sided propaganda against the PPP and its Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

The landslide victory of the PPP has been due to the leadership of the Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his bold decision to counter the threat of Terrorism. Where two years ago, Swat was a nogo area for a Pakistani today the Army Operation has paved the way for the general public to continue the norms of life. The South Waziristan Operation had been long awaited and the President’s decision to pursue the policy of zero tolerance against these sectarian killers, the people of Pakistan have got a new hope for the future of their country. It has not been a story of today. The menace of terrorism had engulfed Pakistan since 2003. The PPP government accepted the great challenge and has lived to the aspiration of the peole of Pakistan. This is evident from the fact that the recent Elections in Gilgit Baltistan have been taken away by the PPP.

Despite several Media Campaigns by Pro-Taliban Anchors and Journalists, Asif Ali Zardari has emerged to be a very successful President. It was under his Leadership that the PPP fought this elections and came out victorious. It should be noted here that Gilgit Baltistan was given self rule by the sitting PPP government. Earlier too, the only reforms for this region had come about in the times of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Presidency had been a target of the Taliban Friendly Elements since Asif Ali Zardari stepped into its walls. All conspiracies ranging for the Kerry lugar to sugar crisis to the NRO were directly blamed at the Presidency one after another. The courage and zeal with which the President has withstood these propagandist elements is sheerly amazing. In face of an opposition that first used the long march to topple the Presidency and then came about with several issues one after another with a single point agenda of damaging the Democratic Set-up, Asif Ali Zardari has emerged victorious once again. The vote of the people has far more outreaching effects than a Television Talk Show defaming the government over non-issues and speculating a Mid Term election in coming days. I think the phase of Mid-Term elections is over and now all the democratic forces will have to assemble under a flag of democracy to save the system and thus benefit Pakistan. It is an open message to the Anti Democratic Forces and Pro-Taliban Elements sitting in the Media and Political Parties and Institutions, the at the people of Pakistan have had enough with violence and the klashincov culture. They see their future in a Pakistan where they have an Elected government that completes its term. The recent Military action against Taliban has given a ray of hope to the people of Pakistan where they saw themselves doomed a year ago.

President Asif Ali Zardari has emerged as the Symbol Of Federation. The ever most popularly elected president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, his daunting decisions in the foreign policy and domestic issues have raised the bar for the stooges of Taliban and Anti Democratic Alliances. The vote of people in Gilgit Baltistan is a clear indicator of the peoples’ trust in the current government and thus its President. Previously the Media Campaigns have proved naught and even in the future it seems the people of Pakistan will altogether reject any Minus-One Formula given a hype by the Media people. The President it seems is living true to his word of Reconciliation and his slogan of “Pakistan Khappay”

This election victory is more of an advice for the Media and its Taliban Spokespersons Hamid Mir, Shaheen Sehbai, Talat Hussain, and of course Dr Shahid Masood: I hope he has now seen everything "Awaam K Mutabiq"..

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The Triple S Brigade's ill-wish and Zardari's grave

"The Triple S Brigade" (i.e. Shaheen Sehbai, Shahid Masood, Shireen Mazari) are persistent in their anti-democracy and pro-Taliban agenda.

Lady Taliban, Dr Shireen Mazari, the Resident Editor of The Nation, has released the following report on President Zardari, through her reporter Maqbool Malik (a close associate of Ansar Abbasi), about the possible location of Zardari's grave.

The triple S brigade, and other Friends of Taliban in Pakistan, it would appear, are now resorting to ill-wishes in order to get rid of the democratic government. Here is the news item which appeared in The Nation on 11 November 2009, which is followed by a satirical analysis by Nazir Naji:

Zardari chooses Ghari Khudabakhsh as last abode
By: Maqbool Malik | Published in The Nation: November 11, 2009

ISLAMABAD – Struggling head-on to surmount a plethora of challenges, President Asif Ali Zardari has been contemplating about his future to the extent of even choosing his last abode, The Nation has reliably learnt on Tuesday.

According to sources close to the President, Asif Zardari has been brainstorming for some time whether it should be Ghari Khudabakhsh or Madina (Saudi Arabia) for his last resting place.

The sources were of the view that President Zardari has actually chosen Ghari Khudabakhsh as his last abode, which he reportedly believed, had more to do with the cause of democracy in the country.

“President Zardari is prepared to die for the cause of democracy rather than succumbing to any pressure to compromise”, the sources said.

According to the sources, the President has been making up his mind about his personal decisions for quite some time now. They also denounced the impression that he made up his mind after surviving three attempts aiming at unseating him from the power corridors. Rather, the sources added, the President was determined to do or die for his ambition of changing status quo with a governance system based on democracy and accountability.

Another source well acquainted with President Zardari shared with the TheNation the secret of Zardari’s self-assured grin saying, “It was always to give out a contrary impression.”

“Trust deficit has been haunting the President ever since he stepped into his political career”, the sources informed.

Ghari Khudabukhsh is the ancestral graveyard of President Zardari’s in-laws where apart from his assassinated wife and two times Prime Minister late Benazir Bhutto, his father in law late Z.A. Bhutto and brothers-in-law are buried.

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Major Malik Nadal Hasan of Pakistani Media

+ = =

Dr Shahid Masood is a frustrated individual who can do anything beside spreading despondency amongst the Pakistani youth and inject his morbid thoughts. (Socrates)

In the words of Mir Jamilur Rahman (The News, 10 Nov 2009), "President Zardari has startled the nation by revealing that since he became president 14 months ago, he has foiled three attempts to unseat him. He did not name anybody, but we can try to find out the culprits. The mind instantly goes to the army for it has been in the past sending civilian governments home. But it would be worth remembering that none of the military dictators removed the president along with the prime minister. They did not remove the president until the things were settled."

"The simple truth is that there is no way to remove the president except by a resolution of impeachment passed by parliament by a two-thirds majority. If any other method was employed to remove the president, then the existence of federation would be endangered. The anti-democratic forces might try to win the required number of votes – minimum 295 — by political manipulation. This would destroy the party system leading to the end of democracy. Such undemocratic manoeuvring would split and weaken the biggest party that has representation in all the provinces. The earlier PPP split orchestrated by Gen Musharraf had weakened it to the extent that it failed to win enough seats to form government single-handedly. The coalitions are good to overcome political difficulties but they tend to nurture and spread corruption." (Source)

It is however a fact that with their specific anti-Zardari and pro-Taliban agenda, Dr Shahid Masood and his cronies such as Ansar Abbasi and Shaheen Sehbai are getting more and more frustrated day in and day out because against their wishes, the democratic system in Pakistan is still intact.

Bawa said: (commenting on Meray Mutabiq 8 November 2009 - from pkpolitics)

ڈاکٹر صاحب کی زبان پر دل کی ساری باتیں کھل کر آ گئی ہیں اور مایوسی کی انتہا میں فرما رہے ہیں کہ دیکھئے فوج تو نہیں آئے گی نہ آنا چاہتی ہے زرداری صاحب بیٹھے ہیں تو انکو ہٹانے کا کیا طریقہ کار ہو سکتا ہے؟ استعیفی ا کہتے ہیں کہ میں نہیں دے رہا، میں پاور رکھوں گا اپنے پاس، جو کرنا ہے کر لو. امپریچ کرنا ھے تو کر لو. آپ زرداری صاحب کو کیسے ہٹائیں گے؟ کیسے انکو فورس کریں گے کہ وہ پاور چھوڑیں اپنی؟ .

خدا خیر کرے مجھے تو ڈر ھے کہ کہیں مایوسی کے عالم میں وہ میجر حسن نڈال والا قدم نہ اٹھا بیٹھیں. انکے ارد گرد کے لوگ الرٹ رہیں. لیکن زیادہ فکر مند ہونے کی ضرورت اس لیے نہیں کہ آخر میں انہوں نے یہ کہکر اپنے دل کو حوصلہ دے لیا ھے کہ اسلام آباد میں مائنس ون یا مائنس پلس ون فارمولہ گردش کر رہا ھے اور ایمرجنسی میں شیروانیاں سینے والوں کی دکانوں پر سرگرمیاں بڑھ گئی ہیں. .

عارف نظامی صاحب کا تجزیہ نہایت کی معقول تھا. باقی شیخ اکرام صاحب اور شاہین صہبائی صاحب نے وہی کہا جو وہ ہر روز کہتے رہتے ہیں، میرا مطلب انکی باتوں میں کوئی نی بات نہیں تھی

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Talk of belling the cat: What is the agenda of Shaheen Sehbai?

Talk of belling the cat
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
By Anjum Niaz

The writer is a freelance journalist with over twenty years of experience in national and international reporting

Shaheen Sehbai’s surgical strike on President Zardari in this newspaper on Dec 26 offered an eclectic mix of facts and speculation. While swathing populist sentiments of the voiceless millions averse to a one-man rule, it also raised some serious questions. The timing; tone and tenor; and a Washington dateline warrant a critique. The presidential exposé came a day before his wife’s first death anniversary. Is there a link between the two or mere happenstance?

Mr Sehbai sweeps us off our feet by predicting the demise of this government. He bases his prophesy on events – past and present- verified by the blowhards on our TV channels ad infinitum. Sehbai sums it thus: Zardari’s is a self-fulfilling prophesy – where he himself is facilitating his own fall by the actions numbered ten in his editorializing. However he stops short of packing high-grade dynamite that can blow up the presidency. It may well provide ample fireworks for drawing room chatter, but Sehbai needs to scrabble more uncanny information that he may be privy to. He needs to calibrate the next steps: how a change will come and more importantly who will bring it. Lastly, why fire his stinger missile from across the other side of the Atlantic, unless the idea is to maintain an oceanic stretch between him (currently in Washington) and the presidency?

Still, Sehbai is the first of his tribe to trawl through parlous waters that most of us have so far studiously avoided. Perhaps President Zardari and his media-friendly information minister Sherry Rehman have successfully tamed the press (with the exception of Sehbai) the way President Bush and his busy bees did. One is reminded of that famous quote by an unnamed Bush aide (Karl Rove?) to American journalist Ron Suskind on the eve of 2003 Iraq war:

We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re (Ron Suskind) studying that reality—judiciously as you will—we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors ... and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.

Zardari is our very own “history’s actor” embroiled in “creating new realities” that daily lacerate our belief forcing us to adjust our moral compass to “study” and judge his actions that often stun-gun most into sullied shock. Excoriating his past alleged misdeeds is the only antacid that relieves our heartburn. Tongues unravel, red flags fly and blogs light up when the president is referenced. But didn’t Pervez Musharraf personally power wash the president’s unproven corruption cases with concentrates of chlorinated NRO? Didn’t the National Accountability Bureau silo the radioactive material flaring with damning evidence against the former first couple so none could fire these ballistic missiles ever again?

However, those who have read Shaheen Sehbai’s viewpoint against the present government think better it would have been for the writer to reveal some startling facts that could spool the legal duo, Messrs Naek and Khosa into a corner. “Does the writer not claim to know the president from close quarters?” Asks an initiated reader. “Does he not have impeachable information that can shake the presidency? I think Shaheen Sehbai does.”

Others feel that to target the president is being untethered from reality. He may be flawed and conflicted; still he’s no demon like his predecessor Musharraf. “Why has the media not demanded accountability of the general and his cronies whose malfeasance is well-documented?” The military dictator’s duplicity and sophistry finally pulled him down. He vacated his seat not because some Pakistani investigative journalist discovered a Watergate like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein did to drive out Musharraf but Zardari trumped him and rushed in to take his seat. “I am sure Mr Sehbai, if he’s willing to launch into such an enterprise as the Watergate scandal will have many ‘Deep Throats’ to assist him in his mission,” writes a Pakistan-watcher from America.

Jettisoned by the self-censuring media too skittish to shine light on PPP’s unrighteousness, the nation repeatedly questions how a corrupt claque can overrun the land with a spoil system that blatantly privileges only the family, friends and favourites of the rulers. Unsurprisingly then, most Pakistanis are stricken with the same mental symptoms that, as cited by the Financial Times, Asif Ali Zardari suffered as recently as last year.

An Islamabad-based psychiatrist says the majority of Pakistanis have developed similar “severe psychiatric problems” today as they sit on the sidelines and watch the jaw-dropping deformed joke being played on them by their greedy rulers. The critical mass of our Les Misérables will continue to suffer from “emotional instability” as our president did. The Financial Times quoted Stephen Reich, a New York state-based psychologist saying Zardari was “unable to remember the birthdays of his wife and children, was persistently apprehensive and had thought about suicide.” The 70 per cent poor of this country don’t celebrate birthdays! But they regularly commit suicides not because they are “persistently apprehensive,” but for totally different reasons - there’s none to save them.

Our politicians have no souls. Few in the synchronous head-bobbing press stand up and ask what an email questions: “Why are they (ruling and opposition leaders) not grounding themselves to change the destiny of the poor instead of playing politics and fattening their fortunes while straddling across their luxury-lined penthouses and palaces abroad?”

“What could be better than President Zardari(and Mian Nawaz Sharif & company) taking a lead and setting up a historical precedence,” writes Naeem Sadiq in the blogosphere. “He could easily bring back what is already well recorded fortune. He could then make a public declaration asking all his countrymen to do the same. Even if the 100 billion dollar estimate is a twenty times exaggeration, we could still have $10 billion of our own – enough to restart a new Pakistan.”

At a wedding I meet a Pakistani who lives in Qatar. He has horror stories to tell. “My friends want to set up businesses in Pakistan, but are waiting for this government to go because it suffers from a huge trust deficit.”

If President Zardari wants to complete five years as he vows he will, he needs to coral his cronies. He needs to be a model of humility, honesty and hard work himself. He needs to bring traction to issues crying out loud for resolution like accountability; good governance; transparency in public dealing; and jobs on merit. These are moral certitudes that apparently don’t matter to our rulers. They feel they can do no wrong. The chief justice of the Supreme Court; ministers Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Farooq Naek appear immune to national outrage, media and public animadversion, when their daughters receive undue favours; ministers Khurshid Shah and Naveed Qamar make a production of their sons’ marriages by blatantly misusing their clout. Why does the PPP turn into a juggernaut whenever it gets power, behaving as if Pakistan is their personal playing ground?

President Zardari figures as one of the 20 ‘People Who Mattered’ in Time magazine. The list has winners as well as losers. There is for example the Olympic super swimmer Michael Phelps; Sarah Palin- impersonator and comedienne Tina Fey; self-help guru of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren whom Obama has assigned the invocation at his presidential inauguration; and powerhouse Hillary Clinton. Included also are losers like failure George Bush, blackmailer Rod Blagojevich; also-ran John McCain; foxy Somali Pirates and dictator Robert Mugabe!

So what do you think – which list will you put President Zardari in - the winners or the losers category?

Email: aniaz@fas.harvard.edu
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Pakistan's so-called free press has become a beggar's market where cheap and shoddy journalism is sold to the highest bidder....

Who will Bell the Bad, Fat Cats?

Shaheen Sehbai
January 5, 2000

This article has been submitted for publication to all major newspapers in Pakistan
Every one in the present morally, intellectually and financially depleted Pakistan -- the print media and its well-entrenched "gurus" among the foremost --- is shouting from the roof top for accountability of every one else. Yet no one has seriously demanded, nor does any one appear to be contemplating, any accountability of the media itself.

Accountability of the media should, under ordinary circumstances, be conducted by peers of the profession in terms of its moral, professional and intellectual integrity. But in the lopsided Pakistani context, financial accountability of journalists, columnists, newspaper owners, publishers and editors also needs to be promptly and urgently undertaken and that would require intervention of the State investigative apparatus.

Accountability to determine integrity should not just include professional and financial conduct of journalists but it should also try to understand the reasons why objective journalism and traditional professional journalists are fast becoming an extinct breed and almost all opinion writing, analysis and interpretation work has been taken over by "lateral entrants" --- people who had no journalistic training, who never went through the mill, who acquired writing skills doing something else and when they failed in their professions, took refuge in journalism.

These "lateral entrants" mostly comprise ambitious generals, politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats and opportunists, all masquerading as journalists, opinion makers and columnists of the highest order. Most of them have no reporting or editing skills and some appear to even have been planted by vested interests. It is common knowledge in Islamabad that at least two well known editors of the now-defunct Daily ‘Muslim’ were nominees of the military establishment, including one who became an ambassador and another who graduated to be a federal minister.

That most of them had, and still have, political ambitions and hidden agendas has never been concealed by them, as their current or past conduct would show. Many of them have virtually "used" journalism as a stepping stone to achieve their political and/or financial goals. Names in this category are numerous and if these big names are removed from the present spectrum of editors, leading op-ed writers, columnists, commentators and leader writers, newspapers would appear to be barren.

The purpose of this piece is not to condemn any one for his or her views and opinion nor does this piece encompass all the problems that journalism faces in Pakistan, specially the ills created by yellow journalism and a "free-for-all" attitude to Press freedoms. Yet one specific purpose is to pin point those who have been continuously "using" or "abusing" journalism for their own ends.

Some of these leading lights of present-day journalism in Pakistan are so brazen and unabashed in their pursuit of profit, politics or power, that they seem to have lost their sense and powers of judgement. They exercise their biased judgements only if their own political interests are served. They never measure their own conduct by the yardstick with which they measure everybody else in their writings.

Since all accountability processes began in the country from the cut off date of mid 80s, looking at the media scene in these 15 years brings up a horde of opportunists and power-grabbers, who have been rampaging the newspapers and their columns in one form or the other.

The best way to start such a process would be for the leading stars of the profession to present their own assets and liabilities to the public, like the Chief Executive and other services chiefs have done. One or two journalists have done that already but generally there is deafening silence. That would set the stage for authorities to go into their financial conduct. Newspaper owners and their families, some very high profile editors and some upstarts who overnight became millionaires after they turned editors and publishers, would have to answer a lot of messy questions.

The integrity check should simultaneously be launched by the peers of the profession at whatever forum they think would be appropriate. Perhaps this first hurdle may be the only big hurdle and may never be crossed.

The peers, naturally those who come out unscathed and "clean", should sit down to formulate lists of those who have been publicly demonstrating a lack of intellectual, moral and professional integrity. Big names like Minhaj Barna, Mushahid Hussain, Maleeha Lodhi, Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Nazir Naji, Ataul Haq Qasmi, Ayaz Amir, Hussain Haqqani, Irshad Ahmed Haqqani, Najam Sethi, Nasim Zehra, Jamiluddin Aali and many others who sought or accepted political, diplomatic or government jobs, or joined political parties as activists, should be asked to explain why they did not quit journalism to do so and why they continued to use the profession to get, keep or regain lucrative jobs or positions of power. How do they retain, or claim to retain, their objectivity and credibility, once they have demonstrated their political ambitions. In the least they should have apologised to the profession.

Some of them have been going in and out of journalism so frequently as if the profession was a revolving door only to be used when they needed a push to restore their lost position of political, economic or administrative influence and power.

Some others, like the once-revered Minhaj Barna, who led the trade union movement of journalists and whose "Barna Group" of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists still exists, accepted so petty, temporary and at times demeaning jobs that the entire profession could only hang its head in shame. Scenes when stalwarts of the profession like him were seen waiting outside offices of petty bureaucrats in Islamabad’s corridors of power, to get an extension of their foreign assignment were, to say the least, despicable, bringing no merit to Pakistani journalism.

I would never forget a supposedly well known name in today's op-ed pages who, in order to "please" a lady ambassador in Washington, turned himself into her private photographer and started taking her pictures with all those present at a grand farewell dinner thrown at her official residence. For three hours this newspaper columnist behaved like a personal privately hired professional. He even carried his "act of sycophancy" to the next day at the airport where people went to see her off, clicking rolls and rolls of pictures with the ambassador sitting, standing, waving and smiling at every Tom, Dick, Harry and Larry. Even junior embassy staffers started making jokes about this senior journalist and his "buttering skills". To his ultimate disgrace, he was never obliged by the slick ambassador, despite his publicly self-demeaning conduct. But later these very skills worked well with the successor political government and he landed a cushy government job in Islamabad. The moment the government was ousted, his columns started attacking his previous employers. Still he retains his claim to be an "impartial and objective" analyst and writer and does not include himself in the long list of trapeze artists that crowd the media circus in Pakistan.

Pakistan's so-called free press is on the verge of becoming, or has already become, a beggar's market where cheap and shoddy journalism is sold to the highest bidder --- whether political or military --- and thus the sellers get unprecedented access to power corridors. Many in Pakistan's print and news media seem to have forgotten their responsibilities as guardians of the truth. It has therefore to be decided: whether these political aspirants, masquerading as journalists, deserve to be given the status of "objective commentators"; whether what they dish out every day as "informed opinion" or "dispassionate analysis" should be presented to the readers as material worthy of credit; and whether the value of transparency is not irreparably compromised.

Financial accountability of journalists has to take place parallel to what the peers may decide to do and for that the government sleuths have to determine how small-time reporters turned overnight into millionaires, newspapers owners and big-time real estate tycoons.

Tax accountability will demonstrate the fraud Pakistani journalism has evolved into. Tax collectors should go into the records of "overnight millionaire journalists" to determine whether, for example, the life style of some of the big names match what they have been paying into the exchequer, whether the properties they have built in short spans of time match the incomes, or losses, of their otherwise unprofitable newspaper organisations.

Cases of open and blatant government cash handouts to favourite journalists, newspapers and news agencies are no secret in Islamabad and Lahore. A deceased news agency owner, a small time reporter not long ago, was awarded two costly plots of land in Lahore to set up his news agency by the first Nawaz Sharif administration. The agency still claims to be "independent" but always dishes out planted stories that suit the rulers of the day. Open and blatant black mailing tactics by some vernacular newspapers were hated by every political government and party but no one ever tried to curb their activities, fearing an exposure. Only an honest and strong government could tackle these profiteering rags.

While the peers of the profession and the state probers look into the conduct of the mediamen, the editors and publishers should also carry out a simultaneous process of introspection to determine how other outsiders --- opportunists and ambition-hunters --- have used the print media for achieving political goals that would otherwise not be achievable.

This category would include a long list of uniformed generals, air marshals and admirals, retired bureaucrats and technocrats, many of whom were shunted out in disgrace --- sinners of the past, who would just not quit, and continue to impose themselves on the nation in one form or the other. Politicians have also been trying frequently to use the media to stage a come back when they lost the game on their own wicket.

The spearheads of this list would be stalwarts like Altaf Gauhar from the bureaucracy and Lt. Gen. K.M. Arif from the khakis. But in politics, not only Benazir Bhutto has been trying to regularly push her case of innocence through op-ed pieces, even her famous one-time house-maid Naheed Khan got at least a couple of articles published in obliging newspapers to include her name in the list of those who could be seen brandishing the media sword. That was like adding salt to the injury.

I vividly recall my first encounter with Lt. General (Retd) K.M. Arif in Washington D.C. when I saw him at the Carnegie Institute, while he was here with the then opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, US columnist Mansoor Ijaz and Editor Najam Sethi to speak at a conference on nuclear proliferation in South Asia. I had always carried one question for the general which I had wished I could ask him. That day I did. We were standing in a small group of some five or six people including the then Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphael and the then ambassador Maleeha Lodhi during the tea break, when I asked: "Have you, General, ever thought of apologising to the people of Pakistan for the years and years of rape of democracy and institutions that you committed in collusion with military dictator General Zia ul Haq, virtually as his No 2."

The General was thunder struck. Face distorted, he tried to compose himself for a few anxious seconds and then said he would like to take a cup of coffee and moved away from the group. That general is one of the most outspoken authority on democracy and foreign affairs in our newspapers today and has just been named as a member of the think tank on foreign affairs by General Musharraf. His appointment can best be described as the most apt example of insulting the collective intelligence of the people. If he is not punished for what he did to democracy, he should at least have been banished from giving sermons on democracy and good governance in newspaper columns.

The list of foreign and home-based technocrats and experts on economy, sciences and geo-strategic subjects, who pushed their resumes through newspaper columns, would also not be a small one. Some may have achieved their objectives. What they did could probably not be called objectionable, but if they did so in collusion with newspaper editors and owners who now expect to be rewarded because the aspirant expert has assumed political power, it would be patently unethical and against professional integrity.

While carrying out this exercise of accountability by the peers and by the state apparatus, it should not be forgotten that journalism has always been proud of many who have remained spotless, intellectually and financially, despite the most adverse of conditions in their professional and personal lives. They would definitely emerge as the "clean peers" that we desperately need for self-cleansing.

Among those the profession has to remain forever thankful, are late Mazhar Ali Khan, A.T.Choudhri, Khwaja Asif, Nisar Osmani, Razia Bhatti and Maulana Salahuddin [the notorious protege of General Zia and Jamaat Islami] besides living legends like Ahmed Ali Khan and Zamir Niazi. Some very respectable names like Aziz Siddiqi, I.A. Rehman, S.G.M. Badruddin, A.B.S. Jafri, Salim Asmi, H.K. Burki, Munno Bhai, Hussain Naqi, and the present younger lot of many hard core professionals who have turned down all inducements and bribes, plots and privileges to remain honest and upright journalists, also need recognition.

These leading lights should do something to clean up journalism or what is left of it as a growing cesspool.

http://www.chowk.com/articles/4687
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Shaheen Sehbai given enough rope to hang himself and the Jang Group...

Aftab Iqbal's column in Nawaiwaqt 29 December 2008 exposing Shaheen Sehbai's request to President Zardari to become an ambassador. Because of Sehbai's anti-Pakistan record, he was not given security clearance for any diplomatic post.





Shaheen Sehbai, the current Group Editor of daily English newspaper The News International, and his two team members Ansar Abbasi and Rauf Klasra are extremely unhappy with the PPP-ANP-JUI Government in Pakistan, particularly with President Asif Zardari.

Does any one know, why?

Here is the list of various demands by this group presented to President Zardari:

1. Removal of a criminal case against Shaheen Sehbai which was registered against Sehbai in 2001. The person who filed the complaint with the Rawalpindi police on 21 August is Khalid Hijazi, who is the former husband of a cousin of Sehbai. The complaint alleges that Sehbai carried out an "armed robbery" in his home on 22 February 2001. Sehbai was told by President Zardari that he must face these charges in a court of law.

2. Sehbai tried to approach Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar for 'settlement' of this case but his request was turned down.

3. Shaheen Sehbai has developed personal vengeance against ex-President General Pervez Musharraf. He wants Musharraf to be tried in a court of law on charges of treason and also because according to Sehbai, "Musharraf sold Pakistan's interests by participating in the USA war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda". President Zardari refused to bow to this request by Mr. Sehbai.

4. Shaheen Sehbai's team members (Ansar Abbasi in particular) are vehement supporters of Jamaat Islami and the Taliban. They are upset with President Zardari because of his decision to fight terrorist of Taliban and Al Qaeda.

5. On February 16, 2002, Sehbai let a story run that "exposed" government Pakistani ties with terrorist bombings in India (a story that also ran in The Washington Post and The International Herald Tribune by the work of the reporter, not Sehbai). The government immediately stopped its advertisements in The News International, and put inordinate pressure on the company to fire those involved in the creation and publishing of the story.

6. Mr. Sehbai returned to America and started a web based newspaper, The South Asian Tribune, in which he produced many false stories against Pakistan. Obviously he became bitter towards Musharraf because of Musharraf's tough stance on war on terror and also because Musharraf had decided to weaken ties between ISI and Jihadis/Talibans. In 2005, Sehbai, announced that he was closing The South Asian Tribune after three years of service.

7. Invitation to the Army Chief General Kayani to intervene in politics: In his highly controversial article in Daily The News on 2 September 2008, Shaheen Sehbai states that the very fact that Asif Zardari is about to become the head of the state of Pakistan proves how big a mess Musharraf made. He says thus it is the army’s duty to fix it as the political parties certainly are not capable of doing it. “Risking the charge that will instantly be thrown at me that I am inviting the Army to intervene again”, he offers a seven-step plan for General Kiyani.

Comments by some ordinary Pakistanis

aahmad Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:30 am


Is Shaheen Sehbai the new “media trouble maker’ in making? After Dr. Shahid has been bought and Hamid Mir partially compromised towards PPP, we need brave ones like SS and Ansar Alam. Even Bolta Pakistan duo is not agressive as they used to be…

MalangBaba Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 am

Extremely shameful articles by Shaheen Sehbai. He is asking for a new Martial Law. What a shame. This person has gone nuts.

It seems that Americans are very frustrated right now. They have started a vicious war against the newly elected government. It seems that Pakistan Army and Zardari have agreed to change Mush’s policy og blindly toeing American line.

At this point Zardari has an unprecedented support from parliament, all four federating units, army and courts. It seems some elements in establishment in US and Pakistan hate to see Pakistan’s elected government taking hold of internal and external affairs.

Shaheen Sehbai proves to be a complete idiot by inviting another coup.

pejamistri Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 am

The chief commander has hit the establishment where it pains most. Now they (establishment) is back with vengenance, I am just so thrilled by this battle , this time they (establishment) are going to face the biggest chanllenge of their life. There is a real panic in the establishment this time , which is evident from every single establishment paid writer/anchor.

It is interesting to read/hear the establishment guys at every level , Shahin Sehbai off course has his own class , his two articles articulated very well how much establishment is afraid of President Zardari, there are certain low level establishment stooges like Zaid Hamid and Ahmed Quraishi which are much more straight forward in their thoughts.

Establishment’s new solgan is “Pakistan ka khuda hafiz”

I honestly can not wait for 6th of September. This would indeed be a historical day in the Pakistan. Day by day my confidence in Zardari is strengthening , the more creates the panic in establishment , the better it is for the nation. Aah.. how much I wish that once we see a decisive battle.

Battle is on comrades…

Raqs-e-may taiz karoo saaz kee lay taiz karoo
soo-e-mekhana safeeran-e-haram aatay hain

SomeOne Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 am

I strongly disagree with the column. The only thing Army should do is to be a professional Army and be away from Politics. Rest of the things will be okay with time. It might take long but we do not want Army to involve in non-professional activities, even how good they are…

Aneeza Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:48 am

I would have agreed with Shaheen Sehbai, IF all of the acts that he has recommended for Gen Kayani would have been done when Kayani was appointed and when Musharraf was the President. It would have been quite legal and constitutional. At this moment in time when the elections have taken place, an elected government is in power, he has no right and he should not intervene. It is true that PPP has been a disappointment and Zardari a man of double talk and maybe not a good option for the country BUT (and a big BUT) it is a fact that this is an elected government. Let only the people have the right to throw it out. This is the falut we have always been making, egging on the generals to clean the political mess and expecting them to put everything right and serve in a plate to us distributing sweets when they topple over a government. For once, let them do their work and let US be the judge of the politicians. Its true that it is a long and tedious process, it will take decades to cleanse the political parties of the scum that has accumulated but this is the only way - to let the system run and to slowly cleanse itself. For example, with the recent double talk of PPP, I don’t see many people (even the die hard jialas)supporting them blinding in next elections. In these few months time, we can count the good politicians on fingers from all the parties. Slowly we can vote them out. MOreover, a nation deserves its leaders. I mean how can we expect angels when we ourselves are not even good citizens.

In Pakistan the involvement of the generals always reminds me of Lord of the Rings. “The ring of power has a will of its own”. Whenever a general comes, he comes with the “good intention” of setting the system right but then the ring of power takes hold of him. Remember the speeches of General Zia, Musharraf etc. Zia categorically said that his intention was only to conduct the elections and hand over the government to elected parliament and look how long he stayed -11 years. Absolute power corrupts.


iamsowise Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:19 am

@It seems some elements in establishment in US and Pakistan hate to see Pakistan


Malek Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 am

Although i am very anti PPP of what they have done to the country (and to their coalition partners) in a very short time, i still think PPP should be given the full chance to govern the country for rest of 4.5 years


khizarkyz Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:20 am

I’m anti-PPP but what the columnist is proposing is dangerous. Let the politicians decide what to/not to do. The Generals better keep away.

moaziz syed Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm

Now that politicians, for the time being atleast , are refraining from knocking at GHQ door, a journalist of the level of SS have chosen to play the ‘Establishment’. His hatered for Zardari is welcome: I don’t like him either. But I don’t like Army to meddle in politics, inspite of my Army back ground. I liked Musharraf as a soldier. But I hated him as a userper of political power. Now will some body hold me responsible for what Mush did just because I have been a soldier. How Kiani becomes responsible of what Mush did or what politicians are doing(or not doing)after him. I am shocked at SS’s suggestion that Army should use power of gun to clear the ‘mess’. What happened to our cry of democracy. If Zardari is a traitor or untrustworthy than what about his accomplices like Altaf Hussain, Molana Fazlur Rehman, Asfand Yar, Raisani and even NS till recently. Are they not people’s reps. Are they all anti Pakistan or fools to support Zardari ? Have a heart SS. You are not the whole of Pakistan. I am Punjabi but even Punjab is not whole of Pakistan( and whole of Punjab is not anti Zatrdari)Let’s show patience and tolerance,Zardari cannot bacome dictator or sellout Pakistan in the presence of other so many leaders. Let’s trust our people, our constitution. If we can get rid of one dictator we can do another, but no Army please for politics.


Munir Solangi Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm

Shaheen Sehbai is clearly inviting Army to impose martial law.I think PPP,PML-N and JI will not support Shaheen Sehbai,only Imran Khan and Chuadhry Shujaat will support this idea.Now difference is there.Nusrat Javeed and Hamid Mir belives in democracy,they were banned by a dictator and they are still facing problems,Why this Sehbai is not facing any problem?Yes because he is very thick with ISI.I think Zardari should immediately fire DG ISI and Kyani after becoming President.


bechari-awam Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm

As I keep on repeating, I will prefer AZ hundred times more than to see these FA second divisioner napak generals climbing over the walls of PTV. Any one supporting this action on one pretext or another, will never get my support and you know who I am “bechari-awam”


meengla Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 pm

A VERY important point that Zardari-haters continue to ignore in SS’s article: He is clearly implying that Zardari has been cleared of all court cases after a rigorous witchhunt and that now is time to nab the hundreds others (including perhaps this forum’s favorite ‘leader’ NS!) by abolishing NRO.

PS. SS has gone nuts! Firstly, if the military is dis-engaging itself it is precisely because they have left Pakistan in such a mess that it is nearly impossible to ‘fix’ matters–so let the bloody civilians pickup the pieces, a la 1971. Secondly, Army is disengaging from politics to do some damage-control of its own ‘image’. Why would Kiani be stupid to involve himself now?

Nadeem12 Says:
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:35 am

A good dictator is better than any democracry, but a worst democaracy is 1000 times better than worst dictatorship.

Think about the trade-off involved. Are we in a position to take any further risks?

West is opposing Zardari alongwith the real establishment. This shows that it is in the interest of common populace of Pakistan to have Zardari at the helm of affairs.

unseenhawk Says:
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 am

I was also one of the readers of of SS from his old days. I always found it odd of how he closed up his weekly newspaper. Everybody has a price and sadly, it led many of us in the DC area to believe he was bought. I have lost all confidence in SS and his like.

Recently I was reading that Zardari is promising affordable housing in the Islamabad area for journalists. Now come on, how can these “journalists” be fair? This is just another form of censorship.

I have lost all confidence in news coming out of Pakistan and that is primarily due to the biased reported from “journalists”.


hajveri Says:
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 am
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Shaheen Sehbai has gone nuts…i hate zardari but any person even worse than zardari still 1000 times better than any army pig…


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Unwarranted attack on Zardari reflects anti-democratic sentiment

Saturday, December 27, 2008

By Aniq Zafar

On the eve of the anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s Shahadat, the group editor of The News has shown great insensitivity in writing an article that talks of President Asif Ali Zardari in an unusually derogatory manner. The title of the article, ‘Zardari Given Enough Rope to Hang Himself’ is outrageous in a country where a popularly elected prime minister was executed by a dictator in a tragedy that continues to haunt the nation to this day.

What does a supposedly liberal journalist hope to achieve by conjuring up images of a Ziaul Haq like coup d’etat and hanging on the eve of the country’s mourning a second calamitous national tragedy and at a time when Pakistan faces serious external threats? Pakistan is in the process of building a democracy. Part of democracy is disagreement and criticism and it is for that reason President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani have maintained respect for the media even when the media is critical of the fledgling democratic government. But shouldn’t the media be its own critic and is this not time for using temperate language even if one finds scope for major criticism?

The problem with some journalists and intellectuals is that they become too involved with their subject, as if demanding the right to make policy rather than merely reporting it or commenting on it. Those in the political arena cannot and do not always follow the recipes of the commentators. Those commentators, who feel close to political leaders in opposition, as Mr Sehbai asserts he was to President Zardari in his years in exile, have the choice of joining them in government or striving to maintain their independence. But some want a veto in policy matters and when that is not granted, lose all objectivity.

Mr Sehbai is now talking of a Zardari Group taking over the PPP and claiming that those close to Benazir Bhutto have been ignored by President Zardari just as he was accusing Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto of betrayal last year, a few months before her Shahadat. In an article titled ‘Et Tu Mohtarma’ in the Indian magazine Outlook published on August 27, 2007, Mariana Babar referred to Mr Sehbai as follows: “Former editor Shaheen Sehbai left Pakistan because he feared the diabolic intent of the military regime. Today, his wrath is directed against Benazir: ‘Of course, all she’s interested in is getting back her billions, withdrawal of cases against her and Asif Zardari and an amendment to the Constitution that would allow her to become prime minister for the third time. Party workers have never been her top priority.’ “

Quite clearly, when Mohtarma was risking her life to have democracy restored in Pakistan Mr Sehbai could not understand her strategy and attacked her. “Not caring for party workers” was simply an excuse to vent frustration over the fact that the practical politician did not follow Mr Sehbai’s invisible wishes and the attack against the Shaheed was as vicious as it is today against the country’s first elected civilian politician president. Over the last few months Mr Sehbai has gone out of his way to be critical of President Zardari, often with little regard for facts. He is on a crusade and ends justify the means.

Even in the latest article, Mr Sehbai claims that “Zardari formed a group of his cronies who had nothing to do with the PPP or its politics for years.” Of the people he names as the president’s cronies, he ignores the fact that Zulfikar Mirza was first elected a member of the National Assembly in 1990 and Agha Siraj Durrani served in the Sindh Assembly since the same year. Mirza faced cases and Durrani served years in prison for their association with the party. Both are indeed Mr Zardari’s friends but can they really be described as people who had “nothing to do with the PPP?”

Rehman Malik was closely associated with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto during her years in exile and hosted many party meetings as well as those of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD). Husain Haqqani was associated with Mohtarma since 1993 and was her ally on the US think tank circuit through the exile years. In fact, Mr Sehbai was by his own account closer to Mr Zardari than anyone saw Haqqani as his crony though Mr Sehbai and Haqqani probably did not live far from one another.

In his latest article, Mr Sehbai puts forward a charge sheet against President Zardari. He writes of the president, “Step by step he has dismantled every pillar that Benazir Bhutto had painstakingly tried to build to strengthen politicians vis-a-vis the generals. In the many years that he was in New York, I never heard him discuss the Charter of Democracy or why the powers of the president should be cut. He would always discuss either some business deal or how he had outclassed other politicians in petty whimsical games. He never talked about any vision of a grand politically stable and strong Pakistan.”

But in the May 14, 2005 edition of his online newspaper South Asian Tribune Mr Sehbai wrote of Musharraf’s intrigues and referred to President Zardari positively. If he felt that Mr Zardari did not have a political vision he did not say it. In fact, when he returned to Pakistan in 2006 he announced his decision to not only shut down South Asian Tribune but also took the unusual decision to have all its pages removed from the internet.

Internet footprints do not erase easily so here is an extract from Mr Sehbai’s 2005 comment about Mr Zardari:

“Just imagine if General Musharraf gives a clean chit to Asif Ali Zardari and is ready to talk and share power with him, the date, time and the historic picture of President Musharraf taking oath from Asif in the President’s House may not be that far away. Would that picture not be very similar to that Ministerial oath given by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan to the same Asif Ali Zardari, who had walked away with the Pakistan flag flying on his official limousine. A similar picture would place General Musharraf in the same category as the disgraced GIK and I would love to be present on that occasion when the big mouthed General leads Asif to his swearing in ceremony.”

Mr Sehbai also wrote, “Benazir would be enjoying the bigger picture. Is it not a fact that 90 per cent of all the charges against her during both her tenures as Prime Minister were related to Asif Zardari. He was called Mr 10 per cent. He was the bad guy, the wheeler dealer, the friend of friends. He was kept as a hostage. So the day Asif is declared ‘Kosher’ by the Army, what would be left against Benazir Bhutto and who would stop her and on what grounds from coming back and becoming Pakistan’s Sonia Gandhi. But any concessions that Asif offers to General Musharraf or the Army, which are not publicly and expressly supported by Benazir Bhutto would mean nothing.”

At that point Mr Sehbai saw President Zardari and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as inextricably linked just as genuine PPP supporters see them even today. The Zardari group is nothing but the Benazir Bhutto group and it is interesting to note that at different times since his own return from exile Mr Sehbai has had criticism to offer of the Shaheed Mohtarma as well as her widower. Perhaps Mr Sehbai needs to find some objectivity in his tone and criticism instead of acting and writing like a jilted lover. (The News, 29 Dec 2008)
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