“I call upon every conscientious person to raise voice against the misuse of some laws against the vulnerable,” President Zardari said in a message on the Universal Human Rights Day The President said the day was an occasion to reiterate resolve to uphold basic human rights of all individuals regardless of caste, creed or any other consideration.

The President said the People of Pakistan and particularly the workers of the Pakistan People’s party instinctively know what human rights are and what their violation means to their bodies and souls.

President Zardari said the workers have learnt it in the course of their struggle for raising the dignity of every individual.

He recalled that when Shaheed Mohtarma Bhutto returned to the country in October 2007 despite dangers to her life she said it was “for the right of men and women to live in security and dignity and in liberty”.

He said the theme of the Day this year “Democracy Peace and Human Rights” underscores the fact that peace, democracy and human rights are vitally interlinked.
“We must defeat militancy, end poverty and work towards equality and non-discrimination as necessary elements for creating a peaceful society.”

President Zardari said the government was determined to fight militancy and alleviate poverty to usher in peace as well as freedom needed for uplift of human dignity in a parched land.

“Our religion Islam also teaches us deep respect for rights of all human beings. It upholds the eternal values of equal rights, social justice and peace, and banishes discrimination on the basis of class, colour or creed.”

President Zardari said the government was also conscious of international obligations to protect and promote human rights.

“We recently ratified the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). We ware fully cognizant of our responsibilities to take practical steps for the implementation of both the Conventions,” he added.

“Let us on this day also spare a thought to the weak, the needy and the deprived whose human rights are most endangered and pledge to extricate them from want and deprivation.”

The President said his thoughts also go to the vulnerable women and minorities- and how women laws have been misused against them.

Farahnaz Ispahani

The emergence of Pakistan as the homeland of South Asia’s Muslims, with their unique identity as a nation, was an unparalleled event in the twentieth century. The adoption of the Pakistan resolution at the All India Muslim League open session on 23rd March 1940 in Lahore gave our nation a clear direction. It was no coincidence that 23rd March was chosen in 1956 as the date when Pakistan’s first constitution came into effect and again as the day in 1973 when, after the trauma of two successive dictatorial misadventures, the country adopted a consensus constitution.

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisaged a modern democratic state for South Asia’s Muslims. His entire life represented respect for rule of law, justice and fairness. Starting his political career as an ardent nationalist, he earned the title of “ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.” His advocacy of a separate Muslim homeland began only after he was convinced that the Muslim nation would not get fair representation and protection without the creation of Pakistan. The Quaid’s conception of Pakistan was clearly rooted in the notion of a constitutional democracy. It is unfortunate that Pakistan’s leadership was hijacked within a decade of its independence by the dark forces of dictatorship. Within two years of the adoption of the 1956 constitution, the constitutional order was overthrown and the country did not get its first general elections until 1970.

The refusal of an unelected elite to accept the result of the 1970 elections led to the break up of Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto lifted the spirits of the demoralized nation but also gave the country a consensus constitution. The 1973 constitution conformed to the vision of the Quaid drawing its inspiration from Islamic principles, guaranteeing equal rights for all the citizens and above all was thoroughly democratic in character. Shaheed Bhutto’s removal from power and eventual judicial murder plunged the country into darkness.

The two military dictators that followed each had a stint of power spanning a decade. Instead of recognising the sovereignty of the people and the supremacy of the constitution, General Ziaul Haq and General Pervez Musharraf played havoc with the constitution and our state institutions. General Musharraf’s assault on the constitution is fresh in the memory of the Pakistani nation. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan in October 2007 and her courageous embrace of martyrdom gave the nation the strength to face down the Musharraf dictatorship and to ensure a peaceful return to democracy as a result of the February 2008 elections.

The process of restoration of democracy would not be complete without the restoration of the 1973 constitution. A nation’s constitution is by definition a living document that can be amended through the constitutionally mandated process, reflecting changes and needs of the times. But Generals Ziaul Haq and Musharraf arbitrarily amended a consensus document to reflect their twisted thinking that only usurpers of power occupying the presidency through coups d’etat could protect the national interest. When President Asif Ali Zardari sought and secured election as President, some critics wrongly and unjustifiably attributed to him the desire to wield absolute power under the dictators’ distorted constitutions. In reality, President Zardari’s election to the highest office in the land was essential to complete the country’s transition to full constitutional rule. Had the presidency remained in the hands of a dictator, instead of being held by someone who has willingly accepted suffering for the sake of the struggle for democracy, the process of recreating consensus on a constitutional package would almost definitely have run into difficulties.

The honour of removing constitutional aberrations and of restoring the 1973 constitution will has bestowed on the PPP government under the stewardship of President Zardari, with the participation of all major political forces in the country. President Zardari had planned to complete the transition to democracy and to return the country to the foundations of the 1973 constitution from his first day in office. During his address to the joint sitting of the parliament last year, he advised the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Fahmida Mirza, to immediately form a constitutional committee comprising representatives of all political forces in the parliament to look at not only doing away with the arbitrary amendments including the infamous 17th amendment inserted by the dictator but also to settle the question of provincial autonomy according to the wishes of the federating units. Had the presidency been in apolitical or establishment hands, as some had desired, the process might have once again been derailed.

Irrespective of what his detractors may like to say, the fact is that Zardari has ungrudgingly consented to forego the powers conferred on the President under the 17th amendment as was his original promise and intention. The constitutional committee is understood to have completed its job and the constitutional package will be in the parliament within this month. The significance of the month of March lies in the fact that this was the month when the Pakistan resolution was adopted in the year 1940 and it was during this month that Shaheed Bhutto choreographed the constitution in 1973. It will again be March when the constitution embodying the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and Quaid-e-Awam will be restored. This year on Pakistan day, we will be able to celebrate not only our nationhood but also our unwavering commitment to constitutionalism.

Farahnaz Ispahani is a Member of the National Assembly and media adviser to the PPP co-chairperson.

Governer Punjab Salman Taseer

Lahore(Junaid Qaiser)Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer said that with the entire country facing the threat of terror, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif has indirectly pledged support for Taliban by saying they should not target Punjab, thereby creating a negative distinction with the rest of the country.Reacting strongly to Sharif’s statement in Jamia Naeemia on Sunday,

Taseer said that Punjab has been embarrassed, and that such statements will only embolden Sipah-e-Sahaba and the Taliban. He said that he feared the Punjab Government wanted to Talibanise Punjab.Taseer alleged that the federal government is in the dark about safe houses and alleged that they were being run by Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah. He said deciding the foreign policy of the country is not responsibility of a chief minister. The governor said all parties should join hands against sectarianism. He said the crime rate in the province has increased by 30 to 40 percent.

According to an official press release at the PML-N’s official website, Shahbaz Sharif identifies a number of commonalities between Taliban and PML-N, i.e., opposition to foreign dictation, stance against General Musharraf, and strong position against Kerry-Lugar Bill.

In essence, Shahbaz Sharif seems to plead that instead of targeting Punjab, where right wing PML-N rules, Taliban terrorist should better target other provinces (e.g. Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan etc) where ruling governments of PPP, ANP, and MQM are explicitly against the Taliban’s jihadi and sectarian agenda.

It’s quite true that Nawaz and his League are Zia’s remnants.What the nation is reaping now was sown by the dictator, General Zia-ul-Haque and General Pervaiz Musharaff with the help of conservative right wing Parties, including PML Nawaz.One of the nastiest tragedies that occurred during 20 years long dark night ruled by Gen Zia and Musharaf was arming of the Islamist right wing parties as well as granting the training facilities throughout the whole country.
Its fact that All Right wing voters in Punjab voted PMLN due to it’s soft corner towards right wing politics.PMLN’s still major vote bank residing and studying in Maddaras, so You won’t see ever that PMLN’s top brass would condemn Taliban, Talibanization or their inhuman atrocities, ever!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOCxJJxvegM

President Asif Ali Zardari

The Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Asif Ali Zardari has notified following PPP Canada Chapter with immediate effect. Their contact details are as under:

1 Mr. Mansoor Mirza , President
5893 Sidmouth Street Mississauga Ontario L5V 2K1
Phone: 289 290 0015, Cell: 416 897 4415
Email: mmirza72003@yahoo.ca

2 Mr. Abdul Majid Malik, Senior Vice President

3 Mr. Liaqat Nawaz Malik, Vice President
20 Beckett Ave Toronto Ontario M6L 2B1
416 245 2823, Cell: 647 688 1900
Email: liaqat_malik@hotmail.com

4 Mr. Ibrahim Daniyal, Secretary General
11 Stonewood Street, Ajax, Ontario, L1S 0B3
Phone: 905 424 7450 Home, Cell 647 223 9573
Fax 416 913 1997, Email: daniyal.pppcanada@gmail.com

5 Ms Ayesha Arshad, Additional General Secretary
5064 Heritage Hills Road Mississauga ON L5C 1V5
Phone: 905 232 8246, Fax 905 232 8247
Email: dynamic_step@hotmail.com

6 Mr. Aijaz Kalonchi, Deputy Addl. General Secretary
Phone: 416 833 0642, Email: aijaz124@gmail.com

7 Mr. Zaka Ullah Niazi, Secretary Information
11 Quantum Street, Markham Ontario L3S 4J6
Phone: 905 471 4236 Home, Cell: 647 898 4016, Email: zniazippp@gmail.com

8 Mr. Imran Chaudhry, Finance Secretary
Cell: 647 280 9513

9 Mr. Ayaz Bangash, Secretary Record
Cell 647 444 3310, Email: ayaz_bangash@hotmail.com

10 Mr. Nadeem Goshi, Secretary Events

PPP Woman Canada

Ms Surriya Khan (Baji), President PPP Canada
Phone: 905 636 8181, Email: suraiya2002@hotmail.com

Dr Iffat Javed, General Secretary
Phone 416 508 5352 Email: iffat_javed@yahoo.com

PPP Youth Canada

Mr. Saad Raz, President
Phone: 416 837 1729 – Email: saadraz@yahoo.com

Mr. Asad Humanyoun, General Secretary
421-51 Daffin Court Richmond Hill Ontario L4B 4P6
Phone: 416 992 3786 Email: hamayunmalik@yahoo.ca

With regards,

Fauzia Habib MNA
Incharge PPP Overseas Desk and
Assistant Political Secretary to the Co-Chairman PPP

Distribution:

· Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Vice Chairman PPP

· Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Vice Chairman PPP

· Secretary General PPP

· Dy Secretary General PPP

· All Members PPP Overseas Committee

· All Members PPP Canada Chapter

· Central and Provincial Information Secretaries PPP

· PPP Central Secretariat Islamabad

· Co-Chairman’s Office at Bilawal House Karachi

· Co-Chairman’s Media Office Islamabad

1290 Rathburn Road West Apt 607, Mississauga Ontario L5C 4E4
Phone: 905 615 9525

Today, democracy and liberal development are interdependent with recognition by media. In an informed democracy, public reasoning based opinion is a vital aide for transparent governance. It is an age of advancement in communication technology where internet, push button publishing, news and views getting blogged up have an important role in making up mindsets.

However, media in Pakistan seems to be suffering from perceptual poverty, information corruption, manipulations of facts with a twisted approach to provoke chaos, confusion and democratic crisis. The federation of Pakistan that is dependent on peaceful co-existence, democracy and equality may be weakened by such unhealthy media approach.

Specifically on the front of terrorism, Pakistani media has generally failed to draw a clear line of understanding. Almost all talk shows start with anchors questioning the justification of war on terror. They have corrupted the mind of people by confusing this issue with anti democratic propaganda. Besides media anchors always invite right wing people and give them time to support their hate filled ideology.

Such a hypocritical approach of media and media policies have made our country suffer an unbearable damage where Taliban’s advancements to various cities and streets were ignored and masked under various conspiracy theories. Right-wingers in the media have always betrayed the people in giving them any kind of freedom and have only choked the information resources for their perverted interests in the name of religion.

Democracy faces extreme difficulty in thriving in countries that are in the grip of terrorism, chaos, perceptual poverty, violence and strife. Ideally, democracy should provide warring group mechanism for consensus building, mediation, representation and voice so that they can settle their differences peacefully. If constantly challenged by terrorism and violent dissension, the fabric of democracy may become frayed. The experience thus far has shown the media have not a played positive role.The media have also been criticized for sensationalizing terrorism,without explaining the roots of menace. The media ignores consensus building efforts in war against terrorism.

Today, we are lagging behind the modern world where scientific and political advancements are nurturing the society; we are not able to educate our masses with the global perspective of threats we are facing. We have bled to death by terrorism, our social fabric is tartered and the barbarians took the future of our children in their hands but we cannot unify against extremism.

It would be more than true to say that as a society we are worst victim of intellectual corruption and specially the Urdu media has demeaned its values with course of time. Unprofessional and unethical means of analysis have disintegrated the political process. Just showing disturbing scenes, dying bodies and bloodshed do not fullfil the cause of reporting. Such kind of attention dies with a breaking news and can only increase the immunity level of audience and create an enzyte level. A solid criticism and effort to explain events to people is more needed always and also exposing the root of violence than blaming it as a reaction.

There is also another element worthy of consideration. Media has monopoly of corporatism agreed with its ownership and this game of greed damages its ability to play a positive role in consensus building. Media is lacking a criteria of valued journalism and is only serving for marketing and advertising revenue . We want to sell and never rise up to sew our souls as a nation. Had the war on terrorism been marketed in a patriotic sense, it could not have led us to the hazards we are facing today.

Historically, if we examine causes of country’s dismemberment and creation of Bangladesh, then we see Pakistani media’s failure or inability to present East Pakistan’s situation and condition of people there. Still Balochi, Pathan, Sindhi and people from different communities and religions are not happy with the mainstream media; they think that mainstream media has failed to present their legitimate rights, demands and concerns. Media has failed to uphold federation rather it is becoming dangerous for the democracy. The question arises that if media is so much biased then how can freedom of expression survive. We will have to wage a war for the freedom of our rights in today’s scenario rather than sweeping every factual detail under the carpet.

Sensationalism is a by product of military’s regime and nobody knows how far this trend will go without check. Many anchor persons now firmly believe that they are able to make or overthrow governments. Information and the news reports are supposed to provide facts without personal opinion, unless interviews are included in story to reflect both sides of an issue, but unfortunately news reports today include reporters’ personal opinions and biased views.

It is very unfortunate that lawyers and journalists have been behaving like sole custodian of law, morality and democracy after events following the dismissal of Chief Justice of Supreme Court Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary on March 9, 2007. Anchor persons such as Kamran Khan, Shahid Masood, Javed Chaudhary and lawyers leader like Qazi Anwar, Ikram sheikh who appear on different TV Channels these days are being presented as super icons and custodian of Pakistan. These elements are in constant tussle to harm medias view on terrorism and democracy. These are the people who support right-wing and are the most constipated armchair jihadi warriors who keep attacking the democratically elected people and never refrain from personal attacks.

People such as Zaid Hamid who are surviving militants of the Afghan War are given importance of scholarly vision; they are considered visionary with their hegemonic religious and hate filled agenda. Such militant mafia that has an agenda to divert Pakistani youth from the real problem are considered thinktank of media. These warriors are still pushing Pakistan to be hostile with its neighbors and have dreams to re-conquer India and Afghanistan thus confusing the people with tense situation.

The unprecedented and violent character assassination of the PPP’s co chairman and president of Pakistan by certain vested interests of media shows the intolerant and unproductive level of media and those who regard this as freedom of expression are clearly living in fools paradise.

Terrorism, institutional murders, religious extremism, racial profiling have sabotaged our civil structure and progress and is going to further weaken our institutions. In this bleak environment war on terror democratic crises,federation issues, provincial autonomy, education, health, environment, human rights, rule of law and liberal foreign policy should figure in media debate and discourse.

Pakistan’s liberal democrat community believe that federation, democracy and functional representative institutions at local, provincial and national levels are the only hope for survival. Good governance and accountability too deserve some serious attention by media. Therefore any debate in media must focus on democratic institutions, social issues and electoral process rather than campaign or propaganda against a few democratically elected civilian leaders.

Our media is also duty bound to develop consensus on federation, liberal democratic values, moderation, constitutional-ism, enlightenment and reconciliation. It is very important in the present crises that media should promote democracy as a culture, mindset and a respect for representative institutes and civilian elected leaders rather than targeting personalities, whichs can affect our war against terrorism/extremism and negate the democratic process in Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari's media advisor Farah Naz Ispahani

Democracy and free media are co-related; democracy is impossible without a free (unbiased) media, and free media is impossible without democracy. Democracy and free media reinforce each other. Huge credit goes to Pakistan Peoples Party, which is the biggest voice of free media and it has contributed too much in this regard.

Quiad e Awam Shaheed Zukifiqar Ali Bhutto, the leader of the third world, for the first time in Pakistan’s history succeeded in achieving broad based national consensus for the 1973 constitution. It was the biggest achievement and development in Pakistan’s unconstitutional history,through this for the first time fundamental human rights incorporated in constitution. Through Article 19 of the constitution, freedom of expression was guaranteed and legal cover was provided for public speeches and independent publication. These great measure injected new life into neglected print media industry.

Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto’s regime is considered a unique era of democracy, human rights and free press. Before and after that era, during military dictatorships of 60’s and 80’s especially, the state of independent print media were very bleak, where undemocratic governments were the biggest stakeholders in the media development and that’s why nobody escaped the institutionalized assault on media. Independent voices were victims of state torture and solitary confinement without any cogent reason. Voices of independent liberal journalists were muffled. During that dark periods, there are lots of untold stories state despotism to snub liberal democratic voices.newspapers who followed an independent lines were often coerced to submission by blocking advertisements and using other pressure tactics.

During General Ziaulhaq’s dictatorship journalistic neutrality and independent views were tamed in torture cells. State coercion was at it’s peck and manhandling of media persons and confiscation of printing press was a routine matter. General Musharaf pretended to be champion of free press and freedom of expression but acts of Nov 3, 2007 suspending transmission of private channels speak volumes of his true face. It was the most brutal example of how undemocratic rules dictating to the media.

Shaheed e jamhooriat Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s visionary leadership recognized and encouraged the value of free media, in contributing towards the development of a well informed society,her first Government(1988-90)press laws aimed at censorship lifted,Journalists terminated from service during Martial Law regime were reinstated. No objection certificate for journalists to travel abroad was abolished. Employees of Radio and Television were reinstated. During her 2nd government (1993-96) huge development were made in communication and media sector, laying of the optic fiber along with right bank of Indus; introduced cellular telephones, digital pager, satellite dish and FM Radio; provided complete press freedom; annoucned sixth Wage Board award for the newspaper workers. The award was also implemented in the APP.

The unprecedented proliferation of new media outlets could be attributed to the media liberalization policy of Shaheed benazir Bhutto, due to this policy, besides privately owned vibrant media,number of new FM radio stations, cable televisions networks, satellite televisions and interactive websites plus blogs on internet are catering to the citizen’s information needs. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s 2nd government had taken many bold steps to liberalize country’s airwaves,until 1995 the country had only state controlled media in the form of PTV and Radio pakistan when the first licenses were awarded to a peoples television network,later named as Shalimar Television network (STN) and it nurtured Network Television Network (NTM) and three FM radio stations in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. With the advancement in information and communication technologies era of dish antennas brought various television channels directly to Pakistani household.

It is quite evident that the present PPP government also realizes the significance of free press and freedom of information for transparency and open government and, therefore made a number of moves to introduce and enact new and better laws that would replace the existing freedom of information ordinance 2002.While addressing the joint session of the parliament soon after becoming the president of Pakistan,Mr Asif Ali Zardari stated: “we will soon be bringing other fundamental laws,such the freedom of Information Bill and work with stakeholders toward an open atmosphere of self regulation with no interference from the state”

In his first speech in the National Assembly as the newly elected Prime Minister,Mr Yousaf Raza Gillani had stated: “A new freedom of information law would be promote press freedom while the PEMRA would be made a subsidiary of the Information Ministry and it’s law changed”

The PPP present government abolished the emergency Pemra Law 2007 and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani is on record of having disallowed the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee regarding retention of some provisions of the 2007 Pemra Ordinance.

The media in the country is the freest ever in its history even the head of state is subjected to rigorous criticism and ridicule by the national media which does not happen even in the most advanced democracies of the world. “Unfortunately, some vested interest are taking undue advantage of the media freedom and trying to mislead the people by confounding facts with fiction,” The detractors of the government should take a breath and look at the performance of the government objectively and come up with suggestive criticism, which is always welcomed by the people’s government. The government’s resolve to work for consultative, re-conciliatory and futuristic vision of democracy in the country.

It is also high time that media also regulate itself by working on common “code of conduct” for itself. Otherwise independent observer,analyst and even citizens will consider it, free but irresponsible anti-democratic and anti-people media.

In the words of Benazir Bhutto, democracy: “… is a birth right too often snatched at the point of the gun from the citizens by the very men who are to guard and defend us. This can stop to enable the people and the country to march with confidence and courage, with pride and dignity, with progress and prosperity into the twenty first century.”

Pakistan is a great federation. Its multilingual, multicultural society is its strength. Its sons and daughters are its true assets, the bright face of its future, the promise of all our tomorrows.

The Pakistan Peoples Party is the only federal, democratic and equal opportunity party that can guarantee to our great people a great future. The PPP worker is selfless and committed to the values of Faith, freedom, fundamental human rights, family values and a wholesome society based on the rule of law and human dignity.

The first founding principle of the Party ‘Islam is our religion’ places a responsibility on each PPP supporter to reach out in a spirit of accommodation and tolerance to all faiths, to prevent the state from interfering in the religious rights of the citizens (which breeds sectarianism) and to treat people of all faiths with respect enabling them to enjoy religious freedom and equality before the law.

The second principle of the PPP ideology is that ‘democracy is our policy’. The PPP commitment to freedom and fundamental rights, including freedom from hunger and want, is written in the blood of its martyrs and in the red marks of lashes on the back of its workers. It is written in the suffering and sacrifice of its leaders the greatest of whom was Quaid e Awam. He faced the gallows refusing to bow before tyranny defending the human rights of our citizens to the last of his breath.”

After the tragic assassination of Mohtarma benazir Bhutto shaheed in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi Punjab,PPP co chairman Asif Ali Zardari raised slogan of “Pakistan Khappy”in Neudero Sindh,thus saved the federation.

Challenges related to Existence;internal and external conflicts:

“It’s essential that we should review and examine our overall condition, It is quite true that Pakistan today is facing critical questions related to its existence and progress. It is also a fact that Pakistan is standing at most critical juncture and cross road of it’s history and it has almost run out of options except continuation of democracy and strengthening of federation.It’s true fact that political parties are the main vehicle and essential elements of change and democracy,parties essentially not only provide people with a platform to voice their opinions but also give the people to voice.

There are tremendous dangers posed due to the current situations that demand a national policy with political will to navigate through the storm of depression, extremism and insecurity on the rise in Pakistan.
During General Musharraf’s regime Pakistan went through turbulent times,in terms of the social,economic,political and above all the terrorism menace. The country and nation had gone through multiple perplexing ordeals of economic blow, wheat shortage, energy crises,lawlessness and insecurity. This amalgamation of problems terroized the whole nation.

Bilal Qureshi wrote that “The rise of extreme religion is not on the rise because mullah is forcing everyone to embrace their version of religion, but the society is evolving and drifting towards hard core Wahabi school of thought. Everywhere in Pakistan you look, religious symbols have become the norm and it seems that pretty soon, every woman in Pakistan would be either in burqa or wearing a hijab and every man would be supporting long un-kept beard. And, not only is the society gravitating towards hard-core religion, but ‘I know what is right’ attitude has given a new dimension to religious bullying in Pakistan, which has forced moderate and sometime secular individuals and families to conform in order to avoid being a target or draw attention to themselves.Add to this volatile mix of lack of economic, social and cultural depression and shrinking energy reservoir the intense and unyielding anti American sentiment across Pakistan and it is a recipe for a complete catastrophe. Pakistan, in my opinion has become a ticking time bomb.”

Powerful state institutions and weak democratic structure:

In the absence of a guiding document (constitution) to run the state affairs shaped an alliance between civil and military bureaucracy.This alliance created right wing political parties of lackeys and sycophants especially Muslim League A to Z. Judiciary instead of playing as a justice provider became Partisan,it legitimized all military dictators,using doctrine of necessity. It’s quite tragic that our Judiciary always favorable for undemocratic forces. The history keeps repeating itself over and over again.

Due to the military coup and the toppled governments,reflected the military stands established as the true respiratory of true power in Pakistan.even after the lifting of the martial law in 1985,it is the military that calls the shots (weak Civilian Governments during 1988 to 1999 exercised responsibility without authority) the concept of troika sharing of powers between the president,the prime minister and the military command,though clearly an extra constitutional development become a fact of life in Pakistan.

During military regimes ,the number of religious extremists organizations had increased,religious practices have become more pronounced , extremism and intolerance are on the rise and the use of religious practices have become more pronounced reality of Pakistan’s reality. The extremist trends and intolerance are actually threating the existence of Pakistan. Due to this security related over centralized modal, extremism,attempts of depoliticize,curtailing civil political rights and imposing a unitary nationhood, while ignoring regional realities, resulted in nationalist arms movements and sense of alienation in Sindh, Baluchistan and the NWFP.

It is an established fact that undemocratic forces,hence from the beginning never allowed democratic political system to take roots in Pakistani polity.

Pakistani history has proven that General Ayub Khan, General Ziaul Haq and General Pervez Musharaf tried to undermine the party based political system,resulted in political disaster and contributed to much in instability and uncertainty. Although dictators organized elections but curbs were set on genuine political parties, especially on PPP,which is true symbol of democracy and federation in Pakistan.

It is hard perception that even political forces have to bow to authority, the permanent reality of the military dictate and refrain from challenging it.

Military dictators and their regimes legitimization by our apex courts have become a major cause of political instability and constitutional floundering in Pakistan.The will of people always come as an excuse, plea of the usurper or a doctrine of necessity by the judiciary after an unlawful or manipulative transition of the power from one ruler to other. General Ziaul Haq with the help of judiciary managed to get Quaid-e-Awam Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto, convicted on a false murder charge by manipulated the appointments of judges, first in the Lahore high court and later in the supreme court,Nation still remember Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto’s judicial murder.

Military dictators engineered political parties to undermine,Pakistan main federal democratic party,General Zia created PMLN and MQM and strengthen Jamaat-e-Islami and General Pervez Musharaf created PML-Q and MMA.The creation of artificial political parties and alliances became the domain of martial law regimes,thus kings political parties became instruments in the hands of manipulators who used them for their own self advancements and perpetuation.

Is Pakistan Ready for Democracy?

Is Pakistan ready for democracy? many analyst and observer ask this question,In my understanding, it’s misleading not an appropriate question. It has been floated by our elite ruling class to confuse people. As a state, have we failed to solve basic questions? First and foremost are we an ideological religious state or democratic state? aAd who’ll govern the state? an elected parliament or an usurper? And what’ll be the status of the national constitution?

Unfortunately, therefore we are facing lots of political,socio economic, cultural and constitutional problems. Religion is used by our unelected rulers to extend their rule for infinate time period,Gen Zia’s used it’s conservative interpertation and General Musharraf tried to use its liberal modern perspective. They used religion to undermine democratic federal realities and especialy questions related to democracy. Our elite ruling class presented religion as alternative of democracy and federation. The Objectives resolution weakened democratic culture here federal shariah court given overseight role,allowing unelected body to monitor elected parliament.

Another pertanient question is how we develop and strengthen democracy and Federation in Pakistan?

We have lots of questions and issues ranging from weak federation, provincial autonomy, even we do not seem to recognize federating unit’s traditions, culture and languages. This is further confounded by state patronage of extremism, state posture against liberalism, crises of democracy, unconstitutionalism, strong centre, powerful civil militry bureaucracy and widen gap between have and have nots. Until we solve these basic questions we are not able to generate deleivering democracy.

In my view democracy (pro people culture, mindset, values and traditions) is a process, which should evolve nationally and globally, especially in the third world. I beleive all societies and nations are ready for it. The real question is whether our eliete ruling class, military, bureaucracy and their junior partners feudels and religious tycoons are ready to surrender their positions and privileges?

Democracy stands on its pillars and the pillars of democracy are: sovereignty of the people, individual freedom with social responsibilities, government based upon consent of the governed, majority rule and protection and equal rights of minority,gurarentee of basic human rights,free and fair elections, independent judiciary and equality before the law, due process of law, constitutional limits on Government, social, economic and political pluralism, value of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation and compromise, vibrant and responsible civil society based on vigilant citizenry, free and responsible media,access to information. We believe if democracy evolve than most of our problems will disappear.

If we resolve questions related to democracy and federation, with the help of foreign partners, then I don’t see Pakistan will collapse or disintegrate. We however need persistent foreign assistance for democracy in Pakistan.

In the current bleak situation,when Pakistan is facing worst sort of internal and external crises and chalenges, only Pakistan Peoples Party can save Pakistan,which is the only fedarl party in Pakistan.

Pakistan People’s Party is a symbol of Federation and democracy in Pakistan,we faced all dictators with great vision and zeal. Only PPP represents forces of change in society, therefore forces of status quo, also known as establishment, are against us.

We and our leadership follow Bhuttoism and Benazirism If we follow Shaukat Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s pattern and leave our position on Balochistan, Pakistan-India relation, Pakistan-USA relations, liberal foreign policy and position on democratic institutions, then the hidden forces of establishment will be very happy.