People, not arsenal, to ensure country’s survival: Sen Raisani

Pakistan People’s Party Balochistan chapter President and Senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani on Friday linked the survival of a country to the well-being of its people and not in building heaps of arms and ammunition. Talking to The News here, before leaving for Quetta, he said the formula of a survival and thriving of a nation was very simple, just take care of your people, their well-being and give them justice. “Today is May Day and let me say here that Pakistan, the land of opportunities, can only be saved by the labourers and workers,” the senator from Balochistan maintained. He strongly advocated a sustained dialogue backed by a series of confidence-building measures to defuse the very dangerous situation Balochistan was facing today. Referring to the disturbing reports emanating from Pakistan’s largest but the poorest province, Raisani said it was hunger, which had led to the break-up of the USSR, which possessed a huge arsenal of nuclear warheads and the largest army. “In the disintegration of the USSR, there is a lesson for all of us: Feed your people and count on them. If you are internally strong, no power on the earth can harm you,” the senator emphasised. Raisani did not resign as a senator and as the provincial chief of the PPP, following persuasion by the party’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, who promised to give good news upon his return from the United States. Raisani, who is the younger brother of Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, agreed to continue as a member of the upper house of parliament for a month. He is not expected to attend a session during this period. Among others who met him and tried to convince him not to resign as senator included Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, PPP Secretary General Senator Jehangir Badr and Interior Minister Rehman Malik, PPP sources said when approached for comments. They claimed that Raisani was among a very few party people who had not expressed their desire or talked to the top PPP leadership to become a senator. Raisani during his first speech in the session, after being elected as a senator in March, had raised his voice against the interior minister’s giving a clean chit to the intelligence agencies on the murder of Baloch leaders. He said President Zardari had promised him to give the nation good news with reference to Balochistan after his return from the United States. “I feel strongly for my people. When I found myself unable to play any role in mitigating their miseries, I decided to step down,” he said.

Pakistan's Self Defeating Army

Rather than serve as a bulwark against chaos, the Army has helped destabilize Pakistan. For far too long, the myth that Pakistan's army is the only thing holding the country together-and keeping the terrorists at bay-has held sway in Washington. Now two bills making their way through Congress suggest the United States is finally starting to reconsider these assumptions. Both bills would set benchmarks that Pakistan has to meet in order to keep qualifying for U.S. economic and military assistance. But the two measures don't go far enough. Pakistan will never be saved from the threat of religious extremists until it fundamentally restructures its deeply dysfunctional government. And that will require addressing the overwhelming influence of the military on Pakistani politics.
In four critical ways, the Army has undermined constitutional governance in Pakistan ever since Mohammed Ali Jinnah led it to independence some 60 years ago. First, repeated coups have ensured that civilian governments never developed firm roots. Second, successive military rulers, in attempts to boost their legitimacy, have promoted religious radicalism, either directly (as in the case of Zia ul Haq, who did this over the span of a decade) or by marginalizing mainstream political parties and allowing the religious right to fill the vacuum (Pervez Musharraf's strategy before his ouster last year). Third, the Army became and remains a parasite feeding on the body politic by extracting "rent" in the form of land, bureaucratic appointments and other spoils of office in exchange for supposedly keeping Pakistan safe.
Finally, in a misbegotten quest for "strategic depth" against India, the Army has promoted the radicalization of Afghanistan, which has now spilled back onto its own territory and spun out of control. All of these missteps point to the same conclusion: rather than serve as a bulwark against chaos, the Army has helped to destabilize Pakistan. There's only one way to turn things around today: demilitarize Pakistani politics.
Doing so won't be easy. While there is significant popular support for democracy in Pakistan, the country's mainstream civilian parties have hardly distinguished themselves in their brief periods at the helm, and the current government of Asif Ali Zardari is no exception. Still, the military bears most of the blame for blocking the evolution of a true democratic process. And such a process-for all its inevitable flaws and inefficiencies-is the only way Pakistan will ever get a government truly responsive to the needs of its ordinary citizens, and one likely to crack down on the Taliban, which most Pakistanis disdain.
So how can Pakistan's government be "civilianized"? Useful lessons can be drawn from the democratization of other Praetorian states. The first thing to recognize is that depoliticizing the Army won't mean weakening it. Pakistan's senior officers must know that they have never been less popular than they are today; returning to their barracks for good would be the best way to revive their prestige.
This process has in fact already begun. It was started by the Army itself in early 2008, when the new chief of staff General Ashfaq Kayani forbade officers from holding civilian posts in government. But much more needs to be done. Parliament and the prime minister must steadily assert themselves to limit the Army's involvement in internal affairs. The military will resist. But the recent victory of the lawyers' movement-which forced the government to restore the Supreme Court's former chief justice, who'd been deposed by Musharraf-shows that civilians can take on the generals and win. Over time, the civilian government must shift national-intelligence functions from the military to a civilian organization, curb the reach of the infamous Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) and strip the military of its responsibilities for maintaining security inside Pakistan, giving that duty to a paramilitary force governed by the ministry of Interior (as in neighboring India). Such a step was critical to the transitions from military to civilian government in Chile in 1990 and Indonesia in 1998.
Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure, meanwhile, should be split into military and civilian components, both under civilian authority. And most important, civilians must begin making critical national-security policy decisions. Implementation should still fall to the military, which should also retain a voice in defense policy-but not the final one.
While some of the generals are likely to object to any reduction in their powers, it's in their own interests to accept a fundamental change. Letting the Army maintain a degree of autonomy regarding its internal functions should also help bring it around. And Washington can contribute by demanding reforms of the sort outlined above. Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. has a great deal of leverage over Pakistan thanks to the enormous amounts of aid Washington disburses (likely to total $7.5 billion over the next five years). Making these changes may still seem like a tall order. It is. But Pakistan's problems at this point are massive in scope-and so must be the solution.
Basrur is associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Ganguly is a professor of political science and is director of research at the Center on American and Global Security at Indiana University.
URL: http://www.newsweek.com/id/195094

Iran 'Leading Terrorism Sponsor'

Iran remains the "most active state sponsor of terrorism" in the world, a report by the US state department says. It says Iran's role in the planning and financing of terror-related activities in the Middle East and Afghanistan threatens efforts to promote peace. Al-Qaeda remains the biggest danger to the US and the West, the annual report states, noting that terror attacks are rising in Pakistan. Iran rejected the report, saying the US was guilty of double standards. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the US had no right to accuse others in light of its actions at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.
'Existential threat'
The BBC's state department correspondent, Kim Ghattas, says the new US administration may be trying to engage Tehran, but, just like last year, Iran is still described as the most active state sponsor of terrorism.
The report charges that Iran's involvement in countries like Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Palestinian territories threatens efforts to promote peace, economic stability in the Gulf and democracy.
The report singles out the Quds force, an elite branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guard as the channel through which Iran supports terrorist activities and groups abroad.
The report also takes to task Syria, an Iranian ally in the region.
Of equal concern, our correspondent notes, is the advance of al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan where terrorist attacks are sharply on the rise while the rest of the world, including Iraq, has seen terrorist attacks decrease.
The acting coordinator for counter-terrorism for the state department, Ronald Schlicher, told journalists that al-Qaeda was using border areas of Pakistan to regroup.
"Al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda associated networks remain the greatest terrorist threat to the US and its partners," he said.
Mr Schlicher said they were using the Afghan-Pakistan border area "as a safe haven where they can hide, where they can train, where they can communicate with their followers, where they can plot attacks and where they can make plans to send fighters to support the insurgency in Afghanistan".
Washington is worried that the government in Islamabad might collapse, and last week US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Taleban fighters posed an existential threat to Pakistan, which is a nuclear power, our correspondent adds.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/8028064.stm
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8028064.stm

APC demands resolution of Balochistan issues, US appears split over Balochistan

KARACHI: Karachi-based leaders of various political parties have demanded at an All Parties Conference (APC) on Wednesday that Baloch tribal chiefs should not punish the entire country for mistakes made by the incompetent military and civilian bureaucracy. ‘The APC requests the Baloch tribal chiefs to join hands with patriot political parties and people of Pakistan to sort out their problems and to remove their sense of deprivation,’ read a resolution. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chapter hosted the APC on ‘Balochistan Operation and Conspiracies’ and it was addressed by JI Deputy Chief Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, PML-N member and lawyer Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat, JUP leader Siddique Rathore, National People’s Party leader Zia Abbas, NWP leader Yousuf Masti Khan, National Party leader Yousuf Buledi, PDP’s Basharat Mirza, Pakistan Islami Tehrik’s Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi, JI Karachi chief Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Sunni Teheek leader Aftab Qadri and Waqas Baloch son of Sher Mohammad Baloch. The APC rejected Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s statement that Sher Mohammad Baloch was an Iranian citizen and termed it a cruel joke with the nation. It demanded that a judicial probe be conducted about the murders of Akbar Bugti, Sher Mohammad Baloch, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and Lala Muneer. The JI-sponsored APC also demanded capital punishment for those involved in the murder of Bugti and other Baloch leaders. The APC demanded that natural resources of Balochistan not be given under multinational companies’ control. The colonialist approach towards Balochistan should end, urged the APC. It demanded an end to the military operation and the withdrawal of unnecessary deployment in Balochistan, along with the rehabilitation of the people of Kohlu and Dera Bugti. Demanding the release and recovery of detained missing persons of Balochistan, the APC demanded employment opportunities and infrastructure development in the province. The replacement of the present authority with the Gawadar Port Trust was also proposed. On one hand, the APC made an appeal to the Baloch tribal chiefs and on the other, the APC also demanded of the government to abrogate the concurrent list in the constitution and grant due rights to all the provinces under the Constitution of Pakistan. The APC resolution stated that the concurrent list was applicable for 10 years. “Provincial autonomy is every province’s right and all the provinces should be given the power to exercise their rights,” said JI Deputy Chief and former senior legislator Prof Ghafoor Ahmed. He said that the entire country is with the Baloch compatriots and warned that the country’s integrity would be at stake if the issue of Balochistan is not resolved. “Injustice with Baloch Pakistanis will be considered injustice with us. They are loyal citizens of Pakistan like the rest of us,” he said. Ahmed said that the Baloch were denied their due rights. irfan alihttp://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\30\story_30-4-2009_pg7_20

Families of missing Baloch still waite for thier loved ones

Where is my brother Mohammad Iqbal Baloch? sister's pleaBalochistan: We live in a world where powerful countries suppress weaker nations and occupy their countries and make the inhabitants their slaves using different means and ways of slavery. Those powerful countries’ secret services have always played an important role in keeping other smaller nation as slaves. When baloch struggle for independence intensified in early 2000 this didn’t please the agencies (ISI, MI) of the so called Islamic republic of Pakistan. From 2000-2008 they have abducted almost 8000 innocent Baloch youth including women from all spheres of life. Iqbal Baloch who hails from Mand Balochistan has also become prey of the Pakistani agencies. 27 years old Iqbal Baloch is a BA student and used to work in a PCO (Public Call Office) in his free time.On 14th August 2007, my brother Iqbal Baloch set off from home with some of his friend for a picnic to famous picnic point between Thump and Mand area called “Ziarat Kalig”. He has never returned home since 14th August 2007. Those days Pakistani occupying force were carrying out a military offensive in that Kalig and surrounding area against innocent Baloch people. The Pakistani army had arrested seventeen innocent Baloch in that operation and my brother Iqbal Baloch and three of his friends were also among them. As I have mentioned earlier that the Pakistani terrorist forces have arrested seventeen Baloch altogether. On 16th February 2008, the three friends of my brother have been released after sever torture and humiliation but my brother Iqbal Baloch is still missing.We have no news of his whereabouts. We also don’t know whether he is still alive or he has been killed by these savage agencies of Pakistan. We have set on token hunger strike in front of press clubs with other Baloch families who’s loved one were missing. We have recorded our protest in all democratic and peaceful means but nothing happened in other word “all in vain”. Even though we have ended our protests after a provincial minister has assured us that my brother Iqbal Baloch and other families’ loved ones will be released or produced to a court within six days, but nothing happened afterward. It seems the provincial minister has power infect the whole Balochistan cabinet is helpless before these notorious agencies (ISI and MI).My brother Iqbal Baloch and other thousands of Baloch are in the custody of Pakistani agencies, who have been in control of this unnatural state of Pakistan from last 62 years. Today Baloch mothers, sister, and other relatives are forced to go out in streets to protest against the illegal abduction of their sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. After my brother’s forced-disappearance my aged mother’s health is deteriorating day by day. She lost her eye sight due to everyday crying for her son. I and my parants are still waiting for Iqbal Baloch to returen home. We don’t know whether he has been killed nor is he still alive? My brother and other thousands of Baloch youths' only fault is that they are Baloch and they were born in Balochistan. I on behalf of all Baloch families appeal to the international community, UN, US, UK and the EU to take notice of the atrocities of Pakistani army and agencies in Balochistan. Please help us put a stop on forced-disappearance in Balochistan. Where is Kabeer Baloch and Attaullah Baloch ; FamiliesThe family members of Kabeer Baloch and Attaullah Baloch, who were abducted on 27 March 2009, have appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take “Sue Moto” action to make sure the return of their loved ones. They said that there dear ones are missing and we don’t know about their whereabouts. We do not even know whether they are still alive or they have been killed in custody like many other Baloch youth. said that chief justice should take action on such inhumane acts of the intelligence agencies of Pakistan. Talking to media they stated that state brutalities are at peak, no one is sage any longer from these state mercenaries. Government is continuing the massacre of Baloch people. Security forces and secret services agencies are violating the law. Innocent youth are being arrested extra-judicially on daily bases. They are kept in state sponsored dungeons and they are subjected to severe torture. Their lives are in danger but the courts seem to be helpless before these notorious agencies i.e. ISI and MI. Baloch people have lost faith on the Pakistani justice system and they are now openly demanding for Independence. When the entire department are helpless and have no power to stop the brutal state sponsored agencies then people chose their own ways to protect themselves.Our father should be released on humanitarian grounds: Sher Baz BugtiQuetta: Sherbaz Bugti, Safaraz Bugti and Mumtaz Bugti have said in a joint press release that their father Noor Mohammad Bugti has been abducted the agencies (ISI) from his office in 2008. He has not returned home since his sudden abduction. We do not know where is he kept and whether he is alive or not? They said we are worried because of his absence. Our father was government employer; he has no affiliation with any political party or any organisation. We wait for him day and night hoping that some day he will return home give us his loves and kindness. He is being punished for crimes he did not commit. Being a Baloch or a Bugti is not a crime. They said we appeal to higher courts that if there are any cases against our father then he should be produced to the court of law and he should have right to a public trail. In the end they appealed once again that their father should be released on humanitarian grounds.

1 FC soldier killed, 5 hurt in Dera Bugti blast

QUETTA: At least five militants and an FC soldier were killed on Saturday in an alleged armed clash and a landmine explosion in Dera Bugti area. The spokesman for the Baloch Republican Army, Sirbaz Baloch, claimed that five militants had been killed while security forces lost 19 men. He said 25 others were injured in clashes and the landmine blast.
Officials, however, said that no armed clash took place between security forces and militants in the area. They said that six soldiers were injured, two of them seriously, in a landmine explosion in the Marvi area. ‘An FC vehicle was blown up in the landmine blast,’ officials said.
According to reports reaching here, Hawaldar Mohammad Arif who was injured in the blast died of his injuries late in the evening. Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Baloch Republican Army said: ‘We have destroyed three vehicles of security forces and damaged a helicopter.’
He identified the militants who were killed in the clash as Saifuddin Bugti, Ali Nawaz Bugti, Razi Bugti, Mosam Bugti and Mehmood. He said the clash took place when security forces were carrying out a search operation in the Marvi area after the landmine explosion.

Is India too a concern for US Af-Pak envoy?

WASHINGTON: A top US general said on Friday that the Obama administration’s Af-Pak Special Representative Richard Holbrooke’s portfolio ''very much'' included India, but the man concerned himself said no it wasn’t. The confusion arose when Gen.David Petraeus, chief of the US Central Command, told a Congressional hearing that the US has been trying to impress upon Pakistan that India is not their real threat and in this context, ''There are people who have rightly said that Ambassador Holbrooke's title should be Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.''''...let me just tell you, his (Holbrooke's) portfolio very much includes India and in fact, the Central Asian states and the other neighbours there,'' Petraeus told a Congressional committee at another point, suggesting that the Af-Pak imbroglio broadly concerned the whole region and Holbrooke’s engagements would include talks with other players with interest in the region.
The subject of Holbrooke’s portfolio is considered sensitive because Pakistan has linked its policy to its dispute with India on Kashmir and also India’s presence in Afghanistan. Islamabad wants the Holbrooke portfolio to include India (and the Kashmir issue), but New Delhi has rejected the linkage because of its insistence on resolving the issue bilaterally.
Pakistan has also accused the ''Indian lobby'' of using its ''clout'' to have India excluded from Holbrooke’s portfolio and have it restricted to what has become known as ''Af-Pak.'' In fact, Pakistan resents the term Af-Pak and having itself hyphenated with Afghanistan.
But in a separate interview to a Pakistani television channel, Holbrooke himself declined to answer a question on the Kashmir issue and said his mandate was restricted to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In a broader context, he told GEO TV that ''If we are interested in helping Pakistan, we will have to talk to its neighbours, which include China, India and Afghanistan,'' suggesting that Petraeus remarks was meant in the broader context.
Holbrooke has been consulting frequently with New Delhi about the Af-Pak situation, primarily with the intent of ensuring that there is no flare-up between India and Pakistan. These exchanges have been low key in keeping with Indian sensitivities.
In fact, in the Geo TV interview, Holbrooke also disabused the Pakistanis of their recent refrain that India was supporting the growing separatist insurgency in the country’s Balochistan province, saying there was no evidence to support the charge.
''If the Indians were supporting those miscreants in Pakistan that would be extraordinarily bad, really dangerous, but they are not doing so. There is no evidence that Indians are support miscreants in western parts of Pakistan or in Balochistan,'' he said.
Addressing Pakistani fears about the Indian role in Afghanistan, Holbrooke said India had given about $1 billion assistance to Afghanistan, but it should not be a cause of concern for Pakistan.
''Pakistan does not need to worry about India in Afghanistan, but it has to be worried about miscreants and militants in its western parts,'' he said, according to reports in the Pakistani media.