Friday 28 February 2014

President Mamnoon lacks Legislative Vision

Non legislative President

When William Hague visited Lahore in July 2013, he tweeted “Lahore is Paris” which became a cause of my laughter but, now when our President is on official tour of China, I want to cry!

If he would have shown some concern and seriousness to tackle the situation of the country, since he became President, we all would not be in a passive “state of emergency”.

Description: Pakistan ready to enhance communication with China\'s legislative body: MamnoonWhen President Mamnoon met the top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang, both leaders pledged to strengthen the friendly engagement between the two neighbor countries. Zhang who is the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) said that the two sides need to enrich their strategic partnership and upgrade bilateral cooperation.

But when our President affirmed Zhang’s statements and stated that Pakistan is ready to enhance communication with China’s legislative body, I would like our President to read Article 232 and 247 with a clear vision where to steer the country?

Every citizen of Pakistan is mentally burdened with what will happen next? Are we safe to step out of our home? When media is attacked so openly, then who shall write for the truth? In the end who shall read?

When the cause itself is so grave then to discuss its evils would be a never ending process. Therefore we shall land in a pile of letters to apologists – if timely and effective legislations do not take precedence in government’s agenda and are “not bulldozed” on rainy days, raising questions on the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance beyond its horrors.

By:         

*KANWAL ABIDI
           *Political Analyst & Journalist             

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Speech Analysis of Bilawal Bhutto (Sindh Festival) Concluding Cermony

Letter to the Editor:    

Dear Sir,
Subject:                      Rebirth of Quaid & Fatima Spirit:

It is very easy for all of us to criticize anything we could lay our hands upon! But, I must congratulate both brother and sister on their sincere efforts towards making Sindh festival a success. It gave a new vent to the political dynamics of the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto – where he took the lead himself to incorporate all elements of strategic planning right down to all aspects of event management.

I salute both brother and sister for leaving all the comforts of their domain in Dubai – and coming to Sindh to make it headlines by all means. I can well imagine their grandfather and mother smiling from skies upon seeing their flag carriers exhibiting true spirit of patriotism.

On the concluding day of the Sindh festival, Bilawal Bhutto delivered a “judicial rhetoric” speech making him a “leader voice” talking about the situation of country in realistic terms. When he stepped upon the podium, clad in white shalwar kameez, one could but not help in admiring the “Sindhi Ajrak” surrounding the podium’s opaque glass protecting the dynamic Bhutto from any guns and roses fanatic. 

If I had to rewind years – I would vote for the spirit of Quaid in Bilawal and spirit of Fatima Jinnah in Bakhtawar. They played a pivotal role in struggling for the cause of independence – and indeed, both brother and sister did a commendable job in making the Sindh culture a source to renew the spirit of independence. Bilawal spoke about his dream to “march forward” to capitalize upon the richness of 5000 ancestral years of cultural heritage and moral values.

What was conspicuous about the 15 days festival that it gave limelight to Bakhtawar Bhutto - as she was seen standing by her brother’s side on all functions. Mostly other leaders are seen at various functions wearing a push attitude on their face and going to sleep at large gatherings. But the exuberance and genuine smile on Bakhtawar face truly makes her Fatima Jinnah in spirit.

Well done! I am really proud of Bilawal and Bakhtawar, as true exhibitors of leadership! I sincerely wish that they both keep “marching forward” beyond festivals towards “citizens’ empowerment”.

By:      
KANWAL ABIDI     

  --- Karachi  
*** Political & Speech Analyst / Journalist

Powers of President

Powers of president
Under Article 247 Clause 2 & 5
Sir,
The Friday Times -
Last year, during the 99th Senate session on December 20, there was a debate on the political and security situation in the country with particular reference to violence in Balochistan, FATA and Rawalpindi.
The motion, which was earlier moved by Senator Raza Rabbani, under the Rule 218 of business, to discuss the insurgency in FATA was consequently taken up. He urged President Mamnoon Hussain to take immediate measures to restore peace and security in the region.
Senator Raza Rabbani quoted clause 2 of Article 247 of the constitution, which says the president may from time to time give such directions to “the governor of the province to exercise powers of his function to enforce peace and security in the region or any part of a Tribal Area”.
He stressed the dire need for “peace and good governance” in FATA, under Article 247, clause 5, and urged the president to take adequate steps. The leader of the house, Raja Zafarullah Haq, said he would convey the “sentiments of the House” to the president.
Senator Raza Rabbani expressed concern after the 100th Senate session that there was no follow up. On January 15, he led an opposition walkout over what he called the government’s non-serious attitude towards legislative business and addressing the problems at large. Even the problem of terrorism could be tackled in a joint session of parliament instead of an all-parties conference, he said.
On January 20, the president used his power to prorogue the session. But the question that needs to be asked is, why can’t he use his power under Article 247 as well?                            
  By: Kanwal Abidi, Karachi   *Journalist & Political Analyst

 See more at: http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/letters-more-arab-than-arabs-sir-we-pakistanis-aspire-to-an-arab-identity-instead-of-taking-pride-in-our-own-culture-this-is-perhaps-linked-to-our-emotional-attachment-with-religion-which-often-pre/#sthash.SkWjgoc2.dpuf

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Benghazi Attack revelations!

Why Did the Benghazi Story Change?
The truth about the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, is finally coming out.

Description: DAWNAn explosive intelligence report made public this week revealed that officials knew it was a terrorist attack that killed four Americans on September 11, 2012—and they knew right away. It also revealed that the lapse in security was preventable, based on intelligence the U.S. already had about the area.

These new answers are unsettling.

“Every step of the way, the White House’s response to Benghazi has been appalling,” saidHeritage expert Helle Dale, who has followed the tragedy closely from the beginning.
The most shocking revelation, as Dale described it:
The country’s top military commanders clearly understood the assault on the U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, was a terrorist attack from the moment the first reports came in, just 15 minutes after the assault began on September 11, 2012.
This news is shocking because the Obama Administration aggressively pushed the story that the violence was a protest against an anti-Muslim video that had simply gotten out of hand. “As a result, there was no attempted military rescue or response, and false information was peddled to the American people to shift the blame,” Dale explained.

“This testimony indicates beyond any doubt that the narrative of the Benghazi tragedy was changed within the White House. The question remains why and by whom.”

Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added insult to grave injury when she was questioned a year ago about the distinction between a protest and a terrorist attack. Her infamous response, “What difference, at this point, does it make?” showed an Administration entangled in the mess of its own making.

The difference Clinton downplayed at that time is crucial, because “the same White House that declared victory in the war against terrorism and pulled U.S. military assets out of Libya also failed miserably to take responsibility for its own miscalculation,” Dale said.

Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) told The Foundry this week that Members of Congress were “misled”—just like the American public. “It’s just outrageous that the Administration thought they could get away with blaming the cause of Benghazi on a false story.”

The American people—beginning with the families of those who were killed—deserve to know why the Administration denied what was apparently known. Our military and intelligence personnel around the world also deserve a full accounting, because they continue to enter dangerous situations every day.

Re Edited by: Kanwal Abidi (Political Analyst / Journalist)

Information shared by:  Amy Payne (American Journalist)

January 17, 2014


Human Rights Cell of Overseas Pakistanis

Thursday, February 6, 2014
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RECENTLY Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani ordered a wing at human rights cell of the Supreme Court to launch a...


Subject:         Human Rights cell for Overseas Pakistanis’?

Recently, Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Gilani has ordered a wing at Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court to launch a complaint cell to address the overseas community issues arising in their homeland. This announcement is welcomed, but, it has its reservations – in terms of “absence of a path of channel” whereby, the expatriates float their voice to the Apex court.  

The idea initially generated by Chief justice will address by and large issues of the expatriates but at the same time it needs to clear the cloud on its correspondence and feedback loop.

It seeks to safeguard expatriates rights and interests in terms of their right to vote, address the issues related to frauds by land grabbers and harassment faced due to their relatives and attorneys in property matters. This idea will receive laurels in the overseas community, but, is the wing of Supreme Court fully equipped to meet the challenges of the problems faced by the expatriates on email only?  

Firstly, please intimate the email address of the complaint cell. An assurance would be certainly appreciated that the concerns of overseas Pakistanis will be addressed within 24 hours and that too in their homeland. 

Secondly, will the respective embassy of the country of their domain help in coordination of matters arising as a result of the complaints filed? 
Thirdly, will the expatriates have the right to vote in the next general elections?

When the entry of a common man is restricted in the Supreme Court, how will Overseas Pakistanis convey their sentiments and share their sorrow and grief – when there is no mode of channel specified?

Will a female British Muslim facing domestic violence be assured that her email would be responded within 24 hours? Will the wing of Human Rights at Apex court rescue her – at UK embassy expenses? Will the Supreme Court bear the trial expense of British Muslim? Will the Human Rights cell of the Apex court free her property from her husband’s hand?

All these questions must be answered by the concerned authorities before Supreme Court wing of Human Rights cell makes tall claims that they “would be working” in the best interests of the “Overseas Pakistanis Welfare.”

 The idea, if adhered, in terms of responding emails and processing the expatriates applications within 24 hours will certainly be mentioned in the overseas community history with Golden Words.”

By:       KANWAL ABIDI  
 *Islamabad                                      *Dated:  28th Jan 2013
 *Tweets @KANWALanalyst