Sangi سهيل سانگي

سهيل سانگي سنڌي ڪالم ۽ آرٽيڪل About Current political, economic media and social development issues

Monday, December 01, 2008

Sindhi Press

Sindhi Press for October 20
Riots in Prisons

Sindh
Riots erupted in the District jail Malir after complaints about non provision of facilities under jail manual, extortion of money from prisoners. Four prisoners were killed and around thirty others were injured. Earlier, there have been reports of rioting in Sukkur, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Khairpur prisons also.

Why prisoners are protesting? This is not much difficult question. Even the government officials have also admitted, the prisoners were not getting facilities according to jail manual and were not taken to courts for hearings. They have been complaining of maltreatment of inmates and corruption. There are number of cases where the prisoners are not taken to courts for hearing since years.

……Another aspect of Sindh prison is, they are over crowded. The prisoners face hardship and also were infected with different diseases. The people who have been lodged in the jails might have committed some offence and some of them have been convicted. But the law allows them certain facilities as a convict or as an under trial prisoner.

The complaints of inmates of Malir jail are not different from the other prisoners of Sindh jails.

Prison riots and violence against prisoners is send shock wave to the common people, as they are helpless while behind the bars. The successive governments have been trying to improve the prison conditions. Some committees were also constituted for prison reforms. But till today no practical action have been taken in this regard. On the contrary prisoners are not provided facility under century old jail manual.
It is time to take notice of riots erupted in different jails of the province and amend the jail laws. – (October 18)
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Relief achieved through China

Awami Awaz
China and Pakistan have signed 12 agreements and MoUs in energy, agriculture, industrial and telecommunication sectors. The agreement for setting up of two nuclear plants, launch of a satellite and heavy investment by Chinese corporations are some other signs which indicate that Pakistan was looking forward to bolster ties with China. There was also the standard reference to “strategic partnership.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China came at the time when Pakistan was braving a worst financial crisis. Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited USA and got some financial assistance. Likewise Pakistan was also successful to get some help from international financial institutions.

The financial assistance received from USA and international institutions have always proved harmful to the country. They attach conditionality with their financial help. The saner people have been urging the government not to opt and depend on American aid, but look towards friends like China. President Zardari’s recent visit to China should also be seen in this context.

It is believed that agreements signed between the two countries in different fields would provide relief to Pakistan. What Pakistan has to realise is that the people of Pakistan think of China as their perennial friend, it would to help Pakistan out of its current crisis because of Pakistan’s trading potential than its capacity to go to war.

No doubt, Pakistan was trying hard to over come the financial crunch. Measures are under way to create conducive conditions for investment and uproot terrorism. These steps would appease USA and also attract the investors. For these measures the government would have to resist traditional criticism. If government is serious to pull out the country from crisis, it should continue its efforts and not to bother much about traditional criticism. – (October 19)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi


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Sindhi Press Oct 13, 2008
Specter of Zia and Afghanistan

Ibrat
The specter of Afghan issue, Cold War, Americans’ Jihad against USSR (if this term is appropriate), and Ziaul Haq are still haunting us. We are unable to get rid of the legacy of Zia. During his eleven years rule he turned a secular and peaceful country into state existing at the dynamite mines. A darkness of extremism and domination of anti democratic forces are evident. Zia was different from his two predecessor dictators- Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan, though both were enemies of democracy but at least were secular. They did not cultivated seeds of religious fundamentalism as Zia did. Today we are harvesting the crop cultivated by Zia.

Recent statement of Prime minister’s advisor for Interior affairs Mr Raman Malik that to defeat USSR in Afghanistan, militants from through out world were called in Pakistan has refreshed the memory. In fact we were used for the American interests yesterday and no stone was left unturned to convert Pakistan into a theocratic state…..And Zia become instrumental and as a penalty Pakistan was pushed into hell. To pull out the country from this hell the saner elements, civil society and political parties were striving hard hard. But there seems no light at the other end of the tunnel. May be their efforts prove fruitful.

Gen Musharraf during his eight years rule revived the specter of Zia. Exactly eight years ago we witnessed re-birth of Ziaul Haq, in shape of Musharraf, who over threw the Nawaz Sharif government in 1999. He too became instrumental of USA but with a different assignment, which he carried out after attack on twin towers.

Zia cultivated nurseries of Jihadis and built a network of Madressahs. Late Benazir Bhutto during her first tenure brought some reforms in madressahs, but soon her government was toppled. Though Gen Musharraf talked much about reforms in seminaries but practically did nothing.

Gen Zia introduced fundamentalism, narcotics, and Kalashnikov culture in the country, which rocked the very basis of the Pakistani society. He tried to uproot the foundations which were laid by the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam. Zia entered every institution of the country like virus and on gun point imposed fundamentalism. Today we are bearing the buns.

Afghanistan is still our headache. Afghan conflict is still hitting in the name of war against terror. Deep rooted mistrust among the political parties was hurdle for reaching at national consensus. There was a need to evolve a national policy that how we should fight this war. Any body likes it or not, this war has been thrust upon us and we are unable to come out from this trap.

During Cold War USA used us while Saudi Arabia was also with it. The militants from all over the world were called to settle in our tribal areas. Afghanis were brought into the country and settled in different parts of the country. Jihadis were provided with arms and imparted training. Now it is on record that huge money was supplied to Pakistan for this purpose which was spent on these militants. Now USA has pitched us in the battle we are confused and finding no way out.

The specter of Afghan conflict and Zia are still haunting us, though Zia died years ago but we are still shackled by his legacy. - (Oct 12)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
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Sindhi Press Oct 6, 2008
Respect the blank cheque like heavy mandate

Kawish
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has approved a summary to amend the Katchi Abadis Act which will regularise all the Katchi Abadis recorded till December 2006 in the province.

Leaving aside the traditions, the minister for katchi Abadis Rafiq Engineer showed extra performance, as he got it approved by hand and sent it to chief secretary. Now it will be put before the Sindh cabinet for final approval. If approved it will result into regularisation of 450 katchi Abadis in Karachi, and the major beneficiaries will be millions of Bengalese, Burmies, Afghanis, Beharies and Iranian nationals who are illegal immigrants and have settled in Karachi. They would not only get property rights of the land but also will become citizen of Pakistan and would enjoy all rights as citizen of this country.

Some vested interests have been keen since a long for permanent settlement of these illegal immigrants meet their ulterior motives. These elements have been trying to convert Sindhi population in to minority and change the demographic balance in the province. Balance of population through unnatural inflow of alien and illegal immigrants had changed the ethnic demography to a great extent. Millions of Bengalese, Burmies, Afghanis, Beharies and Iranian nationals had settled in Karachi by raising katchi Abadis. Now through this new law, all these illegal immigrants will get citizenship of Pakistan with all rights and privileges. This will led to convert indigenous Sindhi people into minority.

The old residents of this land have been experiencing a number of hardships in getting National Identity Cards, enrolment in electoral lists etc. On the contrary these alien and illegal immigrants were easily getting NIC and domicile certificates and other legal documents. Despite all this the government is regularizing these illegal immigrants and their settlements.

I fact there was a need to eject these illegal immigrants back to their respective countries to reduce the burden of population and not to permanently settle them. The rulers might be aware that misbalance between resources and problems crops crisis and anarchy rules the society. This balance can only be maintained by controlling the population.

Sindh is already braving abject poverty, as all the livelihood resources have been dominated by the migrants and illegal immigrants.
One more fact needs consideration. The terrorist acts in the country are on rise. Some recent incidents are witness to it that the terrorist groups are using katchi Abadis as their hideouts. There are evidences; the illegal immigrants are involved in the terrorist acts. The rulers had admitted this fact for a number of times. Therefore the situation demands expulsion of illegal immigrants to stop terrorism and subversive acts.

People were unable to understand as to under what compulsion the Sindh government was made to take this decision? If it is from some political partner, it should be made public, who had given a blank cheque like mandate to the rulers.

This amendment will not benefit the people of Sindh in any way. Rather it will imbalance the ethnic equilibrium and would also benefit land mafia. The government should respect the mandate and should not take such decisions which may prove harmful and injurious to the Sindhi people. - (Oct 5)


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Sindhi Press Sept 9
A victory that also carries challenges

Kawish
PPP Co chairperson Mr Asif Ali Zardari got two third majority of 702 votes, electoral college of the two house of parliament and four provincial assemblies in the election of Pakistan’s president. His induction will mark the country’s transition to full civilian democracy after nine years of military led regime. Pro dictatorship forces that were knocked out and the power base of a dictatorship defeated rejected in February 2008 elections were still in shock, while election of Mr Zardari had hit them one more blow. These anti democratic and anti people forces had also tried to subvert the mandate of general elections, to create differences among the political forces and also resorted to postpone or boycott the elections. They had succeeded a little bit in this bid. However they failed to distract the political forces.

Today though Benazir Bhutto is not among the people but her party is in the power through the vote of people. It is time to avenge the anti democratic forces. Benazir Bhutto strongly believed democracy as the best revenge; hence PPP government should follow her dictum and should strengthen the democracy. PPP has its Prime Minister and as well as president, this had made her task to stablise democracy a bit easier.

… PPP has guideline provided by Ms Benazir Bhutto. Charter of democracy is there and by implementing this charter democracy can be strengthened. The democratic forces that had elected Prime Minister unanimously and later voted for Mr Zardari in presidential elections can also stand with PPP on this point.

Some clear indications of reconciliation are there. With the start of presidential election process the political forces played a very positive laudable role. Worth appreciating is alos the statement of PML-N chief Mr Nawaz Sharif who termed election of Mr Zardari as defeat to dictatorship. This is very positive sign which could lead rapprochement to reconciliation and conducive conditions for consolidating democracy.

Asif Zardari’s election with two third majority is in fact victory of democratic forces, as well as hard challenge for them, particularly for the PPP, as it will test democratic spirit of this party.

According to the 1973 Constitution, the country has parliamentary democracy. But time and again it was amended and tailored to suit the needs of dictators. An imbalance of powers was made to such an extent that practically it has become presidential system of the government.

There is dire need to restore parliamentary system in its original form and steps should be taken for the supremacy of parliament which we lost during dictatorial regimes. …PPP has got golden opportunity. PPP had earlier promised to repeal 17th amendment and Article 58 (2) B. It is to be seen that how and when Asif Zardari is giving up his powers of president in the interest of democracy and supremacy of parliament.

From Presidency to PM house it is PPP that mean PPP is all power. It should utilise this power to strengthen democracy.

PPP leadership might have realization that it has not only got victory but also some hard challenges. Earlier there were complaints of allowing no free hand, creating and hatching conspiracies etc. But now these all pretext have ended. So it has to work with more responsibility and show its democratic spirit. – (Sept 7)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi

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Sindhi Press Sept 29
Let’s see the friends of Pakistan

Ibrat
President Asif Ali Zardari was very much serious about Friends of Pakistan Forum and his efforts yielded results. A permanent forum for the Pakistan has been set up. Rich countries of the world have announced to set up a consortium for the financial aid to Pakistan which will meet next month in Dubai. UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, Canada and some other countries at the conference have assured to help Pakistan.

President Zardari told world leaders that they should help Pakistan finically in terror war. Pakistan demanded at the conference that Pakistan needed 15 billion dollars immediately to prevent its economy from collapse.

….. President Zardari at the UN headquarters told world leaders that Pakistan was fighting war against terror alone. He said we were in the state of war, while world was reading this war in newspapers. He also appealed the world media to help Pakistan in war against terror.

After 9/11, incident USA remained safe from the terrorist attacks. It also avenged through thrusting war on Afghanistan and Iraq. Now this war has crossed the borders and was being fought within the territory of Pakistan. After bomb blasts in Marriot Hotel, the elites of Pakistan started saying that it’s our war and if any December 27 like incident took place, it would rock the very foundations of the country.

The elected government got war against terror, FATA operation and bankrupt economy of the country in legacy. Millions of dollars received during Musharraf era for war against terror benefited the elite class of the country while the poor got poorer and rich got richer. A huge amount was spent for which no accounts were available. Some time back this issue was raised but soon it was silenced.

Pakistan is braving worst economic crisis. Poverty has reached a level, where we need to declare war against it. We have been pushed to such type of war that we are unable to think about any other thing. The government was paying full attention and burning all its resources on this war, that is why we are crying for financial aid. The rich countries would help us to the extent of their interests. We need to be self sufficient. We need investors. But the investors would not come to a country, where high security alert areas like Marriot Hotel are bombed and civil and military leadership has life threats.

We may get aid, but equally important is its proper utilization. A huge amount was received for health, education and some other social sectors. Likewise funds were given to the new local government system but this went down the drain. The previous government received billions of dollars as contract for terror war but details and accounts are not available as to where and on which head this whole money was spent. People want to know it.

Though the democratic government wants to run a number of projects for the welfare of people, but funds are not available as terror has pushed us to knee deep crisis. We need help and financial aid and the comity of nations should think over it. No country can fight terror war alone. – (Sept 28)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
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Sindhi Press Sep 1, 2008
Need to make presidential elections non controversial

Awami Awaz
Following Pervez Musharraf’s resignation, presidential elections will be held on September 6. Three major political parties of the country PPP, PML-N, PML-Q have fielded their candidates – Asif Ali Zardari, Mushahid Hussain Syed and Rtd justice Saeedu Zaman Siddiqui, respectively. This election is being held after eleven months as Pervez Musharraf was elected President in October 2007 after completing his tenure. His election remained the most controversial in the history of this country. A petition was also filed against his election, though then Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry had allowed Pervez Musharraf to contest it, but had ordered to stay the results, till the Supreme Court disposes of the petition about the eligibility of Pervez Musharraf. Till the apex court decides about the eligibility issue, Musharraf promulgated emergency in the country, and deposed thirteen judges of Supreme Court including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Mushrraf became controversial for being elected from the out going Parliament, so he imposed himself on the country.

Keeping in view such a controversial president, it Peoples Party wished to have a president who should be non controversial, and acceptable to all the political forces. This was genuine wish, but could not be fulfilled. At the time of presidential elections coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League-N parted way, and these two partners of ruling coalition are contesting for this post against each other.

PPP thought, if Asif Ali Zardari was feilded as presidential candidate, all the parties while keeping in view the sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari would elect him unopposed. But parting way by Nawaz Sharif and delay in restoration of deposed judges deprived Zardari of being elected unopposed. Political pundits are of view; if judges are restored before presidential elections it will have a positive impact for Zardari.
Till the writing of these lines Asif Zardari has won support of ANP, MQM, JUI and some independent members.

There is a contest. People want these elections should be held peacefully. This is only possible when candidates will avoid to give colour to this contest of any enmity or ego and in case of defeat they will demonstrate democratic spirit and accept the results.

The candidates and their supporters should keep it in mind that after Musharraf, they should not create impression of controversial President and contest the polls with civility and in democratic manner. For this purpose if need arises, they should find some adjustment. They should mind that after a prolong struggle, they were able to push out the dictator, who was holding the office of president and running the affairs of the country undemocratically. It was need of the hour that they should make this election non controversial.
In fact there was need that those democratic parties who had gave vote of confidence to Prime Minister they should demonstrate same spirit in the presidential elections. For this purpose the PPP government should also to take some measures for conducive and pleasant atmosphere. – (August 28)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi
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Sindhi Press Aug 25
Price Control not a seasonal job

Kawish

The government has decided to freeze the prices of food and other essential commodities during the Holy month of Ramazan and reactivated the price control committees to take action against the violators.

During previous government hoarders and profiteers were free to over charging; perhaps it was the only class which enjoyed such a freedom. The administration while “respecting their freedom” did not intervene to check the prices and availability of essential items.
The present government too had failed to change the situation, as except appointing price control magistrates and some announcements related to purchases from utility stores, it has not come out with any effective mechanism or strategy. The price spiral is at its height. The control of the government and the administration can be tested through any litmus paper. It appears that escalator of the prices is directly connected with the calendar and with every passing day it goes up.

Though traders and profiteers continue to increase prices through out the year on one or the other pretext, but budget and the month of Ramazan, they shower more “kindness”. The government appears to be less serious to check this menace. The government only feels its responsibility when hoarders and profiteers succeed to create crisis, then the government comes out with advices and directives which proves to be a futile bid.
With Ramazan round the corner the traders have started hoarding and increasing the prices of commodities particularly those in demand during this month.

The government at the most would fine those who would be found in over charging. But in fact traders have deceived the government, because through hoarding and artificial shortage they had already increased the prices. Now if the government freezes the rates, today’s rates would be made bench mark. Practically this would render all the government measures regarding relief to the common man ineffective.

Though the government has freezed the prices but present rates are already too high.
First these rates should be brought down and then should be freezed. The prices of rice have seen decline in wholesale market but consumers were being charged the high rate and government has not taken any measure.

Only bomb blasts are not terrorism, Creating harassment, fear and uncertainty and instability in any section of society is subversive act. Depriving the people from essentials of life particularly food items, and creating artificial shortage and looting people through engineered price hike is economic terrorism. Can these be controlled through normal administrative step?

In fact controlling prices is all time job and not seasonal one, as the government was treating it and limits its activities only on the eve of Ramazan. It demands a full-fledged mechanism which includes monitoring demand and supply as well as taking action against not only the hoarders and profiteers but also against the concerned officials. - (August 24)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi

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Politics of wheat

Politics of wheat
Daily Kawish
It appears that Punjab has veto powers in every matter. It is not ready to responding positively to the call of smaller brothers as well as the centre. The latest one experience is its refusal to lift ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat. The federal committee on agriculture and three provinces demanded of the Punjab government to lift the ban. But the Punjab rejected this appeal.
Sindh is braving the worst wheat crisis which is aggregating due to the stubbornness of Punjab.

There is issue of financial resources, or water distribution or any other matter Punjab has been using its veto power and has been carving a formula which suits its interests and getting more and more than its due share. When turn of smaller provinces, it changes its attitude. Means it can get from smaller brothers and would not give them.

Presently, three provinces, particularly Sindh was witnessing worst wheat flour crisis and at this difficult time Punjab has banned the movement of wheat. This ban would hit hard the three provinces. Punjab is big province where a large area is brought under cultivation. It is also getting more water. Therefore it was bound to fulfill the food requirements of three provinces. In case of NFC award Punjab insisted to distribute the financial resources only on population basis. Punjab claims its right on electricity of NWFP, gas of Balochistan and water of Sindh. But it is not coming to rescue three provinces in food crisis.

The food crisis is aggregating in Sindh day by day, where people were purchasing wheat flour for Rs 35 to 40 per kg. ….Millers and traders were not complying with the orders of the government. The administration has failed to implement the prices fixed by the government. Likewise was not controlling hoarding. Big wheat stocks were smuggled out of the country while remaining is lying with the hoarders… The mismanagement of Sindh government sparked crisis, and now ban by Punjab has further deteriorated the situation.

Why the administrators let wheat crisis touch a dangerous point. .. The government is helpless before the mafia involved in the smuggling of wheat. This situation led to knock the door of big brother….

The permanent solution of wheat crisis is to put an end to smuggling. Food grain movement by some other country is understandable, but by a province in one country is intolerable. Hundred of trucks of cement, fertilizers and other goods are going to Punjab. If Sindh is banning transportation of these items would it be justified? Sindh is not getting its due share of water. This has rendered vast lands barren and decrease in agriculture production. If investigated Punjab would be held responsible for it. Sorry to say Punjab is leaving Sindh alone to suffer the food shortage.

It is strange that federal government has failed to to intervene and stop Punjab from playing politics with a staple food item. Federal government stands with Punjab while giving undue share in NFC award. But in case of smaller provinces the federal government is not coming to their rescue. The federal government should step in and get rescued the provinces from food crisis. - (Oct 23)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi

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