One must laud the courage of the female officer who took a principled stance and resisted illegal appointments in the Ministry of Industries and Production. According to a report published in The Express Tribune, a grade 20 officer in the explosives department, questioned the appointment of a person embroiled in corruption cases with NAB, to a key position. She paid the price for her integrity when the caretaker minister of industries and production ordered her transfer from the department. Though the Islamabad High Court has ruled that the transfer order be reversed, the caretaker minister, abetted by the establishment secretary has refused to abide by the court’s ruling and has at present barred the officer from the ministry.

This incident highlights not just the corruption and abuse of power endemic in government departments but also illustrates how difficult it is for an honest officer to work with integrity. Caretaker ministers have a limited mandate and their job is simply to keep the country functional in the interim before elections are to be held. However, it is so common for caretaker ministers to make blatantly biased appointments and transfers in their short stint. This has led the Supreme Court into deliberating the suspension of all postings and transfers ordered by caretaker ministers.

The minister in question not only transferred the officer unfairly, but also appears to have gone beyond his jurisdiction in relocating the explosives department from Islamabad to Karachi. The impunity with which ministers take such decisions bespeaks of the low regard for law those wielding power have. The courage and honesty of individuals who resist the culture of corruption and self-service gives hope that the corruption deeply embedded in the system can one day be uprooted. Pressure must be borne on the minister to follow the court’s directives and legal action must be initiated against him for abusing his power.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2013.

The elections are over, with their inevitable flurry of accusations, counter-accusations and the tensions these bring. It is time to build bridges — sturdy ones which can take us to a better future and help us overcome the multiple crises we are currently facing. In this context, we need maturity and statesmanship from our top leaders, and the demonstration of this at the presidency on May 22, where the man who will soon take oath as prime minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif, met President Asif Ali Zardari at the sidelines of a luncheon hosted for the visiting Chinese premier.

Both men agreed that cooperation was vital to the country’s future, with all forces required to work together to save it from its current set of problems. President Zardari assured Mr Sharif that he would receive full support from the presidency as he set about this task. In turn, the PML-N chief assured the president that he accepted him as a constitutionally-elected head of state, and would not be seeking his resignation. There was agreement, too, to work for the Charter of Democracy signed by Mr Sharif and the late Benazir Bhutto. Key PML-N leaders later joined the meeting and Mr Sharif was invited to join the president during his meeting with the Chinese premier.

The gestures we saw and the comfortable reconciliatory tone adopted by the leaders of both parties, which have over the past years not always been on good terms, is encouraging. Indeed, we cannot manage without a genuine willingness to move along together, given that the PPP remains the dominant force in the Senate, while the president will naturally also have some role to play in matters. The meeting on May 22 hopefully indicates that we may finally have moved beyond the acrimonious politics of the 1990s, which caused so much instability and turbulence in the country. We certainly hope that this is the case so that a united effort can be forged to take the country forward without hindrance or any clash between various players who hold power within it.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2013.

The no-holds-barred welcome accorded to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on his first visit to Pakistan signals just how much significance Pakistan attaches to its ties with China, a country repeatedly described through the years as amongst our closest friends. Of course, Pakistan, facing growing international isolation, desperately needs friends — and this, perhaps, is one reason why it clings so tightly to China, with elaborate phraseology much the vogue on either side.

On May 22, as Premier Li landed at the Nur Khan Airbase at Chaklala, amidst a tight security shield thrown over Islamabad, he was given a reception few foreign guests enjoy. His aircraft ushered in by fighter planes acquired by Pakistan from China, Mr Li was greeted by a delegation which included President Asif Zardari, the services chiefs, caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso and a bevy of other VIPs. The Chinese head of government was also awarded the country’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, during his visit. Over his two days in Pakistan, after visiting India, Premier Li met the president, the PM and incoming prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, while also signing a number of agreements. Encouragingly for Pakistan, he offered expanded trade, taking it up from the current $12 billion mark to $15 billion over the next two years. Crucially, at a time when Pakistan faces a crippling power crisis, he also offered much needed help in the energy sector.

The visit, and its outcome is then clearly to be welcomed. Right now all support is to be appreciated. But we must also keep a grip on reality and peek behind the gilded curtain hung over Sino-Pakistan ties. The fact is that Chinese investment in the country is lower than that of the Netherlands, and lags way behind that of the US, while projects handed over to it, such as Saindak in Balochistan, have not taken off. We should not go by rhetoric alone, and along with keeping our ties with Beijing intact, we must also recognise what the true situation is, so that we can most effectively devise both economic and foreign policy and take the steps needed to build a better future for Pakistan and all its people.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2013.

The caretaker government moved the Central Film Censor Board into the cabinet ministry but did not appoint an acting censor board chairman, leading to millions of rupees worth of losses to the film industry in just two weeks. The carelessness on the part of the caretaker government in this regard has not just affected our film industry, which is struggling to stay afloat, but the distributors as well, who cannot release new films in the cinemas.

In the last decade, we saw how our cinemas were overtaken by stage shows because of the onslaught of cable television and the deteriorating quality of Pakistani films. People started flocking to the cinemas once again when Bollywood films were allowed to screen in Pakistan. Many in the local industry were not in favour of this move but others realised that reviving the cinema culture is important for the entertainment-deprived masses and it was encouraging to see cinema-goers queuing up to see movies, even if they were foreign films.

Inadvertently, this move also helped the ratings of some local movies go up. The importance of a flourishing cinema culture should not be lost on the authorities. In fact, more entertainment avenues should be opened up. Concerts, puppet shows, cultural shows, art shows, literary festivals and other such entertainment should be provided to all and sundry with the help of the government. With the dissolution of the culture ministry after the implementation of the Eighteenth Amendment, the next government should either restore the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) or ensure that all provincial censor boards are functional. It is also important for the incoming government to make certain that our local film industry, which has suffered much in the past, is now encouraged rather than neglected. Many of our legends of yore are living in deprivation. The government should form a trust as a tribute to our living legends for this would help encourage new entrants to revive our film industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

All but around 30 of the 171 MNAs who lost their places in the legislature after the May 11 election have failed to vacate the parliamentary lodges allotted to them for use during their stint in parliament. This means 141 lodges, which should have been vacated to allow newly elected MNAs to move in, remain occupied. Even a notice served to the ex-MNAs by the National Assembly Secretariat, asking them to leave the premises by March 20 has had no impact, with the accommodation still in use by them. Several ministers are reported also to have not moved out of the residences provided to them in the Ministers’ Colony in Islamabad, adding to the problems for authorities. Of the 276 suites reserved for MNAs, around 80 will be retained by those who have kept their seats. The 30 ousted MNAs who have moved out are said mainly to be linked to the PPP. The identities and affiliations of the 141 who have chosen not to shift remain unclear. Their names should be made public.

Similar situations have arisen before. After the 2008 polls, the CDA had to move in to forcibly evict defeated MNAs reluctant to move out. It is reported to be considering such action again. The failure of the MNAs to act in a legal and ethical manner does not reflect well on our politicians. Since these honourable persons have themselves failed to do the right thing, setting a terrible example to others, perhaps their parties need to step in. It is important they enforce some element of discipline on their own members, for their actions, after all, also reflect on the groups they are associated with. We need to develop a more wholesome political culture. This is important for our nation so that respect can be built for democracy. Persons who play a role in this must do their bit by acting responsibly and not abusing their positions. We need to see a dignified exit from the parliamentary lodges within the next few days, rather than the ugliness of a forced eviction.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

We are all aware we face a severe energy crisis. We cannot help but be, with electricity shutdowns often lasting 18 hours or more being experienced through the country. In the light of this situation, the ban placed on the use of CNG for vehicles over 1000cc by the government is welcome. In his order, caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has pointed out that a commodity intended to facilitate low-and middle-income groups was being used to run large cars and jeeps, creating a greater demand for it. CNG is, of course, sold at subsidised rates. In view of the priority being given to the power sector, gas supply to CNG stations has already been reduced, and the PM has directed that the latest measures announced be implemented within days.

Certainly, given the scale of our energy crisis and the toll it is taking on so many aspects of life, we need to do all that we can to salvage a grim situation. We know now that the CNG policy, put into effect during the tenure of former General Pervez Musharraf, was ill-conceived. This is unfortunate for the many who switched to CNG as a result of official encouragement. But it is clear also the commodity has been misused. At any rate, change is essential and we must welcome the move from the government.

Indeed, more measures are needed to conserve energy. Attempts had been made to create awareness in the past, but even so, it is astonishing how many citizens, notably residents of posh areas, leave gate lights and other un-required energy using items switched on, much longer than they are needed.

The same applies, at the official level, to street lights, which in some localities can be seen lit up even during the day. We all need to work together to overcome what is a crippling energy shortfall. An important step forward has been taken by the government, but other similar steps are also required so we can get the country moving once more. This has become an essential requirement which cannot be delayed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

British Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt confirmed for the first time that the British Foreign Office had carried out opinion polls on the CIA drone campaign in Pakistan. These surveys revealed that the proportion of respondents in the tribal areas who believed drone strikes were “never justified” had risen from 59 per cent in 2010 to 63 per cent in 2011.

While there are reports that the UK itself has been complicit in the drone attacks, these surveys may have been funded to find out whether these strikes were actually having the desired result or not. As much as the drone supporters think it is a necessary evil to kill terrorists extrajudicially, it cannot be denied that these strikes cause resentment among the local population. Drone strikes are not just a violation of our sovereignty but in some cases, they further strengthen the militants who gain sympathy. Using the term “collateral damage” for innocent deaths in drone strikes show how callous those controlling the drones can be.

Whether one innocent life was lost or hundreds, the fact remains that drone strikes have proved to be counterproductive. The US should understand that such attacks have only further intensified the hatred against the Americans among the local population in the tribal areas and elsewhere in the country.

With the Pakistan military having made it abundantly clear that this is our war — and those saying otherwise need to take stock of the situation — and that the army is committed to the war on terror, the US should ideally be discussing its options with the next government. However, as recent reports suggest that US drone strikes will continue to be conducted by the CIA for the time being to keep the programme covert, it unfortunately seems unlikely that any change in the US stance on this issue will occur soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

The fact that the army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has taken up the issue of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is very welcome. Such devices are widely used by militant groups in the country and have left behind a long trail of death and destruction. Reports in the past have suggested that IEDs are manufactured on a large scale within small laboratories, with banned outfits having gained more and more expertise over the years in producing these weapons and training others in doing so.

Speaking at a conference titled “Saving Lives by Jointly Defeating IEDs”, held at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, General Kayani told the gathering of experts from countries including the UK, the US, Australia and Turkey that the issue needs to be dealt with together. Given this reality, the conduct of the conference augurs well. It should be noted that there have also been US claims that 80 per cent of IEDs used against forces in Afghanistan originated from Pakistan and were assembled using the CAN fertiliser manufactured in the country. Most terrorist attacks in Afghanistan involve IEDs. However, General Kayani firmly refuted the line that their source of origin lay in Pakistan, pointing out that other countries in the region also produced similar or even more potentially dangerous substances, which could be used to make IEDs. He also said Pakistan had taken steps to control the movement of CAN.

It is logical to say that nations need to work together to resolve issues linked to militancy, including the production of IEDs. It is a wise decision to take up this matter. The army chief needs to be applauded for doing so, openly and sensibly. It is only when problems are spoken about that they can be solved. As such, the conference on IEDs holds very real significance and marks an important step forward in eradicating weapons which can be built quickly and easily, and which, over the last many years, have been used for terrible terrorist attacks, inflicting death and suffering on thousands.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

We are going to see a significant change in direction as far as tactics on the war on terror go. Mian Nawaz Sharif, as he stands on the starting blocks ready to begin his third tenure as prime minister, has told a gathering of elected representatives from his party in Lahore that he will be initiating dialogue with the Taliban. He said he does not believe that bullets can succeed and he has pointed out that so far, the battle being fought in the north of the country against terrorists had cost some 40,000 lives and millions of rupees. Mr Sharif is reported already to be in touch with intermediaries ready to begin the process of dialogue, while several independent candidates elected from tribal areas have also joined the PML-N.

The prime minister-elect certainly has the mandate to pursue the policies his party chooses. Its position on engagement with the Taliban had been made clear many times in the past. We must, as such, wish him well — for there can be no bigger gift to the country than an escape from terrorism and the menace it brings with it. People living in the conflict zone, too, desire nothing so much as peace. But the PML-N, and its policy team, should keep in mind the past history of talks with the Taliban and the repeated breach of agreements by the militants — a pattern seen over and over again through the past decade. Indeed, these interludes of “peace” have simply allowed the Taliban to regroup. It is also true that before the current military operation was launched in 2009, the Taliban held all seven tribal agencies and other territories, such as Swat. The description of the Taliban as a “misguided minority” rejected by the people by army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani must also be kept in mind.

Mian Nawaz Sharif must keep all these factors in view as he begins the negotiation bid. So far, the parameters of these talks have not been spelled out — but we must hope these will be made known to us as citizens, so we know where our leaders stand on key issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), under much attack in recent days, deserves a word or two of praise for smoothly conducting a re-polling process at 43 polling stations of NA-250 in Karachi, from where there had been multiple reports of rigging and malpractice after May 11. The success of the ECP is especially commendable as it came at a time when political tensions in the city ran sky high, following the gunning down on the night of May 18 of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and founder member Zahra Shahid Hussain, 60, at the gate of her home in Defence.

The tragic murder was immediately followed by accusations, denials and counter-accusations. In this situation, and with some parties boycotting the NA-250 re-poll, we can only hope more trouble does not flare up. This is the last thing Karachi needs. While the killing of Zahra Shahid Hussain must indeed be investigated, we must also appeal to all parties to remain watchful of the interests of Karachi’s people and avoid making any comments that could inflame the situation. Leaders need to exercise caution, not jump to conclusions and recognise that violence must at all costs be avoided in a city that remains susceptible to it.

Given this background we can be especially grateful the re-polling exercise, under the supervision of Rangers and the Army, went ahead peacefully. The PTI’s, Dr Arif Alvi, has emerged the winner, with the same party’s candidates also winning the two corresponding provincial assembly seats. But regardless of winners and losers, what we need to celebrate is the fact that complaints were dealt with and re-balloting duly held. This is how things should be. While the turnout was lower than on May 11, an important process has been completed — even as the political temperature grows hotter in Karachi. We must hope leaders will succeed in lowering it so that the city can remain calm and move into the post-poll phase, ensuring animosity does not boil over.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.