People’s forum: The freedom that is lost in gunfire

Sungi’s ‘awami assembly’ raises important questions regarding national sovereignty and army’s accountability.

ABBOTTABAD:

With memories of stealth helicopters circling over the city still fresh in the minds of locals, speakers and participants questioned the ability of the state to exercise sovereignty, the role of the military, and the relationship between civil and military institutions.

“When institutions forget their purpose and lose a sense of direction, catastrophes such as the killings in Balochistan occur,” said defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa during the second session of the three-day Omar Asghar Khan awami (people’s) assembly, organised by Sungi Foundation on June 2.

Siddiqa opened the forum by questioning the prevailing situation in the country. “There is a gap between our security apparatus and the government because our military institutions have forgotten who they serve.”

She said, “It is very interesting to raise the question of sovereignty in Abbottabad, which recently saw it being shred to pieces in the Osama bin Laden operation.”

She was of the view that the reason behind violation of national sovereignty and the unwarranted presence of non-state actors within our national boundaries is the lack of accountability on the part of our military institutes.  “Armies are not supposed to go around killing their own people; it is up to us to make it abide by the will of the people.”

She said that while we are quick to criticise the US, we don’t question the fact that our own services are for sale. Siddiqa said Jinnah had reflected decades ago that the Western powers will require our help due to our geo-strategic environment.

However, she continued, making use of this strategic location was and is at our own discretion. Furthermore, challenges to our sovereignty will not end with America’s departure from the region, “The more important question regarding sovereignty is what will happen after the Americans leave?” she added.

Sungi Program Director Asad Rehman spoke on the theme of “Internal and external threats: myths and realities”.

He said it is common knowledge that 60 per cent of the budget is allocated to the army and external debt servicing. Rehman asked people to contemplate over glaring questions such as why the majority of external debt has been taken on by military governments.

He said our military strategy is too India-centric, and that we hardly engage in deliberations and lack a resolute approach. Rehman claimed that the public have a responsibility to question institutions, as they represent the people.

Later in the evening, a cultural evening was also organised by Sungi at Shimla Hill, where Sheema Kermani performed. The participants including social activists, government officials, media officials and Sungi’s local partners.

A resolution was passed on the third day of the assembly; participants committed themselves to work for promoting peace and harmony as well as building pressure groups to improve security and the law and order situation, control agencies and to provide support to the Balochi cause.

Other eminent speakers included Rakshanda Parveen, Rumana Bashir, Zafarullah Khan, Mazar Arif and Bushra  Gohar, who spoke on the state of women and youth, role of media in promoting peace and security and the protection of minority rights.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2011.