Posts Tagged ‘pervez musharraf’
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From the article by Kashif Aziz on Chowrangi which may be found here.
Haven’t we been over this? President Pervez Musharraf is officially the president of the country, there had to be media reforms and the foreign governments support the Pakistani president due to his key role in the war on terror.
First, we need a gentle reminder: Pakistan was a country founded amidst war, and since then, has been at war with itself. It is a young, struggling country. Reforms happen. For the greater good of the country, sacrifices need to be made. Changes need to be made. Lets take a hint from India, who took a hint from us and warned its judiciary to not try to run the country. A free and independent judiciary is key in strengthening the ideology of human and free speech independence and rights, however, when a judicial system starts crossing it’s boundaries, there’s bound to be chaos. The ex CJ has been disposed of and that’s that (The article by Ayeshah Alam may be found here).
As for the media, it is still free and independent. I need not remind anyone that Musharraf was the one who allowed media to flourish, requiring more expertise (in turn raising the importance of education), making more jobs available, bringing Pakistani analysts in all fields at par with foreign ones and advocating free speech and expression. However, to show extremely gory content, constantly blaming the government and being a major source of uproar and chaos is not something that needs to be taken lightly. Free speech is still a problem domain, the boundaries not being clearly defined. Then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz mentioned that constructive criticism is always appreciated. This is also something that needs to be defined. These words have a range of meanings and they need to be understood in order to reduce communication problems. The PEMRA ordinance has been and will be modified as has been the case in even western countries such as Canada with regards to media policy (Canada has an exceptionally rich history with regards to media politics and policy). This is not a violation of free speech or human rights (the words we Pakistanis speak as if we fully understand their meanings). This is evolution. Just so Ms. Jemima Khan knows, Geo is now free to operate in Pakistan again, just like the rest of the media giants.
Let’s move on. Let’s look forward to the elections, make sure they’re safe for all of us, do our part as citizens and voters and take it from there. This is about the future of Pakistan, not it’s past. We cannot change it, as cliched as it sounds.
What do we need to do? Look at the manifestos of the parties, cast our votes, and then if there is any proof (beyond just a doubt or feeling) of rigging, take action. For now, lets look forward to a booming economy, promising media and exposure of Pakistan for what it is: A sovereign, peace-loving nation which has its own set of problems and distinctive features.
The Hypocrisy of Democracy
Posted on: November 26, 2007
Yes, it rhymes. But it isn’t something that should surprise anyone of us, passionate, dictator-hating, democracy-loving citizens of Pakistan. When the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf (also known as Mushy Unles to his fans) declared emergency followed by announcement of national elections, all the major political party leaders such as Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif spoke aloud to the national public to boycott the elections, saying they will be rigged. Not surprisingly, Benazir Bhutto, party leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has already filed her nomination papers in Larkana, Sindh and Nawaz Sharif, party leader of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) is soon to follow.
The WeCite blog says, “While Nawaz Sharif is expected to file for his nominations later today, Dawn has reported that Pakistani former prime minister and main opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has already filed for her nominations…Nawaz Sharif, who has been the most recent running mill with regards to boycotting the elections is said to file his papers today in Lahore.”
Do we really, really vest our trust and the future of a nation who blatantly, proudly counter their own threats without any explanation? Better yet, are we really true Pakistanis who seek justice, truth and democracy, yet turn a blind eye to such events?
What are your thoughts?
Geo TV Shutdown
Posted on: November 17, 2007
Geo TV has been shut down by Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf at 1:00 a.m. according to Geo TV’s website.Geo said, “Pervez Musharraf himself intervened to stop all GEO news transmissions from Dubai…“
“Popular news anchors came on Geo News around midnight Pakistan time to announce that their channel had been ordered to go off the air as result of the continued deadlock between the Pakistani authorities and the media channels, following the imposition of the emergency in the country.”
Note: This is going to be very unprofessional and roughly transcribed.
- PCO imposed due to Judiciary’s action against Executive and for working against War-on-Terror
- Only 4 Judges from Supreme Court take oath under new PCO
- 16 Judges in Lahore refuse to take oath
- 23 Judges refuse to take oath in Sigh High Court, only four take oath under PCO
- CJ of Peshawar High Court refused to take PCO oath
- 17 Judges Full Court Bench is now announced for Current Situation
- Top Generals are meeting General Musharraf in President House
- General Musharraf will perform “Meray Azeez Hum Watano” at 11:00 PST
- Police surround Imran Khan’s residence
- Aitezaz arrested
- Judges of Sindh High Court ordered to report to Governor House for new PCO oath
- Police surrounds house of Aitzaz Ahsan’s house
- Mobile phones shutdown in Islamabad by orders of National Security Council
- Supreme Court emergency session suspends PCO – Geo TV
- Suspension of 1973 Constitution is Martial Law – Dr. Shahid Masood
- 1973 Constitution Suspended in Pakistan
- ARMY Enters Supreme Court – Chief Justice Supreme Court Iftikhar Chauhdry fired by Army
- Emergency to be only imposed on Judiciary and Media – Geo TV
- Musharraf to perform “Meray Azeez Hum Watano” tonight
- Emergency Bar council meetings announced
- 30 minutes deadline given to all cable operators in Pakistan to stop Private TV Channels – ARY
- Roads to Judges colony in Islamabad blocked – ARY
- TV channels shutdown in Pakistan – ARY
Musharraf’s Speech
——————–
-pakistan is at a dangerous turn.
-internal stress.
-painful, important decision.
-if action not taken immediately, pakistan in danger.
-one promise: what ever i do, whatever decision i have taken, first and foremost taken on the foundation of pakistan. Pakistan first.
-above personal gains, considerations, pakistan first.
-Entire country thinks along the same lines.
-Past few months, Pakistan has faced many circumstances.
-Frankly speaking: fundamentalism, terrorism, suicide bombings all over pakistan at its edge.
-no one scared of law enforcement agencies.
-Sadly, all of this is also happening in the HEART of pakistan, Islamabad.
-trying to take rit of government. Govt. within a govt.
-Fundamental ideologies being imposed.
-In my view, this is a direct attack on Pakistan’s principles.
-Grave conditions.
-Government situation: semi-paralysis. All senior govt. officials taking rounds of courts. Being punished. Being embarassed in the courts.
-Therefore, they are not taking any decision. 100 suo-moto cases in the supreme court and 1000s of applications. All cases are concerned with govt executives.
-Law enforcement agencies: demoralized, particularly in Islamabad. No hope, lost hope: all officers being punished by the supreme court. 10 officers convicted. scared of action.
-Democracy: obstacles. 3 stage transition was proposed towards democracy. From failed, defaulted state. stage 1: 99-02 total control. Stage 2: 02-07 Democratic system, elected govts, senate, assemblies, etc.
-Overseen by Musharraf, governed by the democracy. Made a record, every institution completed their term. Last Stage of this transition: Was certain when assemblies finish their tenure, there will be presidential elections.
then general elections. Then elected govt. Political reconciliation. FULL democracy. I had hoped for this.
-Unfortunately, some elements are trying to interefere, causing obstacles, not allowing this even though all the time has passed, only a few months were left. Purposely, for personal political gain.
-With great sadness, I have to say We were going towards success and now everything indicates we’re going downwards, but I am still trying to stop.
-Investors, so much money coming in, has stopped. They are looking if Pakistan is going to be stable or should be establish somewhere else. 7 years of imrprovement, infrastructure, telecomm, IT, building and construction.
-Social sector: education and health: success based on this, unfortunately, god forbid, this hard work doesnt get washed.
-Based on all of these reasons, the country has become a victim of unhappiness.
-I am being mocked. I have been listening to this. Watching in disbelief. I had hoped that we will rise above all of the hardships. This has not happened. Conditions becoming worse.
-In media, I would like to say that even media (some channels) and some programs have contributed to this negativism, downslide. I am sad because this is the same media who I gave independance to. Only PTV existed.
Media needed to be independent. I asked to stop negativism. They can be independent but be responsible.
-I ask the entire country why this happened. I think this is because of judicial activism. The lawmakers are being challenged.
-On recommendation of the primeminister I sent supreme judicial council against the CJ. I had no personal gains. But i was pointed but I did not say anything but those events lead to this situation.
if one of us make a mistake, does not mean the whole country should be destabilized
above my ego, for stability of pakistan and its institutions, i accepted this decision.
-Thank you for giving me 57% of the votes for Presidential elections. But the case in the court still stuck. No judgement. Date keeps on slipping forward. Cloud of uncertainty.
-This country is in my heart, in my soul. I cannot watch it slide down.
-Time for action: Surveyed the entire situation. in this three pillar state, Judiciary, Executive, Legislation we need harmony.
Nawaz on Musharraf’s Speech
—————————
Shed all his anger on the supreme court.
Worse than Martial Law because attack on judiciary system.
Declared emergency because he thought that the judiciary would cast a decision against him.
Decision will be maked within 90 days.
If judges not allowed to enter supreme court, sit under a tree and make decisions.
