Meeting on magroves

National Assembly Standing Committee on Environment

Meeting to discuss Mangroves – December 29, 2008

Decisions of Committee under chairmanship of Raja Asad

 

Recommendation:

Constitute a sub-committee on mangroves

• Members: Marvi Memon-PML (chairperson of sub-committee), Palwasha Khan-PPP, Tayyab Hussain-MQM, Yasmeen Rehman (PPP)
• Objective: ‘ensure government implements decisions taken on Indus Delta/ mangrove ecosystem protection along coast of Sindh/Balochistan by sub-committee.’

 

Issues-Recommendations

 

1.       Decrease in mangrove area and cover which was 26,000 sq km and is now 2,600 sq km. Used to be 6^th largest mangrove forest of 92 countries in the world. Now 35^th. Mangroves controlled by 5 agencies along coast of Sindh atleast (KPT/DHA/BOR/PQA/SFD).

Declare Mangrove area protected zone and ensure coordination by SFD and implementation across all areas irrespective of jurisdiction issues. Get rid of wasteland categorization. Declare it marine park. Get EIA of all projects in protected zone like Sugar city etc. Speed up zoning and centralized approach.

 

2.       Decrease in freshwater/ flood water and reduction in silt deposit causing damage to mangroves.

Ensure 10 MAF as per Water Accord 1991 is given to Indus Delta downstream Kotri. IRSA to give committee report on same.

 

3.       Preservation of mangrove wood and by-products which is used by locals for timber, fuel wood, fishing poles, honey, fodder, sea food, grazing.

Assess how much is being decreased annually and provide alternative means of fuel and livelihood to local population. SFD

 

4.       Marine, agriculture, oil, industrial Pollution along Sindh/Balochistan coast causing damage to Indus Delta/mangrove eco system.

Ensure waste coming from industry is pre-treated at source before entering area/sea and increase sewerage treatment plants. Balochistan/Sindh EPA to give committee report on functionality of treatment plants and regulations being followed. Oil pollution entering mangrove to be curtailed by adopting strict monitoring and disaster management policy.

 

5.       Encroachment of mangroves in Kemari town with police acquiescence.

Karachi Nazim to monitor provincial government encroachment so that government can fix this issue.

 

6.       Global warming affecting mangroves

Environmental impact assessment surveys to be carried out on mangrove preservation on regular basis and published. Awareness campaign responsibility by Ministry.Coordination with climate change impact study centre for sea level rise.

 

7. Forest department and local community cooperation to increase to preserve mangroves.

Monthly meeting report to sub-committee on progress of such cooperation.

 

8. Lack of vocational training for fishermen community to protect mangroves and yet use them in renewable way.

Ensure vocational training programs set up for fishermen which protect mangroves from over harvesting and provide them with credit facilities and increase their skills. Increase sea food exports by ensuring renewable usage not otherwise.

 

9. Any other issues to be included pertaining to the preservation of Indus delta eco system/ mangroves along Balochistan and Sindh coast.

 

Dec 23- The News

Diplomacy with Delhi – The news

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Marvi Memon

In 1938 Chamberlain had two choices: to reduce potential enemies by appeasing their grievances or augment Britain’s strength by forming alliances with other states. He chose the former and the rest is history. Churchill also had some choices. He chose to fight for his country’s honour: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” “We shall defend, whatever the cost may be, we shall never surrender.”

The right balance of wisdom and courage barometers in present-day leadership drives nations to failure or success. War is not always defined as physical movement of troops. There are levels of war or belligerence. Air incursions inside Pakistan, blocking Pakistan’s waters, attacks using state agency inside Balochistan and FATA by India, also constitute a level of belligerence which cannot be ignored.

Pakistan needs a dignified response strategy to the international isolation resultant from the weak diplomacy of the current government and the efficient diplomacy by India. That does not mean declaration of war between two nuclear nation states. It simply means a diplomatic response strategy at the international level to fight Pakistan’s case which currently simply doesn’t exist. By calling heads of states pleading for mercy doesn’t quite cut it, nor has it truly helped.

What you say on the phone and through your diplomatic track 1 track 2 does matter. If it was all that great a conversation between our leadership and our international ‘friends’ we would have seen a different attitude from India. Instead the belligerence factory is producing mega products. On the other hand in Pakistan’s parliament it seems Indian state and intelligentsia campaign has been blocked from the ears of the many experienced leaders speaking on the issue; because if even five per cent of it was reaching them the debate quality would be different. The realization would be there that belligerence needs a response other than appeasement or infighting on non-issues.

Right now the country needs parliament to lead government out of this mess. The people of Pakistan might have lost faith in the government’s ability to lead on this front due to their many confused statements or suspect loyalties, but parliament needs to rise to the occasion. PML leadership has on numerous occasions indicated ways of implementing a dignified policy. It’s time it was heard by the government. What follows is an attempt to guide government so that we win as a state.

The first track of the ‘diplomatic initiative strategy’ or DIS is ‘composite dialogue awareness campaign’. This simply means that Pakistan’s stated position on each composite dialogue whether core issue of Kashmir, terrorism, Siachen, Sir Creek, Baghliar etc, should all be well explained to a core group of international countries through a diplomatic offensive. This issue should be taken up by a ‘dispute resolution group’ (DRG) formed under the leadership of UN secretary general. India’s unreasonable stance should be well explained to the same DRG. Only then will these countries assist in resolving these issues as neutral arbitrators. The reason this track is so critical is because these are the root-cause issues behind Pak-India bilateral trust issues. If there is some headway made through international help it will reduce tensions. By India taking a stance of no progress on composite dialogue is too easy a way to bully Pakistan which we must not accept. Parallel to this DRG at UN should be a similar DRG at SCO level. Instead of organizations like SAARC which are passé organizations like SCO need to be utilized for resolving core disputes.

The second track of DIS is the ‘Indian propaganda inversion campaign’. All accusations launched by India against Pakistan need to be tracked by some ‘intelligent’ government officials, and tables need to be turned on India. If India can claim that terror is being spread through Pakistan’s policies of marginalization, will some responsibly senior parliamentarian from government please give a similar response based on Indian policies of exclusion. Statements from opposition ‘hard liners’ don’t carry same weight as government statements. Since government has been given a tranquilizer dose by major powers’ resident advisors it is loosing initiative time whilst India is gaining the same. Pakistan needs to also tell India that all options are open if India fails to deliver on reigning in its terror groups.

India needs to be taken to task for its non responsive strategy on protecting Muslims after Mumbai orchestrated anger. Yes! the anger is well planned through a deliberate pre-planned state and intelligentsia campaign. If government is willing to ignore that it’s orchestrated and deliberate then opposition is not naively irresponsible to accept the same.

The third track of DIS is the “forcible reversal of Indian regional destabilization.’ The UN and US need to reverse India’s efforts of destabilizing Pakistan and the region. It needs to be asked to pull back troops and extra consulates from Afghanistan. It needs to be asked why it needs air bases in Laddakh. It needs to be asked how it is justifying blocking of Chenab waters. It needs to be asked how it is not banning organizations like Shiv Sena which are creating Hindu suicide squads. It needs to be asked how it is changing the military balance of the region through defence procurement groups. It needs to be asked why it has deployed nuke enabled jets in IHK. It needs to be asked how it is getting away with human rights violations and unnamed graves in IHK. Why it is falsely accusing Pakistan of LOC violations.

The list is long but reversals are urgently required through international pressure.

The fourth track of DIS is the ‘terror accountability strategy’. India needs to be questioned for its state and non state involvement in the hundreds of suicide bombs in Pakistan especially in Balochistan and FATA. Pakistan’s innocent lives need to be mourned and not pushed to back burner due to Mumbai blasts. Pakistani lives are precious and its time the world understands that not only have we paid a price in blood but that we wish accountability for far more damage than what has been caused in Mumbai blast.

The fifth track of DIS is the relations with US which as explained earlier have to be built on a basis of respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty. The US has to respect and not violate the National Security Resolution passed by a sovereign parliament. US intelligentsia has to be responded to when it launches reports that undermine civilian-military relations, or wants Pakistan’s nukes sold off or when it identifies Pakistan as the weak link in world security. The US long term role needs redefinition since in its current format it is unacceptable to patriots and only acceptable to pawns. The US needs to announce an exit strategy for Afghanistan and not an increased troop strategy as recommended by their think tanks. US aid which is siphoned off by their own experts and consultants needs to be redeployed more effectively. US needs to urgently send an envoy on Kashmir and impose the same on India rather than accept India’s non cooperative attitude. And finally the US needs to get India to reciprocate terror elimination from its soil before expecting the same from Pakistan.

Finally the sixth track of DIS is the ‘economic tsunami recovery plan’. The IMF report accepts that Pakistan’s state of affairs in 2007 were very encouraging and on an upward trajectory. The reason given for the downward plunge in 2008 is the current government’s inaction and lack of decision making. It is now urgent for government leaders to bring their assets back to Pakistan and lead by example. Only then will overseas Pakistanis develop a credibility and do the same. Fiscal discipline rather than financial wrongdoings is the need of the day. Only then will the “Friends of Pakistan” be encouraged to assist.

All of these tracks form part of the diplomatic initiative strategy which is the only bold, dignified and sincere strategy the government should have launched day one of Mumbai blast. Sincere leadership makes or breaks a country in crisis by its action not words. If the leadership doesn’t rise to the occasion its popularity will plummet and then the people will decide its fate.

 

Mashreq Quetta

Pakistan’s ‘choori-bangle’ diplomacy versus ‘bully’ diplomacy of India

 

• Why Did govt do Appeasement for 8 months and now why is it doing choori policy towards India.

 

• When PM India says that Pak must keep its situation under control; and that there are people there who are always ready to carry out bloody attacks against our country. We must respond and ask him the same about India since our list of attacks inside Pakistan is higher. When he says that ties depend on military crackdown. We should say the same to India on its crackdown on its terror orgs.

 

• Indian Ministers should have called air intrusion ‘inadvertent’ and ‘technical mistake’ not our own leadership. It’s clear that someone in US/Indian administration is scripting lines for Pakistan government higher officials. US media doesn’t think it was inadvertent but we do! Our Interior Minister considers belligerent statements of India as maturity and our choori statements as maturity!

 

• SCO to be used to resolve Pak-India bilateral since its neutral arbiter not the Indian-US-UK troika.

 

• Choori diplomacy versus Indian bully diplomacy in progress. Every act of India since Mumbai is part of larger plan to destabilize Pak and encircle Pak and China. The US and Israel scripting plan with India as main tool. Plenty of evidence for this.

 

• Why is FM not finding evidence against JD and Interior Minister acting as if he has enough evidence whilst Husssain Haroon/Haqqani making case against JD. Maybe they all need to share evidence with FM and parliament so no confusion. Where is statement of case presented to UN ALQ committee and have govt lawyers seen it. India has 60 such terrorist orgs banned by UN but still functioning. Where is UN pressure on India?

 

• Why has India not shared evidence with Pak on Mumbai and is being allowed to condemn Pak by US-UK troika.

 

• PM India says terror inspired by ideologies of hatred and intolerance and exclusion. We agree because that’s exactly what ‘incredible’ India’s charade of largest democracy and growing regional power is all about. If Pak is called epi-centre of terrorism what about India. Who is covering up their epi centre.

 

• Will UN ban RSS and Shiv Sena who want to wage nuclear war on Pak and eliminate Muslims respectively.

 

• If as per Gordon Brown two thirds of all terror attacks originate from ALQ in Pak we need to ask him and UN to investigate whether India has any hand in helping such attacks in its quest for destabilizing Pak. Especially RAW involvement. Here is list of attacks  in Pak that could have had Indian involvement (refer to category section national security for list)

 

• We are giving help to govt to stop choori diplomacy and to start dignified policy. As opposition we will do what’s necessary for national security and giving spine to an under pressure govt.

 

Dec 9- The News- Eid day

Open Letter to US Legislators
by MNA Marvi Memon
She can be reached on her website www.marvimemon.com
 
 
For Pak-US relations to be warm beyond the Presidency, a close examination of the perception gaps is critical.  This exercise will also help President elect Obama from avoiding the mistakes of the past if he is genuinely interested in winning the hearts of Pakistanis
versus just imposing US policy through force.
 
•       The people of Pakistan through the entire parliament (both Senate and National Assembly) passed a unanimous resolution on how to manage
the National Security crisis including the War on Terror. An indication by US legislators that they respect this document in letter and spirit rather than violate its clauses would improve the perception issue. I encourage you to read the 14 point resolution so as to better understand Pakistan’s strategy to manage national security. (http://marvimemon.wordpress.com/category/national-security/) Dialogue versus military solution is the underlying tone of the document which is clearly being ignored with US incursions and attacks.
•       Whilst all responsible Pakistani legislators agree that extremism needs to be controlled in Pakistan, there is a wide spread perception that US is appeasing India’s regional destabilization efforts and its human rights excesses for vested US foreign policy interests. For this perception to be fixed, US foreign policy statements will need to chide India. I encourage you to read the list of Indian destabilization efforts on  (http://marvimemon.wordpress.com/category/national-security/) and press India to resolve these outstanding issues with Pakistan.  If India can be advised to take the case of Pakistan to UN, we can also press our case infront of the international community through diplomacy.
India needs to stop making belligerent statements and halting all peace moves in its efforts to be ‘angry’ towards Pakistan. ‘Uniterupted dialogue’ as proposed by China is the only way ahead for Pak-India relations to normalize.  The suggestion of our leadership that National Security Advisors should lead the probe is a good one and India should be pressed to accept it. Mumbai attack does not give India the lisence to press for surgical strikes against Pakistan and the 9/11 parallel with US having attacked Afghanistan is unacceptable in so far as attack on Pakistan is concerned.  India needs to handle its homegrown terrorism issues and Pakistan will handle its extremism issues on its own.
•       Pakistani parliamentarians have not directly accused RAW of the attacks in FATA and Balochistan and in our other metropolitan cities. If we have acted with maturity we expect US to get India to do the same. Or else the shift of military forces from West to East is a real possibility for us to safeguard our territory from Indian aggression. That would not bode well for the War on Terror.
•       Pakistan’s younger breed of parliamentarians, wish to have peace with India. We would like ‘peace with dignity’ and would like to see all Composite Dialogue and other issues resolved so that we can develop peacefully. For this purpose President elect Obama’s idea of a peace initiative for Kashmir mediated by US would be welcome. However, so far certain staff members nominated by him have a history of
pro-Indian statements which are well recorded by Pakistani media. This immediately reduces the credibility of future US involvement in the region. For Pakistan’s younger leadership to have faith in the
bipartisan attitude of the US whilst resolving our bilateral issues with India, balanced statements and actions will be necessary from US staffers and senior officials.
•       US media, think tanks portraying Pakistan as the ‘weak link’ in the fight against extremism need to be discouraged since it is a common perception that they are a mouth piece of government policy. Our efforts to fight extremism need to be portrayed in the West by your intelligentsia. The Indian propaganda being repeated in full strength by US intelligentsia reduces US government credibility of being neutral.
•       Any attacks on our intelligence agencies are seen as an attack on the state and thus the people. The ISI cannot be divorced from the people and nor can our military. All previous efforts made to interfere in its structure by the US have been negatively viewed as an
effort by US to create a wedge between military and civilian population. Infact it strengthens the national resolve to protect our institutions. Past DGs of ISI should be protected by state and will not be presented to the world as criminals. This goes against national pride and security.
•       US involvement in the area being ‘long term’ is not appreciated by the people of Pakistan since it’s seen as interference. A phased withdrawal plan in Afghanistan is the real solution to many extremist issues in the region. The only long term relationship which will be acceptable is civilian aid to rebuild parts of Pakistan which have
been affected by the War on Terror and assistance to fight extremism. FATA is an integral part of Pakistan and any incursion inside them is seen as violating our territorial sovereignty. It is our responsibility to bring all parts of Pakistan under the writ of the government not any other state’s responsibility.
•       Currently the general perception is that half the Aid given by the US gets siphoned back to US in the form of foreign consultancies and foreign experts fees. Those areas receiving your funds have witnessed no visible development. Please evaluate for your self the impact of USAID in the hearts and minds of the people of FATA. Visible development can only take place when there is security and stability versus incursion strikes in the region. Any efforts to impose a BITs which is against Pakistan’s national interest will not be welcomed. An FTA which is mutually beneficial would be welcomed.
•       Pakistan’s security forces should be trusted as having the capability of reigning in extremist groups and thus no other forces need to be acting on our soil.
•       Whenever the government of Pakistan takes action against genuine terrorists, we will be supportive since this is in Pakistan’s interest to reduce extremism from our society. We will not support any efforts at Talibanization of Pakistan.
•       Visible resolution efforts on Kashmir will help reduce root cause grievances of militants.
•       Opposition has committed to support the government at this crucial time of a national security crisis. We will guide government to follow a dignified foreign policy. Any diversions from ‘dignified and independent’ policy will be duly checked by us since
Pakistan’s national interest is more important to us than power politics.

 

Kawish (summary of article)

 

H.E Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan

Prime Minister Secretariat

Islamabad

 

                                                                                                            Ref: 102/S/051208

 

 

Subject: Pending issues of the people of Sindh

 

 

December 5, 2008

 

 

Dear Honorable Prime Minister Sahib,

 

I would like to raise the following burning issues of the people of Sindh which I am sure you will resolve at the earliest so that the trust which has been reposed in your government is not affected negatively.

 

1. Sindh Public Service Commission passed 650 young individuals, have not been posted as Lecturers inspite of all formalities being completed. They are protesting daily all over Sindh and even in Islamabad but to no avail. Instead 11 PPP based lecturers have been posted which is causing tremendous credibility issues with your government.
2. Law and order situation in interior Sindh and Karachi: Whilst Karachi issues are being brought to your notice by relevant stakeholders,  the issues of interior Sindh have not been given adequate attention by your government even though media raises these on a daily basis. If you get a report on the volume increase in each one of these areas it will be startling to note how things have deteriorated in your government:
   1. Young couples’ kidnappings and jirgas deciding their fate.
   2. Young girls murders are daily occurrence in every part of Sindh.
   3. Ransom and kidnapping industry flourishing in Sindh with one notable example of MNA Shamshad Bachani’s family member still not recovered.
   4. Tribal clashes in Interior Sindh with ammunition on the increase and easy access to arms for common man.
   5. Minorities being targeted by kidnapping industry.
   6. Kidnappings in Khairpur district highest in Sindh.
   7. Travel in interior Sindh not safe after sunset due to the rise of kidnappings.
3. Suicides and Unemployment increasing with youth having degrees but no jobs. This is leading to suicidal rates on an all time high. With students burning their degrees and themselves publicly as a sign of desperation.
4. MNCs like ENI and other oil and gas and telecommunication companies not giving jobs to local people of the area of Sindh despite rules of petroleum concession with Federal government.
5. Health: Cholera, AIDS, Hepatitis B&C have caused havoc in Sindh with 3.4 million people officially affected with Hepatitis alone. BHU do not have sufficient medicines nor are doctors fully available. In fact expired medicines are rampant.
6. Education: Karachi schools are not teaching Sindhi as per rules of Government. Out of Sindh’s 45,000 primary schools 7,500 schools are closed as per official records since they are serving as autaks of waderas. 21,000 schools do not have adequate infrastructures.
7. Poverty Alleviation Program of the government is not functional in Sindh like the National Rural Support program has not shown any significant results since 15 years.

 

There are many other issues but for now if the above can be handled at war time footing, it will show the people that the government does care about them.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

MNA Marvi Memon

 

 

cc:       President PML, Chaudhry Shujat Hussain

            Speaker National Assembly, Dr Fehmida Mirza

 

K2- in article format

H.E Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan

Prime Minister Secretariat

Islamabad

 

                                                                                                            Ref: 101/GB/051208

 

Subject: Pending issues of people of Gilgit-Baltistan

 

December 5, 2008

 

 

Dear Honorable Prime Minister Sahib,

 

 

PML during its time in government implemented many significant reforms and development initiatives for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) unprecedented in history. We hoped that when you took charge the reform process would have moved forward. Despite often bringing the issues of the people of GB to the notice of your government through parliament and media, they have not been resolved.

 

Therefore I am bringing all those pending issues to your notice with the hope that you would be able to give immediate orders to the KANA Ministry to resolve them so that the people of GB progress.

 

1. The first meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Kashmir and Northern Areas has still not been called despite the fact that its members were announced more than 7 months back. The delay is causing non resolution of many serious issues which the KANA ministry is responsible for.
2. The rejection of my Bill for Provisional Provincial Status for GB. This bill could have moved to the committee and amended to suit government policy but it was rejected without review which has caused major dissatisfaction between people of GB and your government.
3. The assembly of GB has resolved to change the name from Northern Areas to Gilgit-Baltistan recently. These are the wishes of the people and any democratic government must honour the wishes of the people by issuing a notification which has still not been done.
4. Reform Package given to the people of GB in October 2007 clearly was as per the wishes of the people and was intended to devolve power from centre to GB as much as possible. It must be honored by the present government and implemented in letter and spirit. The following directives are still pending which need your instruction to the relevant officials to implement at the earliest:
   1. Name changed of Northern Area Legislative Council to Northern Area Legislative Assembly but the powers of an Assembly withheld.
   2. NALA still not able to pass its own budget or debate it despite orders given.
   3. The financial and administrative structures of other provinces were to be replicated for GB which have still not been done.
   4. LFO and Rules of Business of GB have not been amended to transfer these powers to elected representatives.
   5. The interest on principal amounts of all SME Bank’s loans have not been waived off despite commitment given.
   6. All ZTBL loans upto Rs 50,000 had to be written off to provide relief to 12,500 small borrowers which has still not been done. Infact this decision is being reversed by your government causing mistrust between people and your government.
   7. A Public Accounts Committee had been committed for NALA which has still not been set up.
   8. Chief Secretary NA had to be declared as Principal Accounting Officer for NAs administration which is still not done.
   9. An office of Accountant General had to be set up which has still not been done.
   10. For efficient and smooth functioning of completed projects 1000 new posts were to be created which has still not been done. Ministry of Finance had to clear backlog for creation of additional posts which has still not been done.
   11. Additional Chief Secretary post to be created for this purpose still not done.
   12. Demarcation of boundary between NWFP and GB not done to settle boundary dispute to the satisfaction of GB.
5. The development funds to each Member of NALA were Rs 5 crore which have been reduced by your government to Rs 1.5 crore. This is insufficient and not logical considering your government claims to want to increase development in the area.
6. The Teachers of SAP schools in GB have not received salaries since many years and have recently been protesting with children infront of Chief Secretary office, but to no avail. This needs to be rectified at the earliest.
7. The women who are charged with criminal offence are put in same prison as men and require separate facilities and a darul aman at the earliest.
8. The winter allowance for government officials is at old rates of when Pakistan was created. This is clearly insufficient and needs to be brought to current rates.
9. There was a case pending in Pakistan’s courts against the existence of the Northern Area Legislative Assembly which government needs to assist the members of NALA on since otherwise it would create impression that government is not interested in democracy in the area.
10. I have given approximately half of my Benazir Support Income Fund Program Forms to GB, 7 divisions but clearly that is not enough for the people of GB. Please instruct relevant officials to provide adequate forms to the area on your behalf.
11. I have started initiative with Xingjiang Medical University China to create herbal medicinal research facilities in GB which will create employment and improve per capita income of area. Kindly instruct relevant officials to assist on diplomatic levels so we can fast track this project.
12. Whilst we created new district of Hunza Nagar its posts have still not been created. This is urgently required. And so are the posts for new sub divisions of Rondu (Skurdu) and Ghuary (Ghanchea) not been created.
13. I have written letter to Ministry of Water & Power that all water and power projects in GB need to be planned after consensus of the people of GB. Water is the asset of the people of GB and the people of Pakistan. GB is in itself a big asset for Pakistan. The following need to be resolved at the earliest.
    1. There are pending issues of royalty which have not been given to GB for Bhasha-Diamir. This is causing major discontentment with the people since the dam construction is primarily in their area.
    2. There is no consensus between government and people on their rehabilitation plan and the compensation package.
    3. People of GB are not being included in the employment quota for Bhasha-Diamir.
    4. Other dams in the area like Yogo need to be discussed within NALA so that the people of GB are taken into confidence.

 

I remain hopeful that now that the above issues have been formally raised to you directly, you will immediately resolve them so that the people of GB can progress.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

MNA Marvi Memon

Member of Standing Committee on KANA of National Assembly

PML Incharge Gilgit-Baltistan

 

And the PML Members of Northern Area Legislative Assembly

 

cc:       PML President, Chaudhry Shujat Hussain

Speaker National Assembly, Dr Fehmida Mirza

Speaker NALA, Mr Malik Miskeen

PML President GB, Mr Waheed

 

Wadahat-Mashreq-K2

 

Pakistan should mobilize regional security organizations against Indian offensive fast

 Let there be no confusion that we condemn terrorism in all its forms and support joint resolution signed by political leadership regarding Mumbai blasts. Let there also be no confusion that India has launched a diplomatic offensive on Pakistan at the international level. In view of this Pakistan should also launch a diplomatic offensive rather than a defensive on India and provide the world with details of India’s efforts to destabilize the region and Indian human rights excesses. It is because of the government’s appeasement of Indian aggression of last 8 months that India is today in a position to launch this attack on Pakistan. Had the government followed dignified foreign policy as demanded by us the opposition today we would not be in the middle of a national security crisis.

 

US support for India is obvious. President elect Obama’s statement that India will be in its rights to attack Pakistan in retaliation of militants hiding in Pakistan is not a pro Pak stance. Nor is Rice’s order that absolute cooperation needs to be given by Pak to India or that we should follow the evidence and act on it. We already know that and our government will do that as responsible state. Madeline Albright has called Pakistan an international migraine. Condy Rice is blessing us with a 5 hour visit only for what arm twisting bully purpose? US media is also singing same tune as Indian media and is naming LT as the organization behind attack without proof. US intelligence had warned India of attacks from the sea in October and despite this there was a systemic failure of entire Indian security apparatus as is noted by the Indian navy. The way to handle such joint US-Indian offensive is not by exposing the President to an Indian talkshow host grilling our president (bad move by his media team) or by expressing delayed gratitude to Hillary for receiving Mohtarma at White House. Nor is it by having loose statements of Interior Ministry saying Lashkar Jhangvi exists in Karachi meaning we know about it and we cant control it, thus giving excuse to Indians to identify Karachi as attack originator. Nor is it by giving away first nuclear strike usage? Instead it requires demanding from India answers on how it has increased regional instability on following occasions. Infact the regional security organizations and international community need to resolve following outstanding issues in the region:

 

Why has India increased military presence in Afghanistan? Why has India started work on Ladakkh airbase? Why did India invite foreign military chiefs to Siachen which is disputed territory? Why is India trying to change IHK demography by transferring land illegally to Hindu Shrine Board? Why is India continuing to block Pakistan’s water and making illegal structures against Indus water Treaty? Why are Indian organizations doing anti Christian and Muslim genocide activities and Indian government allowing such organizations to exist? Why is India building military might in region, impacting regional balance? Why is India encircling Pakistan and China at the behest of US? Why is India deploying nuke warheads near Srinagar? Why are Indian human rights excesses in IHK including unmarked graves issues going unchecked? Why is India deploying extra 5 battalions in IHK? Why is India imposing economic blockade in IHK and no international community coming to Kashmiri help? Why are Kashmiri leaders killed and no action taken against perpetrators? Why is India blaming Pakistan for LOC violations which it creates itself? Why is India getting away with accusing Pak of all blasts in India including Mumbai with no evidence? Why is India and US media attacking our state institutions like ISI and putting threats of attack on our territory linked to alleged terror camps getting away with it?  Why is India building bases/ consulates around Pak in neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan with no real need other than encirclement? Why does India get away postponing composite dialogue process every time tempers get raised over blasts? Why is India not being taken to task over its 100 homegrown separatist organizations which are result of Indian policies of marginalization? Why is India maintaining 700,000 troops in IHK who have killed over 90,000 Kashmiris? Why does India keep presenting same old list of wanted men without realizing Pak has already given response on them? Why does the Indian High Commissioner meet Nawaz Sharif minus other important opposition leaders?

 

We have to strengthen government’s hands by insisting on India’s accountability through diplomatic offensive and through regional security organizations like Shanghai cooperation organization and others. If we want peace in the region then the mentality in Indian youth that we are one big nation that got split in 1947 and should get back together needs to end. We are proud of fact that we are independent nation and we intend staying independent. They should stop dreaming of larger India. We have to insist that national security advisors of both countries head joint probe. That is best suggestion given by my leadership and we need to make India agree to it. If it doesn’t it is not being transparent. We are patriots who will not take India’s bullying. We are the new leadership of Pakistan. We want all outstanding issues resolved with India including core issue of Kashmir without which regional stability is not realistic. We want peace but with dignity.

 

Kawish – (summary not exact translation)

Government has been appeasing India since it has commenced its tenure. In diplomacy appeasement is seen as a sign of weakness and leads to more belligerence. Had India been dealt with more firmly, its reaction over Mumbai blast would not have been so aggressive against Pakistan.

 

Whilst as sane Pakistanis we all condemn the loss of innocent lives in the Mumbai blasts, Indian government needs to account for how it has been implementing marginalization policies which have led to home grown terrorism outfits which are indeed responsible for such carnage. India’s human rights violations need to be exposed to the world instead of Pakistan’s leadership being answerable through Indian media talk show host to Indian public. We need not act so defensively that we are pleading our innocence. India needs to plead for its innocence on its exclusion policies.

 

One has to credit Indian state for unity of propaganda at this stage. Whether it is Indian leadership, its media or its public, all are conveying the same that it is an attack stemming from Pakistan territory. Also the fact that Indian home minister has been dismissed is a tradition which needs to be respected that when there are such huge intelligence failures Ministers should resign and take ownership. But the induction of Finance Minister in the same post is a hawkish move considering he is attributed with the statement, ‘Pakistan has taken its hostility towards India beyond Kashmir.’

 

India has traditionally always indulged in blame games when attacks on its soil have incurred. Pakistan on the other hand has been victim to many terrorist acts but has never tried to summon either the DG RAW nor directly blame India.

 

The statement of the Indian PM that ‘neighbors would have to pay high cost’ if found involved in attacks is regrettable. Equally disturbing is India using such attacks as delay tactics for peace process and composite dialogue. For the days that followed the Mumbai attacks, knee jerk evidences are being presented against Pakistan through Indian media. The evidences do not add up. Orange threads on terrorist hands suggest Hindu not Muslim etc. It is strange that 10 men could hold an entire city and its security apparatus hostage for more than 3 days. Infact Indian defence experts admit that blaming Pakistan is easy but difficult to prove. In which case the entire attack on Pakistan is irresponsible by India since it adds to the tension in the region.

 

It is unfortunate that our own government Ministers statements like admittance of LahskarJhangvi in Karachi has led to India concluding evidence based out of Karachi. Trying to send DG ISI to India at Condy Rice insistence also didn’t go down well; infact it added to our guilt not innocence. BJP didn’t even want DG ISI in India since they considered it breach of their privacy. Infact Indian media accusing Pakistan of U-turn after leadership didn’t send DG ISI didn’t help Pakistan case either. ‘Leap in bilateral relations’ is required but not at cost of our dignity or our sovereign territorial integrity.

 

Under such circumstances when India is sending its officials to US for evidence presentation against Pakistan, when Congress party is wanting action against Pakistan, when Indian Muslims are under threat of retaliation, it is important to strengthen Pakistan’s government’s hands by presenting the world with a list of Indian belligerence. The charge sheet from India to the world on Pakistan needs to be substituted with a charge sheet against India so the record is set straight.

 

What follows is a list of Indian de-stabilization moves in the region. It should strengthen government hands whilst presenting (not pleading) Pakistan’s case to the world powers.

 

Government should not have appeased all such moves for so long. Indian belligerence today is due to government’s appeasement and unnecessary concessions to India.

 

Instead of Pak government’s appeal to world not to allow India to punish Pakistan for terror unleashed in Mumbai, government needs to expose Indian human rights excesses and failures to control 100 homegrown movements which are a result of its marginalization policies.

 

 

Nawai Waqt article

Uniting for stability

by MNA Marvi Memon

 

We have no choice but to unite for stability. It is pointless criticizing government without giving them solutions. We need stability in Pakistan for economic development and progress. We cannot give stability if all leaderships whether political, youth, religious, professional are not united about challenges facing Pakistan and solutions required. I call this the consensus leadership of Pakistan. There is an extremism and economic challenge. There can be no duplicity in terms of statements from all leaderships so that the enemies of Pakistan understand that we are united.

 

It is very strange that there is so much confusion in terms of government official statements on main issues. How come no consensus leadership has condemned UN statement on incursions being bilateral issue. It’s breaking Charter of UN as far I know. How come no one has  questioned the foreign minister over his statement that ‘this is not the right time to invoke UN against US strike.’ When will be the right time? When their boots are on our soil?! How come we have not questioned government over the statement that we should have prior knowledge on air attacks of US? We should stop air attacks instead! How come there is confusion over whether we can stop drone attacks or not. The military leadership is clearly saying we have capability to stop. Why is defence minister saying we don’t? Why is PM saying we cant? Why do we need more APCs and meetings to discuss. We have a unanimous resolution saying protect integrity. Now let’s protect. Let us tell government how…By firstly reducing trade dependence with US and building trade with friendlier nations of the region so we are not held hostage by US. Secondly why cant we stop NATO supplies as threat? Why do militants have to show us what is dignified foreign policy? Why is consensus leadership not asking government to stop giving contradicting statements like Hoti saying foreign hand involved in diplomat kidnappings and Interior Minister saying TTP is behind kidnappings?

 

Will someone ask the government why Minister for Finance and Advisor for Finance first said there will be no tax on agriculture and now government has agreed to imposing CED on agriculture sector at 18%? Why have IMF terms not come to parliament for discussion considering terms will have impact on common man which only parliament can assess. Why are Pakistan’s terms from IMF worse than Bangladesh’s? We got it at 3.51% whilst Bangladesh at 2.9%. Why has consensus leadership not condemned the statement that ‘Its our good luck that we were first in the queue and IMF has sanctioned our loan.’ Why could we not bring leadership assets into Pakistan to save the day? Why couldn’t we bring overseas Pakistanis to bring their funds into Pakistan to save us? All of this is because we have poor nation building, lack of discipline and austerity as a nation.

 

The TTP gave an unconditional ceasefire and disarmament offer which has not been responded to by government. Will the government tell us why? And about India how come we have given statement that we are willing to commit to no first use of nukes considering we have no strategic depth and second strike capability! Why have we not managed to get India to release our waters despite our foreign minister tour of India? Why was Indus Commissioner asked to soften his stand over water with India by our government? He is on record as saying India will turn us into barren country by 2014 by blocking our water. How long will we appease India over trade routes and watch them build up forces in Afghanistan encircling us.

 

Why is police getting away with baton charging Balochistan quake victims and Balakot victims second and third tranches are not being released? Why have the 650 lecturers commissioned by Sindh Public Service not been posted, and why are only 11 of them belonging to PPP been posted? What have the PHD college professors been deprived of their Science and Technical allowance in Sindh? And why are school teachers of 3 model madrassahs established in Sindh being disbanded? Why are the people of Gilgit Baltistan not getting dues from Bhasha Diamir royalty, or being included in quota for employment of dam? Why have agriculture loans which were exempted in Gilgit Baltistan being recovered despite notification? Why have development funds which were given to legislators in Gilgit Baltistan been reduced from 5 crores to 1.5 crores and that too not being released?

 

The answer to all these questions is because consensus leadership does not exist in Pakistan. Pakistan lacks nation building, discipline and common goals as a society. Only once we get rid of this deficit can we provide stability and enhance economic development in Pakistan. God help Pakistan. We the younger leadership will keep raising our voices till we get our demands met. We will not get tired. We are on a look out for other sincere leaderships whether in legal field, in medical field, in teaching field, in business field, in religious field to help raise voices with us to get rid of these injustices. Let us help government govern properly. So help us God.

 

The News Article

‘Strategic intertwining’ in Shanghai 

By Marvi Memon

She is a PML MNA and can be reached at her website www.marvimemon.com

 

The cross party parliamentary delegation arrived in Shanghai at night which was in fact perfect since the first impression of a city is often the lasting one. The high rises glimmering away amidst speedy highways contrasting with cozy tree lined streets was unique. Shanghai was neither the Paris nor the New York of the East, it was Shanghai – a Chinese modern day wonder with a history of imperial concessions, port activity and melting pot charm.

 

Our visit started with a visit to two corporate concerns in the Honzquin economic zone which had started in the 1980s and was now known for high end service sector versus the traditional textile type industrial sector. I was familiar with China’s experience in setting up special economic zones. And I was eager to see the fruits in action. The first one was a firm specialized in developing batteries for vehicles to be run on electricity rather than fuel – a joint venture with a Swedish company but with Chinese patents. The detailed presentation demonstrated all the elements of President Hu Jintao’s Scientific Development Outlook. Here was a company concentrating on saving energy, and cutting carbon emissions of vehicles – environmentally friendly business development. The type of vehicles being produced ranged from buses, to street cleaning vehicles; all high end engineering products. We discussed market entry into Pakistan. And we drove through the zone in one of their luxury buses – very smooth, noise and smell free rides. For China this was the present. For Pakistan we needed to ride the band wagon and make it our present rather than future soon enough. It was all a matter of bringing private sector of both countries and intertwining their interests.

 

Our next stop was a 3D multimedia firm which was equally spacy. Young Chinese creative geniuses working in a high tech environment. We were all Eastern people with high end creativity germs. I wished for joint collaborations between our media concerns for the sake of producing cultural material which would promote a common culture. I was dreaming of joint 3D cartoon animations for children depicting Pak China civilizations. What a rich history we had jointly. All we needed to do it was intertwine it and reap the benefits.  

 

Little did I realize that the next visit was going to be an environmental feast. Their famous Suzho Creek and Wusang River which had been polluted post imperial industrialization, was finally being cleaned up and they had a reception for us of drum beating women at their exhibition hall. What we saw in the exhibition was that along with the clean up of the different types of environmental pollutions, they had created an environment park with full water front facilities around it. Children in prams rather than the stink and dead fish of 20 years back- China’s reform process in action. Here was an example of turning a disaster into an opportunity. I thought of Lyari river and the big possibilities. I was not dreaming. I was taking detailed notes to share with Mustafa the mayor of Karachi on my way back. Of course we needed funds for environmental clean ups. But we certainly needed to have a will first. The funds could be created as long as we felt the need for harmonious environment friendly development. 

 

Straight from there we were taken to a cultural community centre, the first whiff I got of the communist side of modern day China. This was one of three types of centres. An old colonial mansion turned into a centre. I thought of the ball room dances on the 1891 floorings by few elite, now a centre teaching women how to knit, kids surfing the net, old men playing Chinese chess. A centre promoting harmonius living for the people not just a few elite.

 

The first day in Shanghai ended with a most inspiring banquet by the Communist Party leader of the Standing committee of Shanghai.  We talked of the scientific outlook, about vision 2020, about mapping challenges of each country and helping each other bridge the disparity gaps. The advice on statesmanship was again loud and clear. Policies given by leadership were the make or break of a society, economic development was only possible with stability of society. Obsolete ideas needed to be eliminated and innovation embraced for future growth. Wisdom was required to resolve resource mobilization issues. We talked of harmony of people and individual, of man and nature, of spiritual and physical, of current and future generations. It was conversation which gave me an understanding of their paradigms. I came back to the hotel and put the TV on. The only English Channel was a cultural channel. I was learning about their philosophy and thought process constantly; maybe because that’s what I was hunting for. I learnt of Lord Zhu and his li and yue philosophy.

 

The next day started with a visit to the Shanghai Academy of International Studies for an exchange of views with academia. I read a paper on ’strategic intertwining’ and moving beyond the older semantics. The intertwining had to happen at fashion institute level, at energy company level, at cartoon animation level, at technical know how exchanges etc. It had to happen based on a strategic plan which went beyond infrastructure FDI to grassroot participation; it needed to be based on the demographic and resource profiling of our countries in 2020 and gap analysis. We had to embrace China’s scientific development outlook for regional stability. Younger Chinese who only thought of Pakistan in terms of extremist melting pot had to see it as business opportunity melting pot. I was convinced and very energized! The Institute’s President along with his South Asian faculty received these thoughts very well. I was put on the hot seat for responses on whether Pakistan knew who its real friends were, of our India and Afghan bilaterals. I gave honest answers which were balanced! Very tough job. Much easier criticizing government on talkshows versus the balancing I had to do since I was representing state in cross party delegation!

 

Next was a memorable visit to the site of where the first meeting of the Communist Party had taken place in July 23 1921. The home where the secret meeting had taken place had now been turned into an exhibition hall. A simple elegant expose of the CPC’s rise to power. Of the 15 comrades who had been present at this meeting in 1921, 5 had betrayed their party later. Forward blockers doomed in the history books. Chairman Mao was note taker at this occasion. Here was a disciplined party I thought to myself. How the working class grew and merged with youth to create that change. It was all a process I felt with the Chinese, of showing their success and failures. Behind each failure was a lesson.  

 

After a shopping trip in a traditional exquisite neighbourhood contrasted with high rises, we ended the day on a cruise of their river. We sat in the same luxury room on the boat as Chairman Deng Xiaoping had sat. Such historic references put reforms in perspective. Shanghai skyline by night was a real treat. I thought of our own ‘cruise’ to progress – somber and sobering thoughts. I felt we shared the same eastern land and sky and yet we in Pakistan were still fighting over names of provinces rather than province development. Too much work ahead for those of us who felt the pain of the wasted years and the responsibility of the future!

 

Last day in Shanghai was an equal eye opener. A trip to Shanghai World Financial Observatory which is the tallest in the world with its Star Trek type bullet lift to the 100th floor at 435m. We reached the top and raced up and down the transparent floors. Whilst I raced I could see older Chinese around me looking down on downtown Shanghai. What great change they had witnessed. Dizzying changes that younger Chinese had not felt. I also thought of President Musharraf’s second prong of enlightened moderation which necessitated scientific development for Muslim Ummah which we needed to implement through our IT committee if nothing else! The Chinese took pride in making records such as longest bridges, tallest buildings. I was inspired by their hardwork and focus. Having descended the 100 floors we were taken to the Urban Planning Centre. Big Wow! The future expansions for the Shanghai airports, port, bridges and high rise complexes were very inspiring indeed. The model of the future harmonious development leading to Expo 2010 was one more of the same forward moving bullet train the Chinese were on.  I intended helping with Pakistan’s preparation for this event through legislative oversight once back home.

 

It had been an inspiring tour of Shanghai. Memories of the harmonious development would stay with me for a long time. On the long flight from Eastern Shanghai to Western autonomous Urumqi I read the Document of the 17^th National Congress of the CPC and the CPC Constitution.

 

More on that plus more from Urumqi in my next diary blog soon.