Charter of Democracy Signed by Late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif

I was just looking for the text of chartered of democracy. So I thought why now even share it with others who want to look at it. Mostly in my point of view just the same political promises and moves by looking at the current scenario to prosper in local politics. But everyone has their own right to say and decide. Our media and our people ourselves can use emotions and rubbish talks to say anything but in point of view it is/was/will be a political agreement between two parties which really are not part of Quran and Hadith.

Charter of Democracy

We the elected leaders of Pakistan have deliberated on the political crisis in our beloved homeland, the threats to its survival, the erosion of the federation's unity, the military's subordination of all state institutions, the marginalization of civil society, the mockery of the Constitution and representative institutions, growing poverty, unemployment and inequality, brutalization of society, breakdown of rule of law and, the unprecedented hardships facing our people under a military dictatorship, which has pushed our beloved country to the brink of a total disaster;

Noting the most devastating and traumatic experiences that our nation experienced under military dictatorships that played havoc with the nation's destiny and created conditions disallowing the progress of our people and the flowering of democracy. Even after removal from office they undermined the people’s mandate and the sovereign will of the people;

Drawing history’s lesson that the military dictatorship and the nation cannot co-exist – as military involvement adversely affect the economy and the democratic institutions as well as the defense capabilities, and the integrity of the country - the nation needs a new direction different from a militaristic and regimental approach of the Bonapartist regimes, as the current one;

Taking serious exception to the vilification campaign against the representatives of the people, in particular, and the civilians, in general, the victimization of political leaders/workers and their media trials under a Draconian law in the name of accountability, in order to divide and eliminate the representative political parties, to Gerrymander a king's party and concoct legitimacy to prolong the military rule;

Noting our responsibility to our people to set an alternative direction for the country saving it from its present predicaments on an economically sustainable, socially progressive, politically democratic and pluralist, federally cooperative, ideologically tolerant, internationally respectable and regionally peaceful basis in the larger interests of the peoples of Pakistan to decide once for all that only the people and no one else has the sovereign right to govern through their elected representatives, as conceived by the democrat par excellence, Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah;

Reaffirming our commitment to undiluted democracy and universally recognized fundamental rights, the rights of a vibrant opposition, internal party democracy, ideological/political tolerance, bipartisan working of the parliament through powerful committee system, a cooperative federation with no discrimination against federating units, the decentralization and devolution of power, maximum provincial autonomy, the empowerment of the people at the grassroots level, the emancipation of our people from poverty, ignorance, want and disease, the uplift of women and minorities, the elimination of Kalashnikov culture, a free and independent media, an independent judiciary, a neutral civil service, rule of law and merit, the settlement of disputes with the neighbors through peaceful means, honoring international contracts, laws/covenants and sovereign guarantees, so as to achieve a responsible and civilized status in the comity of nations through a foreign policy that suits our national interests;

Calling upon the people of Pakistan to join hands to save our motherland from the clutches of military dictatorship and to defend their fundamental, social, political and economic rights and for a democratic, federal, modern and progressive Pakistan as dreamt by the Founder of the nation; have adopted the following, “Charter of Democracy”;

A. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. The 1973 Constitution as on 12 October 1999 before the military coup shall be restored with the provisions of joint electorates, minorities, and women reserved seats on closed party list in the Parliament, the lowering of the voting age, and the increase in seats in parliament and the Legal Framework Order, 2000 and the Seventeenth Constitutional Amendment shall be repealed accordingly.

2. The appointment of the governors, three services chiefs and the CJCSC shall be made by the chief executive who is the prime minister, as per the 1973 Constitution.

3. (a) The recommendations for appointment of judges to superior judiciary shall be formulated through a commission, which shall comprise of the following:

i. The chairman shall be a chief justice, who has never previously taken oath under the PCO.

ii. The members of the commission shall be the chief justices of the provincial high courts who have not taken oath under the PCO, failing which the senior most judge of that high court who has not taken oath shall be the member

iii. Vice-Chairmen of Pakistan and Vice-Chairmen of Provincial Bar Association with respect to the appointment of judges to their concerned province

iv. President of Supreme Court Bar Association

v. Presidents of High Court Bar Associations of Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta with respect to the appointment of judges to their concerned province

vi. Federal Minister for Law and Justice

vii. Attorney General of Pakistan

(a-i) The commission shall forward a panel of three names for each vacancy to the prime minister, who shall forward one name for confirmation to joint parliamentary committee for confirmation of the nomination through a transparent public hearing process.

(a-ii) The joint parliamentary committee shall comprise of 50 per cent members from the treasury benches and the remaining 50 per cent from opposition parties based on their strength in the parliament nominated by respective parliamentary leaders.

(b) No judge shall take oath under any Provisional Constitutional Order or any other oath that is contradictory to the exact language of the original oath prescribed in the Constitution of 1973.

(c) Administrative mechanism will be instituted for the prevention of misconduct, implementation of code of ethics, and removal of judges on such charges brought to its attention by any citizen through the proposed commission for appointment of Judges. (d) All special courts including anti-terrorism and accountability courts shall be abolished and such cases be tried in ordinary courts. Further to create a set of rules and procedures whereby, the arbitrary powers of the chief justices over the assignment of cases to various judges and the transfer of judges to various benches such powers shall be exercised by the Chief Justice and two senior most judges sitting together.

4. A Federal Constitutional Court will be set up to resolve constitutional issues, giving equal representation to each of the federating units, whose members may be judges or persons qualified to be judges of the Supreme Court, constituted for a six-year period. The Supreme and High Courts will hear regular civil and criminal cases. The appointment of judges shall be made in the same manner as for judges of higher judiciary.

5. The Concurrent List in the Constitution will be abolished. A new NFC award will be announced.

6. The reserved seats for women in the national and provincial assemblies will be allocated to the parties on the basis of the number of votes polled in the general elections by each party.

7. The strength of the Senate of Pakistan shall be increased to give representation to minorities in the Senate.

8. FATA shall be included in the NWFP province in consultation with them.

9. Northern Areas shall be developed by giving it a special status and further empowering the Northern Areas Legislative Council to provide people of Northern Areas access to justice and human rights.

10. Local bodies election will be held on party basis through provincial election commissions in respective provinces and constitutional protection will be given to the local bodies to make them autonomous and answerable to their respective assemblies as well as to the people through regular courts of law.

B. CODE OF CONDUCT

11. National Security Council will be abolished. Defense Cabinet Committee will be headed by prime minister and will have a permanent secretariat. The prime minister may appoint a federal security adviser to process intelligence reports for the prime minister. The efficacy of the higher defence and security structure, created two decades ago, will be reviewed. The Joint Services Command structure will be strengthened and made more effective and headed in rotation among the three services by law. 12. The ban on a ‘prime minister not being eligible for a third term of office’ will be abolished.

13. (a) Truth and Reconciliation Commission be established to acknowledge victims of torture, imprisonment, state-sponsored persecution, targeted legislation, and politically motivated accountability. The commission will also examine and report its findings on military coups and civil removals of governments from 1996.

(b) A commission shall also examine and identify the causes of and fix responsibility and make recommendations in the light thereof for incidences such as Kargil.

(c) Accountability of NAB and other Ehtesab operators to identify and hold accountable abuse of office by NAB operators through purgery and perversion of justice and violation of human rights since its establishment.

(d) To replace politically motivated NAB with an independent accountability commission, whose chairman shall be nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of opposition and confirmed by a joint parliamentary committee with 50 per cent members from treasury benches and remaining 50 per cent from opposition parties in same manner as appointment of judges through transparent public hearing. The confirmed nominee shall meet the standard of political impartiality, judicial propriety, moderate views expressed through his judgments and would have not dealt.

14. The press and electronic media will be allowed its independence. Access to information will become law after parliamentary debate and public scrutiny.

15. The chairmen of public accounts committee in the national and provincial assemblies will be appointed by the leaders of opposition in the concerned assemblies.

16. An effective Nuclear Command and Control system under the Defense Cabinet Committee will be put in place to avoid any possibility of leakage or proliferation.

17. Peaceful relations with India and Afghanistan will be pursued without prejudice to outstanding disputes.

18. Kashmir dispute should be settled in accordance with the UN Resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

19. Governance will be improved to help the common citizen, by giving access to quality social services like education, health, job generation, curbing price hike, combating illegal redundancies, and curbing lavish spending in civil and military establishments as ostentious causes great resentment amongst the teeming millions. We pledge to promote and practice simplicity, at all levels.

20. Women, minorities, and the under privileged will be provided equal opportunities in all walks of life.

21. We will respect the electoral mandate of representative governments that accepts the due role of the opposition and declare neither shall undermine each other through extra constitutional ways.

22. We shall not join a military regime or any military sponsored government. No party shall solicit the support of military to come into power or to dislodge a democratic government.

23. To prevent corruption and floor crossing all votes for the Senate and indirect seats will be by open identifiable ballot. Those violating the party discipline in the poll shall stand disqualified by a letter from the parliamentary party leader to the concerned Speaker or the Chairman Senate with a copy to the Election Commission for notification purposes within 14 days of receipt of letter failing which it will be deemed to have been notified on the expiry of that period.

24. All military and judicial officers will be required to file annual assets and income declarations like Parliamentarians to make them accountable to the public.

25. National Democracy Commission shall be established to promote and develop a democratic culture in the country and provide assistance to political parties for capacity building on the basis of their seats in parliament in a transparent manner.

26. Terrorism and militancy are by-products of military dictatorship, negation of democracy, are strongly condemned, and will be vigorously confronted.

C. FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

27. There shall be an independent, autonomous, and impartial election commission. The prime minister shall in consultation with leader of opposition forward up to three names for each position of chief election commissioner, members of election commission, and secretary to joint parliamentary committee, constituted on the same pattern as for appointment of judges in superior judiciary, through transparent public hearing process. In case of no consensus, both prime minister and leader of opposition shall forward separate lists to the joint parliamentary committee for consideration. Provincial election commissioner shall be appointed on the same pattern by committees of respective provincial assemblies.

28. All contesting political parties will be ensured a level playing field in the elections by the release of all political prisoners and the unconditional return of all political exiles. Elections shall be open to all political parties and political personalities. The graduation requirement of eligibility which has led to corruption and fake degrees will be repealed.

29. Local bodies elections will be held within three months of the holding of general elections.

30. The concerned election authority shall suspend and appoint neutral administrators for all local bodies from the date of formation of a caretaker government for holding of general elections till the elections are held.

31. There shall be a neutral caretaker government to hold free, fair, and transparent elections. The members of the said government and their immediate relatives shall not contest elections.

D. CIVIL - MILITARY RELATIONS

32. The ISI, MI and other security agencies shall be accountable to the elected government through Prime Minister Sectt, Ministry of Defense, and Cabinet Division respectively. Their budgets will be approved by DCC after recommendations are prepared by the respective ministry. The political wings of all intelligence agencies will be disbanded. A committee will be formed to cut waste and bloat in the armed forces and security agencies in the interest of the defense and security of the country. All senior postings in these agencies shall be made with the approval of the government through respective ministry.

33. All indemnities and savings introduced by military regimes in the constitution shall be reviewed.

34. Defence budget shall be placed before the parliament for debate and approval.

35. Military land allotment and cantonment jurisdictions will come under the purview of defense ministry. A commission shall be set up to review, scrutinies, and examine the legitimacy of all such land allotment rules, regulations, and policies, along with all cases of state land allotment including those of military urban and agricultural land allotments since 12 October, 1999 to hold those accountable who have indulged in malpractices, profiteering, and favoritism.

36. Rules of business of the federal and provincial governments shall be reviewed to bring them in conformity with parliamentary form of government.

AIG Bonuses and Ethics of Business Tycoons

After the economic turmoil started last year and the sharp downfall in economy, a chaos was predicted by the economic pundits. When Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy many big names in America started to ask for American Government help to get out of this mess. One of the biggest voice raised and the money owner from Government was AIG who threaten to declared bankruptcy too if US Government will not provide it with financial support which they did. Till now AIG had already cost $170 Billions to USA tax payers and with the signs of US economy they might need more still. US Government knows that if they will not bailout AIG and if they will file for bankruptcy then they cant even imagine how deep their economy will fall and that might be the start of the very end of the Capitalist World.
The new rift started when on March 10, 2009 Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was told by his staff that AIG's most financially discredited uni AIG Financial Product had paid out $ 165 Million in retention bonuses to executives at the unit that compelled the US to bail out the company in the first place. Means the people who are responsible for this economic downfall and due to whom many people in the world are out of jobs and all of us are facing these days were paid bonuses for "the wonderful work" which they had done while they were in charge. According to their contracts and all the legal standings now, the US government cant take that money away from those executives and if they will try and those people will go to court then it might cost much more then it is right now. Although this money is just 0.1% of what American Government had paid them but the question is of ethics now. Should these people who are directly and indirectly responsible for millions of lost jobs should be given bonuses while others who are effected by them are now on streets. Though now American Politicians are now suggesting ways to annex as much money as they can from these people who got bonuses out of American taxpayers money but what about their own personal ethics. Are they still not taking responsibilities for what they had done and what others are enduring due to their actions. Still they think that they deserve what they got and what others got was their fate.
Still people who should be prosecuted for what they had done and what their wrong decisions, their short sightedness, their illegal behaviors and their desire to break laws bring the World near an economic collapse. Still money of them are walking freely with exotic benefits still offered to them and the worst part is; people still hope that the mentality which had taken us to this level will also give us the solution to this crisis.
Obama Administration should know that this is not a problem of US alone. The world being a global village means if one will go down it will take millions with it all around the World. Examples set in USA will not only effect US alone but the whole world and US at this moment being the torch bearer of the Capitalist World will lead the whole Capitalist world along with it to the bottom below. Lets see what's the next surprise next waiting in line by these Tycoons who had successfully lead us here and whose business ethics once being as symbol of Good are now becoming the signs of the Devil day by day.

Politician in Pakistan having understanding of International Politics

Pakistan always lack such persons who have understanding of Politics let alone understanding of International Politics. The difference is, to do politics in national level you just need to know about your system, should have money and resources etc. But to know international politics and to prosper in International Scenario you have a sound knowledge about World Leaders, Economy and many other things for which you have to be a keen reader and speaker. We always lack such leaders. As many of the politicians in the past were illiterate or don't have enough qualifications so for them to stand in International limelight it is much much difficult. Reading books is never a big habit in a country like Pakistan where you can easily find pirated books. Though its a expensive habit but its rare in Pakistan like all other intellectual habits. Even in Pakistan's history there were very few politicians who had a depth understanding and have high intellectual level. Among famous politicians I can just recall Sir Zafarullah Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto who had such intellectual level that they even had a reputation even on international level. But now among all of our politicians there are no one who can even came near to personals like these. Though there are politicians like Ahsan Iqbal, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Ishaq Dar, Sherein Rehman, Aetezaz Ahsan who had a bit understanding of such issues but still no one even among them is near or even half of the level of the persons mentioned above.

Lets see might be among the new generation of Politicians will we be able to get any other politician who with understanding o local politics also have in depth knowledge of how to prevail on International level but for now at least I cant see any other politician who could fulfil the space.

Why I am against Completely Free Judiciary

People are fighting for completely free judiciary. A judiciary which is under no one's control except for their higher authority judges as according to them this is a sign for justice and stability in a country. This seems to me based on the assumption that the judicial system without the influence of Civil or Military Bureaucracy and Politicians will be beneficial for us. But this assumption seems to be based on the assumption that all the judges or more then 90% are corruption-free or I'll like to use to word Saint. But are they?
Lets assume that they are right now and it will help to solve our problem but what about 10 years from now. With this movement people have given the indication to politicians that any change or anything pointed on Judiciary will be opposed and for them to be elected next they have to keep away from them. This means now if any legislation or anything against any judge will be present with the help of media any politician can make an issue out of it easily and can use it for his own political agenda. If you are thinking that people are not that lame to differentiate between what is good or bad for them then sorry my friend they are. We since our creation has never been able to put our prioritize right or its better to say to prioritize anything at all. Now the Judiciary is free from any outer check and balance system. Only check and balance available is their own judges now. If any politician will try to put any check and balance system on the judiciary any political party can make their bread and butter out of it easily.
Why this check and balance is required. I think all of us know why. You can take example of any country in the world where there is no external check and balance on Judges and you will find out that then those judges became the main ring leaders of the crime. Now any corrupt person who is holding the position of a judge can make secret deals with the criminals that they can do anything they want just give him his "share" and he will make sure to put any law enforcement agency who will try to work against them behind bars. They can easily do this by dismissing the evidence against those criminals. Some of our former Chief Justices of High Courts or Supreme Court were famous for this that during their career they can easily tilt the decision in the favour of the party who was willing to pay him more. Even it is said that once a disposed Prime Minister of the country pay the bench 1 billion rupees to make the decision in his favor which they did too.
So what I see now is that Judges are immune from any of such check and balance. What is their check and balance in this country which our media and this movement have made sure will remain like this is the higher authorities which even in a much smaller level making it near to no check at all.
Now who will go and try to put these check and balance and who will try to work out solutions. No one. Fast Justice was already a dream in Pakistan and un-corrupt able Judiciary System will now follow it too as now it is immune due to our Great Leadership. Lets see they will also think what Z. A. Bhutto thought too that they have for eternity put the "Nazriya e Zarorat" in history only the future can tell us now.

Pakistan's Day Today: A Summary of what happened next

Today Pakistanis are celebrating Pakistan's Day remembering 23rd March 1940 when then General Assembly of Muslim League presented the resolution for an independent country for Muslims. This was the moment when Muslim League officially started to work Politically for an independent country. Second World War on its height and German Forces advancing and conquering the whole Europe the colonial leaders where worried about the post war drama as at that time it was seems that Great Britain will be history and each country have to see the future after that. Britain tried to persuade the leaders of the Sub-Continent who like many other Nations were now asking for Freedom in return of support. Britain although considering it blackmailing knew that they need all these fractions at this time for the most important job of providing men for their army. After the war, the Great Nations of the pre-War era were on the verge of economic collapse. When Lord Attlee became Prime Minister of Great Britain then one of his main aim was the decolonization of Great Britain. With Political Parties wagging Civil Unrest for Freedom. In the end, Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947.
A small summary of what happened.

Bernard Madoff Behind Bars: Another Dent in the Capatalist World

Bernard Madoff, one of the biggest names of Mutual Fund investments and was once the largest and consistent profit giver on your investment is been put behind bars in one of the largest scams in the recent history done by a single man. Reportedly more then $50 billion dollars loss, many lives ruined and still much to come. Mr. Madoff showed the world in the loosely bound world of capitalism that how a single person can with the help of the cheap tactics, good reputation and evil plans can earn so much money. Who is responsible? Yeah he is but more then him those regulators who let him do his bidding's without certain rules present, those Security Exchange Companies who just put a blind eye on him due to his past reputation, those investors who in the end had to suffer the most but who didn't even look that where their money was going. Now, he will be spending the rest of his life in prison where he might be living in comfort but what about those thousands who will now have to work from scratch to earn that money but about those poor chaps who had put all there pensions in this frauds there might be no way to go. He showed the world that with just showing good reputation and evil thinking in this World you can earn millions of dollars with your image just doing the trick. This is a bad example of a capitalist system which made thousands of people to loose their might be only savings they had due to the dreams they wanted to fulfil and by thinking that by investing in such low risk and high profit schemes they can earn money without loosing a dime whereas they forgot the basic rules of business that where there is profit there is risk and both are directly proportional to each other.

Now can we ask ourselves that there will be no such case again. Might be we can try but we cant be sure. The uncertainties in life always keep things uncertain but what we can make certain is that if someone in the future is even thinking of doing it don't it will not be easy for him.

Congrats to all Long March Supporters

I'll like to congratulate to all Long March Supporters and participants on a successful display of "democratic" (what a mob decides is democratic) way to achieve their way. Specially our Government didn't learn from history that by giving relief to anarchist will not solve the problem but yeah even people like me too appreciate them when they do it sometimes like what just happened in Swat. PMLN if was sincere in this issue could have easily gone to Parliament and could have lobbied for it. But then again how people will know and will appreciate the "efforts" they are doing for restoration of jobs for some people. And then we as nation are never use to those slow "effortless debates" those "idiotic" behaviors those politicians shows in Parliament. Ahh it happened same in many other countries but no we are the proud Pakistanis, perfectionist to a sense that we want everything perfect except ourselves as this bloody capitalist system is not making us do anything and we don't want communism as its scary. So what is the best way to do. Applause for those who are doing some destruction on the name of anything I like. At least it will fulfil our needs for some adventure. We don't like slow democratic ways so if they are still going on its better a general with some ideas or even if he have no ideas he can lend some with his predecessors can impose on us as we after so many years being under "Royal Golden Age" of different dynasties are used to be ruled by one man who ever he is and we don't have to be blame for anything he do as we will not be voting for him. Yeah an easy way.
But sorry this was suppose to congrats all the supporters. Congrats to all and I hope as I always hope to be wrong and others to be right that they will get for what they were using all those means to show what they are dreaming for as dreams are always sweet and you can dream of anything you like. I hope they got that system for which they think they were working and were working as tools for some people's political agenda. Who am I to say? A work of a person is his personal agenda but of a mob is about a nation's destiny.

Our Political Tolerance is Pathetic

Today again, I saw many of my friends using inappropriate words for our Leaders whom they dislike. Its one thing to say that I don't like this person, or I hate his politics or what he is doing but an immature behavior to use words Kutta, Ullu ka Patha or other such curse words for any of them. On online societies like Facebook or Orkut people are joining such groups with inappropriate wording. Even much educated persons having honorable degrees in their hands behave similar to an alliterate person. Is this is our ethics or what we are told; Don't listen or bear anyone who dear to oppose you, finish him, kill him or if you cant abuse him with whatever means necessary. There is one way to say that we don't like him and another way to humiliate him. If you think a person is humiliating your country then this is your own choice and you have a right to have your own opinion but another thing to use such words as you might be hurting the feelings of many others. There will be other persons due to which that politician is there. There are persons who might like him and you might be hurting someones feelings. If you cant respect yourself don't expect the same privilege from others as they might also be coming from the same mold.
An advice although this is not my work and I know people don't listen to anything but again thinking it as my responsibility: Punjabis keep on talking on giving rights to other provinces but why you are still not able to give them political rights and keep calling their leaders with names. Get mature as there is already much blood on our hands.

Pakistan and ILAQA-E-GHAIR in 90's

So, I was thinking today about Pakistan in 90's. What was the relationship we had in 90's or even in late 80's with what we called "Ilaqa-e-gher" the popular name at that time of F.A.T.A. areas. I think more then 99% population living in Punjab or Sindh at that time knew about Waziristan, Wana or any other place like that. For most of them the most commonly used term was "Ilaqa-e-gher" which they used to coin for this area as this was according to our "intelligent" leadership was not in Government of Pakistan jurisdiction. They were I would say autonomous areas where Government Political agent and Mullah were the two sole authorities in many matters and cases were handled by Jirgas (I am saying were because now the Mullah is the sole authority in all matters as he can make anything of his advantage "Islamic"). But for what that region was famous for during that period throughout Pakistan.

Throughout 90's this region was famous for a heaven for Drug Dealers, Terrorists or Criminals. As the jurisdiction of Government was not applied on that area so it is said that every other car, jewelry or other precious items stolen from all over Pakistan would go straight to Ilaqa-e-gher where they would be sold to other dealers who use to deal in stolen goods. So, if your vehicle was stolen and it has crossed Attock Bridge then assumed that it never exists as you will never find it again. What was the main export from these areas; drugs, ammunition and smuggled goods creating millions for people from which some the money was used for “The Greater Good”. Afghanistan and this region were at that time producing 80% of the world’s total drugs, an achievement isn’t it and the thing is no one knows where all that money went. As far as ammunition and other smuggled goods is concern the fall of Russia prove to be an “angel in disguise” for them as this became a free trade market for stolen goods. Criminals and terrorists like Riaz Basra, Akram Lahori, Atif Chaudhry and many many more would find a place to hide their in the welcoming hand of the tribal lords who on the condition that they will not do anything wrong in that area would refuse to handed them back to Pakistani Authorities (yeah we are and were mostly alienated to them even then). Then there were billions of dollars running into the area by USA, Saudi and other "Charities". Much of this money was used to setup madrassas which instead of giving education which was the mirage of the Islamic era started to preach fundamentalism as that was at that time more preferable to the Sponsors of the campaign. These madrassas started to produce terrorist and militants who killed Sunnis, Shias or any other group who differ to them (still talking about 90's). They produced people who harm our Kashmir cause that now even the International Community don't listen too what our stance is as they all knew what we did in the 90's.
Still we are seeing all this but this time we have a person to blame as always we don't want to put a blame on us. But what I see, we started to walk on this path a long time ago the difference is now we are just running....

Increasing Population of Pakistan: A Environmental and Economical Threat... Part II

So this is the continuation of Part I of the topic of same name, for previous article you can visit at link below.

http://muhammadmoeen.blogspot.com/2009/03/increasing-population-of-pakistan.html

So now I was saying that by increasing population we will be decreasing the agriculture land area in Pakistan. With every new person he/she will bring their own needs which he/she had rights to fulfill. Means he/she will need water to drink, food to eat, transport to travel and many other such needs. You can just see that by increasing rate of population how we will be increasing the demand of water required for population, rapid increasing rate of educational institutes with quality education, jobs for all these people to give them sound careers, auto vehicles for their transportation which will be directly contributing to the increase in carbon dioxide, electricity for their homes meaning sheer volume of electricity needed to be produced again directly affecting the environment as in country like Pakistan we still are lagging behind in renewable energy sources and with growing population there will be less space available for them as most of these sources needed a large land to be implemented. Similarly they will required more fuel for their common need like Gasoline, Natural Gas, Wood etc to get heat energy for different purpose of life increasing the demand of such commodities. You will need more meat and other food items to get feed them means a constant rate of increase in meat supply will not be enough for all of them and drastic measures even in this department will be needed to provide a food supply to feed all of the population which is increasing at a threatening rate.
These are just few examples of how we will be threatening the flora and fauna and all the surrounding around us. This is now on us to think that how we can contribute to protect our environment. I am not advocating that we should stop reproducing but family planning is required in a country like ours. We don't have to look at just our own needs but also what is going around us and what is the need of the hour. Sex education for kids should be mandatory in all educational institutes where they should be taught about the necessary information. Keeping a subject a taboo which is describe in detail even in our Quran and Ahadees was, is and will not be a wise move. This will be helpful for young minds to think about their future and to decide what is better for them.
Remember God help those who help themselves. So by bringing another soul in this world and saying that this is God's will, will not put all the responsibility on God. This is your responsibility to feed your child, to provide them clothes, to give them proper education and to give them all necessities of life. Government can only facilitate you as this is its responsibility to facilitate but its your own decision and your own means of getting income which will put a mark on your next generation.

Senate Elections Today and Iran agrees on providing Pakistan with cheap Gas and LPG

Today there are according to me two important news. One is the senate elections and the other is Iran's offer to provide Pakistan with cheap energy sources.
First the senate elections today will decide about the future of the predicted coalition of PPP and PMLQ. PPP needs PMLQ to establish their Government in Punjab. If both of these parties will join hands in Senate then it is estimated that PPP will easily make Government in Punjab and the next CM of Punjab will be Monus Elahi. PPP with 27 seats in senate and PMLQ with 21 seats if combined can with the help of MQM having 6 seats and ANP also having 6 seats can easily make Government in Senate and then this as PMLQ presently has more representation in all provinces then PMLN will help PPP to strengthen their position in all Provinces. Still their are some fractions in PMLQ mainly Ch. Shujat who wanted to join with PMLN but most of the party seems to be willing to join hands with PPP. If so they can easily outnumber PMLN in Punjab and can easily make majority in Senate too. Pundits are insisting that PMLQ should now remain as a separate entity as they can play as King Makers party in Punjab in the future. This will keep a balance of Power in the province just like MQM most of the time now act as a King Maker Party in Sindh as most of the Governments have to join hands with them to make a Government in Sindh. More diversity in politics will create more options in the political system and will help to eliminate a common perception of two Party war in Pakistan. But nothing is certain in Politics and no one can predict the future so lets hope for the best.
Second important news according to me is the offer of Iran to provide Pakistan with cheap energy resources then what they can get from International Market. This will help Pakistan to solve much of their energy crisis which we are facing today and which could worsen in near future. This gas pipeline and if agreement for LPG is also done will be helpful for energy sector in Pakistan. Lets see what will be the progress in this regard as the talks are at this moment in initial phase so there is still a long way to go.

Government is Doing its part to make the Judges Movement Successful

So an anti-Government rally is going to take place on 16th March 2009 for the restoration of deposed Judges and the Government has done the very last thing to make it successful and to sure it will be a messy affair. Yeah you are right the notorious 144 is now been implemented on whole of Punjab, gathering of 4 or more people is prohibited on any public place and there is a complete blanket ban on any public gatherings and protest activities till further notice. According to news sources in army will be deployed in Punjab to stop any such activities. Government has also decided to arrest top leadership of the movement to avoid any unpleasant situation.
In my view this was the very least Government can do to make this issue more stronger which due to "Brilliant Leadership" by the Movement in their last rally was approximately dead. But now due to Great Advisers as always present in the Government, the Government has decided to use "my way instead of the high way". If they were fearing that there might be a couple of hundred thousand or even 1 million people in the protest then why they are forgetting that when 2 big parties like JI and PMLN in their region if cant gather this much people at a place where they have thrown all of their political cards, if they cant gather even a mere million people then they really should leave politics at all. At least a couple of hundred thousand people could be easily gathered by just these two parties any day on a couple of days notice like any other political party in Pakistan. All these parties have strong following and more importantly good bank balance which is required to make this gathering possible.
So are they afraid that their will be unpleasant (like terrorism) during such gathering. Although I know PMLN specially is an expert to exploit such issues if they happened. Before any event they will say that they will fear non and after if any such unfortunate event do take place they will make a political "heaven" out of it but yeah this is politics and everyone plays their cards to reach the top spot. Before any such event these protesters will not even like a single uniformed person in their way but after that they will ask why don't you provide each participant with "at least two personal body guards for protection". This might be a nightmare for law and order situation although the three party involved had a good historical record of having good relations with the Militants in the North West of Pakistan but still it is their duty. It was even much better if Government would have gone to the participating body making agreement with them that we will do our best to protect you but you have to follow these directions and we will not stop you for doing your democratic right (if it is non violent) but I'll say not enough efforts are going on from both sides to resolve this critical issue of security. Lets see what this March bring to us. But still Government is going after shortcuts instead of facing it because if they wanted to play politics this whole fiasco could be solved and thrown back on their ring leaders.
But yeah all of these political parties came from the same shell so for them somethings are hard to understand always.

The March for Restoration of Judiciary

Behold, The Ides of March is here and it hasn't passed yet.

So the widely anticipated long march for the Restoration of Judiciary (Objection on this word always its Restoration of Some Judges not Judiciary). Lawyers, PML N, JI, TI and many other Political and Social groups will join this long march which will end in Islamabad where they will have a sit in until their required Judges will not restored. Still the leaders of this Issue are under the illusion that it was due to their "efforts" which leads to the downfall of President Musharraf. But yeah how many of us put an eye on the changes in international scenarios.

I was and still is against all this hype by all these media and parties. They are portraying this will create justice to all in this country. Is it not true that they are all the same judges before 2nd November and nothing was and will change by changing persons. We were and still are not moving toward reforms. PML N if were sincere in there efforts had enough majority in Parliament to move a resolution for this change. In a Democratic System Parliament is the Supreme Authority (even if it is not consider in Pakistan). Why they haven't done anything. Just because they know this is just an issue on which they want to play politics. This is for them just an issue with which they can discredit the Governing body because they knew the Government don't want to interfere in current scenario and PMLN also don't want to but then how they can play politics. Similarly for JI and TI, former's publicity is getting less and less by every passing day and the latter is still a "One Man Show". Imran Khan is these days behaving more like a Taliban Spokesman then seems to be running his own party. Lawyers yes they have an issue and they are trying to protect their boundaries. No one like any other party to interfere in their borders and lawyers also don't like it obviously so they are and will protest against it.
People are saying that Government should agree with their demands and should restore the Judges but is it necessary that an act if not done legally should be undone illegally too. Why are the so called political parties working for restoration of judiciary are not using democratic described ways. Why they want to portray that use of force instead of vote is the best method and they are not going to change it. For the other groups who boycotted the elections they obviously whatever argument they try to put are not willing to adopt the democratic way. For me there is no difference between them and those militia working in our Pakhtunkhua province.
But again these are my own views and everyone had a right to differ. But for those who think that PPP won elections due to their stance on Judiciary, give it a break. If that was the case many prominent leaders of PPP who were the forerunners of this movement would not lost in these elections. PPP always win due to their dedicated vote bank and this time Bibi's death added more votes in their favors.
I am and will advocate for the democratic way of solving problem. Politics of Destruction leads to destruction. Pakistan can't afford another Black December and this time PMLN is playing the part which PPP plays in 70's election. I am a supporter of PPP but still I know the stance of Bhutto in 70 was wrong and undemocratic and the stance of PMLN now is wrong and undemocratic and they knew that but the love of Power can blindfold anyone.

Shuhda ko Salam

I was in travel since last few days. As I worked in Africa so I need to travel for a couple of days. I started my Journey from Africa on the morning of 3rd March and when I was going to board the helicopter which was going to take me to Airport I came to know about the attack on Srilankan Cricket team and the news that 6 players were injured. That was it. I was shocked to hear it as for me this could be the last insult to our country because Sportsmen were always assumed as immune to terrorism. They were considered as the ambassadors of their country and since Stone age Ambassadors are considered as immune to any threat and in all religions too this practice was considered as sacred. Since then on every airport I arrived I was asked the same question, why and how this could happened but till that moment I knew nothing till I reach Dubai the next day. I was still shocked to listen to this story that 6 players are injured and if something serious happen to anyone of them this might be the most disgraceful act in my point of view as we always had a brotherly relationships with Srilanka helping each other in troubled times.
But when I reached Dubai I knew the details of what actually happened. Although two days were passed but me being in travel mostly was unable to keep in touch with the current events going on around the World (always happen when I am traveling once every month). I felt proud that our Security Forces lacking equipment and men power still faced the terrorist with valor and give their lives to protect them. I pay my tribute to them as they did what their duty asked for them.
About who is behind these attacks and why they were done I still had many theories on which I am working on this time but I was fearing after Mumbai attacks that something similar will happen in Pakistan as I have mentioned earlier in one of my blog that now they have seen how some people can take our a city. A new approcah is under consideration by them and cities like Karachi and Lahore will be the main targets. Lets pray Allah to protect us from these dogs.
In the end again I'll say my Salam to the Shuhdas of Shuhda Chowk. In this time we should remember not only these Shuhdas but also all those who gave their lives fighting against these terrorists for the love of our Country. Salam to all and may their souls rest in peace. Ameen

Entering of Ottoman Empire into World War I

Ottoman Empire, at the start of the century, was already facing many challenges. Empire just entered into seventh century of their rule but it was already predicted that it might not last long. The vast length of empire and due to Nationalist movements which had affected Europe greatly in eighteenth and nineteenth century had already affected the Ottoman Empire. Greece declared its independence from the Empire in 1829 after the end of the Greek War of Independence and reforms did not halt the rise of nationalism in Danubian Principalities and Serbia. In 1875, Serbia, Montenegro, Walachia and Moldavia declared their independence from the Empire; and following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, independence was formally granted to Serbia, Romania and Montenegro, and autonomy to Bulgaria; Bosnia was occupied by the Austrian Empire, with the other Balkan territories remaining under Ottoman control. Empire was already not waging into war with European powers and was relying more on treaties with them which was giving them stability in the region. Egypt was unofficially under British control from where they were keeping a check on Russian expansion into the Black Sea and Mediterranean. Both Austria and Russia wanted to increase their spheres of influence and territory at the expense of the Ottoman Empire, but were kept in check mostly by the United Kingdom and France, who feared Russian dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean. Military power of Ottoman Empire which was considered till 16th century as invincible was badly damaged due to the opposition by their army to get reformed on modern lines and due to dynamic progress in technology in the West. Ottoman Empire was mostly relying on her Western Allies to keep stability in the region. Like in Crimean war, war against Napoleon etc where they had to call their ally Britain to help them. In 1911, Italy launched an invasion of the Ottoman province of Trablusgarp (modern Libya), starting the Italo-Turkish War which ended in Italy taking control of the province. In October 1912, the First Balkan War broke out, where the Ottoman armies suffered severe defeats at the hands of the Balkan League. This tells us that the military power of Turks was declined heavily and they were not in a state to take a superior army which they also knew.Internally, many reformers were working to decrease the influence of the Caliph making country a Constitutional Monarchy more on British line of Government. Many reformer groups primarily the Young Turks were working to implement reforms in the country. Due to their efforts the country had already became a democracy where powers from the Caliph were now transferred to Parliament or to the Grand Viziers. The glorious days of the empire were past and efforts were going on to stop the decline of the country. The Caliph and the navy of the country were pretty much pro-British and so were most of the people who wanted to be aligned with British as they had at that time strong ties with her and even in most situation the Caliph called for British support to help him in internal matters like they called him in Egypt. The main hurdle in this was strong ties of France with Russia who was a long term enemy of Turkey due to which Turkey was reluctant to join Allies and also the political situation of the country.
In 1913, the Young Turks have taken over the government and all the matters of the government were under the control of three Pashas namely Ismael Enver Pasha, Mehmed Talat Pasha and Ahmed Djemal Pasha. When it was started to appear that the Europe might start a war then the Caliph wanted to be neutral in this war. British their long term ally also wanted them to join Allies or to remain neutral. Enver Pasha who was more influential then the remaining two convinced them to join the war on German side. He already had been to Berlin and was been much influenced by them. It is also said that he had strong ties with many officials in Germany who were also much instrumental in the coup of Young Turkish to take control of Ottoman Empire.
Enver Pasha with other Pashas and Committee of Union and Progress who was the ruling party at that time established the Ottoman-German Alliance on August 2nd, 1914. It was this binding alliance that ultimately led the Ottoman Empire to enter the First World War on Central Powers side. Enver wanting glory for him choose his side against the will of Caliph. He thought that by alligning himself with Germany, who was becoming a major industrial power, and with her help he thought that he could defeat their long term rival Russia and might take some of the areas from British control making him one of the greatest generals of the time due to which he will become more powerfull then anyone else in Ottoman Empire.
In August, 1914 British navy was in pursuit of two main German Warships SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau in the Mediterranean whose task was to stop the French transferring their troops from Africa to Europe. When the war was declared these ships when sensed the pursuit moved toward the neutral Turkey (these events sensed that it was already planned to move toward Turkey to push her into war) and asked permission to enter. Enver as the Minister of Defense and without discussing with any one else allowed the German warships to enter the Dardanelles, thus enabling them to escape British pursuit. Germans "donate" these ships to the neutral Ottomans which worked powerfully in Germany's favor, despite French and Russian diplomacy to keep the Ottoman Empire out of the war. Meanwhile Ottoman was already waiting for her tow new ships from British which then Admiralty Winston Churchill in a widely criticized moved ordered not to deliver to Ottoman while promising them a fine of ₤ 1000 per day if Turkey promised to remain neutral. The Pashas used both events to try to swing the mood of favor of the General Public in Germany’s favor.
In October 1914, SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau under German command and Turkey’s flag attacked many harbors of Russia making him to declare war on Turkey along with British (who annexed the provinces of Egypt and Sudan from the Empire where his forces were already present) and France.
The rest is history that how the Pashas due to their failed military tactics lead Ottoman Empire to destruction. Although the Arab Revolt also played a major role in it as how the Arabs revolt against the Ottomans when they were needed most leading to the end of the Ottomans.
Due to political ambitions of few people, the balance of power in the Middle East was disturb enabling France and Britain to divide Ottoman Empire after that to eliminate the threat afterwards and to reward those who helped them to throw the Ottomans away.

Is Terrorism in name of Religious differences is new in Pakistan?

Many people claiming that we are facing this terrorism for the first time in our history after the events of 9/11 and the U turn in policy of General Musharaf. The difference which I saw from that there is that our media is now more independent due to which people now know more about their surroundings then few years back and I will certainly give this credit to Mr. Musharaf although he might be even regretting his decision afterwards.

When idea of Pakistan (the idea was for an independent state for Muslims) was presented by Allama Iqbal in the course of his presidential address in Muslim League he was of the point of view which in his own words was that,

“Nor should the Hindus fear that the creation of autonomous Muslim States will mean the introduction of a kind of religious rule in such States. The principle that each group is entitled to free development on its own lines is not inspired by any feeling of narrow communalism”.

In his memorable speech on 11 August 1946, speaking to the new Constituent Assembly of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said,

“All the same, in this division it was impossible to avoid the question of minorities being in one Dominion or the other. Now that was unavoidable. There is no other solution. Now what shall we do? Now, if we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly
and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and specially of the masses and the poor. If you will work in co-operation, forgetting the past, burying the hatchet, you are bound to succeed. If you change your past and work together in a spirit that every one of you, no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges and obligations., there will be no end to the progress you will make. I cannot emphasise it too much. We should begin to work in that spirit and in course of time all these angularities of the majority and minority communities—the Hindu community and the Muslim community— because even as regards Muslims you have Pathana, Punjabis, Shias, Sunnis and so on and among the Hindus you have Brahmins, Vashnavas, Khatris, also Bengalis, Madrasis and so on—will vanish. Indeed if you ask me this has been the biggest hindrance in the way of India to attain its freedom and independence and but for this we would have been free peoples long long ago. No power can hold another nation, and specially a nation of 400 million souls in subjection; nobody could have conquered you, and even if it had happened, nobody could have continued its hold on you for any length of time but for this. Therefore, we must learn a lesson from this. You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed— that has nothing to do with the business of the State. As you know, history shows that in England conditions sometime ago were much worse than those prevailing in India today. The Roman Catholics and the Protestants persecuted each other. Even now there are some States in existence where there are discrimination's made and bars imposed against a particular class. Thank God we are not starting in those days. We are starting in the days when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State. The people of England in course of time had to face the realities of the situation and had to discharge the responsibilities and burdens placed upon them by the Government of their country and they went through that fire step by step. Today you might say with justice that Roman Catholics and Protestants do not exist: what exists now is that every man is a citizen, an equal citizen, of Great Britain and they are all members of the nation. Now, I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State”

The main idea was that each and every person is independent to perform his own faith and there is no restriction on him but in political sense all will be equal citizens of a country belonging to one community Pakistan. Even at that time many main Political parties who were using the name of religion were more pro-Congress who was raising the slogan of Nationalism then pro-Muslim League who was raising the slogan of Religion mainly Jamat-e-Islami and Tehrek-e-Ahrar but after creation of Pakistan and their role in pre-Pakistan era put an end to their political rise.

After the creation of Pakistan many leaders of these political parties came to Pakistan. For first few years they lay low but then for their political benefits started the Tahafuze Khatum-e-Nabuat Tehreek (I am a Muslim who believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmed Qadiyani was a liar but to use religion for political gain and to spill blood is condemnable for personal gains who these people did). Ahrars, Jamat-e-Islami, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam and other organizations to grow their political influence and to use common people sentiments for personal gain use this sensitive issue to create riots which results in destruction of property, killing of people, kidnapping and other violent activities. This was the beginning of terrorism in Pakistan on religion name. A country in which each and every citizen had a right to perform his faith and to perform their rituals many Ahmadies were killed, injured or were forced to change their faith just for political reasons.

During Ayub's era this was minimized a lot but at that time conflicts between East and West Pakistan were at their height. After that these Political Religious parties try to use religious issues for their political gain again but first their movement receive a shock when then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto passed an amendment in the constitute of 1973 making Ahmadies Non-Muslim and declaring them as a minority in a political move. That was a big set back for them but they recovered quickly. Next they started the Tehreq-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat the main purpose of whom was to gain popular votes among the masses but were largely rejected in 1977 elections. Although there were claims by them about rigging in elections but even the tribunal for who was after elections do inquiry about this rigging admit that PPP would have easily won on those seats too.

Making a case for Nifaz-e-Shariat again these religious parties started violent activities throughout Pakistan. If the purpose was to implement Sharia then they can come through elected manners but they themselves knows that with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in power and his growing popularity among masses they never had a chance. But after the coup of General Zia-Ul-Hap the Sunni wing of these parties had their dream era. They were given important posts first time in country's history. These parties started to implement their own political ideas. Due to this growing influence of Sunni community specifically Deobandis and Wahhabis the Shias started to feel unsafe. Iran started to support the Shia minority to enforce them and to made them stand against their Sunni rivals. On the other hand, the so called Jihad (I still didn't find a single sect according to whose teaching and principles the fight in Afghanistan could be called Jihad except for newspapers or these Political Religious Leaders Speeches). Conflict between Sunnis and Shias then started from 80's and kept going on through out 90s and even till 9/11. Sunnis were killing Shias and Shias were killing Sunnis wherever they can. Every week or month there were incidents when one group throw bombs or kill any personal of other sect. Even in Sunnis, Wahabbis were killing Barelvis and Barelvis were killing Wahabbis or Deobandis and so on. This is still going on but due to this "War Against Terror" it seems to go into a background. But still these so called Talibans are killing people just on Religious differences just to implement their political goals and just to show their authority.

So in my view this terrorism is not new in this country. The difference is just in the 50's people usually use the common weapon available like pistols or daggers to kill but with the advent of technology and more money coming in this political wars from wealthy extremist supporters which includes countries like United States of America, Russia, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia and other resourceful groups who wanted to turn the political situation of Pakistan according to their own political requirements. In 80's they from pistols and daggers to move to semi-automatic weapons and in 90's they started to throw bombs on their rivals at any place they like even if the place is someones home or mosque no problem. Till it serves their own political agenda they have no problem with it. Now after year 2001, they have started a new trend of Suicide bombers. The first famous victim to these political religious groups was Ahmed Shah Masood (I don't recall anyone before him if there is and there might be he will be the one) who was killed using a suicide attack by these groups. After that we have a lengthy history till now. So by advent of technology these groups are also using new techniques to accomplish their political needs and their main aim is to spread terror in heart of people. Terror about everything and then they show themselves as the only saviours who can save the nation from this situation and if they will get the government they will change the face of the nation.

These religious terrorism is now getting stronger and stronger among these groups starting from sects they had now even reached to individuals and any individual who didn't obey religion as they think he should do, not even a minor compromise is acceptable, he is according to hell and they are very happy to assist him sending to his dome.

The Golden Crescent: When we will see an end of it

Before the Afghan War, approximately 350,000 square kilometers of area in southeast Asia mainly consisting of the mountain part of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand (some also include some part of Yunnan Province, China too in this) was considered as "The Golden Triangle". This area was famous for production of Opium through out the world and it was estimated at that time that more then 80% of the World Opium was produced in this part of the World. Opium was brought into this region way back by East India Company and other Western Powers who encourage agriculture of opium to be traded with China to decrease the trade deficit they were facing while importing important goods like tea and silk from China to Europe where they had high demands. As China would only accept Silver in return so it was an increasing trade deficit for all these European Powers. After the capture of Bengal by East India Company they started to cultivate Opium into this region and its adjacent region to sell it into China. This lead to the Opium wars in the region.

After the partition of Indian Sub Continent and Second World War the influence of Britain in the region was greatly reduced. This was also the start of the Cold War era. This region was also became a hostile region where US and Soviet Union wanted to take control but Soviet Union had more influence on much of the area then US. Even during the Vietnam war CIA greatly benefited from the Opium trade to get money for much of their operations going on in the World. But after the end of Vietnam War this region was greatly under Soviet Union's Influence and Soviet Union's KGB was getting benefits from the money of these drug trafficking.

When Russian forces entered into Afghanistan in 1979, due to successful American policy which she was carrying out through her elements present in Iran and Pakistan, USA got a very bright chance to take revenge of Vietnam War. United States launched Operation Cyclone whose main purpose to assist Pakistan's ISI with finance, military equipment and required training who will then train Afghan "Mujahedeens" who were fighting the United States' "Holy War". But to fight that war much more financial support was required then that which was approved by the US Congress approximately of 3 billion dollars in between 1981-87. CIA wanted more money to be spent as they were desperate to give in what Zbingniew Brzenzinski said "give Soviet Union their own Vietnam war."

So to cover these expenses CIA encourage farmers to grow poppy in the region which increase the production of Opium in the region. They were further encouraged by Pakistan's military ruler General Zia and his colleagues and other "Religious Scholars" who were providing United States with volunteers for the war. The Ulmas encouraged the farmers especially by saying that to fund Jihad against the infidels there is no problem to grow and sell Opium as it will be sold to the West and will have no effect on the Muslim Community. Many warlords of the time became big drug lords too who started to finance their military campaign against the Soviets. Especially the Jamat e Islami of Afghanistan under Gulbaden Hikmatyar and Ahmed Shah Masood and region near to Iranian border which was under Iranian Influence became the main producers of Opium. Similarly General Dostum and other warlords were also said to be involved in this trade. This Area was started to be called as "The Golden Crescent".

CIA devise the whole process in which the opium which was grown in the area was sent to laboratories in Europe and America through Iran and Pakistan where they were converted into drugs with chemical treatment and then was further sold into the region. Many laboratories were also setup in both Iran and Pakistan where they treated the corp to produce drugs and were sold to the people in the Islamic Republics (Penalty of the Greater Good number of registered addicts in Pakistan grew from a few hundred in 1977 to over 2 million in 1987). General Fazle Haq, Governor of N.W.F.P during that time, was a declared drug lord on Interpol most wanted list but as he was a considered as an asset by CIA no action was taken against him. Instead US leaders like George H. W. Bush (then Vice President and ex-Director of CIA) considered him as a close friend. More then 2 billion dollars of drugs were been exported out of the region. Drugs became and still is the third biggest commodity which is been import/export through out the world the other two being Oil and Ammunition but now no one knows that where all this drug money is going.

After the death of Zia and end of Cold war there was no one left to control the warlords and the drug racketing. Although CIA still had some influence over the drug trafficking but most of the traders became independent and still most of them are. Just for a small proportion of time when Taliban were in command in Afghanistan, the World saw a decline in the poppy production but after the US invasion in Afghanistan the cultivation of poppy started again. Now 97% if World's Opium poppy is been produced in Afghanistan which Worth's more then $4 billion.

At this time this cultivation is supported by the Official Government of Hamid Karzai (whose brother is now even consider as a giant Drug Lord Worldwide) and the other parties of Western Alliance like General Dostum but also by Taliban who are supporting farmers for cultivation of poppy and this money is been used in the so called "War Against Terror". Among two giant mafias right now one has Russian and Iran's backing (also support from China some says) whose main aim is to destabilize American economy (just like they did to Soviet Union. It is said that even the Russians were amazed to see how Americans fall in the same trap which they laid for Soviet Union back in 70's) and the other group is been supported by USA and some elements of Pakistan (mainly its been alleged that some elements in Pakistan's ISI, Military , Businessmen and Politicians are part of it). Afghanistan is said to be producing more then 6200 metric tons of opium per year which accounts for more than 95% of overall Opium Produced worldwide. A business worth billions of dollars where approximately one fourth is said to go to the farmers while the rest goes to many unknown Warlords, Druglords, Politicians, Businessmen and allegedly to run many undercover operations by many governments. Who is responsible and who is getting the benefiets now, no one knows completely but this War in Afghanistan has increased this cultivation and it is also alleged that NATO and US forces are just guarding the areas of their own personal harvest interest to provide a safe guard path to these routes.

The result of all this, millions of people are drug addicts right now. Even in countries like Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan where drug lords are still at large due to Russian or USA backing there are millions of drug addicts right now in just these countries. West is also paying a price with millions of drugs addicts but the top people can't do anything because some of them are also getting money from all this mess to support the people responsible.

We can just hope a stable Government in Afghanistan and Pakistan which can put an end to this racketeers which had claimed millions of lives so far just for their profit and are still at large due to corruption in every level in our state. Lets hope some time may be like the end of Golden Triangle we will be able to see an end to this hostility with the whole world by the "Great Nations".

Assets of Sharif Family

Everyone knows what Zardaris made while in power specially thanks to Sharif family's special promotion campaign during their reign in power (I still remember every night on PTV just after news from 9:30 to 10:30 the prime time at that time) and their Chief of Ehtesab Bureau Mr. Saif Ur Rehman whose main assignment was to discredit the Political Rivals Bhuttos and made their name dirt. Especially when you have a person like Mr. Asif Zardari then your work is pretty much easy. But still there were many inappropriate scandals which even the hard core anti-Zardaris said that it can’t be true and this is all propaganda.

So, first present President Asif Ali Zardari and his family is alleged to have approximately $2 billion of assets. His political ally or rival (both of them have to stay in politics alive so both are in Government and are against each other as they knew they have to) Sharif family is alleged to have assets of more then $1.5 billion (although many claims it is even above $3 billions). Many of you will say that oh they are business man but why those assets were not above a couple of million dollars in 1981 when they came to power after being in good books of General Zia Ul Haq and when they already had lost most of their assets due to Bhuttos Nationalization (which made them bitter rivals of Bhuttos). How they from few millions reach to billions of dollars in few years and especially when Family members were in Government and these assets which were in 90’s were even divided among Ittefaq family when Mr. Sharif after his son was Prime Minister started to built independent projects which lead to the split in family. When Mr. Nawaz Sharif was finance minister and later Chief Minister of Punjab new industrial units were set up with electrifying. Ittefaq Sugar Mills was set up in 1982, Brothers steel in 1983, Brother's Textile Mills in 1986, Ittefaq Textile units in 2-3 in 1987, Khalid Siraj Textile Mills in 1988.

Now we also have to see that these $1.5 billion don’t contain those millions of dollars (at least 100 million dollars officially in cash which might be much more then that and millions of dollars of assets) which he had to handed over to General Musharaf's Government so that he and his family can go to Saudi Arabia after the deal between him and his family. Before becoming PM he was a major share holder along with his brother and cousins of Ittefaq Group, having assets well in excess of $70m in the start of 90's (all Ittefaq group combine). However he got richer when he took commissions from foreign companies for construction in Pakistan. He builds the first motorway and many new roads and took heavy kickbacks. After the first reign of Sharif family, the family had declared assets of more then $ 200 million. Sharifs are then alleged to have stolen $100m from the Iqra funds, then from a new scheme "Ghar Apna" which Sharifs had started they are claimed to have looted around $40m. Then in 1998 they launched which I always say the biggest scam of Pakistan’s history "Karz Utaro Mulk swaaro" scheme involving public & govt. money collections to help pay of Pakistan's debts. After Pakistan’s nuclear tests then Prime Minister announced to repay all debts of Pakistan through "Karz Utaro Mulk swaaro" scheme in which people contributed enthusiastically. Most of the money which was collected was pocketed and just a couple of debts were repaid to show the people that they are doing something.

In 2000, when Sharif family went to exile after deal with Government, 80% of their property in Pakistan was confiscated by the Government. That includes Brother Steel Mills, Ilyas Enterprises, Hudaybia Paper Mill, Hudaybia Engineering Company, Hamza Spinning Mills, residential property including the Model Town bungalow, three houses at Mall Road Murree, property at 135 Upper Mall Lahore, a plot at Model Town Lahore, a plot at Upper Mall, Lahore, agricultural property including 10.2 kanals of land at Khanpur Sheikhupura Road Lahore, 41 acres and 7 kanals of land at Sheikhupura, 14.2 kanals of land and another 35 kanals at Bhaipharu in Chunnian and 88 kanals of land at Raiwind.

In 1998-99 FIA is said to have presented a report to then President Rafique Tarar about investigation of Sharif Family assets abroad. The FIA's 200-page report alleges that the Sharif family's assets abroad include four flats in London's Mayfair, worth more than 3 million pounds, and over 40 million pounds in accounts and companies controlled by his family. $8 million were sent to off-shore accounts by the Ittefaq companies and then returned as foreign exchange bearer certificates to 43 Sharif family members and friends. The report also alleges that a further $50 million is managed for the family in Switzerland. According to the report, the Sharif family acquired properties in London through two companies, Nescoll and Nielson Enterprises, registered in the British Virgin Islands and linked to a bank account in Lahore in the name of a fictitious person: Sulman Zia. The four flats in Avondale House in Park Lane are said to be worth at least 750,000 pounds each (Note: These are all 1998-99 prices). Through Sulman Zia and other fake accounts, money originating in five banks in Pakistan, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia was used to secure loans to two Ittefaq group companies -- Hudaybia Paper and Hudaybia Engineering -- when Sharif was out of power. The report says that money from these fake accounts also goes to companies controlled by a Washington-based Pakistani who has been awarded lucrative contacts to ship wheat to Pakistan.

These are some of the details of the alleged assets of Sharif family. This does not include alleged Steel Mill and many other factories in Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. in which some of Saudi and Emirates Sheikhs are partners and some property said to be owned by them in Emirates.

This was just to make a point that no one in this political world is corruption free and the persons sitting on top are sitting there because they earned much more then others while staying in power whether it is Asif Ali Zardari or Nawaz Sharif. They all are same when it comes to corruption and looting public money.

Increasing Population of Pakistan: A Environmental and Economical Threat... Part I

In 1998, census Pakistan population was said to be 130.5 million (although many claim the actual figure might be +10-15 million at least). Population is been a major problem of this part of the world. Many factors including illiteracy, less (or its better to say no) sex education, no regard of family planning, no serious planning by Government, religious views and many other factors contributed to this fact. According to many reports, the rate of child birth indicates that on average 5-6 children per women in Pakistan making it one of the highest in the World. Education of sex which is like compulsory in religion became a taboo in an Islamic state due to the behavior of our Religious Scholars and mainly due to the culture of the region. This rate of population increases during late 70's and 80's (Just take any report indicating Pakistan's population) when there was a movement among the masses by the "learnt ones" to have as much children as possible to send them to "Jihad against the Infidels". But now everything is history.

Our main issue here to discuss is Environment. Every new person born in a country has rights according to nature, religion, national and international laws. He/She needed to be feed, needed clothes, space to live and other luxuries he/she can afford. With the advancement in technology the basic needs of a person is also increasing day by day. A person who might just need a house, food and clothing to live in past also need or has a desire to have a mobile phone, TV, Air conditioner, Fridge etc which are now consider a basic need of a person. But what growing population has an impact on this?

With every new young one you need more food to feed him. If your population is increasing rapidly like in Pakistan you need more harvest to produce more food to feed all of them. Unfortunately we have a limited amount of land which is also due to bad planning and no land reforms are decreasing day by day. Effect less agricultural land available means less food and more hunger. Also with increasing population you need space to accommodate them and as there is no trend of making new cities in Pakistan so with increasing population you have to sacrifice the agricultural land, gardens etc to accommodate the increasing number of people. If we clearly see rate of population and food requirement of a country has a direct relation while rate of population and living space required also has a direct relation but as total land is constant then we need to made a compromise in living space and food requirements and we are moving toward living space. But in case of constant population or near constant population better planning toward future food, housing, energy and other basic requirements could be done but with growing population and with such rate no Government with limited resources can tackle with such issues. By knowing the rate, manageable energy could be produced with manageable rate, food requirements of a country could be meet and we will be directly affecting the environment by keeping it at a constant level at least if not improving it.

Keeping population at a constant level at least will help an economy to be balance too as it will required then a fixed (or near fix its much better) number of resources to accommodate the people living.

To be continued……

I have a lot of ideas in mind related to just population which might be getting complex while explaining so I’ll try to get them straight and keep them as simple as they could be for general understanding.