Notes From My Memory, Part V, by Mir Thebo: 4th March 1967: A Day That Gave Sindh A New Beginning

Author

During Ayub era, divisional commissioners were more powerful than the ministers. They were all powerful and behaved like kings in their divisions. They wanted to exert complete control over everything under their ‘domain’ including the universities. Bureaucrats never have any regard for the educational institutions though they were students themselves once before reaching their positions of authority. There is always a conflict between bureaucrats and heads of educational institutions. Some educational administrators including Vice Chancellors of universities never allow the bureaucracy to interfere in their institutions. They have high regard for the highest seats of learning. They keep the dignity above everything. They never allow the police or army to take over the educational institutions or interfere in the policy matters of the institutions.

General Ayub Khan

In the Ayub regime, commissioners were also the members of university syndicate with governors being the chancellors. At that time the governor of West Pakistan was the Iron-Man, the Nawab of Kalabagh, Malik Amir Mohammad Khan. During a Sindh University syndicate meeting, Vice Chancellor of Sindh University, Hassan Ali Abdul Rehman, a highly educated man from a reputed educationist family, put forward a proposal that commissioners should not be members of the university syndicate. The Commissioner Hyderabad Division, Masroor Ahsan and the Governor didn’t like VC's proposal. After the meeting, the governor used a bad word for VC. Though Nawab Kalabagh was also student of Atchison and Oxford but rulers damn care about the education.

Apart from that proposal, they both were against the introduction of Sindhi language in M.A. examinations. Punjabis are a curious nation. They love Pakistan but they don’t like their own mother tongue. Punjabi language never developed or introduced even in Punjab. They love conquerors, Iranians, Arabs, Central Asians and Afghans, who butchered and robbed the people of the Indian sub-continent. They hate heroes who resisted foreigners. Any way, the idea of choosing and imposing Urdu as a national and official language, has a link to the policy to rule and subjugate other nations in Pakistan. In 1952, Bengalis resisted imposition of Urdu and sacrificed their lives. Government ultimately bowed down and accepted the Bengali language as a national language. But Sindhis were not so politically aware to put forward the demand forcefully.

Gov. Amir Mohammad Khan

Commissioner Masroor Ahsan couldn't tolerate VC Hassan Ali Abdul Rehman and wanted to get rid of him. When university students came to know of the moves to remove the VC, the activist students started to wake up the politically ‘sleeping’ Sindhi students.

Politically Unaware, Raw Youth:

At that time, Sindhi students were not politically charged as they are today. They were like ‘raw youth’ in Dostoyevsky’s short story of that name. They were never engaged in any political activities in the past. If you would go to them asking for boycotting the classes, they would be very reluctant and would say ‘no, our parents have not sent us for politics’. Many students would not feel happy if in a class when a teacher was giving them a lecture, some students came and asked them to boycott the class. In such conditions, we have to do some ugly things for the greater cause. Political workers are trained for this so we knew the art of exploiting the emotions of our politically virgin students.

In 1967, Yousuf Laghari was a very popular student leader. He was the president of the Sindh University Students Union. He was also president of Hyderabad Students Federation (HSF) affiliated with Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP). Jam Saqi was General Secretary and I was the Press Secretary. Yousuf was not the member of CPP but he was a sympathizer of the party. We always tried to put him under party discipline but Yousuf never cared about the rules. He was free like a bird. He was the student of political science. Though he didn’t have money, he never cared about that. Sometimes he couldn’t pay the mess bill. He was staying at very shabby hostel in Guru Nagar in a barrack like room with four other teacher students in MED. He would always be smiling and make jokes with everybody. Every one liked him very much. To show love for him, students used to call him Mama (maternal uncle). The people who knew him then would vouch that he still is the same whether he is a renowned lawyer or advocate general of Sindh. (He recently resigned from that position). Sometimes he uses vulgar language with friends but they don’t mind.

Yousuf Laghari

When Yousuf Laghari knew that the government was planning to replace the VC, he took in confidence the students of Sindh University, Liaquat Medical College (now university) and SU Engineering College (also a university now) and took out every day a procession with students inside the buses because he knew they were shy and also a little bit in fear and will not come on the streets. He was a good tactician. So everyday, the students shouted slogans from inside the buses, Masroor Kuta (DOG) Hi Hi. Buses would come from Jam Shoro through the city to the commissioner's office. Sometimes raised advanced slogans like One Unit Murdabad. Students would become mad at us and will say: 'you people will put us in a hell. Don’t raise such slogans. We are not political'.

4^th March 1967:

It became an everyday routine. It was a very peaceful movement: no strike, no shops closed and no violence. It was like “Intifada” of Sindhi students. After some time the city administration became tired and irritated, so they decided to stop it with force. It was the morning of 4^th March, 1967 when as the students coming from Jam Shoro on the buses, reached near the place where now Rajputana Hospital stands (in those days both sides of the road were nothing but water logged land filled with saline water), huge contingents of police blocked the road and stopped the buses and very ruthlessly started taking the students out of the buses and beating them mercilessly. Some students ran into the dirty water to get away but police caught them and beat them up.

General area where the 4th March incident took place. Photo from Internet

 Many students were injured and admitted in the city hospital. 207 students were arrested and sent to the central prison. Yousuf Laghari, Yousuf Talpur, Masood Noorani and Kamil Rajpar were among the arrested students. In the evening, rumors spread that many students were killed but in fact no one was killed. It was a gloomy evening. SU old campus looked like a ghost place. Jam Saqi was arrested from the old campus. I was not arrested on that day and as the press secretary of HSF, I went to the press offices to condemn high handedness of the authority. For the first time, the press was very much sympathetic and expressed sorrow at the event. In those days, the press was not as outspoken as it is today. The newspapers were afraid of the administration and journalists would not even like to meet or have a cup of tea with us. Today many newspapers give a look of political pamphlets. Sometimes it is more political than the politicians and more nationalist than the nationalists.

Sindh University, Old Campus

Two days after the incident, all Sindhi papers wrote editorials in support of students. Two Urdu journalists, Mubin from Huriat and Iqbal Hamid from Jang also sympathized with us but a line was drawn between the Urdu and Sindhi students because the commissioner was Urdu speaking and VC was Sindhi speaking. The party (Communist Party) tried hard to unite the students. In this connection, we arranged a joint demonstration at Gari Khata, Hyderabad to break the 144 rule with trade union workers and students. Most of trade union workers were Urdu speaking. Because of the harassment, we were only two students in the demonstration, me and Ghulam Qadir Palijo. He was student of Agriculture College Tando Jam (now university). We all were arrested. Authorities never liked to see students unite with the workers. After arresting us, S.P. said in a hatred: 'you stupid, why are you with the workers'? They didn’t like solidarity between students and workers.

The news of the incident spread throughout Sindh like wild fire. All sections of the society, lawyers, Doctors, shopkeepers and some landlords were sympathetic to us. R.B. Palijo became very active for the release of the students. Lawyers Defense Committee was formed. The most inspired section of the population was the writers and poets. They started writing poetry and stories with full of national sentiments. Shaikh Ayaz wrote the famous verse "Sindhri Te Sir Ker Na Deendo Sahando Ker Mayaar O Yaar, Jhol Jhali Jadehn Bhitai, Kiranda Kandh Hazaar O Yaar'. It was really a new beginning in Sindh with people rising from a long slumber.

All the students were released in a few days.

Islamic Law Saves Raymond Davis - Joint Saudi-ISI-CIA Mission Successful! Indus Herald Exclusive Report on Behind the Scene Moves

By Aijaz Ahmed

DoD ID card of US official Raymond Davis

Islamabad: Finally the cat is out of the bag! The long simmering diplomatic row between US and Pakistan is over. The two countries found a safe way out of the crisis as the joint Saudi-ISI-CIA mission was successful in saving the neck of US Embassy official, Raymond Davis who was accused in the double murder case in Lahore. And it was Islamic Sharia law of Qasas and Diyat, which came to the rescue of the US official. As the standoff, which had created tension between the two countries, came to an end, it was obvious who made the deal possible but it will be the politicians and the political governments at the center and the Punjab province who are to take the blame in the eyes of many.

“Wait, an out of box solution is finally reached and will be unleashed in a few hours” was the assertion of sources at Foreign Office of Pakistan just few hours before the news of Raymond’s release hit the media channels and social networks. Moments later, TV channels were telecasting the news through their breaking news alerts informing the public that Raymond Davis was pardoned by the aggrieved families of Fahim Shamshad and Faizan, the two young men shot dead by Raymond Davis on January 27^th in Lahore, Pakistan.

Rana Sanaullah, the spokesman of the Government of Punjab, and the provincial law minister while confirming the news, maintained that US official Raymond Davis was released on court orders after the aggrieved families pardoned him after receiving blood money under Qasas and Diyat laws. He was bit confused on the amount paid as blood money and about the sources who provided that money. He, however, confirmed in a decisive tone and with surety that all the 18 legal and sharai heirs of Fahim and Faizan were present in the court and all of them in front of the judge pardoned Raymond Davis and then he was released.

A few minutes later Asad Manzoor Butt, a lawyer of the aggrieved families, claimed that he was kept in habeas corpus by jail authorities for few hours. He alleged that the signatures by the families were taken on gunpoint. It was his statement that created doubts regarding the whole story. Meanwhile along with the confirmed reports regarding the safe but a hurried departure of Raymond Davis to Afghanistan, his medical check up and a confirmation by the state department made the situation complex. The reactions were confused, and suddenly a blame game started.

Rana Sanaullah got furious when asked if Punjab Government had played the role of a facilitator instead of the prosecutor. He took refuge of the court decision and same was the position taken by the PPP government in Center. Qamar Zaman Kaira, the information secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party while terming the release a vindication of party’s stand observed that the "court has decided the Raymond Davis case in accordance with country’s constitution and law”. In a statement issued here by the PPP Central Secretariat, Kaira said that the government right from beginning of the case had been saying that Raymond’s issue was in the court and whatever decision it would take in this regard, the government would accept it. He said that the verdict was an endorsement of the principled stance of PPP. He said that the heirs of the deceased themselves appeared in the court and forgave Raymond and accepted blood money.

Assessing the situation and to control damage done by the statement of Senator Kerry earlier, The US Ambassador Cameron Munter tried to ease out the tense situation created by furious Pakistan media by saying that the US Justice Department had started investigations in to the Lahore incident. He however thanked both the central and the provincial governments for their positive roles and assured a full financial assistance in the present financial crunch the country is passing through. He and the state department spokesman in Washington denied any payment on account of Blood Money, while the sources in the jail, Punjab Police and the provincial government were telling different story. The sources while confirming the payment of blood money compensation claimed that Rs. 200 million were paid to 18 legal and sharai heirs of the two deceased. The TV Channels showed copies of the payment receipts and according to them, 10 family members of Faizan and 8 family members of Fahim received the blood money.

No	Family members of Fahim	Amount Paid
1	Father of Fahim	Rs. 11.1 million
2	Mother of Fahim	Rs. 33.3 million
3	Sisters  (2)	Rs. 5.5 muillion 55 thousand (each)
4	Brothers (4)	Rs. 11.1 million (each)
	Family of Faizan
1	Mother of Faizan	Rs. 33.3 million
2	Widow of Fahim	Rs 25 million
3	Brother (3)	Rs. 7.5 million 77 thousand each
4	Sisters (5)	Rs. 3.7 million 87 thousand each
	Grand Total	Rs. 206,851,000

 

Note: Widow of Fahim committed suicide and thus there was no compensation or blood money for her

Although United States denied any blood money payment, the receipts of the payments made are enough evidence of the fact that such a heavy amount was paid. But story does not end here; both the families are not in their houses. Both families shifted to some safe houses four days ago and they submitted new affidavits and changed their lawyers said the Punjab Law Minister.

As Punjab Law Minister denied any involvement of his government in settling the issue, and worthy leader of the opposition in National Assembly Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, other PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Khwaja Asif and Saad Rafique, in their vague statements tried to put all the blame on their opponent federal government and held it accountable, the sources placed in the CM House and Sharif Family are very much sure that Chotay Mian sahib the worthy Khadim e Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif played himself an important role and made it possible that a deal was struck. Senior Columnist Najam Sethi has maintained that Shahbaz had played an instrumental role in convincing the families. He was the one who also convinced families to accept US citizenship.

But the main players in the high drama of course were the army, the ISI, CIA and the Saudi Arabia. Sources in the defense sector are of the view that General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani met Admiral Mullen in Bahrain last month and it was agreed between the two that both security forces and allied spy agencies will resolve the issue and also will reduce tension between CIA and ISI. Next day the CIA Chief made a telephone call to ISI Chief General Pasha and thus road map was agreed. Siddiaq ul Farooq, a PML-N central leader confirmed that Saudi government played its role and made it possible for Punjab government actually led by Nawaz Sharif to settle the issue. It would be second time in recent history that Saudi government has played an active role in a controversial matter in Pakistan. First time it provided a safe exit to Nawaz Sharif and now Raymond Davis from custody of PML-N Government.

Shortly after the two high profile communications and follow up meetings in Islamabad and Washington, the Saudi Ambassador Abdul Aziz al Ghader got active. He kept shuttling between Islamabad and Lahore and finally got the family of Faizan to fly to Makah Mukarma to perform Umrah and hence the families gave up their resistance in receiving the blood money. Saudi ambassador in his meeting with the President earlier this month conveyed that the deal is struck and now the authorities can move forward. Here the powers that be entered the scene again and it was decided to replace the lawyer with Raja Irshad Kiani, a Supreme Court lawyer with dubious credentials. He is the lawyer who in the missing persons’ case had presented the statement of ISI, which admitted custody of some people in front of the Supreme Court and got the issue settled. Raja Irshad Kiani implemented the script and got Raymond released!

In addition, the CIA and ISI who were not at good terms, have agreed on some basic principles, sources in Islamabad claim. The United States in the deal has admitted that Raymond Davis had committed a crime and he will have this stigma for life from now onwards. Secondly a major point of understanding was reached between the two agencies that both agencies i. e. CIA and ISI will obey the basic principles of diplomacy. No under cover agent will cross his/her limits from the agreed role and will act in accordance with the control and command agreement reached between the two governments in Musharraf Regime and they will obey the diplomatic norms and the country law. No US agent will enter Pakistan without visa and a check will be kept on their activities. Some of the dubious agents are leaving Pakistan shortly. An important question still needs the answer, that why US was worried for a DoD contractor, answer is very simple: he still holds one of the top three important positions in CIA, a source in the US Embassy claimed

Closing words:  The judge who decided the case has gone on long leave, sources claimed. The families of Faizan and Fahim are also leaving for United States where they have been given citizenship! “All is well that ends well”!       

Raymond Davis Fiasco, Other US Spies & Operatives in Pakistan & Role of Pakistani Agencies: IH Exclusive Story

By: Aijaz Ahmed

Although the Foreign Office has confessed in the Punjab High Court of having no record that can be used to give Raymond Davis the required diplomatic immunity to save him from the charge of double murder in Lahore, the question still persists why our worthy agencies had lost his track when he was issued visa on documents of an under cover agent and also that what several other US staffers are doing in Pakistan who are presently 'working' in Pakistan but have not been issued diplomatic card so far.

The issue on the legal front was finally resolved when Pakistan’s foreign office made it clear that it had no record so far that proved Raymond Davis a US diplomat. The confession made it clear that Raymond will have to face the trial in the double murder case and meet whatever fate as a consequence. It also indicated that all earlier claims of government pressure on the FO to declare Raymond a diplomat were without a substance. Contrarily the issue still needed to answer some questions: the documents available at the Foreign office clearly show that Raymond was issued work card by US Consulate Peshawar No 481951 in category E of the staff, but how suddenly he landed in Lahore, ending up as an accused in the double murder witnessed by dozens of people.

A reminder for giving diplomatic status to the staff members at Islamabad Chancery and/or Consulates at Lahore and Peshawar was sent to Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 25, 2011 carrying the names of 48 people (list is also posted), but the name of Mr. Davis was missing from that list. The status of the people in the list was not clear; however 17 members were issued diplomatic status while cases of the rest are pending.

Three days later, on the early morning of 28th January 2011, another list containing 55 names including some from the previous list was hurriedly sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Raymond was included in the list (List is also posted. He is at no. 5 in the list). The list contained names of staffers working at Lahore Consulate. According to the list, diplomatic status was claimed for Raymond Davis on January 20^th, 2010. This shows that the US Embassy in Islamabad mishandled the issue at very early stage and thus complicated the situation.

According to the second list, Raymond Davis could be covered only under Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and not under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Since the Convention on Consular Relations does not give immunity from the criminal acts, therefore the Embassy sent another communication on January 28^th. The letter No 434/11 declared Raymond Davis a diplomat and member of technical staff at the US Embassy in Islamabad.

“The Embassy itself was not clear on the issue of Raymond Davis, how come we could have issued him diplomatic status short after the Lahore incident” said a foreign office official adding that the FO, immediately after the incident took place, asked US Embassy at Islamabad to clear the situation.  Indeed, the diplomatic status was asked for Mr. Davis in January 2010, but we asked certain questions regarding his background and no response what so ever was given by the embassy, the FO officials’ maintained. Reason for posing some questions from the Foreign Office was obvious; the record provided clearly indicated that he was a contractor of the Department of Defense (DoD) with cover from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

A US Embassy official on condition of anonymity observed that the two cards provided with record of Davis, i.e., the DoD Contractor Card, and the card issued by Department of Veterans Affairs are clear indication in the US diplomatic system that the holder of the card is a retired military personnel, but now an under cover agent of CIA. The person having two cards can be moved or deputed by the CIA any where in the world, and Pakistani agencies are aware of these facts, he added.

This is the point where serious questions on the performance of the agencies arise. The record was available, but no check on his movement was placed, sources in the foreign ministry have confessed. He was an under cover agent, but was moving freely, probably under the agreement on joint command and control system made by General Musharraf, sources added. By virtue of a criminal act of the murder of two Pakistanis, Raymond Davis is nabbed, but what about other US spies/operatives? The lists attached clearly suggest few names having the same credentials are still in Pakistan, they move quite freely, but they still are waiting for some clear status. Whether a check on their movement is placed or not is not clear so far. Foreign Office sources observed that ‘around 70 to 80 more US officials with dubious status are present in Pakistan and are waiting for their status, and what these operatives are doing on our soil is still not clear'.  

List of 1-48 of 55 US staffers in a reminder sent by US Embassy on 28th January 2011 to Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for diplomatic status for them

List of 49-55 of 55 US staffers in a reminder sent by US Embassy on 28th January 2011 to Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for diplomatic status for them

List of 48 US staffers in a reminder sent by US Embassy on 25th January 2011 to Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for diplomatic status for them

Copy of the Department of Defense (DoD) Identity Card issued to Raymond Davis

Copy of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Identity Card issued to Raymond Davis

Tables are Turned in Islamabad: Shujaat Officially Meets Zardari. Final Showdown Between PPP, SC & PML-N Imminent?

By: Aijaz Ahmed

President Zardari makes his moves

 Islamabad: It was a day of President Asif Ali Zardari in the Federal Capital of Pakistan today as he threw surprise after a surprise at his opponents, indicating that the PPP has finally decided to play its cards and a final battle between PPP, Supreme Court and PML-N is now imminent. The indication was given by a surprise meeting, which was officially admitted by Aiwan-e-Saddr (presidency) itself between the President and Co-Chairperson PPP Asif Ali Zardari and a delegation of PML (Q) headed by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Friday night.

Officially confirming the meeting, Farhat Ullah Babar, the presidential spokesman in his press statement said that the PML (Q) delegation included Senator Waseem Sajjad, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Amir Muqam, Mr. Kamil Ali Agha, Mr. Riaz Prizada and Ghous Baksh Mahar.

The PPP side included President PPP Punjab, Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Waraich, PPP KPK President Mr. Zahir Shah, President’s Political Secretary, Ms Rukhsana Bangash, Ms Fouzia Habib, Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhat Ullah Babar and Dr. Qayum Soomro. 

Briefing the media about the meeting, Spokesperson to the President, Mr. Farhat Ullah Babar said that the current political situation in the country was discussed during the meeting. However, remarks attributed to Ch. Shujaat are quite interesting. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that the PML would not be a party to any attempt to destabilize the government. He said that the party believed that the present democratic dispensation should complete its mandatory term of five years. Later the President hosted dinner for the delegation.

Choudhries Shujaat & Pervaiz Elahi - the king's men, always?

Embedded with the Supreme Court cases and a decision against Chairman NAB, the rapid political moves by PML-N and other parties were meant to pressurize the president and his party. 'Every political effort was aimed at exerting more pressure on the government at center for midterm elections, and the moves made today by president Zardari are part of the PPP strategy to be unleashed in near future', said a closed aide of the president.

‘The party is ready to take on the judicial activism, and the political strategy of PML-N’, he said. ‘The meeting of PML (Q) and PPP leadership will open venues for future cooperation and joint political strategy against Mian brothers and the judiciary, he added.

Both PPP and PML-Q were in contact for last several months, but no official or unofficial meeting between the two leaders took place in last few months, said the presidency sources. Both leaders met once earlier when Justice Dogar dislodged Punjab government in 2008, but both sides denied such meeting at that time.

'Today’s meeting was not merely a meeting to discuss political situation, it will open ways and means of future cooperation between them in Punjab. The president has invited them to join federal cabinet, which may be quite difficult at the moment', said the party sources. However, the PML (Q) has moved the Election Commission against Unification Block and Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Iqbal. The revelation in this regard was made previously by IH, and today was the mere confirmation. Earlier, both the opposition parties in the province launched a joint protest in the Punjab assembly. ‘This is our strategy; PML Q will continue its legal battle against Sharifs and Unification Block and PPP will only provide support remaining in the background’, party sources revealed to Indus Herald.

The move will also counter pressure tactics being used by MQM in the difficult times just before the local body elections, sources revealed, adding that PPP will counter MQM pressure with the help of its previous allies.

Both leaders ere agreed to formulate a joint strategy in case the Punjab government crosses its limits, and if PML-N makes any further moves for mid term polls, sources revealed. In such a situation, a motion will be submitted by PML-Q in Punjab Assembly seeking vote of confidence for Mian Shahbaz Sharif, they added.

Chess Board is laid, and field is open for all political and allied forces. Every player is playing its moves, but the clever player will win in the end. And who will be the cleverest of all, only time holds the answer, just wait for few weeks.

Zardari Moves to Reappoint Justice ® Deedar Shah, Writes to PM Gilani & Opposition Leader Ch. Nisar

By: Aijaz Ahmed

Justice (R) Deedar Shah

Islamabad: In yet another surprising but clever move, second time in a day, President Asif Ali Zardari has proposed to reappoint Justice (Retd) Syed Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman, National Accountability Bureau and sought the opinion of the Prime Minister Gilani as Leader of the House and the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan through two separate letters, which declared a step towards consultative process mandatory for such appointment.

It would be interesting to note that the Supreme Court has declared Deedar Hussain Shah’s appoint as illegal and vide-ab initio on Friday and the detailed judgment in this regard is still awaited citing grounds and reasons in favor of the court verdict.
 
Spokesperson to the President, Farhatullah Babar, while confirming the move maintained that the opinion of the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and a PML Hawk, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has been sought through a letter signed by Secretary Malik Asif Hayat on behalf of the President. The letter was also sent to the Prime Minister for forwarding the same to the Opposition Leader.
 
In his letter to Ch. Nisar, the president observed: “Mr. Justice (Retd) Syed Deedar Hussain Shah is a man of integrity with rich legal background. Thus he was elevated from the bar as a Judge to the Sindh High Court and remained the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court. He then retired as Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan”. ‘In view of his non controversial career, his integrity and non-partisan character, he is a suitable candidate for the appointment as chairman of much talked about organization of NAB’, he added.
 
While giving the background of the nomination of Syed Deedar Hussain Shah, president also took note of the earlier objections raised by PML-N that he had “political affiliation with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party”. Taking note of it the President said that Syed Deedar Shah remained Member of Sindh Provincial Assembly long before he was appointed as Judge of the Sindh High Court in 1994. He was appointed as Judge Sindh High Court keeping in view his vast professional experience and unquestionable integrity and subsequently elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in April, 2000 and served in the apex Court till 2004, the President’s letter said.
 
Farhatullah Babar said that in order to make the issue crystal clear the President’s letter also quoted the 1996 Supreme Court judgment in Al-Jehad Trust case that settled the issue of political affiliation of a candidate for judgeship and concluded that political affiliation alone might not disqualify a candidate.
 
The relevant part of the SC judgment in the Al-Jehad Trust case quoted in the latter states: “That the question whether political affiliation of a candidate for judgeship of superior court would disqualify him to be appointed as Judge of High Court, has been examined in depth, and it has been found that political affiliation alone may not disqualify the candidate provided he is a person of unimpeachable integrity having sound knowledge in law and is recommended by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned and the Chief Justice of Pakistan. After he is appointed as Judge of the High Court and takes oath to perform is functions without fear, favor or ill-will and decides cases purely on merits, he would be as good as a Judge as any other Judge, who had no political affiliation before assuming the office of a Judge of the High Court.”
 
The letter to Opposition Leader also draws attention to the Court’s observations in the same judgment at page 511 thus: -“That a person cannot be appointed as a Judge simpliciter for the reason he has political affiliation with a particular political party, but if he is a man of integrity and has sound knowledge of law and is recommended by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned and the Chief Justice of Pakistan, then his past political affiliation will not be a disqualification. A person of integrity and sound knowledge normally severs his past connections with the political party with which he had affiliation and decides the matter purely on merits.”
 
Farhatullah Babar said that the President’s letter also points out that the former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif had in 2000 expressed full confidence in Mr. Justice Deedar Hussain Shah and quotes from the historical record.
 
“It is apparent on record that former Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif filed criminal Petition No.172 of 2000 before the Supreme Court of Pakistan under Article 185(3) read with Article 187-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, against the order dated 27.06.2000 passed by the Full Bench of High Court of Sindh in Criminal Appeal No.43 of 2000 wherein Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif reposed full confidence in the then Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Syed Deedar Hussain Shah”, the letter said.
 
Thus Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, at the most critical juncture of his life reposed the fullest confidence in Mr. Justice Syed Deedar Hussain Shah, the President’s letter said. “Not only this but he has cited the conduct of Justice Syed Deedar Hussain Shah, then Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, as precedent during the tenure of his successor which is manifestly clear from the petition for leave to appeal under Article 185(3) against order dated 27.06.2000 passed in Cr: Appeal No.43/2000 by Full Bench of High Court of Sindh”, the letter said.
 
’The Honorable Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly is requested to kindly consider the proposal of appointment of Mr. Justice (R) Syed Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB and convey his views in this behalf’, the letter said.
 
In a separate letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the President said that in terms of Section 6 (b)(i) of the NAB Ordinance, 1999, the consultation with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly is a requirement of law for purposes of appointment of Chairman, NAB.
 
Therefore, consultation with Leader of the House (the Prime Minister of Pakistan) is made to meet the requirement of law, the letter to the Prime Minister also signed by Secretary Asif Hayat said.
 
 Farhatullah Babar said that relevant provisions of the law laying down qualifications for appointment of Chairman NAB state as under:
 
“6. (ba)    A person shall not be appointed as Chairman NAB unless he-

(i) is a retired Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of a High Court; or

(ii) is a retired officer of the Armed Forces of Pakistan equivalent to the rank of a Lieutenant General; or

(iii) is a retired Federal Government Officer in BPS-22 or equivalent.”

Contrarily, the PML-N while giving its reaction maintained that it has no knowledge of any letter of such nature, while the presidency confirms that the latter has been sent at the address of the leader of the opposition at Parliament House.

More interesting would be the reaction of PML (N) particularly after a complete shutter down in favor of Deedar Shah in his native province of Sindh against the Supreme Court decision. The party has no other objection on the person of Deedar Shah, except the previous one, while the Supreme Court has declared his previous appointment vide-ab initio means his appoint will be considered as never had been made, hence leaving room for his reappointment as under the provisions of the NAB Ordinance, the post of Chairman NAB is non-extendable.

On the other hand, PML-N sources are of the view that the party will surely raise some objections and is expected to propose names of Justice Shakir Ullah Jan and Sardar Raza. It may also be mentioned here that a high level judicial personality proposed Justice Khalilurrehman Ramday’s name as Chairman NAB when apex court ordered the government to remove Naveed Ahsan from the post in NRO case December 2009. PML-N, in a bid to support Justice Iftikhar Ch., had favored the appointment of Justice Ramday, who had a close political link with Nawaz Sharif. Ch. Farooq, elder brother of Justice (Retd) Ramday, was advocate General Punjab and then Attorney general who initiated Swiss case against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari without due permission of then federal cabinet. Ch Asad Ur Rehman, former state minister of parliamentary affairs in Nawaz Sharif’s 1999 cabinet is also real brother of Justice Ramday.

ISI Chief Lt. General Pasha gets another extension! Will Supreme Court Intervene?

By Aijaz Ahmed

ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha

Islamabad: Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) gets another two years extension in his service, thus all four civilian and the uniformed top brass will remain in the office till 2013, sources in the power corridors revealed to Indus Herald today. However, whether the extension will be taken as a violation of the Supreme Court orders or the extension will bring the political stability in the country is yet to be determined.

Sources placed in the government have confirmed that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani sent a summary along with his advice for the two years extension in the service of DG ISI Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, which is duly accepted by the president yesterday and thus his present tenure is again extended.

The second extension will start at the end of his first extension tenure that was awarded last year when he was about to retire, but first extension under the law was given for one year.

It may be mentioned that general Kayani, the COAS was also given an extension in his service and also in his tenure as army Chief, and the reason being given for both these extensions is no other than continuity and consolidation of results in war on terror.

‘General Pasha in his present position is playing a pivotal and critical role in intelligence gathering for war on terror and operations against different Taliban outfits’, said an official at the presidency.

The second extension is obviously linked with the present political scenario, particularly in view of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s suggestion of a dialogue between the Army and the Judiciary to resolve the present crisis in the country.

‘Shahbaz Sharif’s suggestion of dialogue between political leadership, military top brass and judiciary is an effort to build rapport between the “defamed” PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and the military establishment while the PMLN is already enjoying good and healthy relations with CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry led judiciary’, said a PPP leader on the condition of anonymity. 

The extension shall be seen in the light of the latest PML-N move and the pressure being exerted by the leaders out of parliament. Every single effort is being made to make military establishment think about a coup again, said Faisal Raza Abidi, political advisor to the president. ‘We want to establish a point that the political governments should complete their term and that is why we have adopted the policy of reconciliation’, he added.

The extension is also an effort to keep the good and healthy relationship between presidency/PPP and the GHQ, said a party insider. Another reason for extending his tenure is no other than a case against General Pasha in America. General Pasha as serving general enjoys immunity that a diplomat enjoys. ‘By another extension in his service tenure, we will benefit from his experience and the continuity in war on terror, but meanwhile the case against him will either be withdrawn or decided and than he will be a free citizen to move anywhere in the world’, a PPP source added.

It will be interesting to see CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry's reaction to this development

However, the critical aspect of the extension will be reaction of the Supreme Court on the decision as it has already terminated number of high-ranking police officers including DG FIA, Waseem Ahmed whom the government of the day considers critical in the war on terror. ‘In fact every institution shall work within its limits, and should not intervene in the jurisdiction of any other institution’, said Faisal Raza Abidi.

‘We follow double standards as the registrar Supreme Court is already given two years’ extension by the CJ himself, while army chief is also enjoying an extension, but the civilian government is not allowed to give extension to any civilian officer because of certain other reasons’, commented a senior PPP leader.  ‘It is the time now for the Supreme Court to take notice of this extension and set an example’, he added.     

War On Terror, US Embassy in Islamabad & Haqqani Group: Too Close For Comfort

War On Terror: Is Islamabad Security Compromised?

By Ibn e Mehboob

Islamabad nowadays looks like a fort under attack. To beef up the security and keep the ‘invaders’ at bay, the city is divided in two zones: very high security zone and normal security zone. A number of checkpoints have been established to closely monitor and scrutinize the movement between the two zones and different sectors of the city as well as the entry into this beautiful but highly bugged capital city. Special attention is paid to keep an eye on the people with extremist mindset including various jihadi outfits. But it is strange that an unusual activity or presence of dubious characters is witnessed right in the middle of the high security zone – the Red Zone.

The Red Zone basically consists of very sensitive areas that include the diplomatic enclave, the Presidency, the PM House, PM Secretariat, Parliament, Parliament lodges, Supreme Court, Foreign Office, the Provinces’ Houses, Secretariat, some administrative offices, two five star hotels and a few other sensitive departments’ offices. The zone starts in the North from the streams of the Murree Hills where Quaid-e-Azam University is situated and includes the areas of Bhara Kahu, Banigala of DR AQ Khan, Chak Shahzad and the adjacent localities in the East. The whole lands of the University and the adjacent areas are very picturesque. The landscape looks like a replica of Eastern Afghanistan.

It is in this area where hundreds of Afghan families are settled on the lands originally belonging to the Quaid-e-Azam University and despite repeated attempts, the administration has failed to vacate the lands from the occupation of the Afghans mainly because of the reported pressure of our worthy intelligence agencies. The amazing part of the story is the fact that US Embassy, its proposed extension area and few other facilities are situated in the same diplomatic zone or in the adjacent areas.

There is an amazing development in the area related to Haqqani Group of Afghanistan. While going through Bhara Kahu, just few kilometers away from US Embassy, but surely close enough to be under its surveillance, a vast piece of land is reportedly owned by an Afghan born Najaf Shah. The land holding is also reported to be illegal, as country’s law does not allow any foreign national specially a refugee to buy land in Pakistan. Sources in Islamabad also reveal that two blood brothers of Afghan warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani, namely, Ibrahim Haqqani and Khalil Haqqani are ‘sleeping partners’ of Najaf Shah.

It is noteworthy that United States wanted an offensive against the Haqqani group a few months back but on the intervention of Pakistan and also because of its policy of engagement with Afghan Taliban groups, the strike was postponed.

It may be noticed that the United States has its own network of intelligence working in Pakistan besides the satellite monitoring and intelligence sharing with Pakistan and Afghanistan but right under the nose of its very huge embassy, the presence of Afghan tribes and land holding of the brothers of Mr. Haqqani could be seen as conspicuous gaps in the security.

It would be worth mentioning that a number of terrorist incidents have taken place in the twin cities that include the attacks on GHQ and the United Nations Office and the murder of federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti, and kidnapping attempts of several high profile security related officials. Security agencies have not succeeded so far to trace any major clue in the incidents.  

Pakistan's Political Chess Board: PPP Plans Counter Moves

By Aijaz Ahmed

Islamabad

March is usually calm and cold month for Islamabad with snow fall on the surrounding hills and the mild showers in the twin cities but this time the situation is quite different as political temperature is on constant rise despite cold wave at the beginning of the spring weather.

The current ‘political heat wave’ started with the PML-N’s move to expel PPP from the Punjab government. It has been followed by the ‘mysterious’ activism by JUI’s Maulana Fazlu-rehman who shrewdly brought a large number of opposition leaders together at his residence. The more unusual and astonishing was the participation of the “principled’ opposition leader, Ch Nisar Ali khan and his friendly discussion with ex-military dictator Musharraf’s ‘political adopted babies’ like Ch. Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain whom PML-N considers its enemies! The sole reason given by the PML-N was the discussion on political developments in of course the ‘national interest’!

Other unusual development was the presence of MQM, which sits on the treasury benches both in the parliament and the provincial assembly of Sindh and enjoys more power than the actual government party, the PPP.

PPP hawks are carefully watching these ‘follow-up developments’ after the party’s rather unceremonious ouster from the Punjab cabinet. As the leading party of the coalition government feels pressure and threat to its very survival, it has formed multi pronged strategy to withstand the pressure and political moves to be unleashed in near future?

The party insiders reveal that the Sindh Chapter will be used to put pressure on the Punjab Government along with the opposition in the Punjab provincial assembly. ‘The recent statements by two MPAs from Sindh are just trailer in this regards’, a party leader observed. In Punjab, the opposition will use corruption and ‘lotacracy’ (politics of turncoats) as one of its tool against Shahbaz Sharif. ‘We will provide full legal support to PML (Q) parliamentary leaders in Punjab in any legal and the court proceeding to de-seat unification block at Punjab Assembly’, he added.

However, at the center, the party has planned to politically respond to onslaught by PML-N leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif, Ch Nisar and others. Prime Minister has been given responsibility to keep ‘in touch’ with Nawaz Sharif and not to let him go to an extreme position. Accordingly, PM has made two contacts in last three days with the ‘king of Raiwind’ and assured him that PPP will not break CoD despite the break up with PML-N in Punjab.

PM Yusuf Gilani, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif & Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif

Here comes the role of Dr. Babar Awan whom Mian Sb has brought to an equal status. The legal wizard will lead party’s campaign at central level. He will respond each and every step by PML-N, but in response, PPP will not launch any onslaught on PML-N to avoid any blame of destabilizing the system, one of the central party leaders told this scribe.

‘We respect PML-N and its role in last few years. We respect CoD as it is a sacred document signed by BB Shaheed’, said Qamar Zaman Kaira. ‘PPP will not let any opposition party to go to the extant where system is destabilized’, observed a political appointee at the presidency, adding that ‘we will bear pressure but complete our tenure’. ‘However, any move from PML-N will be responded in same manner and we believe that PML-N will not be in a position to loose Punjab at this stage, and this is the point we are making central to our strategy’, he further observed.

Pakistan: A country created & being destroyed in the name of religion – by Aziz Narejo

Self-Destruction

It was not long ago when some Indian Muslim leaders had gathered in Lahore and had adopted a resolution at their meeting to demand a brand new country in the name of religion. They systematically created a mass frenzy in the support of their demand and finally achieved what they wanted – ‘a brand new country in the name of religion’. It was born in a pool of blood and was accompanied by the misery and the mass migration on a scale never seen before in the Sub-Continent.

But creating hysteria and dividing population in the name of religion was very easy compared to running and managing a new country. The leadership failed at all levels – and in all sections of the society. The rot started early. They couldn’t bring the country to the people. Couldn’t keep it together. Couldn’t agree on a Constitution or a form of government. First it was Mullahs, feudals and bureaucrats. They were soon joined by the military, which lost no time to enslave everybody else. It became the 'praetorian masters', the ‘powers that be’ and the ‘establishment’. The military became the ultimate master of the destiny of the country.

To stop the people from getting their due rights, the establishment created a fake ‘ideology of Pakistan’. When pressed to accept demands of the people, especially from the eastern wing and the smaller provinces, it first created One Unit and then encouraged the rightists to fight the progressive elements and the people of various nationalities demanding their rights. The religious right and the establishment would readily dub them unpatriotic, anti-state, anti-Islam and enemies of the country.

What was the result? They lost half of the country in just 24 years. They still didn’t learn. Created some more monsters in the name of religion and ethnicity. Today everything seems out of control. The rightist groups, which were supported in the name of religion to fight the nationalist and progressive elements in the country and to wage proxy wars on the borders and in India and Afghanistan, have started working on their own agenda. They now think they are in a position to claim the whole pie – ‘why settle for less’?

A mosque destroyed in suicide blast

These groups hold the whole country hostage now. They have made the governance impossible and the country is fast moving to complete anarchy. The establishment still seems to be oblivious of where these groups may take the country and what havoc they may create. It still supports part of these groups considering them as its ‘strategic assets’.

Along with the establishment, some in media and other sections of the society have also developed soft corner for the rightist groups. They think that country could be brought together in the name of religion, which can actually never happen. Religion as it is today can only further divide an already divided country. It may create some more fissures and chaos. Most of the religious groups and parties are at loggerheads with each other and frequently issue edicts dubbing the followers of rival sects as infidels and liable to be eliminated.

Country is clearly on a path to self-destruction. Many of the people would still not realize the seriousness of the situation. They are in the constant state of denial and blame every misfortune either on America or India. Well, the two may have some blame to share but considering them responsible for everything, distracts us from the malaise that may be afflicting us from within. It also keeps us from focusing on other countries, which are pouring money into the seminaries producing the suicide bombers and murderers. More we close our eyes to them, closer we get to our destruction.

If the situation is not checked very quickly, someone may soon write an epitaph: ‘Here lies a country, which was created in the name of religion and was destroyed in the name of religion’.

(Photos, courtesy criticalppp.com)

Notes From My Memory, Part IV, by Mir Thebo: My Alma Mater, University of Sindh

Author

I’ll try to recollect some memories from my days at University of Sindh at Jamshoro. I was at the University from 1967 to 1972. I have great love and regard for my alma mater. I also have so many happy and some not so happy memories attached to the university life. Whenever I get time, I still love to visit Sindh University.

In the early years, especially up to early 1960s, Urdu-speaking students dominated Sindh University. At that time, classes were held at the old campus opposite SP office in the city of Hyderabad. Sindhi-speaking students were influenced by the urban culture and style. Some Sindhi middle class students even used to speak in Urdu with each other.

In 60s, Sindhi-speaking students from rural areas, small towns and cities of Sindh from different classes started to come to Sindh University in sizeable numbers. They were simple in their behavior. They were very friendly and had a flavor of Sindhi culture. They were children of teachers, clerks, shopkeepers, bureaucrats, landlords and rich peasants and some were self-earning students. This demographic change also changed the color of the university.

Sindh University, Old Campus in Hyderabad, Sindh

It was during that time that authorities started shifting the university campus from the city to the hills in Jamshoro area on the other side of Indus River.  It was very deserted place like an arid zone. The area has changed greatly now.

Institute of Sindhiology, University of Sindh

Nationalist feelings were rising high in SU in mid and late 60s so much so that we leftists had to follow the nationalists. Once G. M. Syed was in prison. A joint meeting was called at Besant Hall, Hyderabad, Sindh. One Urdu-speaking comrade came to me and whispered into my ear: "Mir, go on the stage and announce that you are going on hunger strike till death if Syed is not released". I frowned, "are you mad? What happens if they didn't release Syed? And we don't believe in self destruction.” But he insisted, “go Mir, win the crowd". So, I went to the stage and announced hunger strike till death, though unwillingly. I got a big roaring applause.

It was as Gladiator trainer asked the hero Maximus what is Rome? Rome is mob, Rome is crowd, win the crowd, Rome is yours. After 2000 years, we are still the same: win the crowd, Sindh is yours. It is same everywhere, win the crowd Obama, America is yours, win the crowd Sarkozy, France is yours and win the crowd Putin, Russia is yours!

I was lucky in that as after 3 days of my hunger strike, G. M. Syed was released not only because of my hunger strike but the government wanted to ease the situation and I was saved from painful hunger strike.

Day by day, nationalists were getting stronger. “Jodha” (gallant) culture was introduced in SU. Slowly dress code was changed. Instead of paint shirt, students started to wear long shirts down to the knees and baggy trousers (Salwar, qamees). Students strolled the corridors like Sindhi traditional “Malh” (wrestlers) when they walk triumphantly after winning a contest.

As I remember, I contested SU students union elections in 1970. During the campaign a Sindhi-speaking student slapped one of my supporters, an Urdu-speaking student and told him: "this is the voice of Sindh"! I was contesting for the post of general secretary. At that time Iqbal Tareen was the student leader of Jeay Sindh Students Federation. He was a fiery speaker and extremist in his views. Some times, he would quote Hitler’s words from Mein Kampf. He now lives in US and has become a soft intellectual.

Most of Urdu-speaking students didn’t vote in the election. Even my Sindhi-speaking supporters were harassed. Ultimately, I lost the election. Even though nationalist students' panel was in a winning position, they still rigged the election. On the Election Day, VC, Ghulam Mustafa Shah visited the campus. I complained to him about it and threatened that if he didn’t do anything about the nationalists' bullying, ‘we will go to the press’. He rebuffed me and said "go ahead, hold hundreds of press conferences. I damn care". He always patronized the nationalist students but ultimately they didn’t spare him either. Jam Saqi, myself and Mehar Hussain Shah lost student union elections three times.

He called a general body meeting next day after the elections and declared in categorical words: "I’ll not allow this university to become communist campus". He didn’t like leftist students. As a VC, he was a good administrator and excellent educationist. He built the SU. Students used to call him Sher Shah Suri. He built roads in the campus, made the university green and built several good hostels for the accommodation of the students. He also built the central canteen with modern style self service with best wash rooms but our “Jodha” culture destroyed the whole system. They (our “Jodhas”) were ill-mannered, they always shouted loudly at the waiters with bad words like mother f***** etc. Some time they even beat them up if they asked them to pay the bill.

Sindh University had brilliant teachers and knowledgeable professors at that time. There was a good academic atmosphere. Senior teachers were brave and intelligent. They handled every kind of situation very nicely with ‘dadas’ or "jodhas" (the bullies). Up to that time no murder occurred in the university. But as criminal element grew stronger, some murders occurred and sometimes university was closed for as long as 6 months because of violence. That made the academic years longer in Sindh University – from one year to one and a half years. So our students were behind other universities of the country.

Winners Take All Politics: Those were also the years (late 60s) of the emergence of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as I have mentioned in my previous note. Except for ‘Sarhad’ (now Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa) and Balochistan, Bhutto had defeated most of his opponents including G. M. Syed in his own constituency in Sindh. Along with NAP in ‘Sarhad’, Baloch had defied Bhutto. They fought bravely with Pakistani establishment many times including Bhutto's period. They are still fighting. We will discuss it later how dramatic events occurred and Baloch were denied their right to rule and their elected government was dissolved.

As Bhutto became beloved leader of Sindhis, where was the place for G. M. Syed’s politics of Sindhi nationalism? There was only one place left for Syed and it was the highest learning institute of Sindh, the University of Sindh! Syed was very depressed in the aftermath of the elections but he again played his politics from SU. It is strange when whole Sindh was in Bhutto’s pocket, why not S.U.? Syed virtually ruled SU for a longer time with his unruly student leaders. Some of them committed crimes and it harmed the politics of nationalism.

Syed himself was a highly moral man; no smoking, no drinking and no women. He was well educated and cultured, loved philosophy, literature and music. He was a man of peace and always liked to have good gathering of writers and intellectuals. While listening to music, sometimes tears would roll down from his eyes.

But his followers were ruthless and uncultured. They hated reading books. They would be roaming around in university corridors disturbing the education atmosphere with loud talking and laughter. They would be eating meals free; always ready to beat left-wing students and harassing them, threatening them to kick them out of the SU. They thought it was their domain.

As their power grew, outside criminals were given shelter in the hostels. On some occasions few of them raped the male students, robbed them and forcibly occupied hostel rooms. So much so that even teachers and wardens were afraid of them. They hated leftist students and got furious at the slogan "workers of the world unite". They blamed the leftists that they were dividing Sindhis on the basis of classes. They would laugh at Marxist analysis of the world and hoot to say 'comrade, come to the Sindh, we don’t need foreign ideology’. How did it become possible for them to get a strong grip over the highest seat of learning in Sindh? A question that needs to be answered.

In the next note, I’ll share with you my memories of one big event that occurred on 4^th March 1967. It opened the eyes of Sindhi students as if it was calling upon them to ‘wake up you sons of the soil from your long slumber and do something for your motherland’! It was a big uprising of Sindhi students, which had a great impact on Sindhi society.