New Provinces in Pakistan?

These days almost all political parties of Pakistan are talking about the need to divide existing provinces for one reason or the other. Every party has its own interests in this cause; some would like to avoid division on linguistic or ethnic basis and others would like to exploit the two bases, some would like to increase the representation of current Punjab, in Senate, from 25 to 40, some would like to appoint one of their leaders as a CM of a new province, some would do it to protect rights of the people of ignored/underprivileged Punjab. Whatever the reason be, most of the parties agree to have more provinces.

This is encouraging that we realize the need for new provinces. The desire to have more provinces should be inspired by administrative reasons and not by any other reason. All other reasons will give birth to a new problem of having boundaries for each province.

Pakistan already has around 25 administrative divisions. An administrative division is the next tier of government after a province. Why not make each Division a Province? Since all divisions are administrative, the new provinces will be made purely on administrative basis. I feel that the proposal of promoting each division to a province can serve as a litmus test for the parties who are serious in their demand for new province. Their seriousness in demands for new province will be in doubt if the parties who still want to have Saraikistan, BJP, or South Punjab but do not like to have a Division as a Province. This should also make those happy who want to divide Punjab and those who want to divide Sindh.

There can be reasons to disagree with the suggestion; for example legislative issues, new buildings for assemblies, high courts etc. But there will be legislative issues whenever we want to have a new province. Since each division has basic infrastructure already in place, I feel that there is very little need to build brand new buildings. Existing buildings can be used for the time being and new ones can be built overtime.

Promoting a Division to a Province can resolve many administrative as well as political issues. There will be no conflicts in demarcation of provincial boundaries. This system will allow people to have their representative at a relatively smaller area. This will end the debate of giving rights to south Punjab or rural Sindh. This approach to have new provinces has no linguistic or ethnic reasons. Hopefully, this will end the dirty politics of fooling people and exploiting their sentiments on the basis of their association with a locality. This tier of government is a middle tier between the local government and current provincial government. These new provinces will reduce the gap between the two tiers of the government. Also, this approach to create more provinces is more proactive than reactive.

A message of tolerance to MQM

THIS is apropos of your editorial, ‘Bloodshed once more’ (Dec 2). While expressing concern about the violence in Karachi, you have correctly observed that the MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s warnings about the possible Talibanisation of this city wasn’t the right thing to do.

Also, that, undoubtedly, one of the reasons behind his warnings could be the migration to Karachi of a large number of refugees from Fata. You are also right in noting that there is no evidence that all of them are arriving here or that none of them intends to return home after things return to normality.

Perhaps this is the reason for the concern of the MQM leadership. Actually they do not want the demographic balance to shift to their disadvantage. However, they are reminded that some among them and all their elders had come to Sindh as migrants from India, a large part of the city’s populace, including my family, are ‘muhajirs’ in this sense.

Therefore, if our unfortunate brethren from a battle zone of their own country wish to find shelter with their relatives, friends or acquaintances settled in another part of the country, it is not proper for us to object to that.

Emerson had said: “It is a beautiful compensation of life that we cannot help another without being helped ourselves”. Hence, whichever way one looks at it, ultimately it will be to our own advantage (if one must view it in business terms) to help these uprooted, destitute and desperate folks, many of whom have lost their family members and relatives.

Such a selfness and humane approach will definitely increase the goodwill and tolerance between communities and lead to peace and prosperity for the city, province and country. If we can tolerate millions of folks from Bangladesh, Afgahnistan, Burma and other places, why must we turn Pakistanis away?

F. SIDDIQI
Karachi

DAWN - Letters; December 07, 2008

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Musharraf will wait for his political comeback. An interesting story

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

By Shaheen Sehbai

KARACHI: General Pervez Musharraf has finally broken down and has accepted defeat, whether fully on his own terms is not yet clear, but he has set a very precious and respectable precedent for future of Pakistani politics and democracy.

By resigning in a constitutional way and allowing a non-violent, smooth and dignified transition, he has broken the tradition of past military dictators who would never quit, unless forcibly pushed, assassinated or removed unconstitutionally.

Of course the stage was set for this ultimate defeat by the political parties through their votes of no-confidence in the provincial assemblies, yet Mr Musharraf could have become a big spoiler, if he had so wanted. He had all the powers to do so, as he said in his final departing address.

But his last words gave away a lot of what remains as an active thought process in Musharraf's mind. The way he presented a long list of his achievements and successes it appeared that he was making the pitch, as if in an electoral contest, for his political comeback, believing firmly that he had, and would like to have, a future political role in Pakistani politics.

This role is not yet available to him but much will depend on how the coalition partners and major political parties behave in the next few months and years. If the six months after the Feb 18 elections are any guide, the omens are not very encouraging but politicians have to rise up to the occasion if they have to survive.

Musharraf had very obviously and conveniently devised the wait and see strategy after the elections as he expected, somewhat rightly, that the PPP and the PML-N would not be able to keep the coalition together and once they break up he and his supporters will again get a breakthrough and regain the initiative. He came perilously close to achieving his goal, of course through efforts he could make as the man occupying the presidency.

Yet Mr Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif stood together, demonstrating that they have understood one core and fundamental fact for their political survival and success ñ their sticking together for the common cause, as enunciated in the Charter of Democracy. It is that core value which defeated Musharraf and all his machinations.

Musharraf's insistence that he would stay in Pakistan is again based primarily on the calculation that until the two major parties break up he should be provided a safe stay and when they break up, he would re-launch himself, probably as a leader of the Karachi-led Mohajir population, with or even without, the blessings of Mr Altaf Hussain.

This streak of leading the Karachi political scene was more than evident in his recent visits to Karachi where he tried to create his own lobby of businessmen and mohajir leaders, almost to the exclusion of Altaf Hussain and his hard core supporters.

Musharraf's address one night a few weeks ago to a select group of Karachi businessmen, where his strong supporter Governor Ishrat ul Ebad was present and Karachi Mayor Mustufa Kamal made his famous, but mysterious, comment that within a few months the geography of Karachi may change, was seen by Altaf Hussain as an attempt to challenge him on his turf.

Within hours of that Musharraf address, his first after months of post-Feb 18 polls hibernation, Altaf Bhai had to arrange his own gathering of Karachi businessmen and address them from London. Why this need for a parallel event felt by the MQM headquarters in London was obvious: Mr Musharraf was trying to hijack his party and Altaf Bhai is not an amateur in fighting turf wars. Soon thereafter both Governor Ebad and Mayor were summoned to London for whatever happens to MQM men when they err.

Yet while it is too early to discuss the future of Musharraf, the coalition has to decide whether they would let him go Scot free, let him enjoy the interim period of absence from the scene, and then bounce back when the people get frustrated with the democratic experience or possible coalition infighting.

The alternative for them is not to allow Musharraf to leave the country, press on the charges that they have been preparing against him, restore the judiciary in its original form and let these independent judges decide whether Musharraf is guilty of any punishable crimes and what sentence should he be handed.

The mid-term strategy to get this possible political threat out of their way would be to get Musharraf convicted in a fair trial on any one or more charges and get him sentenced so that he is disqualified for holding an elected office.

Any indemnity, if offered under whatever domestic or foreign pressures, must be strictly conditional with a definite term that Musharraf would never indulge in politics and would not be qualified to hold any elected office. This could form the basis for a new NRO to be written by Mr Zardari for a fallen dictator who must now be left to stew in his own juices as people of Pakistan celebrate.

Yet if the fallen dictator is given a general amnesty, there is no reason on earth to offer the same to all the corrupt cronies and middlemen, who had descended on Pakistan from all around the world to enjoy power, pelf and perks. These men, like PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf and his types, must be brought to book and made examples of.

Musharraf will wait for his political comeback

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MQM helps Sindh Assembly pass a unanimous resolution against Musharraf :)

The 168-member assembly of the southern province of Sindh Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution that demanded a vote of confidence on President Pervez Musharraf in the presidential electoral college or his resignation.

One of Musharraf's devout allies, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), staged a walkout as the debate on the resolution started, leaving no one in the house to defend the beleaguered leader.

The Sindh assembly has around 69 pro-Musharraf members from the MQM and three other smaller parties.

Sindh Assembly passes resolution against Musharraf's ouster

PML-Q and MQM should have voted and prevent a unanimous resolution... i mean this is the province where mush could get some support... 60 to 70 legislators could have voted for him n let him feel a bit stronger... but the 'representatives' of ppl of khi, who were blindly supporting mush for last so many years, suddenly turned their back towards the president... will the ppl of khi who kept supportin mush for many reasons includin the 'economic boom' ask their legislators y did this happen??? y did the legislators left their beloved man alone in difficult times??? wht is the stance of mqm??? wht caused them to change their loyalties???

From other provinces, where there was no or negligible support for mush, the resolution could not pass unanimously. Even in punjab, where there r so many critics of mush, PML-Q stood bravely for their leader... But in a province where almost 40% legislators were musharraf's ally, the resolution passed without any resistance... '0' votes against the resolution

the credit goes to 'representatives' of ppl of khi, and PML-Q... well done both parties...

it seems tht mqm is now friends with ppp coz it only needs govt. it only needs incentives... who cares for the ppl n their wishes... will ppl of khi think abt this behavior by their party??? will they ever hold them responsible for anything???

the time is not far when ppl of khi who were the strongest supporters of mush, will have anti mush sentiment... ppl r just waitin for an order from the headquarters, their only leader, the world's only honest man... altaf bhai... this is how mqm proceeds... this wht they call politics

Also see the following:

MQM members’ decision to boycott the session was described by Sindh Information Minister Shazia Mari as "a positive role" and a victory for the people of the province.

Earlier, a joint meeting of parliamentary party of MQM in Sindh Assembly and Rabta Committee late on Tuesday night announced that the party would not support the impeachment resolution against President Musharraf. A statement released by MQM affirmed its support for President Musharraf claiming that the party never ditches its friends.

Khaleej Times Online - Sindh MPAs pass no-trust motion against Musharraf

a unanimous resolution clearly shows tht "MQM never ditches its friends" hehehe... it just shows its back when friends need it... MQM actually is a friend in need... i.e. it is friends with u only if it is in need :)... wht does it need???? govt., power n its hold on khi... thts it!

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MQM's stance will not affect Suddle...

پاکستان میں صوبہ سندھ کی پولیس کے نئے سربراہ ڈاکٹر شعیب سڈل نے کہا ہے کہ متحدہ قومی موومنٹ کی طرف سے ان کی تعیناتی پر تحفظات سے فرق نہیں پڑتا اور وہ صوبے میں امن وامان برقرار رکھنے کے لیے ہر ممکن اقدام کریں گے۔

ان کا کہنا ہے کہ قانون کی خلاف ورزی کرنے والوں کے خلاف سخت اقدامات کریں گے خواہ ان کا تعلق صو بے کی کسی بھی سیاسی جماعت سے ہو۔

بی بی سی سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے شعیب سڈل نے کہا کہ وہ ایک سرکاری ملازم ہیں اور انہیں اس بات سے کوئی سروکار نہیں کہ متحدہ قومی موومنٹ کی قیادت نے پیپلز پارٹی اور ایم کیو ایم کے درمیان مفاہمت کے مذاکرات میں ناکامی کی ایک وجہ ان کی بطور آئی جی سندھ تعیناتی کو بتایا ہے۔

ایم کیو ایم نے الزام عائد کیا تھا کہ پیپلز پارٹی کے سابق دور حکومت میں ڈاکٹر شعیب سڈل نے، جو اُس وقت ڈی آئی جی کراچی تھے، ایم کیو ایم کے سینکڑوں کارکنوں کو ماورائے عدالت قتل کیا تھا اور متاثرہ خاندانوں میں ان کی بطور آئی جی سندھ تعیناتی پر تشویش کی لہر دوڑ گئی ہے۔

قومی اسمبلی میں ایم کیو ایم کے پارلیمانی لیڈر ڈاکٹرفاروق ستار نے اتوار کے روز ایک پریس کانفرنس میں کہا تھا کہ پیپلز پارٹی کے ساتھ جو مذاکرات ہو رہے تھے اُن میں ایم کیو ایم نے یہ مطالبہ بھی کیا تھا کہ شعیب سڈل کو بطور آئی جی سندھ تعینات نہ کیا جائے۔

آئی جی سندھ نے ان الزامات کو مسترد کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ ایم کیوایم کی حکومت پانچ سال تک صوبے میں اور مرکز میں برسراقتدار رہی ہے اور اس دوران وہ ایک بھی ایسا ثبوت سامنے نہیں لاسکی جس سے یہ ثابت ہوتا ہو کہ وہ بطور ڈی آئی جی کراچی، ایم کیو ایم کے کارکنوں کی ہلاکت کے ذمہ دار ہیں۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اگر ان کے کہنے پر ایم کیو ایم کے کسی کارکن کی موت واقع ہوئی ہے تو اسے سامنے لائیں

Full Story۔

MQM’s power-sharing talks with PPP fail: Suddle’s appointment as IG opposed

Dr Sattar said the MQM had serious reservations over the appointment of Dr Shoaib Suddle as the Sindh police chief. Dr Suddle, according to him, was responsible for extra-judicial killings of scores of workers of his party. “When we conveyed our reservations to PPP leaders in Saturday’s meeting, they replied that he was their hero.”He said that under such circumstances the MQM felt that the PPP was not serious in holding dialogue for reconciliation and the coordination committee had decided that the party’s lawmakers would sit in the opposition.

He urged all MQM workers, including elected representatives, to keep an eye on the situation and inform the masses about it.In reply to a question, he denied that MQM’s demand for more ministries in the Sindh cabinet had resulted in the failure of the talks.

Full Story on MQM’s power-sharing talks with PPP fail: Suddle’s appointment as IG opposed -DAWN - Top Stories; April 14, 2008

but mqm agreed to adopt forgive n forget policy see the following

Muttahidda Qaumi Movement(MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) announced on Wednesday that both parties have forgiven each other and promised to save Pakistan for the future generation. Full story: The Nation
... above excerpt from the nation tells us tht mqm has forgot past and have forgiven ppp... then y do they have doubts abt intentions of ppp? if they doubt ppp's intentions then on the same grounds others can doubt mqm being non-serious n insincere while accepting the forgive n forget policy if they r sincere n serious in this policy then y do they object on appointment of suddle?

Secondly Shoiab Suddle is alleged to have played role in supression of mqm or extra judicial killings of mqm workers... then, Ishrat-ul-Ibad, the governer sindh has also been allegedly involved in many crimes including killings... there r no legal proofs presented in the courts against either of them... how come mqm has reservations on appointment of a person allegedly involved in killing but is happy with a governer who has also been alleged to have killed many innocents... for your reference i m putting a few excerpts from different places:

Who is this “Sindh Governor”? He is the Governor of Sindh Province in Pakistan. Karachi the port city is Capital of this Sindh Province. The name of Governor is Ishratul Abad. In official record he is absconder of justice from Karachi but he is invisible for the Police of Province which Police is under him. He is involved in more than 50 criminal cases as per the above magazine. Leave those criminal cases aside one can say those are political victimization. Take only one and last month’s case to understand the man. A London daily (telegraph) last month reported that UK peoples money was being misspent. The daily gave example that while one Ishratul Abad was drawing a big monthly social allowance with other facilities being an asylum seeker from UK treasury, he was living a posh life as Governor of Sindh in Pakistan More...

President General Pervez Musharraf has designated Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Ishratul Ibad as Governor Sindh. All cases against the MQM’s nominee for the Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad have been withdrawn, the Nation reported. It may be mentioned that there were dozens of cases including of murder, dacoity and kidnapping against Dr Ibad. One of the cases against him was of abducting a military officer.
The nomination of the Muttahidda leader Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad as Sindh Governor was assailed in the Sindh High Court. Petitioner Sohail Hameed Advocate has also prayed the court to restrain Dr Ishratul Ibad from performing his responsibilities as Sindh Governor, as according to him, his appointment is in violation of Article 2A of the Constitution. President and prime minister of Pakistan and Dr Ishara-tul-Ibad have been cited as respondents in the petition.Eagle Enterprises

as mqm can say allegations to koi bhi laga sakta hai... so can someone else say on mqm's stand against appointment of suddle...

when law n order situation went wrong after BB's assassination, IG was changed at tht time too (see The News), so its normal to make such changes in police, why is mqm makin it an issue?

earlier IG could not respond to events like april 09, 2008 then y wont the sittin govt. change the person... previously appointed IG was appointed by caretaker govt. n was found incapable of doin wht is needed... so a change to avoid events like april 09 is much needed...

MQM never does wrong. Always others are responsible for wrong doings:
Farooq Sattar accused the PPP leadership of maintaining a non-serious attitude and put all the onus of the failure of talks on the PPP. "We had several rounds of talks with the PPP leadership, but they always gave a cold shoulder and the negotiations on their part were greatly non-serious," Sattar said. Full Story

Mr. Farooq Sattar, ppp came to nine zero to extend a hand of friendship, n u r sayin tht they r givin a cold shoulder, come on give logical stmts... will we ever listen to a stmt like "yes we admit we were responsible for the failure or deadlock etc.... and we seek apology for tht" from mqm? mqm always blames others for everythin... mqm guys r angels it seems

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MQM zindabad :)

متحدہ قومی موومنٹ کے رہنما ڈاکٹر فاروق ستار نے بدھ کی شب ایک پریس کانفرنس کی جس میں متحدہ کے وکلاء پر تشدد کا ذمے دار انہوں نے مسلم لیگ نون اور بار کے ذمہ داران کو قرار دیا۔

ان کا کہنا تھا کہ ’شرپسندوں نے فطری رد عمل کی آڑ میں اپنے مقاصد حاصل کرنے کی کوشش کی جس کے نتیجے میں ایک اور سنگین واقعہ رونما ہوا اور طاہر پلازہ میں پانچ پاکستانی شہریوں کو زندہ جلایا گیا۔ یہ بدترین جنونیت ہے اس کے علاوہ اس کو اور کوئی نام نہیں دیا جاسکتا ہے۔‘

Source: BBC Urdu

hahahaha... lolz... yaar kamal hi bayan aatay hain mqm k... PML-N khi mein kuch kerwa sakti hai... rofl... farooq sattar saab koi realistic byan dein, unki itni oqaat kahan k altaf bhai k ilaaqay mein par maarein... btw if mqm is so peace lovin n sacrificing party, then y did it start protest on afgan issue on first hand? it shld have protested in media only, y did it come to streets??? jab 12 may ko CJ khi gaya to mqm ki taraf se sab qatl-o-ghaarat ka zimmedar usay kaha gaya... the justification was "usay aana hi nahi chahiye tha, woh aaya hi kyun, woh aaya to shehr k halaat kharab ho gaye"

to bhai ab mqm ki isi logic k tehat mqm is responsible for all ppl killed in khi on wednesday april 09 2008... mqm ko road ya bar council mein protest kerna hi nahi chahiye tha, usnay kia hi kyun, jab tv per bayan day diya to protest ki kia zaroorat thi, kia mqm ko shehr ka aman pasand nahi? kia mqm khi k logon ko sakoon se nahi dekhna chahti?

phir 2ndly arbab rahim k saath jo huaa mqm k mutabiq govt. ko us per qom se maafi mangni chahiye... ab kyun k mqm ki hi logic k tehat saabit hota hai k 9 april ko mernay walon ki zimmedaar mqm hai to kia usko qom se maafi nahi mangni chahiye is baat per... ?

mqm k byan bohut interestin hotay hain waisay aaj kal...