Posts Tagged ‘Zardari’
Is Pakistan a Victim of Impressions or of Reality?
Just came across a very interesting and even surprising news piece in the Telegraph.co.uk
The news article reads “Pakistan’s Asif Ali Zardari faces army rebellion over India détente”. The opening lines of the article read “According to sources close to Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Kiyani, senior officers are alarmed at the president’s plans to divert troops and aircraft defending Pakistan’s border with India and deploy them in a new offensive against Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.”
Though I am not very sure that the threat to Zardari’s Presidency is as real as projected in this particular article, the news nevertheless confirms that “impressions dictate reality”. The difference of opinion between the political leadership and military personnel of the western countries is hailed as the gift of democracy. But for countries like Pakistan, such difference of opinion creates the impression of an impending military coup. Pakistan is no doubt facing several challenges but the international media often over-reacts to developments in the country.
Is Pakistan a victim of impression or of reality?
The ‘Zardari Show’ Continues
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has once again proved that his theatrical skills are much better than his political acumen. President Zardari’s column in Washington Post yesterday, titled “The Frontier Against Terrorism” reflected unnecessary aggressiveness and incoherent arguments. The primary objective of the article is to gain aid and assistance from the European States, much in line with the recent U.S. grant. Why did President Zardari write in Washington Post if his target audiences were primarily European governments? Would not Der Spiegel be a better choice? I guess President Zardari had reasons beyond my analytical capacity.
Can Pakistan’s Public Diplomacy Get Any Better?
This is how Pakistan sought to convince the American public about its commitment in combating terrorism. The above poster was majestically placed on page 5 of the Wall Street Journal print edition on May 8, 2009. Two days after interacting with President Karzai and President Obama in the AFPAK strategy Summit, President Zardari addressed the concerns of the American public through this message. Here’s what the poster reads:
The U.S.A. and Pakistan can defeat terrorism together and bring prosperity to the Pakistani people. Pakistan is in the trenches; Pakistan is on the frontlines. Pakistan is protecting the entire civilized world. 1700 soldiers killed. 35000 civilians killed. Tens of thousands maimed. This is Pakistan’s war. This is Pakistani blood. But Pakistani should not stand alone. President Asif Ali Zardari has pledged to “wipe out the cancer of terrorism before it infects the entire planet.” The U.S.A. and the world must stand by Pakistan’s side in this decisive battle against the terrorists. The U.S. A. and Pakistan. Together in battle. Defeat is not an option.
The poster is sponsored/supported by AES Corporation, GE, Oil and Gas Development Corporation, Pakistan Electric power Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Pakistan State Oil, PTV Global, Water and Power Development Authority.
This grand public diplomacy exercise throws up some questions:
1. Why has President Asif Ali Zardari pledged to combat terrorism? I thought Pakistan was a Parliamentary democracy where the Prime Minister represents the will of the people. This excessive emphasis of personalities rather than institutions is the most important factor impeding the growth of stable democracy in Pakistan.
2. Why is a cash-strapped country like Pakistan running half page ads in top of line U.S. dailies like the WSJ? The U.S. public will be better convinced of Pakistan’s commitment if the country’s resources are directed at acting against terrorists rather than publicizing intentions.
3. Finally, if Pakistan is protecting the entire civilized world then why is only 38% of NWFP and surrounding areas under full control of the Pakistani Government? Pakistan needs to get rid of this ‘global guardian’ psychology and combat terror more as a national survival priority rather than an international obligation.
Pakistan needs to understand that public diplomacy is an explanation for national policy, not a substitute.
Popular Protests Planned in Pakistan aganist the Government’s Taliban Policy
In my recent blog post “The Pakistan Mystery Continues” I raised a few questions about the popular and official response to the Taliban’s expanding presence in the region. One of my important concerns was why are the people of Pakistan not opposing the official policy towards the Taliban? I had mentioned that the protest march in support of CJ Choudhry had demonstrated the strength of Pakistan’s civil society; similar protests against the Taliban’s growing influence could force the Government to alter the appeasement strategy.
[Photo Courtesy: CNN, December 20, 2008]
I was pleasantly surprised to realize that a peaceful protest against the official policy has been planned for April 28 at the General Post Office on Mall Street of Lahore. The citizens have planned to post letters in large numbers to the President, P.M. CJ and COAS calling for military action against the Taliban. The text of the letter is been made publicly available through various avenues including Facebook. The people are expected gather at the G.P.O. with copies of the letter meant to be posted to the various political functions as a means of voicing popular protest.
The text of the letter is as follows:
We the citizens of Pakistan are angry and dismayed at the abject capitulation of the state of Pakistan before the Taliban insurgents in Swat. With one stroke of the pen, you and the Parliament have signed away any real prospects of a stable, tolerant and progressive Pakistan as envisioned by its founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Leaving aside the merits or demerits of the so-called Nizam a Adal Regulation, we believe that any agreement signed at the point of a gun and under threats from violent extremists can never lead to a lasting and just peace. It has now become clear how naïve the government has been in thinking that the Taliban could be contained in Swat.
Since you signed the Regulation, the Taliban have stated that that they don’t intend to lay down their arms, have called into question the legitimacy of the Parliament and Supreme Court, and declared the intent to impose their own brand of violent and brutal Sharia law not only in the rest of Pakistan but across the world! This is proof positive that the real aim of the Taliban is to seize power through brutal force and intimidation. Click to continue…
Emergence of ‘New Bargainers’ in South Asia - IV
Taliban as ‘new bargainers’ in Pakistan.
The Taliban in Pakistan have emerged as strategic bargainers since the democratic government has assumed office in the country. The democratic government’s compelling desire for stability as hallmark of its success has been exploited by the Taliban to the fullest. For now, the Taliban in Pakistan have bargained to exist and flourish in peace while the Government has bargained for a formal recognition of its scarcely acknowledged authority. The Taliban phenomenon is not new for Pakistan, what’s new is their ability and strategy to bargain with the Government authorities. Click to continue…
March Madness Grips Pakistan
The current phase of political frenzy in Pakistan goes beyond the usual uncertainties associated with the country. Pakistan has witnessed opposition to Army rule or military takeover of civilian regimes, but never a popular uprising against a popularly elected Government. Who are the key players in this political drama and what’s motivating them?
Who is Pakistan Marching For - Nawaz Sharif or Iftikhar Choudhry?
The lawyers protest march gets underway in Pakistan defying the ban by President Zardari’s Government. As political instability grips the country speculations of a military take-over are mounting. In the political drama of reinstating Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhry, Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has succeeded in projecting President Zardari as the villain. But is Nawaz Sharif genuinely fighting to uphold the cause of democracy or is he merely fanning anti-Zardari sentiments to serve his political objectives? Much of the evidence supports the latter contention.
Zardari’s confrontation and Gilani’s Reconciliation: Where is Pakistan Headed?
The decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court to uphold the ban on Former P.M. Nawaz Sharif and Punjab C.M. Shahbaz Sharif has initiated a phase of multiple political crises for the country. Since the PML (N) has a majority in the Punjab Assembly and enjoys popular support, the court ruling has ignited a political movement against President Zardari. The PML (N)’s demand for reinstating the judges has widespread political and popular support. The Court decision has not only widened the gulf between the PPP and PML (N), but has also amplified the intra-government fissures. President Zardari’s style of political functioning has come in direct confrontation to that of P.M. Gilani. Coexistence of the two as the country’s top political functionaries appears doubtful. Click to continue…