By Khalid Hashmani

Washington DC, November 2009 — Two separate batches of 26 female and 26 male high school (10th grade) students from the rural areas of Sindh, Balochistan, and FATA areas attended a two-week training in Northern Virginia, a suburb of Washington DC. The training was held during October and November of 2009. Their visit was made possible under a Pakistan-US Cultural program funded by US Aid.

Each batch of students was accompanied by four Pakistani chaperones. They visited important places, met US government leaders, and learned computer skills. The training program was developed and conducted by KZO Education http://www.kzoeducation.com/, who is a subcontractor on the five-year ED-LINKS program to improve educational opportunities in Pakistan. The program is called Learning 2.0 (based on evolving Internet Web 2.0 concepts) with focus on social networking, wikis, and virtual communities. Mr. Waseem Chachar, a local Sindhi graduate student with interest in improving education in rural Sindh first introduced me to this program that cumulated in making it possible for me to facilitate a 90-minute interactive session that I like to cal “An information exchange between an old rural Sindhi-American and young rural Pakistani Visitors”.

ED-LINKS and Learning 2.0

The Learning 2.0 program focuses on participation instead of presentation. The main objective of the 90-million ED-LINKS program is improve quality of teacher education and student performance in targeted geographical areas of Pakistan. KZO’s goal is to expand the goal of ED-LINKS and connect 10,000 schools in Pakistan via Internet. This they want to do using technologies and concepts such as online video delivery, content management, webcast, distance learning, real-time viewing, and video-on-demand. The key technologies to connect this large number of communities is “WiMAX for education”, which is similar to Wi-Fi’s wireless transmission. It offers maximum bandwidth of 75 mbps and a range of 31 miles. The idea is to connect computer labs in 10,000 public schools to the WiMAX infrastructure. A successful model of this concept is already operational at the Federal Government Model Boys School G-9/4 in Islamabad. If the program is successfully implemented, it will open a “window into the World” for millions of students in Pakistan. The intend is to record lectures from top Pakistani teachers and distribute them over the Internet, thereby extending quality education to millions of students including those in the rural areas of Pakistan. For more information, contact: 2214 Rock Hill Road, #020, Herndon, Virginia 20170 or via email to admin@kzoeducation.com.

Student Exchange and Technical Camps

The Pakistan-US Exchange Program is to promote closer relationships between the two countries and share learning and teaching competencies. The exchange program was started in 2008 and the two batches of female and male students that were in the Washington DC area in 2009 were a part of that program. It is hoped that these students and teachers, when return to Pakistan will serve as peer instructors and share their knowledge and experience with other students, thereby contribute in the creation of a creative educational environment with focus on quality education. In addition, the interactive sessions and presentations of the training camps will be videotaped and posted on Learning 2.0 websites so that schools connected through Internet can also learn the same skills and technologies. As a part of the camp, the students created social networks using Face Book and other similar tools and that have and will further facilitate cultural exchanges with global student communities.

An Information Exchange between an old rural Sindhi-American and young rural Pakistani visitors

26 Female Secondary School Students

The program for 26 female students started on October 5 and ended on October 16, 2009. Some of highlights of their activities included visiting Air and Space museum in Washington DC, training in computers and Internet, and Digital photography including editing and cropping photographs. They learned MS Power Point, MS Word and MS Excel. When I entered the meeting room on October 9 at 7:30 PM, the energetic and curious group of 10th grade students and two teachers were keenly listening to a young web photography entrepreneur. The young presenter was talking about how he conceived and developed his idea of photography services to corporations and how he went about finding customers. I followed his tough act and before my turn came, I threw away notes that I had prepared on the topic of “Key Problems of education in rural areas of Pakistan and how Americans, particularly Pakistani-Americans, and students in rural areas can help in resolving them” and decided simply to engage in an interactive dialogue. I talked about my rural roots, my up-bringing in rural Sindh, my academic pursuits, and experiences in living in several countries and how I ended up in Northern Virginia. I communicated in three languages Sindhi, Urdu, and English and encouraged students to ask me questions in their native languages. The students were quite excited and participated in one of the most energetic dialog that I have ever had. They spoke in Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi, and Pashto. They asked questions about what academic and skills that I had to acquire in order to pursue my career in Software Engineering and what motivated me to continue my journey for excellence. In turn, I advised them about determination. perseverence, and honesty in pursuing their goals. A girl from Sindh, speaking in Sindhi mentioned that it would be very hard for her pursue further education because the school in her area taught only up to 10th grade. Speaking in Balochi, another girl from Balochistan complained that normal life in her small town was paralyzed due to conflict between Pakistan military and Baloch nationalists and she really wanted to pursue career to become a Software Engineer. Almost every girl asked questions and communicated a common theme about her aspiration to pursue education and the obstacles that she had to cross. A session that was scheduled for only one hour got extended to 90 minutes and had to end because another event was getting delayed. Two organizers of the program immediately followed me as I left the meeting room and profoundly thanked me for engaging all students and energizing them to pursue their goals and dreams.

26 Male Students (October 26, 2009 – November 6, 2009)

Like their female counterparts did earlier, they received similar training and engaged in similar activities. Apart from visiting museums and receiving training in Learning 2.0 technologies, they heard Wes Curver, CEO of KZO, who spoke on entrepreneurship and applications of Internet video technologies. The students met US Congressman Chris Van Hollen and took a tour of the US Congress/Capitol building and talked few Legislative Assistants. They visited Fairfax Regional Library, Pakistan Embassy, and had a good kabab dinner at “Charcoal Kabab” restaurant, which is quite popular with local Sindhis and other Pakistanis. It just happened that the Sindhi students were delighted to meet another Sindhi-American, Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Memon. They heard Mr. Vinton G. Serf (Chief Internet Evangelist for Google) and participated in “Trick or Treat” event on the Halloween night. They visited Loudon County School and participated in a video conferencing session. I held my interactive session with them on October 30th, their interest, curiosity and tons of questions made it extremely energetic session lasting for almost two hours and ended when an organizer said that the dinner was ready. I was pleasantly surprised that there were 10-12 students from Sindh and similar number were from Balochistan. Once again, the students went wild when I encouraged them to ask questions in their native languages and I replied or tried to reply in the same native language. I must confess that other than Pushto, I was able effectively communicate in other native languages of Pakistan. The group was very career oriented with almost universal interest in seeking career in the field of Software Engineering. They asked all kinds of questions on how to secure scholarships and how to prepare for a career. A student from Sindh wanted to know how he should go about securing admission and scholarship to study medicine. Another student from Balochistan, said they did not have single computer in their small town and asked how they should go about establishing a computer lab in their town.

Closing Ceremonies

A closing ceremony was held on November 6, 2009 and was globally webcast live. Mr. I. J. Hudson, former anchor of NBC-owned and -operated WRC-TV in Washington DC hosted the event. A video of student activities was shown at the event. The Sindhi “Ajark” appeared to be the attire of the morning as many students and some organizers wore it to highlight the participation of rural Sindhis. Other highlights of the event included:

* An address by Peter Farrell, Director of Alumni Relations at George Mason University about scholarship opportunities in the United States and at George Mason University.

* A demonstration by Chris Abraham, a social media expert on uploading of pictures on Internet.

* An extremely informative presentation tailored for 10th grade students by Mancy Overholt, Executive Director of the Institute of International Education, who arranges and supervises academic placements of most Fulbright nominees on application and selection process for Fulbright scholarships.

* A talk by Kokab Farshori., Managing Editor for Voice of America (VOA)’s Urdu program about VOA programming and journalism in Pakistan.

* A Google Earth presentation about Balochistan and Sindh, zooming on the districts from which some of the participating students came from. These included Jacobabad, Kashmore, Karachi, Dadu, Mithi, Deeplo, Peshawar, Dadu, Sibi, Quetta, and others.

Several students were interviewed about what they learnt in the training and what cultural aspects they were impressed or surprise and finally each student was awarded a Training completion certificate.

About Author: Mr. Khalid Hashmani is a Washington DC-based veteran human rights activist. He is the founding President of Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) and Chief coordinator of Sindhi Excellence Team (SET) that participates in advocacy activities on behalf of rural Sindhi.

By Mohammad Hussain Khan

Courtesy: Daily Dawn, Sunday, 08 Nov, 2009

HYDERABAD, Nov 7: Eminent water expert and former chairman of the Technical Committee on Water Resources A.N.G Abbasi has said his report on water should be buried once and for all as no one seems to be ready to implement it.

He was speaking at an interactive session on “Pakistan’s Water Sector Strategy and Alternative strategy to Resolve Critical Water Issues” organised by Shirkat Gah in collaboration with Pakistan Network of River, Dam and People (PNRDP) at the Sindhi Language Authority auditorium.

Mr Abbasi said Pakistan was counted among the countries facing shortage of water and the issue dated back to the Indus Water Treaty when three rivers were given away to India.

He said that important issues had been made terms of reference of the technical committee and he had dwelt at length on each of them.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the water management and operation of canals besides the hydraulic conditions, their operations and distribution.

“I think those in powers don’t value the importance of water and we don’t realise our past mistakes as well,” he said.

He said: “We are adamant that these mistakes should not be rectified and I don’t see any plans of moving ahead in the right direction.”

He said that people had pinned hopes that the PPP would realise its responsibilities to redress their grievances, but the result was for everyone to see.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Minister for Irrigation Syed Murad Ali Shah said distribution of water by the Indus River System Authority among provinces on the basis of three-tier formula had no legal sanction, therefore it was illegal.

He ruled out any new water accord in the presence of 1991 Water Apportionment Accord for irrigation water’s distribution in the country and pledged that the report of A.N.Abbasi on water resources would be implemented.

He said that the water accord was by and large implemented till 1999. But, he said, Irsa had no legal authority to distribute water on the basis of three-tier or any other formula, adding that the only approved formula available with Irsa is 1991’s accord.

He said: “We have to demand our rights but we can’t stifle the voice of Punjab Assembly as far water issue is concerned.”

“It is often Sindh versus the rest of provinces on the issue of water as even Balochistan accuses us of water theft. It is because of follies of our own Sindhi people. I won’t name them,” he said.

The minister said that he did not believe that any new accord would be workable to get water more than what was enshrined in the 91 accord.

He said that when water was stored in Mangla then Sindh did not had water in Kharif season while it was denied water from Jehlum river.

He said that the federal government was approached to control Irsa on operation of Taunsa-Panjnad and Chashma-Jhelum link canals.

He said that as long as the PPP government was there, Kalabagh Dam would not be built, adding that it were some Sindhi-speaking people who had accorded approval to greater Thal canal.

“Still we are pursuing this issue, though we have not achieved success because one province and vested quarters have their interest in it,” he remarked.

He emphasised the need for water conservation and said a Rs62 billion programme had been taken in hand to line 509 water channels and out of them work on 107 had started.

He said that drip irrigation system had some negative aspects.

He said that the president had called for treating saline water of the Right Bank Outfall Drain and consultants had submitted a preliminary report on the issue.

He said that from Hamal Lake to Manchhar Lake half a dozen treatment plants would be set up to treat saline water for irrigation and a desalination plant would be set up in periphery of Manchhar Lake to make it drinkable.

“I will not give my consent unless I am satisfied as far as Manchhar lake’s rehabilitation is concerned. I have told them to provide alternate source of water through Rice canal or Indus for filling Manchhar,” he said.

He said that factories would be asked not to dispose of their untreated water into Indus, failing which they would not be allowed to release effluent in Indus.

He deplored the state of irrigation department and said that officials working there only know how to write account books.

Sindh Water Committee secretary Nazeer Memon, Sindh Democratic Forum’s Abrar Kazi and Zulfikar Halepoto and Sindh Abadgar Board’s Bashir Nizamani also spoke on the occasion.

Source – http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/no-one-bothers-about-water-problem-abbasi-819

Beautiful quotations

Forwarded by chandiramani

- People who know the least always argue the most.  - How long a minute is… depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on. - We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to learn to live in the same box. - If you want your dreams to come true, don’t oversleep. - Everyone has problems, some are just better at hiding them. (Unknown) - Count your life by smiles not tears, count your age by friends not years - We don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change. - No matter how good friends are, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. - Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. – Always put yourself in the other’s shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too. – People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln. – The more arguments you win, the fewer friends you’ll have.  – It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument. – Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance. – People who can hold their tongues rarely have any trouble holding their friends. – Which do you suppose ages faster – whiskey or the man who drinks it ? – Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. – I was angered, for I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet. – Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them? – The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.

Catching a flu can make it harder to manage daily life, so you should do everything you can avoid cold or flu. When you are sick with a flu, your body sends out hormones to fight the infection. Having flu may curb your appetite, but it is important to eat something anyway. If you have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, you will have to be careful not to allow your body to become dehydrated. Try to average about 1 cup of fluid every hour. If you are diabetic then choose water or sugar-free liquids. There is no medicine that will prevent or cure the common cold or flu, but there are medicines that can relieve some of the symptoms. These tips may help in flu: Take vitamin C espacially from natural source like lemon juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, etc. Drink Black tea/Green tea/herbal tea without sugar and milk. Brsh and floss your teeth twice a day. If you smoke, quit. Take care of your general health.

JSQM rally

JSQM’s ‘Azadi Rally’ demands pre-1843 independence for Sindh

Courtesy: The News, Sunday, November 08, 2009

By Urooj Zia, Karachi, Sindh

Rights for the people of Sindh, and the re-establishment of the pre-1843 status of the province were the main demands of the “Azadi Rally” organised on Saturday by the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Basheer Qureshi group. At least 200,000 people — mostly young men from rural Sindh — participated in the march, and managed to block major roads and thoroughfares in the city.

“Sindh collects Rs1,200 billion as tax; it is responsible for 70 per cent of Pakistan’s total oil production, and 65 per cent of its total gas production every year,” Qureshi said, adding that despite this, the resources of Sindh were not controlled by the residents of this province.

Speakers at the rally demanded that the independent pre-1843 status of the province be reinstated, while the participants of the march chanted anti-Pakistan slogans.

Before 1843, Sindh had, as a sovereign state, signed a treaty with the British Raj, allowing the latter’s ships to pass through the Indus River. The Raj, in return, had to pay a tax to the government of Sindh. The Indus River had thus served as an important route for the British in their war in Afghanistan.

At the time, geographically, the sovereign state of Sindh was larger than the current province. Apart from the current territory, it also included Multan (currently in Punjab), Jaisalmir (India), and Lasbella and Sibi (currently in Balochistan). “Now, however, when we demand the reinstatement of pre-1843 Sindh, we are not talking about geographical boundaries. We want a sovereign state of Sindh,” JSQM leaders told The News.

Some participants of the march also said that while the concluding speeches were being made, streetlights in the area were suddenly switched off “exactly like October 18 [2007], right before the Karsaz bomb blasts.”

No untoward incidents were reported on Saturday, however, and the rally concluded peacefully.

Source – http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=207308

by Omar Ali

A Different Pakistan Then! What Now? Indeed, a different Pakistan, where the karma of the British Raj was still relatively intact (SPs, DCs were god) and most simple civilians had no idea that the blessed army of the faithful had already started their “rent-an-army” business and were now in the middle of the first of several disastrous wars they would launch without thinking through the consequences. ….

Courtesy: Omar Ali & crdp@yahoogroups.com

By Muhammad Haroon Bahlkani, Kashmore, Sindh

A Study Conducted in Low Literacy District Kashmore of Upper Sindh

Abstract – All parents want their children to learn. But the level of their desire and efforts vary because of different socio-cultural and economical factors. Parents’ educational level also influences their urge of making their children to learn. Therefore, the behavior and attitude of parents towards the education of their children varies accordingly. This study was conducted to identify the parents’ behavior towards the education of their children at secondary level.

The study was conducted in the low literacy rate area of kashmore sindh s. A previous study also helped to identify some background characteristics related to home and parents that had significant relationship with the achievement level of their children. The present study investigated the styles and behavior of parents they adopt for educating their children.

The data of the study was collected from 650 students. It was a survey study, therefore, questionnaire was considered appropriate research tool. The analysis of data depicted some specific behaviors of parents in educating their children. The study concluded that parents have adopted some attitudes that effect badly the educational attainment of students. Some from these are, they do gender discrimination, impose decisions about the educational matters on children, do not prefer tuitions system and do not response the call by school. It was suggested to understand the needs of students and educate parents through different programs about the behavior, attitudes and styles that can be in favor to upgrade the educational achievement of children in healthy atmosphere to increase literacy rate of the Upper Sindh District Kashmore.

Introduction

Education is commonly referred as the process of learning and obtaining knowledge at school, in a form of formal education. However, the process of education does not only start when a child first attends school. Education begins at home. One does not only acquire knowledge from a teacher; one can learn and receive knowledge from a parent, family member and home environment too. Indeed, Parents represent a considerable role in child’s education. There are stronger evidences that cultural characteristics and parental attitudes effect the educational attainment of children at school level education.

If parents adopt good and effective behavior, attitudes and styles with their children at home, children make better progress in school. Moreover, Parental supportive styles and attitudes not only influence child’s attainment level at school but also provide better help to students in the learning process.

Through observations and researches, it has revealed that some parents know the effective skills related to helping styles that can help children in the field of education. They adopt good supportive styles and behavior to provide better help to children. Others adopt different attitudes and styles without having a sight about its positive or negative results. As a result, some children show good results, some show average and some show poor results at school. The question is what are significant cultural characteristics and behavior of parents that affect the educational attainment of children at school in positive sense. Keeping in view the significance of problem, it was decided to conduct a research on “Studying the behavior of Parents towards Education of their Children: A Study Conducted in Low Literacy Area of upper Sindh District of Kashmore”. Variables of interest in this study were to study the behavior of parents about gender discrimination, objective of teaching, polarization, children’s activities at home, parents’ school visit routine, child’s activities at home and parent’s encouraging styles.

Objectives of the Study

1. To study, the cultural characteristics of students studying in low literacy area of kashmore sindh.

2. To Study, the behavior/attitudes of parents that they commonly adopt with their children.

3. To point out the behavior, attitudes and styles of parents that can work as hinder for students in better learning process and getting good grades in exams.

4. To, provide help to parents to point out the attitudes that can benefit the educational achievement of children.

Significance

This study is significant because of following reasons

This study is helpful

1. To provide research based literature related to the culture of low literacy rate area of Kashmore Sindh, Pakistan

2. To provide information about the attitudes of parents that they adopt in real sense with/without having a sense about the effects of their attitudes.

3. For teachers of secondary schools to understand their role and duties (having a view about the culture of the student).

Methodology

After reviewing the literature, a questionnaire was designed. Eighteen semi-closed questions were given in the questionnaire about personal information, different behavior, attitudes and styles of parents related to the education of their children. Then it was distributed to the students studying at secondary level in various secondary schools in kashmore. The District Kashmore was selected from low literacy rate area of Upper Sindh.

Keeping in view, the conveyance to collect data 10 schools and 650 students were selected from total Government funded schools of total (3) Tehsils of kashmore district r by following the simple random sampling.

After collection of data, the data was organized, tabulated and evaluated for interpretation of findings. Simple Percentage was calculated to analyze the data

Findings

Table: 1 Cultural Characteristics of kashmore

Sr. no. Variable Options Percentage

1 Mother Tongue

Balouchi 51%, sindhi 34%, Siraiki 15%

2.1 Educational Status of Parents

Parents are not Educated 64%

One Parent Is Educated 31%

Both parents are educated 5%

2.2 Educational Status of Father

Highly Educated (14-Above) 07%

Uneducated 64%

Low Educated (10-12) 29%

2.3 Educational Status of Mother

Highly Educated (14-Above) 00%

Lower Educated 10 %

Middle Educated 2%

Uneducated 88%

3 Families Structure

Joint Family System 75%

Independent Family System 25%

4 Family Sizes

Family Members: 5-8 27%

Family Members: 9-11 61%

Family Members: 12-15 12%

5 Living Areas

Rural 62%

Urban 38%

6 Father’s Occupation

Agriculturists 49%

Businessmen 20%

Govt. / Private) Servants 10%

Low Level Workers 31%

7 Mother’s Activities

Household (99) %

Working 1%

Table above indicated the followings

1. Majority 51% of students belonged to balouchi speaking group, 34% belonged to sindhi speaking group and other 15% belonged to the saraiki speaking group.

1. Majority of Students (35%) belonged to the parents from whom at least one (mother or father) had metric level qualification. 65% belonged with parents who were totally uneducated.

2. Majority of students (64%) belonged to father who had uneducated, 29% belonged with those who were at least 10-12 years education and some (7%) belonged to those who were highly educated (graduation or above).

3. Majority of students (88%) belonged to the uneducated mothers.10% mothers were primary level education and mothers of 2% were educated (10-12 Years). No mother (00%) was highly educated (graduation or above).

3 Majority of students (75%) belonged to families who were living in joint family structure .other (25%) belonged to the group living in independent family structure.

4 Majority of students (69%) belonged with families having at least 9-11 persons, 27% belong with those having 5-8 persons and some (12%) belong with those having 12-15 persons.

6 Majority of students (62%) belonged with the families settled in rural areas. Other (38%) belonged with those living in urban areas.

7 Father’s occupation of majority of students (49%) was agriculture. Fathers of 20% were businesspersons. 10 % fathers were govt. or private sector servants. Father of 31% Fathers was doing low-level work (laborer, mullah, carpenter etc) for earning.

8 Majority of Students (99%) belonged to the household mothers. Others (1%) belonged with the working women.

Table: 2 the Styles and behavior of Parents about the Education of their Children

1 Objective of Parents for to earn Better in Future 60%

Educating Children to Learn For Good Ways of Life 40%

2 Segregation Parents Preferred Sons 80%

Parents Preferred Daughters 9 %

Did No Discrimination 11%

3 Polarization Parents Took Edu. Decisions 90%

Students Did Decisions Themselves 10%

Gave Rewards on Doing Well 10%

Praised Them 6%

Nothing 84%

4 Parents Encouraging Style

Did Nothing Special 60%

Contacted the School

On Call 15%

Without Call 85%

5 Parents School Visit Habit

Never Contacted the School 78%

Only Studied 16%

Helped Parents In House Hold Work 71%

6 Students Activities At Home

Did children in household work 50%

Worked for earning purpose 40%

Did nothing else studying at home.10%

Parents Themselves Guided 08%

7 Helping Style for Studies At Home

Did No Arrangement for tuition 90%

Arranged Tuitions 10%

Table above indicated the followings

1. Majority of (60%) parents sent their children to educational institutions “to enable them to earn better in future, where as to others (40%) were educating the children to learn for good ways of life.”

2. Most of parents (80%) did gender discrimination between children about the educational matters and they prefer boy, where as others (11%) did not do gender discrimination between their children son and daughter about the educational matters. only 9% parents perfered daughter in education matter.

3. About polarization, parents of 10% students allowed children to do the decisions (related to the education) themselves. On the other hand, 90% themselves (parents) did decisions about the educational matters of their children.

4. Majority of parents (84%) did nothing, where as 10% offered the rewards to children to encourage them to perform better in future too. 6% take just verbal praise to encourage their children.

5. Only 22% parents used to contact the school/ teachers. From those some (15%) used to contact the school on call others (85 %) used to contact without call.

6. 50% parents take help of school going children in household work. 10% did nothing else studying at home. 40% also worked for earning purpose.

7. Majority (90%) of parents do not arranged tuitions for their children development but 10% themselves helped the children to solve the problems related to education of children through arranging tuition.

Discussion

The families are too much valuable for a teacher. “Family is used to

Describe a cultural value that includes three elements: an integrated network of privileges and obligations that function to support the total family system, the interest of the family as a group having precedence over the individual’s interests and sense of commitment to other family members.” (Debord & Atiles, 1999, P.). Families help a teacher to provide need based help to the learner. Having some, knowledge of the family culture of a learner can work as a base to get better results in teaching. Focusing on a particular individual without having idea about the families of learner cannot only waste the time and resources of a school and parents but also the energy of a teacher. As a result, the learner can be suffered and Parents and teachers can be disappointed.

By reviewing the literature it was concluded,

Map of Sindh Province showing the Bordering District Kashmore

The District Kashmore was created on 13-12-2004. It was carved out of Jacobabad district. It has three taluka’s namely Kashmore, Kandhkot and Tangwani. Kashmore is located at tri-junction point connecting three provinces and gate way to Punjab and Baluchistan provinces.

The geographical area of district is 640458 acres including 37 UCS’s, having population of 662462 souls. The over all literacy rate of district is 25% in which female literacy rate is 10%. There are 6 government hospitals and 1466 government schools in the districts.

There are three TMAs / Talukas namely Kandhkot, Kashmore & Tangwani. The U/C wise

Population of District Kashmore is as under.

Taluka Kandhkot: 238940

Taluka Kashmore: 319628

Taluka Tangwani: 231188

The total Population of District Kashmore: 789756

Boundaries

East: District Rajanpur (Punjab).

West: District Jacobabad & Shikarpur.

North: District Dera Bugti (Balochistan).

South: District Ghotki & Sukkur

Vital Installations

1. Guddu Barrage.

2. Thermal Power Station, Guddu.

3. PPL Gas field Kandhkot

6

Major Tribes

The following major tribes are living in District Kashmore

Mazari, Bijarani, Sundrani, Khosa, Domki, Bahalkani, Lashari, Channa, Malik, Hindu,Noonari,, Shaikh.

Main Roads

• National Highway

• Kandhkot to Sukkur

• Kandhkot to Jacobabad

• Kandhkot to Ubauro via Guddu Kandhkot to Dera Ghazi Khan

• Kandhkot to Sui via Kashmore

Seats of National & Provincial Assembly

Two National and Three Provincial Assembly seats.

Over All Literacy Rate

25 %

Government Hospitals

06

Government Schools

1466

Police Stations

21

Livelihood Source in the District

• Agriculture,

• Fisheries,

• Livestock

Resource Available in the District

• Natural Gas & Agriculture

Occupations in District Kashmore.

The population residing in the rural areas is almost engaged in the agriculture. Big markets, host thousands of workers as daily wages, a good source to earn livelihood, sources of laboring is also quite sustainable in urban areas. So it could be said that to have a daily work in a city is easier than in rural areas. The standard of wage is also much better urban areas than in rural. From the density of population point of view, Kashmore is one of middle-class economic District. The green belt of Kashmore District with the ample production of wheat, rice, vegetable of all kinds, accepted to be the richest in agricultural in Sindh.

The initiatives of the District Government under the directives of Sadar Saleem Jan Khan Mazari District Nazim are underway to boast up the economic stability of District and create more vistas to bring prosperity in the life of common masses. Moreover the Federal Minister of Education Mir Hazzar Khan Bijrani also belongs from this backward district. It’s very hard for author to mention that the literacy rate of this bordering district is very poor and discriminatory toward female education.

Education Policy of District Kashmore

1. Elimination of Gender Discrimination at Primary Level (Phase-I) elementary

Level (Phase-II)

2. Closure of all branch Schools which will help in rehabilitating the main primary Schools and Cancellation of SEMIS Codes.

3. To abolish the posts of Supervisors /RPS /LCOs/ SPEs, who must revert back to the teaching Schools.

4. Equal Distribution of Responsibilities to male and female ADOEs.

5. Posting of Female Teachers is made nearest to their homes.

6. Priority will be given to female Teachers during appointments /Selection for promotion of gender equality.

7. Teachers are posted at schools where from they are drawing their salaries and banning all derailments.

8. Restructuring the policies of SMCs which are presently misused. The District

Government should have more Control and authority on SMCs Funds, would be

utilized for purchasing furniture, Uniform, Scientific and Laboratory equipments, Computers and provision of pure Drinking water facilities.

9. To offer School for Adoption through Public Private Partnership Scheme.

10. To encourage private Education Institutes NGOs and to allot SEMIS Codes to private Schools.

11. To introduce Musical classes and to bring Environmental Health and Hygiene awareness at every level. .

12. To encourage schools to participate in Cleanness Campaigns at one Quarterly.

13. Standardization of the Furniture in Schools.

14. Promotion of IT Education coupled English language Courses.

15. District Government Kashmore is in the Final stages with Pakistan Petroleum

Limited for establishing English Medium School at Kashmore which will have Co-

education and Project to be completed in three Stages that is Primary, elementary and O’ Levels.

16. Survey has also been conducted in terms of Age group admission and drop out in District Kashmore .

17. Buildings will constructed on those Schools which have SEMIS Codes (This will discourage ghost Schools and Otaques.)

The standardized furniture will be procured for all High/Higher Secondary schools of District Kashmore under SDSSP 2005-06 of amounting Rs.3.3 Million to facilitate the Boys & Girls under certain standardized method. For this tendering committee has been notified to check the quality

Various studies have reported differences in parenting styles”.

Therefore, it is valuable to analyze the characteristics of the parents to suggest better tips to parents and teachers for better education of their siblings. The dominating socio-cultural characteristics concluded by this study are large family size, illiteracy of most of women, low education level of male, low level of income of families, joint family structure, profession of agriculture and household women. Care from parents is a basic need of a child. This is necessary to help a child to gain the feeling of stability and harmony. Some times, parents neglect their children in some ways. This results bad effects on a child’s personality. Surfleet (2003, p.39) expressed “It is very important to the child’s whole development that his family relationship should be well adjusted. Lost of any parent can develop any aggressive behavior, resistance to authority, bad temper in feelings of inferiority, Jealously or hate in less clearly defined ways.” Luckily, this study revealed some positive and caring attitudes of parents for their children. Some attitudes are critical but they are not dominating. Some behavior and attitudes of parents adopted in the area like as parents’ objective for educating children to earn better livelihood to resolve the economic constraints of family, giving no any liberty to children to decide themselves about the educational matters, to involve children in house hold work also instead of insisting them to study and study all the time is critical because mostly these behaviors damage the personality of students and resist for better performance in exams. About the behavior, attitudes and styles of parents, it was found that students studying in schools have adopted different styles and attitudes. Most of parents are educating children to be able to earn better in future and some parents care to learn better ways of life instead of earning. It is not appreciating practice. Main goal of education is enable a person to become a good human being. Sahni (2007) describing the importance of education in society explains, “Learning subjects in school is not enough. One can learn history, math, science in school, and be “book-smart”. In addition, one can learn how to live life by knowing what to say when, acting a certain way in certain situations and be “street-smart”.

These two types of knowledge are extremely essential to be successful in life” Another salient finding of this study concluded that although illiteracy /low level education of parents is a significant feature of this area but parents are not too much touchy about the education of their children. Few of them remain worried about the performance of children at school also. Therefore, they arrange tuitions for children to provide maximum coaching in studies. Moreover, many parents do not contact the teachers at school to discuss the performance and problems of their children. Few of them contact school without any call. About those who are called by teachers, never contact school/teachers. In other words, they sent children to school but give no importance to the needs of children.

An admiring style of parents concluded by this study was that majority of parents

are unaware and take no interest in the performance of children at school. They for example, some give rewards to children on performing well but most do nothing special.

It should be kept in mind that parental role in child education is vital. To encourage children about work and to praise them for good tasks done by them has advantages. It can lead to good grades and test scores. A child needs mental relaxation to perform better. If parents offer reward to children on performing well, it can reinforce the children to work better in future too. Finally, students get motivation for future too. .”Some educationists are not in favor to offer rewards to students. They argue, “Offering rewards as incentives leads students to believe that they engaged in the rewarded behaviors only to earn the rewards. The students’ focus then is on the reward; not on the learning that has value in its own right (Wilson & Corpus, 2001, p.58) on the other hand various studies also have supported the idea to present rewards to children on performing well. As, a study finding out the effects of rewards on academic achievement of students identified “if parents offer rewards on performing well in exams and tests, students perform better in future too as compared to those who only praise the children or ignore them on performing well in exams”. (Akhter, 2006) .So, if students achieve some better, it is appreciating to celebrate the event. It can be a good style of parents to help them to be conscious and to try to perform better in future too. One more significant appreciating characteristic pointed out in this study was that parents mostly do discrimination between son and daughter. Some prefer daughters on sons and other consider son is better than daughter but they are few. This factor was about gender discrimination in society by parents as it is a feature of our society. In general, observation, male have upper hand on female in various matters of social life.

Sons are given preferences as compared to daughters in Pakistani society. Mahadevan (1992, p.24) reported, “Born into a social inhospitable environment, bringing up a girl is considered to be a burden and an expense in many ways. Education in the case of a girl child is considered to be an unnecessary expenditure and waste of time, energy and material resources” moreover “married sons are considered responsible for their parents in old age,” (

Infect, “some cultural factors are involved in the preference for sons especially.”

(Masood, 1998, p.120). Due to social factors, some attitudes of parents have been developed & practiced. In general, mothers usually hope for the best of their male children more as compared to female. Fathers also hope for male children to be good in future. A son can be helpful for him and his family in economic help. This behavior of parents can affect the both (females’ and males’) performance in education and finally it can have bad effects on the educational attainment of students. Kashmore is considered one from very backward areas of sindh and in this study; it was pointed out that majority of parents do discrimination between sons or daughters. They mostly prefer sons on daughters. Luckily, few did not do gender discrimination. They give equal importance to sons and daughters and provide equal attention to their siblings. Some behaviors as pointed out in this study were very critical. As mentioned above, it was revealed that parents mostly do not arrange tuitions for children. This shows non caring behavior of parents towards education of their children but on the other hand, some other studies have advocated that children, who get educational assistance from parents, perform better in school than the students who get educational assistance of the others on payment. Educated Parents should try to help their children in studies. This is necessary for good parenting also. Good parenting in the home not only includes providing the physical luxuries. It also includes “the provision of a secure and stable environment, intellectual stimulation, parent-child discussion, constructive social and educational values and high aspirations relating to personal fulfillments and good citizenship” ( Desforges & Abouchaar,2003,P.433). “Parental involvement in their children’s learning positively affects the child’s academic performance” (Fan & Chen, 2001). Parental help in learning process helps “leading to higher academic achievement, greater cognitive competence, greater problem-solving skills, greater school enjoyment, better school attendance and fewer behavioral problems at school (Melhuish, Sylva, Sammons, 2001). Infect “Parents’ involvement in their child’s literacy practices is a more powerful force than other family background variables, such as social class, family size and level of parental education (Flouri & Buchanan, 2004).Parental involvement has the greatest effect at secondary and higher secondary level education. Feinstein and Symons (1999) also found that “parental interest in their child’s education was the single most powerful predictor of achievement at age 16”. Desforges & Boucher( 2003) also argued “its importance to children’s educational and literacy outcomes continues into the teenage and even adult years” It should be evaluated, why parents arrange tuitions for children. It is a reality in kashmore, lack of parental involvement in the coaching of children at secondary level is because of the illiteracy / low level of education of parents and high expectations of parents for better achievement of children. Some times educated parents also send their children to tuition centers because of lack of time to guide the children. Sometimes keeping in mind that education of child should be of proper and good. The teachers at schools can solve problem of children of uneducated/low educated parents only by giving extra help in schools. On the other hand, educated parents should try to spare time for children. Their self-help and care can benefit the child in achievement. The role of teacher in government funded school also needs improvement and demands honesty in fulfilling the duties at this situation. They should guide students in such a way that parents feel no need to send their children to tuition centers. This cannot only be the economic help of parents but also a favor to a child for to be able to perform better in school and final exams arranged by other examining body.

A factor investigated by this study was about school visit routine. This study supported that just only few parents contact school without call by teaches / school. Some contact on call and others never contact the teachers or schools. In general, observation and discussions it is advocated that parents should have strong contact with teachers.” Desforges & Abouchaar (2003, P.433) also reported “contact with the school, do not have as much impact. Differences between parents are associated with parental perceptions of their role, and their levels of confidence in fulfilling it”.

Another silent point, pointed out by this study was, Most of students not only study but also help parents for earning purpose. Small groups also work for in house hold work purpose so; they do some activity along with studying also. This badly affects the performance of children in school too. It is a reality that a child from all aspects is valuable for parents. Parents also need the help of students in some situations. In a previous study (Akhter, 2006, p) it was concluded, “Children who help parents perform better in exams than those who only study at home. Those who also work for wages along with studding perform lower than all.” Although it is because of that a person, doing some job along with study cannot give proper time to the studies. As a result, these students get lower marks in exams. Nevertheless, in a poor family, where parents cannot educate children because of poverty and lack of resources, they suppose children to do work to earn some thing. At this situation, no person can help these students. Only govt. can provide proper financial help to poor students and poor families.

Conclusions:

1. Kashmore is a multicultural and poor literacy rate area. Literacy rate of Male is up as compared to literacy rate of female. On the other hand, Level of female education is also lower as compared to male (between educated persons in this area).

2. Mostly women are engaged in household work having joint family structure and large family sizes are other salient features of the culture of kashmore.

3. Parents do gender discrimination about education of their children. Most of parents prefer sons on daughters.

4. Parents mostly avoid contacting to school / teachers. Between those who contact the school/teachers mostly, contact without any call.

5. Parents are not satisfied with help and care provided by teachers in govt. schools. Parents are mostly uneducated. They cannot guide children about studies. They send children to tuition centers.

6. Most of children studding in govt. schools belong to lower and middle class. Their parents mostly not offer rewards to children on performing well in tests and exams. However, most of parents praise children on getting good marks in tests and exams.

7. Parents demand students to do jobs for earning along the studies and some help them in house hold work. .

8. Many parents are illiterate. With a little difference, more parents allow children to decide about the educational matters. Others try to impose decisions about the educational matters on children.

Recommendations:

1 Govt. should give more importance to improve literacy rate in low literacy rate area of Kashmore District of Sindh.

2 Govt. of sindh and other agencies should run Literacy campaigns about the adult literacy in low literacy rate area of the sindh.

3 Media should play effective role to educate the parents about those attitudes that can effect positively the educational achievement of children.

4 Govt. Schools should arrange teacher parent meetings to inform them about the progress of their children.

5 Parents should visit the school if school calls them. To ignore the call of school or teacher is not good.

6 Teachers should try to educate parents about the styles that can be effective for children during teacher parent meeting.

7 Teachers of govt. schools need to play effective and honest role to solve the educational problems of students at school.

8 Like many private sector schools, govt. schools should also provide extra help to weak students in studies after school timings.

9 Parents should give liberty to children to decide about themselves. To impose decisions on children specially related to education can be dangerous for students in future.

10 Govt. should provide free education and scholarships to poor students.

11 Son and daughter are creation of the nature. Parents should not do gender discrimination between children. Education is also necessary for female to meet new challenges of present and future.

12. Female literacy even non formal education should be encouraged to promote gender friendly atmosphere in the district.

13. Gender friendly decisions through local government should be initiated to raise the literacy ratio of female in the district.

References

1. Akhter’N.(2006) .Socio- Cultural Background Characteristics and Educational attainment of Students”. Journal of Educational Research 9(1)55-64

2. Debord’ K.B. & Atiles’ T.R.D. (1999) Latino parents: unique preferences for Learning about parenting. The Forum (for family & consumer issues).U 4,(1 )retrieved on HThttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fes/pub/1999/latino.htmlTH

3. Desforges, C. & Boucher, A. (2003).U The Impact of Parental Involvement,

Parental Support and Family Education on Pupil Achievement and Adjustment:

A Literature Review. London: Department for Education and Skills.

4. Fan, X. & Chen, M. (2001). Parental Involvement and students’ academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review’s 13(1)1-22

5. Flouri, E. & Buchanan, A. (2004). Early father’s and mother’s involvement and

child’s later educational outcomes. British Journal of Educational Psychology

Vol. 74. PP.141-153.

6. Govt. of Pakistan (2004). Monthly Bulletin of Statistics Islamabad: Statistics Division.

7. Mahadevan, U. (1992). Discrimination against the female child – A threat to national development and progress. UUNITE.U 1(1) 23-29.

8. Sahni’ D. (2007) Importance of Education in Society. Kuki International

Forum. Retrive on 11.5.07 .google.http//www.boloji.com/teens/articles/0037.htm

9. Surfleet, F. (2003). Children in Home and School New Delhi: Sonali Publications.

10. Wilson’L.M. & Corpus,D.A.(sept.2001). The Effects of Reward Systems on

academic Performance. Middle School Journal. 33(1) pp.56-60

11. www.google.com.pk

There is huge healing power within each of us that knows exactly what and where each of our ailments is and knows exactly what to do correct them. It is inside our body in an unlimited amount with out any cost. Our wellness involves choices and action. The choices we make each day and the action s we take can lead to a healthier life. Making positive choices in the areas of physical fitness, work, stress and nutrition promotes our well-being. Making a life-long commitment to a healthy lifestyle can reduce the effect o chronic medical illness. Give us more energy, increase our self-esteem and reduce the risk of illness.

Did you know our bodies are over 60% water? It keeps our bodies cool, cushions our organs and joints, and maintains our bodies in peak condition. Staying hydrated is especially important in summer, when our body uses water to keep you cool when you’re running around or just walking.

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. – Thomas A. Edison”

Karachi-Sindh: (Nov. 7, 2009) JSQM, Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz’s Freedom March. Hundreds of Thousands Sindhis gathered in Karachi. At 1pm the rally had started from Gulshan-e-Hadid….in Buses, cars…and other vehicles.. at 3pm…the walk had  started from Nishtar Park…..to MA….Jinnah Road.. for the sovereignty of Sindh.

by Masood Baloch

Baloch activist of Karachi-Sindh, Nisar Baloch Shot dead by unknown person near bridge in Old Golimar, Karachi, Sindh. Shaheed Nisar Baloch was campaigning against land mafia and an ethnic group for grabbing the real state land of Tran-Lyari Park (Gatter Bagicha). Today morning he was leaving Old Golimar with his family when he reached the bridge he was shot at his head, his wife and another person received bullet wounds and are still in hospital.

Asif Zardari

by Omar Ali

IF the US has already decided to get out no matter what, then they may feel the need to get Pak army cooperation for a safe exit from Afghanistan. Saleem Shahzad states that this has caused the US to dump Zardari in favor of the army and to dump Abdullah in favor of Karzai. The first is more believable, after all the US is not Zardari’s maternal uncle. If Zardari bhai is a liability, he will be dumped. But the second assertion may be spin on someone’s behalf..

Let me put on my optimistic cynical hat and make some counter predictions (not necessarily true, but I do think they are likelier than some of yours):

1. Pepe Escobar is not a reliable witness.

2. Modern Nation states are remarkably stable. Most have irrational boundaries (gifts of colonialism and accident) but only a couple have actually broken apart (Pakistan being one of them, but I think you will agree that East and West Pakistan was an especially irrational case). Pakistan and India will remain in present boundaries for the foreseeable future. Balkanization will be a threat, but will not actualize. There is too much holding the countries together, though “remote” areas will continue with insurgencies.

3. The nascent capitalists in both India and Pakistan will continue to spout nationalist hate speech, but it is in their monetary interest to have a reasonable level of cooperation. Full blown conflict does not suit either of them. Of course, there may be other interest groups that ARE benefiting from conflict. In India, they are already no match for the massive “real economy” of industry and commerce. In Pakistan, the commercial sector is smaller and the army is RELATIVELY bigger, but the “rent an army” business model is on its last legs. Actually, if the Americans pull out in some reasonable manner and no longer pay the army to do their work, neither China nor Saudi Arabia can fill the gap. The army will have to adjust to new conditions. Instead of sending Jihadis into India, they will sell them Fauji cement and skim 13% off the gas flowing that way. Other more criminal enterprises (smuggling, kidnapping, etc) will no doubt be taxable in some form as well.

3. The real threat to stability in both countries is from the countless poor people whom the states shamelessly abuse but to whom they do not provide security or service. But these populations CAN be brought into the national mainstream. Not necessarily as nicely and justly as leftists would like (look at the harsh conditions of labor in China) and I am not saying it will necessarily work, but it CAN work. The poor have low expectations in the subcontinent. I will absolutely agree that even those low expectations are not being met in most of India or Pakistan (there is a reason we have 20 Maoist insurgencies in India) but unlike Arundhati Roy, I dont think Indian democracy will necessarily fail. In fact, I think even Pakistani democracy will not necessarily fail…

4. Afghanistan is the weakest link but even Afganistan will not break up (at least, I don’t think that is the likeliest scenario).

5. The truly sincerely RELIGIOUS fanatics are a tiny minority. The .. army and national govt can fight them off once they decide its in their interest. Of course, I expect it will be a nasty fight.

…comments welcome.

Courtesy: Omar Ali and crdp@yahoogroups.com

Some Desi Nuska’s.. They Are Helpful..!

Contributed by Sindhi info, Forwarded by : www.chandiramani.com

Acidity

After the meals, take one piece of Clove and suck on it slowly. This gives instant relief and helps in reducing other problems arising out of acidity.

Weight Loss

Eat a tomato everyday before your breakfast for a couple of months. This really helps. Next drink a half glass of Nimbu pani (lemon juice in water) every morning before tea.

Tooth Ache

Bite a clove. Clove oil is an excellent remedy for toothaches.

Indigestion

Drink 1 tsp. of mint juice mixed with an equal amount of honey and lemon juice.

Cough & Cold

Dissolve a 1/2 tsp. of turmeric powder in half a cup of hot milk and drink for relief.

Chest Congestion

Boil tea leaves, mint & a bit of ginger. Mix with a dash of honey and drink it hot for relief.

Mouth Sores

Sprinkle a mixture of powdered cardamom and rock sugar (misri) over the tongue.

Bee Bite

Rub the area with a paste of soft mud and salt in order to avoid swelling.

Burns & Scalds

Place a crushed onion on the affected part & cover with a bandage.

Stains In Teeth

Add a drop of clove oil to the toothpaste before brushing your teeth OR Sprinkle a little table salt on your toothpaste before brushing your teeth .

Constipation

Have an apple or guawa to cure constipation.

Nausea

Keep a whole cardamom or clove in the mouth to subside the sensation of vomiting.

Acne & Pimples

Do not try to prick and peel the acne as this can leave permanent marks on the face. Rub whole nutmeg with milk on a grinding stone and apply this paste. Leave until dry then wash.

For normal bowel movements

Take 10/12 pieces of Raisin, wash and remove the seeds and then boil them with a glass of milk. Drink this milk and eat the raisins. Next day you will have a normal bowel movements.

Ear ache & infection

Take two cloves of Garlic. Remove the skin. Put them in two spoons of Mustard Oil in a small pan and warm it up on low heat. When the garlic starts turning black (burning) then turn off the heat. Sieve the contents. When the oil becomes lukewarm, then using a cotton stub, put 2 to 4 drops in the aching ear.

Throat Irritation

Take a teaspoon of table salt and mix with a cup of hot water. Gargling with this mix 3-4 times a day is helpful in giving relief to throat irritation.

Weak Memory

Take few almonds and immerse them in a cup of water in the evening. Next morning, after removing the red skin, grind the almonds. Then mix the ground almonds with a glass of milk and boil. When it has boiled, then mix a spoonful of Ghee. When it is lukewarm, then drink it. Do this for 15 to 40 days. It helps in improving memory and also brings vitality to the body.

Cold

Drink a glass of warm water with 2-3 drops of lime juice. Do not eat anything for at least half an hour before & after taking it.

Wounds

Apply turmeric powder to the wound. It will stop the bleeding immediately and the wound will also heal faster.

Diarrhea

Take a teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with pinch of a salt.

Insect Bites And Stings

Wash the affected area with vinegar.

Cough

Take a spoonful of ginger juice mixed with equal parts of honey two or three times a day.

Itchy throat

Take honey. It will relieve the itchiness as it moisturizes the throat .

Baluch Leader, Mir Hyrbyair Mari

A number of international activists, scholars and human rights practitioners will be participating in the first-ever Baluchistan International Conference in Washington DC on Nov. 21-22. The American Friends of Baluchistan (AFB), an organization that supports the independence movement, has organized the conference. The AFB considers Mir Hyrbyair Marri, Sardar Brahumdagh Bugti and Dr. Allah Nazar national heroes of Baluchistan. The conference has been organized to highlight Baluch issues.and to pay tributes to slain Baluch freedom fighter Nawabzada Balaach Marri, 41, an elected member of the Baluchistan state assembly and son of legendary Baluch leader Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri. Marri was killed extrajudicially by the Pakistan military on Nov. 20, 2007.

Baluch international activist Mehran Baluch, a brother of the slain leader, will preside over the two-day conference that is aimed to find ways and means to end the plight of the Baluch natives in Baluchistan.

The panelists at the conference are: Selig S. Harrison, Annie Nocenti, T. Kumar, Andrew Eiva, Saghir A. Shaikh, Ph.D,Munir Mengal, Dr. Gul Agha, Wendy Johnson, Asad Rahman, Ismail Ameeri, Ali Arjemandi,M.Mumtaz Khan, Aziz Baloch, M. Hosseinbor ( Dr. Bor) , Humaira Rahman, Dr. Nazir S. Bhatti.

Meanwhile, American Friends of Baluchistan condemned Islamabad for putting one of the invitees to the conference, Prof. Naela Quadri of the Baloch Republican Party on the infamous exit control list. Prof. Quadri was recently offloaded from an aeroplane while she was travelling to Manila to attend a premier Asian Pacific NGO conference on conflict zones.

The Tao teaches a vision of life as process “A journey of a  thousand miles starts with a single step.” (TAO-64), “Wise people seek solutions;  The ignorant only cast blame.” (TAO-79)

Fresh washed raw vegetables are more protective than cooked vegetables to reduce the rick of pancreatic cancer by more than half. The most beneficial vegetables that identified by the scientific studies are; Garlic, ginger, onions, carrots and dark leafy green vegetables. These simple veges have incredible power of protection from cancer. Vegetables are good source of minerals and vitamins. Vegetables can play a great role in good general health.

By Dr Ali Akbar Dhakan, Karachi, Sindh

MQM is a party which raised from the status of an ethentic group to a political force in our Sindh particularly in Karachi, Sindh, where majority of population belongs to migrants from India and comprise of a middle class. Sindh not only ruled by MQM, chief Altaf Hussain and establishment but it has also controlled and ruled by the land lords, jagirdars, fuedal class of tribes and creeds. If they become the part of the govt. then they try to grab all resources and fill their bellies with luxuries and therefore do not care for the fates of poor people of Sindh who gave them their valuable votes. That is why at present, the ministers and even President belonging to Sindh are very careless to offer their sympathies and respect to the poor people of Sindh. Therefore, I want to suggest Asif Ali Zardari, Qaim Ali Shah, Altaf Bhai, Rasool Bux Palijo and other stake holders of Sindh (a)offer sympathies to whole Sindh for solving problems (b)call people of Sindh who have remained victims in different fields (c)direct all Ministers and MPAs and MNAs to meet the people of Sindh (d)mix with the people of Sindh by organising their offices and units in whole sindh (e)organise conferenes in Sindh and announce sympathies with the people of Sindh. In this way, you all political parties will get sure success in Sindh and by serving the poor people of Sindh, you all can be effective force in Sindh.

by Aziz Narejo, Tx

Hats off to Amar Sindhu, her colleagues in WAF, Jami Chandio and others who have taken a practical step in this case. All of you have done a superb job in this as well as in many other cases. Please take up the case of the girl molested by her teachers too. She and her family needs the help of the civil society activists.

Courtesy: SANAlist@yahoogroups.com

—

More on this issue, please click here to read Nisar Khokhar’s report at BBC urdu

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2009/11/091103_poet_alleged_as.shtml

Face to Face

“The entire world is open to us, why should we confine ourselves to this country” – Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri

By Amir Zia

Interview: Karen Armstrong

Interview: Cultures in Harmony

The entire world is open to us, why should we confine ourselves to this country – Nawab Khair Buksh Marri

By Amir Zia

Courtesy: http://qksisamaa.isamaa.tv/report/2009-08-22-interview-nawab-khair-buksh-marri-partial-transcript/

Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri is seen as the kingpin of the radical Baloch nationalist movement, which explicitly demands an independent Balochistan. Although the veteran Baloch leader appears to be living a quiet life in Karachi’s posh Defence Housing Authority for the past several years, his admirers as well as rivals view him as one of the key players of the separatist movement, operating from behind-the-scenes. The shadowy militant Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) – which is waging a low-intensity insurgency in the rugged mountains of Balochistan, as well as targeting government installations, officials and security forces in the cities – is dominated by his Marri tribesmen.

An enigma to many of his contemporaries, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri was a key leader of the 1973-77 Baloch insurgency that saw an estimated 50,000 Baloch fighters taking up arms against the Pakistan Army. Thousands of people were killed in the insurgency, including hundreds of security personnel. The Marri tribe spearheaded the movement, which was supported by a handful of Pakistani leftists as well as by the now-defunct Soviet bloc. KB, as he was popularly known at the time, was languishing in prison during that entire period, along with several key leaders of the banned National Awami Party including Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo and Ataullah Mengal under the Hyderabad conspiracy case. Once freed by the former military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq, KB flew to Europe for a brief stop over and then went into self-imposed exile in Afghanistan, along with his tribesmen.

He returned to Pakistan in 1991, only after the Soviet-backed Kabul regime was close to collapse. He was briefly arrested on charges of being involved in Justice Nawaz Marri’s murder, but was released in 2002, following which he moved to Karachi. Ill-health and old age have ostensibly removed him from the political scene, but he is still idolised by many Baloch nationalists.

His arrest during Musharraf’s tenure fuelled anger among many of his tribesmen, who, once again, went on a confrontationist path. These included his son Balach, who was killed in 2007 in a controversial military operation.

Unlike conventional tribal and feudal politicians, who are fond of lengthy political arguments and discussions, KB remains a man of few words. He speaks in a soft voice, but his one-liners are often filled with sarcasm, bitter wit and irony.. He knows the art of answering a question with a question. From his calm body language and the gentle tone of his voice, he appears to be a gentle person, but appearances are often deceptive. Old age, exile, arrest and personal losses have in no way mellowed him. He is still as uncompromising and unbending as he was in the 1970s. He continues to chase his dream of an independent Balochistan, which has eluded him all his life and still remains a mirage.

Q: For a fairly long time, you have not been visible on the political scene. What’s the reason?

A: Sir, there are [different] tactics. Do you think there is only one way?

Q: Your tactics have changed?

A: That’s possible … I don’t admit that I have disassociated myself [from politics]. Maybe there is a change in tactics.

Q: In the ’70s, the country’s leftist forces were supporting the Baloch nationalists. The Soviet bloc was there. Today, it does not have any such support.

A: The Soviet bloc never gave us any armies. It only gave us books.. Whether the Soviet bloc is there [or not] … injustice is still there.

Q: But moral support counts. People drew inspiration from the former Soviet Union.

A: I don’t know to what extent the Soviets supported [the nationalists]. Ideology does work, but guns and weapons play a more important role. The Soviets did not give us any guns, bombs or weapons.

Q: The ’70s movement is viewed as the high point of the Baloch nationalist movement.

A: I think the present times are the high point of this movement compared to that period.

Q: Why did the key Baloch leaders of the ’70s fail to evolve a common strategy once they were freed from prison? Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo formed his own Pakistan National Party. Attaullah Mengal went into self-exile in London, while you, too, after a brief stop over in Europe, went to Afghanistan.

A: Maybe there was a change in thinking, which led to a change in practice. [Some] chose the wrong path or we picked one [which was wrong]. Some were diverted, afraid, or bought over … I don’t want to talk about who did what.

I first went to Europe for a brief period and then to Afghanistan. My tribesmen also went to Afghanistan.. We have this pattern – a convention. My grandfather also went to Afghanistan to seek the help of the Muslim king against the British.

Q: The Afghan governments of those times have a history of supporting Pakistan’s nationalists.

A: Yes, they did; Dawood Khan supported us.

Q: Critics say that the movement of that time was tribal in nature and was not a nationalist movement. There was no united front of the Baloch.

A: This is a phase of our history. Tribalism is part of our society … It was tribal as well as for the Baloch identity.

Q: Don’t you think that the lack of a central leadership and divisions within the nationalist movement are weakening it?

A: This has happened everywhere in the world. The better option would have been to have a single party. If it is not there, an alliance will do. I will not say it is correct, but unfortunately, they [the nationalists] are divided. Being divided is not an ailment that cannot be cured. Even the Soviet revolution was not brought about by the power of Bolsheviks alone. Bolsheviks led the revolution by giving a correct thought, correct analysis and a correct diagnosis of the ailment. Then, the people helped.

Q: If you compare the ’70s movement to that of 2009, are the Baloch nationalists as divided as they were back then?

A: I think they are more united now. Even young kids, whose elders used to do nothing and had no concern other than bread, are talking about a free Balochistan. They will be tomorrow’s soldiers – at least, one or two out of 10.

Q: If you were asked to define your politics ideologically, how would you define Khair Bakhsh Marri – as a nationalist or a Marxist?

A: I am afraid to say this openly. [But] I believe that justice should be done in Balochistan in proportion to the bloodshed and the price being paid there.

Q: There was a time when you were seen as a Marxist tribal leader. Has there been a change?

A: There has been a change. I don’t know whether it’s [a sign of] maturity or immaturity. I don’t want to upset the American government.

Q: Can a movement be organised on progressive ideals in a tribal society?

A: It can be done but with hard work.

Q: So far, it has been observed that the Marri tribe has been in the lead in the armed movement.

A: I can’t say that my tribe remains in the lead. Yes, it is satisfying that we are part of the movement. But Nauroz Khan and others started this movement much earlier when the Marris had no role in it.

Q: What is your main grievance against Pakistan?

A: Our freedom has been snatched.

Q: Is this your personal view or that of the majority?

A: At the [time of] creation of Pakistan, we were asked whether we wanted to join India or Pakistan. And we said we wanted independence. As a state, we never had any connection with Pakistan. Our language, culture, history, geography were never the same.

Q: Is there a chance of any compromise? In all political movements, there is room for talks.

A: You must have observed, and I also think, that sometimes I am impolite or say things that are considered uncivil, but which I think are absolutely civil. We cannot live with the Punjabis. There is no room for compromise in my book. We have to get rid of them.

Q: Don’t you think 62 years after independence, all the provinces are now politically and economically integrated and staying united seems to make sense?

A: [It seems so] because we are not free … [But economically] we do not have to depend on others. We have sea, land, vast resources. It is others who depend on the Baloch; the Baloch don’t have to depend on others.

Q: The entire country is open to you.

A: Sir, the entire world is open to us, why should we confine ourselves to this country.

Q: If we talk about the past, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s democratic …

A: Bengal was denied [of its rights], you call that democratic? Aren’t you doing an injustice? They [the Bengalis] had a majority in votes, in numbers. And despite that, you call it democratic? Why do you misguide people?

Q: Those tragic events are a part of history. But Bhutto’s constitution was supported by all, including Baloch nationalists.

A: I wish we were more mature, especially after what happened with Bangladesh. Maybe we were so scared, so frightened that we thought it was sufficient. But a simple man like me didn’t sign that constitution … I thought that this constitution does not [provide any] salvation. You could call it my obedience or timidity, but as I didn’t like it, I thought [I should] express [my displeasure].

Q: The Baloch launched an armed resistance against Bhutto’s elected government. But when a dictator, General Zia-ul-Haq, was in power, the nationalists remained silent. Why?

A: That was the low ebb of our freedom movement. All movements pass through such phases.

Q: When your movement was at its peak in the ’70s, the Baloch were not in it alone. There were other leftist elements who remained part of the movement. There was a London group … then why do you talk in such a disparaging manner about one ethnic group?

A: (Laughing) There were only four, five people in the London group. But they could not remain with us. [Maybe] because of our mistakes or because their timeline for adventurism was over.

Q: What was the role of the London group?

A: I don’t know exactly because I had never been to the mountains [to fight]. But I have heard that they used to fight, write and explode bombs. One lost an eye, another got his hand slashed.

Q: Don’t you think the solution to the Baloch problem lies in democracy?

A: No, not with this rival. Not with the Punjabis.

Q: In politics, the doors of negotiations are never closed.

A: Negotiations remained open for 60 years, but we could not find a way. For us, the doors are closed.

Q: It is said that a lot of money was spent on Balochistan’s development and progress during Pervez Musharraf’s tenure.

A: Brother, when someone is asking for freedom, you offer them an increase in salary – even that is a lie. They are offering us some leftover meat on the bones … We are talking of freedom.

Q: The demand for freedom appears to come from only two, three tribal chiefs. It does not seem to be a popular movement in Balochistan.

A: All this army, these killings, exiles, arrests, torture … don’t you think they are a deterrence [in building a popular movement]? There are so many obstacles.

Q: There are allegations that a few tribal chiefs are opposed to development.

A: Which few sardars – Marri, Bugti and Mengal? I would have joined the Muslim League if this sardari was a paradise for me. [I would have] got motors, planes, a share in oil, become the chief minister – made money. Even in this age, I go to Afghanistan [in exile], go to jail – all the time I’m afraid [as to] when the policemen will break the door, drag us away, arrest or shoot us. What do you think I am – a normal human being or a lunatic out of an asylum?

Q: People say tribal chiefs will lose their grip on their people when education and development come to their areas.

A: If there is freedom, the Baloch will decide about the fate of the sardars. At your place, are there political parties in the western sense, who do issue-oriented politics? There are Chaudhrys, Khans, Nawabs, Pirs! Do you have issue-based politics? There are baradaris – is there any politics based on ideology or is it just opportunism?

Q: Is the present government sincere in resolving the Balochistan problem?

A: Yes, it is sincere in resolving the issue by defeating us. It is sincere in defeating us, breaking us, bending us, forcing us to flee and surrender. For this, they have to tell big lies, tempt people with money, [launch] operations … This shows how sincere they are.

Q: President Asif Ali Zardari promises to resolve the Balochistan issue. Do you see any ray of hope?

A: What is Zardari’s status? He is a puppet..

Q: Other nationalists welcomed it.

A: Whom do you call nationalists? Except for BNF or BNM, who are the other nationalists working openly?

Q: There is the National Party.

A: You call the National Party nationalist! In the eyes of the Baloch, it is not.

Q: You don’t see any democratic solution to this problem?

A: [We] tried, but were let down. Democracy does not exist here.

Q: What is the way to reach a settlement?

A: There is only one way to reach a settlement: you get out of our house. After that we will see what our relations will be. But I am sure you are not going to leave – by you, I mean the Punjabis and Mohajirs.

Q: Your son Chengaiz used to be a PML-N member. Your other sons were also part of the system.

A: Not all of them.

Q: Chengaiz was in PML-N. Gazen remained member of the provincial assembly, a minister …

A: Today it is not the same Gazen. You won’t be able to give references of any other sons of mine.

Q: Out of your four sons, who is to be the successor of your politics and ideology?

A: My heirs are not just my legitimate sons, but all those Baloch who respect us, listen to us and [are willing to] sacrifice.

Q: Do you think the tragic killing of one of your sons, Balach, could have been prevented?

A: Balach was following a path where death followed him at every step. The regret is that it came too early. He could have done more work. There used to be study circles, but Balach never attended them. He was a youngster who enjoyed life. When he returned from London, he was a changed man. I never thought he would be successful, but he succeeded.

Q: Worldwide, all such movements have a face. But the Baloch armed movement is without one. There is a shadowy BLA and the Republican Army, but they have no known leadership. Don’t you think this is a weakness?

A: There are no names? I think they are working under two banners.

Q: Do you endorse the tactics of these militant groups?

A: In today’s street language, I agree with them 110%.

Q: Pakistan has recently blamed India for fomenting violence in Balochistan. What do you think?

A: Right now, the most disturbing thing for us is [Pakistani] helicopters and planes. We are not getting those [from India]. What help is it [India] giving us? Providing us bullets, Kalashnikovs? They are available in the market here.

Q: You have spent a lifetime in politics. In the final analysis what have you gained and lost?

A: I can’t say what I lost or gained. But the Baloch are moving forward. Consciousness is increasing among them. Their numbers are rising. Out of 100, 25 will also raise arms.

Q: If you were asked to do a critical evaluation of your own politics and movement …

A: Self-criticism? I am not going to do it.

Q: There must be something for public consumption?

A: Being human, there are weaknesses. But why should I tell others about them – so that they [enemies] can further stab me with a dagger? If I reveal this before you, the government will also listen in. I will not commit the sin of sharing my weaknesses.

Q: How do you spend your time in Karachi these days?

A: It’s unfortunate, [but] the Marris bring their small and big disputes for settlement. Presently, I don’t have the strength to do much reading but occasionally I do spend time reading.

Q: One of your passions is cockfighting. I could hear roosters even during this interview.

A: Yes, this is my childhood passion. It existed even when I was a young man and stayed with me throughout my jail days. People think it is a bad thing; I think so too, but it is no secret that I keep roosters. [Though] I fail to understand [why I do it]. (In a lighter tone) Sometimes I think I need the help of a psychiatrist. Now I only keep roosters that are fit to fight but earlier on, as a child, I used to pick even the normal ones.

I believe it is a sin … the way they fight, get injured and die … but I still keep them, though I have stopped going to the ground [to watch the fights] for a long time now.

ENDS

(This interview has also appeared in Newsline’s September 2009 edition)

Permalink

Source – http://qksisamaa.isamaa.tv/report/2009-08-22-interview-nawab-khair-buksh-marri-partial-transcript/

by Zahid Imran

There are factual holes in this story and assumptions and links drawn in a speculative fashion. However my comments are related to this story only and does not and should not be construed as support or defense of Zardari.

Coutesy: Zahid Imran and crdp@yahoogroups.com

Mumtaz Bhutto

by Zulfiqar Mirani

Syed Qaim Ali Shah says that Sindh has lost 88 billions due to (indirectly pointing out towards Mumtaz Bhutto) signing on NFC 1997..

My questions is that will PPP government tell the Sindhi people that how much amount Sindh has lost in last 35 years on account of financial distribution on the basis of population; and that who had introduced that criteria (of population basis) for the distribution (in 1974). And also that why they and PPP have deviated from historical stand of Sindh Government for distribution on the basis of revenue generation basis only?

Instead of opposing this criteria why PPP government of Sindh supports it? Is this criteria of distribution of NFC in the interest of Sindh? Will Mr. Shah, the chief minister of Sindh explain how much amount Sindh will loose on this criteria (particularly on area and poverty/HDI) basis?..

—

Courtesy & Thanks: Sindhi e-lists and Zulfiqar Mirani

MQM Chief, Altaf Hussain

by Mir Raza

Mian Nawaz Sharif who has promised in London conference that he will never make any alliance with MQM chief Altaf Hussain has now welcomed Altaf Hussain for his announcement to oppose NRO bill, even Jamat e Islami has issue a NRO for Altaf hussain, Munawar Hussain of jamat e islami has said that he salute Altaf Hussain for his announcement. Now Jamat e Islami is giving a shower of Aab e zam zam to him.

Every one can see a big board hanged on Nawaz League’s head quarter, saying:

AJ DEE TAZA’A KHABAR AAYEE HEY, TE ALTAF HUSSAIN SADA BHAI HEY.

and massacre of 12th May is forgotten by them…

Courtesy: Mir Raza and Sindhi e-lists/groups.

Ayaz Latif Palijo President Awami Threek

We support the spirit and purpose of the long march. I welcome and appreciate your efforts against terrorism, autocracy, discrimination, corruption, jirga and sardari system. We support you in condemning the practice of karo kari (honor killings); asking for provincial autonomy, educational and health facilities and demanding the ownership of natural resources and opportunities for employment.

These are worthy causes. Until today, the struggle has not yielded the desired results. However, we cannot and should not give up these worthy causes. God works in own ways. May be the time is NOW and your and our efforts will make it happen.

Regardless of our party affiliation or personal misgivings or personal preferences, I urge all freedom loving people to keep working for these worthy causes..

Ali Nawaz Memon

http://sindhdi.wordpress.com

(Author: SINDH DEVELOPMENT THOUGHTS)

Sindh Development Institute, 7204 Antares Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA 20879

Remember this always in life

Never take some one for granted,Hold every person, Close to your Heart because you might wake up one day and realise that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.

Contributed by Najamuddin Ghanghro, Forwarded by www.chandiramani.com

by Iqbal Tareen

So called “Free media” in Pakistan is still in its infancy. Members and owners of the Pakistani media carry huge burden of predisposed opinions and ideas about various political issues and political parties. High percentage of owners and journalists alike seem to muscle their power to pursue personal, political and business objectives.

To some extent it is true about the developed nations including USA. The difference is the highest degree of people’s access to information through alternative media and through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). Other than Presidential elections, the politics in USA is more local and so is local media, which constitutes the core of communications.

Other than war, economy, and immigration no issue takes a central stage in American politics. Foreign policy issues become hyperactive only when Western countries are engaged in war or active conflict with other nation/s. Other than major political decisions, politics in developing countries does not drive day to day life of their citizens.

In contrast, in Pakistan along with many developing countries in Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and South America there is very little that politics does not drive. Some states would like to determine how their citizens behave in the privacy of their bedrooms. Due to un-quenching thirst of power, rulers in developing countries hate decentralization because they prefer to rule from the top.

Media Moguls also become power maniacs. They blackmail, fabricate stories, feed to the public frenzy instead of providing both sides of story.

It is this upside down system that makes government a big daddy and first and the last resort of providing relief to the people in developing countries. With unlimited state power and huge gap between the power of bullet and power of ballot people in developing countries will continue living under the darkest clouds of corruption and power abuse.

All above creates a live Molotov cocktail when mixing of religion and state provides a needed ignition.

I have a bad news my friends. No one but yourself is responsible for your demise. Take control of your destiny and refuse to take it from spin doctors and Hippocrates anymore. Cut through the chase to bring their game to an end. Don’t let them govern you in the name of Pakistan or in the name of Islam. Focus on your rights to pursue better life for yourself and your children. Yesterday’ s philosophies and religions are today’s common sense.

Take everything with grain of salt when it comes from the media, mullah, or a politician. Trust your instincts.

Right now all rightists organizations including fascist organization like MQM and Military picked media hounds are staging a parliamentary coup against a representative government. Is PPP regime corrupt, the answer may be yes, But you are not choosing between angels and an evil. You are being forced chose between a government manufactured in GHQ and the one sent by the masses.

I have never been a member of PPP nor do I have any connection with its ruling leadership. I knew Mohtarma Benazir Bhtto and I have been supporting democracy and peoples rule in Pakistan since 1968. A few people I know in PPP are not on a favorite list of Mr. Zardari. But let us look at the big picture and not gripe about a few strokes of a brush.

The main difference between PPP and other political parties is simple. PPP’s program focuses on taking care of ordinary people whereas other will tell you to “go take care of yourself”

Your foes know how to pick the side.

Do you?

Courtesy: The News, Wednesday, July 22, 2009

WASHINGTON: If the past is any guide, as we now know that all previous political upheavals were carried out according to the secret scripts written by key players of our omnipotent establishment, the latest political developments tell us that the noose is tightening around our president and he has to decide quickly which option he has to exercise so that he can survive politically, financially and probably even physically.

This scenario is evident because the script was written sometime back and its glimpses were also leaked to parts of the media for assuring all those who were getting too upset with the status quo that things will change. There are now undeniable signs that the desired changes have started to surface in different shapes and forms.

The key engine of change was to be the restored Supreme Court and its level of activity is now touching a crescendo. It has already exonerated Mian Nawaz Sharif of all bogus charges and convictions forced by Gen (retd) Musharraf. It has begun the trial, or whatever it may be called in legal terms, of Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf and is all set to disqualify all the PCO judges who collaborated with Musharraf before and after Nov 3, 2007.

The chief justice has clearly said the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) will be taken up soon, an event which will become the focus of all national politics and the power equilibrium will change. That means that if NRO beneficiaries are deprived of the political advantage they have enjoyed for several months, or a year or two, many of them may not even be able to stay in Pakistan or never come back to their country.

The PPP and its Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have now started talking in exceptionally confident and aggressive terms, the latest statement made to Geo TV’s Hamid Mir stating categorically that he was ready to create history — which in other words suggests that he was about to stage a political and moral coup against his own party co-chairperson, Mr Zardari, because his government had turned into a joke and Mr Zardari, exercising all the powers, had failed to come up with any successful initiative or policy.

As part of the noose tightening, Mian Nawaz Sharif has refused to cooperate or bail out Mr Zardari any further after all the political cheating and beating that Mr Sharif was subjected to at the hands of Mr Zardari.

President Zardari, who took over charge of the PPP, national politics and then the government, after the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto, has wasted his crucial 18 to 20 months in forcing his own distorted form of politics and governance. The late PPP leader knew his capacity and that is probably the reason why Benazir Bhutto herself kept him away from politics and government after he was released by Gen Musharraf and allowed to leave Pakistan.

It is also now visible that Mr Zardari has now started to use his emotional cards, — the children of Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa — as political crutches, to revive the fading fortunes of his own leadership and that of his party. This may be an indicator that he realises that his own strategy and tactics have not worked. He now thinks that the emotional appeal of Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa can do something to save the sinking ship of his personal and private politics.

In such a grim scenario in which Nawaz Sharif has emerged as a better political player, the courts have regained the confidence to take up the highly sensitive cases of Musharraf, NRO and 17th Amendment, the prime minister has practically announced that he was no longer going to take dictation from the presidency. The US government, the IMF and the World Bank have almost refused to provide any cash aid or loan, as long as Mr Zardari was calling the shots, what options are left for the president to get out of this self-created mess?

The consequences of the coming events are too grave and obvious. If NRO is reopened and judged by the Supreme Court as a bad law, all the relief given to PPP leaders, sympathisers and even criminals in Karachi, will come to zero and a massive political exodus will begin, leaving little chance for Mr Zardari and his group of personal supporters to continue for long in their present positions.

The PPP in Sindh will have to reopen cases against the MQM, in thousands, and that will undoubtedly bring Karachi and most of Sindh to a standstill, as the MQM and the PPP would again be pitched against each other or against the forces which may come into power.

If Musharraf’s actions of 2007 are declared as null and void, it would be the ultimate signal that the Army has stopped protecting the former president and that would mean all those who cut deals with Musharraf and derived huge political and other benefits will also be left on their own to find their own safe exits or safe havens.

President Zardari has very few options, all not very appealing if his 18-month style of governance is any yardstick. One or two may still save him from the humiliation and suffering, similar to the one he had to face after the second dismissal of Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1996.

But Mr Zardari can begin by sincerely and quickly offering, without playing any games, an immediate repeal of the 17th Amendment and replacing it with a better 18th Amendment which may protect the good portions of the 17th and change the bad ones.

He can also let Prime Minister Gilani to take full charge, as the prime minister is now determined to do, whether Mr Zardari likes it or not. When Mr Gilani stands up, he will find himself surrounded by a lot of supporters, both with the PPP and other political forces in parliament, ensuring that despite Zardari’s ire, he would not be voted out. For Zardari, Premier Gilani may still be the best option because he would not only protect him from a 1996 type situation, he may even allow him to continue in the presidency and then look for a quiet and safe exit.

As a master stroke, Zardari can quit the presidency and stay as the co-chairperson of the PPP, leaving the presidency for a senior, mature person who could act as the figurehead that the Constitution would require him to be. As co-chairperson, he could hold genuine elections within the PPP so that the real potential of the party, people like Aitzaz Ahsan, Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rehman and many others get their due positions and bring back the lost credibility of the party in the eyes of the people. His stature would then be partially restored.

As a bonus he could himself sack all the cronies that have gathered around him, just because they served him in one capacity or another while he was in Musharraf’s jail. These faithful men and women have been very committed and dedicated to him but they have already been compensated and now need to go back to their professions. Stories of corruption led by these personal friends of the president are circulating in dozens and will become public as soon as the first crack appears in his political edifice.

From Pakistan Steel to PIA to Hashwani Group, KESC, power projects, PSO, French submarines, Chinese railway engines and a lot more, all these deals and decisions have a particular and a known stink which will pollute the atmosphere against the president in no time.

One sign that President Zardari knows where the situation is headed came two days back when he made a meaningful statement about fresh general elections. He reportedly said he would be the one who would preside over the new elections. That could mean anything but what is definite is that he sees fresh elections coming up on his political radar sooner than later.

If all of these options are not acceptable to Mr Zardari, then he should get ready for the inevitable, scripted scenario, which many have been predicting and which has now started to play out. It will take its time which may not be very generous in its span.

Lastly, I am often accused of writing only about President Zardari, but the fact is that his fate, and that of Pakistan, depends on what happens to him. I still consider him a good person and a friend but not now as a good politician. It may be too late for him to revive old confidence among his friends. I have refused to answer many phone calls that I have been getting from close confidants of Mr Zardari in the last few days — a sign that there is a lot of panic in the presidential cronies camp. Why, because the Zardari camp calls when they are in trouble and never when they are enjoying the goodies.

40 seats for rural Sindh out Of 40,000 admissions in Karachi every year. Sindhis are being discriminated in their own motherland. 40 seats out of 40,000 does not even qualify to be a charity.

GBDA Leaders Detained before Election in Gilgit

Brussels : 31st Oct. 2009 – Detention of hundred GBDA Leaders and workers exposed fraud Elections of Pakistan. The so-called election after announcement of a fraud package has been exposed. Top leaders of Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) have been detained by Pakistan regime in Gilgit today. Wajahat Hassan Khan Chairman APNA and Engineer Amanullah Khan Chairman GBDA along with all the 3 candidates of Gilgit constituency have been arrested by Police on the direction of Pakistan security forces today on 31st. Oct. at the occasion when they announced public gathering tomorrow on 1st. Nov against the illegal occupation of Pakistan.

The Gilgit Police have arrested Engeer Amanullah Khan Chairman GBDA, Burhanullah General Secretary, Shahid Hussain GBDA candidate for LA 1 Gilgit 1 constituency, Adv. Mohammad Farooq. GBDA candidate for LA2 Gilgit 2 Constituency, Afsar Jan GBDA candidate for LA 3 Gilgit 3 constituency, Adv. Ehsan Ali former President of Gilgit Baltistan Bar Council, Wajahat Hassan Khan Ex Member of Gilgit Baltistan Council and Col. (Retired) Nadir Hassan, Mohammad Javed former member of District Council and Akbar. Dozens of Balawaristan National Students Organization (BNSO) and Karakorum Students Organization (KSO) members havealso been detained by Gilgit Police when they start to organize public gathering.

This is the only indigenous nationalist Political Alliance (mainly consists BNF and KNM) of this disputed region which is under Pakistan occupation, has been barred in taking part in election process, by giving all the facilities with huge funds to the Pakistani parties, who are taking part in the coming elections on 12 Nov. 2009. Though according to UNCIP Pakistan has to withdraw its forces and civilians, but in practice Pakistani forces and its intelligence agencies have been suppressing the whole indigenous population of Gilgit, Baltistan. The 2 million indigenous people are not allowed to raise their voices by political process and they don’t have access to Justice, Education and economical progress instead of huge natural resources. Pakistani occupying regime does not allow GBDA to hold election rallies and public gatherings, which is the clear indication of unfair and partial elections in the coming days, where GBDA is contesting Elections instead of not endorsing elections under Pakistani occupation.

We condemn of this brutal and illegal act of Pakistani occupying regime and we are going to tell the international community that government of Pakistan and its behind hidden and actual government (Military) has decided to elect all the Pakistani backed candidates including PPP ; PML, JUI, JI and MQM. The MQM has been sent to this disputed region by ISI first time with huge funds and other facilities, while Zardari government is backing PPP. In such situation we don’t have trust in the elections.

Abdul Hamid Khan

Chairman

Balawaristan National Front (BNF)

Head Office: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan)

Website: www.balawaristan. net

Email: balawaristan@ gmail.com

balawaristan@ hotmail.com

Ph: 0032 22311750

Haider Nizamani

Life before Kerry-Lugar —Haider Nizamani

Courtesy: Daily Times, November 2, 2009

Popular sentiment has always been wary of American influence in Pakistan. Successive governments while framing their relations with the US have tried to placate public mood by invoking notions such as ‘augmenting national defence’ to accepting the ground realities of power politics.

Why are TV pundits and commentators in the print media so worked up about President Asif Zardari allegedly throwing the country in America’s lap? President Zardari stands accused in this media trial of selling out to the United States and compromising national security by accepting the $1.5 billion a year US aid package popularly known as the Kerry-Lugar Bill. Before judging President Zardari, let us look at the last sixty years and see if he is any different from earlier rulers of Pakistan.

Zardari and his team have much in common with their predecessors when it comes to leaning on American crutches instead of hanging on to the notion of national sovereignty. In fact, this behaviour dates all way the back to Liaquat Ali Khan, the country’s first prime minister.

Ayesha Jalal, in her meticulously researched book The State of Martial Rule, writes that Pakistan requested a $2 billion loan from the US in October 1947, and Pakistani officials “admitted that the new state’s internal political situation depended upon its ties with Britain and the US.” It was the Americans who turned down Pakistan’s request.

“If your country will guarantee our territorial integrity, I will not keep my army at all.” These are not words of Asif Zardari but of Liaquat Ali Khan, speaking in response to an American journalist’s question in Washington DC in 1950. Pakistan was so far down on the priority list of the Americans that they didn’t seriously entertain our first prime minister’s offer to disband the military.

By the mid-1950s, the Pakistani ruling elite’s efforts to woo the Americans finally bore fruit when Pakistan became one of the founding members of US-sponsored regional military pacts like the Baghdad Pact and the Southeast Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO). Jalal is not off the mark in saying that by this time “the Americans had gained a toehold in the administrative operations of the Pakistani state.”

Pakistani sovereignty was a colander with such big holes that American U-2 spy planes flew from our country to carry out espionage missions in Soviet airspace in the 1950s. The US was allowed to open an espionage field office in Badaber, on the outskirts of Peshawar, in 1959. And this was happening under the watchful eye of Ayub Khan who, ironically, titled his book about Pakistan-US ties Friend not Masters. How Pakistani rulers were flaunting the sovereignty of the country became public knowledge when the Soviets downed a U-2 and captured its pilot, Gary Powers, alive.

From 1979 onward, General Zia-ul Haq scaled new heights in compromising the country’s sovereignty when he allowed Pakistan to be used as a base for proxy war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.

By the 1990s, the political class of Pakistan was operating on the principle that the road to Islamabad goes through Washington. Benazir Bhutto never made any bones about her enchantment with American power while in our out of power.

Nawaz Sharif, whose party has become flag-bearer of national honour these days, rushed to Washington in July 1999 to sign a document that was tantamount to Pakistani surrender in the Kargil war. The myth of sovereignty was patently broken when Pervez Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif signed a deal brokered by the Saudis and the Americans facilitating Sharif’s exit from the country with his extended family. Musharraf is on record quoting a threatening phone call from Anthony Zinni, an American official under the Bush administration assigned to handle Pakistan, as the reason for abandoning the Taliban and embracing American ‘war of terror’.

Thus far I have only listed some signposts of Pakistan’s bartered and battered sovereignty in the realm of high politics. But the ongoing chest-beating about compromised sovereignty hardly mentions how international lending agencies have been telling managers of the Pakistani state to run it. Custodians of sovereignty will be well-advised to click the Pakistan link on the World Bank’s website. From the port in Karachi to education in the Northern Areas and irrigation in the Punjab, the World Bank has a say in all of the above. The World Bank proudly claims that it is expertise, more than money, imparted to these countries that truly matters.

Bargaining was the name of the game, as is nowadays, between Pakistan and America. Pakistan seldom got the amounts and ammunitions it asked for. The Americans were periodically dissatisfied with what Pakistan delivered in return of the US military and civilian aid.

If the country’s first prime minister was ready to disband the national armed forces only if Washington had provided a security guarantee, then why this hue and cry over sovereignty this time?

There are number of reasons. First, popular sentiment has always been wary of American influence in Pakistan. Successive governments while framing their relations with the US have tried to placate the public mood by invoking notions such as ‘augmenting national defence’ to accepting the ground realities of power politics.

Second, the urban middle classes of Pakistan love to hate Asif Zardari. He being at the helm of the state affairs and kowtowing to the Americans only adds fuel to the anti-Zardari sentiment of the middle classes. Third, the Pakistan People’s Party has never been a huge favourite of the civil-military bureaucracy. It could never establish an amicable wavelength with what is popularly termed the ‘Establishment’ in Pakistan.

Lastly, the above reasons combined find their explosive expression in 24/7 news channels where commentators and anchors never seem to tire of talking in a historic terms about US-Pakistan relations. The reason PPP leaders appear defensive on television is not because their party is the first to let the Americans interfere in Pakistani affairs. They are feeble on screen because they don’t have the guts to admit that Pakistani sovereignty was not an America-proof jar they inherited. There are sixty-year-old holes in it and they are likely to remain irrespective of the wishful assertions of TV anchors.

by Dr. Mubashir Hasan, former finance minister of Pakistan

Courtesy: Daily Times

Reconstruct or perish, the choice before the ruling elites of Pakistan is clear. They have worked the country into a state of turmoil; call it an incipient civil war or a general uprising. The forces against what is left of the governing capacity are lawless, destructive, cruel and unorganised, yet they are powerful and aggressive, much too strong to be resisted by the present set up of the state which is decayed and predatory, with links abroad, and not truly national.

The administrative structure, the mainstay of the state, has fallen apart. The police, normally, the protector of life and property of citizens is itself in dire need of protection. The higher judiciary with its newly acquired independence also cannot give its best without an effective administrative machine. The top echelons of the political government have little credibility. The armed forces, the protectors of internal and external security, are under attack from within.

The breakdown of public services such as electricity, water supplies and railways, and the non-availability of essential goods has undermined the authority of the state. The looters and grabbers among the government and the people are having a field day. Money and guns are the principal currencies of social intercourse. The social contract is in tatters. The religious and national antagonisms, the hatred for the United States as a patron of the state, and the conflict between haves and have-nots, feed the turmoil.

While there is no dearth of concerned citizens, the ruling elites of Pakistan, a combine of civil and military services and their feudal, industrial and trading associates, held tightly in the clutches of a self-serving network of laws and rules, are in a state of shock and paralysis. The newspapers and TV talk shows are full of peripheral narratives and debates. Little guidance is available from intellectuals and historians.

Should large-scale anarchy break out, its duration cannot be predicted. Too many variables — tangible and intangible — are involved; however, the result is certain. The present system of governance along with its ruling elite are sure to be swept away to be replaced by a dispensation more oppressive and cruel, with the potential of set the entire region on fire.

The state of Pakistan needs to be reconstructed.

Now, a state is nothing but an instrument of coercion, an organisation of armed men of police and military along with magistrates, prisons, tax collectors and secret service. In order to be strong and durable, the state has to have full support of its citizens and that is exactly what the state of Pakistan has increasingly lacked during the last sixty-two years to reach is present perilous condition.

The irony of the current foreboding situation is that Pakistan is not a poor country; the rulers are rich and predatory, only the state is poor. For decades the country has been a net exporter of capital worth billions of dollars annually. Pakistan is not a weak country. With the support of its people it can hold its own against mighty military powers. Pakistan is not a small country. More than 160 million people with exceptionally large agricultural and pastoral areas are assets few countries possess. But the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear.

The choice before the ruling elite is stark: hand over power to a genuine democratic system of governance. Simply stated: hand over power to the people on the pattern of developed democratic countries, such as the United States, Canada and others.

In a new dispensation, the citizens must exercise power over themselves and for themselves. Big government should give way to small government. What the people collectively can decide and implement at a smaller level should not be decided and implemented by the body of an area of larger population.

The provinces should be enabled to decide what powers and authority they would like to cede to a new federal authority. In order to be truly sovereign Pakistan must be transformed into a state of all the peoples and all the nations.

There should be three levels of government — citizens’, provincial and federal — made up of councils and assemblies elected by the people at each of these levels to exercise political, social and economic power as agreed to in a revised constitutional compact.

The citizens’ government at the level of the village or cluster of villages or tribes should have the jurisdiction and authority for the protection of persons and property, the management of local policing and the setting up of citizen courts with juries for enforcing criminal law.

The citizens’ government at the level of tehsil and taluka should have its own administration to maintain land records and should adjudicate on questions such as those presently dealt with by the revenue officials of tehsils and talukas. It will also have its own civil courts. The citizens’ governments at the district and city level should perform both tax-levying and internal executive functions on matters prescribed in the constitution.

The expenditure of the citizens’ governments should be met from the revenues collected by the provincial tax-collecting apparatus and directly credited to the account of each district, tehsil, taluka, village and cluster of villages. The revenues of the poorest councils may receive a subsidy from the provincial government. The provinces should exercise power over all matters not specified in the jurisdiction of the citizens’ and federal governments. The government of the province should conduct inter-provincial relations and relations with the federal government.

The guarantee for the emergence of a sovereign Pakistan also lies in erasing the perception of being a client state of foreign powers. The US, because of its military involvement in Afghanistan needs Pakistan’s help and cooperation as never before. However, the bulk of Pakistanis are far from enamoured by the US. In order to be friendly and win cooperation of the people of Pakistan, a radical change of course is required on the part of the United States.

Pakistan should establish healthy relations with the countries of south and southwest Asia. There exists a massive commonality in the economic and strategic interests of Pakistan and the countries of the region, including Turkey, which can form the basis of very close cooperation.

By Farooq Tariq, Lahore

Courtesy: Links Internatioal

“Let’s deal with the ISI and the Pakistan military and let’s go recruit these mujahideen. Here is a very strong argument which is… it wasn’t a bad investment to end the Soviet Union but let’s be careful with what we sow… because we will harvest.” – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, April 23, 2009.

October 28, 2009 — Once again Pakistan has become the focus of world attention. Every day there is news of the latest suicide attack or military operation, with killings, injuries and the displacing of communities. Recently schools were ordered closed for more than a week. Even children talk about death and suicide attacks.

With more than 125 police checkpoints in Islamabad, it has become a fortress city. Lahore and other large cities are suffering the same fate: there are police road blockades everywhere. After each terrorist attack authorities issue another security high alert and set up additional barriers. How ironic that, until recently, officials and the media described these “terrorists” as Mujahideen fighting for an Islamic world.

Under immense pressure by the US administration of President Barack Obama, the Pakistan government has launched a series of military operations in various parts of the country. This has led to an unprecedented wave of killings, with hundreds of thousands more being forced to leave their homes for temporary shelter.

Pushed out of Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks in the US, religious fanatics from different countries have found refuge in Pakistan. They have two aims: to make Pakistan more Islamic and to teach the government a lesson for its close relationship with US imperialism. However the price is being paid by ordinary people.

Religious fanatics are the new fascists. They believe in the physical elimination of their political opponents. Although they may appear to be anti-imperialist, they are not a progressive force. Instead they are an extreme right-wing force that wants to turn back the clock of history.

The religion of the state

Pakistan is also known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Religion is part and parcel of the state. The constitutions and the judiciary are all beleaguered with Islamic demagogy. Most of the education syllabus is also coloured with Islamic ideology; even scientific explanations somehow manage to drag in religion. Religion has become a way of life. Every donation to charity ends up in the coffers of the religious institutions.

Although the rationale for the Pakistan state was to be a place for Muslims, it was to be a secular Muslim state. When the state was formed in 1947 the population was not fundamentalist. But as time went on Pakistan adopted an Islamic ideology that today gives these fanatics a more favourable ground for the promotion of their dream of an Islamic country.

At the end of the 1970s, with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Washington decided it needed to develop an indigenous counterforce. In order to fight “communism” in Afghanistan, Washington worked closely with Pakistan’s military dictator, General Zia ul Haq, and the Pakistani intelligence service, the Inter-Services intelligence (ISI).

There are dozens of books explaining the rise of Taliban and Mujahideen under the direct guidance of the US, but the ISI had no reason to cut off funding after the Soviet retreat in 1987. If the Americans were no longer interested in these guerillas, the ISI found these jihadis useful in its conflict with India over Kashmir.

Also, there are many religious political parties in Pakistan. Jamaati islami and Jamiat Ulmai Islam, along with other Sunni and Wahabi political parties, are all for an Islamic revolution. They also give political support to the religious fanatics of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Hillary Clinton admits US role

Even Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, acknowledged Washington’s responsibility in promoting the religious fanatics. She admitted to a US Congressional sub-committee on April 23, 2009, that the US had effectively created the current disastrous situation in Afghanistan:

“It was President Reagan in partnership with Congress led by Democrats who said, you know what, it sounds like a pretty good idea… let’s deal with the ISI [Pakistani intelligence agency] and the Pakistan military and let’s go recruit these mujahideen. Here is a very strong argument which is … it wasn’t a bad investment to end the Soviet Union but let’s be careful with what we sow… because we will harvest.”

However, it is not only the US that are harvesting what they have sown. Numerous Pakistan governments were ready to do whatever Washington wanted them to do out of sheer financial greed. Since 1978 different governments have all been a close US allies. This includes 20 years of military dictatorship under Zia (1977-1988) and General Musharaf (1999-2008). These various governments enabled religious fanatics to establish religious educational institutions that have changed the country’s religious culture.

The Madrassas’ tactics

One of the main strategies used by the fanatics to bring jihad to the youth of Pakistan was through opening religious schools (madrassas). They mushroomed under the Zia ul Haque dictatorship. At present, there are religious schools throughout Pakistan. Of the more than 15,000 registered madrassas, about half are in the Punjab. Experts estimate the numbers are higher: when the state tried to count them in 2005, a fifth of the province refused to register.

The madrassas found a place among the working people as they were marketed as offering a free education with religious teachings. In fact, the failure of the government to provide adequate resources for free public education paved the way for the progress of the madrassas. Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. The government spends less than 3 per cent of GDP on education. Only about half of Pakistanis can read and write, far below the proportion in countries with a similar per-capita income, such as Vietnam. According to UNESCO, one out of three school-age Pakistani children does not attend school; of those who do attend, a third drop out by fifth grade. The enrollment of girls is among the lowest in the world, lagging behind Ethiopia and Yemen.

Though madrassas make up only about 7 per cent of primary schools in Pakistan, their influence is amplified by the inadequacy of public education and the innate religiosity of the countryside, where two-thirds of the population live. The madrassas are the real breeding grounds for religious fundamentalism.

More than 15,000 registered religious seminaries in the country cater to more than 1.5 million students and more than 55,000 teachers. Before 2002, according to the Religious Affairs Ministry, the number of registered madrassas in Pakistan were not more than 6000. After 9/11, the religious fanatics who left Afghanistan came to Pakistan, and with the help of the two provincial governments run by the religious alliance MMA — North West Frontier Province and Baluchistan — they were able to quickly establish more madrassas. By 2007 there were around 13,000 registered seminaries across the country. At this time General Musharaf was a partner in the so-called US-led “alliance against terrorism”. He was manipulating both the fanatics and the imperialists.

By March 2009, the number of registered madrassas in Pakistan reached 15,725.

The growth of religious fanatics

The partnership of religious fanatics with US and the Pakistan intelligence agencies went unchecked until the 9/11 attacks. Then the whole scenario shifted. The Mujahideen was labelled terrorist and Washington wanted a military solution to the growth of religious fundamentalism.

The growth of religious fundamentalism was not only the result of the US and Pakistani intelligence agencies but also the complete failure of civilian and military governments to solve any of the basic problems of the working class and its allies. Successive regimes have been unable to end the grip of feudalism, the absolute exploitive nature of Pakistani capitalists and their humiliating treatment of workers and farmers, the repression of smaller nationalities, and the exploitation of natural resources they possessed.

Pakistan’s ruling class has failed miserably to bring about democratic norms. That is why whenever the civilian government has been overthrown by a military dictatorship, the vast majority of the masses Have not offered any resistance to dictatorship.

Establishing Islamic courts

The present civilian government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been contradictory in dealing with religious fanatics. In the Swat area, following peace talks, the government has entered into agreements with the fanatics to establish Islamic courts. The religious forces were decisively defeated in the general election of 2008. Where in the 2002 general election the fanatics’ parties received 15 per cent of the vote, in 2008 they got less than 3 per cent.

Just after the 2008 general election, when the masses had rejected the religious forces, instead of a mass mobilisation to end religious fundamentalism, the PPP regime opted for negotiations. This gave the fanatics an incentive to go further: they demanded sharia laws in the Malakand division. This was accepted and an agreement was signed. It was a real boost for the religious fundamentalists who then went further in their attempt to control more areas,therefore giving an impression that they were not far from Islamabad.

In a panic, the regime, with full support of the US, went for a full military operation in the Malakand division in June 2009. The result was more than 3.5 million internally displaced people and more than 5000 killings. The present government boasted a military victory over the fundamentalists and then asked people to go back home. But this was not the army’s military victory but a temporary retreat of the fanatics. Able to save their infrastructure, the fanatics did what Afghan Taliban did during the October 2001 military attack. That too was a military retreat, with the Taliban to re-emerge later.

The celebration of a military victory over the religious fanatics had not lasted even one month before the fanatics were able to attack the military’s general headquarters, the famous GHQ, along with several police training centres in different parts of the country during October 2009. This month has been the bloodiest, with killings on both sides.

Saying there was no other option, many liberals in Pakistan have supported the military actions against the fanatics. But no military solution can eliminate the religious fundamentalists. It has been the case in Afghanistan and so too will it be the case in Pakistan. It can only push them to other areas. The religious fundamentalists are using the tactics of urban terrorism. Urban terrorism cannot be eliminated by invading areas considered to be under fundamentalists’ control. Military actions in Malakand division and now in Waziristan have pushed the fanatics to other parts of Pakistan.

The fallacy of short-term and long-term strategies

The military solution has been presented as an immediate step to the ultimate solution to fundamentalism. It is like the old Stalinist theory of minimum and maximum goals. “Demand minimum to get the maximum” was the philosophy. It was known as the minimum and maximum stage of revolution. But there was no measures in between the short-term and long-term strategies.

Similarly with the fight against the religious fanatics, this is being presented short-term and long-term strategies. The military solution is a short-term strategy while the long-term strategy requires reforms and more development. The long-term strategy never arrives. This is just an excuse to please US imperialism.

If the fight against religious fanatics is to go forward, it must begin with a revolutionary program. It has to start with the political will to separate religion from the state. It has to deal with the question of the nature of Pakistani state. Religion cannot become the basis of a nation. Pakistan was torn apart by the events of the 1960s and 1970s when Bangladesh came into existence. Now a more severe crisis is erupting in Baluchistan along similar lines. There is strong movement developing that calls for the independence of Baluchistan.

There has to be a concrete program to fight religious fundamentalism. It has to combine immediately dealing with suicide attacks and curbing the activities of the fascist forces from their strongholds, along with an overall plan of action in economic, political and social development. This should include the nationalisation of religious madrassas and the retraining of teachers. It should include an immediate increase in workers’ wages in both the private and public sector to at least 12,000 rupees a month.

All discriminatory laws must go and all citizens of Pakistan should enjoy equal constitutional status. At present there are several laws that make religious minorities second-rate citizens. The government should be committed to fully back local resistance to the religious fanatics. Civil society organisations in the strongholds of the religious fundamentalists should be given full backing by the state so that they can function. The state must help to strengthen and sustain the local defence committees to fight the religious fanatics.

All trade union rights must be restored in the public and private sectors, with full freedom of speech and assembly. Most of the discriminatory laws are still intact, including blasphemy laws. The government has no plan to do away with these laws promulgated under military dictatorships, so the organisations of civil society must demand government action to restore civil rights.

War on terror’ fuels fundamentalism

The forces of religious fundamentalism organise on an international basis. A fight against them has to be organised at that same level. The US “war on terror” is fueling religious fundamentalism. It is seen as a war on Muslims. The occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan by the imperialist forces is providing the religious fanatics a political justification for their terrorist activities.

The campaigns to end the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and no support to the fanatics can be the basis for a united front of progressive forces internationally. The campaign against religious fundamentalism must be part and parcel of an anti-globalisation campaign by all progressive forces.

We must oppose the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and religious fundamentalism. No support to one against the other. The fight between religious fundamentalism and the imperialists is a fight between bulls. There is not much to be gained by siding with one against the other. The goal must be to end the fight altogether and open the space to create an alternative way of living.

[Farooq Tariq is a spokesperson for the Labour Party Pakistan.]

Source – http://links.org.au/node/1325

KARACHI – Sindh : Impact of migration on Sindh discussed

Courtesy: Daily Dawn, Sunday, 01 Nov, 2009

KARACHI, Oct 31: Mass migration in Sindh has led to a negative impact on its culture and language. This was the consensus reached at an interactive seminar on the “Impact of influx on Sindh”, organised by the Save Sindh Committee on Friday.

Advocate Abdul Khalique Junejo, chairman of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz, in his introductory remarks questioned why the influx had such a grave impact on Sindh, when migration had always been a global process.

“Migration is not the issue here,” said Mr Junejo, “it is the limitless exodus of people in Sindh that is creating problems.” Besides fearing a change in demographics as seen in the case of Palestine, Mr Junejo also highlighted the socio-economic issues associated with the huge influx into the province.

While discussing measures to protect the rights of the native community, Mr Junejo emphasised that the people of Sindh were not opposed to the migration of other ethnic groups to Sindh; however, he stressed that certain restrictions, as seen in Kashmir, needed to be enforced.

“Even today in Kashmir a non-Kashmiri does not have the right to procure property or vote,” he claimed, adding that “this was the sole reason why 98 per cent of the population is still Kashmiri there.”

Discussing the negative impact of the massive influx of migrants on health and education, Dr Tipu Sultan, a renowned medical professional, cited statistics that illustrated the gravity of the situation in Pakistan asserting that the issue due to the movement of various communities was much worse in Sindh.

According to Arif Hasan, a well-known architect and city planner, influx — especially with reference to Sindh — had had a strong impact on society.

Identifying the reasons that compelled people to migrate, Mr Hasan stressed that this happened as a result of weak feudal institutions and dearth of resources. Also the lack of opportunities in areas abundant in skilled labour, as in central Punjab, and with excess capital but lack of investment prospects as in Afghanistan had motivated people to move, he said.

This, he argued, was why 87 per cent of motor mechanics from Punjab had migrated to Sindh and 70 per cent of unskilled labour from the NWFP.

In order to reverse this trend, he stressed the need to develop vocational training centres here, which would give the inhabitants of Sindh more opportunities and thereby protect the land of Sindh from colonisation, as these, he said, were “the centres of political power which would decide the fate of the province”.

He asserted that it was important to find ways to consolidate the people of Sindh for “without this there is no way forward”.

Source – http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-impact-of-migration-on-sindh-discussed-119

By Kalavanti Raja

Sindh has been blessed with many saints and mystics. One of the most popular saints, in recent times, was Bhagat Kanwer Ram, born in a small village in upper Sindh in 1885 in a grocer’s family. Even as a child, he showed great talent for singing and his father put him up with a prominent holy man in the area – Saeen Satramdas. From this Guru, he imbibed spiritual teachings, a sense of genuine humility and love for a simple life.

Bhagat Kanwerram enriched typical Sindhi form of temple worship called – “bhagat”. With ghunghroos on his ankles, dressed in a long robe and pugdee, he would sing and dance reciting mythological epics and folk tales in his own operatic compositions. Bhagat would commence in a temple courtyard after dusk, when it was cooler, and continue till early hours of the morning. Large adoring crowds, gathered to watch him, were enthralled with spiritual devotion.

He received millions in offerings that he either gave away generously to the poor and needy or used to build temple courtyards and dharamshallas. He turned away no one – Muslim, Hindu or untouchable, strong or week, even dacoits. He did not keep a penny for himself, supporting his family in a meagre, simple lifestyle by continuing to work at their small grocery business.

Being in great demand, he traveled widely all over Sindh performing bhagat in durbars, especially at the death anniversaries of local saints. Then infant record company HMV made 10 records preserving 20 of his kafis and bhajans. These were the first and most popular records at that time in Sindh.

There are many legends of his piety and miracles. Seeing a tired old woman, he carried her load of firewood on his head and escorted her home. Once a woman put her dead baby in his arms for blessings. Accused by the mother, his prayers revived the baby.

On Nov. 2, 1939, at age 55, while on a train from one bhagat to another, two fanatics assassinated him. Like the throngs who gathered to greet him at every station, they had just bowed to him; he had bowed to them in return and given them some fruit as parsad.

contributed by : Mohan.Dadlani, forwarded by www.chandiramani.com

School: A place where Papa pays and Son plays.

Life Insurance: A contract that keeps you poor all your life so that you can die Rich.

Nurse: A person who wakes u up to give you sleeping pills.

Marriage: It’s an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her masters.

Divorce: Future tense of Marriage.

Tears: The hydraulic force by which masculine willpower is defeated by feminine waterpower.

Conference: The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present. Conference Room : A place where everybody talks, nobody listens and everybody disagrees later on.

Dictionary : A place where success comes before work.

Father: A banker provided by nature.

Criminal: A guy no different from the rest….except that he got caught.

Boss: Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.

Politician : One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence after.

Doctor : A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you by bills.

Classic: Books, which people praise, but do not read.

Smile: A curve that can set a lot of things straight.

Office: A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life.

Etc.: A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do.

Committee : Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.

Experience: The name men give to their mistakes.

Philosopher: A fool who torments himself during life, to be spoken of when dead.

An Analysis of the Geo Political Situation and Way Forward To a Permanent Solution and Lasting Peace in South Asia

By: Nayyar N Khan

Background and controversial claims:

The long awaiting Kashmir conflict is a mixture of theoretical and hypothetical assumptions miss communicated, supported and propagated by both Indian and Pakistani ruling elites since six decades. Pakistani ruling elites, feudal lords, establishment, civil and military bureaucracy has been propagating to own the entire State of Jammu Kashmir on the basis of so called TWO NATIONS theory due to the fact that majority of population of the State of Jammu Kashmir is the follower of Islam.

While Indian state apparatus has been claiming its ownership due to de facto instrument of accession (Oct. 26,1947) signed by the then ruler of the State of Jammu Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh amid uncertain circumstances to seek the military help from India. These two exclusively contradictory claims by the state apparatuses of Pakistan and India have been misleading to the populace of both the countries and they took each other as their enemies. And the reality is that the State of Jammu Kashmir is neither a part of Indian Union nor Pakistan has any legal, moral and constitutional right to claim its ownership over Kashmir. For instance, the article 257 of the constitution of Pakistan does not include the State of Jammu Kashmir as its part. And the fact that India took the case of Kashmir to United Nations (1948), and the resolutions of United Nations Security Council (38, 39, 47 and 51 of 1948) and then subsequent resolutions of United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP resolutions dated Aug. 13, 1948) declared the State of Jammu Kashmir as a disputed territory and proposed its final settlement through free and fair plebiscite under the supervision of United Nations, rules out Indian claim over Kashmir.

The State of Jammu Kashmir has been at the fore fronts in India-Pakistan relations since the abrupt withdrawal of Great Britain from sub-continent (1947) and formation of two States (India and Pakistan). Since 1947 Pakistan and India have gone to war thrice, Kashmir being the main dispute. First in 1948, then in 1965 due to Kashmir, in 1971 the Bangladesh war in which Kashmir was again the main sticking point in the Western front. In 1999 due to Kargal crisis both newly nuclear rivals in South Asian sub-continent were again at the brink of war. The then US administration and President Clinton acted promptly and intervened timely to deescalate the tense situation between India and Pakistan when both were at fighting an impromptu war at the peaks of Kargal in Kashmir. After US led war against terrorism in Afghanistan (2001), the mode of global politics has entirely changed and it has certain affects on the regional politics as well in South Asia and anywhere else in the world. Due to the changing global political scenario and new fronts of confrontation after the end of cold war, both India and Pakistan advanced their bilateral relations during the Musharraf and Vajpayee’s regimes in their respective countries. Back door diplomacy led them to take some sort of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in their bilateral relations including a direct bus service across the Line of Control (LOC), dividing the State of Jammu Kashmir. South Asian politics of Guns and arsenals was replaced by composite dialogues, negotiations, reconciliations, sports and exchanges of cultural, intellectual, academic and music groups. But all this could not last long due to absence of a strong democratic system in Pakistan. Musharraf regime, which was already fragile and lacking public support, became weaker due to his confrontation with judiciary in Pakistan in the first quarter of 2007. First time in the history of Pakistan lawyers and civil society stood firmly against a powerful dictator, while so called politicians (except a few) were hesitating to extend their support to the lawyers and civil society openly. The unfortunate and untimely death of Benazir Bhutto (former PM of Pakistan), was a blow in the forthcoming regional politics of South Asia. As a result of February 2008 general elections new government could not show mature judgments on various key issues regarding the future of South Asia including the resolution of Kashmir conflict. The coward terrorist attack on the Indian commercial hubs on 26 November 2008 has again fueled the fragile relations between the two nuclear rivals in the region.

The extensive wave of extremism and militancy particularly, in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan and elsewhere in the entire country is exposing the poor infrastructure of various states’ institutions and lack of co-ordination and commitment in tackling extremism. Although the present day extremism has evolved from the series of events and wars in the neighboring Afghanistan, yet possibilities of connections between secret services of Pakistan and extremists cannot be ruled out as pointed out by United States and other countries on several occasions. The war in Afghanistan against the socialist empires, invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and trend of Jihadism supported by the West and Pakistan played a significant role in the present day terrorist movements in Pakistan. The pan Islamic elements became unemployed after the withdrawal of former Soviet Union from Afghanistan and they were in need of another battle field. Pashtoon nationalism and other factors drove the inhabitants of the tribal areas of North West Pakistan to reactivate their war practices due to their inherited characteristics. Lawlessness in the tribal areas of Pakistan, failed and dual polices of the ruling elites of Pakistan since 1947 are the major causes in the present day fragile situation in the areas bordering Afghanistan.

However, it will be unfortunate to create or find any link between the situation in Pakistan and Kashmiris people’s demand for international attention and intervention. Because Kashmir was declared disputed by the United Nations in 1948 and both India and Pakistan agreed to give Kashmiri people a chance to determine their political future through free and fair plebiscite under the UN patronage.

Prospects of Peace in South Asia

We are in 21st century. The first decade of 21st century has no name yet. We are still in the post cold war era. It is still an era of war mongers. Though democracy, trade and peace are the slogans of 21st century. Yet the peace lover souls of this planet need to fight hard to glorify the dreams of innocent human beings all over the globe. Talk about possible global transformation continues to frenzied proportions, sustained by the hope that the peace between the states and rising prosperity, and democratization within them will persist, alongside that terrorism and civil wars might prove to be the new millennium’s dominant characteristics. Many nations set their sights on the promise of a stable global future – and many others on the dread of chronic global instability. We are passing through the transition period of political transformation. A transformation from war to peace, monarchy to democracy, colonialism to freedom and destruction to construction. Our ideals do not have any perfect shape. We are shadowed by the apprehension of any unusual mishap that can grasp the orientation of our future set up. Beside all these qualms, we are hoping for a peaceful and prosperous future of coming generations.

Expectations of peace can be abruptly shattered by the clashes going on between the civilizations. The fault lines among various civilizations on the globe are posing a serious threat to the “Peace Dream” of innocent human beings with a high magnitude and a strong degree of disintegration. Our age is still waiting for a proper name to be given. An ultimate solution to the problems faced by human beings in different demographics. Global actors are still not doing sufficient exertions to lay a foundation for the future generations, what to name the first decade of twenty first century? In this scenario, we can still see a sporadic light in South Asia.

South Asia is a turbulent, complex region with a prominent place in the global map of ethnic conflict. It is characterized by multi-ethnic societies with striking internal divisions along linguistic, regional, communal and sectarian lines, externally linked to one another across national boundaries. Even though it has a common cultural background and shared political experience, many groups have been fiercely fighting with each other, challenging the national governments and frustrating their nation-building efforts. All these conflicts and violence are occurring in South Asia despite the fact that the Gandhian principles of non-violence originate from this region, teachings and preaching of suffis, sadhos and saints based on communal harmony and world’s largest democracy, India, has a central place in South Asia. Then, what is the missing link to achieve peace in this most volatile region, despite interest from all sides and the long-term engagement from the international community?

The struggle over Kashmir is enduringly rooted in national identity, religion, and human rights. It has also influenced the politicization of Pakistan’s army, religious radicalism in both the countries, and nuclearization in both countries. The governments in Delhi and Islamabad have their own contradictory agenda over Kashmir dispute and rest of the bilateral issues. But these are the people of South Asia paying the price in form of extreme poverty, uncertain future, diseases, fear of any possible military confrontation and absence of peace and security in their daily life matters. With the growing paradigm of regional integration and disintegration on political and social parameters and increasing interdependence of nations for their economic developments in the modern era of globalization, people living in different administrative set ups in the South Asian region need to redefine their cultural, political, social and societal identities in accordance with the modern concepts of economic development and shared values of contemporary world system in a democratic way. One can argue that after the end of Cold War and triumph of Western Liberal Democracy as the most accepted form of governance around the globe is in its transitional phase. We can find the examples of economic integration and political disintegration in the last decade of 20th century. Former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia disintegrated politically and at the same time the fall of Berlin wall reunited the German Nation. Economic Integration of nations in Europe by the name of European Union (EU), in Africa, African Union (AU), Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and a growing unity among the Latin American nations around the new paradigm of Democratic Socialism are the hallmarks of the present day world. At the same time the economic miracle of Peoples Republic of China in a globalized world opens new chapters in the historical evolutionary journey of human race. Prior to 1990, the global system was run by the balance of power between two blocs, each led by two super powers of the time i.e. USSR and the United States. This balance of power due to rivalry between two blocs opened the gates for national liberation and independence for many nations present on the map of contemporary world. Between the end of WWII (1945) and end of cold war (1990¢s), more than 130 nations emerged as independent and sovereign nations by dumping colonialism out of their lands.

Disintegration of USSR, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia sent a strong message to the international community that nations desire to live independently without oppressive and forcible gear of slavery. Fall of iron curtain (Berlin wall), was not an abrupt step, rather a strong and deep desire of historically well developed nation to be reunited. What used to be the blocs in Europe and Asia were characterized by divergent tendencies and were influenced by opposing forces, which can be traced into the past and remain part of the tumultuous present of the post-cold war world. Empires formed and collapsed, ideologies were embraced, imposed, and rejected, boundaries shifted and identities redefined, solidarities broke and new commitments were made, policies were implemented and challenged together with the governments that put them into practice. If the problems of the South Asian region are to be addressed, and the successes to be understood, it is necessary to improve our understanding of this dynamic region through an interdisciplinary approach. The problems of the South Asian region are ethno-nationalist centered coated and painted with religious induction in many spheres of life ranging from an individual to society and then engulfing the whole region in a variety of stereotypes. Being part of this volatile region the struggle of Kashmiri people has always been manipulated, diverted and exploited in unrealistic fashions. Realistic approach towards understanding the real issue has never been exercised through logical means and champions and self claimed leaders of this unfortunate nation have always disillusioned the innocent masses with their fake slogans and impractical commitments. And the suffering of the entire South Asian region and ordinary people is getting worse with each passing electronic moment. The people living in India and Pakistan need to understand the ground realities and urge their respective governments to end their so called rivalry due to their baseless claims over the ownership of the State of Jammu Kashmir by accepting the norms, principles and values of human freedoms, international law and factors necessary for the lasting peace because the international community and civilized world has recognized the geographical boundaries of the former princely State in 1948. All the ethnic groups, cultural entities, religious factions and linguistic groups living in the area declared disputed by the United Nations is part of one geographical and political unit, whose future is yet to be decided.

The real solution lies in addressing the real issues. For decades people in Kashmir, India and Pakistan have suffered due to unrealistic approach of Delhi and Islamabad. This is the time when civil society actors, human right activists, political, democratic, secular and progressive forces of Kashmir, India and Pakistan should stand shoulder to shoulder with each other and demand for the restoration of permanent peace in the region by urging Delhi and Islamabad to accept the fundamental right of the Kashmiri nation. There is an imminent need for the people living across the South Asian region to stand for social justice, equality and fairness, rule of law, democracy and ultimately bridge the gaps of religious and communal divide, shatter the barriers and obstacles and achieve the goal of human freedoms and peace by accepting the political independence of Kashmiri people by removing the iron curtain of so called LOC.

The ongoing strife, will lead Kashmiri people in particular and the entire South Asians in general to nowhere but self destruction, division, divergence, deviation and finally hatred. Till the stalemate and impasse is going on between the two nuclear rivals of South Asia, the progressive and secular democrats in all the South Asian region should facilitate and urge their governments to focus on the eradication of poverty, hunger, disease and extremism, the common and major threats of 21st century. The forces of integration and disintegration are at parallels in all the regions of South Asia as they are in entire globe. This is the era of resolution of conflicts through negotiations and popular will of the people living in a conflict zone has still a big and democratic say to convince the nation states to resolution of the conflicts. There is no doubt that the nation states are the centre of power in decision making processes in the present day system of governance, but it is also the reality that struggle for the basic human rights, political and civil rights and cultural rights including the right to self determination are universally accepted and recognized values respected by all the International Covenants and International Law. The question is whether the people of South Asia are conveying it to the nation states and International Institutions in a democratic, unified and convincing way or not?

At the crucial juncture of history, when the regional and international powers are showing flexibility towards ending the tense environment between the two nuclear rivals of sub-continent. The so called peace process between Delhi and Islamabad is paving a path for peace and the poor populaces of both the countries are bearing in mind a ray of hope and a faded light at the end of the tunnel. Peace in sub-continent will not be lesser than any blessing after the decades of stress, strain and destruction. The poor masses of both the rival countries must demand for some solid measures taken by their rulers to bring dawn on the dusk of sub-continent. No matter, as a Kashmiri, one can still doubt the transparency and sincerity of the debating actors. Because both are fragile regimes with their own domestic problems and contradictory claims over the future of the state of Jammu Kashmir. Our commitment to a sustainable and durable solution to Kashmir issue during these composite dialogues should be crystal clear that there can be no bilateral solution imposed on Kashmiris. The only one solution can open the doors of peace, prosperity and democracy in sub-continent and that is to accept the Kashmiris living in all the three regions as one nation and to accept their basic right to be a free nation. A secular, democratic and peaceful Kashmir can guarantee the peace in the region. The entryway leading towards the solution of all the problems passes through the Himalayan region of Kashmir and any oversight at this sensitive brink of history can alter the corridor of future of South Asia. .

A peaceful Kashmir will be the key factor in promoting the noble values of democracy, human rights, rule of law, prosperity and human friendship in sub-continent and elsewhere in South Asia.. And the peace in Kashmir can only be restored by the overall commitment of masses living in Kashmir, India and Pakistan to urge Delhi and Islamabad a fact based withdrawal of their baseless claims over the State of Jammu Kashmir with a final goodbye to their sixty years old colonial rule. The reunion of all the divided parts of Kashmir and recurrence of an independent, secular and democratic Kashmir will beautify the colorful culture having the followers of different faiths living in harmony. It may set a splendid example for the rest of the countries in the region and set forth a transformation of political philosophy in South Asia and a glorified name for the 1st decade of 21st century.

(Author is a US based Kashmiri political and human rights activist associated with rights groups in Asia. His major focus is International Peace and Conflict Resolution. He can be reached on globalpeace2002@hotmail.com)

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