By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, Dec 30: Bullet(s) might have hit Benazir Bhutto’s neck and cut her trachea and carotid vessels that proved fatal, former Pakistan Medical Association secretary Dr Saeed Elahi says.
Speaking at a press conference at the Lahore Press Club here on Sunday, Mr Elahi the body and wounds of Ms Bhutto had not been examined by forensic experts.
He said every medico-legal examination was based upon description and detail of locus (scene of crime), circumstantial evidence and relative position of the victim and the accused, which he said, had been either examined in defined yard sticks or destroyed by negligence.
Dr Elahi, who is also a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate for PP-152, disputed the government’s claim that a depressed skull fracture on right temple was cause of her death.
He said if this was the case what was the answer to the pool of blood on her vehicle seat as depressed skull did not bleed heavily besides depressed fracture did not cause immediate death.
Legally, he said, before issuing an evidence-based medico legal document, the examination doctor could not disclose his report to the press. In such cases, he said, the body became state property and all procedures had to be followed.
He said the doctors had only revealed skull and chest radiographs as in external examination whole body radiograph (scan, MRI) must have been taken to ascertain nature and impact of wounds.
He added that important traces and evidence had been removed by negligence or conspiracy, which should be investigated.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Govt uploads recording of suspect’s call
By Syed Irfan Raza
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The government on Sunday put on its website recording of a telephone conversation between alleged Al Qaeda leader in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, and one of his companions, in which they purportedly felicitate each other on the target killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
However, the recording seems unconvincing and raises doubts about its credibility and genuineness.
Usually militant groups take responsibility of any high-profile terrorist attack but a spokesman for Baitullah has reportedly denied the government’s claim that he or Al Qaeda was involved in the assassination.
But Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema insisted in a press briefing on Saturday that it was the act of Baitullah. “It suits Baitullah if he avoids taking responsibility of the assassination,” he said.
When reporters raised questions about the genuineness of the transcript and asked how the telephone call had been tapped, spokesman said it was a technical and secret matter and he could not give its details to the media.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The government on Sunday put on its website recording of a telephone conversation between alleged Al Qaeda leader in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, and one of his companions, in which they purportedly felicitate each other on the target killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
However, the recording seems unconvincing and raises doubts about its credibility and genuineness.
Usually militant groups take responsibility of any high-profile terrorist attack but a spokesman for Baitullah has reportedly denied the government’s claim that he or Al Qaeda was involved in the assassination.
But Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema insisted in a press briefing on Saturday that it was the act of Baitullah. “It suits Baitullah if he avoids taking responsibility of the assassination,” he said.
When reporters raised questions about the genuineness of the transcript and asked how the telephone call had been tapped, spokesman said it was a technical and secret matter and he could not give its details to the media.
Presidency dismisses BB’s email
By Ashraf Mumtaz
LAHORE, Dec 30: A spokesman for President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday dismissed as ridiculous reports about an email the slain PPP chairperson had reportedly sent to a CNN staffer saying that President Musharraf would be responsible if anything happened to her.
Benazir Bhutto’s husband Asif Zardari said at a news conference at the Naudero House on Sunday that the email was self-explanatory and should be treated as a dying statement of Ms Bhutto.
Media reports say that Ms Bhutto wrote to Wolf Blitzer that if anything happened to her “I would hold (President Pervez) Musharraf responsible”.
“It’s a ridiculous statement which doesn’t deserve a comment,” president’s spokesman Maj-Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi said.
He said: I don’t want to dignify it by offering any comment on it.”
Mr Blitzer received the said email on Oct 26 from Mark Siegel, a friend and long-time Washington spokesman for Ms Bhutto, eight days after she narrowly escaped an attempt on her life on Oct 18.
Ms Bhutto wrote to Blitzer: “I have been made to feel insecure by his (Musharraf’s) minions; that specific improvements had not been made to her security arrangements, and that the president was responsible.”
LAHORE, Dec 30: A spokesman for President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday dismissed as ridiculous reports about an email the slain PPP chairperson had reportedly sent to a CNN staffer saying that President Musharraf would be responsible if anything happened to her.
Benazir Bhutto’s husband Asif Zardari said at a news conference at the Naudero House on Sunday that the email was self-explanatory and should be treated as a dying statement of Ms Bhutto.
Media reports say that Ms Bhutto wrote to Wolf Blitzer that if anything happened to her “I would hold (President Pervez) Musharraf responsible”.
“It’s a ridiculous statement which doesn’t deserve a comment,” president’s spokesman Maj-Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi said.
He said: I don’t want to dignify it by offering any comment on it.”
Mr Blitzer received the said email on Oct 26 from Mark Siegel, a friend and long-time Washington spokesman for Ms Bhutto, eight days after she narrowly escaped an attempt on her life on Oct 18.
Ms Bhutto wrote to Blitzer: “I have been made to feel insecure by his (Musharraf’s) minions; that specific improvements had not been made to her security arrangements, and that the president was responsible.”
Rawalpindi doctor relives father’s fate
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: A grim twist of fate saw Doctor Mussadiq Khan struggling to save the life of a Pakistani leader struck down by an assassin, just as Khan’s father had done 56 years ago.
Dr Khan battled in vain to save the life of Benazir Bhutto when she was brought to his hospital in Rawlapindi on Thursday following a gun-and-bomb attack as she left an election rally at a city park.
Khan’s doctor father, Sadiq Khan, was on duty at Rawalpindi hospital in October 1951 when Pakistan’s first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was brought in after he was gunned down at a rally in the same park where Ms Bhutto was attacked.
Liaquat Ali Khan was also killed and the park was later named Liaquat Bagh after him. Bagh means garden in Urdu.
“It’s God’s will,” Dr Khan told Reuters when asked about the coincidence of father and son attending to two leaders attacked in the same place.
Dr Khan said Bhutto was almost dead when she was brought in.
“She was not breathing. She had no blood pressure, no heartbeat. We did a full resuscitation. We worked hard but unfortunately we could not revive her.”
“I did my best but I didn’t succeed. What can I say? ...She was a great leader. She was our leader.”
In another grim echo from Pakistan’s turbulent history, Ms Bhutto was killed about two kilometres away from the spot where her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was hanged in 1979.
Her father, Pakistan’s first popularly-elected leader, was executed by a military dictator two years after he was overthrown in a coup. The jail where he was hanged was torn down when Benazir became prime minister, and turned into a park.
Like the government, Dr Khan has said Ms Bhutto was killed by the force of a blow as her head hit a lever on her car’s sunroof when a suicide bomber set off explosives.
Members of her party insisted she was killed by gunshots.
Two security officials, who declined to be identified, had also said shortly after the attack she was killed by bullets.
Dr Khan’s two sons are also doctors. He hopes there will be no more coincidences: “God forbid it doesn’t happen to them.”—Reuters
Dr Khan battled in vain to save the life of Benazir Bhutto when she was brought to his hospital in Rawlapindi on Thursday following a gun-and-bomb attack as she left an election rally at a city park.
Khan’s doctor father, Sadiq Khan, was on duty at Rawalpindi hospital in October 1951 when Pakistan’s first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was brought in after he was gunned down at a rally in the same park where Ms Bhutto was attacked.
Liaquat Ali Khan was also killed and the park was later named Liaquat Bagh after him. Bagh means garden in Urdu.
“It’s God’s will,” Dr Khan told Reuters when asked about the coincidence of father and son attending to two leaders attacked in the same place.
Dr Khan said Bhutto was almost dead when she was brought in.
“She was not breathing. She had no blood pressure, no heartbeat. We did a full resuscitation. We worked hard but unfortunately we could not revive her.”
“I did my best but I didn’t succeed. What can I say? ...She was a great leader. She was our leader.”
In another grim echo from Pakistan’s turbulent history, Ms Bhutto was killed about two kilometres away from the spot where her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was hanged in 1979.
Her father, Pakistan’s first popularly-elected leader, was executed by a military dictator two years after he was overthrown in a coup. The jail where he was hanged was torn down when Benazir became prime minister, and turned into a park.
Like the government, Dr Khan has said Ms Bhutto was killed by the force of a blow as her head hit a lever on her car’s sunroof when a suicide bomber set off explosives.
Members of her party insisted she was killed by gunshots.
Two security officials, who declined to be identified, had also said shortly after the attack she was killed by bullets.
Dr Khan’s two sons are also doctors. He hopes there will be no more coincidences: “God forbid it doesn’t happen to them.”—Reuters
Musharraf agrees to consider foreign help in murder probe
LONDON, Dec 30: President Pervez Musharraf agreed on Sunday to “consider” international help for a probe into the death of Benazir Bhutto in a conversation with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Downing Street said.
Mr Brown spoke to President Musharraf Sunday after a previous call on Friday and stressed the need to hold the January 8 election on time, Brown’s office said.
“The Prime Minister underlined the need to push ahead with the democratic process and to avoid any significant delays to the electoral timetable,” a Downing Street spokesman said.
“The Prime Minister also reinforced the UK’s offer of an extension to our already significant counter-terrorism cooperation.
“Potential international support to the Pakistani investigation into the tragic death of Ms Bhutto was also raised, with both sides agreeing to consider this suggestion further.”
Pakistan’s interior ministry has ruled out international help, saying that the world community “does not understand the environment” in the country.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband pledged on Saturday that the British government would make “full resources” available to Pakistan to help with the investigation into Ms Bhutto’s death.
The Downing Street spokesman said the two sides had also agreed on the need for all sides in Pakistan “to pursue a path of reconciliation and restraint”.
Pelosi: Washington should address “troubling questions” about Pakistan’s probe of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and its cooperation in fighting terrorism before extending any more aid, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in Washington on Saturday.
Pelosi called for an international investigation into the Dec 27 assassination of Ms Bhutto, which President Musharraf’s government has blamed on Al-Qaeda.
Pelosi, a California Democrat, said US law made assistance to Pakistan conditional on Islamabad’s cooperation in the war against terrorism.
“The refusal by the Musharraf government to accept international assistance with the investigation of the assassination of former prime minister Bhutto, and recent reports that previous US aid to Pakistan has been misspent, raise troubling questions about whether those conditions are being met,” she said in a statement.
“These questions must be addressed by the Bush administration before any additional US aid is sent to the Musharraf government.”
Ms Pelosi said the Bush administration must “press the Pakistani government to ensure that the coming election is free and fair.”
Cabinet meeting: The federal cabinet will meet in Islamabad on Monday to discuss issues relating to the forthcoming election and review law and order situation in the country.
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Nisar A. Memon said this while talking to a private television channel on Sunday.
The minister said Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz would brief the cabinet on the law and order situation.
Replying to a question, he said the law and order had almost come to normal and day-to-day activities were resuming.
Mr Memon said he talked with the provincial authorities and they expressed satisfaction over the improvement in the situation which erupted after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro started consultative process with the political parties, especially with PPP in light of the decisions taken at the last cabinet meeting.
He said three-day mourning was observed in the country in accordance with the announcement by President Pervez Musharraf following the tragic incident, adding that the people were still in a state of grief and shock.
Mr Memon said the government had taken various measures to improve law and order situation.
Law-enforcement agencies in the provinces are taking miscreants to task to prevent incidents of looting, damaging properties and disturbing normal life.
The minister referred to the wave of terrorism and said Benazir Bhutto herself was in the forefront fighting this menace.
He said the government was waiting for the decisions of the PPP central executive committee to decide its future course of action on the issue of upcoming general elections.
Replying to another question, the minister said the federal cabinet would look into ground realities including input of the Election Commission before deciding about the holding of general elections on schedule.—Agencies
Mr Brown spoke to President Musharraf Sunday after a previous call on Friday and stressed the need to hold the January 8 election on time, Brown’s office said.
“The Prime Minister underlined the need to push ahead with the democratic process and to avoid any significant delays to the electoral timetable,” a Downing Street spokesman said.
“The Prime Minister also reinforced the UK’s offer of an extension to our already significant counter-terrorism cooperation.
“Potential international support to the Pakistani investigation into the tragic death of Ms Bhutto was also raised, with both sides agreeing to consider this suggestion further.”
Pakistan’s interior ministry has ruled out international help, saying that the world community “does not understand the environment” in the country.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband pledged on Saturday that the British government would make “full resources” available to Pakistan to help with the investigation into Ms Bhutto’s death.
The Downing Street spokesman said the two sides had also agreed on the need for all sides in Pakistan “to pursue a path of reconciliation and restraint”.
Pelosi: Washington should address “troubling questions” about Pakistan’s probe of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and its cooperation in fighting terrorism before extending any more aid, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in Washington on Saturday.
Pelosi called for an international investigation into the Dec 27 assassination of Ms Bhutto, which President Musharraf’s government has blamed on Al-Qaeda.
Pelosi, a California Democrat, said US law made assistance to Pakistan conditional on Islamabad’s cooperation in the war against terrorism.
“The refusal by the Musharraf government to accept international assistance with the investigation of the assassination of former prime minister Bhutto, and recent reports that previous US aid to Pakistan has been misspent, raise troubling questions about whether those conditions are being met,” she said in a statement.
“These questions must be addressed by the Bush administration before any additional US aid is sent to the Musharraf government.”
Ms Pelosi said the Bush administration must “press the Pakistani government to ensure that the coming election is free and fair.”
Cabinet meeting: The federal cabinet will meet in Islamabad on Monday to discuss issues relating to the forthcoming election and review law and order situation in the country.
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Nisar A. Memon said this while talking to a private television channel on Sunday.
The minister said Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz would brief the cabinet on the law and order situation.
Replying to a question, he said the law and order had almost come to normal and day-to-day activities were resuming.
Mr Memon said he talked with the provincial authorities and they expressed satisfaction over the improvement in the situation which erupted after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro started consultative process with the political parties, especially with PPP in light of the decisions taken at the last cabinet meeting.
He said three-day mourning was observed in the country in accordance with the announcement by President Pervez Musharraf following the tragic incident, adding that the people were still in a state of grief and shock.
Mr Memon said the government had taken various measures to improve law and order situation.
Law-enforcement agencies in the provinces are taking miscreants to task to prevent incidents of looting, damaging properties and disturbing normal life.
The minister referred to the wave of terrorism and said Benazir Bhutto herself was in the forefront fighting this menace.
He said the government was waiting for the decisions of the PPP central executive committee to decide its future course of action on the issue of upcoming general elections.
Replying to another question, the minister said the federal cabinet would look into ground realities including input of the Election Commission before deciding about the holding of general elections on schedule.—Agencies
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Benazir Bhutto I knew
By M. Ziauddin
I STILL cannot bring myself to believe that she is no more.
How could such a vibrant and vital soul disappear in a matter of a few moments? I was in Islamabad but was not at the site of the tragedy when it took place.
When I received the CNN breaking news on my cellphone I was in the process of re-writing my column for (Dawn’s) EBR Weekly. I just sat back.
Dumbstruck and stunned, all strength in my limbs drained. I wanted to cry, but could not. She was larger than life to have gone so quickly. I still cannot imagine a Pakistan without Benazir. For most of us who were both highly critical of her as well as enamoured by her, she was our political reference point.
The last time I had stolen what I would like to call a quick exchange with Benazir Bhutto was on Oct 3, when she was addressing her last press conference in London before returning to Pakistan via Dubai. I had asked her if she was not violating the spirit of democracy by agreeing to participate in the election of a uniformed general.
Despite it being a seemingly offensive question, she disagreed politely and explained rather patiently that she had not yet given up the option of resigning and in any case, her party would boycott the elections and that she said in her opinion would not be an action violative of the norms of democracy.
What was more touching for me was that she heard me over the din of questions being shouted at her from other media persons, mostly representing leading foreign media organisations and asked them to allow me to put my question as she said with a straight face: “Mr Ziauddin is a very senior Pakistani journalist and I must listen to him first.”
My first meeting with her was an experience in itself.
She had just survived a no-confidence motion against her first government and had invited some senior correspondents in Islamabad to discuss what had gone wrong and how she could improve her performance now that the immediate danger to her government had been averted.
Most of us went after her with no holds barred. I even criticized her decision to make her father-in-law the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and allowing her husband to run his private business from a room in the PM Secretariat.
She listened, defended and argued but never for a moment did I find her losing her patience or her cool. I had gone to the meeting after hearing many stories about her arrogance, hot temper and short fuse. But the Benazir I met was a person one could communicate, enter into heated debate and argue with.
After this meeting I had several longish debates with her mostly in the company of the late H.K. Burki.
On these occasions, I would listen mostly to the monologue of Mr Burki who would dissect her policies and actions like a surgeon without mincing words.
She would listen attentively and would never make even the slightest unpleasant response to the most unpleasant and uncharitable criticism of Mr Burki. He was perhaps the first person to tell her on her face that her choice of Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari as the president was wrong and he even went on to predict that Mr Leghari would betray her.
In my discussions with her, I found her to have a deep understanding of economic issues. She was very well versed in the subject and could stand her ground in a debate on economic issues even with the experts.
During campaigns leading to the 1988, 1990 and 1993 elections or before delivering her speeches in budget sessions, she would hold bull sessions with the country’s leading economic experts and then come up with scintillating arguments of her own for or against whatever subject she would chose to attack or support.
In my more than 40 years of journalistic career I have found most Pakistani politicians to show phoney respect to those among us who they knew carried a very sharp and effective pen.
But Benazir was different. Her friendship was above such pettiness.
I have had the dubious privilege of being highly-critical of her as a professional and I know some of my colleagues who were even more critical in their writings. But she would never let this come in the way of her friendship or her respect for those whom she really liked. I know a journalist couple who had crossed all the limits of decency in their criticism of her. But I don’t think she ever ostracised them.
She was a great gossiper. She would regale her friends with the juiciest gossips on occasions. And she carried no ethnic biases.
Once three of us (all having the same ethnic roots) were criticising her Urban Sindh policies in rather bitterest terms, she argued and defended rather vehemently, but never for a moment did she let the fact of our own ethic affiliations distort the debate.
I STILL cannot bring myself to believe that she is no more.
How could such a vibrant and vital soul disappear in a matter of a few moments? I was in Islamabad but was not at the site of the tragedy when it took place.
When I received the CNN breaking news on my cellphone I was in the process of re-writing my column for (Dawn’s) EBR Weekly. I just sat back.
Dumbstruck and stunned, all strength in my limbs drained. I wanted to cry, but could not. She was larger than life to have gone so quickly. I still cannot imagine a Pakistan without Benazir. For most of us who were both highly critical of her as well as enamoured by her, she was our political reference point.
The last time I had stolen what I would like to call a quick exchange with Benazir Bhutto was on Oct 3, when she was addressing her last press conference in London before returning to Pakistan via Dubai. I had asked her if she was not violating the spirit of democracy by agreeing to participate in the election of a uniformed general.
Despite it being a seemingly offensive question, she disagreed politely and explained rather patiently that she had not yet given up the option of resigning and in any case, her party would boycott the elections and that she said in her opinion would not be an action violative of the norms of democracy.
What was more touching for me was that she heard me over the din of questions being shouted at her from other media persons, mostly representing leading foreign media organisations and asked them to allow me to put my question as she said with a straight face: “Mr Ziauddin is a very senior Pakistani journalist and I must listen to him first.”
My first meeting with her was an experience in itself.
She had just survived a no-confidence motion against her first government and had invited some senior correspondents in Islamabad to discuss what had gone wrong and how she could improve her performance now that the immediate danger to her government had been averted.
Most of us went after her with no holds barred. I even criticized her decision to make her father-in-law the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and allowing her husband to run his private business from a room in the PM Secretariat.
She listened, defended and argued but never for a moment did I find her losing her patience or her cool. I had gone to the meeting after hearing many stories about her arrogance, hot temper and short fuse. But the Benazir I met was a person one could communicate, enter into heated debate and argue with.
After this meeting I had several longish debates with her mostly in the company of the late H.K. Burki.
On these occasions, I would listen mostly to the monologue of Mr Burki who would dissect her policies and actions like a surgeon without mincing words.
She would listen attentively and would never make even the slightest unpleasant response to the most unpleasant and uncharitable criticism of Mr Burki. He was perhaps the first person to tell her on her face that her choice of Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari as the president was wrong and he even went on to predict that Mr Leghari would betray her.
In my discussions with her, I found her to have a deep understanding of economic issues. She was very well versed in the subject and could stand her ground in a debate on economic issues even with the experts.
During campaigns leading to the 1988, 1990 and 1993 elections or before delivering her speeches in budget sessions, she would hold bull sessions with the country’s leading economic experts and then come up with scintillating arguments of her own for or against whatever subject she would chose to attack or support.
In my more than 40 years of journalistic career I have found most Pakistani politicians to show phoney respect to those among us who they knew carried a very sharp and effective pen.
But Benazir was different. Her friendship was above such pettiness.
I have had the dubious privilege of being highly-critical of her as a professional and I know some of my colleagues who were even more critical in their writings. But she would never let this come in the way of her friendship or her respect for those whom she really liked. I know a journalist couple who had crossed all the limits of decency in their criticism of her. But I don’t think she ever ostracised them.
She was a great gossiper. She would regale her friends with the juiciest gossips on occasions. And she carried no ethnic biases.
Once three of us (all having the same ethnic roots) were criticising her Urban Sindh policies in rather bitterest terms, she argued and defended rather vehemently, but never for a moment did she let the fact of our own ethic affiliations distort the debate.
Experts cast doubts over govt claims
By Ahmed Hassan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Forensic experts have expressed doubts about the government’s claims that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto was fatally injured by the sunroof hook of the bullet-proof vehicle.
Dr Shoaib Shah said on Saturday that under the law, the state was bound to hold an autopsy before allowing burial and at least one forensic examiner should have been part of the team examining the body.
He said that no sunroof hook could damage the skull so much that a person could die. These doubts could easily have been laid to rest if an autopsy had been performed, he said.
Interestingly, government’s spokesman Brig Cheema tried to shut out questions raised by the media about the cause of Benazir’s death.
Experts said the greatest blunder committed by the government was that it allowed buril without autopsy.
Dr Shoaib said he had been receiving calls from abroad in which experts were expressing their exasperations and terming the government’s handling of the case a mockery of justice.
Experts also doubted that a three-inch piece of bone could dislocate from the skull if it was hit by the sunroof hook, and not a bullet.
Sources in the interior ministry said the government feared a backlash from the opposition about its inability to provide security to Benazir Bhutto.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Forensic experts have expressed doubts about the government’s claims that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto was fatally injured by the sunroof hook of the bullet-proof vehicle.
Dr Shoaib Shah said on Saturday that under the law, the state was bound to hold an autopsy before allowing burial and at least one forensic examiner should have been part of the team examining the body.
He said that no sunroof hook could damage the skull so much that a person could die. These doubts could easily have been laid to rest if an autopsy had been performed, he said.
Interestingly, government’s spokesman Brig Cheema tried to shut out questions raised by the media about the cause of Benazir’s death.
Experts said the greatest blunder committed by the government was that it allowed buril without autopsy.
Dr Shoaib said he had been receiving calls from abroad in which experts were expressing their exasperations and terming the government’s handling of the case a mockery of justice.
Experts also doubted that a three-inch piece of bone could dislocate from the skull if it was hit by the sunroof hook, and not a bullet.
Sources in the interior ministry said the government feared a backlash from the opposition about its inability to provide security to Benazir Bhutto.
PPP demands probe based on Benazir’s letter
By Syed Faisal Shakeel
LAHORE, Dec 29: The Pakistan People’s Party has said that the investigation into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto must be based upon the letter she had written to President Pervez Musharraf before her return to Pakistan.
The letter had named a number of people in an alleged plot to kill the PPP chairperson.
“It (the letter) was a dying declaration,” PPP Senator Latif Khosa told Dawn by phone from Larkana.
He said former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi, former Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Intelligence Bureau chief Ijaz Shah and ex-ISI chief Hameed Gul should be named in the FIR on the basis of that letter.
The police, he said, should have allowed Makhdoom Amin Fahim or Naheed Khan, political secretary to Ms Bhutto, to lodge an FIR. The police had washed the crime scene at the Liaquat Bagh with water to erase the evidence which would have led to the killer(s), he added.
Mr Khosa said when the whole world watched the assassin shooting Benazir Bhutto with a handgun, the government was busy selling its “skewed stories”. It was trying to convince people that she had hit her head against the lever of the sunroof of the vehicle in a reaction to the suicide blast, he said.
He deplored the fact that none of the investigators approached the witnesses for a firsthand account of the incident. He said the investigation into the Oct 18 Karachi blast should also have been carried out on the basis of the letter written to Musharraf.
He said Ms Bhutto had written another letter to the interior secretary on Oct 26, seeking foolproof security arrangements in view of credible reports. A copy of the letter was sent to President Musharraf, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court and the United Nations.
Mr Khosa said the PPP did not expect the government to provide it with clean and impartial investigation as evident from its conduct so far. Referring to the statement of US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton demanding an international investigation into the assassination, he said it was imperative.
Talking to Dawn, former Supreme Court Bar Association president Hamid Khan said the Benazir’s letter carried “great significance” because it was almost as important as a “dying statement”.
LAHORE, Dec 29: The Pakistan People’s Party has said that the investigation into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto must be based upon the letter she had written to President Pervez Musharraf before her return to Pakistan.
The letter had named a number of people in an alleged plot to kill the PPP chairperson.
“It (the letter) was a dying declaration,” PPP Senator Latif Khosa told Dawn by phone from Larkana.
He said former Punjab chief minister Pervaiz Elahi, former Sindh chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Intelligence Bureau chief Ijaz Shah and ex-ISI chief Hameed Gul should be named in the FIR on the basis of that letter.
The police, he said, should have allowed Makhdoom Amin Fahim or Naheed Khan, political secretary to Ms Bhutto, to lodge an FIR. The police had washed the crime scene at the Liaquat Bagh with water to erase the evidence which would have led to the killer(s), he added.
Mr Khosa said when the whole world watched the assassin shooting Benazir Bhutto with a handgun, the government was busy selling its “skewed stories”. It was trying to convince people that she had hit her head against the lever of the sunroof of the vehicle in a reaction to the suicide blast, he said.
He deplored the fact that none of the investigators approached the witnesses for a firsthand account of the incident. He said the investigation into the Oct 18 Karachi blast should also have been carried out on the basis of the letter written to Musharraf.
He said Ms Bhutto had written another letter to the interior secretary on Oct 26, seeking foolproof security arrangements in view of credible reports. A copy of the letter was sent to President Musharraf, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court and the United Nations.
Mr Khosa said the PPP did not expect the government to provide it with clean and impartial investigation as evident from its conduct so far. Referring to the statement of US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton demanding an international investigation into the assassination, he said it was imperative.
Talking to Dawn, former Supreme Court Bar Association president Hamid Khan said the Benazir’s letter carried “great significance” because it was almost as important as a “dying statement”.
US warned BB weeks before fatal attack: report
By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec 29: The Bush administration had warned former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, weeks before her assassination, that extremists were trying to kill her, the Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday.
The report, however, claimed that the Pakistani government rebuffed US entreaties for beefed-up security for Ms Bhutto. “The decision to provide intelligence to an opposition candidate in a country headed by a strong American ally reflects US recognition of the gravity of the threat Bhutto faced,” the report said.
The newspaper also noted that Washington backed her effort to reclaim power in Pakistan because it saw her as a stabilising influence in the turbulent country.
Although acknowledging the danger, US officials stopped short of providing direct security services, such as the private contractors they arranged for Afghan President Hamid Karzai and for top leaders in Iraq, the report added.
The intelligence shared with Ms Bhutto was furnished by the US Embassy in Islamabad, a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the paper. Along with information about possible threats to her, the Americans provided security advice on ways her risks could be reduced.
The US official said the Americans were aware that Ms Bhutto faced serious dangers, especially in light of an earlier attempt on her life, a bombing during her homecoming rally in Karachi on Oct 18, in which more than 140 people were killed.
Americans also “reiterated” that the Musharraf government needed to make vigorous attempts to avert dangers to her, the official said.
WASHINGTON, Dec 29: The Bush administration had warned former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, weeks before her assassination, that extremists were trying to kill her, the Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday.
The report, however, claimed that the Pakistani government rebuffed US entreaties for beefed-up security for Ms Bhutto. “The decision to provide intelligence to an opposition candidate in a country headed by a strong American ally reflects US recognition of the gravity of the threat Bhutto faced,” the report said.
The newspaper also noted that Washington backed her effort to reclaim power in Pakistan because it saw her as a stabilising influence in the turbulent country.
Although acknowledging the danger, US officials stopped short of providing direct security services, such as the private contractors they arranged for Afghan President Hamid Karzai and for top leaders in Iraq, the report added.
The intelligence shared with Ms Bhutto was furnished by the US Embassy in Islamabad, a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the paper. Along with information about possible threats to her, the Americans provided security advice on ways her risks could be reduced.
The US official said the Americans were aware that Ms Bhutto faced serious dangers, especially in light of an earlier attempt on her life, a bombing during her homecoming rally in Karachi on Oct 18, in which more than 140 people were killed.
Americans also “reiterated” that the Musharraf government needed to make vigorous attempts to avert dangers to her, the official said.
Baitullah denies role in attack
By Our Correspondent
TANK, Dec 29: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud has denied any role in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Maulvi Umar, a spokesman for the militant leader, told Dawn by telephone on Saturday from an undisclosed location that the interior ministry statement was ‘defaming the Taliban movement.’
“Baitullah and his supporters are not involved in the murder of Ms Bhutto, because it is against tribal customs and traditions to kill a woman,” the spokesman claimed.
Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema said at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday that Baitullah’s men had carried out the attack on Ms Bhutto.
Earlier, the government had blamed Baitullah for the suicide attack on Ms Bhutto’s reception rally in Karachi on Oct 18.
TANK, Dec 29: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud has denied any role in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Maulvi Umar, a spokesman for the militant leader, told Dawn by telephone on Saturday from an undisclosed location that the interior ministry statement was ‘defaming the Taliban movement.’
“Baitullah and his supporters are not involved in the murder of Ms Bhutto, because it is against tribal customs and traditions to kill a woman,” the spokesman claimed.
Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema said at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday that Baitullah’s men had carried out the attack on Ms Bhutto.
Earlier, the government had blamed Baitullah for the suicide attack on Ms Bhutto’s reception rally in Karachi on Oct 18.
‘Islamabad partly responsible for death’
By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec 29: The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph Biden, has said that the Pakistani government was “indirectly complicit” in Benazir Bhutto’s assassination because it failed to provide adequate security to her.
Mr Biden, who is also a leading presidential candidate, released a letter that he and two Senate colleagues wrote to President Pervez Musharraf at Ms Bhutto’s request to urge him to step up her security.
The letter, sent soon after the October attempt on Ms Bhutto’s rally, urges that she be given “the full level of security support afforded to any former prime minister,” including bomb-proof vehicles and jamming equipment.
Mr Biden said, however, that their appeal was unavailing and that the Pakistani government was “indirectly complicit” in the assassination.
“I’m not saying had she had the protection she would have lived,” Mr Biden said in a CBS interview. “But it sure bothers me that she did not have the kind of protection she needed.”
The CBS report, however, noted that several security analysts have questioned Ms Bhutto’s decision to mingle with supporters while standing through the sunroof of her armoured SUV after her rally on Thursday.
Congressman Steve Israel, a New York democrat, released an email message that Ms Bhutto had written to a former aide saying she feared that she could be killed because of her limited security.
WASHINGTON, Dec 29: The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph Biden, has said that the Pakistani government was “indirectly complicit” in Benazir Bhutto’s assassination because it failed to provide adequate security to her.
Mr Biden, who is also a leading presidential candidate, released a letter that he and two Senate colleagues wrote to President Pervez Musharraf at Ms Bhutto’s request to urge him to step up her security.
The letter, sent soon after the October attempt on Ms Bhutto’s rally, urges that she be given “the full level of security support afforded to any former prime minister,” including bomb-proof vehicles and jamming equipment.
Mr Biden said, however, that their appeal was unavailing and that the Pakistani government was “indirectly complicit” in the assassination.
“I’m not saying had she had the protection she would have lived,” Mr Biden said in a CBS interview. “But it sure bothers me that she did not have the kind of protection she needed.”
The CBS report, however, noted that several security analysts have questioned Ms Bhutto’s decision to mingle with supporters while standing through the sunroof of her armoured SUV after her rally on Thursday.
Congressman Steve Israel, a New York democrat, released an email message that Ms Bhutto had written to a former aide saying she feared that she could be killed because of her limited security.
Telltale images expose fatal security flaws : Benazir’s assassination
By Bahzad Alam Khan
KARACHI, Dec 29: The controversy over the manner in which former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died in a Dec 27 attack in Rawalpindi deepened on Saturday night when DawnNews TV aired chilling images of an armed assassin taking a shot at her as she acknowledged the cheers of jubilant party activists from the sunroof of her bullet-proof vehicle.
The government has insisted that Ms Bhutto died when her head slammed against her vehicle by the blast from a bomb. But the Pakistan People’s Party has held that she died from bullet wounds.
Shot by an amateur photographer, the images telecast by DawnNews TV make it abundantly clear that there was no security cordon around Ms Bhutto’s vehicle.
They show a young clean-shaven man, wearing a waistcoat and dark glasses, inch inconspicuously towards the slow-moving vehicle of Ms Bhutto. Standing closely behind is a man believed to be the suicide bomber with a piece of cloth draped around his face. The first image catches the duo looking straight into the camera.
Another image shows the sharpshooter open fire on the unsuspecting political leader with remarkable aplomb. He is just a couple of metres away from his target. One of the party activists clinging to the vehicle seems to have spotted the assassin, whose upraised hand carries a gun.
The third image shows activists around the vehicle ducking their heads in reflex, suggesting that the gun has been fired. Unfazed, the assassin is still in their midst.
Crucially, Ms Bhutto has disappeared from the sunroof. And, equally crucially, the suicide bomber has yet to blow himself up.
The unsettling images raise significant questions about the quality of security arrangements made for the former prime minister who narrowly escaped a suicide attack on her homecoming procession on Oct 18.
The fact that an armed assassin managed to get just a couple of metres away from Ms Bhutto clearly gives the lie to the government claim that she had received a VIP security cover.
Also, the new images seem to lend credence to the assertion made by a close aide of Ms Bhutto who insisted that the opposition leader was shot in the head and neck.
According to the Reuters news agency, Sherry Rehman, a PPP spokesperson, said: “She has a bullet wound at the back of her head on the left side. It came out the other (side). That was a very large wound, and she bled profusely through that.”
Ms Rehman prepared the slain leader’s body for burial.
“She was even bleeding while we were bathing her for the burial. The government is now trying to say she concussed herself, which is ludicrous. It is really dangerous nonsense.”
However, the government stuck to its version, saying Ms Bhutto’s party was welcome to exhume her corpse to check.
Baitullah Mehsud did not kill Benazir Bhutto: spokesman
PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 29 (Reuters) Al Qaeda-linked militant Baitullah Mehsud was not involved in the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, his spokesman said Saturday. “I strongly deny it. Tribal people have their own customs. We don't strike women,” Mehsud's spokesman Maulvi Omar said by telephone from an undisclosed location. The government said Friday Mehsud was responsible for Benazir's killing as she left an election rally in Rawalpindi Thursday.
(First Posted @ 12:13 PST, Updated @ 12:36 PST)
(First Posted @ 12:13 PST, Updated @ 12:36 PST)
Oxford friends remember ‘fiery and fun’ Benazir
LONDON, Dec 28: Benazir Bhutto’s contemporaries at Oxford University remembered her as a “fiery and fun” student on Friday, whose political awakening came after her father’s ouster as Pakistani prime minister.
Ms Bhutto was always a well-known figure among the city’s dreaming spires -- her election as president of the Oxford Union debating society, the first Asian woman to hold the post, attracted worldwide media attention. She reportedly held some of the best parties in the university and drove a yellow MG sports car.
Ms Bhutto studied politics, philosophy and economics at Lady Margaret Hall from 1973 and later became an honorary fellow of the college, which was founded in 1878 and pioneered women’s education at Oxford.
She described her university years as the best of her life and reportedly recalled punting on the River Cherwell and picnicking at Blenheim Palace, ancestral home of former British premier Winston Churchill.
Alan Duncan, business spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, knew her for 31 years and was her campaign manager when she became Oxford Union president in 1976.
Their friendship continued after they left university and the pair exchanged emails a few days before her death in which he pledged to visit Pakistan to see her being sworn in as prime minister.
“She was fiery and fun, a very dominant personality,” he told AFP.
“She had been to Harvard already so she was a little bit older than the rest of us -- she was enormously determined.”
Another friend, author Victoria Schofield, was quoted by the Independent newspaper earlier this year saying that Ms Bhutto “wasn’t someone who was buried away in a library” at the university.
“She used to go socialising; she had a lot of friends, and in later years it was those friendships she thought back to, because it was a very happy period for her,” she said.
The principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Doctor Frances Lannon, said she was “appalled” by her assassination, adding: “She was highly regarded as an intelligent student who made many friends here.”
Mr Duncan said that Ms Bhutto’s father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, alongside whom she was being buried on Friday, was ousted from office just weeks after she was voted into the prestigious role.
This prompted a wave of protests in the university involving students and academics alike.
“Throughout all of that year in which she had been president, there were campaigns, meetings around Oxford,” he said.
But he said it was her father’s hanging in 1979 under the regime of military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq which propelled her to “serious political application”, adding: “You’re on a mission then, aren’t you?”
Another Oxford friend, author Tariq Ali, echoed this view, writing in the Guardian newspaper: “She was not a natural politician and had always wanted to be a diplomat, but history and personal tragedy pushed her in the other direction.
“Her father’s death transformed her.”—AFP
Ms Bhutto was always a well-known figure among the city’s dreaming spires -- her election as president of the Oxford Union debating society, the first Asian woman to hold the post, attracted worldwide media attention. She reportedly held some of the best parties in the university and drove a yellow MG sports car.
Ms Bhutto studied politics, philosophy and economics at Lady Margaret Hall from 1973 and later became an honorary fellow of the college, which was founded in 1878 and pioneered women’s education at Oxford.
She described her university years as the best of her life and reportedly recalled punting on the River Cherwell and picnicking at Blenheim Palace, ancestral home of former British premier Winston Churchill.
Alan Duncan, business spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, knew her for 31 years and was her campaign manager when she became Oxford Union president in 1976.
Their friendship continued after they left university and the pair exchanged emails a few days before her death in which he pledged to visit Pakistan to see her being sworn in as prime minister.
“She was fiery and fun, a very dominant personality,” he told AFP.
“She had been to Harvard already so she was a little bit older than the rest of us -- she was enormously determined.”
Another friend, author Victoria Schofield, was quoted by the Independent newspaper earlier this year saying that Ms Bhutto “wasn’t someone who was buried away in a library” at the university.
“She used to go socialising; she had a lot of friends, and in later years it was those friendships she thought back to, because it was a very happy period for her,” she said.
The principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Doctor Frances Lannon, said she was “appalled” by her assassination, adding: “She was highly regarded as an intelligent student who made many friends here.”
Mr Duncan said that Ms Bhutto’s father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, alongside whom she was being buried on Friday, was ousted from office just weeks after she was voted into the prestigious role.
This prompted a wave of protests in the university involving students and academics alike.
“Throughout all of that year in which she had been president, there were campaigns, meetings around Oxford,” he said.
But he said it was her father’s hanging in 1979 under the regime of military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq which propelled her to “serious political application”, adding: “You’re on a mission then, aren’t you?”
Another Oxford friend, author Tariq Ali, echoed this view, writing in the Guardian newspaper: “She was not a natural politician and had always wanted to be a diplomat, but history and personal tragedy pushed her in the other direction.
“Her father’s death transformed her.”—AFP
Transcript of ‘Baitullah’s phone call’
ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: Here is the AFP’s translation of the transcript of the alleged telephone conversation on Friday from senior Al Qaeda leader Baitullah Mehsud to another militant that the Pakistan interior ministry said had been intercepted after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
The ministry said it had been translated from Pashto to Urdu. This is our translation from the ministry’s Urdu to English.
Maulvi Sahib (MS): Assalaam Aleikum.
Baitullah Mehsud (BM): Waleikum Assalaam.
MS: Chief, how are you?
BM: I am fine.
MS: Congratulations, I just got back during the night.
BM: Congratulations to you, were they our men?
MS: Yes they were ours.
BM: Who were they?
MS: There was Saeed, there was Bilal from Badar and Ikramullah.
BM: The three of them did it?
MS: Ikramullah and Bilal did it.
BM: Then congratulations.
MS: Where are you? I want to meet you.
BM: I am at Makeen (town in South Waziristan tribal region), come over, I am at Anwar Shah’s house.
MS: OK, I’ll come.
BM: Don’t inform their house for the time being.
MS: OK.
BM: It was a tremendous effort. They were really brave boys who killed her.
MS: Mashallah. When I come I will give you all the details.
BM: I will wait for you. Congratulations, once again congratulations.
MS: Congratulations to you.
BM: Anything I can do for you?
MS: Thank you very much.
BM: Assalaam Aleikum.
MS: Waaleikum Assalaam.
The ministry said it had been translated from Pashto to Urdu. This is our translation from the ministry’s Urdu to English.
Maulvi Sahib (MS): Assalaam Aleikum.
Baitullah Mehsud (BM): Waleikum Assalaam.
MS: Chief, how are you?
BM: I am fine.
MS: Congratulations, I just got back during the night.
BM: Congratulations to you, were they our men?
MS: Yes they were ours.
BM: Who were they?
MS: There was Saeed, there was Bilal from Badar and Ikramullah.
BM: The three of them did it?
MS: Ikramullah and Bilal did it.
BM: Then congratulations.
MS: Where are you? I want to meet you.
BM: I am at Makeen (town in South Waziristan tribal region), come over, I am at Anwar Shah’s house.
MS: OK, I’ll come.
BM: Don’t inform their house for the time being.
MS: OK.
BM: It was a tremendous effort. They were really brave boys who killed her.
MS: Mashallah. When I come I will give you all the details.
BM: I will wait for you. Congratulations, once again congratulations.
MS: Congratulations to you.
BM: Anything I can do for you?
MS: Thank you very much.
BM: Assalaam Aleikum.
MS: Waaleikum Assalaam.
Email to be used only ‘if I am killed’
NEW YORK, Dec 28: It was a story CNN’s Wolf Blitzer hoped he would never have to report — an email sent through an intermediary to him by Benazir Bhutto complaining about her security. Conditions of use: only if she were killed.
Ms Bhutto wrote to Wolf Blitzer that if anything happened to her, “I would hold (President Pervez) Musharraf responsible.”
Mr Blitzer received the email on Oct 26 from Mark Siegel, a friend and long-time Washington spokesman for Ms Bhutto. That was eight days after she narrowly escaped an attempt on her life on Oct 18.
Benazir Bhutto wrote to Blitzer: “I have been made to feel insecure by his (Musharraf’s) minions,” that specific improvements had not been made to her security arrangements, and that the president was responsible.
Blitzer agreed to the conditions before receiving the e-mail. He said on Friday that he called Siegel shortly after seeing it to see if there was any way he could use it on CNN, but was told firmly it could only be used if she were killed. Siegel could not say why she had insisted on those conditions.
Blitzer reported on the e-mail late on Thursday. He noted that Ms Bhutto had written a piece for CNN.com that mentioned her security concerns and that American politicians had tried to intervene on her behalf to make her feel safer. “I didn’t really think that it was a story we were missing out on,” he said. “I don’t think the viewers were done any disservice by my trying to hold on to this.”
Wolf Blitzer was the only journalist sent such a message, Siegel said. He also sent the e-mail to Representative Steve Israel, a New York Democrat.
Siegel said he did not believe Ms Bhutto’s opinions had changed since she wrote the e-mail. Her message specifically mentioned she had requested four police vehicles surrounding her vehicle when travelling; Siegel said it seemed evident from pictures taken at the assassination scene that the request was not fulfilled.
Ms Bhutto did not necessarily believe that President Musharraf wanted her dead, but felt many people around him did, he said.
Her husband contacted Siegel on Thursday to remind him about the e-mail message and to make sure it got out, he said.
Wolf Blitzer said he had no regrets about the way he handled the story. To report about it while she was still alive would have meant going back on his word, he said. “I don’t think there is a clear black-and-white in this situation,” he said. “I did what I think was right.”—AP
Ms Bhutto wrote to Wolf Blitzer that if anything happened to her, “I would hold (President Pervez) Musharraf responsible.”
Mr Blitzer received the email on Oct 26 from Mark Siegel, a friend and long-time Washington spokesman for Ms Bhutto. That was eight days after she narrowly escaped an attempt on her life on Oct 18.
Benazir Bhutto wrote to Blitzer: “I have been made to feel insecure by his (Musharraf’s) minions,” that specific improvements had not been made to her security arrangements, and that the president was responsible.
Blitzer agreed to the conditions before receiving the e-mail. He said on Friday that he called Siegel shortly after seeing it to see if there was any way he could use it on CNN, but was told firmly it could only be used if she were killed. Siegel could not say why she had insisted on those conditions.
Blitzer reported on the e-mail late on Thursday. He noted that Ms Bhutto had written a piece for CNN.com that mentioned her security concerns and that American politicians had tried to intervene on her behalf to make her feel safer. “I didn’t really think that it was a story we were missing out on,” he said. “I don’t think the viewers were done any disservice by my trying to hold on to this.”
Wolf Blitzer was the only journalist sent such a message, Siegel said. He also sent the e-mail to Representative Steve Israel, a New York Democrat.
Siegel said he did not believe Ms Bhutto’s opinions had changed since she wrote the e-mail. Her message specifically mentioned she had requested four police vehicles surrounding her vehicle when travelling; Siegel said it seemed evident from pictures taken at the assassination scene that the request was not fulfilled.
Ms Bhutto did not necessarily believe that President Musharraf wanted her dead, but felt many people around him did, he said.
Her husband contacted Siegel on Thursday to remind him about the e-mail message and to make sure it got out, he said.
Wolf Blitzer said he had no regrets about the way he handled the story. To report about it while she was still alive would have meant going back on his word, he said. “I don’t think there is a clear black-and-white in this situation,” he said. “I did what I think was right.”—AP
Benazir is dead!
By Kamran ShafiI first met Benazir Bhutto when she was elected prime minister in 1988, and asked to see me at her Rawalpindi office to be interviewed by her for the post of Principal Information Officer (PIO).
The thing that I remember most is that she stood up when I walked into the room where she sat on a long sofa with, if memory serves, Major General (retd) Nasirullah Babar and Wajid Shamsul Hassan, at that time chairman of the National Press Trust.
This was the elected prime minister of Pakistan, and a lady to boot, standing up to receive her guest, even if he was to be appointed to a lowly Grade-20 position. I remember remarking to friends that she came out as someone from one’s own family: relaxed, easy, and eager to put her guest at immediate ease. I saw Benazir in many situations, at many times, and always found her to be a good person; she was what in Punjabi is called a ‘Chunga Banda’. Indeed, I saw her relate to ordinary people, and relate well to them, often being moved to tears hearing their problems.
Benazir was a very decent person at heart. In whatever I saw and heard of or from her as PM, she reacted well and appropriately to situations where her instructions were needed or asked. I so remember a time when some of her most trusted advisers suggested that the government go public on a private affair where someone who was her leading tormentor had been caught en flagrante delicto and she came down hard on the persons making the suggestion in no uncertain terms.
There are two more instances that come to my distraught mind at this time: One had to do with the fact that as PIO I was overwhelmed by the lifafa culture of the time and the bad press this ‘Sindhi’ was getting at the behest and urging of the Establishment that was always looking for ways to put her down.
I asked to see her and she invited me to come to the PM’s House at her walk time. A whole lot of officials used to be present on these walks and were asked, by turn, to walk with her so she could hear what they had to say.
I told her straight away that I needed some funds to match the lifafas of the opposition because it was using money to influence the more purchasable parts of our press. “Are we like them (the Establishment)?” said Benazir.
“No, prime minister,” I said; “but we must play by the rules of the game as set by the all-powerful Establishment”. “No” she said emphatically, “we will not. Let them do what they want; we will not do the wrong thing”.
The other instant I remember was when I sent her a file one day and heard that same evening that she had left for Karachi to have Bakhtawar without announcing the impending birth of her child.
What proved beyond a shadow of doubt that Benazir was a woman with great diligence (and extreme courage) was when the file landed back on my desk on the third day of my having sent it with a long remark duly written by herself! Meaning that she worked on it on the day after Bakhtawar’s birth! She was a good woman, was Benazir.
I have to add that the country’s politics are in a state of devastation now that she, another Sindhi leader, has been so cruelly assassinated. It is not enough to ask any more to ask that a day may come when we Pakistanis can breathe a little easy. The time is here to ask whether our country can remain a country under dictatorship.
To Asif and the children, my heartfelt condolences. May Benazir rest in eternal peace.
Grief, anger overtake Bhutto hometown
By M.B. Kalhoro
LARKANA, Dec 27: A pall of gloom descended over the Bhutto hometown as the news of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination reached here on Thursday evening. With people in a state of shock, there were scenes of rioting all around.
Small traders and kiosk owners shut their shops as people came out into the streets, shouting slogans against President Pervez Musharraf, burning tyres and attacking vehicles. Policemen were nowhere to be seen.
Naudero town was completely shut with protestors raising slogans against the government and damaging everything that came in their path.
The protesters set on fire bank branches in various localities of the city, besides torching the District Council Hall in the Jinnahbagh area.
An employee of the Askari Bank told this correspondent on phone that some bank workers were still inside the branch. The main building of the State Life Insurance was damaged and eyewitnesses said that it had been set on fire.
A bakery was also set ablaze. Some protesters in Naudero set on fire the Khushhal Khan Khatak Express at the Shahnawaz Bhutto railway station, reports reaching here said.
A large number of PPP supporters reached Ms Bhutto’s Naudero house to mourn the death of their leader.
Reports reaching here from Shahdadkot indicated that the town was quite tense. Protesters had set ablaze a bank branch, burnt tyres and push-carts right from the ‘Koto Moto’ chowk to the Station Road.
In Qambar, PPP supporters pulled down posters and banners of rival parties and removed flags hoisted over party offices.
Protesters attacked a police station in Badah and burnt a car inside the station. Police personnel ran away from the station while the wireless operator took refuge in a nearby mosque.
In Larkana, a mob tried to break into the Market police station but protesters were dispersed after police lobbed tear-gas shells, sources said.
Rangers and police personnel started patrolling the city at 10.30pm.
The district police officer and the district nazim had called for army’s support to control the situation but troops were not seen anwhere till the filing of this report.
According to eyewitnesses, mobs broke into two arms’ shop near Pakistan Chowk and looted arms and ammunition. Police confirmed that one arms shop had been looted.
Offices of the Education Department near the Govt Girls’ Colleges and Wapda’s office near the Al Murtaza House were also attacked.
LARKANA, Dec 27: A pall of gloom descended over the Bhutto hometown as the news of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination reached here on Thursday evening. With people in a state of shock, there were scenes of rioting all around.
Small traders and kiosk owners shut their shops as people came out into the streets, shouting slogans against President Pervez Musharraf, burning tyres and attacking vehicles. Policemen were nowhere to be seen.
Naudero town was completely shut with protestors raising slogans against the government and damaging everything that came in their path.
The protesters set on fire bank branches in various localities of the city, besides torching the District Council Hall in the Jinnahbagh area.
An employee of the Askari Bank told this correspondent on phone that some bank workers were still inside the branch. The main building of the State Life Insurance was damaged and eyewitnesses said that it had been set on fire.
A bakery was also set ablaze. Some protesters in Naudero set on fire the Khushhal Khan Khatak Express at the Shahnawaz Bhutto railway station, reports reaching here said.
A large number of PPP supporters reached Ms Bhutto’s Naudero house to mourn the death of their leader.
Reports reaching here from Shahdadkot indicated that the town was quite tense. Protesters had set ablaze a bank branch, burnt tyres and push-carts right from the ‘Koto Moto’ chowk to the Station Road.
In Qambar, PPP supporters pulled down posters and banners of rival parties and removed flags hoisted over party offices.
Protesters attacked a police station in Badah and burnt a car inside the station. Police personnel ran away from the station while the wireless operator took refuge in a nearby mosque.
In Larkana, a mob tried to break into the Market police station but protesters were dispersed after police lobbed tear-gas shells, sources said.
Rangers and police personnel started patrolling the city at 10.30pm.
The district police officer and the district nazim had called for army’s support to control the situation but troops were not seen anwhere till the filing of this report.
According to eyewitnesses, mobs broke into two arms’ shop near Pakistan Chowk and looted arms and ammunition. Police confirmed that one arms shop had been looted.
Offices of the Education Department near the Govt Girls’ Colleges and Wapda’s office near the Al Murtaza House were also attacked.
Musharraf announces three-day mourning
By Ihtasham ul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: President Pervez Musharraf has announced a three-day national mourning for Benazir Bhutto who, he said, had been murdered by “the same terrorists we are battling with”.
In a brief television address on Thursday evening the president called upon the nation to remain calm and join the fight against the terrorists. “The government is unshaken in its resolve to uproot terrorism once and for all,” he said.
President Musharraf said the national flag will fly at half mast during the three-day mourning for Benazir Bhutto who fell victim to a plot which will hardly be fathomed.
The president said that his resolve against terrorism will further strengthen after what he termed a “very tragic and sad death” of the PPP leader.
He appealed to the nation to get united against terrorists and extremists who according to him were out to destroy Pakistan. “I give a commitment to the nation today that I would continue my struggle till the time when the scourge of terrorism and extremism is uprooted from our society,” he said.
“But I need your full cooperation and support to deal with extremism which is a huge blockade in the way of development and progress of the country,” he said.
He said that terrorism was the biggest threat to the country and it had to be dealt with on war footing.
At a high-level meeting on Wednesday, the president had directed the officials concerned to arrange special security for the key politicians. The meeting was also attended by Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, interior minister and senior military and civilian officials.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: President Pervez Musharraf has announced a three-day national mourning for Benazir Bhutto who, he said, had been murdered by “the same terrorists we are battling with”.
In a brief television address on Thursday evening the president called upon the nation to remain calm and join the fight against the terrorists. “The government is unshaken in its resolve to uproot terrorism once and for all,” he said.
President Musharraf said the national flag will fly at half mast during the three-day mourning for Benazir Bhutto who fell victim to a plot which will hardly be fathomed.
The president said that his resolve against terrorism will further strengthen after what he termed a “very tragic and sad death” of the PPP leader.
He appealed to the nation to get united against terrorists and extremists who according to him were out to destroy Pakistan. “I give a commitment to the nation today that I would continue my struggle till the time when the scourge of terrorism and extremism is uprooted from our society,” he said.
“But I need your full cooperation and support to deal with extremism which is a huge blockade in the way of development and progress of the country,” he said.
He said that terrorism was the biggest threat to the country and it had to be dealt with on war footing.
At a high-level meeting on Wednesday, the president had directed the officials concerned to arrange special security for the key politicians. The meeting was also attended by Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, interior minister and senior military and civilian officials.
Friday, December 28, 2007
PPP announces forty-day mourning
By Amir Wasim
ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: The Pakistan People’s Party on Thursday announced that it would observe 40-day mourning for its chairperson Benazir Bhutto. It demanded an “independent and honest investigation” into the assassination.
“We demand of the government to hold a complete investigation and let the party workers, their family members and the nation know as to how and from where this happened,” PPP vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said, with tears in his eyes, at a news conference in Zardari House.
PPP leaders Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Senator Latif Khosa, Farzana Raja, Palwasha Behram, Murtaza Satti, Nayyar Bokhari, Nazir Dhoki, Wasif Syed and Rehman Malik were present. Mr Fahim, who was with Ms Bhutto in the vehicle when the blast took place outside Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, said: “Had Mohtarma not appeared from the vehicle (to wave to the crowd from the sunroof), this tragedy would not have occurred,” he said.
He said he was sitting on the right side of Ms Bhutto and Naheed Khan was sitting on her left side. As the vehicle started moving, Ms Bhutto stood up and started waving to the crowd, he said, adding that all of a sudden they heard the sound of firing and saw Ms Bhutto coming down.
He said that first they thought that Ms Bhutto was perhaps coming back into the vehicle to save herself from the bullets, but all of a sudden a huge blast took place outside the vehicle.
Mr Fahim said that even after the blast they thought that Ms Bhutto had come back on her seat safely, but then they realised that it was not the case.
When asked to confirm whether Ms Bhutto was killed as a result of bullet shots or the blast, he said it would be cleared only from the post-mortem report.
When asked about the party’s future strategy regarding the participation in the Jan 8 election, Mr Fahim said: “We can’t comment on it. We are mourning. We are shattered.”
Mr Fahim said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had just telephoned him to offer the condolence on behalf of her government and the people.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: The Pakistan People’s Party on Thursday announced that it would observe 40-day mourning for its chairperson Benazir Bhutto. It demanded an “independent and honest investigation” into the assassination.
“We demand of the government to hold a complete investigation and let the party workers, their family members and the nation know as to how and from where this happened,” PPP vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said, with tears in his eyes, at a news conference in Zardari House.
PPP leaders Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Senator Latif Khosa, Farzana Raja, Palwasha Behram, Murtaza Satti, Nayyar Bokhari, Nazir Dhoki, Wasif Syed and Rehman Malik were present. Mr Fahim, who was with Ms Bhutto in the vehicle when the blast took place outside Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, said: “Had Mohtarma not appeared from the vehicle (to wave to the crowd from the sunroof), this tragedy would not have occurred,” he said.
He said he was sitting on the right side of Ms Bhutto and Naheed Khan was sitting on her left side. As the vehicle started moving, Ms Bhutto stood up and started waving to the crowd, he said, adding that all of a sudden they heard the sound of firing and saw Ms Bhutto coming down.
He said that first they thought that Ms Bhutto was perhaps coming back into the vehicle to save herself from the bullets, but all of a sudden a huge blast took place outside the vehicle.
Mr Fahim said that even after the blast they thought that Ms Bhutto had come back on her seat safely, but then they realised that it was not the case.
When asked to confirm whether Ms Bhutto was killed as a result of bullet shots or the blast, he said it would be cleared only from the post-mortem report.
When asked about the party’s future strategy regarding the participation in the Jan 8 election, Mr Fahim said: “We can’t comment on it. We are mourning. We are shattered.”
Mr Fahim said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had just telephoned him to offer the condolence on behalf of her government and the people.
Resuscitation bid failed
A REPORT sent by the Rawalpindi General Hospital to the Health Department of the Punjab provincial government said all efforts by its doctors to revive Ms Bhutto failed and she was declared dead exactly 41 minutes after she was brought at its emergency department at 5.35pm with open wounds on her left temporal bone from which “brain matter was exuding”.It said the PPP leader was not breathing at the time and her pulse and blood pressure “were not recordable”.
The report said “immediate resuscitation (process) was started” and she was taken to the operation theatre where the same was done by a team of doctors headed by Prof Musaddiq Khan, principal of the Rawalpindi Medical College.
“Left antrolateral thoracotomy for open cardiac massage was performed,” it said and added: “In spite of all the possible measures she could not be revived and (was) declared dead at 1816 (6.16pm) hours.”
The report said a post-mortem examination of Ms Bhutto’s body was not carried out at the hospital “because the district administration and police had not requested the hospital authorities (for this)”.
Ms Bhutto was shot not far from where Pakistan’s first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan was killed by an assassin’s bullet on Oct 16, 1951.—Dawn Report
Garhi Khuda Bux awaits another Bhutto
Garhi Khuda Bux awaits another Bhutto: Benazir felled by assassin’s bullets; 21 others killed in suicide bombing; Asif Zardari, children taking remains to Larkana
By Raja Asghar and Mohammad Asghar
RAWALPINDI, Dec 27: An assassin’s bullet killed Benazir Bhutto on Thursday in what the government described as a gun-and-bomb suicide attack immediately after the former prime minister had addressed an election rally of her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh park.
The attack targeting Pakistan’s most prominent opposition leader, which also killed at least 21 other people and wounded about 60, dealt a new shock to a world already troubled by political terrorism and clouded the process of the general election set for Jan 8 and the country’s political future.
Ms Bhutto was driving out of the park after speaking to a big election rally when, according to witnesses and police officials, the attacker struck first with gunfire and then blew himself up possibly with an explosive device strapped to his body.
Witnesses said they first heard four or five gunshots as Ms Bhutto appeared from the sun-roof of her white bullet-proof four-wheel drive Toyota Landcruiser to wave to her followers chanting “jiay Bhutto (long live Bhutto) outside the northern gate of the park, and then saw her disappearing into the vehicle before a big explosion damaged the jeep rear and turned the scene into a killing ground. Hardly anybody at the scene seemed to know at the time she had been hit by bullets and driven to the Rawalpindi General Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at an operation theatre table.
Both security officials and PPP members said they had heard the gunshots but that Ms Bhutto was safe as reporters witnessed ambulances lifting the dead and wounded from a blood-splattered portion of Liaquat Road outside the park gate that was reserved on the day for the entry and exit of the PPP leader and her close associates.
Limbs of the victims were scattered in the area, including what was presumed to be the remnant of the head of the unidentified suicide bomber that looked like a lump of flesh when it was already turning dark.
While many people told reporters they did not know who fired the shots, at least one PPP student wing leader, Ayaz Khan Pappu, said he saw a man wearing shalwar-kamiz firing four shots at Ms Bhutto apparently from a 30-bore pistol before being blown up by the blast of what a police bomb disposal squad official called a 5kg device.
PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who was accompanying Ms Bhutto in the car along with her political secretary Naheed Khan, told a news conference later in Islamabad that he also heard four shots when the former prime minister was waving to the crowd from the vehicle’s sun-roof before slumping on her seat.
He said she would have remained safe if she had not looked out of the sun-roof.
Ms Bhutto was driven to hospital from Liaquat Bagh in her own Landcruiser though its tyres had burst because of the explosion, but was shifted mid-way to another vehicle, that of PPP information secretary Sherry Rehman.
Pappu, the president of the Rawalpindi city chapter of the PPP’s student wing — People’s Students Federation — who himself was wounded by a splinter on his forehead, told Dawn by telephone that people outside Ms Bhutto’s car did not know at the time she had been hit though some suspected “something” had happened and it was later at the hospital that he learnt the bullets hit her in the neck and a temple.
The attack happened 70 days after Ms Bhutto survived the first assassination attempt on Oct 18 when a bomb attack on a welcoming procession in Karachi on her return from more than eight years of self-exile abroad killed about 150 people.
It removed from the scene the last remaining bearer from her family of the political legacy of her father, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was executed, also in Rawalpindi, on April 5, 1979 by the then-military ruler Gen Mohammad Ziaul Haq following a controversial conspiracy-to-murder conviction.
Her youngest brother Shahnawaz Bhutto was found mysteriously dead on July 18, 1985 while living in exile in a French Riviera apartment while his only other brother, Murtaza Bhutto, was killed in a mysterious shooting outside his home in Karachi on Sept 20, 1996.
Ms Bhutto’s mother, Nusrat, who led the PPP for some years after Gen Zia toppled Mr Bhutto in a 1977 coup, has been very ill in recent years and has been living in Dubai with her daughter.
Ms Bhutto’s husband Asif Ali Zardari never seemed prepared for a leadership role despite being elected to parliament and being a minister in her cabinet during the last of her two short-lived tenures as prime minister, while younger sister, Sanam, has not engaged in politics.
Shortly before the attack, the Liaquat Bagh gathering of tens of thousands repeatedly chanted “Prime Minister Benazir”, as an expression of the party intent to make her prime minister again despite a controversial decree enforced by President Pervez Musharraf to restrict prime ministerial tenures to only two.
But that was not destined to happen, despite the PPP’s hopes that if elected to power in the Jan 8 elections, it would undo the decree that also hits former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Mr Zardari and the couple’s three children — two daughters and a son — who have lived with their mother in Dubai since the beginning of her exile in 1999, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday night to accompany Ms Bhutto’s body to Larkana for burial on Friday at the family graveyard in Garhi Khuda Bux.
Just as Ms Bhutto’s body was lying in hospital, speculations were rife about the likelihood of a postponement of the elections.
Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif announced a boycott of the elections hours after the incident while the PPP announced a 40-day mourning during which it would be in no mood to contest the polls.
By Raja Asghar and Mohammad Asghar
RAWALPINDI, Dec 27: An assassin’s bullet killed Benazir Bhutto on Thursday in what the government described as a gun-and-bomb suicide attack immediately after the former prime minister had addressed an election rally of her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh park.
The attack targeting Pakistan’s most prominent opposition leader, which also killed at least 21 other people and wounded about 60, dealt a new shock to a world already troubled by political terrorism and clouded the process of the general election set for Jan 8 and the country’s political future.
Ms Bhutto was driving out of the park after speaking to a big election rally when, according to witnesses and police officials, the attacker struck first with gunfire and then blew himself up possibly with an explosive device strapped to his body.
Witnesses said they first heard four or five gunshots as Ms Bhutto appeared from the sun-roof of her white bullet-proof four-wheel drive Toyota Landcruiser to wave to her followers chanting “jiay Bhutto (long live Bhutto) outside the northern gate of the park, and then saw her disappearing into the vehicle before a big explosion damaged the jeep rear and turned the scene into a killing ground. Hardly anybody at the scene seemed to know at the time she had been hit by bullets and driven to the Rawalpindi General Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at an operation theatre table.
Both security officials and PPP members said they had heard the gunshots but that Ms Bhutto was safe as reporters witnessed ambulances lifting the dead and wounded from a blood-splattered portion of Liaquat Road outside the park gate that was reserved on the day for the entry and exit of the PPP leader and her close associates.
Limbs of the victims were scattered in the area, including what was presumed to be the remnant of the head of the unidentified suicide bomber that looked like a lump of flesh when it was already turning dark.
While many people told reporters they did not know who fired the shots, at least one PPP student wing leader, Ayaz Khan Pappu, said he saw a man wearing shalwar-kamiz firing four shots at Ms Bhutto apparently from a 30-bore pistol before being blown up by the blast of what a police bomb disposal squad official called a 5kg device.
PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who was accompanying Ms Bhutto in the car along with her political secretary Naheed Khan, told a news conference later in Islamabad that he also heard four shots when the former prime minister was waving to the crowd from the vehicle’s sun-roof before slumping on her seat.
He said she would have remained safe if she had not looked out of the sun-roof.
Ms Bhutto was driven to hospital from Liaquat Bagh in her own Landcruiser though its tyres had burst because of the explosion, but was shifted mid-way to another vehicle, that of PPP information secretary Sherry Rehman.
Pappu, the president of the Rawalpindi city chapter of the PPP’s student wing — People’s Students Federation — who himself was wounded by a splinter on his forehead, told Dawn by telephone that people outside Ms Bhutto’s car did not know at the time she had been hit though some suspected “something” had happened and it was later at the hospital that he learnt the bullets hit her in the neck and a temple.
The attack happened 70 days after Ms Bhutto survived the first assassination attempt on Oct 18 when a bomb attack on a welcoming procession in Karachi on her return from more than eight years of self-exile abroad killed about 150 people.
It removed from the scene the last remaining bearer from her family of the political legacy of her father, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was executed, also in Rawalpindi, on April 5, 1979 by the then-military ruler Gen Mohammad Ziaul Haq following a controversial conspiracy-to-murder conviction.
Her youngest brother Shahnawaz Bhutto was found mysteriously dead on July 18, 1985 while living in exile in a French Riviera apartment while his only other brother, Murtaza Bhutto, was killed in a mysterious shooting outside his home in Karachi on Sept 20, 1996.
Ms Bhutto’s mother, Nusrat, who led the PPP for some years after Gen Zia toppled Mr Bhutto in a 1977 coup, has been very ill in recent years and has been living in Dubai with her daughter.
Ms Bhutto’s husband Asif Ali Zardari never seemed prepared for a leadership role despite being elected to parliament and being a minister in her cabinet during the last of her two short-lived tenures as prime minister, while younger sister, Sanam, has not engaged in politics.
Shortly before the attack, the Liaquat Bagh gathering of tens of thousands repeatedly chanted “Prime Minister Benazir”, as an expression of the party intent to make her prime minister again despite a controversial decree enforced by President Pervez Musharraf to restrict prime ministerial tenures to only two.
But that was not destined to happen, despite the PPP’s hopes that if elected to power in the Jan 8 elections, it would undo the decree that also hits former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Mr Zardari and the couple’s three children — two daughters and a son — who have lived with their mother in Dubai since the beginning of her exile in 1999, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday night to accompany Ms Bhutto’s body to Larkana for burial on Friday at the family graveyard in Garhi Khuda Bux.
Just as Ms Bhutto’s body was lying in hospital, speculations were rife about the likelihood of a postponement of the elections.
Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif announced a boycott of the elections hours after the incident while the PPP announced a 40-day mourning during which it would be in no mood to contest the polls.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
MQM MANIFESTO
ELECTION 2008
PREAMBLE:
MQM is the only political party of Pakistan which represents and comprises of
working, middle class and poor masses of the country who are presently down
trodden, disadvantaged and exploited by the two percent ruling elite.
MQM has revolutionised politics in Pakistan by its peaceful struggle. Its elected
representatives and office bearers are chosen by ordinary party workers and people on
merit not by virtue of being born in a feudal family or political dynasty.
The prevalent feudal system of Pakistan is the main obstacle in the progress of the
country and the prosperity of her people. Due to this obsolete system a genuine
democracy could not establish in the country and the people of Pakistan could not get
their due rights, social justice, equal opportunities, rule of law and real participation in
the affairs of the state.
MQM is struggling to abolish this obsolete system in order to establish a truly
democratic, progressive and egalitarian society in the country where all citizens have
equal rights irrespective of their colour, creed, language, ethnicity, gender, belief and
religion.
MQM believes in Realism and Practicalism as enunciated by Mr. Altaf Hussain, the
founding leader of the party. MQM is against all types of terrorism, religious
extremism and struggling for religious harmony.
The cherished goals of MQM are eradication of political authoritarianism, abolition of
feudal system, promotion of cultural pluralism, devolution of power to the grass root
level and to achieve maximum provincial autonomy. MQM believes in induction of
the common man in the power structure to provide maximum opportunity to
economically and socially deprived people-“empowerment for all” for a better and
safer life for today and tomorrow.
MQM hopes that the people of Pakistan will support the MQM to achieve these
cherished goals.
MQM is the only political party of Pakistan which represents and comprises of
working, middle class and poor masses of the country who are presently down
trodden, disadvantaged and exploited by the two percent ruling elite.
MQM has revolutionised politics in Pakistan by its peaceful struggle. Its elected
representatives and office bearers are chosen by ordinary party workers and people on
merit not by virtue of being born in a feudal family or political dynasty.
The prevalent feudal system of Pakistan is the main obstacle in the progress of the
country and the prosperity of her people. Due to this obsolete system a genuine
democracy could not establish in the country and the people of Pakistan could not get
their due rights, social justice, equal opportunities, rule of law and real participation in
the affairs of the state.
MQM is struggling to abolish this obsolete system in order to establish a truly
democratic, progressive and egalitarian society in the country where all citizens have
equal rights irrespective of their colour, creed, language, ethnicity, gender, belief and
religion.
MQM believes in Realism and Practicalism as enunciated by Mr. Altaf Hussain, the
founding leader of the party. MQM is against all types of terrorism, religious
extremism and struggling for religious harmony.
The cherished goals of MQM are eradication of political authoritarianism, abolition of
feudal system, promotion of cultural pluralism, devolution of power to the grass root
level and to achieve maximum provincial autonomy. MQM believes in induction of
the common man in the power structure to provide maximum opportunity to
economically and socially deprived people-“empowerment for all” for a better and
safer life for today and tomorrow.
MQM hopes that the people of Pakistan will support the MQM to achieve these
cherished goals.
1- PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY:
Provincial autonomy is sine qua non for a federation. The founding fathers during
their struggle for independence all along advocated autonomy to the constituent
units. The Lahore resolution of 1940 also advocated autonomy for the constituent
units. Unfortunately, the promises of the founding fathers and aspirations of the
people of Pakistan were never respected which led to the dismemberment of the
country in 1971.
At present, this unresolved issue of Provincial autonomy is the biggest cause of
disharmony and distrust between the federating units of Pakistan. MQM wants a
national dialogue and consensus among the federating units to settle this
contentious issue in a way that fulfil the aspirations of the people of Pakistan
specially the people of smaller provinces.
MQM stands committed to plead, advocate and espouse the cause of provincial
autonomy through such constitutional measures whereby:
• The federation should retain the subjects of Defence, Foreign affairs and
currency and all other subjects should fall in the domain of the federating
units.
• The creation of an Inter Provincial Council for promoting harmony
between federation and the provinces and amongst provinces.
Provincial autonomy is sine qua non for a federation. The founding fathers during
their struggle for independence all along advocated autonomy to the constituent
units. The Lahore resolution of 1940 also advocated autonomy for the constituent
units. Unfortunately, the promises of the founding fathers and aspirations of the
people of Pakistan were never respected which led to the dismemberment of the
country in 1971.
At present, this unresolved issue of Provincial autonomy is the biggest cause of
disharmony and distrust between the federating units of Pakistan. MQM wants a
national dialogue and consensus among the federating units to settle this
contentious issue in a way that fulfil the aspirations of the people of Pakistan
specially the people of smaller provinces.
MQM stands committed to plead, advocate and espouse the cause of provincial
autonomy through such constitutional measures whereby:
• The federation should retain the subjects of Defence, Foreign affairs and
currency and all other subjects should fall in the domain of the federating
units.
• The creation of an Inter Provincial Council for promoting harmony
between federation and the provinces and amongst provinces.
2- EDUCATION:
Education enriches lives and is an economic necessity for any developing
country. We need to modernise our education system and spread education
through out the country on war footings by taking following steps:
• Abolishment of the present dual system of education in the country
where the educational institutions for poor people have different
standards as compared to the English medium and Grammar schools.
This can be done by raising the standard of Urdu Medium and
Government educational institutions to bring it at par with the
Grammar and English medium educational institutions.
• The Madarsas need to be provided all out incentives to bring their
syllabus and standard of teaching in conformity with the main stream
education.
• Increase expenditure in education from 2.2 % to 5 % of GDP during
the next five years.
• Minimum 20% of the Provincial and District Governments revenue
expenditure be allocated for education.
• Make education compulsory for each and every child and would be
available free up to Matriculation or its equivalent level.
Education enriches lives and is an economic necessity for any developing
country. We need to modernise our education system and spread education
through out the country on war footings by taking following steps:
• Abolishment of the present dual system of education in the country
where the educational institutions for poor people have different
standards as compared to the English medium and Grammar schools.
This can be done by raising the standard of Urdu Medium and
Government educational institutions to bring it at par with the
Grammar and English medium educational institutions.
• The Madarsas need to be provided all out incentives to bring their
syllabus and standard of teaching in conformity with the main stream
education.
• Increase expenditure in education from 2.2 % to 5 % of GDP during
the next five years.
• Minimum 20% of the Provincial and District Governments revenue
expenditure be allocated for education.
• Make education compulsory for each and every child and would be
available free up to Matriculation or its equivalent level.
• Salary structure for the teachers must be revised upward, above 3%
inflation each year.
• New Schools, Colleges, Universities, Professional and Vocational
Institutions in cities, towns and villages through out the country would
be established.
• Secondary School for any village where the population exceeds five
thousand people would be established.
• Adopt a school policy be encouraged.
• Promote “earn and educate” concept in public sector school also.
• Training and Refresher courses of primary and secondary School
teachers would be launched extensively through out the country.
Female teachers would be given preference for primary education
recruitment.
• The examination system would be made more transparent and in
accordance with the requirements and standards of modern age.
• The syllabus would be amended according to our national
requirements and the needs of modern age.
• Educational Institutions would have Management Boards / Committees
and their performance monitored regularly.
• The University education should be strictly on merit with more
scholarships for talented and deserving students.
• Grants for Professional Institutions would be increased to reduce the
fees.
• The private educational institutions would be regulated.
• Extracurricular activities would be reintroduced/ strengthen through
elected students unions.
• A net work of public libraries would be established all over the
country.
inflation each year.
• New Schools, Colleges, Universities, Professional and Vocational
Institutions in cities, towns and villages through out the country would
be established.
• Secondary School for any village where the population exceeds five
thousand people would be established.
• Adopt a school policy be encouraged.
• Promote “earn and educate” concept in public sector school also.
• Training and Refresher courses of primary and secondary School
teachers would be launched extensively through out the country.
Female teachers would be given preference for primary education
recruitment.
• The examination system would be made more transparent and in
accordance with the requirements and standards of modern age.
• The syllabus would be amended according to our national
requirements and the needs of modern age.
• Educational Institutions would have Management Boards / Committees
and their performance monitored regularly.
• The University education should be strictly on merit with more
scholarships for talented and deserving students.
• Grants for Professional Institutions would be increased to reduce the
fees.
• The private educational institutions would be regulated.
• Extracurricular activities would be reintroduced/ strengthen through
elected students unions.
• A net work of public libraries would be established all over the
country.
3- HEALTH:
“Health for all” remains a slogan that needs to be reduced into projects and
programs by following measures:
• Public Expenditure on health would be increased from 0.6 % to 4% of
GDP during next five years.
• Hospitals would be established in every district and health care centres
in every village of the country.
• Adequate staff, equipments and medicines would be provided to
primary and secondary health centres through out the country.
• Institutions for training nurses, lady health-visitors, mid-wives and
other Para-medical staff in every district would be established.
• A Liver Institute, Trauma Centre and Telemedicine service would be
setup in every District.
• Emergency Funds would be reserved for unforeseen circumstances
such as Flu (influenza) or Virus outbreaks.
• 2400 non-functional Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and
Mother and Child care centres would be functionalized.
• The Government would negotiate with multi-nationals to bring down
the medicine prices.
• Import Tax on medicines would be abolished and there would be no
Custom Duties for medical equipments.
• Mother and Child-Care Centres with breast screening facility would be
setup in each district.
• Purchase and sale of organs for transplantation would be stopped and
substituted by establishing Cadaver Banks.
• Health Insurance Schemes would be introduce by the Government for
all citizens giving priority to senior citizens.
• Accreditation and Regulation of commercial health facilities would be
regulated by the province.
“Health for all” remains a slogan that needs to be reduced into projects and
programs by following measures:
• Public Expenditure on health would be increased from 0.6 % to 4% of
GDP during next five years.
• Hospitals would be established in every district and health care centres
in every village of the country.
• Adequate staff, equipments and medicines would be provided to
primary and secondary health centres through out the country.
• Institutions for training nurses, lady health-visitors, mid-wives and
other Para-medical staff in every district would be established.
• A Liver Institute, Trauma Centre and Telemedicine service would be
setup in every District.
• Emergency Funds would be reserved for unforeseen circumstances
such as Flu (influenza) or Virus outbreaks.
• 2400 non-functional Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and
Mother and Child care centres would be functionalized.
• The Government would negotiate with multi-nationals to bring down
the medicine prices.
• Import Tax on medicines would be abolished and there would be no
Custom Duties for medical equipments.
• Mother and Child-Care Centres with breast screening facility would be
setup in each district.
• Purchase and sale of organs for transplantation would be stopped and
substituted by establishing Cadaver Banks.
• Health Insurance Schemes would be introduce by the Government for
all citizens giving priority to senior citizens.
• Accreditation and Regulation of commercial health facilities would be
regulated by the province.
4- AGRARIAN REFORMS:
Agriculture is the single largest sector and dominating driving force for growth.
Following measures would be taken to improve the agriculture sector:
• Abolishment of prevailing feudal system from the country.
• Effective land reforms by fixing a reasonable ceiling.
• Increase share of cultivators (Harris / Muzareh) from 50 % to 60 %.
• District level micro finance credit on Grameen Bank patron; Tractor
and small agriculture machinery on subsidised prices; Cooperative
farming and more importance would be attached to direct marketing to
eliminate the role of middle-men.
• Allocation of State land to landless cultivators followed by the
cooperative farming, cooperative marketing and easy credit for the
inputs.
• Revision of agriculture tenancy laws to stop ejection of tenants at will.
• Peasants (Harris/Muzarehs) would be declared as labour and
legislation on the patron of Labour Laws would be legislated for them.
• Promotion and incentives for agro-based industries in rural areas.
• Greater incentives to land holders for live stock breeding and farming.
• Intensive development of inland and marine fisheries at a controlled
pace.
• Lining of water channels and remodelling of the system. Innovative
devices to conserve irrigation water.
• New Dams in the country with the consensus of all federating units.
• Computerization of land revenue record.
• Protection and promotion of forestry.
Agriculture is the single largest sector and dominating driving force for growth.
Following measures would be taken to improve the agriculture sector:
• Abolishment of prevailing feudal system from the country.
• Effective land reforms by fixing a reasonable ceiling.
• Increase share of cultivators (Harris / Muzareh) from 50 % to 60 %.
• District level micro finance credit on Grameen Bank patron; Tractor
and small agriculture machinery on subsidised prices; Cooperative
farming and more importance would be attached to direct marketing to
eliminate the role of middle-men.
• Allocation of State land to landless cultivators followed by the
cooperative farming, cooperative marketing and easy credit for the
inputs.
• Revision of agriculture tenancy laws to stop ejection of tenants at will.
• Peasants (Harris/Muzarehs) would be declared as labour and
legislation on the patron of Labour Laws would be legislated for them.
• Promotion and incentives for agro-based industries in rural areas.
• Greater incentives to land holders for live stock breeding and farming.
• Intensive development of inland and marine fisheries at a controlled
pace.
• Lining of water channels and remodelling of the system. Innovative
devices to conserve irrigation water.
• New Dams in the country with the consensus of all federating units.
• Computerization of land revenue record.
• Protection and promotion of forestry.
5- POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT:
Nearly a third of our population lives below poverty line i.e. they earn less than
hundred Rupees a day. One of the main causes of poverty and chronic poverty is
the non development of human resource. In rural areas it is the slow growth of
agriculture caused by poor / inadequate delivery of input, whereas in urban areas,
it is the wage discrepancies between the slow growing formal sectors, verses the
relatively fast growing informal sectors. Poverty can not be alleviated by a magic
wand but needs a multi pronged strategy. Some of the measures needed are:
• A comprehensive policy outlining specific aims to curb poverty. But
what is needed is more even playing fields for educational attainment,
health status and employment opportunities. Similarly, chronic poverty
needs to be mapped for its alleviation. The Government should focus
more on the distribution of assets, economic opportunities and political
voice rather than directly on inequality of incomes.
• The gap between wage rise and inflation must be narrowed. In
particular, public sector wage rises must be directly proportional to
inflation.
• Control of food inflation by stabilizing and / or subsidising the prices
of Wheat, Rice, Sugar and Oil.
• Greater public investment in agriculture including agro-industry, agribusiness
and live stock-greater incentives for cooperative farming and
cooperative marketing in rural areas and housing and construction in
urban areas.
• The burden of the taxes would be minimised on low income and poor
people specially the taxes on utility bills would be curtailed for these
people.
• Social Security Schemes would be introduced and enforced to cover all
adult population.
• Encouragement of industrialisation, promotion of Cottage industries,
establishment of vocational institutions and incentives for agro-based
industries in rural areas to control unemployment.
• The national plan of action for “Education for All”, that includes
universal primary education, increase in adult literacy rate, provision
of quality teachers training institutes and participation by the
community, is proposed to be implemented in letter and spirit.
• More incentives would be provided for labour intensive industries.
• Other State interventions, i.e. distribution of land to landless
Haris/Muzarehs, improved system of Zakat and social insurance besides indigenous philanthropy will go a long way to achieve the
desired results.
Nearly a third of our population lives below poverty line i.e. they earn less than
hundred Rupees a day. One of the main causes of poverty and chronic poverty is
the non development of human resource. In rural areas it is the slow growth of
agriculture caused by poor / inadequate delivery of input, whereas in urban areas,
it is the wage discrepancies between the slow growing formal sectors, verses the
relatively fast growing informal sectors. Poverty can not be alleviated by a magic
wand but needs a multi pronged strategy. Some of the measures needed are:
• A comprehensive policy outlining specific aims to curb poverty. But
what is needed is more even playing fields for educational attainment,
health status and employment opportunities. Similarly, chronic poverty
needs to be mapped for its alleviation. The Government should focus
more on the distribution of assets, economic opportunities and political
voice rather than directly on inequality of incomes.
• The gap between wage rise and inflation must be narrowed. In
particular, public sector wage rises must be directly proportional to
inflation.
• Control of food inflation by stabilizing and / or subsidising the prices
of Wheat, Rice, Sugar and Oil.
• Greater public investment in agriculture including agro-industry, agribusiness
and live stock-greater incentives for cooperative farming and
cooperative marketing in rural areas and housing and construction in
urban areas.
• The burden of the taxes would be minimised on low income and poor
people specially the taxes on utility bills would be curtailed for these
people.
• Social Security Schemes would be introduced and enforced to cover all
adult population.
• Encouragement of industrialisation, promotion of Cottage industries,
establishment of vocational institutions and incentives for agro-based
industries in rural areas to control unemployment.
• The national plan of action for “Education for All”, that includes
universal primary education, increase in adult literacy rate, provision
of quality teachers training institutes and participation by the
community, is proposed to be implemented in letter and spirit.
• More incentives would be provided for labour intensive industries.
• Other State interventions, i.e. distribution of land to landless
Haris/Muzarehs, improved system of Zakat and social insurance besides indigenous philanthropy will go a long way to achieve the
desired results.
6- URBAN DEVELOPMENT:
Pakistan is considered as one of the most urbanising country of the world. As a
result, the urban cities and towns are crunching under unplanned and strained
infra-structure; acute shortage of basic amenities, proliferation of slums and
excessive pollution. On the other hand, the City District and District Governments
are handicapped in providing civic services due to a multiplicity of local
administrative units.
To correct these situations, MQM would take the following steps:
• MQM believes in unity of “Command”. A single administrative agency
controlled under the City / District Nazim as far as municipal services and
its revenue collection is concerned, for effective dealing and coordinative
efforts to solve the problems of the citizens, like water, sewerage, solid
waste, power supply and strict enforcement of Master Planning, Town
Planning, Building Control, Zoning Regulations and Land Utilization,
besides appropriate sectoral allocation, disaster management, health,
education etc.
• Traffic administration in all metropolitan cities be delinked from Police
and be placed under the control and management of City District
Government.
• Introduction of large environment friendly buses in all districts and rapid
mass transit in private sector dovetail with the overall City District
Transport System with a Regulatory Board under the Nazim.
• Adequate security to life and property of all and sundry and elimination of
criminal dens etc. through community policing having an elected Police
Commissioner would be ensured.
• “Prevention is better then cure”. Studies have shown that 65% of diseases
are water borne diseases. Thus, MQM strongly recommends that every
possible step must be taken to supply safe drinking water to each and
every soul in cities, towns and villages..
• Due to the Universal trend of migration from rural to urban centres, the
cities are being overburdened by the influx. MQM believes that
infrastructure development and industrialisation must take place in all
parts of Pakistan.
• MQM wants each and every drop of sewage water must be treated before
it goes into the sea/river because it pollutes and contaminates marine life.
• Low cost housing schemes would be encouraged in urban areas.
7- INDUSTRIES AND LABOUR SECTOR:
• MQM would advocate equal concentration on manufacturing not only
on consumer goods but also on light and heavy industries to produce
durable goods. It is imperative that stake holders from private sector
are fully facilitated for the establishment of industrial estates. A publicprivate
partnership mode will be deployed to encourage investment
and realise hidden opportunities.
• To reduce inconvenience to the investors and for rapid industrialization
and one window operation would be ensured.
• Reasonable wage structure, provision of health care insurance, old age
benefits, disability pension and a housing unit after retirement to the
low income employees both in public and private sector.
• Joint Monitoring Boards of entrepreneurs and labour would be
established within industrial units to ensure respectable wage structure
to the workers and uninterrupted production.
• Trade Unions of employees would be consulted before the public
assets are privatized in order to hedge against subsequent fall outs and
to safe guard the interests of employees. Consequent job losses need to
be provided in such an eventuality.
• Special incentives would be provided for Small and Cottage Industries,
especially regarding the allotments of land and easy credit.
• The recurring power load shedding to industrial unit would be
addressed.
• MQM would continue to encourage private sector in developing
information technology in such a way that it becomes the fastest
growing earner of foreign exchange.
• Oversees Pakistanis who remit precious foreign exchange and promote
foreign investment in Pakistan would be given preferential and
respectable treatment and would be provided economic opportunities
in Pakistan.
8 – FINANCIAL AND FISCAL MEASURES:
• Increasing the ratio of direct taxes to indirect taxes.
• Reduction of non-developmental expenditures by government.
• All the loans of the big fishes written off would be clawed back and spent
for the betterment of the people.
• Federating units would be engaged in the privatization process by the
Federal Government and given a reasonable share from the proceeds.
• National Finance Commission (NFC) would be made independent but
before that General Sales Tax and Excise Tax be assigned to the provinces.
• MQM would advocate equal concentration on manufacturing not only
on consumer goods but also on light and heavy industries to produce
durable goods. It is imperative that stake holders from private sector
are fully facilitated for the establishment of industrial estates. A publicprivate
partnership mode will be deployed to encourage investment
and realise hidden opportunities.
• To reduce inconvenience to the investors and for rapid industrialization
and one window operation would be ensured.
• Reasonable wage structure, provision of health care insurance, old age
benefits, disability pension and a housing unit after retirement to the
low income employees both in public and private sector.
• Joint Monitoring Boards of entrepreneurs and labour would be
established within industrial units to ensure respectable wage structure
to the workers and uninterrupted production.
• Trade Unions of employees would be consulted before the public
assets are privatized in order to hedge against subsequent fall outs and
to safe guard the interests of employees. Consequent job losses need to
be provided in such an eventuality.
• Special incentives would be provided for Small and Cottage Industries,
especially regarding the allotments of land and easy credit.
• The recurring power load shedding to industrial unit would be
addressed.
• MQM would continue to encourage private sector in developing
information technology in such a way that it becomes the fastest
growing earner of foreign exchange.
• Oversees Pakistanis who remit precious foreign exchange and promote
foreign investment in Pakistan would be given preferential and
respectable treatment and would be provided economic opportunities
in Pakistan.
8 – FINANCIAL AND FISCAL MEASURES:
• Increasing the ratio of direct taxes to indirect taxes.
• Reduction of non-developmental expenditures by government.
• All the loans of the big fishes written off would be clawed back and spent
for the betterment of the people.
• Federating units would be engaged in the privatization process by the
Federal Government and given a reasonable share from the proceeds.
• National Finance Commission (NFC) would be made independent but
before that General Sales Tax and Excise Tax be assigned to the provinces.
9 – GOOD GOVERNANCE:
Since the inception of Pakistan, the system of government has been highly
bureaucratic and common citizens can not assert their basic democratic rights.
There is unquestionably a national crisis of confidence to which MQM will
respond in a measured and sensible way. MQM, therefore, proposes not only to
arrest this anarchical state of affairs but also help establish the rule of law, with
malice towards none, through the following measures:
• Strict adherence to the principle of merit.
• Transparency and merit would be ensured in all Governmental actions
including contracts, awarding of work and recruitment etc.
• Federal or Provincial Cabinet, instead of Prime Minister or Chief
Minister, needs to take all policy decision strictly in accordance with law.
• Secret Funds placed at the disposal of the Prime Minister or Chief
Minister would be subjected to independent audit and public scrutiny.
• Drastic measures are needed to ensure security of life and property to
all citizens irrespective of their cast, creed, colour, religion, gender, political
belonging or belief so that no innocent person is victimised and every
aggrieved gets justice.
• Federal and Provincial Ombudsman and Accountant General Offices,
Anti-Corruption Departments, Public Accounts Committees, Prime
Minister’s and Chief Minister’s monitoring Committees would be headed by
senior and dedicated government officers and public representatives to make
these institutions more efficient and effective.
• Police would be brought under the City and District Governments.
• Federally Administered Areas (FATA) would be merged into the
mainstream administration whereby the law of the land would be applied in
consultation with and consent of the people of these areas.
• All citizens would be allowed to participate in free and fair Elections.
MQM firmly believes in democratic rights for all citizens. A neutral,
impartial and independent Election Commission would be constituted to
conduct a free, fair and transparent Elections, whether General or of Local
Bodies.
Since the inception of Pakistan, the system of government has been highly
bureaucratic and common citizens can not assert their basic democratic rights.
There is unquestionably a national crisis of confidence to which MQM will
respond in a measured and sensible way. MQM, therefore, proposes not only to
arrest this anarchical state of affairs but also help establish the rule of law, with
malice towards none, through the following measures:
• Strict adherence to the principle of merit.
• Transparency and merit would be ensured in all Governmental actions
including contracts, awarding of work and recruitment etc.
• Federal or Provincial Cabinet, instead of Prime Minister or Chief
Minister, needs to take all policy decision strictly in accordance with law.
• Secret Funds placed at the disposal of the Prime Minister or Chief
Minister would be subjected to independent audit and public scrutiny.
• Drastic measures are needed to ensure security of life and property to
all citizens irrespective of their cast, creed, colour, religion, gender, political
belonging or belief so that no innocent person is victimised and every
aggrieved gets justice.
• Federal and Provincial Ombudsman and Accountant General Offices,
Anti-Corruption Departments, Public Accounts Committees, Prime
Minister’s and Chief Minister’s monitoring Committees would be headed by
senior and dedicated government officers and public representatives to make
these institutions more efficient and effective.
• Police would be brought under the City and District Governments.
• Federally Administered Areas (FATA) would be merged into the
mainstream administration whereby the law of the land would be applied in
consultation with and consent of the people of these areas.
• All citizens would be allowed to participate in free and fair Elections.
MQM firmly believes in democratic rights for all citizens. A neutral,
impartial and independent Election Commission would be constituted to
conduct a free, fair and transparent Elections, whether General or of Local
Bodies.
10- ERADICATION OF SOCIO CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS & ECONOMIC
INJUSTICES:
• Social ailments like gender discrimination, sexual harassment,
domestic violence, child abuse, rape in vengeance and forcing the
opponent’s womenfolk to march on public streets naked, honour killings,
child marriage, Karo Kari, Vinee, Marriage to the Holy Quran, Bonded
Labour and Child Labour will have to be dealt with by public awareness
campaign in collaboration with community participation and stringent
legislative measures.
• All the discriminatory laws against women and religious minorities
would be repealed.
• Rampant gender discrimination both in urban and rural areas, the
discouragement of female education and their full participation in society as
equal citizen would be addressed through persistent teaching, public
awareness and appropriate administrative and legislative measures.
• Religion should not obstruct the exercise of the inherent right of a
citizen of Pakistan to participate in any matter; socio economic and or
political.
• The religious minorities would be treated as equal citizens of Pakistan
and be given state protection for their lives, property and freedom to practice
their religion freely.
• To provide representation to minorities at least 5 % reserve seats be
year marked for them in Legislative Bodies.
• A rigorous campaign and public awareness would be launched in
collaboration with the people and religious scholars to exterminate religious
extremism, hatred, fanaticism and terrorism from the country.
11- HUMAN RIGHTS:
• MQM believes in fundamental rights for all citizens and the State must
take responsible steps in providing protection and security to all its
citizens. Torture, police excesses, confinement without trial and sociopolitical
harassment must cease in a democratic country of Pakistan.
12- MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION:
• MQM firmly believes in the freedom of expression. With the
proliferation and freedom of both print and electronic media, public
awareness has been increased manifold. MQM aspires for a robust,
creative and developing media industry, combining commercial success
and public service. The media emancipation would be non partisan,
impartial and responsible. MQM would fully support the media’s freedom
of expression. Under no circumstances, media’s independence would be
curbed and public be deprived of their valuable service.
• The media regulatory authorities should be completely independent,
mandated with sensible rules and fair regulation that cannot be used as a
political tool.
• MQM firmly believes in the freedom of expression. With the
proliferation and freedom of both print and electronic media, public
awareness has been increased manifold. MQM aspires for a robust,
creative and developing media industry, combining commercial success
and public service. The media emancipation would be non partisan,
impartial and responsible. MQM would fully support the media’s freedom
of expression. Under no circumstances, media’s independence would be
curbed and public be deprived of their valuable service.
• The media regulatory authorities should be completely independent,
mandated with sensible rules and fair regulation that cannot be used as a
political tool.
13 – JUDICIARY:
• The judiciary must be independent, impartial and autonomous to
impart justice to the people and establish rule of law in the society.
• Parallel judiciary systems would be abolished to uphold the sanctity of
the judiciary and for an effective judicial system.
• The non-trial or inordinate delays of cases, congestion in prisons and
the litigant’s grievances for delayed judgment would be addressed through
appropriate steps by the government and the judiciary.
• Extensive and effective jail reforms would be introduced to reform the
prisoners into responsible citizens and eliminate human rights abuses in jails.
14- ENVIRONMENT:
• Improvement of environment by making efficient use of natural
resources and energy, respecting the natural world and wild life, utilising the
open space, eco-friendly designs and construction methods, recycling waste,
plantation on a large scale and creating parks in each locality.
• Extensive forestation in a most aggressive way.
• Industrial effluent and untreated sewage must not be dumped in to the
sea.
• Sea and coast lines would be protected.
• Improvement of environment by making efficient use of natural
resources and energy, respecting the natural world and wild life, utilising the
open space, eco-friendly designs and construction methods, recycling waste,
plantation on a large scale and creating parks in each locality.
• Extensive forestation in a most aggressive way.
• Industrial effluent and untreated sewage must not be dumped in to the
sea.
• Sea and coast lines would be protected.
15 – CULTURE AND SPORTS:
• Culture knows no boundaries. It should be left to the discretion of the
people without any undue hindrance from the State.
• The arts and sports culture is central to preserving a sense of
community in the society. MQM is a proponent of institutionalization of arts
and sports in the over all youth development programme. MQM would
encourage youths towards arts and sports through the development of sports
facilities, parks and backing private initiatives such as arts academies.
• Steps will be taken for the welfare of Writers, Poets, Artists &
Musicians etc.
• Activities aimed at utilizing talents of youth for national
reconstruction will be promoted.
• Culture knows no boundaries. It should be left to the discretion of the
people without any undue hindrance from the State.
• The arts and sports culture is central to preserving a sense of
community in the society. MQM is a proponent of institutionalization of arts
and sports in the over all youth development programme. MQM would
encourage youths towards arts and sports through the development of sports
facilities, parks and backing private initiatives such as arts academies.
• Steps will be taken for the welfare of Writers, Poets, Artists &
Musicians etc.
• Activities aimed at utilizing talents of youth for national
reconstruction will be promoted.
16 – FAMILY WELFARE:
• The population of Pakistan has increased from 33.82 million in 1951 to
151 million in 2004. By the year 2010, at the existing trend, it would reach
about 170 million. The current growth rate is around 1.9 % per anum- the
highest in the region and needs to be brought down to 1.6 % by the end of
year 2010.
• The population of Pakistan has increased from 33.82 million in 1951 to
151 million in 2004. By the year 2010, at the existing trend, it would reach
about 170 million. The current growth rate is around 1.9 % per anum- the
highest in the region and needs to be brought down to 1.6 % by the end of
year 2010.
17 – FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
• MQM wants an independent foreign policy of the country and wants to
promote close, friendly and honourable relations with all the countries
especially with the neighbouring countries.
• MQM believes in the policy of peaceful coexistence-live and let live.
MQM believes that all the disputes and conflicts be resolved through
dialogue and peaceful means.
• MQM wants to solve the Kashmir issue through meaningful, sincere
and honourable dialogue according to the wishes of Kashmiri people.
• MQM encourages confidence building measures and dialogue process
with India and desires peace and close cooperation between the countries of
South Asia especially in economic fields so as to provide peace, progress
and prosperity to one fifth population of the world living in this region.
Manifesto of Pakistan Muslim League 2008
HOLY QURAN
HUMANITY FIRST
“If anyone kills one person, it would be as if he killed humanity. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved humanity.”
Surah Al-Ma’eda, Verse 32
TOLERANCE & CO-EXISTENCE
“Oh you non-believers (those that reject faith), I worship not that which you worshiap. Nor will you worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which you have been wont to worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your way, and to me mine.”
Surah Al-Kafiroon
The Quaid-i-Azam’s Vision
All Pakistanis are Equal:
“Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State – to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims – Hindus, Christians, and Parsis – but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”
Broadcast to the people of USA,
February, 1948.
Protect journalists:
“I say, protect the innocent, protect those journalists who are doing their duty and who are serving both the public and the Government by criticizing the Government freely, independently, honestly which is an education for any Government.”
Speech on the condition of the Press in India in the Imperial Legislative Council, 19 September, 1918
Freedom of speech and expression:
“I want you to keep your heads up as citizens of a free and impendent sovereign State. Praise your Government when it deserves. Criticize your Government fearlessly when it deserves, but do not go on all the time attacking, indulging in destructive criticism, taking delight in running down the Ministry or the officials.”
Reply to welcome address, Edwardes College, Peshawar,
18 April 1948.
Role of Business:
“Traders and merchants as true Pakistanis will help to reconstruct and build Pakistan to reach a mighty and glorious status amongst the comity of nations of the world….”
Address, Karachi Chamber of Commerce,
27 April, 1948.
Foreign Policy of Peace:
“We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair-play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world.”
Quaid-i-Azam Broadcast,
February, 1948.
INTRODUCTION
“The Muslim League has won and established Pakistan and it is the Muslim League whose duty it is now, as Custodian of the sacred trust, to construct Pakistan.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Our vision is shaped by Pakistan and Pakistan alone, and the interests of Pakistan and its people always come first. Pakistan is paramount for us all, as the country created by the Muslim League under the great leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. As inheritors of this legacy of the freedom struggle, we have to promote the vision of our founding fathers, Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Promoting pride in Pakistan, projecting history of its Freedom Movement and respect for its Founding Fathers is the corner stone of our vision.
We stand for upholding Islamic & moral values
Live and let live.
Decency, tolerance and harmony.
Ensuring justice and freedom of expression.
Family values.
Dignity of the common citizen.
Protection and promotion of the rights of the female population and providing freedom from fear and oppression.
Opposing hypocrisy and double standards.
Protection of the rights of minorities.
Promoting human rights and respect for the rule of law.
Stating ‘Kalima-e-Haq’ (Truth).
PML Vision
DEMOCRACY
DEVELOPMENT
DEVOLUTION
DIVERSITY
DEFENCE
I. DEMOCRACY
“I am sure that democracy is in our blood. It is in our marrows. Only centuries of adverse circumstances have made the circulation of the blood cold. But the blood is circulating again, thanks to the Muslim League’s efforts.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
April 24, 1943
I. DEMOCRACY
Pakistan itself is a product of the democratic process under the leadership of Muslim League led by the Quaid-i-Azam. Democracy, therefore, is central to our belief. We are convinced that the right to vote, without fear or favour, is sacrosanct and there should not be any infringement of this fundamental right.
Apart from supporting parliamentary democracy and fair and free elections under a strong and independent Election Commission, the Pakistan Muslim League also believes in promoting a democratic political culture within the country and within the Party.
We strongly believe in inner party democracy, where all Party members have the right of dissent and difference of opinion. It is in this context that the PML office bearers are elected according to the Party Constitution and there are regular meetings of the Party leadership, including the Central Executive Committee, the Policy Planning Group and the Central Working Committee.
The PML also feels that the President and the Secretary General should not hold more than two successive terms of their respective elected offices, and both have voluntarily announced their decision to step down upon expiry of their term.
The PML feels that the government and the opposition are two wheels of the chariot of democracy.
The role of opposition is as important as that of government in strengthening democracy. The PML regards the opposition as a key stakeholder in the democratic process and supports an institutionalized role for the opposition.
The opposition should be consulted in all major decision making and given key committees of Parliament, including chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee.
FATA badly needs a healing touch so that through democracy and development, the area can be secured against terrorism and extremism. The PML believes that political parties can be a major factor of unity, peace and stability in FATA. A party-based democratic political process in FATA would be the biggest antidote to terrorism and extremism.
The PML, in keeping with its track record, will promote a Culture of Conciliation and reject the Culture of Revenge, which is one of the main causes of our recurring political stability.
II. DEVELOPMENT
“Now I want to make this State of Pakistan happy and prosperous and we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, specially the masses and the poor.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
August 11, 1947
II. DEVELOPMENT
The economic and social development of Pakistan is the backbone of our nation. In the last several years, Pakistan’s economy has had very positive indicators:
£ Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was $ 63 billion in 1999, has now reached $ 162 billion, growing at an average of 7% over the last four years.
£ Per capita income has increased to $ 925 from $ 435.
£ Revenue collection, which was at around Rs.300 billion in 1999, crossed a record Rs.1 trillion, creating more fiscal space for development expenditures.
£ Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which hovered around Rs.80 billion during the 1988-99 period, reached Rs.520 billion this year.
£ Foreign direct investment (FDI), which was around $ 300 million in 1999, now has peaked to $ 6.5 billion.
£ Remittances are at a record $ 5.5 billion.
£ Exports rose from $ 9 billion to $ 17 billion.
£ Foreign Exchange reserves $ 16 billion.
£ Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) index rose to 14,000 points from 1000 points in 1999.
The PML shall develop an enterprise culture which develops skills, supports workers and creates jobs.
Agriculture is the base of our economy and the PML will take all appropriate steps to increase agricultural production to develop food self-sufficiency and to promote high value crops for export.
Education, PML’s number one priority, is central to building a modern developed society and the Pakistan Muslim League will seek to ensure free and universal primary education.
The PML also makes a commitment for mass literacy in the country within the next 10 years. Training of teachers, expansion of their expertise and increasing their salaries and status would be ensured.
The PML would also like to set aside a special day in the national calendar as the “National Teachers Day” as a mark of respect to the honourable profession of teaching.
The existing educational institutions will be improved and upgraded from primary to secondary, from secondary to higher secondary and from schools to colleges. This would specially be provided in the case of education for girls and women as well as institutions in rural and backward areas. Vocational and technical education would be encouraged so that education is linked to enhancement of skills.
The sector of Madrassah education is highly neglected and the PML would seek to provide all facilities and financial support for modernization of Madrassahs especially in curriculum. The Madrassah students will thus be able to benefit both from religious education as well as the education provided by other schools.
The Pakistan Muslim League will also ensure that all scholarships offered to Pakistanis, either at home or from overseas, will be duly publicized through advertisements and through the internet so that these can be availed well in time by deserving students and these are not allowed to lapse.
The Higher Education Commission would be made autonomous and encouraged to improve quality of universities. Retirement age of teachers will be increased to 65.
The PML will also take up the case with respective foreign governments regarding the denial of student visas to Pakistani students in sciences like physics and engineering since this is an infringement on the right to education and knowledge and based on political and ethnic profiling.
The PML will encourage setting up of public libraries equipped with the modern research and reference tools, including internet facilities.
Sports, Arts, Music and languages as well as English and Maths shall be taught in all schools. PML’s plan is to tailor our educational system to individual pupil needs, involving parents and teachers support in raising academic standards and moral values.
The PML will also try to ensure that drug companies in Pakistan are able to provide access to affordable essential life saving drugs for the common man. Producers of fake drugs will be given exemplary punishment.
A special National Foundation would be established for provision of group life and medical insurance for artists, artisans, writers, poets, sportsmen and journalists. In this way, a large section of society which provides skills and services to society will be able to have access to quality medical care.
On the issue of health, the PML aims to have a National Health Service backed by sustained investment in hospitals to provide better treatment to the patients. Doctors will be given special incentives to serve in rural areas.
The PML also plans to upgrade and expand the existing health care structure of the country, specially focusing on the far flung and the less developed regions of the country. This would include expansion and up-gradation of the existing health care network with modern medical facilities and setting up of separate female/gynae units in each hospital and medical centre.
For the environment, the PML is committed to a greener and cleaner Pakistan and all major projects that would be undertaken in the future would have an environmental feasibility study. A national campaign would also be launched to provide steps to protect the environment, particularly the protection of green areas, planting of trees and development of forests.
Mass transit is pivotal to major urban centres and the PML will take initiatives to provide easily accessible mass transit and public transport to commuters living in urban areas. The existing water ways, particularly rivers, would also be utilized for providing water transportation between different regions of Pakistan. This would ease pressure on road transport and provide for travel alternatives.
The PML will promote cycle culture to ensure cheap and easily available transportation for the common man. This will also improve the nation’s health and be pollution free. In all future construction of roads, special bicycle lanes will be provided.
A clean drinking water task force would also be established to ensure that the overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s population has access to clean water.
The PML will also set up a Food Safety Commission for the prevention of adulteration and preservation of better standards for food hygiene and safety throughout the country. Quality control of foodstuffs will be ensured through legislation and administrative monitoring.
The PML believes that Corruption is a big impediment to development and good governance. However, regrettably in Pakistan, there has never been any across-the-board accountability. In fact, all anti-corruption campaigns have been politically motivated to hound and harass the opposition. An independent, non-partisan anti-corruption institution, free of government control, will be established with a view to attacking corruption without fear or favour so that accountability is not used as a weapon of revenge against political opponents.
The PML believes in building dams and water reservoirs based on need, but through consultation and consensus.
The Pakistan Muslim League strongly believes in promoting self reliance at all levels and considers this a major means to mobilize the creative skills of the Pakistani people. The PML will launch a Village Development Initiative for integrated development of rural communities, comprising some 70% of the population. Each village would have a 5-person committee to prepare development projects, in cooperation with the local government. The provincial and the federal government will provide all necessary assistance, including skills training and loans. This will generate villages’ productive capacity in such areas as cottage industry and handicrafts, vocational training, milk preservation and livestock development.
The PML will promote the self-reliance principle for poor, hardworking, skilled people who do not have funds for setting up small, home-based businesses. Most of such people do not have access to the country’s banking facilities since there are only approximately 5 million bank account holders out of a population of 160 million. The Pakistan Muslim League will establish a state-supported Skills Promotion Trust to generate easily available small loans for persons desirous of transforming their skills for generating incomes on self help basis. Widows, the disabled and jobless youth will be especially able to benefit by harnessing their talents and hard work for gainful self-employment.
The right to a decent shelter is a fundamental human right and the PML would like to ensure that housing is no longer a monopoly of only those with money. The Pakistan Muslim League would like to prepare a revolutionary programme for provision of low cost housing to those who cannot afford it. The PML will establish a Cheap Homes Initiative that will be based on a coordination of a troika comprising:
State land provided free by the Government;
Builders willing to build low cost housing; and
Home owners paying in installments for construction of this low cost housing.
III. DEVOLUTION
“Pakistan guarantees that federated units of the National Government would have all the autonomy that you will find in the constitutions of the United States of America, Canada and Australia. But certain vital powers will remain vested in the Central Government such as the monetary system, national defence and other federal responsibilities. Each federated State or province would have its own legislative executive and judicial systems, each of the three branches of Government being constitutionally separate.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
November 8, 1945
III. DEVOLUTION
The Pakistan Muslim League is the architect of devolution of powers in Pakistan and it strongly feels that decentralization is a key to good governance. The PML believes that strong provinces mean a strong Pakistan and it does not subscribe to the doctrine of a ‘strong centre’. The Pakistan Muslim League is committed to provincial autonomy within the federal framework, and it will continue the positive initiative taken in this regard by the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan.
While there has been devolution of powers from the provinces to the districts, there is need for devolution of authority from the federation to the provinces.
Within the Ministries/Departments, there should also be decentralization of authority, as well as downsizing of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. There is too much centralized control which retards good governance. The greater the decentralization, the greater will be the empowerment of the people at the grass roots level. Rules of Business will be accordingly revised to remove red-tape.
The PML also feels that the Constitution should be implemented in letter and spirit. Those subjects belonging to the provinces should be handed back to them. There should be minimal interference from the centre in the functioning of the provinces.
Provincial autonomy must include the right to regulate and control the natural resources existing within each province.
The Senate, which embodies the rights of the federation, should be strengthened; as each province, irrespective of population and size, is equal under the Constitution.
The Pakistan Muslim League will ensure that provinces which take special initiatives to enhance the welfare of the people, particularly poverty alleviation, will be provided with special assistance by the Federal Government.
IV. DIVERSITY
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed; that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
August 11, 1947
IV. DIVERSITY
Pakistan is an example of unity in diversity and its four provinces include people of different ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Different sections of Pakistani society must have equal rights and equal opportunity. Pluralism strengthens the democratic functioning of the Federation.
The PML will ensure access to speedy justice and it will prepare an Action Plan to ensure the phasing out and abolition of longstanding litigation, especially cases involving property and family disputes, seeking their resolution within a specified timeframe.
Empowerment of women will be pursued with vigour since no country can progress unless and until it gives over 50% of its population equal rights in the country’s political, social, economic and cultural life.
The Pakistan Movement would not have been a success had there not been contributions by women, especially the sister of the Quaid-i-Azam, Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. The PML will promote the Madar-i-Millat as a role model for Pakistani women, so that they can be inspired to contribute to society equally with men.
Women’s rights would be protected, restored, strengthened and promoted on every level. The PML strongly believes that no meaningful national development can be achieved without the full participation of women in nation building. Empowerment of women has a multiplier effect on the family and the whole nation.
Fundamental human rights and dignity of women would be guaranteed and justice provided, including legal prosecution against acts of physical and domestic violence and honour killings.
The Pakistan Muslim League will also ensure the end of such unjust and unacceptable practices like Wanni, Karokari, honour killings, marriage with Quran, etc. and ensure that women are not deprived of their due property rights by their more powerful male relatives.
Pakistan is a young nation since 100 million of its population is less than 25 years of age. As such, two-third of the country’s population, which is the majority of this country, would be provided with special initiatives and policies. The Ministry of Youth Affairs will work directly under the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Opportunities for employment of youth will be provided both at home and abroad and the PML will enhance teaching of communication skills including computer and Information Technology.
During the summer holidays, special inter-provincial youth campaigns will be launched for providing opportunities for the youth of different provinces to work together to enhance inter-provincial harmony.
The PML supports the initiative of a Youth Parliament and feels that this provides invaluable training in democracy for youth and students and it will encourage the establishment of a Youth Parliament at the centre and the provinces.
For the overseas Pakistanis youth with families in Pakistan, the PML will support initiatives for these youth to travel back to Pakistan during their summer holidays for orientation campaigns so that they can be sensitized to their culture and to their country periodically.
Senior citizens are a tremendous source of wisdom, knowledge and experience for any society, and the PML will take major initiatives for senior citizens so that the society can still benefit from their experience. The PML will organize special facilities for needy senior citizens so that it can facilitate their cheap travel and medical needs.
The PML will ensure the special needs and rights of the disabled are upheld, particularly their right to a normal life as equal citizens. The quota of the disabled in government employment will be enhanced. Wheelchair access and special toilets for the disabled will be made compulsory in construction of all future buildings. They will also be given equal opportunity for studying at all the educational institutions including those for higher education, both at home and abroad. A new Ministry will be created to cater to their needs and rights.
The PML believes in equal rights of all Pakistanis, including those who are serving prison terms. The PML will try to ensure that those prisoners who cannot afford to pay their fines to gain their freedom will be provided this amount by the State. And those prisoners who cannot afford a lawyer will be provided with Public Legal Defenders at State expense.
The PML will ensure that the rights of the children and bonded labour are protected. Legislation will be swiftly undertaken against child abuse and exploitation, as well as for their protection from prison sentences.
Orphans and children with special needs will be provided with incentives and training for special skills. The existing orphanages will be provided with funding to upgrade their facilities.
The rights of labour and peasants shall be protected and the PML will develop a skilled labour force to meet the challenges of a vast growing economy. The minimum wages of labour will be periodically fixed to counter inflation to provide a reasonable standard of living for the wage earners.
The PML believes that flourishing of arts and culture is vital to development of any society and it will take strong steps to promote diverse cultures and languages of Pakistan including steps for protection of cultural heritage. The PML also feels that “soft power” like culture, media, sports and academia, can be very important for improving the image of Pakistan.
The PML will seek the establishment of an office of Cultural Ambassador who would play a key role in promoting Pakistani culture abroad, given the rich diversity of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. In this regard, Sufi teachings, thoughts and traditions would be encouraged since they promote tolerance and harmony.
In the current context the PML strongly feels that it is important to examine the reasons and causes for rise of extremism in society. After examining the causes, the PML will prepare a strategy based on education and persuasion, not use of force, to combat all kinds of extremism in society. This national strategy will be prepared by a special Task Force to combat extremism and this Task Force will be asked to present its recommendations and report within 100 days of its formation.
The PML strongly believes in the rights of consumers and the need to eliminate adulteration either in food stuff or in medicines. At the same time, price hike and hoarding is breaking the backbone of the common man and steps will be taken to attack these twin anti-people practices.
The PML will ensure legislation to protect the rights of consumers. In this regard, Consumer Protection Societies will be encouraged.
The PML considers overseas Pakistanis as a tremendous source of strength for Pakistan and they work as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill for Pakistan wherever they live and work. The overseas Pakistanis deserve to be given their due rights and role in their mother country.
The PML will endeavour to provide the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis and the Party will propose a Constitutional amendment to provide for representation for overseas Pakistanis in the Pakistan Parliament.
The PML considers religious minorities of the country as equal citizens of the Pakistani state and they have the same rights as Muslims. The minorities will have full freedom of worship and the right to employment in all sectors of the Pakistani state. Their religious holidays will be commemorated nationally with the help of the State. The PML also appreciates the constructive role played by the minority missionary institutions in imparting quality education to Pakistanis in different parts of the country.
The Pakistan Muslim League also believes that in building a better Pakistan, it is imperative that moral values and character building are promoted. These include honesty, integrity, simplicity, hard work, truthfulness, merit, fair-play and the courage of convictions.
The PML also rejects evils of society such as the Sifarishi culture (culture of patronage) and Khushamdi culture (culture of sycophancy), which should be strongly discouraged. The PML feels that the crisis of morality in our society can be combated by reverting to the universal principles enshrined in Islam as well as the practices and professions of such role models as the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Pakistan’s founding fathers, Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
V. DEFENCE
“The Armed Forces of Pakistan are the custodians of the life, property and honour of the people of Pakistan. The Defence Forces are the most vital of all Pakistan’s Services and, correspondingly, a very heavy responsibility and burden lies on your shoulders.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Quetta, June 14, 1948
V. DEFENCE
The Pakistan Muslim League believes that a strong defence is imperative to guard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The PML shares the entire nation’s pride in the professionalism of its Armed Forces. The PML supports modern and well equipped Armed Forces, as a professional fighting machine functioning within the framework of the Constitution. Such a defence force is vital for national security.
National security can no longer be defined purely in terms of military might alone. In today’s world, national security should be redefined also by civilian components like the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and human rights, political parties with a national vision, provincial autonomy, a strong economy and education, an independent media and judiciary, a robust civil society as well as a sovereign parliament.
The PML supports the development of an indigenous defence capability and defence production since that is important in lessening dependence on outside assistance.
The country’s defence and foreign policy function closely with each other and this foreign policy should protect the interests of the state as well as reflect the aspirations of the people.
Pakistan’s nuclear programme is a vital component of Pakistan’s national security and serves both as a deterrence against aggression and to preserve and protect our national independence. Since Pakistan has no aggressive intentions against any state, Pakistan will not accept double standards on the nuclear issue nor allow intrusion into its nuclear programme or provide access to any of its nuclear installations and scientists to outsiders.
The PML feels that no foreign country has the right to dictate or interfere in Pakistan’s internal affairs and we will seek to build friendly relations with all countries on the basis of equality and reciprocity. Pakistan shall not allow its territory to be used against any neigbouring country and the PML feels that the country’s foreign policy should be geared towards strengthening Pakistan’s security and stability, with the first priority being peace in the region where Pakistan is located.
The PML is against terrorism, extremism and violence in all its forms and manifestations. The PML feels that terrorism has no religion since terrorism is a common enemy of all humanity.
The PML would like to strengthen relations with our traditional friends like China, promote peace in the region, especially South Asia and Central Asia, deepen relations with the Muslim Ummah and build stable and friendly relations with the West and the international community.
The PML strongly feels that international politics should be governed by the rule of law and the United Nations Charter and it rejects any notion of “might is right” since that would mean reverting to the law of the jungle.
The PML supports the right of self determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through implementing UN resolutions. However, in order to break the deadlock on this issue existing for the last 60 years, the PML would support all those initiatives to peacefully resolve the Kashmir question which enjoy the support and backing of the Kashmiri people. The PML recognizes the APHC as representing the voice of the oppressed Kashmiri people. The PML will support any settlement of Kashmir that is just and honourable, which is acceptable to the Kashmiri people.
The peace process with India will be pursued with vigour, since it is conducive to a stable and peaceful South Asia.
For the Pakistan Muslim League, Kashmir is a problem of humanity and welfare of Kashmiris comes first, before the territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The PML supports the establishment of an independent democratic state in Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. The PML strongly feels that the people of the West Bank and the Gaza have the right to elect any government of their own choice.
The PML feels that the war against Iraq was wrong and illegal and it feels that the way out is a peaceful solution through termination of foreign occupation. There should be efforts to replace the occupation with a joint United Nations - OIC peacekeeping force.
The PML also feels that there should be a peaceful solution to the war in Afghanistan and efforts should be made by the foreign forces in Afghanistan to initiate a dialogue with the resistance. Only through national reconciliation can Afghanistan be stable and peace return to that war-torn country.
The Pakistan Muslim League also supports Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear programme under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and it rejects any threat of force or use of force to resolve this issue. The PML also welcomes the latest report from the US in this regard which clearly proves that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
The PML supports Pakistan’s initiative endorsed by the Islamic Summit in Malaysia in 2003 for reform of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). In this regard, the PML welcomes the report and recommendations of the Commission of Eminent Persons and hopes that these recommendations will be implemented in letter and spirit to make the OIC effective.
The PML also supports strengthening of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Assembly and the Senate and feels that these committees must have the right to have access to all information pertaining to their respective ministries. The PML also welcomes the initiatives of opening up these Committee meetings to the press and the public so that the bureaucratic culture of secrecy is replaced by transparency.
The PML feels that the Foreign Office should be more people-friendly and its professionalism restored. Pakistani missions abroad should redefine their role, by serving non-VIP Pakistani citizens with a speedy commitment and serving overseas Pakistanis should be part of their priority mandate.
CONCLUSION
The people of Pakistan owe a debt of gratitude to the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League for giving us freedom and independence. The creation of Pakistan through a democratic political process and a mass political struggle was nothing short of a miracle in the annals of modern history given the almost insurmountable odds. As the eminent American historian, Professor Stanley Wolpert rightly wrote in his tribute to the Father of the Nation:
“Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.”
Despite the crises of the last 60 years, the people of Pakistan have demonstrated tremendous resilience and the ability to bounce back. They have demonstrated a ‘can do’ confidence, invariably overcoming difficulties. The Pakistan Muslim League resolves to restore the people’s faith in national institutions and combat the evils of sectarianism and parochialism, which alongwith the scourge of extremism and terrorism, are today the biggest security threats to Pakistan.
Today, Pakistan is moving forward, fuelled by a booming economy and an emerging and articulate middle class, a vibrant civil society, an independent judiciary and a free media. The PML will strengthen these positives of an open and democratic society to build a better tomorrow. The PML will seek to promote optimism and faith in the future, rejecting the negative thinking of the prophets of pessimism. Such ingratitude (na’shukri) should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.
Let it not be said that Pakistan was let down by leaders who were not equal to the task. As the Party that successfully led the struggle for freedom 60 years ago, the Pakistan Muslim League will, Insha-Allah, succeed in building a better and stronger Pakistan with the support of the people.
We remain committed to our motto:
Live & Let Live.
Giving hope to the hopeless,
PAKISTAN Zindabad
PAKISTAN MUSLIM LEAGUE Zindabad
HUMANITY FIRST
“If anyone kills one person, it would be as if he killed humanity. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved humanity.”
Surah Al-Ma’eda, Verse 32
TOLERANCE & CO-EXISTENCE
“Oh you non-believers (those that reject faith), I worship not that which you worshiap. Nor will you worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which you have been wont to worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your way, and to me mine.”
Surah Al-Kafiroon
The Quaid-i-Azam’s Vision
All Pakistanis are Equal:
“Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State – to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims – Hindus, Christians, and Parsis – but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”
Broadcast to the people of USA,
February, 1948.
Protect journalists:
“I say, protect the innocent, protect those journalists who are doing their duty and who are serving both the public and the Government by criticizing the Government freely, independently, honestly which is an education for any Government.”
Speech on the condition of the Press in India in the Imperial Legislative Council, 19 September, 1918
Freedom of speech and expression:
“I want you to keep your heads up as citizens of a free and impendent sovereign State. Praise your Government when it deserves. Criticize your Government fearlessly when it deserves, but do not go on all the time attacking, indulging in destructive criticism, taking delight in running down the Ministry or the officials.”
Reply to welcome address, Edwardes College, Peshawar,
18 April 1948.
Role of Business:
“Traders and merchants as true Pakistanis will help to reconstruct and build Pakistan to reach a mighty and glorious status amongst the comity of nations of the world….”
Address, Karachi Chamber of Commerce,
27 April, 1948.
Foreign Policy of Peace:
“We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair-play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world.”
Quaid-i-Azam Broadcast,
February, 1948.
INTRODUCTION
“The Muslim League has won and established Pakistan and it is the Muslim League whose duty it is now, as Custodian of the sacred trust, to construct Pakistan.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Our vision is shaped by Pakistan and Pakistan alone, and the interests of Pakistan and its people always come first. Pakistan is paramount for us all, as the country created by the Muslim League under the great leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. As inheritors of this legacy of the freedom struggle, we have to promote the vision of our founding fathers, Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Promoting pride in Pakistan, projecting history of its Freedom Movement and respect for its Founding Fathers is the corner stone of our vision.
We stand for upholding Islamic & moral values
Live and let live.
Decency, tolerance and harmony.
Ensuring justice and freedom of expression.
Family values.
Dignity of the common citizen.
Protection and promotion of the rights of the female population and providing freedom from fear and oppression.
Opposing hypocrisy and double standards.
Protection of the rights of minorities.
Promoting human rights and respect for the rule of law.
Stating ‘Kalima-e-Haq’ (Truth).
PML Vision
DEMOCRACY
DEVELOPMENT
DEVOLUTION
DIVERSITY
DEFENCE
I. DEMOCRACY
“I am sure that democracy is in our blood. It is in our marrows. Only centuries of adverse circumstances have made the circulation of the blood cold. But the blood is circulating again, thanks to the Muslim League’s efforts.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
April 24, 1943
I. DEMOCRACY
Pakistan itself is a product of the democratic process under the leadership of Muslim League led by the Quaid-i-Azam. Democracy, therefore, is central to our belief. We are convinced that the right to vote, without fear or favour, is sacrosanct and there should not be any infringement of this fundamental right.
Apart from supporting parliamentary democracy and fair and free elections under a strong and independent Election Commission, the Pakistan Muslim League also believes in promoting a democratic political culture within the country and within the Party.
We strongly believe in inner party democracy, where all Party members have the right of dissent and difference of opinion. It is in this context that the PML office bearers are elected according to the Party Constitution and there are regular meetings of the Party leadership, including the Central Executive Committee, the Policy Planning Group and the Central Working Committee.
The PML also feels that the President and the Secretary General should not hold more than two successive terms of their respective elected offices, and both have voluntarily announced their decision to step down upon expiry of their term.
The PML feels that the government and the opposition are two wheels of the chariot of democracy.
The role of opposition is as important as that of government in strengthening democracy. The PML regards the opposition as a key stakeholder in the democratic process and supports an institutionalized role for the opposition.
The opposition should be consulted in all major decision making and given key committees of Parliament, including chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee.
FATA badly needs a healing touch so that through democracy and development, the area can be secured against terrorism and extremism. The PML believes that political parties can be a major factor of unity, peace and stability in FATA. A party-based democratic political process in FATA would be the biggest antidote to terrorism and extremism.
The PML, in keeping with its track record, will promote a Culture of Conciliation and reject the Culture of Revenge, which is one of the main causes of our recurring political stability.
II. DEVELOPMENT
“Now I want to make this State of Pakistan happy and prosperous and we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, specially the masses and the poor.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
August 11, 1947
II. DEVELOPMENT
The economic and social development of Pakistan is the backbone of our nation. In the last several years, Pakistan’s economy has had very positive indicators:
£ Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was $ 63 billion in 1999, has now reached $ 162 billion, growing at an average of 7% over the last four years.
£ Per capita income has increased to $ 925 from $ 435.
£ Revenue collection, which was at around Rs.300 billion in 1999, crossed a record Rs.1 trillion, creating more fiscal space for development expenditures.
£ Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which hovered around Rs.80 billion during the 1988-99 period, reached Rs.520 billion this year.
£ Foreign direct investment (FDI), which was around $ 300 million in 1999, now has peaked to $ 6.5 billion.
£ Remittances are at a record $ 5.5 billion.
£ Exports rose from $ 9 billion to $ 17 billion.
£ Foreign Exchange reserves $ 16 billion.
£ Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) index rose to 14,000 points from 1000 points in 1999.
The PML shall develop an enterprise culture which develops skills, supports workers and creates jobs.
Agriculture is the base of our economy and the PML will take all appropriate steps to increase agricultural production to develop food self-sufficiency and to promote high value crops for export.
Education, PML’s number one priority, is central to building a modern developed society and the Pakistan Muslim League will seek to ensure free and universal primary education.
The PML also makes a commitment for mass literacy in the country within the next 10 years. Training of teachers, expansion of their expertise and increasing their salaries and status would be ensured.
The PML would also like to set aside a special day in the national calendar as the “National Teachers Day” as a mark of respect to the honourable profession of teaching.
The existing educational institutions will be improved and upgraded from primary to secondary, from secondary to higher secondary and from schools to colleges. This would specially be provided in the case of education for girls and women as well as institutions in rural and backward areas. Vocational and technical education would be encouraged so that education is linked to enhancement of skills.
The sector of Madrassah education is highly neglected and the PML would seek to provide all facilities and financial support for modernization of Madrassahs especially in curriculum. The Madrassah students will thus be able to benefit both from religious education as well as the education provided by other schools.
The Pakistan Muslim League will also ensure that all scholarships offered to Pakistanis, either at home or from overseas, will be duly publicized through advertisements and through the internet so that these can be availed well in time by deserving students and these are not allowed to lapse.
The Higher Education Commission would be made autonomous and encouraged to improve quality of universities. Retirement age of teachers will be increased to 65.
The PML will also take up the case with respective foreign governments regarding the denial of student visas to Pakistani students in sciences like physics and engineering since this is an infringement on the right to education and knowledge and based on political and ethnic profiling.
The PML will encourage setting up of public libraries equipped with the modern research and reference tools, including internet facilities.
Sports, Arts, Music and languages as well as English and Maths shall be taught in all schools. PML’s plan is to tailor our educational system to individual pupil needs, involving parents and teachers support in raising academic standards and moral values.
The PML will also try to ensure that drug companies in Pakistan are able to provide access to affordable essential life saving drugs for the common man. Producers of fake drugs will be given exemplary punishment.
A special National Foundation would be established for provision of group life and medical insurance for artists, artisans, writers, poets, sportsmen and journalists. In this way, a large section of society which provides skills and services to society will be able to have access to quality medical care.
On the issue of health, the PML aims to have a National Health Service backed by sustained investment in hospitals to provide better treatment to the patients. Doctors will be given special incentives to serve in rural areas.
The PML also plans to upgrade and expand the existing health care structure of the country, specially focusing on the far flung and the less developed regions of the country. This would include expansion and up-gradation of the existing health care network with modern medical facilities and setting up of separate female/gynae units in each hospital and medical centre.
For the environment, the PML is committed to a greener and cleaner Pakistan and all major projects that would be undertaken in the future would have an environmental feasibility study. A national campaign would also be launched to provide steps to protect the environment, particularly the protection of green areas, planting of trees and development of forests.
Mass transit is pivotal to major urban centres and the PML will take initiatives to provide easily accessible mass transit and public transport to commuters living in urban areas. The existing water ways, particularly rivers, would also be utilized for providing water transportation between different regions of Pakistan. This would ease pressure on road transport and provide for travel alternatives.
The PML will promote cycle culture to ensure cheap and easily available transportation for the common man. This will also improve the nation’s health and be pollution free. In all future construction of roads, special bicycle lanes will be provided.
A clean drinking water task force would also be established to ensure that the overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s population has access to clean water.
The PML will also set up a Food Safety Commission for the prevention of adulteration and preservation of better standards for food hygiene and safety throughout the country. Quality control of foodstuffs will be ensured through legislation and administrative monitoring.
The PML believes that Corruption is a big impediment to development and good governance. However, regrettably in Pakistan, there has never been any across-the-board accountability. In fact, all anti-corruption campaigns have been politically motivated to hound and harass the opposition. An independent, non-partisan anti-corruption institution, free of government control, will be established with a view to attacking corruption without fear or favour so that accountability is not used as a weapon of revenge against political opponents.
The PML believes in building dams and water reservoirs based on need, but through consultation and consensus.
The Pakistan Muslim League strongly believes in promoting self reliance at all levels and considers this a major means to mobilize the creative skills of the Pakistani people. The PML will launch a Village Development Initiative for integrated development of rural communities, comprising some 70% of the population. Each village would have a 5-person committee to prepare development projects, in cooperation with the local government. The provincial and the federal government will provide all necessary assistance, including skills training and loans. This will generate villages’ productive capacity in such areas as cottage industry and handicrafts, vocational training, milk preservation and livestock development.
The PML will promote the self-reliance principle for poor, hardworking, skilled people who do not have funds for setting up small, home-based businesses. Most of such people do not have access to the country’s banking facilities since there are only approximately 5 million bank account holders out of a population of 160 million. The Pakistan Muslim League will establish a state-supported Skills Promotion Trust to generate easily available small loans for persons desirous of transforming their skills for generating incomes on self help basis. Widows, the disabled and jobless youth will be especially able to benefit by harnessing their talents and hard work for gainful self-employment.
The right to a decent shelter is a fundamental human right and the PML would like to ensure that housing is no longer a monopoly of only those with money. The Pakistan Muslim League would like to prepare a revolutionary programme for provision of low cost housing to those who cannot afford it. The PML will establish a Cheap Homes Initiative that will be based on a coordination of a troika comprising:
State land provided free by the Government;
Builders willing to build low cost housing; and
Home owners paying in installments for construction of this low cost housing.
III. DEVOLUTION
“Pakistan guarantees that federated units of the National Government would have all the autonomy that you will find in the constitutions of the United States of America, Canada and Australia. But certain vital powers will remain vested in the Central Government such as the monetary system, national defence and other federal responsibilities. Each federated State or province would have its own legislative executive and judicial systems, each of the three branches of Government being constitutionally separate.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
November 8, 1945
III. DEVOLUTION
The Pakistan Muslim League is the architect of devolution of powers in Pakistan and it strongly feels that decentralization is a key to good governance. The PML believes that strong provinces mean a strong Pakistan and it does not subscribe to the doctrine of a ‘strong centre’. The Pakistan Muslim League is committed to provincial autonomy within the federal framework, and it will continue the positive initiative taken in this regard by the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan.
While there has been devolution of powers from the provinces to the districts, there is need for devolution of authority from the federation to the provinces.
Within the Ministries/Departments, there should also be decentralization of authority, as well as downsizing of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. There is too much centralized control which retards good governance. The greater the decentralization, the greater will be the empowerment of the people at the grass roots level. Rules of Business will be accordingly revised to remove red-tape.
The PML also feels that the Constitution should be implemented in letter and spirit. Those subjects belonging to the provinces should be handed back to them. There should be minimal interference from the centre in the functioning of the provinces.
Provincial autonomy must include the right to regulate and control the natural resources existing within each province.
The Senate, which embodies the rights of the federation, should be strengthened; as each province, irrespective of population and size, is equal under the Constitution.
The Pakistan Muslim League will ensure that provinces which take special initiatives to enhance the welfare of the people, particularly poverty alleviation, will be provided with special assistance by the Federal Government.
IV. DIVERSITY
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed; that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
August 11, 1947
IV. DIVERSITY
Pakistan is an example of unity in diversity and its four provinces include people of different ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Different sections of Pakistani society must have equal rights and equal opportunity. Pluralism strengthens the democratic functioning of the Federation.
The PML will ensure access to speedy justice and it will prepare an Action Plan to ensure the phasing out and abolition of longstanding litigation, especially cases involving property and family disputes, seeking their resolution within a specified timeframe.
Empowerment of women will be pursued with vigour since no country can progress unless and until it gives over 50% of its population equal rights in the country’s political, social, economic and cultural life.
The Pakistan Movement would not have been a success had there not been contributions by women, especially the sister of the Quaid-i-Azam, Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. The PML will promote the Madar-i-Millat as a role model for Pakistani women, so that they can be inspired to contribute to society equally with men.
Women’s rights would be protected, restored, strengthened and promoted on every level. The PML strongly believes that no meaningful national development can be achieved without the full participation of women in nation building. Empowerment of women has a multiplier effect on the family and the whole nation.
Fundamental human rights and dignity of women would be guaranteed and justice provided, including legal prosecution against acts of physical and domestic violence and honour killings.
The Pakistan Muslim League will also ensure the end of such unjust and unacceptable practices like Wanni, Karokari, honour killings, marriage with Quran, etc. and ensure that women are not deprived of their due property rights by their more powerful male relatives.
Pakistan is a young nation since 100 million of its population is less than 25 years of age. As such, two-third of the country’s population, which is the majority of this country, would be provided with special initiatives and policies. The Ministry of Youth Affairs will work directly under the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Opportunities for employment of youth will be provided both at home and abroad and the PML will enhance teaching of communication skills including computer and Information Technology.
During the summer holidays, special inter-provincial youth campaigns will be launched for providing opportunities for the youth of different provinces to work together to enhance inter-provincial harmony.
The PML supports the initiative of a Youth Parliament and feels that this provides invaluable training in democracy for youth and students and it will encourage the establishment of a Youth Parliament at the centre and the provinces.
For the overseas Pakistanis youth with families in Pakistan, the PML will support initiatives for these youth to travel back to Pakistan during their summer holidays for orientation campaigns so that they can be sensitized to their culture and to their country periodically.
Senior citizens are a tremendous source of wisdom, knowledge and experience for any society, and the PML will take major initiatives for senior citizens so that the society can still benefit from their experience. The PML will organize special facilities for needy senior citizens so that it can facilitate their cheap travel and medical needs.
The PML will ensure the special needs and rights of the disabled are upheld, particularly their right to a normal life as equal citizens. The quota of the disabled in government employment will be enhanced. Wheelchair access and special toilets for the disabled will be made compulsory in construction of all future buildings. They will also be given equal opportunity for studying at all the educational institutions including those for higher education, both at home and abroad. A new Ministry will be created to cater to their needs and rights.
The PML believes in equal rights of all Pakistanis, including those who are serving prison terms. The PML will try to ensure that those prisoners who cannot afford to pay their fines to gain their freedom will be provided this amount by the State. And those prisoners who cannot afford a lawyer will be provided with Public Legal Defenders at State expense.
The PML will ensure that the rights of the children and bonded labour are protected. Legislation will be swiftly undertaken against child abuse and exploitation, as well as for their protection from prison sentences.
Orphans and children with special needs will be provided with incentives and training for special skills. The existing orphanages will be provided with funding to upgrade their facilities.
The rights of labour and peasants shall be protected and the PML will develop a skilled labour force to meet the challenges of a vast growing economy. The minimum wages of labour will be periodically fixed to counter inflation to provide a reasonable standard of living for the wage earners.
The PML believes that flourishing of arts and culture is vital to development of any society and it will take strong steps to promote diverse cultures and languages of Pakistan including steps for protection of cultural heritage. The PML also feels that “soft power” like culture, media, sports and academia, can be very important for improving the image of Pakistan.
The PML will seek the establishment of an office of Cultural Ambassador who would play a key role in promoting Pakistani culture abroad, given the rich diversity of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. In this regard, Sufi teachings, thoughts and traditions would be encouraged since they promote tolerance and harmony.
In the current context the PML strongly feels that it is important to examine the reasons and causes for rise of extremism in society. After examining the causes, the PML will prepare a strategy based on education and persuasion, not use of force, to combat all kinds of extremism in society. This national strategy will be prepared by a special Task Force to combat extremism and this Task Force will be asked to present its recommendations and report within 100 days of its formation.
The PML strongly believes in the rights of consumers and the need to eliminate adulteration either in food stuff or in medicines. At the same time, price hike and hoarding is breaking the backbone of the common man and steps will be taken to attack these twin anti-people practices.
The PML will ensure legislation to protect the rights of consumers. In this regard, Consumer Protection Societies will be encouraged.
The PML considers overseas Pakistanis as a tremendous source of strength for Pakistan and they work as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill for Pakistan wherever they live and work. The overseas Pakistanis deserve to be given their due rights and role in their mother country.
The PML will endeavour to provide the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis and the Party will propose a Constitutional amendment to provide for representation for overseas Pakistanis in the Pakistan Parliament.
The PML considers religious minorities of the country as equal citizens of the Pakistani state and they have the same rights as Muslims. The minorities will have full freedom of worship and the right to employment in all sectors of the Pakistani state. Their religious holidays will be commemorated nationally with the help of the State. The PML also appreciates the constructive role played by the minority missionary institutions in imparting quality education to Pakistanis in different parts of the country.
The Pakistan Muslim League also believes that in building a better Pakistan, it is imperative that moral values and character building are promoted. These include honesty, integrity, simplicity, hard work, truthfulness, merit, fair-play and the courage of convictions.
The PML also rejects evils of society such as the Sifarishi culture (culture of patronage) and Khushamdi culture (culture of sycophancy), which should be strongly discouraged. The PML feels that the crisis of morality in our society can be combated by reverting to the universal principles enshrined in Islam as well as the practices and professions of such role models as the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Pakistan’s founding fathers, Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
V. DEFENCE
“The Armed Forces of Pakistan are the custodians of the life, property and honour of the people of Pakistan. The Defence Forces are the most vital of all Pakistan’s Services and, correspondingly, a very heavy responsibility and burden lies on your shoulders.”
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Quetta, June 14, 1948
V. DEFENCE
The Pakistan Muslim League believes that a strong defence is imperative to guard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The PML shares the entire nation’s pride in the professionalism of its Armed Forces. The PML supports modern and well equipped Armed Forces, as a professional fighting machine functioning within the framework of the Constitution. Such a defence force is vital for national security.
National security can no longer be defined purely in terms of military might alone. In today’s world, national security should be redefined also by civilian components like the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and human rights, political parties with a national vision, provincial autonomy, a strong economy and education, an independent media and judiciary, a robust civil society as well as a sovereign parliament.
The PML supports the development of an indigenous defence capability and defence production since that is important in lessening dependence on outside assistance.
The country’s defence and foreign policy function closely with each other and this foreign policy should protect the interests of the state as well as reflect the aspirations of the people.
Pakistan’s nuclear programme is a vital component of Pakistan’s national security and serves both as a deterrence against aggression and to preserve and protect our national independence. Since Pakistan has no aggressive intentions against any state, Pakistan will not accept double standards on the nuclear issue nor allow intrusion into its nuclear programme or provide access to any of its nuclear installations and scientists to outsiders.
The PML feels that no foreign country has the right to dictate or interfere in Pakistan’s internal affairs and we will seek to build friendly relations with all countries on the basis of equality and reciprocity. Pakistan shall not allow its territory to be used against any neigbouring country and the PML feels that the country’s foreign policy should be geared towards strengthening Pakistan’s security and stability, with the first priority being peace in the region where Pakistan is located.
The PML is against terrorism, extremism and violence in all its forms and manifestations. The PML feels that terrorism has no religion since terrorism is a common enemy of all humanity.
The PML would like to strengthen relations with our traditional friends like China, promote peace in the region, especially South Asia and Central Asia, deepen relations with the Muslim Ummah and build stable and friendly relations with the West and the international community.
The PML strongly feels that international politics should be governed by the rule of law and the United Nations Charter and it rejects any notion of “might is right” since that would mean reverting to the law of the jungle.
The PML supports the right of self determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through implementing UN resolutions. However, in order to break the deadlock on this issue existing for the last 60 years, the PML would support all those initiatives to peacefully resolve the Kashmir question which enjoy the support and backing of the Kashmiri people. The PML recognizes the APHC as representing the voice of the oppressed Kashmiri people. The PML will support any settlement of Kashmir that is just and honourable, which is acceptable to the Kashmiri people.
The peace process with India will be pursued with vigour, since it is conducive to a stable and peaceful South Asia.
For the Pakistan Muslim League, Kashmir is a problem of humanity and welfare of Kashmiris comes first, before the territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The PML supports the establishment of an independent democratic state in Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. The PML strongly feels that the people of the West Bank and the Gaza have the right to elect any government of their own choice.
The PML feels that the war against Iraq was wrong and illegal and it feels that the way out is a peaceful solution through termination of foreign occupation. There should be efforts to replace the occupation with a joint United Nations - OIC peacekeeping force.
The PML also feels that there should be a peaceful solution to the war in Afghanistan and efforts should be made by the foreign forces in Afghanistan to initiate a dialogue with the resistance. Only through national reconciliation can Afghanistan be stable and peace return to that war-torn country.
The Pakistan Muslim League also supports Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear programme under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and it rejects any threat of force or use of force to resolve this issue. The PML also welcomes the latest report from the US in this regard which clearly proves that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
The PML supports Pakistan’s initiative endorsed by the Islamic Summit in Malaysia in 2003 for reform of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). In this regard, the PML welcomes the report and recommendations of the Commission of Eminent Persons and hopes that these recommendations will be implemented in letter and spirit to make the OIC effective.
The PML also supports strengthening of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Assembly and the Senate and feels that these committees must have the right to have access to all information pertaining to their respective ministries. The PML also welcomes the initiatives of opening up these Committee meetings to the press and the public so that the bureaucratic culture of secrecy is replaced by transparency.
The PML feels that the Foreign Office should be more people-friendly and its professionalism restored. Pakistani missions abroad should redefine their role, by serving non-VIP Pakistani citizens with a speedy commitment and serving overseas Pakistanis should be part of their priority mandate.
CONCLUSION
The people of Pakistan owe a debt of gratitude to the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League for giving us freedom and independence. The creation of Pakistan through a democratic political process and a mass political struggle was nothing short of a miracle in the annals of modern history given the almost insurmountable odds. As the eminent American historian, Professor Stanley Wolpert rightly wrote in his tribute to the Father of the Nation:
“Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.”
Despite the crises of the last 60 years, the people of Pakistan have demonstrated tremendous resilience and the ability to bounce back. They have demonstrated a ‘can do’ confidence, invariably overcoming difficulties. The Pakistan Muslim League resolves to restore the people’s faith in national institutions and combat the evils of sectarianism and parochialism, which alongwith the scourge of extremism and terrorism, are today the biggest security threats to Pakistan.
Today, Pakistan is moving forward, fuelled by a booming economy and an emerging and articulate middle class, a vibrant civil society, an independent judiciary and a free media. The PML will strengthen these positives of an open and democratic society to build a better tomorrow. The PML will seek to promote optimism and faith in the future, rejecting the negative thinking of the prophets of pessimism. Such ingratitude (na’shukri) should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.
Let it not be said that Pakistan was let down by leaders who were not equal to the task. As the Party that successfully led the struggle for freedom 60 years ago, the Pakistan Muslim League will, Insha-Allah, succeed in building a better and stronger Pakistan with the support of the people.
We remain committed to our motto:
Live & Let Live.
Giving hope to the hopeless,
PAKISTAN Zindabad
PAKISTAN MUSLIM LEAGUE Zindabad
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