keeping current tense situation prime Minister had telephonic conversation with various leaders of political parties and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called All Parties Conference for National Security in Islamabad on December 2. The decision to convene the All Parties Conference is to discuss the situation created after Mumbai terror attacks and Indian allegations against Pakistan.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) “This is high time we set aside all differences and stood united to protect the country from the nefarious designs of enemies,”

Addressing the gathering, Sindh CM, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the party is marking its 41st Founding Day and the spirit among the activists is like that of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said that the leaders of the party had taught us the lesson about protection the rights of people, which, he said we can never forget.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah recalled that after her return to the country on December 27, 2007, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto adopted reconciliatory approach and she had talked about reconciliation with every party in the country. Addressing on the occasion, Federal Minister, Mian Raza Rabbani said we had always paid respect to the mandate given by the people in Sindh Province and the city and we want same from others.

He said the country is passing through a difficult phase and the time demands from all of us to show togetherness and send a message to the entire world about unity among the whole nation. Mian Raza Rabbani called upon all Karachiites, to maintain environment of brotherhood in the metropolis.

Earlier, President PPP Karachi Division, Syed Faisal Raza Abidi in his speech, said that PPP Karachi Division will provide financial assistance to the families of all the people injured or received any other losses in the recent violent incidents in the city, irrespective of their political affiliations. He said the PPP Karachi Division has cancelled the Nishter Park program due to the situation in the city but it will organize the gathering soon.

He announced today the PPP Karachi Division is also launching its campaign for Local Bodies Elections, which will continue the whole year and hoped that the next Nazim of the Karachi will be a “Jiyala”.-SANA

He said this is the first anniversary of the founding day of the party after the martyrdom of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said let this anniversary be a day of reawakening of the people to their destiny of democratic empowerment, end of militancy and economic opportunity for all as envisioned by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and for which she laid down her life.

The Prime Minister in his message called for continuing the mission of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for socio-economic revival of downtrodden segment of the society and for justice, democratic tradition and social development. He said PPP gave the nation a consensus constitution, nuclear capability, freedom of press, rights to the labour class and rights to minorities, agricultural reforms and big industrial projects like Steel Mills.

A number of events are being organized at the Divisional, District and Tehsil levels throughout the country to mark the day.-SANA

He demanded the President to play his constitutional role as Prime Minster Attique had lost the confidence of MLAS as only 20 MLS participated in the party convention that held in Mirpur; however, it is pertinent to mention that the Prime Minister at least needs 24 MLAs’ confidence to retain the office. The meeting said that a drama was being played by India in Indian held Kashmir on the names of elections.-SANA

Awan said that there are many issues between the coalition partners but these issues need to be resolved through consensuses as it is the first time in the history the coalition governments are being experienced simultaneously at the federal and the provincial level.

PPPP and PML-N agreed for promotion of good governance and resolution of the judicial crisis in accordance with the letter and spirit of charter of democracy, he added. He said that both the parties agreed to stop any military coup in future and extra judicial steps. Senior Provincial Minister Raja Riaz was also present on the occasion.-SANA

Nawaz Sharif on this occasion said the success of present political set-up and government is necessary for stabilizing democracy in the country. He alleged some elements were busy in hatching conspiracies against the two parties.

On the other hand, Babar Awan said that government would foil any conspiracy being hatched to destabilize the Punjab government. President Asif Ali Zardari wants to take the opposition along to fulfill people mandate and other state affairs, he said.-SANA

A unanimous resolution which was passed here in a meeting held here under the aegis of Pakistan Intellectual Forum ( PIF), Islamabad saying ” a campaign of continual attacks by planting flimsy stories in the newspaper and comments with ” spirit of arrogance” reported by a private TV channel in its prime time bulletins and Talk Shows on November 25,26 and 27 against the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan is designed to denigrate the judiciary so that it may toe their line.”

Saying “writers community is extremely disappointed with the ongoing biased media campaign waged by a leading Urdu daily and its channel against the down to earth and God fearing Chief Justice of Pakistan.”

” This Forum categorically condemns the media trial of Hon’ble Chief Justice Pakistan, who is patient, fair, objective, even tempered and deeply committed to the following of the Constitution and laws, considers this ‘disturbing trend”of media against the Journalistic ethics and morality.

The writers who attended the meeting include: Dr. Hyder Sindhi, Prof. Dr. Qasim Rind, Dr. Mumtaz Hussain, Khadim Hussain, Usman Ali, Hashim Abro, Nisar Ahmed G. Abro and others, says the press release issued by Hashim Abro of the PIF.-SANA

Earlier, senior advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Ahmed Raza Qasoori said that some critics exaggerated the deposed CJ US visit but actually he (deposed CJ) was awarded by “clearance chit” saying he knows why deposed CJ was invited by Washington George Town University as his (Qasoori’s) children were studying over there. Earlier only politician used to get clearance for US but now the judges also started getting clearance form there” he added. However, the FBISE scandal was the conspiracy against Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar, he also stated.

Responding on his statement, while talking to SANA on phone, he strongly rejected Qasoori’s statement terming it as “extremely irresponsible statement”; however he said that being a puppet he had been playing in the hands of others throughout the life.

He said that Qasoori should sweep before his own door before pointing at honorable deposed Chief Justice as he was allegedly involved in the conspiracy against the country by becoming a tool in the execution of a democratic prime minister. He said that deposed CJ was invited by US judiciary and he addressed different bar associations, colleges and universities that he termed as honor for the whole nation.

One “NO” of deposed CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry had arisen Pakistan’s stature all over the world saying he never compromised on the principles as he rejected the invitations of many US officials, congress members and the politicians; however, he said that deposed CJ did not need of approval of the any body.

He said that those people who were trying to convey negative message of his US visit actually they were conspiring against the country since long saying they were trying to degrade the honorable deposed CJ. However, he vowed that the lawyers’ movement would be continued terming it as embodiment of the country’s honor.-SANA

While Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has said that the flag-bearers of law do not know the law itself. Talking to media after attending a ceremony held under the aegis of University of Central Punjab here on Tuesday, he said that Sharif Brothers should not hold him responsible for everything occurring in the province.

Salman said Asif Ali Zardari is a democratically-elected president and an experienced politician. Punjab Governor said that it was his legal right to write a letter to the CM and if someone employs abusive language against him, then it is weakness on their part of the abuser, adding, ‘I am not among those who could be browbeaten into doing things.’-SANA

He said that to attach expectations to the government was useless who as NRO-based president, through which he was given indemnity of the corruption case, could not take bold steps to safeguard the country’s integrity.

To a question, PTI chairman said, “I would have withdrawn the troops from the tribal areas if I was prime minister of the country”. It’s the need of the hour to devise a comprehensive strategy for handing the militants instead of launching massive operation against them; however, he demanded of the government and US to settle down the issue through dialogues.

It is pertinent to mention that PTI Chairman earlier suggested the government to send a delegation of the expert tribesmen to make US President-elect Barack Obama understand that Afghanistan is turning to be a their grave as it was once of Russia.-SANA

Talking to media men after meeting with the foreign envoys on Monday, Nawaz Sharif said that discussions were held on all matters relating to issues presently faced by the country. He said that till today, he couldn’t know that when he was elected leader, then why was he exiled?

He said that a mockery of law and constitution was being made during the last 60 years, the constitution even today stood defaced and we want that the county’s system should set at right. “The mandate given by the people in February 18 elections are not being pursued” he added.

Responding to a question, he disclosed that Asif Ali Zardari told him that he was being misled, it could be possible, but among those misleading him Punjab Governor was also included. The PML-N Quaid said that the country was besieged by grave problems and, therefore, we have taken the course of calm and patience.-SANA

He said that despite having respect for PPP his party would not join hands with the government if it kept continue former President Musharraf’s polices. However, he revealed that his party had formed a committee to table the bill for removal of 17th amendment as PML-N decided to move the bill with the consultation of other political parties if the government would not table the bill.

He flayed PPP for making parliament as a dummy institution saying that the government don’t have any strategy to cope with the crisis as it used to take dictation form somewhere else. To a question, he said that his party welcomed disbanding of ISI political wing as it wanted to strength democracy in the country; however, he hoped that martial law would never be imposed.

The government should not go to IMF as its loan is just like to take a cup of poison, he added. When asked, he said that the use of army is not a last option for halting US incursion into Pakistan as the government could get desired results through diplomatic means.-SANA

He said that the government was making all out efforts for repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui from US to Pakistan and expressed the hope that these efforts would bear fruit. He announced that her son has already been brought back to Pakistan.

He dispelled the impression that agriculture income tax was among the conditions for IMF bailout plan, neither was it a condition nor this tax was under consideration these days, FM said adding that this tax was a provincial subject. He said that IMF package was meant to fill the immediate resource gap and to pursue an economic stabilization plan. He reiterated resolve to improve ties with India saying that his visit to the neighboring country will help remove misunderstandings between the two countries.

He said that he would meet his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Indian leadership and bilateral issues will be discussed during the interaction. He hoped that his visit to India will help bridge the gulf and end trust deficit between the two countries and will prove fruitful in strengthening ties with India.
Foreign Minister said that it is our desire that both countries should live like friendly neighbors. He said that he will talk to the Indian leadership on water issue and added that Kashmir issue, already being a part of the composite dialogue between the two countries, will also be discussed.

About the Indian cricket team’s forthcoming tour to Pakistan, he said that the government wishes that Indian cricket squad should visit Pakistan. He added that government wants to improve people-to-people contact with India and exchange of delegations such as cultural delegations and sports teams will help improve relationships. He said that intellectuals, authors and sports persons of the two countries should have frequent interaction through exchange of delegations. Chief operating officer PCB Saleem Altaf said that Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt will visit to India this month.

To a question, Qureshi categorically said there was no possibility of martial law in the country stating that the government, the parliament and the armed forces have unanimity of views on national issues. People may have this view but we do not agree with it, FM said adding that we are moving forward to combat challenges with consultations and understanding.

Mehmood Qureshi disclosed that after the Jan 13-16 expert level meeting scheduled to be held in Islamabad, he will invite FoDP Foreign Ministers to Pakistan in February next to move ahead with the plan to combat economic and security challenges confronting Pakistan.

About the IMF bailout package that is expected to be approved on Nov 24, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said its approval will pave the way for more assistance from other international financial institutions like World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank besides the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) Group and other countries.

It was interesting and heartening to note that our home-grown plan prepared by 16-member panel of country’s economic experts headed by Dr. Hafeez Pasha that has also been discussed by the federal cabinet and the talks with IMF had similarities in approach and experts believe it was the best suitable option Pakistan could avail under the given conditions, FM said.

He said that Rupee was gaining strength against dollar and capital flight has stopped and hoped that capital flight phenomenon will soon witness a reverse trend with the arrival of foreign remittances. FM said that an expert level meeting will be held in Islamabad from Jan 13 to Jan 16 during which projects will be identified and discussed in four sectors with the assistance promised by FoDP in its Nov 17 meeting in Abu Dhabi.-SANA

Mrs Alva is not a novice. She knew the price of rebellion. Her reason was valid. Her son was denied a ticket for the Karnataka elections on the rather thin excuse that dynasty was not going to be encouraged in the Congress, an odd rationale for a party which has reserved its most powerful job for a dynasty. But she knew that she could not reinvent an election and restore the seat by exposing the double standards that are rife in her party. Since there was no personal gain possible, what political purpose did Mrs Alva have in mind?

Mrs Alva may have, after the High Command’s retribution, resigned from high office, but she has not resigned herself to retirement. She feels she has many years of active politics left in her career. Others have suffered in the party; she is not alone. The general policy is to wait out a fallow period in the hope that better days will come. Why did she choose to opt out? She did not do this to join the BJP. That will not be her preferred option, although the BJP of course would welcome a credible Christian in its ranks.

There is something brewing within the second tier of Congress leadership. There are grievances in every large party. The BJP is teeming with them, as is evident in the current elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. If Mayawati cuts into Congress votes in MP, then Uma Bharti and Govindacharya return the favour by slicing off BJP votes. In Rajasthan, the energetic Vasundhara Raje does not have to look outside her party for dissidence. She is, or should be, more worried by how insiders might maul her prospects than what the Congress will do. But while dissidents are often willing to sabotage, they are rarely eager to revolt. Parties condone dissidence, since it is axiomatic that there will be some negative reaction to any decision taken. What they cannot afford is a revolt.

Is there a revolt within the Congress waiting for an opportunity to declare itself? Some leaders, like Narayan Rane in Maharashtra, have stopped caring about what the state leaders or the national leaders think. He attacks his own Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh with impunity. The Chief Minister, in the meanwhile, blithely ignores his Prime Minister and promotes the parochial line set down by Raj Thackeray. Delhi responds with silence and changes the topic. Control is beyond its current capability.

A political leadership is only as strong as its ability to deliver victory. Since Mrs Sonia Gandhi has lost elections in the states where Congress was in power, and now seems unable to convert anti-incumbency against the BJP into victories for the Congress, the second tier of the Congress is beginning to fidget. According to present indications, the BJP could return to power in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and is very much in contention in Rajasthan and Delhi. Of course every sensible person knows that no one can be sure of a result until the votes have been counted, which is why the political class is waiting for December 8. That is the day when murmurs will either grow or subside.

What leaders like Mrs Alva are searching for is a perch in the middle space between Congress and BJP. They believe that between them the Congress and the BJP will not win over 270 seats, which means that an alliance of the rest of the House could form a theoretical majority. This would of course need a collapse of the NDA and the UPA, which is not as simple as might seem since NDA partners share power in the states. The Akalis and Nitish Kumar would have to risk losing power in Punjab and Bihar, which would undermine their very existence in the volatile politics that we will see over the next few years. Moreover there are strong animosities within the regional parties as well: Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav, or Nitish and Lalu Yadav cannot coexist in the same alliance. Would Chiranjeevi and Chandra Babu Naidu join the same government after having fought bitterly for power in Hyderabad? Of course they might, given the persuasive abilities of whoever wanted to be Prime Minister of such a coalition. I suppose if there was a system in which there could be six Prime Ministers, this might work, but regrettably we do not have such a polity.

So improbable, but not impossible. But the very fact that such options are being contemplated means that a number of senior politicians no longer believe that the UPA will be re-elected.

What is certainly not in doubt is that the next government in Delhi will be formed after the results, in the sense that neither pre-election alliance will be able to reach a majority on its own. This, after all, was how the UPA came into existence. The advantage will lie with whoever is closer to the magic number of 272, but that will not be the only factor. The allies will lay down conditions for governance that the principal party will have to accept.
The danger is clear enough: throw a political meltdown into an economic meltdown and the crisis that is already upon us will become unmanageable. Happy — or not so happy — 2009 to readers!

“The polls are being conducted in presence of lakhs of troops. If we are given even 24 hours for carrying out anti-poll campaign, we are sure there will be 100 per cent poll boycott. By holding people hostage for conduct of polls, Government is spreading a reign of terror. We will not bow to these pressure tactics and carry on our anti-poll campaign even if we have to sacrifice our lives,” Mirwaiz said.-SANA

Dr. Shahid Masood earlier was taken the charge of Chairman of state owned Pakistan television. Resources told hat no immediate reasons are known of his resignation.

Going by the various media reports, it seems that Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has got nothing incriminating against the accused so far; the kind of evidence that will stand in a court of law. As one report in Hindustan Times says,

“The hard evidence in the form of materials used in making and planting of the bomb, witnesses and other corroborative and supporting evidence is still missing.”

The ATS has reportedly seized arms, cell phones, electronic timers, pen drive, telephone diary and some documents from the accused. The latest arrest of priest Dayanand Pandey makes the case murkier and high-profile as he had some “political contacts.” Pandey has reportedly changed his number 4 times in the last 20 days. None of this is incriminating in law unless it is proved that the above mentioned items were used in the blast.

Narco test or truth serum as it is known is not a scientifically-proved and legally-approved method of investigation. Also narco tests are not fool-proof. A person of a military background like Lt. Col. Purohit can easily mislead the investigators. There is no guarantee that a person will only speak the truth in a so-called ‘truth serum’ test. Also evidence extracted under the test is not admissible in court.

The sincerity of any investigating agency should not be measured on the basis of leaks it willingly provides to the media but its approach in the application of law on the accused. All the accused arrested so far have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and several sections of the Explosives Act. A careful reading of these statutes will reveal that one can easily get bail under these Acts. On the contrary, it is very difficult to get bail in Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

In MCOCA, confessional statement of the accused is considered as “substantive evidence” and it is enough to punish the accused. In IPC and other statutes confessional statement is not considered “substantive evidence.” I am not a great admirer of the draconian MCOCA but still one wonders why the ATS is not imposing MCOCA on the Malegaon bomb blast accused as it had done in the earlier blast of 2006.

To impose MCOCA, there should be at least one previous criminal chargesheet against the accused. Jagdish Mhatra, who was arrested from Dombivali in Mumbai, fulfills this legal requirement since a criminal chargesheet had been filed against him in a case of murder and extortion in 1996-97. One previous criminal chargesheet against any of the accused is enough to bring all the accused under the ambit of MCOCA.

Despite this, ATS is still “considering” and yet to apply MCOCA on the Malegaon blast accused. The same ATS had applied MCOCA on the 2006 blast accused immediately. People of Malegaon are curious to find out why this time the ATS is delaying the implementation of MCOCA.

The ATS claims to have 400 minutes of taped-conversation between Sadhvi and Ramji, the alleged bomb-planter. In a recent judgement, Supreme Court has categorically stated that the taped-conversation is admissible under MCOCA. In simple words it means the ATS can easily convict the accused on the basis of the taped-conversation if they choose to apply MCOCA.

Isn’t it good news for the ATS? Why delay then?

One does not understand Singh’s definition of ‘cultural nationalism’ but he has been an inconsistent president of a party which claims to be truly “nationalistic.” Is he the same Singh who sung the “terrorist” song immediately after the so-called ‘encounter’ at Batla House? Why did he sing a different song after the arrest of Sadhvi? Is it because of the difference in religious affiliation of those who were killed at Batla House? Or did ‘acquaintance’ prompt him to defend Sadhvi? The widely-circulated picture of Singh with Sadhvi does not incriminate him but as we say in journalism: A picture speaks a thousand words.

One must note that like the accused of the Batla house, Sadhvi remains an accused and not a “terrorist.” A terrorist tag can only be accorded by a court of law.

Sadhvi has created so much confusion within the BJP. Initially, BJP disowned her when it was revealed that she was once a part of its student-wing, Akhil Bharthiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). BJP changed its official policy the moment Uma Bharati joined the strange enigma of Sadhvi. Uma Bharati was merely a political trap; Singh easily succumbed to it. After all, Singh and Bharati share the same saffron soul with varying degrees.

BJP’s state of no-acceptance no-rejection of Sadhvi makes its case ambivalent.

A president of a nationalist political party should always stick to one song on a one theme no matter whoever may be the target audience.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad thought Singh’s song was not enough and decided to write the whole script. His utterance was a good example of hysteria’s triumph over common sense. “Why this lead (the alleged involvement of Students Islamic Movement of India in Malegaon 2006 cemetery blast) has not been followed in the 2008 blast?” Prasad asked.

Mr. Ravi Shankar should at least know that the motorcycle used in the blast was registered in the name of Sadhvi.

L.K. Advani, who has responded cautiously to Sadhvi episode, must take notice of his party’s official ignorance.

Meanwhile the response of the saffron Hindutva groups has been highly intolerant. The rabid display of the ‘majoritarian nationalism’ or to put it more precisely ‘mobocracy’ went unnoticed in the mainstream media. Thousands of the saffron souls protested outside a Nasik court on November 3 where the accused were brought for the trial. They carried placards, chanted highly provocative slogans and openly defended Sadhvi and other army men allegedly involved in the Malegaon blast.

India, being a civilised democracy, gives a right to defend an accused. I am glad that Indian Muslims have never ever done such a protest outside a court. Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, did not witness any such protest when Bali bomb blasts’ Muslim bombers were executed on the order of the country’s highest court.

Nathuram Godse is dead but his legacy of hatred still thrives on. Himani Savarkar, Godse’s niece and president of Abhinav Bharat – the organization allegedly behind the Malegaon blast – has advocated an eye for an eye theory. “If we can have bullet for bullet, why not blast for blast?” she has asked. She has even advocated that Indian Muslims should go and find a Muslim country to live!

Post-Independent India was infected with caste and communal riots. Now the bomb blast is an easy and alternative way to infect the body of India. It has begun to bleed with sickening regularity. Do we Indians realise that the war is no longer across the border? It is being fought within. China and Pakistan are not our biggest enemies. Our biggest enemies are fellow Indians who are striking at will wearing the cloak of anonymity.

Sadhvi episode has highlighted one crucial fact in Indian context: Terrorism is not a Muslim specialty. The bomb blasts in mosques in the Marathwada region (Nanded, Parbhani, Purna, Jalna etc.) were indeed carried out by Hindutva fanatics but government and intelligence agencies ignored it lest they antagonise the majority community. Army men’s involvement in the Malegaon blast should not come as a surprise. Our intelligence agencies do have people who share the right-wing ideology. Those who have followed the Nanded 2006 blast will agree that the role of India’s Criminal Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been highly controversial and biased.

Initially ATS suspected that SIMI was the behind the Malegaon blast. The ATS knew it from the day one that the killer motorcycle belonged to Sadhvi but yet they continued their combing operations in Muslim areas of Malegaon! The sudden ‘right-turn’ in the investigation was a result of Muslim resentment across the state of Maharashtra. Dozens of Muslim corporators belonging to Congress-NCP had sent their resignations directly to chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and home miniter R.R. Patil.

With elections round the corner, a dual-theory is being propagated by political pundits. Batla encounter was carried out to pacify Hindus and Malegaon arrests were made to “appease” the Muslims! Congress is being accused of playing a dual game.

A murmur has begun to develop in Muslim mohallas that Congress is indulging in a psychological war of perception management. Is Congress playing a game with Muslim sub-consciousness? We can’t say with certainty. But at the same time it can’t be ruled out. There is at least one reason to suspect. ATS is yet to apply the draconian MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) although they have slapped it on Malegaon blast accused of 2006. It is still being “considered.”

Quite a Muslim question: Are there two set of different laws for two different communities? That’s a question which Vilasrao Deshmukh needs to answer.

The Muslim vote will depend upon his answer and not mere lip-service as his government has been doing for the last 9 years. Sri Krishna Commission report is just the tip of an iceberg. The iceberg of genuine Muslim issues may sink Vilasrao’s political boat.

This time ‘nine days wonder’ trick will not save Congress-NCP government.

A question worth-debating: Can Muslims of Maharashtra sing a different song?

His election has also given a new dimension to the human race where a concept has been strengthened that race colour and creed can never hinder in human development and progress and over 51% votes by all communities reject human created divisions and call for saving and serving the humanity. American people deserve applause for rejecting colour discrimination and for voting for the best on the day. It will be unjust not to mention the grace with which Senator McCain fought election against him and accepted defeat with honour, pride and humility, which is a rare event in Politics. America needs to offer hope to the community of nation and revitalize its efforts to jointly consult with the world if it ever desires to come even closer to victory on its drive against extremism. No doubt, 9/11 was the most tragic and most condemnable attack on civilization by criminals and proportionate use of force against combatant, revival of United Nations role, protecting the sovereignty of independent nations, joint intelligence sharing mechanism and collective wisdom is the key to defeat this menace.

USA after deliberating and intelligence analysis declared Osama and his net work behind this heinous crime but never could arrest or eliminate him despite the ever growing collateral damage. I think never mind arresting and bringing him to the alter of accountability, they have turned all the afghan Pahtuns, Talibs, tribal’s against them. I see the logic of calls to alienate Al Qaeda from Taliban and Taliban from the whole of Pashtun race in Afghanistan to win the hearts and minds of people. World has not found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq till today and President Obama’s initiative to pull his troops in 18 months is a way forward to return Iraq to normalcy and same will ultimately be the solution for Afghanistan. President Obama has uniquely given hope of peace, change and empowerment to its people and news of peace to the world and coming 4 years will be a test for the new administration and above all the patience of the people of the United States and Mr. Obama has little option to let American people and the world down as the world has a chance to be a better place opposite to what it has been last 8 years.

Coming to its effects on Pakistan, is a tricky question. Pakistan will have to learn to be on its own two feet and will have to cut costs, grow agriculture, preserve energy, and produce and store water and emphasis must be placed on trade not on aid in future if it ever wishes to secure a safe place in the list of happy and healthy states. Self reliant nations make difference in the world map, but only with its good governance, rule of law and justice to its people. Current administration has aptly formed Governments in all quarters, but continue to running the Govt. effectively may not be possible if Murree declaration and charter of democracy is not implemented in its entirety. A country at the verge of revolution due to economic downfall, where the Chief Judge awaits its restoration, and 17th Amendment has yet to be repealed, all of which pose an instability to this political system. Pakistan though have passed a Parliamentary resolution against ‘hot pursuits by Americans’ but it still is bearing unilateral missile attacks inside its territory almost every other day, which laugh on the face of the resolution, and in return on its people. Pakistani Govt is also struggling for cash deficit, low credibility, international loneliness, and I can only say that a joint collaboration of Civil and military can save Pakistan from the series of crisis it is in especially in the 2nd & 3rd phase of the transition of leadership who controls the ‘war on terror’ as the country does not afford further experiments. However, too much expectations from this new US administration will be a beggar’s belief as beggar’s cannot be choosy.

There were some important ministries lying vacant and situation demanded immediate action but government has not reacted to it in a very positive manner. He said that no one including time-tested friends seems ready to extend help to Pakistan due to repayment doubts as we have a long history of economic mismanagement.

Now the expansion in the Cabinet may send wrong signals and start another round of confrontation between government and its allies who are seeking lucrative offices.

The present expansion seems little to do with good governance. It appears a move to reward loyalists, attracting support and bridging divisions within the ruling party which is, for the very first time, facing internal threats. “Present move may not contribute well to improving the image of the country,” said Dr. Mughal adding that it will not help Pakistan improve sliding confidence of investors or donors. There is an urgent need to change national political agenda and prove that democracy is better the military regimes.-Pak Economy Watch