I am daughter of Indus, I am daughter of Taxila, I am an heir of this 5000 years old civilization, the Benazir Bhutto who had lived and died for the well being of her beloved country Pakistan, had introduced herself. Benazir Bhutto was a strange leader; she became myth in her life like her assassinated in limitable father Z.A Bhutto. She was the most loved leader of the century and became the symbol of resistance, her politics merged with pain and love. She had faced every difficulty but had not bow before dictator Zia. She gave her life but could not keep herself away from the people of Pakistan. When the daughter of East, Indus and Taxila and the Queen of Tribal was killed in Rawalpindi, we understood who she was: ritualistic chest beating started in Parachinar, Kashmir, Northern areas and spread all over the world. Parachinar was on fire those days because of ongoing Zia given sectarian clashes who had lost thousand of lives. They had forgot their grieves and had wept for Benazir. The grief and reaction was exotic, from small villages and goths from Jam pur, Bhakkhar, Ghotki, Chagi, Qalat, Waziristan, kurram. Benazir Bhutto was a courageous and determined leader with a charming and highly intelligence, who was strong-willed in her ambition to bring democracy to her country and alleviate the suffering of the poor. She was a citizen of the world, an international leader, spirit of democracy and hope of future. Benazir was multi-talented leader that is not replaceable. She had loved the people of Pakistan in its true meanings. She was called Queen of Tribal in a grand Jirga by Pakistan Tribal area elders because she was the only leader who loved the people of tribal areas. She after her father is first who had visited Pakistan backward tribal areas as Prime Minster of Pakistan. Z. A. Bhutto in his speech at Parachinar had praised the beauty, talent and fertile lands of Parachinar and promised: “I will make Parachinar a piece of Heaven“.

Afterwards, the Zia regime gave the region a culture of war and terror and sectarianism. He pushed this beautiful area through ongoing sectarian clashes. From the time of Zia’s regime till now, thousands of people from both sides have lost their lives, many becoming homeless and disabled while in past the people had been living there with love, peace, affection and mutual understanding and respect since centuries.

Such black days ended when the golden days of Benazir Bhutto came. She as prime minister visited Parachinar, had women colleges opened and promised that she would improve the living standard of the people of this area. The unemployed were given jobs, roads were paved and extended, and a broadcasting station was opened and many more things were done. The words of Z.A Bhutto had repeated by her daughter there “I will make Parachinar a piece of heaven”.

Z.A Bhutto had opened Degree College for Men there and Benazir Bhutto had opened Degree College for Women there. Z.A Bhutto had opened Agency HQ hospital and Benazir upgraded it. For the elevation of poverty the unemployed were given job, sent abroad and for the upgrading of society schools and colleges had opened.

Benazir Bhutto was a true leader who had loved the people of Pakistan in very true meaning. She was above vested interests and had never played the politics of any specific region, language or province. For her all were same and of equal importance. Today when Pakistan is surrounding by multi problems and enemies are trying to declare Pakistan as a terrorist country but the slain leader Benazir brought a good image to Pakistan when UN conferred its top award on Benazir posthumously in recognition of her courageous struggle for restoration of democracy in Pakistan and for promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. She was great messenger of democracy and peace. Benazir was determined regardless of the risks to her life to return as she believed Pakistan had a great future and she considered she had a major contribution to make in shaping a better future for her country. Today democracy is on its right track in Pakistan and a public government under the leadership of Asif Ali Zaradari is trying to its best to fulfill all the dreams of Z.A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. These all are because of the sacrifices made by Benazir Bhutto for the restoration of democracy and for the well being of this country.
Benazir departed forever but she will live in our hearts forever.
May Allah rest her soul in piece..

SIALKOT:Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that nuclear assets of the country are in safe hands and there is no threat to them. Addressing a public meeting, at Chak Kubay in district Sialkot, he said,

“Pakistan is a strong country with politically mature leadership and invincible defence and nobody can cast an evil eye on it.”

Paying tributes to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,founder chairman of PPP, he said, he was a visionary leader who not only introduced policies for making country’s economy strong but also rendered its defence invincible by laying foundation for making it a nuclear power.

He said PPP continues to pursue policies aimed at achieving the mission of the great leader of bringing about socio?economic revolution and strengthening federation by ensuring equitable rights to people of all the four provinces.

He said It was Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who gave consensus constitution of 1973 to the nation providing for bicameral parliament with equal representation of all the four provinces in the upper house which helped in ending the sense of deprivation among the smaller provinces.

He said PPP is a federal party having roots in all the four provinces and was committed to protection of rights of people of the whole country. “We want to ensure equal rights to people of all parts of the country as per vision of our great leaders Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”

He said in social sector also PPP remains committed to its slogan of roti, kapra and makan (food, clothing and shelter) for every Pakistani. He said Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was in line with this policy of the government adding that health insurance and other benefits for poor would also be included in BISP.

He said, like our great leader, who had brought back 90,000 prisoners of war from India and made country’s defence invincible and economy strong,” We following his ideology of reconciliation are moving fast to steer our beloved motherland out of crisis and put it on the road to progress and prosperity.”

Referring to challenges facing the country, he said, no single party can steer the country out of difficulties.”All political forces have to make united efforts to overcome economic problems and counter challenges of terrorism,loadshedding and problem of water.”

The premier said small dams would be constructed to overcome problem of paucity of water. He said special efforts would be made to provide all basic amenities of life in rural areas to check migration of people from villages to urban centres. The premier said Sialkot is an industrial city playing important role in strengthening economy of the country by earning precious foreign exchange adding “A special package would soon be announced for Sialkot in the near future.” Earlier, the premier performed the foundation stone laying ceremonies of Benazir Bhutto Degree College for Girls and sui gas project in the area.

Briefly talking to media persons on the occasion, the Prime Minister said “In case of violation of Swat peace agreement,we would review it and also have other options.” Regarding statements by TNSM’s leader Sufi Muhammad about country’s institutions and constitution, he said 1973 constitution is Islamic and there can be no legislation in the country in contravention of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

To a question about statement of Interior adviser Rehman Malik regarding involvement of India in violence/militancy in Balochistan, he said, he ( Rehman Malik) can better tell about it. However, he said, if foreign hand was found involved , the matter would be taken up at the international fora.

To another question about statements by US officials that aid to Pakistan was linked with conditions, he said, government policy is clear that country’s interests are supreme. However, he said, a high level delegation would visit US to hold talks for sorting out matters in this regard.

When asked whether PPP would remain part of Punjab government,he said, a meeting of Central Executive Committee was held in this regard while PPP’s Parliamentary Party in Punjab Assembly would meet soon following which party’s decision in this respect would be made public.-APP

ISLAMABAD: Sufi Muhammad who has recently forced a peace deal with Pakistan’s Federal government for Malakand Division, Sunday unfolded his socio-economic and Sharia system declaring superior courts un-Islamic and without making a commitment to un-arm Talibans of Swat.

Addressing a gathering of over 30,000 people at Grassy Ground, with most of his followers carrying black and white flags, Sufi Muhammad spoke in Pushto. He declared that only Shariah legal system was Islamic and existing Sessions, High Courts and Supreme Court were un-Islamic.

High Courts and Supreme Court were ‘Ghair Sharaiee’ institutions and going for appeal in ‘Ghair Sharaiee’ institutions was ‘Haram’. Darul Qaza could be approached in case of any reservations on our verdicts, but the final decisions of Darul Qaza not allowed to be challenged in the High Courts and Supreme Court

He said that the rulers were appeasing the West by thrusting the Nizam of Kufr(infidel). He said that he wanted peace and affection among the Muslims and wish to set up an environment of brotherhood, but the Muslims were divided in different parties, we direly need unity at this time. Maulana Sufi Muhammad said that there were two types of people in Pakistan—the rulers and the ruled. He said that one has to self-appraise whether one’s faith was intact or not and added that presently the citizens of Pakistan should take care of their faith. He urged upon the Ulemas, rulers and the people to get united.

Maulana Sufi Muhammad said that only black turban was ‘Sunnat-e-Nabvi’ and using turban of any other colour was not ‘Sunnat-e-Nabvi’. He said that the existing system was in contravention of Nizam-e-Islam and the Holy Quran.

He said we have enforced Nizam-e-Adal and Sharia in Malakand Division and asked government to station its police and civil administration who will be assigned to implement Shariah Laws. Malakand Division consist of three former princely states of Swat, Dir and Chitral and other districts are Chitral, Shangla and Kohistan.

Before partition of Indian sub-continent Swat was a wet state with liberal society. Even dancing girls and other social activities which can be termed liberal but not un-Islamic were practiced. An ancestor of former wali of Swat-Prince Aurangzeb-Mian Abdul Wadood had introduced legal code known as Fatawa-e-Wadoodia. Practically Fatawa-e-Wadoodia was drawn from Fatawa-e-Alamgiria which King Aurangzeb had introduced in the sub-continent.

After partition and annexation of Swat into Pakistan system of Qazi courts was adopted which remained a part of Fatawa-e-Wadoodia. But Wali of Swat remained the Chief Justice deliverer. However Qazi Courts during Wali delivered cheap and speedy justice.

In 1969 Swat’s separate princely status was finished at the state was properly annexed into Pakistan administratively with the application of Pakistan’s normal laws. Pakistan’s normal legal system caused delayed in verdicts, magistracy got corrupted and locals of Swat felt the pinch. They did not protest but through their representatives in the Parliament demanded revival of old Qazi system.

Instead of introducing the Old Qazi Courts system the Federal Government extended Frontier Criminal Regulations with a promise of bring more reforms. In 1976 supporters of old Qazi courts engineered a limited revolt in Dir State. Revolt was crushed by Pakistan Army but the Federal Government did not address the real problem.

In 1995 Sufi Muhamnmad’s supporters again engineered a revolt killing one member of NWFP Assembly and forced their demands to then Chief Minister of NWFP Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao with Benazir Bhutto as the Prime Minister. A local but half-baked deal was struck between Sufi Muhammad and Aftab Sherpao’s government.The deal promised establishment of Qazi Courts in Swat. But the deal could not be implemented due to removal of Benazir Bhutto’s government.

In 2001 Sufi Muhammad and his son in law Maulana Fazazalullah went to Afghanistan to participate in Jihad. Upon his return from Afghanistan Sufi Muhammad was arrested and detained in Dera Ismail Khan Jail while his son-in-law joined militant Talibans.

After inter-mingling with Militant Talibans of diverse school of thoughts specifically Islamic Code of Justice, Sufi Muhmmad, now behaving like a de-fecto ruler of Malakand Division which has a population of 2.2 million people intends to introduce his style of Code of Legal and Justice system within the framework of Presidential Ordinance which gives basic liberties to men and women as suggested in Quran and Sunnah.

Here its worth mentioning that Sufi Muhammad and his son-in-law were not influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami rather they opted for Brailvi Sect. Journey of Sufi Muhammad and his son-in-law to Afghanistan provided cleric an opportunity to inter-mingle with the followers of Imam Wahab, Akhwanul Maslamoon and Salfi Sect. Mostly Arabs from Egypt and Yemen.The Swat Peace deal also promises barbers to open their shops in Swat which was prohibited by militant Talibans.

Since the Federal government of President Asif Ali Zardari has struck a deal with Maulana Sufi Muhammad from a position of weakness it gave enough chance and opportunity to Sufi Muhammad to dictate his terms now. Sunday at Grassy ground when Sufi Muhammad addressed a gathering of 30,000 people his promise peace was there but he gave no indication that his armed Talibans will surrender their weapons. He conceded that provincial Police Force be stationed immediately and implement and enforce only those laws which are permitted within the framework of his brand Shariah System.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the Swat deal was linked to restoration of peace in the valley. He said:

‘The agreement will remain intact if peace endures, the president had signed the Nizam-i-Adl regulation only after 80 per cent peace was restored to Swat.

He said the new accord was an improved version of the agreements signed in 1994 and 1999. He said the government’s reconciliation efforts would strengthen the country’s economy and its institutions and urged political forces to show maturity because the people had voted for a change.

Quick to react to Sufi Muhammad’s plans to introduce his brand of Shariah, leader of Muttehida Qaumai Movement Altaf Hussain in a telephonic address from London to his party-men in Karachi said ,

“lets not indulge into sectarianism. Only talk of Islam and work for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Those who are trying to divide Pakistan’s society in the name of sectarianism are out to disunite Pakistan.

Altaf Hussain said that we have to build Pakistan on golden principles of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He further denounced Sufi Muhammad for calling Muslims non-Muslims. He said no individual could be given this mandate to declare majority of Pakistan’s population into non-Muslims. Altaf Hussain said we have to build a society of tolerance which is the main teaching of Islam. We have to respect every sect and we cannot impose one sect over the other.

RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday termed the death of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as a “judicial murder” and said the government was consulting the legal experts and a final decision would soon be taken to find the facts. Talking to reporters after inaugurating the 165 MW power generation unit at Morgah, the Prime Minister said the government would consider re?opening the case of founder of Pakistan Peoples Party after getting the opinion of legal experts.

“It is my duty to apprise the nation that the murder of Bhutto was a judicial murder and we are consulting the legal experts and will get back to you,”

The Prime Minister said nation is confronting a serious challenge at the hands of the terrorists and would formulate a national strategy for combating this menace. He said the Parliament’s committee on national security will provide the necessary support and backing of the entire nation to this new policy so that a unified action is taken to bring peace to the country.

He said in this regard the parliament has already held an in? camera session of both the houses and a committee comprising of all the parties constituted. He said the meeting on national security on Monday will provide further impetus to the process besides taking any decision on holding of the all?parties conference.

Gilani termed the situation in Swat as “unique” and said the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto during her tenure held talks in 1994 and agreed to the particular needs of the people of that area.

He said the present government was also following the same policy and the provincial government has held talks with all the stakeholders and if peace is restored, the President will give approval to the regulations to provide speedy justice to the people.

About the threat being posed by Baitullah Mahsud, the Prime Minister said the government is fully aware of its responsibility towards the people and the nation and would take on its own appropriate measures.-APP

GENEVA: Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) Secretary General Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani has said that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has a duty under the constitution to represent in addition to ex-prisoners, others who are citizens of Pakistan or currently domiciled in Pakistan.

He stated this in a letter to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

He pointed out that every citizen in Pakistan and others around the world that stand for the ideals for which Benazir gave her life, have a proprietary claim on her legacy. She did not die for any single person or for her family. She died for a noble cause and it is your duty as chief executive to see that her legacy is served well.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif has remained twice Prime Minister of Pakistan and Mian Shahbaz Sharif has remained twice the chief minister of Punjab, the largest province in the federation of Pakistan “he added.

He noted that Sharif brothers have suffered an unlawful exile at the hands of President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf and again a recent judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has caused a serious prejudice to their right to take part in the freely expressed politics of the country. It is important to point out that the judgement has come from a court, the independence, integrity and constitutional character of which is being disputed by the lawyers and civil society in the country. It is equally ridiculed outside Pakistan.

“We wish to caution the members of the present Government to have some time and consider that ‘circumstances might alter cases’ once again. They shall again need the support of civil society and let this Government help us to enhance the constituency of ‘Legal Accountability’ of judiciary in Pakistan. This single action shall repair the damage caused to the dear ‘cause’ of Benazir Bhutto. The lawyers and civil society movement in Pakistan has earned Pakistan a noble image around the globe. Benazir Bhutto is watching from her grave all those who are engaged in caricaturing her vision. She wants to be freed from any kind of self-serving monopoly of any member of the family or others who have caused for themselves a wolf-pack interest in and around the present Government” he added.

Dr. Nazir Gilani pointed out in his letter that it is unbelievable that the lawyers and civil society movement within and without Pakistan, which has brought the present members of Government to power and in particular JKCHR which has inscribed its interest in the Independence of Judiciary in Pakistan first on 13 March 2001 in regard to the tainted conviction of Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari at the UN and raised the question of safety of Asif Ali Zardari, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chaudhry Mukhtar and Naveed Qamar at international fora, now holding the strings of power in Pakistan, in October 2001 during their imprisonment, feel stripped of the gift of a promise of rule of law, supremacy of constitution, independence of judiciary and respect for the full regime of human rights.

“Benazir Bhutto remained dignified during her exile and more honourable in exacting her revenge. We have seen her during her best at the Commonwealth Summit in Cyprus, Islamic Summit in Casablanca, at 50th anniversary of UN General Assembly and as a an advocate of human rights at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. We have seen and known her in our private discussions during her exile” he added.

“I am sure she would be turning in her grave and finding it difficult to reconcile her ‘Shahadat’ with the wolf pack behaviour of a Government installed in her name. It seems that all tears shed by some people on her death were tactfully contrived and fake. She would have never resorted to exercise the option of a no holds barred force against her own people on the streets of Pakistan and humiliated the leadership in all discipline of civil society” he noted.

He said that Benazir Bhutto firmly believed in legal, moral and political norms that protect the personal integrity, basic equality, political and social identity and participation of all people.

Amjad Malik, Chair of Association of Pakistani lawyers (UK) condemned efforts to block long march and threats to national leaders of booking them under treason charges. Amjad Malik talking to news said that weaker advisors are under pressure and have no command and control over their frivolous statement(s) and undemocratic actions and that’s the very reason Zardari Govt is in this mess. Had he allowed his party leaders who worked with Benazir to act, the situations would have been far more different as they would have brought experience, governance and maturity in all decision making process due to past mentoring of the party leader and at this stage and the ultimate loss is of Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttoo’s party PPP, no doubtedly a representative of a Federation.

He quoted that ‘comments expressing disapprobation of the measure of Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means or comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government do not constitute an offence’, under s.124 A of the PPC (The Pakistan Penal Code 1860) and said the Govt must refer the other half of the relevant section too which allows lawful expression to later Governmental action by lawful means and Govt has not learnt a lesson from a treason case against Javed Hashmi and fabricated case against Yousaf Raza Gilani, and the results are obvious and where are those who booked them in those charges and see where are these who suffered as victims.

Sharifs are validly expressing their concerns over breach of promises not to restore deposed chief Justice, and improper imposition of Governor rule following their disqualification and they are protected under article 19 of the constitution of 1973 which is similar to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 to raise awareness and exercise their right to express freely and struggle to overturn such unlawful actions, and there has not been violence used to advance their political aims as opposed to the kind of violence Govt party supporters and allies used on 12 May 2007 or after 27 Dec 2007 when billions of rupees worth governmental properties were damaged.

He said that Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder said in his address on 14 June 1948 to Staff College Quetta, that , “Never forget that you are the servants of the state. You do not make policy. Its we, the people’s representatives, who decide how the country is to be run. Your job is only to obey the decision of your civilian masters.” Quaid further said that ‘you are not aware of the implications of your oath’ to uphold law and constitution, and then he read the oath to them. Looking at the above it seems that Quaid e Azam prohibited the servants of the state to follow illegal orders and bids the civil masters not to issue ones at the first place. So a word of advice to rulers is to follow the ‘Charter of Democracy’ in its letter and spirit and avoid getting advantage on technical knock outs. Fair play is the need of the hour to allow this system to run.

He said I remind those who are forgetting COD that both parties agreed to hold accountability for previous miscarriage of justices, are ensuing and inciting further attrocities, lets see as in clause 13. (a) “Truth and Reconciliation Commission be established to acknowledge victims of torture, imprisonment, state-sponsored persecution, targeted legislation, and politically motivated accountability. The commission will also examine and report its findings on military coups and civil removals of governments from 1996”. And further on clause 21. “We will respect the electoral mandate of representative governments that accepts the due role of the opposition and declare neither shall undermine each other through extra constitutional ways”.

Its a sad happenings in Pakistan that we are opening the same chapters which Mohtarma Be Nazir Bhuttoo and Nawaz Sharif tried to close, and loss would be of tolerance and forbearance and of Pakistan. Rule of law, justice and democracy is the only antidote to military run Pakistan and sooner the Govt understands the better it is as otherwise both parties will be up against an other Musharraf shouting ‘go Mushrraf go’ and starting point of talks and mutual cooperation between both parties would be ‘Charter of Democracy,’ so before that time comes, those who are protector of the PPP must preach common sense and come forward and save their party, their leader’s pledge, their govt, civil rule and Federation before its too late.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured that the government had no objection over the peaceful long march. Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Yousuf Raza Gilani termed long march as a part of democracy and said that the lawyers and political parties had right of peaceful long march.

He said that PPP had itself took part in the long march in past and recently the government had hosted the lawyers’ long march in June 2008, adding that the government wanted to resolve all issues through peaceful means. He said that the PPP was bond to implement on Charter of Democracy (CoD) and it would fully support of any bill which would be tabled before the Parliament in this regard. He said that the 99 percent political leaders did not study the CoD which was signed by Benazir Bhutto and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Responding to a quarry about the restoration of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, he said that the parliament had authority to decide about his restoration and its decision should be acceptable for everybody. About the governor’s Rule in Punjab, the Prime Minister said that the political arena was changing on daily bases and every day was coming in new shape therefore he did not able to say that the governor rule would be lifted before the long march. Gilani said that the government might convene All Parties Conference to discuss the prevailing situation.

While Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ali Ahmed Kurd on Sunday said that the sit-in would be continued till restoration of the deposed judiciary. Addressing Meet the Press at National Press Club here on Sunday, he said that the lawyers leadership had already devised alternative plan if the government stopped the long march and its details would be made public on the time.

To a question, he said that the lawyers would not contact with the government regarding route and security issues, however, he vowed that it would be an international level sit-in as the lawyers from renowned bar councils of the world would participate in it and the invitations letters were sent to them in this regard.

He said that the long march did not mean to topple the government but it was only to remind of the government regarding the pledges which President Zardari made with the nation. Kurd said that the lawyers’ leadership would not appear before deposed CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry after his restoration as they did not appear before him after his reinstatement on July 20, 2007. He hailed the media role for the restoration of democracy and in the lawyers’ movement. He also thanked the political parties for supporting the lawyers’ movement.

Talking to media persons here on Sunday during a ceremony which was held on the occasion of International Women Day, Yousuf Raza Gilani said the government was committed to women’s right. Addressing to a ceremony, he said that the women were actively playing their role. He said that Benazir Bhutto had setup the Ministry for Women Welfares. He said that the government was working on four point policy for the women welfares. He said that the government was considering the legislation to give women the right of property ownership.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s wife, Begum Fauzia Gilani has urged the women to come forward for country’s development. In an interview, she said Pakistani women are leading very determined and successful life despite social constraints. She said the situation of women’s rights is quite better in urban areas, but it needs improvement in rural areas. Begum Fauzia Gilani said merely legislation on women’s rights can never fruitful unless awareness is created among all segments of society in this regard.

International Woman’s Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. Started as a political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc). In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother’s Day and St Valentine’s Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. The IWD is also celebrated as the first spring holiday, as in the listed countries the first day of March is considered the first day of the spring season.

Mr. President, with the honour and prestige associated with the institution you currently occupy, it would be an obligation upon me to wish glad tidings upon you and inquire for your health. However, I choose not to do so.

Your actions on 25th February 2009 will go into the history of Pakistan as a ‘Black Day’ for the masses of Pakistan who believe in the Constitution of our country and between the separation of powers between the Judiciary, Presidency, and Legislative Assembly.

Mr. President, you sacrificed our national interest on the altar of power for petty party politics. Your deliberate engineering of the disqualification of the Sharif Brothers represents a transgression of the duties, limits, and obligations set within the rights delegated to the Presidency of Pakistan.

Mr. President, before I continue with this letter which is attempting to give a peaceful eloquence to the emotions and passions running across Pakistan, I would like to ask you a question and request you sit back in reflection and introspection afterwards. Our country today stands at perhaps its darkest hour. Foreign troops continue to flood Afghanistan raising security implications for Pakistani policy makers. The drone strikes in the North West of Pakistan continue to rise in frequency and intensity, resulting in unbearable human suffering. Consulates of a large South Asian country to our east continue to spring up across the Pakistan’s international border with Afghanistan. The repercussions of foreign involvement in the destabilization of Baluchistan are all too apparent for those who wish to see it. Mr. President, Pakistan’s water topography has being severely altered due to construction of dams by an upper-riparian state to our east in occupied Kashmir. The Chenab River’s water flow has significantly declined, which in due course is going to strain our water resources. The provisions of the Indus River Water Treaty are being increasingly violated by India. Right now only the rising trends of water scarcity have been given attention. What about the threat posed to the entire Northern Areas’ and parts of Punjab on the possibility of these illegal dams’ being constructed by India breaking? India’s record on poorly built dams’ is evidence. Massive flash floods would not look good on your party’s score card as the damage to life would be immense Mr. President. Or am I guilty of making the assumption that you care about the 160 million Pakistanis who inhabit this land.

Mr. President, there is talk across the world of Pakistan being on the verge of a failed state. There is talk that our nuclear weapons are unsafe due to the rise of the Taliban. American policy makers and influential writers have the audacity to suggest that Pakistan is an ‘international migraine’. Mr. President, the country is broke. The National Exchequer’s balance sheets don’t add up to a healthy number. Our balance of trade is not in our favour. Our exports are not increasing in proportion to our imports. Our industrial competiveness is increasingly declining. Joblessness and unemployment continue to rise, contributing to social tensions, deterioration of law and order, and a loss of faith in the leaders who lead this country. In addition to all of this, the world is in recession and the state of our Federation is increasingly volatile.

As President of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it is not your duty to egg on Salman Taseer to avenge his personal feuds with the Sharifs but it is your duty to do what is right for this country and to uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I, like millions of other Pakistanis , gave you a second chance and thought you might have changed. But the minute you revealed your intentions to be president, that is when all the omens of a dark future hatched in our minds. The chairman of the largest political party should not be the president of the federation. The president must be someone who is a symbol of the federation. In light of all of this, one cannot help but ask are you even a Pakistani? Do you feel the pain we all feel collectively for our country? Do you care? Or are you here on some sort of vendetta to punish the People of Pakistan and the State of Pakistan because no one came to the streets to rescue you while you languished in jail? The notion sounds absurd. But so do your actions. History will judge you on your actions and not your cheeky smile and your eloquent pre-written speeches. As the President of Pakistan, you should have known that disqualification of the Sharif Brothers would have led to the return of a previous decade where it would be PML-N versus the Centre dominated by PPP. That is exactly where we stand today. You, not they, are responsible for plunging Pakistan into an abyss of darkness. Unfortunately, all changes your party claims are ultimately cosmetic and synthetic. The only real change is that now the Peoples Party of Pakistan is not led by Benazir Bhutto but by you. You are not Benazir Bhutto, obviously. Her qualifications empowered her to understand the Constitution and her conscience led her to defend it. This is why she signed onto the Charter of Democracy. Can the same be said for you? Public opinion will decide that in the next election, assuming you manage to deliver free and fair elections. I can only pray to God that this assumption of mine is not false. By your actions, you have denied the People of Punjab, where over 60% of Pakistanis reside, their democratic preference and are shoving down our throats a rule by a Governor who could hardly represent an iota of Pakistan. Your actions are politically motivated. The Sharif Brothers may very well be ineligible, but then so are you. You are not a saint.

We will not forgive you. The cloak of divinity you have been donning as a result of the tragic loss of our great leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto does not give you carte blanche to do burn the national fabric. The masses have begun to realize the People’s Party founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtama Benazir Bhutto is no longer intact as long as you are the chairperson. I will not wish glad tidings upon you, but I will describe the coming gale which rests in an intangible crucible that is the hearts and minds of the People of Pakistan. You cannot break this spirit nor can you hurt our ranks. This energy is purity and the Awam is its source. We do not want you lead us in any capacity because you an incapable of doing so. Your actions are proof. You went to China to see the massive development state they have become and all the glory they have achieved. You took a beggars bowl asking for their money to help us in our tough time due to your government’s incompetence. But instead of just taking their money, if you learnt from their ways and their process and their civilization’s ethos on the principles of social harmony inspired by the great philosopher Confucius, then maybe the events of 25th February 2009 may have been averted and you would not have reverted Pakistan to the start of a re-run of the Dark Ages. A 160 million Pakistanis are not your murids. We are citizens of Pakistan. This realm is a sovereign nation-state and we are its citizens. Pakistan is not your personal feudal fiefdom nor are our lives and our aspirations a stage for you to act out your theatrical dramas. But I again stand guilty of the false assumption that you can learn and hence, you are the same Asif Ali Zardari of the 1990’s that you are today.

With Not an Iota of Respect Towards Your Individual Person,

A Patriotic Pakistan

UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon will visit Islamabad later on February 4 to discuss a probe into former Premier, Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. UN Investigation Commission to probe Bhutto’s death have been demanded by the Pakistani leaders including Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, has said that government wanted a probe by the United Nations because it did not want the investigations to be ‘prejudiced and politicized.‘

Earlier, a spokesman for Ban had said such a commission could be established soon but that further consultation with Pakistan ‘was needed to examine the commission’s mandate.’

Ms. benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, just two months after returning to Pakistan from exile to compete for a third term in power. Later, Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) went on to win parliamentary elections in February and Asif Ali Zardari (her widower) became the president of Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and General Pervez Musharraf was forced to resign.

There has been reports blaming an al-Qaeda-linked militant for the killing by the US-allied former military ruler and refused to seek a UN probe. Pakistani and US officials have pinned the blame on Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, but he denies any involvement.

The Pakistan People’s Party has criticized Musharraf’s handling of the probe, claiming adequate security had not been provided for Bhutto, even the circumstantial evidences had been deliberately removed thus called for a wider inquiry by the UN to establish the identity and motives of the assassins.

Pakistan has become biggest victim since Bhutto’s assassination. Among several attacks; Marriott Hotel in the capital Islamabad was bombarded that claimed at least 60 people and wounded more than 260.

Input from Agencies