Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
HEC saved from devolution
HEC may continue in present form
Islamabad, May 02: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has finally been saved from devolution through commitment made by President Asif Ali Zardari to the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) during their talks.
According to well-placed sources, among the various demands that the PML-Q put forward before the President, one was to retain the federal role of the HEC, currently put on hold pending the establishment of Commission for Standard Higher Education.
The president, according to the information, has accepted the demand about HEC. He has committed that HEC would continue to work under its present legal status, revealed the source.
It has also been learnt that the president said that the mechanism to retain the federal role of HEC would be decided later on. It is more likely that a committee of legal experts would be constituted to design a mechanism through which HEC could be saved from devolution, he said.
MNA Marvi Memon said that she could not speak about her party s policy and even did not have information about what happened during the talks between the president and leadership of PML-Q.
I am personally convinced that HEC should continue to work with its current independent status and there is no need to constitute any new commission that would work under the Cabinet Division, she said.
PML-Q secretary general Mushahid Hussain Sayed in his press conference held sometime back clearly stated that his party opposed the planned devolution of HEC and would resist any move aimed at subjugating the national institution .
HEC Chairperson Dr Javaid Laghari said that he had no clue if the president has accepted this demand of PML-Q. We, however, expect the democratic government to honour the wishes of the people of Pakistan and save HEC from devolution, he said.
He said that now it was not a matter to save HEC from devolution but to let it work in its current status. The point here is to let HEC work in its existing shape and not to introduce some new commission and new legislation in this regard, he added.
Despite repeated attempts by these correspondents presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar was not available for comments.
Earlier, the meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) approved the proposal that the federal government would continue to fund the public sector universities till the next NFC award due in 2014.
The sources claimed that during the meeting of CCI the provinces showed their complete inability to run public sector universities at their own thus forcing the federal government to allocate funds for higher education sector in the upcoming federal budget.
Now the federal government would allocate funds for higher education sector in the next annual budget. The finance wing was quite active to get rid of the financial burden of the public sector universities but the provinces were not ready to take up the responsibility that was apparently beyond their financial capacity, the sources said.
It has been learnt reliably that chairperson of Implementation Commission, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, during the meeting of CCI severely criticised HEC and said that it should be devolved to the provinces. Rabbani was of the opinion that HEC was doing propaganda against government by saying that the government is taking revenge for HEC s strict stance in degree verification process, the source revealed.
Islamabad, May 02: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has finally been saved from devolution through commitment made by President Asif Ali Zardari to the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) during their talks.
According to well-placed sources, among the various demands that the PML-Q put forward before the President, one was to retain the federal role of the HEC, currently put on hold pending the establishment of Commission for Standard Higher Education.
The president, according to the information, has accepted the demand about HEC. He has committed that HEC would continue to work under its present legal status, revealed the source.
It has also been learnt that the president said that the mechanism to retain the federal role of HEC would be decided later on. It is more likely that a committee of legal experts would be constituted to design a mechanism through which HEC could be saved from devolution, he said.
MNA Marvi Memon said that she could not speak about her party s policy and even did not have information about what happened during the talks between the president and leadership of PML-Q.
I am personally convinced that HEC should continue to work with its current independent status and there is no need to constitute any new commission that would work under the Cabinet Division, she said.
PML-Q secretary general Mushahid Hussain Sayed in his press conference held sometime back clearly stated that his party opposed the planned devolution of HEC and would resist any move aimed at subjugating the national institution .
HEC Chairperson Dr Javaid Laghari said that he had no clue if the president has accepted this demand of PML-Q. We, however, expect the democratic government to honour the wishes of the people of Pakistan and save HEC from devolution, he said.
He said that now it was not a matter to save HEC from devolution but to let it work in its current status. The point here is to let HEC work in its existing shape and not to introduce some new commission and new legislation in this regard, he added.
Despite repeated attempts by these correspondents presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar was not available for comments.
Earlier, the meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) approved the proposal that the federal government would continue to fund the public sector universities till the next NFC award due in 2014.
The sources claimed that during the meeting of CCI the provinces showed their complete inability to run public sector universities at their own thus forcing the federal government to allocate funds for higher education sector in the upcoming federal budget.
Now the federal government would allocate funds for higher education sector in the next annual budget. The finance wing was quite active to get rid of the financial burden of the public sector universities but the provinces were not ready to take up the responsibility that was apparently beyond their financial capacity, the sources said.
It has been learnt reliably that chairperson of Implementation Commission, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, during the meeting of CCI severely criticised HEC and said that it should be devolved to the provinces. Rabbani was of the opinion that HEC was doing propaganda against government by saying that the government is taking revenge for HEC s strict stance in degree verification process, the source revealed.
devolution of higher education comission to the provinces
Implementation Commission all set to devolve HEC to provinces
Islamabad, March 25: Making a somewhat tricky move, Implementation Commission has decided to devolve Higher Education Commission (HEC) to the provinces and have started consulting with provincial governments without taking HEC on board.
According to well-placed sources, Implementation Commission has approved the devolution of HEC despite the fact that it exists in the Federal Legislative List (FLL) while under 18th amendment only concurrent list is supposed to be devolved.
It has been learnt reliably that the Implementation Commission in its last meeting reviewed the HEC law for almost five hours after which they had decided to devolve it without taking HEC into confidence.
"The plan has been prepared very carefully. Federal government is trying to save its money by handing over HEC to provinces. In this way they would save money in the upcoming budget and would ask provinces to run HEC from the money they would get from NFC award," a source said.
On the other hand, the source said, provinces are having a misconception that they would get extra money as HEC budget. "The federal government has committed World Bank that it would allocate sufficient amount in higher education sector to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Once HEC would be devolved, the commitment would automatically come to an end," he added.
Meanwhile, provinces have been visited by the members of Implementation Commission to check their preparedness to take the responsibility. According to a member of the Implementation Commission, they have received positive response from the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa so far.
According to the sources, HEC has written a letter to Implementation Commission a month ago in which it was asked to brief them about its status and also to provide them an opportunity to give presentation on their role in the progress of higher education sector in the country. "There was no reply from Implementation Commission. It is now again that HEC has written a letter to the Implementation Commission to provide them an opportunity to present their achievements. Saturday is the date that has been decided for the meeting," said the source.
The source also revealed that they were not sure if HEC would get chance to give presentation. "We are simply clueless. We have prepared our presentation, but not sure if we would be allowed to present it, as Implementation Commission has already decided the matter," he said.
The education experts believe that the subject of higher education has close, deep and multidimensional links to national policy and planning, economic growth, scientific and technical research, defence production, industrial growth and national innovation system.
"Higher education is not a subject that is confined to national boundaries since it is imperative to have international recognition of degrees for which adherence to international quality assurance benchmark is a necessity," said a source.
Former HEC chairperson and Education Task Force Chairperson Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali said that the 18th amendment has added key provisions to the Federal Legislative List (FLL), which include all regulatory authorities established under a Federal Law, National planning and national economic coordination including planning and coordination of scientific and technological research, standards in institutions for higher education and research, scientific and technical institutions, inter-provincial matters and co-ordination. "The federal role of HEC is inevitable for the policy, planning and coordination and it exists in FLL," she said.
She said that the role of provinces was already exists in higher education sector as Governor of any province is the chancellor of universities of that particular province and is an authority to hire Vice Chancellors of the universities. "What would be criteria of evaluating PhD degrees when every province would be having different standards to evaluate it," she said.
Terming it a disaster, HEC former chairperson Dr. Atta-ur Rehaman said that the decision would reverse back the tremendous growth that HEC has made over the last decade.
"Look at the progress HEC has made. There has been 600 percent increase in our publications in over the last decade. We have produced a number of Phd scholars in 10 years that have not been produced in last 60 years," he added.
He informed that he would be holding a press conference over this grave issue on Friday and would tell people that the devolution would have an adverse impact over the higher education sector.
It is pertinent to mention here that the vice chancellors of public and private sector universities visiting UK under 'leadership development training' took cognisance of the possible devolution of the HEC to the provinces. They have issued a resolution in which they stated that the HEC must continue in its current form, devolving HEC to the provinces and experiencing with the proposed model will cause devastation in higher education sector, after devaluation higher education sector would have the same fate as school and colleges under the provinces have suffered by the similar cavalier policies before us.
The resolution has been passed by 11 VCs that included the names of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) VC Dr. Nazir A Sangi, Behria University VC Vice Admiral (r) Mohammad Haroon, KPK University of Engineering and Technology VC Engineer Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gillani, University of Balochistan VC Professor Dr. Abdul Nabi, Gomal University VC Professor Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Hazara University VC Professor Dr. Sakhawat Shah, Kohat University of Science and Technology VC Professor Dr. Nasir Jamal Khattak, KPK Agriculture University VC Professor Dr. Khan Bahadar Marwat, Government College University Faisalabad Dr. Zakir Hussain, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology VC Dr. Salim-ur-Rehman, Isra University VC Dr. Ghulam Qadir Qazi and UET Taxila VC Prof Dr Muhammad Abbas Chaudhary.
HEC Executive Director Dr. Sohail Naqvi when contacted said that they haven't received anything officially till now. "We have just heard that the future of HEC has been decided. Our meeting in this regard with Implementation Commission is scheduled on Saturday," he said.
He said that after 18th amendment, HEC has become a subject that comes under Federal Legislative List (FLL). "It's not simple as in case of schools and colleges. The 80 per cent work on science and technology is conducted in universities. The federal role of HEC is inevitable for inter-provincial coordination of the research work being conducted in the universities," he said. The news
Islamabad, March 25: Making a somewhat tricky move, Implementation Commission has decided to devolve Higher Education Commission (HEC) to the provinces and have started consulting with provincial governments without taking HEC on board.
According to well-placed sources, Implementation Commission has approved the devolution of HEC despite the fact that it exists in the Federal Legislative List (FLL) while under 18th amendment only concurrent list is supposed to be devolved.
It has been learnt reliably that the Implementation Commission in its last meeting reviewed the HEC law for almost five hours after which they had decided to devolve it without taking HEC into confidence.
"The plan has been prepared very carefully. Federal government is trying to save its money by handing over HEC to provinces. In this way they would save money in the upcoming budget and would ask provinces to run HEC from the money they would get from NFC award," a source said.
On the other hand, the source said, provinces are having a misconception that they would get extra money as HEC budget. "The federal government has committed World Bank that it would allocate sufficient amount in higher education sector to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Once HEC would be devolved, the commitment would automatically come to an end," he added.
Meanwhile, provinces have been visited by the members of Implementation Commission to check their preparedness to take the responsibility. According to a member of the Implementation Commission, they have received positive response from the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa so far.
According to the sources, HEC has written a letter to Implementation Commission a month ago in which it was asked to brief them about its status and also to provide them an opportunity to give presentation on their role in the progress of higher education sector in the country. "There was no reply from Implementation Commission. It is now again that HEC has written a letter to the Implementation Commission to provide them an opportunity to present their achievements. Saturday is the date that has been decided for the meeting," said the source.
The source also revealed that they were not sure if HEC would get chance to give presentation. "We are simply clueless. We have prepared our presentation, but not sure if we would be allowed to present it, as Implementation Commission has already decided the matter," he said.
The education experts believe that the subject of higher education has close, deep and multidimensional links to national policy and planning, economic growth, scientific and technical research, defence production, industrial growth and national innovation system.
"Higher education is not a subject that is confined to national boundaries since it is imperative to have international recognition of degrees for which adherence to international quality assurance benchmark is a necessity," said a source.
Former HEC chairperson and Education Task Force Chairperson Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali said that the 18th amendment has added key provisions to the Federal Legislative List (FLL), which include all regulatory authorities established under a Federal Law, National planning and national economic coordination including planning and coordination of scientific and technological research, standards in institutions for higher education and research, scientific and technical institutions, inter-provincial matters and co-ordination. "The federal role of HEC is inevitable for the policy, planning and coordination and it exists in FLL," she said.
She said that the role of provinces was already exists in higher education sector as Governor of any province is the chancellor of universities of that particular province and is an authority to hire Vice Chancellors of the universities. "What would be criteria of evaluating PhD degrees when every province would be having different standards to evaluate it," she said.
Terming it a disaster, HEC former chairperson Dr. Atta-ur Rehaman said that the decision would reverse back the tremendous growth that HEC has made over the last decade.
"Look at the progress HEC has made. There has been 600 percent increase in our publications in over the last decade. We have produced a number of Phd scholars in 10 years that have not been produced in last 60 years," he added.
He informed that he would be holding a press conference over this grave issue on Friday and would tell people that the devolution would have an adverse impact over the higher education sector.
It is pertinent to mention here that the vice chancellors of public and private sector universities visiting UK under 'leadership development training' took cognisance of the possible devolution of the HEC to the provinces. They have issued a resolution in which they stated that the HEC must continue in its current form, devolving HEC to the provinces and experiencing with the proposed model will cause devastation in higher education sector, after devaluation higher education sector would have the same fate as school and colleges under the provinces have suffered by the similar cavalier policies before us.
The resolution has been passed by 11 VCs that included the names of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) VC Dr. Nazir A Sangi, Behria University VC Vice Admiral (r) Mohammad Haroon, KPK University of Engineering and Technology VC Engineer Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gillani, University of Balochistan VC Professor Dr. Abdul Nabi, Gomal University VC Professor Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Hazara University VC Professor Dr. Sakhawat Shah, Kohat University of Science and Technology VC Professor Dr. Nasir Jamal Khattak, KPK Agriculture University VC Professor Dr. Khan Bahadar Marwat, Government College University Faisalabad Dr. Zakir Hussain, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology VC Dr. Salim-ur-Rehman, Isra University VC Dr. Ghulam Qadir Qazi and UET Taxila VC Prof Dr Muhammad Abbas Chaudhary.
HEC Executive Director Dr. Sohail Naqvi when contacted said that they haven't received anything officially till now. "We have just heard that the future of HEC has been decided. Our meeting in this regard with Implementation Commission is scheduled on Saturday," he said.
He said that after 18th amendment, HEC has become a subject that comes under Federal Legislative List (FLL). "It's not simple as in case of schools and colleges. The 80 per cent work on science and technology is conducted in universities. The federal role of HEC is inevitable for inter-provincial coordination of the research work being conducted in the universities," he said. The news
Nationalist Movements in Sindh and Question of Provincial Autonomy
Mirnority Rights Commission (MRC) organized a seminar on Nationalist Movement in Sindh and Question of Provincial Autonomy on July 3rd 2007 in Hyderabad. A large number of civil society organizations, political parties and media related groups, students, elected representatives, intellectuals and writers attended the forum. The forum was conducted in two sessions: first one was technical and the second political session. Mr. Zulfiqar Shah (Provincial Coordinator South Asia Partnership Sindh), Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Baloch (Reginal Head Strengthening Participatory Organization SPO Hyderabad) and Mr. Hassan Raza Bukhari (Coordinator MRC) facilitate these sessions.
First Session (Technical Session)
Mr. Zulfiqar Shah (Provincial Coordinator South Asia Partnership Sindh)
First session was started by Zulfiqar Ali Shah. After a formal welcome note to the participants, he briefed regading the background of and philosophy of provincial autonomy. He shared that Sindh was rich civilized as compared to other provinces. It was economically and socially sound state befor the partition of subcontinent. Sindh assembly was the first to pass a resolution in favor of Pakistan. But now Sindh province is suffering from illiteracy, unemployment, law and order situation, political disorder and many others social and economic problems. Now the question arise that why is this happening with the little provinces like Sindh and Balochistan. MRC have taken the initiatives on this burning issue which is the bone of contention among Pakistani states.
Mr. Ghulam Mustafs Baloch (Regional Head SPO)
He stated that General Parvaiz Musharaf Government declared seven points in 2002 regading provincial autonomy but unfortunately it remained only a slogan and could never be implemented. Sindh Assembly passed the very first resolution in support of Pakistan, Sien GM Syed palyed major role but he had given a lot of punishments, Sadar Akbar Buggti raised voice for Baloch’s control on natural resources of their province bgut he was killed in military operation. There are lots of other people who sacrificed for Pakistan in real meaning but brutally killed by Pakistani army.
Mr. Hassan Raza Bukhari (Coordinator MRC)
MRC has been working on provincial autonomy since February 21, 2006. We have been conducting the programs throughout the country. We have emphasized on provincial autonomy. Before 1954, Bahawalpur state was isolated from Pakistan and it has different identification but Pakistan dominated the people and resources when it merged with Pakistan.
Mr. Asim Akhunad (Philosophy Department University of Sindh Jamshoro)
In the past, so many national movements were put in to action for the sake of national rights like Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia. All national movements struggled for their independence and empowerment. According to Lenin, “Small nations have short space to live as compared to the biggest nations”. Nationalism is free from religion. It has culture, history, language, economics and political structure. It is unbalanced in human history from the very beginning; some nations are powerful and others are powerless. Democracy means equal in all segments of society. But, Pakistan failed in implementation of democracy. The authorities of Pakistan converted themselves into colonial watchman. Pakistan army has been converted into more powerful pillars of state and socio economic condition is changing gradually. Therefore, provincial movements are arising in Pakistan.
Mr. Subehdin Ghori (Jurnalist Karach Press Club)
Province make a country, country does not provinces. If Pakistan does not justify with the rights of its provinces, it will be broken like Bangladesh. So, it is necessary to equalize the distribution of right among all provinces. Sindh is the biggest industrial zone. It has 62% contribution in revenue but it has given only 26% in the form of National Finance Certificate (NFC) award. Now a days Pakistan is facing the problems of uniform and it created so many other difficulties in the way of democracy and prosperity of Pakistan. There are many loopholes in the politics of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and army has no political role according to the constitution.
Ms. Amar Sindhu (Philosopher and Writer)
If national assembly will sustain then resolution about provincial assembly will submit and it is duty of every national organizations of sindh that they should highlight the issues and problems of Sindh. Provincial autonomyis the problem of every person living in effected province. If the constitution of 1973 would have been practiced in real sense then such issues could never be grown up. Practicing of the constitution is the only tool to solve this problem of provincial autonomy that province has full right on the local recourses.
Second Session (Political Session)
Mr. Gul Mohammad Jakhari (General Secretary Sindh National Front)
He addressed the participants and said that that Sindh National Front has major objection on provincial autonomy. He said our leader Mumtaz Bhutto always raised the question of confederation and we do not agree with the central policies of the federation which is the violation of the constitution and provincial rights. Sindh National Front is doing advocacy to promote the provincial autonomy. People claimed that Mumtaz Bhutto signed the NFC award against Sindh. Infact, he is the person who always struggled for the rights of Sindh. Sindh National Front condemns every ordinance, every document, and every legislation which is against Sindh province and wants the system of confederation. All rights and decisions should be in control of provincial authorities and not in control of army or unelected person.
Mr. Comrade Jam Saqi (Scholar)
Due to lack of political stability Pakistan failed to implement democracy in the country and nobody can do anything sans the permission of Pakistan Army. National movements struggled for their rights but unfortunately, they could not build a pressure on government. Seraiki Movement in Punjab, Baloch Movement in Balochistan and Sindh Movement in Sindh are working by their own tracks, they do not have the common strategy. Hence, these movements could not build pressure on the government. “We are hopeful that the day will come when we will be authorized on our local resources” he ended.
Mr. Hoat Khan Ghandi (Sindh Tarki Pasand Party STP)
Sindh Tarki Pasand Party (STP) has the motto that all resources should be under control of the people who are living in Sindh since hundred years. The issue of provincial autonomy did not hoist few time ago but it began with the creation of Pakistan when migrants came here for refuge. A large number of refugees settled in Karachi the major city of Sindh. Now all the resources are under control of non-Sindhis, even policy making institutions are not in control of Sindhis. We have been struggling for water issue, island issue and NFC award issue throughout Sindh and we strongly condemn the incident of violations of human rights on May 12, 2007. “The government and the supreme court of Pakistan should investigate the master minds behind this episode”, he demanded.
Mr. Punhal Sariyo (Social and Political Activist)
National movements had brought changes in socio-economic and political conditions of many other countries. Provincial autonomy is the burning issue of Sindh and the grass root cause of other issues in the province. If the issue of provincial autonomy would be addressed properly by the government nobody could say that Sindh is a marginalized and deprived province. But unfortunately, all the resources are captured by the federal government. Unemployment ratio is increasing day-by-day, poverty ratio is crossing its limits and water logging is the biggest issue of agriculture.
Mr. Hussain Bukhsh Thebo (Scholar and Political Activist)
In the paper of the constitution 1973, cultural, political and economical rights are given to the provinces but federal government could not provide mentioned rights as per to the ordinance. Provincial autonomy is the only solution for improvement and betterment of social and economical condition of Sindh.
Mr. Afzal Gujar (Pakistan Muslim League-N)
PLM-N has always taken the initiative for provincial autonomy. Oure condition cannot change until Presidents General Parvaiz Musharaf is ruling the country. Because, Pakistan is a democratic country and it cannot run under army control. So, it’s necessary to put up pressure against army and General Parvaiz Musharaf on international forum.
Mr. Ayaz Latif Palijo Advocate (Awami Tehreek)
It is very clear the Sindh has no power to do something for the betterment of Sindhis who are captured by the refugees came from other province and dominated on its resources. The political class could not resolve the issues of Sindh. The internal conflicts of the political parties are also the reason behind this situation. Even Sindhi Chief Minister could not do anything for Sindhi people. Middle class community is less interested in politics and poor people are deprived through devolution of power plan. Our political, cultural and economical rights have been violated but we cannot protest. So, there is need for collective action. We should forgive and forget the mistakes of each other otherwise will be destroyed and history will remember us.
Militants, drone attacks make life difficult in tribal areas
India has always claimed that its army is China-centric and its military transformation is not against Pakistan. But ground reality is quit different from the Indian military’s forged claims. This article will focus on three main issues: first, the Indian military’s formation and deployment against Pakistan; second, the Indian military’s Pakistan-focused arms acquisition; and third, Indian military’s aggressive doctrines and strategies against Pakistan.
The Indian Army is divided into six operational commands. 1. Northern Command- Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. 2- Southern Command- Pune, Maharashtra, 3- Eastern Command Kolkata-West Bengal, 4- Western Command- Chandimandir, 5- Southwestern Command- Jaipur, Rajasthan, 6- Central Command- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Out of these six commands three are Pakistan centric. Firstly, Northern Command which is headquartered at Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. It possess three Corps under its command, which are XIV Corps, headquartered at Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, XV Corps, headquartered at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir and XVI Corps, headquartered at Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir.
The second command which is focused on Pakistan is the “Southern Command” which is headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra and responsible for border areas of Rajasthan. It possesses XII Corps, which is headquartered at Jodhpur, Rajasthan close to the border with Pakistan. It is equipped with Armour brigade and Mechanised brigade along with two infantry divisions for swift and quick thrusts into Pakistan.
The third Pakistan-focused command is the Western Command, which is headquartered at Chandimandir, Indian Punjab. This is the most important Indian command as far as Pakistan is concerned. This command holds extensive strike power. There are four corps under this command which includes, the II-Corps, X Corps, IX Corps, and XI Corps.
II-Corps is the most important of the Indian Army's three strike formations. Initially it was tasked with cutting across the Cholistan desert towards Jacobabad cutting Pakistan into two. But after the induction of nuclear weapons in South Asia, its role has been transformed. Now it will support the Indian Army’s proactive military operations to carry out swift and quick limited assaults against Pakistan.
This Corps (II-Corps) holds almost 50 per cent of the Indian army’s strike capabilities. It is responsible for guarding the borders till Ganganagar. II-Corps is a strike force that includes an armoured division, which is capable of intruding deep into enemy territory. Its Armoured Division is located at Patiala; it has also placed Reorganised Army’s Plains Infantry Division (RAPID) which is located at Dehradun. The Indian Army has four RAPID (Reorganized Army Plains Infantry Division) formations each consisting of two infantry brigades, one mechanised brigade with brigade-sized mechanised assets, one artillery brigade, one recon and support battalion, one engineer regiment, one signals regiment and vastly improved surveillance with target acquisition equipment and dedicated aviation units. RAPID formations are attached to the Holding Corps in Punjab and Rajasthan and provide these essentially defensive formations with an extremely flexible unit that dramatically enhances their ability to withstand offensive operations against Pakistan. All these capabilities shows that most of the Indian strike formations are Pakistan focused not China.
X Corps which is headquartered at Bhatinda, Punjab also comes under the Western Command; this Corps also possesses adequate strike power including an Infantry Division two RAPID, an Independent Armoured brigade, An Independent, an Air defence brigade and an Engineering Brigade. Due to its proximity with Pakistani Punjab, this Corps is also considered to be Pakistan focused.
IX Corps, headquartered at Yol, Himachal Pradesh also comes under Western Command. This Corps also posses plenty of strike forces including two Infantry Divisions, and three Independent Armoured brigades, giving enough fire power to launch quick assault against Pakistan within short span of time.
XI Corps, headquartered at Jalandhar, Punjab is also part of Western Command. This Corps is also Pakistan centric, because of the propinquity with Pakistan. This Corps possesses enough fire power to launch a quick, swift and sudden attack giving no response time to Pakistan army. This Corps is armed with three infantry divisions, one armoured brigade and Mechanised brigade for rapid intrusion inside Pakistani territory.
In 2005 Vajra Shakti Exercise, India brought flexibility in its holding corps. These holding corps were designated as Pivot Corps. Pivot Corps can initiate offensive if required in the battlefield. According to the then Chief of Army Staff, Gen J J Singh, ‘‘They (Pivot Corps) have assigned roles, which are offensive as well as defensive and the doctrine does not spell them out in detail. The decision making has been left to theatre commanders, depending upon their assessment and evaluation of the situation. The purpose of these corps was to give an offensive punch to its Defensive Corps for any rapid assault against Pakistan.
After the brief assessment of the Indian army’s deployment patterns, we can assess that most of the Indian Army is deployed against Pakistan. Such a deployment has compelled Pakistan to adopt counter measures and devote most of its resources to the eastern border to avoid any coercion by the Indian Army. The next paragraphs of the article will assess the Indian military’s Pakistan focused arms acquisition and its impact on Pakistan.
In last five years the Indian military has brought a dramatic transformation in its weapons and equipment. In 2004 it introduced LORROS- Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation System. This is a high quality, remotely controlled; observation system designed for medium and long range surveillance. India has already utilized this system in the Indian Held Kashmir-(IHK) against Mujahideen and it has also used this system against Pakistan Army to keep a constant check on the deployment and movement of Pakistan Army at the LoC. Its main aim is to provide border surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, artillery spotting & target acquisition.
The Indian Army has also introduced Weapon Locating Radar (WLR). WLR is mobile artillery locating phased array radar developed by India. This counter-battery radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire. India practiced this radar in the 2009 military exercises. In the same year the Indian army introduced Battle Field Surveillance Radar- Short Range (BFSR-SR). This is a man portable 2D short range Battle Field and Perimeter Surveillance Radar developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Both these radars are Pakistan-specific and were practiced in 2009 military exercises, closed to the border with Pakistan showing India military’s Pakistan-centric approach. India has also extensively practiced Network Centric and electronic warfare capabilities in last few years.
It is necessary for the Indian military to acquire latest fighter jets along with fast mobility latest Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) because any rapid assault (against Pakistan) would require mechanized armour and latest fighter jets to carry out swift, quick, day and night operations with lightening speed. India in the last five years has added 82 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters and 300 T-90 tanks from Russia, and A-50/Phalcon Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system from Israel and Russia. By 2015, it would be able to have 272 SU-30 fighter jets in its air force and approximately 1000 T-90 tanks by 2020. Such a huge air and mechanized force is mainly for Pakistan, because of the geographical compulsions. India cannot use its tanks and other mechanized forces against China because of the rugged mountainous terrain. So as far Indian arms acquisition is concerned, it is mainly to coerce Pakistan and establish its regional hegemony in the subcontinent. The next part of the article would briefly assess the Indian military’s aggressive doctrine and its impact on Pakistan.
Initially Indian military’s doctrine (Sunder Ji Doctrine) was aimed at dissecting Pakistan into two parts, but after the nuclearization of the region and threat of nuclear retaliation by Pakistan, India brought a change in its military doctrine and introduced Cold Start Doctrine in 2004. This doctrine is aimed against Pakistan and urges the Indian military to carry out quick and swift operations against Pakistan within 72-96 hours and give no response time to Pakistan military. To operationalize this doctrine the Indian military would require Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities in its army and air force with robust command and control at its core. Synergy and integration between the Indian forces would be essential elements of this doctrine. To operationalize this doctrine, the Indian military has carried out almost 10 major exercises in last six years close to the border with Pakistan. It has practiced all those elements which are required for Cold Start-based operations. Because of this doctrine deterrence in South Asia is in danger because of the rapid militarization and operationalisation of Cold Start Doctrine. It has the potential not only to operationalise Indian military doctrine on the basis of pre-emption but can also trigger a nuclear conflict.
Most of the Indian Army is deployed against Pakistan, which shows that it is Pakistan centric. India is improving its ties with China and it is possible that their mutual trade may cross 100 billion dollars mark in next few years. Recently, India and China have also carried out joint military exercises showing that they are improving their bilateral relationship at a rapid pace and it would be unwise to expect any clash between China and India in the foreseeable future. But with Pakistan, India is in constant clash over many issues starting from Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water distribution and terrorism. It is a possibility that India may launch a limited war (under the nuclear umbrella) against Pakistan to intimidate Pakistan economically and militarily. In such a scenario it would be difficult to assess Pakistan’s response. Any provocation against Pakistan may lead to nuclear exchange. It is imperative for the Indian strategic thinkers to think wisely and forget the approach of “immediate neighbour as an enemy” and work for the peace and development of the region. Pakistan-centric military buildup will not benefit either party. The Indian military must take concrete steps to build confidence with its small neighbours, only then we can expect long term peace and stability in South Asia.
The Indian Army is divided into six operational commands. 1. Northern Command- Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. 2- Southern Command- Pune, Maharashtra, 3- Eastern Command Kolkata-West Bengal, 4- Western Command- Chandimandir, 5- Southwestern Command- Jaipur, Rajasthan, 6- Central Command- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Out of these six commands three are Pakistan centric. Firstly, Northern Command which is headquartered at Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. It possess three Corps under its command, which are XIV Corps, headquartered at Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, XV Corps, headquartered at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir and XVI Corps, headquartered at Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir.
The second command which is focused on Pakistan is the “Southern Command” which is headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra and responsible for border areas of Rajasthan. It possesses XII Corps, which is headquartered at Jodhpur, Rajasthan close to the border with Pakistan. It is equipped with Armour brigade and Mechanised brigade along with two infantry divisions for swift and quick thrusts into Pakistan.
The third Pakistan-focused command is the Western Command, which is headquartered at Chandimandir, Indian Punjab. This is the most important Indian command as far as Pakistan is concerned. This command holds extensive strike power. There are four corps under this command which includes, the II-Corps, X Corps, IX Corps, and XI Corps.
II-Corps is the most important of the Indian Army's three strike formations. Initially it was tasked with cutting across the Cholistan desert towards Jacobabad cutting Pakistan into two. But after the induction of nuclear weapons in South Asia, its role has been transformed. Now it will support the Indian Army’s proactive military operations to carry out swift and quick limited assaults against Pakistan.
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X Corps which is headquartered at Bhatinda, Punjab also comes under the Western Command; this Corps also possesses adequate strike power including an Infantry Division two RAPID, an Independent Armoured brigade, An Independent, an Air defence brigade and an Engineering Brigade. Due to its proximity with Pakistani Punjab, this Corps is also considered to be Pakistan focused.
IX Corps, headquartered at Yol, Himachal Pradesh also comes under Western Command. This Corps also posses plenty of strike forces including two Infantry Divisions, and three Independent Armoured brigades, giving enough fire power to launch quick assault against Pakistan within short span of time.
XI Corps, headquartered at Jalandhar, Punjab is also part of Western Command. This Corps is also Pakistan centric, because of the propinquity with Pakistan. This Corps possesses enough fire power to launch a quick, swift and sudden attack giving no response time to Pakistan army. This Corps is armed with three infantry divisions, one armoured brigade and Mechanised brigade for rapid intrusion inside Pakistani territory.
In 2005 Vajra Shakti Exercise, India brought flexibility in its holding corps. These holding corps were designated as Pivot Corps. Pivot Corps can initiate offensive if required in the battlefield. According to the then Chief of Army Staff, Gen J J Singh, ‘‘They (Pivot Corps) have assigned roles, which are offensive as well as defensive and the doctrine does not spell them out in detail. The decision making has been left to theatre commanders, depending upon their assessment and evaluation of the situation. The purpose of these corps was to give an offensive punch to its Defensive Corps for any rapid assault against Pakistan.
After the brief assessment of the Indian army’s deployment patterns, we can assess that most of the Indian Army is deployed against Pakistan. Such a deployment has compelled Pakistan to adopt counter measures and devote most of its resources to the eastern border to avoid any coercion by the Indian Army. The next paragraphs of the article will assess the Indian military’s Pakistan focused arms acquisition and its impact on Pakistan.
In last five years the Indian military has brought a dramatic transformation in its weapons and equipment. In 2004 it introduced LORROS- Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation System. This is a high quality, remotely controlled; observation system designed for medium and long range surveillance. India has already utilized this system in the Indian Held Kashmir-(IHK) against Mujahideen and it has also used this system against Pakistan Army to keep a constant check on the deployment and movement of Pakistan Army at the LoC. Its main aim is to provide border surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, artillery spotting & target acquisition.
The Indian Army has also introduced Weapon Locating Radar (WLR). WLR is mobile artillery locating phased array radar developed by India. This counter-battery radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire. India practiced this radar in the 2009 military exercises. In the same year the Indian army introduced Battle Field Surveillance Radar- Short Range (BFSR-SR). This is a man portable 2D short range Battle Field and Perimeter Surveillance Radar developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Both these radars are Pakistan-specific and were practiced in 2009 military exercises, closed to the border with Pakistan showing India military’s Pakistan-centric approach. India has also extensively practiced Network Centric and electronic warfare capabilities in last few years.
It is necessary for the Indian military to acquire latest fighter jets along with fast mobility latest Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) because any rapid assault (against Pakistan) would require mechanized armour and latest fighter jets to carry out swift, quick, day and night operations with lightening speed. India in the last five years has added 82 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters and 300 T-90 tanks from Russia, and A-50/Phalcon Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system from Israel and Russia. By 2015, it would be able to have 272 SU-30 fighter jets in its air force and approximately 1000 T-90 tanks by 2020. Such a huge air and mechanized force is mainly for Pakistan, because of the geographical compulsions. India cannot use its tanks and other mechanized forces against China because of the rugged mountainous terrain. So as far Indian arms acquisition is concerned, it is mainly to coerce Pakistan and establish its regional hegemony in the subcontinent. The next part of the article would briefly assess the Indian military’s aggressive doctrine and its impact on Pakistan.
Initially Indian military’s doctrine (Sunder Ji Doctrine) was aimed at dissecting Pakistan into two parts, but after the nuclearization of the region and threat of nuclear retaliation by Pakistan, India brought a change in its military doctrine and introduced Cold Start Doctrine in 2004. This doctrine is aimed against Pakistan and urges the Indian military to carry out quick and swift operations against Pakistan within 72-96 hours and give no response time to Pakistan military. To operationalize this doctrine the Indian military would require Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities in its army and air force with robust command and control at its core. Synergy and integration between the Indian forces would be essential elements of this doctrine. To operationalize this doctrine, the Indian military has carried out almost 10 major exercises in last six years close to the border with Pakistan. It has practiced all those elements which are required for Cold Start-based operations. Because of this doctrine deterrence in South Asia is in danger because of the rapid militarization and operationalisation of Cold Start Doctrine. It has the potential not only to operationalise Indian military doctrine on the basis of pre-emption but can also trigger a nuclear conflict.
Most of the Indian Army is deployed against Pakistan, which shows that it is Pakistan centric. India is improving its ties with China and it is possible that their mutual trade may cross 100 billion dollars mark in next few years. Recently, India and China have also carried out joint military exercises showing that they are improving their bilateral relationship at a rapid pace and it would be unwise to expect any clash between China and India in the foreseeable future. But with Pakistan, India is in constant clash over many issues starting from Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water distribution and terrorism. It is a possibility that India may launch a limited war (under the nuclear umbrella) against Pakistan to intimidate Pakistan economically and militarily. In such a scenario it would be difficult to assess Pakistan’s response. Any provocation against Pakistan may lead to nuclear exchange. It is imperative for the Indian strategic thinkers to think wisely and forget the approach of “immediate neighbour as an enemy” and work for the peace and development of the region. Pakistan-centric military buildup will not benefit either party. The Indian military must take concrete steps to build confidence with its small neighbours, only then we can expect long term peace and stability in South Asia.
Causes of Suicide Terrorism
Causes of Suicide Terrorism
Here's an absolutely fascinating interview with Robert Pape, a University of Chicago professor who has studied every suicide terrorist attack since 1980.RP: This wealth of information creates a new picture about what is motivating suicide terrorism. Islamic fundamentalism is not as closely associated with suicide terrorism as many people think. The world leader in suicide terrorism is a group that you may not be familiar with: the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. ....TAC: So if Islamic fundamentalism is not necessarily a key variable behind these groups, what is?
RP: The central fact is that overwhelmingly suicide-terrorist attacks are not driven by religion as much as they are by a clear strategic objective: to compel modern democracies to withdraw military forces from the territory that the terrorists view as their homeland. From Lebanon to Sri Lanka to Chechnya to Kashmir to the West Bank, every major suicide-terrorist campaign -- over 95 percent of all the incidents -- has had as its central objective to compel a democratic state to withdraw.
....TAC: If you were to break down causal factors, how much weight would you put on a cultural rejection of the West and how much weight on the presence of American troops on Muslim territory?
RP: The evidence shows that the presence of American troops is clearly the pivotal factor driving suicide terrorism.
If Islamic fundamentalism were the pivotal factor, then we should see some of the largest Islamic fundamentalist countries in the world, like Iran, which has 70 million people — three times the population of Iraq and three times the population of Saudi Arabia -- with some of the most active groups in suicide terrorism against the United States. However, there has never been an al-Qaeda suicide terrorist from Iran, and we have no evidence that there are any suicide terrorists in Iraq from Iran.
....TAC: Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders also talked about the "Crusaders-Zionist alliance," and I wonder if that, even if we weren’t in Iraq, would not foster suicide terrorism. Even if the policy had helped bring about a Palestinian state, I don’t think that would appease the more hardcore opponents of Israel.
RP: I not only study the patterns of where suicide terrorism has occurred but also where it hasn’t occurred. Not every foreign occupation has produced suicide terrorism. Why do some and not others? Here is where religion matters, but not quite in the way most people think. In virtually every instance where an occupation has produced a suicide-terrorist campaign, there has been a religious difference between the occupier and the occupied community.
....TAC: Has the next generation of anti-American suicide terrorists already been created? Is it too late to wind this down, even assuming your analysis is correct and we could de-occupy Iraq?
RP: Many people worry that once a large number of suicide terrorists have acted that it is impossible to wind it down. The history of the last 20 years, however, shows the opposite. Once the occupying forces withdraw from the homeland territory of the terrorists, they often stop -- and often on a dime.
autonomy of provinces
FULL AUTONOMY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PROVINCES UNDER LAHORE RESOLUTION: ALATAF HUSSAIN
MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF PAKISTAN DAY
The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has greeted the people of Pakistan on the occasion of the Pakistan Day on 23rd March and has said that the provinces should be given full autonomy under the true spirit of the Lahore Resolution passed on 23rd March 1940. Mr Altaf Hussain said that Pakistan was obtained after the inestimable sacrifices and the precarious conditions of the country demand unity and national solidarity. He said that we should exhibit a resolve to tolerate each other for strengthening national security and for the promotion of democracy. It is the need of the hour that we get united and work for ending provincialism as it has sharply divided the nation. He said that the MQM is the only political party in the country that has full representation from all the segments and ethnic entities present in the country. He said that the peaceful struggle of the MQM shall succeed and the people of the country shall obtain their rights that were promised in the Lahore Resolution.
The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has greeted the people of Pakistan on the occasion of the Pakistan Day on 23rd March and has said that the provinces should be given full autonomy under the true spirit of the Lahore Resolution passed on 23rd March 1940. Mr Altaf Hussain said that Pakistan was obtained after the inestimable sacrifices and the precarious conditions of the country demand unity and national solidarity. He said that we should exhibit a resolve to tolerate each other for strengthening national security and for the promotion of democracy. It is the need of the hour that we get united and work for ending provincialism as it has sharply divided the nation. He said that the MQM is the only political party in the country that has full representation from all the segments and ethnic entities present in the country. He said that the peaceful struggle of the MQM shall succeed and the people of the country shall obtain their rights that were promised in the Lahore Resolution.
balochistan issue
So, what is going on in Baluchistan? Baluchistan is one of the 4 states/provinces of Pakistan. It constitutes roughly 40-43% of the land mass with only 5%-7% share in the population. It has the richest mineral and natural resources in the country, yet, is the most improvished area of Pakistan with the lowest literacy, health and infrastructre indices. Two days ago, “tribals” or “nationalists” or “foreign interests” launched an attack on the largest natural gas production facility in Sui, Baluchistan. This has halted the supply of natural gas to most of the country resulting in material and economic losses. The escalation comes after on-going sporadic violence in the region against the Pakistani military forces. The General unequivocally warned the tribal/nationalist/foreign elements that his retaliation will be swift and that “they will not even know what hit them”.
This has set the stage for a show-down between Pakistan military and what the Pak media is terming “terrorist organizations” like the Baluch Liberation Front and Baluch Liberation Army. At least Jang Daily expressed severe doubt in their editorial about the mere existence of these organization (which is the usual hint that India is behind it all). If they, uh, google’d it, they would know that not only do these organizations exist and have a fairly comprehensive web presence but that their greivances are long standing and, at least to this Punjabi/Kashmiri, fairly justified.
Let me start with a bit of history. The region was largely under Iranian kingly control and the autonomous principality of Kalat. The British wrested control away from the Khan of Kalat in the early 1840s and it became the staging ground for the various Afghan-British wars (the Great Game) in the later half of 19th century. The 1876 treaty between the Khan of Kalat and Robert Sandeman accepted the independence of the Kalat as an allied state with British military outposts in the region. After the 1878 Afghan War, the British established Baluchistan as a provinicial entity centered around the municipality of Quetta – Kalat, Makran, and Lasbella continuing to exist as princely realms. The British interest in the region was largely to use it as a land-mass bulwark against Central Asian encroachments. Besides a train track, the development and settlement of British holdings excluded most of the tribal population. The administrative and legislative reforms of late 19th and early 20th century India overlooked Baluchistan. Around the 1930s, Baluchi nationalist parties emerged to contest for freedom from British rule. They took the princely state of Kalat as the focal point of a free and united Baluchistan. Iqbal’s vision of autonomous federation of Muslim state included Baluchistan but the Khan of Kalat never brought into the Punjabi nationalist paradigm, arguing that the Kalat had special treaty powers. Baglar Begi Khan declared the independence of Kalat on August 15, 1947. He assured the neo-state of Pakistan that Kalat will participate in the defense and infrastructure but will be autonomous. That didn’t go over well at all and the Pakistani army entered the region to occupy the area immediately. On Mar 27, 1948, the Khan of Kalat gave in to the State of Pakistan and his old attorney M. A. Jinnah. His brother Abdul Karim Baloch refused to surrender and revolted until his arrest in 1950. Baluchistan was put under Governor General control and no elective body formed in Baluchistan until 1973.
After Partition, the threat of E. Pakistani – read Bengali – hegemony (55% of population at the time), forced the Punjabi military and civil elite (in 1947, Punjabis made up 77% of the army being only 25% of the population) to consitute W. Pakistan as One Unit in the 1956 Constitution. This was done presumably to guarantee equal representation for W. Pakistan but the measure was highly unpopular in Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP because it meant rule of the Punjabi over their regional interests. Separatist, sub-national movements triumphing local languages and cultures and protesting Punjabi hegemony arose in all the three states. Especially in Baluchistan, the Khan of Kalat led a stringent opposition to the One Unit. But the wave of military dictatorships quashed all such designs. In 1970, Yayha Khan dissolved the One Unit to appease E. Pakistan but the horrific damage done by the army in soon-to-be-Bangladesh proved too much.
After 1971, the sub-nationalist movements in Sindh and Baluchistan demanded their fair share of the nationalist pie. With Bangladesh’s independence, Punjab became the most populous and richest state in the country. It had 58% of the population while Baluchistan had 4%. Led by Bhutto’s central populism, Baluchistan had its first elected body in 1972. The National Awami Party won the majority of the seats in Baluchistan and started making noises about state rights. In 1973, it was clear to the NAP that Baluchistan was the least developed province with the majority of civil and military bureaucracy coming from Punjab. They, quite correctly, saw this as a colonial exploitation. The discovery of natural gas reserves at Sui had made the area incredibly vital to Pakistan and Iran’s developmental programs. The refusal by the Bhutto’s central government to allow NAP internal autonomy escalated a tense situation into an outright revolt. Bhutto dismissed the Baluchistan assembly and re-instituted Governor’s rule. The Baluchi nationalists launched an all-out military resistance.
From 1973-1978, roughly 60,000 Baluchi tribesmen and militia have faced off against the Pakistani army. Iran, eager to quell any similar uprising in its bordering area, has contributed airforce and personnel to the Pakistani efforts. They bombarbed Baluchi villages into submission. Bhutto’s ouster, via Zia’s military coup, forced a calm onto the situation as Zia launched into his One Pakistan Through Islam program. The Afghanistan war, the Iranian revolution and the Zia’s policies made Baluchistan into an island of outsider activity. US/UN aid for Afghani refugees poured into the metropolitan areas. During the 90s, the Benazir/Nawaz Sharif governments did little for Baluchistan as the Baluchi nationalist parties floundered in exile.
After The General landed into power (get it?), he tried to foster new relationship with Baluchistan. Over the last three years, the Kachhi Canal, Mirani Dam, Gwadar Port, Makran Coastal Highway, Saindak Copper Project and Quetta Water Supply Scheme were announced by Islamabad. Over 300 percent increase was made in the national budget for development programs in Baluchistan. Yet,all these things have failed to materialize from paper into concrete.
These latest incidents emerge from the same calls for Baluchistan’s equal share in the national programs and right to self-administer. The catalyst seems to be the assault on a female doctor, Dr. Shazia Khalid, by a gang of employees of the PPL at Sui. The company management, along with the local police, tried to quash the issue while the central authorities ignored all pleas to intervene. This caused the initial attack on the Sui facility. Nawab Akbar Bugti, the leader of Democratic National Party Baluchistan, clearly stated that the attack was borne out of frustration on the lack of action against the employees who did the assault and was NOT a nationalist struggle for freedom by the tribals. The General, on the other hand, is going to play this as another internal/extrenal threat to Pakistan and seems determined to carry out a military response. His pointed reference to the 1973 uprising is meant to warn the Baluchi tribals that he will not negotiate on his terms.
Today’s actions by the tribals and the military response in Baluchistan can be understood within the context of the acrimonious central-regional relationship in Pakistan. The rights of states, the rights of minorities, the rights of individuals are all negotiated within the vaccum of Islamabad military power-brokers. Having no access to that, the aggrieved parties find no alternative except violent struggle. The history of MQM, of Sindh, of Waziristan and, of Baluchistan provide ample attestation to that reality. I hate to say it again but here it goes: there is no way out except a democratically elected and constituted assembly that will re-imagine Pakistan as a federation with a secular and civil Constitution at the helm.
This has set the stage for a show-down between Pakistan military and what the Pak media is terming “terrorist organizations” like the Baluch Liberation Front and Baluch Liberation Army. At least Jang Daily expressed severe doubt in their editorial about the mere existence of these organization (which is the usual hint that India is behind it all). If they, uh, google’d it, they would know that not only do these organizations exist and have a fairly comprehensive web presence but that their greivances are long standing and, at least to this Punjabi/Kashmiri, fairly justified.
Let me start with a bit of history. The region was largely under Iranian kingly control and the autonomous principality of Kalat. The British wrested control away from the Khan of Kalat in the early 1840s and it became the staging ground for the various Afghan-British wars (the Great Game) in the later half of 19th century. The 1876 treaty between the Khan of Kalat and Robert Sandeman accepted the independence of the Kalat as an allied state with British military outposts in the region. After the 1878 Afghan War, the British established Baluchistan as a provinicial entity centered around the municipality of Quetta – Kalat, Makran, and Lasbella continuing to exist as princely realms. The British interest in the region was largely to use it as a land-mass bulwark against Central Asian encroachments. Besides a train track, the development and settlement of British holdings excluded most of the tribal population. The administrative and legislative reforms of late 19th and early 20th century India overlooked Baluchistan. Around the 1930s, Baluchi nationalist parties emerged to contest for freedom from British rule. They took the princely state of Kalat as the focal point of a free and united Baluchistan. Iqbal’s vision of autonomous federation of Muslim state included Baluchistan but the Khan of Kalat never brought into the Punjabi nationalist paradigm, arguing that the Kalat had special treaty powers. Baglar Begi Khan declared the independence of Kalat on August 15, 1947. He assured the neo-state of Pakistan that Kalat will participate in the defense and infrastructure but will be autonomous. That didn’t go over well at all and the Pakistani army entered the region to occupy the area immediately. On Mar 27, 1948, the Khan of Kalat gave in to the State of Pakistan and his old attorney M. A. Jinnah. His brother Abdul Karim Baloch refused to surrender and revolted until his arrest in 1950. Baluchistan was put under Governor General control and no elective body formed in Baluchistan until 1973.
After Partition, the threat of E. Pakistani – read Bengali – hegemony (55% of population at the time), forced the Punjabi military and civil elite (in 1947, Punjabis made up 77% of the army being only 25% of the population) to consitute W. Pakistan as One Unit in the 1956 Constitution. This was done presumably to guarantee equal representation for W. Pakistan but the measure was highly unpopular in Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP because it meant rule of the Punjabi over their regional interests. Separatist, sub-national movements triumphing local languages and cultures and protesting Punjabi hegemony arose in all the three states. Especially in Baluchistan, the Khan of Kalat led a stringent opposition to the One Unit. But the wave of military dictatorships quashed all such designs. In 1970, Yayha Khan dissolved the One Unit to appease E. Pakistan but the horrific damage done by the army in soon-to-be-Bangladesh proved too much.
After 1971, the sub-nationalist movements in Sindh and Baluchistan demanded their fair share of the nationalist pie. With Bangladesh’s independence, Punjab became the most populous and richest state in the country. It had 58% of the population while Baluchistan had 4%. Led by Bhutto’s central populism, Baluchistan had its first elected body in 1972. The National Awami Party won the majority of the seats in Baluchistan and started making noises about state rights. In 1973, it was clear to the NAP that Baluchistan was the least developed province with the majority of civil and military bureaucracy coming from Punjab. They, quite correctly, saw this as a colonial exploitation. The discovery of natural gas reserves at Sui had made the area incredibly vital to Pakistan and Iran’s developmental programs. The refusal by the Bhutto’s central government to allow NAP internal autonomy escalated a tense situation into an outright revolt. Bhutto dismissed the Baluchistan assembly and re-instituted Governor’s rule. The Baluchi nationalists launched an all-out military resistance.
From 1973-1978, roughly 60,000 Baluchi tribesmen and militia have faced off against the Pakistani army. Iran, eager to quell any similar uprising in its bordering area, has contributed airforce and personnel to the Pakistani efforts. They bombarbed Baluchi villages into submission. Bhutto’s ouster, via Zia’s military coup, forced a calm onto the situation as Zia launched into his One Pakistan Through Islam program. The Afghanistan war, the Iranian revolution and the Zia’s policies made Baluchistan into an island of outsider activity. US/UN aid for Afghani refugees poured into the metropolitan areas. During the 90s, the Benazir/Nawaz Sharif governments did little for Baluchistan as the Baluchi nationalist parties floundered in exile.
After The General landed into power (get it?), he tried to foster new relationship with Baluchistan. Over the last three years, the Kachhi Canal, Mirani Dam, Gwadar Port, Makran Coastal Highway, Saindak Copper Project and Quetta Water Supply Scheme were announced by Islamabad. Over 300 percent increase was made in the national budget for development programs in Baluchistan. Yet,
These latest incidents emerge from the same calls for Baluchistan’s equal share in the national programs and right to self-administer. The catalyst seems to be the assault on a female doctor, Dr. Shazia Khalid, by a gang of employees of the PPL at Sui. The company management, along with the local police, tried to quash the issue while the central authorities ignored all pleas to intervene. This caused the initial attack on the Sui facility. Nawab Akbar Bugti, the leader of Democratic National Party Baluchistan, clearly stated that the attack was borne out of frustration on the lack of action against the employees who did the assault and was NOT a nationalist struggle for freedom by the tribals. The General, on the other hand, is going to play this as another internal/extrenal threat to Pakistan and seems determined to carry out a military response. His pointed reference to the 1973 uprising is meant to warn the Baluchi tribals that he will not negotiate on his terms.
Today’s actions by the tribals and the military response in Baluchistan can be understood within the context of the acrimonious central-regional relationship in Pakistan. The rights of states, the rights of minorities, the rights of individuals are all negotiated within the vaccum of Islamabad military power-brokers. Having no access to that, the aggrieved parties find no alternative except violent struggle. The history of MQM, of Sindh, of Waziristan and, of Baluchistan provide ample attestation to that reality. I hate to say it again but here it goes: there is no way out except a democratically elected and constituted assembly that will re-imagine Pakistan as a federation with a secular and civil Constitution at the helm.
target killing in karachi
KARACHI: Karachi witnessed 115 killings in the current month, among them 38 were target killings, said Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
Addressing a press conference at Sindh Secretariat, he said total 66 killings were reported between 13th and 23 April, among them 23 were target killings.
Memon said the First Information Reports (FIRs) of 58 killings had been lodged. Seven alleged target killers had been apprehended in 43 killing cases between 1st to 12th April, he added.
Moreover, 15 other accused were also arrested, involved in other murders. Of the total 23 targeted killings reported in last ten days, six each were reported in Gulshan and Orangi towns, two each in Gadap, New Karachi, Liaquatabad and Sadar towns, one each in Malir and Shah Faisal town.
Eleven targeted killers were arrested from Police East zone, 10 from West zone and 2 from South zone.
Police held 36 encounters in last ten days, while 85 absconders nabbed, Memon said. He said two repeaters, five revolvers and 127 pistols were recovered by the police during different raids.
Of the total arrests made by police, 15 criminals belong to a banned outfit. Minister said police have increased patrolling and snap checking at various places across the city, while law enforcement agencies are after the absconding criminals.
Referring to recent bomb blast at a gambling den of Karachi, Sharjeel said the club was officially established and registered since 1953 as cards club. It was also raided last year by the police and many arrests were made; however, all detainees were exonerated following the court orders.
Responding to a query, he said Chief Minister Sindh had announced to bear all medical expenses of private TV channel reporter who was manhandled by some miscreants a few days ago.
TERRORISM
Terrorism means to spread act of terror among masses. It is world wide process, which has natural aspects. It is not related to individual’s sense of compulsion but it is a spiritual habit which compels some ones to carryon attack either in the form of suicide attack or targeted attack. As for concern with our homeland we are witnessing the demon of terrorism for last one decade Pakistani nation has been scarifying their lives in the war against terrorism this is because of wrong policies of our puppets leadership the war against terrorism was of foreign countries war but our incompetent unprudent and power thirsty leadership have made it our own war an account of enhancing their powers terrorism has undermine the foundation of our country terrorists has been targeting innocent Pakistani,ie men women children. our country has lost his fame due to presence of the demon of terrorism our scholars’ and analysts estimate the total lose occurred to us approximately 60 billion dollar and the total casualition of our innocent pak is about 35 thousand no life ,property, of individual is safe, with every passing day there occurs any suicide attacks. the menace of terrorism has sabotaged the social and economic life of people .the people of abroad are net coming to our country due to fear of terrorism. their investment go to our neighbors country and we are reprise from the economic benefits which go against our economy in turn we are to face the great economic meltdown. our country is confronted by countless challenges. they are in the form of destruction of economy, shortage of energy dearness is near to culmination, with the every passing day the price hike become necessary people of country are facing curse of their some evil done by extremist due to tiresome we are debated of imf and world bank.imf with every day imposing different sort of condition and s.stress on us to increase the prices in every day commodities, electricity, petrol etc.
It is my advise to govt that for the sake of god avoid the relationship with America due to this act we will progress in every field and we will be prosperous country in world, our image will be better
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