Pakistan, LAHORE Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) leader Fazlur Rehman on Friday claimed that a major breakthrough in the efforts to bring about a compromise between President Asif Ali Zardari and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership had been achieved. The Sharifs are protesting their disqualification and imposition of governor’s rule in Punjab and are pressing for the restoration of judiciary. 'The two sides have reached an agreement on fundamental issues – though modalities of settling them are yet to be decided – that triggered the current political crisis in the country in the wake of disqualification by the Supreme Court of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif,” he told reporters after a three-hour meeting with the PML-N leadership at the Sharif’s Raiwind estate. He refused to divulge the details of the issues on which the two sides are said to have reached an agreement, saying he was not in a position to make public the fine points of mediation. He said he would meet the president on Saturday for further discussion in the light of Friday’s talks.
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Friday, March 6, 2009
The political show goes on
A question on the lips of most Pakistanis these days is whether the Sharif brothers and their political party – the PML-N – will manage to push back their rival – the PPP – and its leader Asif Ali Zardari. After the Supreme Court decision disqualifying the Sharif brothers from electoral politics and holding public office, the PML-N seems to have had no other option but to muster street support in the form of the lawyers’ movement and seek out parties and groups of the religious right. People across the country were getting ready for political show-time on the streets until March 3 happened. On this day, matters appeared to take another turn as terrorists struck in Lahore. Now the problem is that as much as the Sharif brothers might want to up the political ante, the reality is (to put it in the words of an Indian film song) that ‘Pappu nach naheen sakta’. Surely, Nawaz Sharif will be cautious in overexposing himself and his followers to the threat of a terrorist attack. The last leader to ignore security calls was Benazir Bhutto who succumbed to a terrorist attack. The identity of her killers remains unknown. Security is bound to be enhanced now and there will be greater vigilance to allow for major processions on the streets. In any case, people will be terrified at least for a few days and would be averse to risking their lives by congregating and taking out processions, be they lawyers or others. The security situation does not bode well for them, especially at a time when the PPP is trying hard to buy the loyalties of the people through restoring the nazims and resorting to other measures to undermine the strength of the PML-N. The political battle was meant to be fought on the streets. It would be the Sharifs’ ability to mobilise the people in this regard that would impress external powers and opposing political forces in the country. As far as mass protests go, the PPP has an edge in terms of its jiyalas who are rabid party supporters willing to give up their lives for the PPP and its leadership. There is a general understanding that the PML-N never had this edge. But this is not to underestimate the fact that the Sharif brothers have the support of the trader-merchant class in Punjab and other places. Historically, they fund the protest even though they are not actively a part of it. So, one could have had a situation as in 1977 when the conservative trader-merchant class funded the PNA movement. Although it would be extremely conspiratorial to hint that the government may have been involved in the terrorist attacks, the fact is that the peculiar turn of events must have made the PPP leadership very happy as it provided an opportunity to contain the upcoming long march and the street protests by the Sharifs. The party’s calculations possibly included buying off parliamentarians in Punjab which would enable it to make a government in the largest province and then use the power to wipe out the PML-N in the next elections. The emphasis is on patronage politics which helps in purchasing loyalties. Voting patterns are affected by a number of factors including popular ideas on who will make it to power. Equally, they have much to do with people’s perceptions of who has been wronged. There is great worth attached to physical and political martyrdom in South Asia and the Third World in general. Not to mention the fact that patronage politics is generally an inefficient system. At the end of the ruling party’s term, there are always a large number of disgruntled people who then decide to switch over to the other side in the hope of getting better benefits. Considering the short life of civilian regimes, patronage politics rarely support the ruling party. But convenient times do not necessarily mean that the battle is or will be over soon. The PPP indeed made a difficult choice by derailing the Punjab government. It might be able to form the provincial government, but it will have to face the uncomfortable situation of dealing with a strong opposition. This means that it will be difficult to undertake policymaking and the party will eventually have to fall back on patronage politics. It should also not be forgotten that the bulk of the Sharifs’ party constituents were happy (or not so unhappy) with the PML-N. In any case, extreme conflict between the two parties in Punjab will make both policymaking and service delivery harder if not impossible in the largest province which means that the people will ultimately be unhappy with the situation. The prospect of such a degree of unhappiness in the largest province is worrying particularly when we consider the fact that the military still predominantly belongs to Punjab. What we are looking at is protracted political warfare in which the battle lines may ultimately be drawn on the basis of ideology (it is still a blessing that confrontation has not taken on an ethnic colour). Even if nothing happens as the long march approaches, the Sharifs will not give up the street fight or the one that has started inside parliament. It is a fact that a number of forces that have an impact on Pakistan’s politics such as the US do not support the PML-N. Given Washington’s understanding that the Sharifs are ideologically conservative as compared to the PPP and its leadership, the US does not seem inclined towards the PML-N. However, this would add to the ideological angle of the battle. Many would interpret this confrontation as a conflict between pro-Pakistan elements and those that are at the beck and call of the US. Ultimately, this will further make politics in this country extremely wonky. More importantly, political confrontation is a reminder not only of the past but also of the myopia of the politicians and political parties. The fact is that Pakistan’s political system in general is driven by predatory instincts in which players do not value loyalty, partnership, ideology or the betterment of the people. Instead, they are driven by concern for short-term gains and their desire for personal power. Under the circumstances, one can easily predict that the boots will eventually march back from the barracks into the corridors of power — if not today or tomorrow then certainly the day after. And then, they will be the ones dancing rather than Pappu and his mates or rivals.
Clinton pushes for Afghan meeting
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for a high-level conference on Afghanistan at the end of March. Solutions to the situation in Afghanistan can only be found if the countries involved, including Iran, meet, she said. Mrs Clinton was speaking at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Brussels, where the alliance agreed to resume high-level contacts with Russia. She will meet Sergei Lavrov, her Russian counterpart, later on Friday. Russia welcomed the Nato decision, which comes six months after it froze contacts over the conflict between Russia and Georgia.Mrs Clinton stressed Afghanistan, which she called "Nato's biggest military challenge", was a concern for both Russia and the West."If we move forward with such a meeting, it is expected that Iran would be invited as a neighbour of Afghanistan," she said. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that he hoped Iran would attend such a meeting, but noted that Tehran had failed to attend recent French talks on Afghanistan. "I hope Iran will be here this time," said Mr Kouchner. BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Nato remains central to the trans-Atlantic relationship but it is facing a critical challenge in Afghanistan, where failure could call into question its whole credibility. On Friday, Mrs Clinton will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The US is hoping that Russia will help secure new and safer supply lines for Nato troops in Afghanistan. Russia's help is also crucial in engaging Iran and curbing its nuclear plans.
Indian CEO buys Gandhi's items for $1.8M
Gorbachev Slams Putin in Interview, Calls Him Worst Version of Communists
MOSCOW In some of his strongest criticism of his successors, Mikhail Gorbachev on Thursday likened Vladimir Putin's United Russia party to the worst of the communists he once led and helped bring down, and said Russia is today a country where the parliament and the judiciary are not fully free. In an interview with The Associated Press some 20 years after the Soviet empire started its rapid collapse on his tumultuous watch, Gorbachev also said the global economic crisis showed capitalism should be tempered with elements of the socialist system he played such a critical role in sweeping away. The last Soviet leader was interviewed in the offices of his Gorbachev Foundation, a think tank founded in 1992 to promote "democratic values and moral, humanistic principles" — as well as, some say, Gorbachev himself. A little aged and more heavyset perhaps, Gorbachev, 78, seemed feisty, friendly and often reminiscent of the man who once ruled one of two superpowers on Earth. Gorbachev is a paradoxical figure even after all these years — widely credited around the world with a historic convulsion he admits he did not intend. He sought to fix communism, not destroy it, and in the interview said that while he was willing to let Eastern Europe go its own way he very much hoped the republics that formed the Soviet Union would stay united.
UN chief urges Pak to ensure release of UNHCR staff
UK lawmakers meet with militant groups
Lahore Liberty ambush: Defunct outfit involvement revealed
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Assault on Sufism, Pashtun poet Rehman Baba’s mausoleum bombed
Jai Ho 'cost Congress $200,000'
India's Congress party paid nearly $200,000 to buy the rights to Jai Ho, the Oscar-winning song from Slumdog Millionaire, the BBC has learnt. The governing party plans to use the song as part of its campaign for general elections which are to take place in April and May. Slumdog, set in the slums of Mumbai (Bombay), won eight Oscars last month. Bollywood composer AR Rahman and lyricist Gulzar won the Best Song Oscar for Jai Ho, literally meaning victory. With its catchy tune and uplifting lyrics, Jai Ho has become immensely popular with the public in India.
British cruise ship in 'pirate attack' scare
Umpires question security measures, voice anger
SYDNEY Australian cricket umpire Steve Davis slammed Pakistan on Thursday for failing to protect him and other officials who came under fire during the attack earlier this week on Sri Lanka’s cricket team. The comments by Davis came one day after match referee Chris Broad said Pakistan had not provided adequate protection for the team and the officials in Lahore. ‘There’s a bit of anger there that we were let down – we had all sorts of assurances before and I’m sure the (Sri Lankan) team feels that way too,’ Davis told reporters at Melbourne airport. ‘Despite all that, this was still able to happen and we were put in a very vulnerable position and felt very helpless.’ Davis and other match officials were travelling in a convoy towards the Gaddafi Stadium. Davis said he realised quickly just how serious the attack was when the bus driver was shot dead. ‘The driver’s foot was lodged on the accelerator and it was revving at a million miles an hour,’ he said. ‘Eventually a police officer came from somewhere, dragged the driver’s body out, and drove us at top speed to the stadium.’ Australian umpire Simon Taufel, who was also caught up in the shoot-out, said he did not know how the security detail had failed, but that he felt let down by Pakistan’s efforts. ‘We were promised a nine (out of ten security) and got delivered a two,’ Taufel said upon his arrival home Thursday. ‘The gunfire ... it just kept going. We thought, when’s it going to stop? Who’s going to come and save us, how are we going to get out of here?’ Taufel said, adding he found it ‘amazing’ that none of the gunmen had been caught. ‘You tell me why supposedly 20 armed commandos were in our convoy and when the team bus got going again, we were left on our own? I don’t have any answers to these questions.’ Davis said he needed time to think through his shattering experience. ‘I try to think what my feelings were and I don’t know,’ he said. ‘I think I’m still numb. I’m fully expecting to crash at some stage but not in front of you people, I hope.’ ‘I don’t know – anger, amazement, how could this happen? I don’t know.’ Taufel, 38, said he was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he survived the attack. ‘On Tuesday morning we were caught in a war ... It’s just a bloody game of cricket, not a war. It’s not the way the way life should be or sport should be,’ he said. ‘Sometimes if we have a bad day out on the field and perhaps we (umpires) don’t get everything right, at least we say nobody’s died.’ ‘Well, on Tuesday, people died and I can’t explain why I’m here. There is no reason for us to still be here.’
Universal, YouTube near deal on music video site
Gaza Militants Killed in Israeli Airstrike
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip An Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip Thursday killed two Islamic Jihad militants and wounded another, bringing to four the number of group members killed by Israel in less than 24 hours and drawing a vow of revenge. Islamic Jihad says the three men were returning together to their homes in the Mughazi refugee camp in central Gaza after a night spent on patrol along the Gaza-Israel border when they were targeted.The Israeli military said an aircraft attacked the three armed men after they fired an anti-tank missile at troops on the Israeli side of the border fence. No soldiers were reported injured. An Israeli airstrike Wednesday evening killed two members of the same organization. The Israeli military said the target in that raid was a senior Islamic Jihad militant who was involved in firing rockets at the Israeli city of Ashkelon, north of Gaza. Islamic Jihad official Abu Ahmed vowed Thursday morning that his group would avenge the killings. "Our rockets and our resistance will not stop," he said. "We know where and when we will take revenge for these crimes."
Bomb Hits Cattle Market Near Baghdad, 12 Dead
BAGHDAD A car bomb exploded Thursday in a crowded livestock market selling sheep, cattle and goats south of Baghdad, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens, Iraqi police and medical officials said. The parked car exploded at the height of the morning buying and selling at the market on the outskirts of Hillah, 60 miles south of Baghdad, said Iraqi police Maj. Muthana Khalid. The blast scattered bodies and animal carcasses throughout the market, a witness said. While violence has declined dramatically in Iraq during the past 18 months, there are concerns about a possible upward trend in bloodshed after a series of high-profile attacks on civilians and U.S. and Iraqi security forces in recent weeks. All the dead and injured in Thursday's bombing were civilians, Khalid said. Dr. Ahmed al-Hasnawi, from the Hillah General Hospital, said 60 people were wounded but two of them died after being taken to the hospital. The U.S. military put the casualty toll at 10 dead and 56 wounded. Markets, mosques and religious shrines have been a favorite target of insurgents in Iraq because of the possibility of high casualty counts.