Archive for February, 2009

Amidst much provincial restlessness, internal chaos and dissatisfaction, a meeting with the son of powerful and controversial Late Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti was, to say the least, a pleasant surprise! Although not quite as disarming, focused or impassioned as his father, jacose and candid Jameel Akbar Bugti cuts a striking physical resemblance to the late Tumandar (head) of the Bugti tribe. After shedding light on his views and opinions on Baloch Nationalism, life, love, marriage(s), strengths and flaws of the system, memories of his parents, education, etc. Nawabzada Jameel Akbar Bugti took us to a room which gave insight into the experiences and personality of this soft spoken man, a most creatively inspiring room full of art, paintings and invaluable and rare collections.

On-Air: Friday, February 20, 2009 {7PM, 3AM, 12PM (PST)}

Students’ Unions have both flourished and failed in Pakistan. Since the inception of Pakistan till now students’ organizations and unions have taken on an identity of their own, both supporting and challenging the political climate of the country. It has been observed however, that their benefits (understanding of democratic culture, inculcation of leadership qualities, confidence, tolerance, enhanced organizational skills, inter-personal abilities and communication skills) have been far outweighed by their disruptive capacity and negative fallout, in that they have been heavily politicized by various political parties in the past. (Pildat: As the society became more politically polarized, so did the campuses. In response to the unjust interference of some of the past ruling parties to patronize their favourite individuals or organizations among students and facilitate their success in election, other students and organizations started resisting such trends which soon started transforming into armed clashes within the campuses leading to the suspension, delay and disruption of academic sessions). Unfortunately most of the students’ unions to date have affiliations and connections with one political party or the other depending on its ideology. This in turn has not only created great disparity and rifts amongst university and college students but has proven to be highly detrimental to the campus environment as well as national interest in the form of impassioned and heavily influenced student masses (e.g. anti-government student alliances which have threatened the very existence of existing governments from time to time)

A heavy and passionate debate ensued between Amir Jalal, Member Central Committee University Student Federation (USF) and Rana Arshad, president of Muslim Students Federation (MSF). A live telephonic conversation with Nadeem Sarwar, Office Bearer Student Federation, Islami-Jamiat-Taleba (IJT) only went on to make the already heated discussion fragile! 

 

After a ban of almost a quarter of a century, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani announced the restoration of Students’ Unions while assuming office last year, March 29, 2008. Almost a year has elapsed but no concrete effort or planning has been undertaken for the responsible restoration and revival of the students’ unions.      

Pildat carried out impressive research and work in short listing questions which must be answered after due deliberation and consultation with all key stakeholders. For instance, campus violence, political parties’ interferences in campuses, influence of money, criminalization of students’ politics, accountability of students’ unions officials, qualifications for candidates, registrations of students’ organizations, code of conduct, provincial and national coordination, political activities in campuses, sectarian and ethnic trends in students’ politics, gender based quotas for students’ unions etc. are some of the many questions and issues relating to the peaceful and healthy revival of students’ unions in Pakistan which must be addressed before any step is taken.

Musa Khan Khel’s death has struck the journalist community and Pakistan at large as a shocking wakeup call. The following show aired just days prior to the murder of this senior journalist is little less than tragic irony - the question remains:  how prepared are our journalists in conflict reporting and how much protection does the state ensure to them?

On-Air: Tuesday, February 3, 2009 {7PM, 3AM, 12PM (PST)}

There is much discussion, news and opinion in Pakistani media regarding the Swat issue. The question I often find myself asking is whether media realizes its responsibility during this crisis – are we reporting honestly? If hidden agendas do exist – what are they instigated by – government pressure or demands/threats from the militants? The government speaks of ‘national interest’ without ever having defined what the word really stands for. Shouldn’t we first try and understand what is not in national interest? We claim to be an ‘independent’ media, yet we have never addressed how media culture affects the way conflict is covered, for no investment has been made to date in conflict reporting. Unhealthy working conditions, lack of training and resource limitation coupled with varying standards of professionalism, external intervention and lack of government protection are common hindrances in the way of honest and unbiased conflict reporting. Journalistic biases and competition help media further digress from this path. What hidden price are we paying by continuing this way? Shaukat Khattak, a senior conflict reporter/journalist on my show was fearless in stating that the army is doing next to nothing in Swat, the state is not facilitating free and secure reporting, and that the world is being shown the ‘untrue’ picture.  Secretary General South Asia Free Media Association, Imtiaz Alam was also vocal regarding the inadequate training and security provided to journalists. Seasoned politician Marvi Memon held that we’ve come a long way whilst Punjab University Mass Communication department head Professor Mugheez believed otherwise. We were joined during the live transmission by former minister for information Sheikh Rasheed and DG ISPR Athar Abbas via telephone – both of whom were questioned heavily regarding government pressure and dictation to the media in addition to withholding important information from the public and making wrong claims.

It would not be wrong to say that everything reported and discussed must be taken with a pinch of salt – for there is yet a long way to go in conflict and crisis reporting in Pakistan. Sources of information and credibility must be questioned at every point in this struggle to present to the world a true picture of what is really happening in Swat and FATA.

American senator Warren Johnson said in 1918 and unfortunately, quite truly so: the first casualty in every war is truth.

On-Air: Monday, January 26, 2009 {7PM, 3AM, 12PM (PST)}

We are sitting on the threshold of history being carved and futures altered. The word ‘conflict’ is synonymous with Pakistan’s current affairs today. All around us conflict of ideologies, beliefs and power seem to be escalating and the latest of such events is the proposal to the central government by the provincial government of NWFP to enforce Shariah Law in Malakand. A vaccum created in the 80s is finally being fulfilled and in its wake altering the futures of innocent children, helpless women, and a society which is desperate for peace at any cost. What does the amended Shariah Regulation contain? What options does the government of Pakistan realistically have? The same was discussed with an impressive panel of guests from all over Pakistan:

Islamabad Studios:

Ms. Tahira Abdullah (Human Rights Activist), Fakhr Kakakhel (Aj Tv Bureauchief NWFP)

Lahore Studios:

Ahmad Rashid (Analyst, Author of ‘Taliban’)

Peshawar Studios:

Mian Iftikhar Hussain (Information Minister NWFP)

We were joined on the line by Ameer Izat Khan (spokesperson Maulana Sufi Mohammad) and Gen. Athar Abbas (DG ISPR).

Many people today are unaware of the fact that Swat was one of the most liberal and secular states in South Asia. Mia Gul Aurengzeb, the last waali of Swat (1969) was an educated, liberal and peace loving man who ensured the state was one of the most developed places in the region - a phenomenal accomplishment considering the time. The end of the reign of waalis created a vaccum of legal system in what was to be known as Provincially Autonomous Tribal Areas. In the presence of escalating corruption and absence of speedy justice that the people were used to a movement was founded by Maulana Sufi Mohammad which came to be known as the Black Turban Movement (Kaali Pagri ki Tehreek) or more formally as Tehreek Nifaz Shariate Mohammadi. This was in the late 80s. Skipping history which includes TSNMs movement against the government (‘92), the formal impostion of Shariah Law in the region (‘94), Maulana Sufi Mohammad’s migration to Afghanistan (2001) and imprisonment upon return, his son in law Maulvi Fazlullah picking up from where his father in law left off (2006/7)- we find ourselves in 2009 where the movement has essentially split into two halves, one led by Maulvi Fazlullah and one by Maulana Sufi Mohammad - both of which demand the imposition of Shariah Law and Qazi Courts in the region but seem to have their own interpretation of what Shariah entails.  The dissolving of the Swat Peace Agreement made between the current provincial government and these anti-state elements was the first clue of the fact that Maulvi Fazlullah has a mind of his own which is not always in accordance with his father in law, however much Maulana Sufi Mohammad might claim otherwise. It is after this agreement that the world came to recognize Maulvi Fazlullah as part of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Maulana Sufi Mohammad as the leader of the original Tehreek Nifaz Shariate Mohammadi.

The demands of the Taliban to withdraw the army from the region, release their prisoners, enforce shariah and compensate with money for their victims and those of the government which include the Taliban surrendering all arms and letting education systems thrive, we see a deadlock of sorts. The militants are not stopping their operations, demanding the army to withdraw and their captured companions to be freed, whereas the government is keeping steadfast on its mandate of enforcing peace and harmony first and then withdrawing the army. Hard-on fighting and conflict continues where government buildings, schools, security institutions are being targeted, kidnappings and murders are rampant, government officials and dignitaries are summoned before the Taliban courts otherwise threatened to face dire consequences.

The provincial government seems to have found a solution, termed as the ‘last resort’ by many critics: it is asking the central government to allow for Shariah Regulation in Malakand. The regulation sent to the center includes the amendments made by Maulana Sufi Mohammad. If the same is carried out, he promises that he will convince his son in law to cease fire as the imposition of shariah is essentially the fulfillment of their mandate. What mandate though? They belong to two different movements altogether.

The interesting thing is, my interview with Maulvi Umer (spokesperson Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) brings to light the aspirations of the Taliban to impose Shariah all over Pakistan and to continue their ‘Jihad’ till the same is achieved. So one wonders what guarantee can Maulana Sufi Mohammad give the state that he will be successful in convincing Maulvi Fazlullah - for to be honest, there is not much incentive to be seen where him and his companions have already challenged the writ of the state, already have the power they need and are already handing out justice through their self-established Taliban courts. When I asked the same of Ameer Izzat Khan (spokesperson Maulana Sufi Mohammad) his calm reply was “time will tell”. 

TNSM has demanded only ‘Nizaam Adalat‘ be handed over to them… what about Nizaam Moishut, Syasut, Taleem, Sehat? Ameer Izzat Khan said the rest of the systems (economy, politics, education and health) could be controlled by the government of Pakistan. One wonders how the same is possible, if it is possible at all that is. Why are government schools being bombed today with the justification that they introduce unwanted western influence in society. Why are women being ostracized from public places such as shopping malls and restaurants?   Also, it is okay to use western arms and ammunitions but not western education? Just food for thought, because all this needs to be thought of and figured out, for no system works in islolation, especially not Islam which is in undoubtedly a complete code of life.

Since the establishment of their Peace Camps on 9^th October 2008, TNSM is giving the government 3 options: One, impose shairah regulation in Malakand and ensuring peace will their responsibility. Two, let the government ensure peace itself and Maulvi Sufi Mohammad and his companions will not interfere for the next 5 years as long as they are allowed to publicly preach to the masses. Three, the government should make a public announcement that it does not want to establish peace and harmony in the region.

To be honest, I did not understand any of these 3 options and requested for them to be explained again and again till finally realizing that only the first option makes sense! Ameer Izzat Khan was quick to add that if the government wanted TNSM could regulate and ensure peace all over the tribal areas, not just Malakand.

Which brings me to my next question: where will this stop? Today it is Malakand, tomorrow, day after, by next year- what are we looking at? Already the same elements have begun to emerge in places like Quetta where women are banned from eating out at restaurants.

Additionally, will not the impostion of Shariah in Malakand alone be enforcing a parallel judicial system in Pakistan? 

Journalists who have visited the area claim that the 40,000 or so army deployed is playing the role of spectators, silently witnessing the end of a civilization. No strategic operation is visible, and how will it be, when the civilian administration has flown altogether from the region - the army is after all operators not administrators. Everyday newspapers print headlines such as ‘mangora rid of militants’ whereas Mangora Bazaar is now openly referred to as ‘Khooni Chowk’ i.e. Intersection of Blood, a name secured in the wake of 2-4 dead bodies found dangling there every morning. Most of these claims come from Ather Abbas, DG ISPR, who was questioned about the same during the live transmission.

The Provincial Minister for Information was questioned whether any developmental packages were introduced in the area. Impostion of Shariah cannot rid the society of all the loss it has incurred, human and financial. Almost 15 lakh people have been displaced from an area which boasted of a liberal and secular social structure complete with the best educational institutions in Pakistan (Excelsior Missionary School, Sangota school for girl amongst the best known schools in the country), over 1800 high quality restaurants, a thriving tourist center owing to the regions rich cultural heritage, scenic landscape, music and art (Swat valley is a centre of the ancient Gandhara civilization). Who will account for the post traumatic stress disorders that the locals are experiencing, the psychological complications and the emotional trauma suffered by innocent children, helpless women and torn men?  

We have proven strong enough to bear religious and ethnic divides and still emerged as a nation. Is it sensible to fear for our future today? Will the impostion of Shariah in Malakand be the first step in a widening gyre which threatens to consume us all eventually? 

Every action has a reaction. In aftermath of the chaos resulting from the tango of an indecisive government and insatiable militants with many hidden agendas- we must remind ourselves: silence today will pierce through our souls in the coming days, ignorance today will snatch all chances of enlightenment tomorrow, and confusion will rob us of any hope of clarity in the future. We must equip ourselves with knowledge of what our country is going through and how in the process it is altering not only its own future but that of the entire world.

On-Air: Friday, February 13, 2009 {7PM, 3AM, 12PM (PST)}

Exclusive one hour with internationally acclaimed, award winning novelist Kamila Shamsie on Pakistan, international events, writing, women, life and love!