| February 15, 2008 | Friday | Safar 07, 1429 |
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US presidential race
Benazir’s assassination
Scant nationalism
Apology for Edhi
Kidnappings galore
Management body
US concerned over poll violence
Word of caution
FCAs increase
Bringing in democracy
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
THE various terms used after the results of elections are announced in Pakistan are “rigged, manoeuvred, engineered, manipulated, fraudulent” and so on. The results are never accepted as true, especially by the losers.
The fact is, and we all must accept it, that elections are always rigged all over the world but the degree and technique varies. Those who plan rigging and execute it must be given credit for their brain work and the losers must accept the results as declared and congratulate the winning candidates instead of protesting or creating a law and order situation.
There are two types of rigging: the direct rigging and the indirect rigging. For the direct rigging, the following methods are adopted:
— Stuffing of ballot boxes with ballot papers by the polling staff in the polling stations where there is poor turnout.
— Bringing unregistered voters to the polling stations to make up for the absentee/dead voters.
— Preparing ghost polling stations and stuffing the ballot boxes with already stamped ballot papers.
— Preparing bogus electoral rolls with fake names and addresses.
— Wrong counting at far-flung areas or where there are no polling agents. It is practically impossible to have a polling agent on each booth of all the polling stations of a constituency. So casting of bogus votes and wrong counting cannot be stopped.
— Wrong adding up of total voters from each polling station at the returning officer’s office.
For indirect rigging, the government in power plays an unfair role as under:
— Using government machinery in the election campaign, i.e., manpower, transport with full support of the government officials.
— The use of government media, both electronic and print.
— Development works by the king’s party candidates just before the election dates.
— Granting certain facilities on the promise of getting votes from them.
— Positioning and transfer of certain key staff to help the king’s party candidates and manoeuvre the polling.
— Wrong propaganda against the opposition members by the caretaker government.
In the light of the above, one should not expect a free, fair and transparent election. The foreign observers can easily be dodged by showing them earmarked polling stations and compilation of results at a few offices of returning officers.
MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA
Lahore Cantt
WHATEVER accusations political parties are making against the government about rigging the election, the people do not believe these but the announcement of the information minister that the media will not be allowed to telecast the progressive results of the election and all results will be announced by the Election Commission has caused great dismay among the masses.
Why so ? If the security concern is the cause, then is there going to be a valid reason for anticipating the disruption of security in the country on the election day?
Whatever may be the reasons for the government to take this decision, the masses take it to be in bad taste.
The entire nation will be focusing attention on the air on the election day on Feb 18 but they will not be able to know anything from the media, although I am sure the foreign media will give a much bigger coverage of the election to fill up the vacuum of information in the country.
How can the government effectively stop or control the flow of information.
So why deprive the national media of playing its just role of catering information to the masses on the most important national event.
The information minister should review his decision to ensure the credibility of election results.
M. M. KHAN
Karachi
LIKE millions of other Pakistanis I too have long been disgusted by the imperialistic and hegemonistic policies of President Bush and his neocon supporters.
It is, therefore, a refreshing change to witness the very open and democratic manner in which the US presidential race is being conducted.
Every candidate has to prove his credentials and abilities in front of party members in the 50 states of the Union: a marathon in which everyone aspiring to the high office is questioned, cross-questioned and grilled ruthlessly in public debate.
This is a nerve-racking process through which the aspirants have to pass before one of them is finally selected as the candidate of his/her party.
Then starts the second tough test in which the Democratic and Republican candidates will square off once again in a series of televised public debates before the entire people of the United States.
What a delightful and transparent method of letting the electorate judge the merits and policies of the presidential hopefuls, before they finally cast their votes.
I am even more impressed by the large-heartedness and lack of prejudice displayed by the white population — at least those belonging to the Democratic Party — voting in such vast numbers in the primaries in favour of a black candidate named Barack Hussain Obama.
The breakdown shows that while the majority of blacks of both sexes are voting heavily for their fellow black Obama, among the whites Hillary leads only among female voters, but among white males Obama is getting greater backing than Hillary!
I find this phenomenon quite amazing and heartening. It shows that all Americans are not cast in the mould of that great fundamentalist George Bush.
If Barack Hussain Obama ends up becoming the first black president of the United States, it will be a unique demonstration that the majority of white Americans have at last shed their racial prejudice. After all, blacks comprise only 12 per cent of the population of the USA.
ZAFAR ULLAH POSHNI
Karachi
PRESIDENT Musharraf has assured the nation that there are no Al Qaeda groups in Pakistan, but a newspaper has given an account of the killing of Al Libbi in Waziristan by the US drones and the Pakistan ambassador in the US has claimed that the Pakistan army is responsible.
Maybe he claims this to get the $200,000 reward the US has put out. But Mr Musharraf is an honourable man and so are we all.
Once again the horrific assassination of the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was blamed on Al Qaeda and forgetting that there are no Al Qaeda groups in Pakistan. But Musharraf is an honourable man and so are we all.
The amazing thing is that the laser weapon used in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has never been used by Al Qaeda or the Mujahideen in the past.
This highly sophisticated weapon is used by the intelligence agencies all over the world. Why has Scotland Yard not undertaken investigations about the weapon and its origin. Is there something they do not want the people of Pakistan to know?
The footprints in this case lead to Rawalpindi. But Mr Musharraf is an honourable man and so are we all.
My compatriots I implore you that when you vote on Feb 18, vote with your head, and not with your heart.
M. AFZAL
Karachi
THE present situation which our motherland has been pushed to – amazingly — is not initiating effort for improvement at all levels.
There are many Pakistanis who are almost indifferent towards what is happening or do not believe it is really their responsibility to contribute their bit.
The reason I see for such apathy is the scant nationalism among us.
This strong driving force of the 1940s has eroded, unable to stand against the strong thrusts of feudal and impoverished society.
But it does not imply that we are wanting in love for our country in any way.
History can testify that whenever our nationalism was aroused, by striking the right notes, Pakistanis are proud to have responded to every such call.
The country is again passing through a phase where some action is required of us. The media and writers can not only initiate this process but can trigger it as well.
One of the private TV channels has started broadcasting a message for the nation, throwing light on what we are worthy of achieving as a nation.
Just how good it feels to ears and heart, can’t really be explained in words.
I urge all the TV channels to play as many national songs as possible.
This also includes playing the national anthem every now and then, instead of a time check after strike of every 15 minutes.
I request the writers to write against such foul ideas as ‘failed state’, ‘bleak future’ and ‘things to worsen’.
We are a nation of sentimentalists. All we need is some lead to spur us towards the right cause.
MAH-E-ARSH KHAN
Kohat
WITH reference to your report on the UK apologising for the detention of Chaudhry Wajahaat aka ‘Commander of Gujrat” and a few others, it is interesting to note that a similar detention was carried out by the US authorities, only this time the victim was Abdul Sattar Edhi who is a world renowned social worker and has been awarded the Lenin Peace Prize.
His organisation appears in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest private ambulance service in the world.
What makes this even more appalling is the fact that this wasn’t the first time he was detained and questioned.
One is compelled to question the intelligence the US employs in their fight against terrorism. Apparently sporting a beard, Pakistani origin and being suited in a shalwar-kameez fulfil the criterion.
Maybe we would’ve received an apology from the US too had Edhi been on a trip to show support for the current military regime.
After all does it matter if he and his network have helped thousands?
BERT PEREIRA
Via email
SINDH is facing many problems such as poverty, lack of health and education facilities, poor law and order situation. It seems as if it will only get worse.
I know crime takes root when there is unemployment, poverty, hunger and no shelter — the problems of the downtrodden.
A new menace, which plagues society and citizens of Sindh, is the wave of kidnappings, in which even children are not spared. Jacobabad and its nearby areas are on top of the list of kidnappers.
A few months ago eight-year-old Om Parkash was kidnapped in Jacobabad, 14-year-old Pawan Kumar and eighr-year-old Tausha were kidnapped in Kashmore.
Two months back a four-year-old girl was kidnapped in Jacobabad. She had torture marks on her body when she returned home.
Although nobody is safe, the weaker among the people, such as the minority Hindus, are easy victim of kidnappers.
The assassinated PPP chairperson and former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, in her statement published in a section of the press (March 29, 2007) had explained why most of the time the Hindus were being kidnapped in Sindh and had raised her voice against this crime.
Now her party and other political parties should follow her and raise their voice against such a crime or else people belonging to the minority will feel unsafe and unprotected in their own country.
This happens off and on in different parts of Sindh. Neither the government nor society bothers about it. More so political parties do not care about these cruel acts perpetrated by criminals.
Just two weeks ago three people were released and three days back three more were kidnapped while travelling in a wagon, one of them is a doctor.
Recently another doctor was kidnapped in Jacobabad and three more in Thul.
Manohar Lal, chairman, Hindu General Panchayat, Jacobabad, rightly said in his interview with a news channel: “There is no law. Nobody bothers and cares about us. The government should fulfil its responsibilities”.
Political parties, human rights organisations, media and notables should raise their voice against this brutality and injustice to people.
Kidnapping children is a heinous crime that leaves parents in pain and anguish and also inflicts a psychological trauma on children.
The agony of the situation demands that all conscientious people must rise to the occasion and take up the victims’ case.
What are our MPAs and MNAs doing in this regard? Where are the district police and higher officials?
More importantly, representatives of the Hindu community should come forward and raise their voice as people are worried as they do not feel safe and are afraid of even going out after evening.
M. LAL
Karachi
SENIOR bureaucrats are heading or members of the management committee of numerous clubs in Pakistan, which is not desirable. The government should ban this practice. Their jobs and clubs both are suffering due to poor performance.
By an act of parliament civil servants should be restrained from contesting election to become member of management committee of any club. This will go a long way to discourage corruption and set good traditions.
MALIK MUNIR AHMED
Lahore Cantt
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice states that elections should be free and fair, however she is concerned about violence.
The violence, I would like to add, is because of those elements that want to destabilise us and are no friends of the nation.
The election will be held in a fair, free and impartial manner.
The election reforms are welcoming and will ensure that rigging is avoided at all costs.
There has been violence in elections before between rival parties. The violence this time is in the form of terrorism.
Everything is being done by us to ensure that violence does not take place.
People from all walks of life have been encouraged by the government to vote as this is an important national obligation that will shape the destiny of the country in the next five years.
The US should not be concerned, but should concentrate on its own upcoming election.
SARDAR ALI
Peshawar
THERE is an election on Feb 18 whereby we would be asked to choose the new government. Our vote is of great importance because the people we select will rule our country for the next five years.
There are so many people asking for our vote, we should vote those parties/candidates who dedicate themselves to preventing threats to sustainable development, to building a secure and favourable business environment and to enhance human security.
We will vote those who pledge to work towards a dynamic and harmonious Pakistan by building strong society for the well-being of our people.
If we closely look into the past performance of the present candidates, we can safely say that there are many wolfs in sheep’s clothes.
And I believe I would not be out of place here in quoting T. S. Eliot. He said: “An election is coming.
“Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry.”
In the end I want to end with a prayer: Allah “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.
Endow us with the courage that is born of loyalty to all, that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy”. Amen.
NOORUDDIN TEJANI
Karachi
FOREIGN currency account deposits of Pakistanis and non residents have exceeded $4 billion by December 2007 and settled at $4.072 billion.
A report by the State Bank of Pakistan shows that the new foreign currency deposits of Pakistanis and non-residents stood at $3.998 billion while the old FCAs amounted to $74.40 million, reaching $4.072 billion in December last year.
This shows a strong economic growth that President Musharraf has encouraged. Pakistanis for the first time are investing and showing confidence in the economic sector which was virtually dead eight years before.
It shows an element of stability and trust which was completely lacking in the past.
This also shows a marked improvement since the blunder made by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had frozen all foreign accounts which resulted in reducing foreign currency account deposits.
In June 2007, the foreign currency accounts amounted to $3.837 billion which surged above $4 billion in December and has at present reached $4.072 billion.
The credit is to the steps and confidence-building measures by President Musharraf that have brought sustainability as more Pakistanis and non-residents have expressed their confidence in the economic reforms carried out. The results speak for themselves.
AMIN SULEIMAN
Rawalpindi
IN lieu of the much-heated debate going on these days, I would like to add something on the comment of Justice (r) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim saying: “Lots of Pakistani people may be uneducated but they are not illiterate”.
My driver has been quite restless for the past few days because he needed to get his national identity card so that he could place his vote on Feb 18. When asked who he wanted to vote for, his response was: “Anyone who would be willing to give me some money for the vote.
“I don’t care whoever comes in power; it doesn’t make a difference to us anyways?”
He is middle-aged man belonging to the SECD, which makes more than 50 per cent of Pakistan’s population.
The people of Pakistan are illiterate, unaware and lack responsibility. Making Pakistan a democratic nation is a twofold process:
a) Educating the people and
b) Getting capable leaders who can do something positive for Pakistan.
I would just like to say that before bringing in democracy the roots need to be corrected.
SANA HAIDER
Karachi
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