Consensus resolution

THE MPs have finally come up with a consensus resolution and this in itself is an achievement. Beyond that, one would be hard put to discover substance in the 14-point resolution read out to parliament by the prime minister on Wednesday. Between the opposition and the government, which side has given more is a matter of opinion. Keen to get a parliamentary endorsement of its policies, the government seems to have conceded more than the opposition. There is no reference to the war against terrorism in the resolution hammered out after a 15-day in-camera session of the two houses. The Taliban and Al Qaeda have not been named; instead the MNAs and senators confine themselves to noting “with great concern” that “extremism, militancy and terrorism” pose a threat to Pakistan’s stability and integrity. How to combat this menace has not been spelled out in specific terms, even though the resolution calls for “an urgent review” of the national security strategy. While the demand for “an independent foreign policy” could be considered a dig at the Musharraf government’s take on events, the resolution does not recommend what aberrations in Pakistan’s external relations need to be removed.

The resolution places emphasis on dialogue and calls it the “principal instrument of conflict management”. To that extent it breaks no new ground, for the PPP-led government too stands pledged to talks — an idea that is gaining ground in American and European capitals as well. However, the PPP government says it will talk to those militants who lay down arms. The resolution only indirectly concedes the government’s right to use force by pleading that collateral damage be avoided when the security forces “intervene” to ensure the government’s writ. On the question of sovereignty, it has maintained a fine balance. While the resolution asks the government to “deal” with incursions into Pakistan, it says the country should not be allowed to be used for acts of terrorism against other states, and that foreign militants be expelled.

Let us count our blessings: at one stage it appeared the opposition would walk away. That it did not do so and that finally the MPs managed to hammer out a consensus resolution is a matter of thanksgiving. Apparently our boys are growing. For the first time since the unity shown at the time of Musharraf’s exit, all parties have once again come together, even if the diluted resolution disappoints the nation, which had expected something more concrete from the people’s representatives. Nawaz Sharif had spoken a lot and made no secret of his reservations about the government’s war on terror, but his party too finally went along. Perhaps the resolution is a first step towards evolving what eventually could become a forceful, result-oriented national consensus.

More for the Baloch

WHILE the debate over which should come first in Balochistan, development or peace, is a never-ending one, no progress can be made on either unless a well-thought-out strategy is put into action. Considering that this has not happened over several decades of simmering Baloch discontent, President Zardari’s pledge to restore peace in the troubled province and make it secure for exploring energy resources seems too good to be true. Similar promises have been made time and again but military action, human rights abuses and the utter failure to improve socio-economic conditions have rendered them worthless.

Today Baloch militants may have decided to suspend anti-state activities (although the Dera Bugti bomb blast last Sunday gives a different impression), but it will be difficult to sustain the peace unless sweeping measures are taken to deliver on promises made to the Baloch by different governments. Balochistan is a mineral-rich province and its gas fields are crucial to sustaining Pakistan’s energy requirements. Conversely, it is the poorest in terms of human development; no surprise here as the province has a small share even in its own earnings with the centre delaying the payment of billions of rupees in gas royalties.

President Zardari’s words must be matched with actions if it is really the intent of this government to transform the province, and the first goal in this regard must be to win over the people’s trust. At present, the government’s policies and the military’s excesses that have caused so many to ‘disappear’, to be killed, to be rendered homeless, have alienated thousands of Baloch civilians. Moreover, a large number of them believe that development projects such as the Gwadar Port aim to bring in outside labour that would not only deprive the local people of employment opportunities but also change the demographic composition of the area. In these circumstances it is all too natural for separatist emotions to arise from the ashes of slain leaders and broken promises. To nip these in the bud — although in numerous cases such feelings have already assumed full-blown proportions — a greater measure of provincial autonomy and equitable resource-sharing must be given top priority. The marginalised Baloch must be brought into the national mainstream and made to feel their worth in society and given their rightful due in monetary and political terms. The government has enough on its hands with the Taliban menace. It cannot afford further violence that threatens the state’s integrity.

Breast cancer awareness

OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an international campaign organised by charities the world over to help combat the disease. These four weeks come as an opportunity to raise awareness, generate funds and provide information on prevention and treatment. In Pakistan, healthcare experts have come forward to observe the month with due diligence by organising a number of seminars and workshops. This is of extreme importance in a country that has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia. One out of nine women in Pakistan is likely to suffer from breast cancer, and of the 90,000 cases diagnosed there are 40,000 deaths every year. Sadly, there is a dearth of health professionals trained in clinical breast examination procedures. It was noted at a recent seminar that survival rates would improve if this could be remedied — for even though breast cancer is potentially a life-threatening disease, early detection can help save lives. It is crucial that the disease is diagnosed at an early stage so that curative procedures can be undertaken without delay.

Speakers at the seminar stressed that if an awareness campaign about self-examination were to be initiated and trained professionals made available, the disease burden could be reduced to almost half of what it is currently. The problem is that patients remain unaware of the disease in its early stages and consult physicians only after their health deteriorates. The first sign of breast cancer is typically a lump; if detected, professional help needs to be sought immediately. A concerted effort by the government and non-governmental organisations could help fight the battle on many fronts. Extensive research on the causes of the disease in Pakistan can help address those problems. An awareness campaign promoting self-examination which would include distribution of leaflets outlining techniques and procedures could help with early detection. These could be made available in schools, workplaces, hospitals and even shops frequented by women. Funds could be generated for the training of health professionals, enabling them to carry out clinical exams such as mammograms which are the best way to detect cancer in its early stages.

No justification for honour killing

THE issue of honour killing has come to the fore yet again in human rights discourse. While the practice is not confined to any particular country or region, much attention has been focused on Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Jordan, Turkey, Palestine, Syria, Egypt and Morocco, where the crime appears to be on the rise.

The spotlight on honour killing in Muslim countries has made many Muslims in the West acutely uncomfortable and generated a reaction of anger and defensiveness. Given the widespread negative stereotyping of Islam and Muslims, this reaction is understandable. However, it is very important to point out both to Muslims and non-Muslims who think that honour killing can be legitimised by reference to Islam, that there is absolutely no justification for it in our faith.

The Quran – the highest source of authority in Islam – puts so much value on the life of a human being that it likens the killing of one person to the killing of entire humanity. “…if anyone slays a human being – unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption on earth – it shall be as though he had slain all humankind; whereas if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind.” (Surah 5: 32)

It is well known that most victims of honour killing are accused wrongly and murdered on little or no evidence. All too often, the horrendous crime is sought to be legitimised with reference to a value system which claims to be Islamic. The Quran which is extremely protective of the rights of disadvantaged human beings is particularly concerned about protecting the rights and lives of women who are accused of dishonourable acts, as the following verses show:

“And as for those who accuse chaste women (of adultery), and then are unable to produce four witnesses (in support of their accusation), flog them with 80 stripes; and ever after refuse to accept from them any testimony -- since it is they, they that are truly depraved” (Surah 24: 5) “…And for those who accuse their own wives (of adultery), but have no witnesses except themselves, let each of these (accusers) call God four times to witness that he is indeed telling the truth, and the fifth time, that God’s curse be upon him if he is telling a lie. But (as for the wife, all) chastisement shall be averted from her by her calling God four times to witness that he is indeed telling a lie, and the fifth (time), that God’s curse be upon her if he is telling the truth” (Surah 24: 6-8)

The Quran makes it mandatory upon all believers that they respect the sanctity of life; that they stand up for justice and that they testify to the truth. It also makes it obligatory for the Muslim community to protect those who witness to the truth. Those who deny that honour killings are taking place, or that highlighting them is tantamount to Islam-bashing, need to be mindful of the Quranic verses such as the following:

“You who have attained faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over (the claims of) either of them. Do not, then, follow your own desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort (the truth), behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do.” (Surah 4: 135)

“Behold, God enjoins justice, and the doing of good and generosity towards (one’s) fellow-beings; and God forbids all that is shameful and all that runs counter to reason, and is envy; (and) God exhorts you (repeatedly) so that you might bear (all this) in mind.” Surah 16: 90). “And cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth when you know (what it is).” (Surah 2: 42) “…And let (not a) witness suffer harm. If you do (such harm) it would be wickedness in you.” (Surah 2: 282)

The writer is a scholar of Iqbal and Islam, teaching at the University of Louisville, US.

rshass01@gwise.louisville.edu

Al Qaeda websites

WEBSITES used to disseminate propaganda by Al Qaeda appear to have come under systematic cyber-attack, forcing the closure of three of them for well over a month and fuelling speculation that governments are targeting them in a shadowy new front in the “war on terror”.

Al-Ekhlas, al-Buraq and al-Firdaws, all linked to al-Fajr - the media distribution arm of Al Qaeda - have been down since just before September 11, when the broadcast of a video commemorating the 2001 attacks was inexplicably delayed.

All have suffered occasional disruption but this is the longest period they have been out of action. Al-Fajr blamed technical problems and denied that the sites had fallen “into the hands of the enemy”.

Yet suspicions of a deliberate disruption campaign have been fuelled by the fact that a fourth website, al-Hesbah, continues to operate unimpeded, with several experts suggesting it may be being used by Saudi intelligence to monitor and entrap jihadi militants.

But the episode remains shrouded in mystery. All four sites posted material produced by as-Sahhab, Al Qaeda’s slick media production arm - mostly video clips of “martyrdom operations” in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere - as well as statements by Osama bin Laden and his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Access to the sites is typically password-protected and they have different levels of entry: the most public are statements issued by Al Qaeda-linked groups as far afield as Uzbekistan and Algeria. There are also member-only forums where participants use pseudonyms.

All are monitored by academics who study jihadi groups and presumably by Arab and western intelligence agencies.

Two of the sites suffered problems in June but then resumed normal service. “I think what happened in June was a trial run for what took place in September,” said William McCants, a consultant at West Point military academy who runs the Jihadica.com website.

Rumours of joint Anglo-US operations have surfaced but neither government will confirm involvement. Such sabotage would be illegal. UK security officials have spoken of an “aggressive” new effort to counter Al Qaeda internet propaganda.

“I think it’s probably being orchestrated by several governments and it would have to be on the black operations [illegal but deniable] side,” McCants said. “Whoever is doing this knows what they are doing. They are being surgically precise.”

“I think the Americans are behind this,” said Dia Rashwan, an Egyptian expert. “I believe there has been a decision by the US to close down these internet forums as part of their strategy of defeating Al Qaeda and to stop it getting attention in the Arab world.”

Anne Hennesen, of Norway’s Defence Research Establishment, said: “There must be a big organisation behind this. It seems to me perfectly reasonable to assume that this is the work of an intelligence agency.”

A rival theory, backed by Mustafa Alani, of the Gulf Research Centre in Dubai, is that the websites have fallen victim to Shia groups engaged in tit-for-tat sectarian cyber warfare with Sunnis.

“Governments have no reason to attack now as they’ve been capable of doing this for years,” he said. Still, in other cases such groups have claimed responsibility for their actions.

The puzzle, analysts say, is that these sites have gone down and stayed down for a relatively long time. Another theory is that Al Qaeda sympathisers closed the forums themselves because they were too good a source of intelligence for their enemies.

McCants argued that the danger of the sites is not in providing information on weapons or coordinating attacks. “They are dangerous because they provide a community to reinforce ideas and an audience to applaud action,” he said.

Independent internet vigilantes deny they are responsible, as some suggest. Aaron Weisburd of Internet Haganah said via an email to the Guardian in London: “Governments are certainly in hot pursuit of anyone and everyone involved with Al Qaeda. The stress this must cause Al Qaeda may be enough to cause some of them to act in strange and unpredictable ways. I say that AQ is primarily responsible for their recent problems. It’s a self-inflicted wound. My guess is that they are simply too embarrassed to admit to their followers what it was that happened.”

“I can only imagine what excuses they made to Bin Laden and Zawahiri.” He declined to elaborate.

The writer is Middle East editor of The Guardian

— The Guardian, London

OTHER VOICES - Eruopean Press

The devil they know

The Telegraph

GORDON Brown has staged a remarkable recovery over the past two weeks. Written off as a ditherer who could not possibly survive until the next election, he has come back as the saviour of the western world: his swift and decisive action to nationalise Britain’s ailing banks has been widely praised as a model for other countries to imitate.

The prime minister has followed up that success with a series of popular, even populist, policy announcements from ministers.... Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, has signalled a change to Labour’s immigration policy.

The signs are that Mr Brown’s rediscovery of himself and his apparent reinvention of his party’s policies are reversing what had seemed an inexorable slide in popularity.... As times get tough people can be drawn to what they feel they know and can rely on. “Better the devil you know…” is a powerful sentiment, and it is one reason why the Tories should worry that they may yet lose a lead that had appeared unassailable.

Still, the PM’s flurry of announcements cannot disguise the fact that it is he, and his party, who were responsible for most of the problems that the new steps are meant to solve. Mr Brown’s rescue plan for the banks and money markets is bold and may work, but it was only necessary because of the policy of lax regulation and the permissive attitude to the piling up of debt that he, as chancellor, allowed to develop....

The Conservatives need to articulate new ideas and policies that reflect those changes, and that challenge Mr Brown’s philosophy of greater state control. Without those, there is a real risk that voters will flock back to the devil they know — leaving Mr Cameron locked out of Number 10 after the next general election. — (Oct19)