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Rana Sanaullah’s new definition of Imran Khan…!

Moeed Pirzada

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October 23, 2014

Moeed Pirzada |

Rana Sanaullah’s new definition of Imran Khan & PTI as “Fahashi Party” on Ptv, but why? – Just heard Rana Sanaullah on Ptv, while moving in between different news bulletins (12.30-12.37pm– 22nd Oct, Thu). Rana was talking to press, perhaps only Ptv was covering it live. Rana said that Imran Khan’s PTI and its “Naya Pakistan” represents dishonor of families and disrespect to the elders, now soon grown up children will say: “Go Abba Go”; PTI represents dancing boys and girls, and open fahashi etc. People will reject this “Naya Pakistan” in favor of “Jinnah’s Pakistan” because otherwise their “thees ie Daughters” will soon emerge on dharanas dancing and thus dishonoring their families and elders. He talked for several minutes but this is a gist of what he said, in more or less his words and I am sure TV channels will dig up this clip and can put it on internet.

Rana said that Imran Khan’s PTI and its “Naya Pakistan” represents dishonor of families and disrespect to the elders, now soon grown up children will say: “Go Abba Go”; PTI represents dancing boys and girls, and open fahashi etc.

Why is he saying this? Is this only an expression of his or PMLN’s social conservatism or this represents a political strategy? And will Pakistani liberals and Feminists, Diplomatic and Development communities take notice of this political communication which militates against all what they stand for? or at least give the impression that they do?

Rana is a very intelligent man. He is PMLN’s point man for shaping political narratives, for defending party’s interests and for hobnobbing for religious and sectarian organizations. And that is why there is serious talk of bringing him back to the forefront and ministerial position. And despite his involvement with the Model Town massacre he is increasingly being given limelight from PMLN; it is not without a purpose that his press briefings are being covered live by Ptv. So what is trying to achieve?

First we need to understand that PMLN’s vote bank is mostly rural, is less educated, ultra-conservative and has a narrow world view. It is also more “older”. Most PMLN support comes from fathers and mothers and older people over 40, who also become conservative and thus very insecure about “daughters” and the young especially daughters not obeying them. Though PMLN’s vote bank is still more aware of the world than the PPP vote bank in interior Sindh, Achakzai’s vote bank amongst Pashtuns in Baluchistan and Maulana Fazal ur Rehman’s supporters in rural parts of KPK, but is decidedly less educated, less socially developed than PTI, MQM and ANP.

despite his involvement with the Model Town massacre he is increasingly being given limelight from PMLN; it is not without a purpose that his press briefings are being covered live by Ptv. So what is trying to achieve?

Secondly we need to understand that Rana, and PMLN are now trying to scare the rural Punjab that Imran Khan and PTI represents a threat to your traditional values, respect for elders and father and brother’s control on his daughter and sister. May be everything is fair in love and war and our politics aferall now represents a war like situation, so Rana and PMLN may be able to justify what they are trying to do. However this kind of political communication should be challenged by Pakistan’s liberal community, NGO crowd, Development community and should be brought in front of the international community, all of whom have always advocated a more equal and progressive role for Pakistani woman and her greater participation in political process. This is a test case for their commitment to better governance.

Third, Rana is saying this at the eve of provincial bye-elections in Sheikhupura; though its a safe PMLN seat vacated after the death of a PMLN MPA and his brother or cousin is contesting from PMLN, and is hardly being monitored by media but PMLN is worried that a victory by slim majority may be interpreted as a symptom of their growing unpopularity.

Fourth and in conclusion, we need to understand how political parties and factions need to communicate different messages at different level. To international community CM Punjab presents himself as a symbol of development and modernity, to rural conservative Punjab PMLN sends the message that “modern and thus assertive daughters will be a threat”. Previously at the height of Long March and dharnas, PMLN told the liberals and international community that marchers are a conspiracy by the military and thus represent a ‘civil military problem’ but to rural and conservative Punjab, PMLN told that Qadri and Imran represent an international conspiracy against Pakistan and China being funded by Americans, British and Canadians. Let me add PMLN has done that quiet successfully and PTI despite a middle class party did not have good communication strategies. May be PTI wallas need to read Machiavelli.

Hope this helps to your understanding of issues – please share it

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

Why it is vital for ECP to call Army to supervise elections in NA-149 Multan!

Moeed Pirzada

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October 21, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada |

Why it is vital for ECP to call Army to supervise Elections in NA-149 Multan on 16th October?- Given today’s application by Punjab Govt to Election Commission to postpone/delay elections in Multan constituency for fear of violence and law and order situation, it has become apparent that Punjab Govt (read PMLN) is panicking that bye-elections if held in a normal atmosphere, without violence and fear, then results will be embarrassing for their supported candidate Javed Hashmi. But now since ECP was unable to accept their demand the risks of violence in this Election have increased manifold. Sources I have talked to fear that Punjab Govt (read PMLN) will have an excuse that they had already warned that serious violence is possible and ECP failed to take threat seriously.

Not only that few Army Units needs to be called on 15th and 16th Oct, but that Punjab Govt needs to submit a written report to ECP about the nature of threat it feared and the possible areas that can suffer violence. ECP then needs to forward that report to the Army Unit that is called.

DCO & DPO Meeting late night on 12th October? Sources in Multan tell us that CM Punjab has been informed by Special Branch and other sources that Javed Hashmi, unless supported by massive robust rigging, will not secure the second slot in this election, and this election has become a contest between Amir Dogar (supported by PTI) and Tariq Rashid (PPP) so on 12th Oct, CM realizing that how humiliating and damaging this can be for PMLN in the ongoing political atmosphere of dharnas and jalsas, then asked DCO Multan to find a way out to postpone Elections from 16th, and there was a meeting in DCO’s Office that continued past midnight; participants of this meeting kept considering that how Elections should be delayed and on what pretext, but in the end they concluded that public mood is already very anti-govt and anti-administration after the Qasim Bagh tragedy, and no tangible excuse exists to delay Elections which will be believable by public in Multan and the media. Next morning we heard of Punjab govt making a direct request to Election Commission.

If Javed Hashmi loses this election, with this huge margin, as it is now getting obvious then it will become a humiliating defeat for ruling PMLN and Punjab govt with its political implications across the country. The fact that Hashmi is being supported by PMLN is a small matter; what makes this election important is that Hashmi was paraded by PMLN to the whole country and the world as that “Man of Principle” whose conscience had rebelled against the conspiracies hatched by Imran and Qadri against democracy. Now if this “Warrior for Democracy” this “PMLN Brave Heart” is humiliated in a transparent peaceful democratic process then PMLN loses a lot in terms of its political narrative and it sends a clear message across Punjab, and the country to the real popularity of PMLN on ground and as to what common people (in contrast to the govt paid analysts) think of Hashmi, and his actions and thus the PMLN govt itself.

So PMLN simply does not afford a huge transparent defeat for Hashmi. But how to avoid it? This is where violence fits in. Sources in Multan believe that a law and order situation, an atmosphere of fear in and around the key polling stations in inner city of Multan (areas like Walled City, Hussain Aghahi, Hunno Ka Chajha, Derra Adda etc) and even other parts of the Multan on 15th or 16th, a specter of angry rival political groups tearing posters, shouting obscenities and attacking each other, with sticks and occasional firing will help create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty to keep many voters away and will provide circumstances in which either the elections don’t take place, or become controversial to the point of being irrelevant or massive rigging can be done to help Hashmi – at least to avoid the humiliation that awaits him and PMLN.

If Javed Hashmi loses this election, with this huge margin, as it is now getting obvious then it will become a humiliating defeat for ruling PMLN and Punjab govt with its political implications across the country.

It is in this context that if ECP does not call Army Units to secure access points to Polling Stations and to prevent show of force in and around Polling stations then it will fail in its duty to provide an atmosphere in Multan for public to vote without fear. Calling Rangers is no panacea because Rangers don’t have the same moral authority; it lacks the speedy internal communication and managerial command of Army units, and is far less competent in terms of capacity. Calling Rangers will merely be a show, a cover-up. Since Punjab Govt itself has expressed fear of violence now if ECP does not call Army then it clearly fails in its duty to the public, and to its right of free vote in a democracy.

Not only that few Army Units needs to be called on 15th and 16th Oct, but that Punjab Govt needs to submit a written report to ECP about the nature of threat it feared and the possible areas that can suffer violence. ECP then needs to forward that report to the Army Unit that is called. It is not very difficult; it is very simple. It all depends upon if ECP is prepared to provide an atmosphere for free, fair and transparent elections or not. If Army can be called under Art. 245 to protect govt buildings (under the excuse of terror threat) then surely tax-payers army can be called to protect public’s right to vote without fear of violence.

Please share it as much as you can – let it reach all political parties and ECP Officials and Media.

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

Inequalities and Increasing political dynasties…!

Moeed Pirzada

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October 19, 2014

0

Moeed Pirzada |

From Ms. Fahmida Khan on this Page: – There is a provocative proposal at the tail end.

Moeed Pirzada, After watching your programe yesterday, I couldn’t stop myself penning down my thoughts around “Political Dynasties and Future of Pakistan. Hereditary transition of power where leadership is passed down through family ties, proved that these are the causes of the persistent social and economic divides in a country like Pakistan where more than 50% people are living below poverty line. Where inequalities are increasing and access to power is decreasing by public on daily basis and far less policy attention has been given to address the real issue to avoid political dynasties.

If one read a column written by Dr. Farrukh Saleem today in The News, one can easily gauge that dynasties cannot work in democracies. But question is what democracy means in Pakistan, is it kleptocracy or civil martial law which actually abrogate the constitutions from its true spirit of implementation and where human rights are held in abeyance. One needs to understand that the rise of elected officials with extensive familial links to present and previous politicians in power, signals a growing inequality in access to power and political influence. That, in turn, could also affect the persistence and prevalence of social and economic divides.

what democracy means in Pakistan, is it kleptocracy or civil martial law which actually abrogate the constitutions from its true spirit of implementation and where human rights are held in abeyance.

Democracy means access to power by people of the country. In an article written by Ronald, he quotes that a famous theory by Mancur Olson suggests that “even less benign leaders with a secure hold on power may behave like a ‘stationary bandits’, benefiting from their position yet ensuring that growth and development nevertheless takes place in order to continue to secure their hold”. A darker view suggests that the less- benevolent and less-scrupled would turn to wide-scale and more destructive pillaging if given a short window of power. As per empirical evidences available, it suggest that a longer period in power increases the chance that a person may start (or continue) a political dynasty. Therefore, dynastic political power is self-perpetuating in that a positive exogenous shock to a person’s political power has persistent effects through posterior dynastic attainment. In politics, power begets power. The spectrum of political dynasties should be approached through the prism of electoral sociology or by comparing electoral and parliamentary performance.

Yesterday I was surprised to watch that some media commentators were defending political dynasties and becoming mouth piece of PPP. What bothers me that are we as a nation ready to have future leaders from political dynasties like Hamza Shehbaz, Maryam Nawaz, Fiza Gillani, Abdul Qadir Gillani, Bilawal Bhutto, Moonis Elahi? Being son and daughters of ruling elites, they have to raise above to prove their leadership skills otherwise just being from these families does not justify anymore to become leader of this country.

In my opinion, there should be a constitutional amendment, legislation or policy measures that can actually avoid perpetuating of political dynasties. Tenure of the parliament and office bearers should be for 04 years and only one term should be allowed for each position in Parliament. One, who wants to perform, can perform in 04 years. Based upon performance public can then decide on.

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

Dynastic politics and email from Ali Khan, USA?

Moeed Pirzada

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October 19, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada |

Ali Khan Dear Mr. Moeed Pirzada, I enjoy your program on ARY. Recently I watched one of your guests erroneously compare dynastic politics of Pakistan with of that of USA I am not sure he was uninformed or lied intentionally to score a point. Can you please enlighten your viewer in differences between family politics in west and one practiced in Pakistan? As an overseas Pakistani living in USA, I can vouch for this that there is nothing remotely close to signing party chairmanship in a will to husband or a son. For example, Bill Clinton’s daughter is not leader of Democratic Party nor she ever had been.

If she chose to enter politics, she would have to run election locally and win. She can run for an open seat in senate or congress but she has to compete with other members of her own party in primary election first. She would need to established bona fide credentials first to run for that seat. After she wins that primary election, she would fight (for votes) again for the same seat in general election against republican and independent candidates. She would need to beat them all to win a seat in congress or senate. This is exactly what Hillary Clinton had done to win her seat as senator from NY.

Hillary Clinton completed her tenure as a state senator and ran for the presidency. She lost in primary to Obama and could not represent Democratic Party in general election. She was picked by Obama administration as secretary of state as a goodwill gesture but it was not incumbent upon anyone to appoint her for the cabinet job. By the way, John McCain also ran for the presidency against Obama and lost. His daughter did years of work as a political analyst and worked on her dad’s campaign as well and did community work for year before entering the politics. She also ran for senate seat but lost.

Name recognition is value only to a certain point, and your past deeds and policies you support carry more weight. I can send you pages on how Bush family have worked in the community for the decade and serve in governorship in Texas and Florida before being considered for top leadership job in republican party. If only signature was needed then we would still be voting for someone related to George Washington and the country would have been in worse shape than Pakistan.

Here are some stats: Empirical models have determined the share of dynastic politics in various countries: The US 6 percent; Argentina 10 percent; India 28 percent; Mexico 40 percent and the Philippines 70 percent. According to the Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, “On average, approximately two-thirds of the elected [Pakistani] legislators …belonging to approximately 400 families” represent the spectrum of dynastic politicians (the share of dynastic politics stands at around 67 percet in Pakistan) from article:

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-279237-Dynastic…

Dynastic politics – Dr Farrukh Saleem

Capital suggestion

Democracy is about three things: elections, accountability and a responsive…

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

Dynastic politics and EMAIL FROM ALI KHAN, USA?

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October 19, 2014

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Dynastic politics and EMAIL FROM ALI KHAN, USA?

Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

Ali Khan Dear Mr. Moeed Pirzada, I enjoy your program on ARY. Recently I watched one of your guest erroneously compare dynastic politics of Pakistan with of that of USA I am not sure he was uninformed or lied intentionally to score a point. Can you please enlighten your viewer in differences between family politics in west and one practiced in Pakistan? As an overseas Pakistani living in USA, I can vouch for this that there is nothing remotely close to signing party chairmanship in a will to husband or a son. For example, Bill Clinton’s daughter is not leader of Democratic Party nor she ever had been.

If she chose to enter politics, she would have to run election locally and win. She can run for open seat in senate or congress but she has to compete with other members of her own party in primary election first. She would need to established bona fide credentials first to run for that seat. After she wins that primary election, she would fight (for votes) again for the same seat in general election against republican and independent candidates. She would need to beat them all to win a seat in congress or senate. This is exactly what Hillary Clinton had done to win her seat as senator from NY.

Hillary Clinton completed her tenure as state senator and ran for presidency. She lost in primary to Obama and could not represent Democratic Party in general election. She was picked by Obama administration as secretary of state as a good will gesture but it was not incumbent upon anyone to appoint her for cabinet job. By the way John McCain also ran for presidency against Obama and lost. His daughter did years of work as a political analyst and worked on her dad’s campaign as well and did community work for year before entering the politics. She also ran for senate seat but lost.

Name recognition is value only to certain point, and your past deeds and policies you support carries more weight. I can send you pages on how Bush family have worked in community for decade and serve in governorship in Texas and Florida before being consider for top leadership job in republican party. If only signature was needed than we would still be voting for someone related to George Washington and the country would have been in worse shape than Pakistan.

Here are some stats:Empirical models have determined the share of dynastic politics in various countries: US 6 percent; Argentina 10 percent; India 28 percent; Mexico 40 percent and the Philippines 70 percent. According to the Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives, “On average, approximately two-thirds of the elected [Pakistani] legislators …belonging to approximately 400 families” represent the spectrum of dynastic politicians (the share of dynastic politics stands at around 67 percet in Pakistan) from article:

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-279237-Dynastic…

Dynastic politics – Dr Farrukh Saleem

Capital suggestion

Democracy is about three things: elections, accountability and a responsive…

Inequalities and Increasing political dynasties…!

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Admin

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October 19, 2014

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Inequalities and Increasing political dynasties…!

Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

From Ms. Fahmida Khan on this Page: – There is a provocative proposal at the tail end.

Moeed Pirzada, After watching your programe yesterday, I couldn’t stop myself penning down my thoughts around “Political Dynasties and Future of Pakistan. Hereditary transition of power where leadership is passed down through family ties, proved that these are the causes of the persistent social and economic divides in a country like Pakistan where more than 50% people are living below poverty line. Where inequalities are increasing and access to power is decreasing by public on daily basis and far less policy attention has been given to address the real issue to avoid political dynasties.

If one read column written by Dr. Farrukh Saleem today in The News, one can easily gauge that dynasties cannot work in democracies. But question is what democracy means in Pakistan, is it kleptocracy or civil martial law which actually abrogate the constitutions from its true spirit of implementation and where human rights are held in abeyance. One needs to understand that the rise of elected officials with extensive familial links to present and previous politicians in power, signals a growing inequality in access to power and political influence. That, in turn, could also affect the persistence and prevalence of social and economic divides.

Democracy means access to power by people of the country. In an article written by Ronald, he quotes that a famous theory by Mancur Olson suggests that “even less benign leaders with a secure hold on power may behave like a ‘stationary bandits’, benefiting from their position yet ensuring that growth and development nevertheless takes place in order to continue to secure their hold”. A darker view suggests that the less- benevolent and less-scrupled would turn to wide-scale and more destructive pillaging if given a short window of power. As per empirical evidences available, it suggest that a longer period in power increases the chance that a person may start (or continue) a political dynasty. Therefore, dynastic political power is self-perpetuating in that a positive exogenous shock to a person’s political power has persistent effects through posterior dynastic attainment. In politics, power begets power. The spectrum of political dynasties should be approached through the prism of electoral sociology or by comparing electoral and parliamentary performance.

Yesterday I was surprised to watch that some media commentators were defending political dynasties and becoming mouth piece of PPP. What bothers me that are we as a nation ready to have future leaders from political dynasties like Hamza Shehbaz, Maryam Nawaz, Fiza Gillani, Abdul Qadir Gillani, Bilawal Bhutto, Moonis Elahi? Being son and daughters of ruling elites, they have to raise above to prove their leadership skills otherwise just being from these families does not justify anymore to become leader of this country.

In my opinion, there should be a constitutional amendment, legislation or policy measures that can actually avoid perpetuating of political dynasties. Tenure of the parliament and office bearers should be for 04 years and only one term should be allowed for each position in Parliament. One, who wants to perform, can perform in 04 years. Based upon performance public can then decide on.

Bilawal Jalsa today in Karachi ?

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October 18, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

Dear All, I have seen some very detailed and interesting comments from some of you regarding the PPP Bilawal Jalsa today in Karachi and what is its importance or not in Pakistani politics. Those of you who watched last night’s program, Siyasat aur Sazish, will remember that we had a threadbare discussion on the future of PPP Politics in Pakistan with Ayaz Amir. Given Bilawal’s launch Jalsa we will be doing the same today. All of you should comment and advise me here as to what is important, what questions should be raised for PPP leadership? What PPP needs to do if it aspires to become an all Pakistan Party once again? I will love to hear from those in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sindh – we never hear from Sindhis, but it will be great if we hear Sindhi voices…looking forward to – Moeed Pirzada

Why it is vital for ECP to call Army to supervise Elections in NA-149 Multan!

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October 14, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

Why it is vital for ECP to call Army to supervise Elections in NA-149 Multan on 16th October?- Given today’s application by Punjab Govt to Election Commission to postpone/delay elections in Multan constituency for fear of violence and law and order situation, it has become apparent that Punjab Govt (read PMLN) is panicking that bye-elections if held in a normal atmosphere, without violence and fear, then results will be embarrassing for their supported candidate Javed Hashmi. But now since ECP was unable to accept their demand the risks of violence in this Election have increased manifold. Sources I have talked to fear that Punjab Govt (read PMLN) will have an excuse that they had already warned that serious violence is possible and ECP failed to take threat seriously.

DCO & DPO Meeting late night on 12th October? Sources in Multan tell us that CM Punjab has been informed by Special Branch and other sources that Javed Hashmi, unless supported by massive robust rigging, will not secure second slot in this election, and this election has become a contest between Amir Dogar (supported by PTI) and Tariq Rashid (PPP) so on 12th Oct, CM realizing that how humiliating and damaging this can be for PMLN in the ongoing political atmosphere of dharnas and jalsas, then asked DCO Multan to find a way out to postpone Elections from 16th, and there was a meeting in DCO’s Office that continued past-midnight; participants of this meeting kept considering that how Elections should be delayed and on what pretext, but in the end they concluded that public mood is already very anti-govt and anti-administration after the Qasim Bagh tragedy, and no tangible excuse exists to delay Elections which will be believable by public in Multan and the media. Next morning we heard of Punjab govt making a direct request to Election Commission.

If Javed Hashmi loses this election, with this huge margin, as it is now getting obvious then it will become a humiliating defeat for ruling PMLN and Punjab govt with its political implications across the country. The fact that Hashmi is being supported by PMLN is a small matter; what makes this election important is that Hashmi was paraded by PMLN to the whole country and the world as that “Man of Principle” whose conscience had rebelled against the conspiracies hatched by Imran and Qadri against democracy. Now if this “Warrior for Democracy” this “PMLN Brave Heart” is humiliated in a transparent peaceful democratic process then PMLN loses a lot in terms of its political narrative and it sends a clear message across Punjab, and the country to the real popularity of PMLN on ground and as to what common people (in contrast to the govt paid analysts) think of Hashmi, and his actions and thus the PMLN govt itself.

So PMLN simply does not afford a huge transparent defeat for Hashmi. But how to avoid it? This is where violence fits in. Sources in Multan believe that a law and order situation, an atmosphere of fear in and around the key polling stations in inner city of Multan (areas like Walled City, Hussain Aghahi, Hunno Ka Chajha, Derra Adda etc) and even other parts of the Multan on 15th or 16th, a specter of angry rival political groups tearing posters, shouting obscenities and attacking each other, with sticks and occasional firing will help create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty to keep many voters away and will provide circumstances in which either the elections don’t take place, or become controversial to the point of being irrelevant or massive rigging can be done to help Hashmi – at least to avoid the humiliation that awaits him and PMLN.

It is in this context that if ECP does not call Army Units to secure access points to Polling Stations and to prevent show of force in and around Polling stations then it will fail in its duty to provide an atmosphere in Multan for public to vote without fear. Calling Rangers is no panacea because Rangers don’t have the same moral authority; it lacks the speedy internal communication and managerial command of Army units, and is far less competent in terms of capacity. Calling Rangers will merely be a show, a cover-up. Since Punjab Govt itself has expressed fear of violence now if ECP does not call Army then it clearly fails in its duty to the public, and to its right of free vote in a democracy.

Not only that few Army Units needs to be called on 15th and 16th Oct, but that Punjab Govt needs to submit a written report to ECP about the nature of threat it feared and the possible areas that can suffer violence. ECP then needs to forward that report to the Army Unit that is called. It is not very difficult; it is very simple. It all depends upon if ECP is prepared to provide an atmosphere for free, fair and transparent elections or not. If Army can be called under Art. 245 to protect govt buildings (under the excuse of terror threat) then surely tax-payers army can be called to protect public’s right to vote without fear of violence.

Please share it as much as you can – let it reach all political parties and ECP Officials and Media.

Off Floods, Lion & the Monkey…!

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October 10, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

Off Floods, Lion & the Monkey:- Once upon a time a Lion was going on vacations; Monkeys demanded that since they have never been the King of the Jungle this time around their Chief Monkey should be the king. So Lion agreed and a Monkey was made King for a day. Only a few hours had passed when a herd of sheep approached the “Monkey King” crying and protesting that a wolf has taken one of their young and King need to do something. Monkey King said, “Don’t worry” and then immediately went across thick Jungle jumping across trees while shouting warnings to the Wolf. Nothing happened; Sheep returned crying and telling that Wolf has already gone far off; on this Monkey again shouted threats to Wolf and starting jumping across trees, however soon sheep returned crying and wailing that wolf is now sitting at river edge and eating the young sheep. On this Monkey King said: “Tusee dekhya kay mein koshish tay bohat kiti see” – You have seen that I tried my level best.

Pakistani politics of flood management is built on the same principle. It is not about current government. All governments have been doing the same. Floods are not a strike from the blue. Each year, year after year, we are hit by floods in Monsoon season. Millions are displaced, hundreds die, properties are destroyed, poor end on streets and lower middle classes are impoverished with cycles of disease and sickness and millions of cusecs of precious water rolls on to fall in Arabian sea. And ministers, Chief Ministers and govt officials are dancing in front of the TV cameras pretending that they are doing, “bohat si koshish” trying their level best.

PMLN govt is in power in Punjab for six plus years; they have been in power in 1990’s and PPP ruled Center and Sindh twice in 1990’s and again from 2008 till 2013. Massive floods hit us in 2010 as well ravaging Punjab, Sindh and KPK. We have seen all of them along with Asfandyar Wali ganging together inside the parliament building to defend their interests and family control and crying wolf on the “parliament’s broken gate” but what have they done in real terms for flood prevention and management? And what are the results? what happened to the Lahore High Court Report on Flood Management? And what about the Dams?

PMLN was once committed to Kalabagh but was unable to take PPP along on the issue. Whereas river Indus was an emotional (though totally misleading) issue in interior Sindh and PPP failed in resolving this politically; the position of ANP and Asfandyar Wali Khan has been very suspicious on this issue. On whose signal they were crying wolf against Kalabagh? A party that took around half a million votes last year and not much higher in 2008, has been crying on behalf of Pashtoons, was it really for the love of Nowshera and Pashtoons or they had to please someone else? May be politicians in Sindh and KPK were part of an anti-Dam script written somewhere else?

Perhaps all of them are waiting for the day when India will successfully complete its project of several dozen dams and they will sell electricity to us and will manage floods for us; Is this the political vision of our leaders?

Off floods, lion & the monkey…!

Moeed Pirzada

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October 10, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada |

Off Floods, Lion & the Monkey:- Once upon a time a Lion was going on vacations; Monkeys demanded that since they have never been the King of the Jungle this time around their Chief Monkey should be the king. So Lion agreed and a Monkey was made King for a day. Only a few hours had passed when a herd of sheep approached the “Monkey King” crying and protesting that a wolf has taken one of their young and King need to do something. Monkey King said, “Don’t worry” and then immediately went across thick Jungle jumping across trees while shouting warnings to the Wolf. Nothing happened; Sheep returned crying and telling that Wolf has already gone far off; on this Monkey again shouted threats to Wolf and starting jumping across trees, however soon sheep returned crying and wailing that wolf is now sitting at river edge and eating the young sheep. On this Monkey King said: “Tusee dekhya kay mein koshish tay bohat kiti see” – You have seen that I tried my level best.

what have they done in real terms for flood prevention and management? And what are the results? what happened to the Lahore High Court Report on Flood Management? And what about the Dams?

Pakistani politics of flood management is built on the same principle. It is not about current government. All governments have been doing the same. Floods are not a strike from the blue. Each year, year after year, we are hit by floods in Monsoon season. Millions are displaced, hundreds die, properties are destroyed, poor end on streets and lower middle classes are impoverished with cycles of disease and sickness and millions of cusecs of precious water rolls on to fall in Arabian sea. And ministers, Chief Ministers and govt officials are dancing in front of the TV cameras pretending that they are doing, “bohat si koshish” trying their level best.

PMLN govt is in power in Punjab for six plus years; they have been in power in 1990’s and PPP ruled Center and Sindh twice in 1990’s and again from 2008 till 2013. Massive floods hit us in 2010 as well ravaging Punjab, Sindh and KPK. We have seen all of them along with Asfandyar Wali ganging together inside the parliament building to defend their interests and family control and crying wolf on the “parliament’s broken gate” but what have they done in real terms for flood prevention and management? And what are the results? what happened to the Lahore High Court Report on Flood Management? And what about the Dams?

PMLN was once committed to Kalabagh but was unable to take PPP along on the issue. Whereas river Indus was an emotional (though totally misleading) issue in interior Sindh and PPP failed in resolving this politically; the position of ANP and Asfandyar Wali Khan has been very suspicious on this issue. On whose signal they were crying wolf against Kalabagh? A party that took around half a million votes last year and not much higher in 2008, has been crying on behalf of Pashtoons, was it really for the love of Nowshera and Pashtoons or they had to please someone else? May be politicians in Sindh and KPK were part of an anti-Dam script written somewhere else?

Perhaps all of them are waiting for the day when India will successfully complete its project of several dozen dams and they will sell electricity to us and will manage floods for us; Is this the political vision of our leaders?

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

Why Modi Govt is retching up tensions at LOC?

Moeed Pirzada

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October 8, 2014

0

Moeed Pirzada |

Why is Modi Govt retching up tensions at LOC? – Apparently for two reasons: One, it wants to use Pakistan card in the state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana and Second, it is signaling that it wants a new Assertive Relationship with Pakistan. Both aspirations need our careful analysis.

“Pakistan Card” is unfortunately not only valid in Indian Politics but its importance is increasing. While in the past several of Pakistani elections (2002, 2008 and 2013) India was not a “vote influencing factor” at all in India political parties derive benefits by hitting each other for being “soft or weak” on Pakistan. This was again seen in the run up to the 2014 Elections when BJP and Modi painted Congress as soft and Manmohan as weak on Pakistan (remember his famous jibes).

Now once again India is compelled to strategize to limit potential Pakistani gains from the end of status quo in Afghanistan. Nawaz Sharif’s innocent obsession with 1999 and inability to understand India’s growing regional ambitions might be a mental block to understand what is happening.

This also lead to LOC tensions because Congress remained under pressure to show that it was not weak or indecisive. And just like now, even then Indian politicians and media (which acts like a puppy when it comes to foreign policy) kept claiming that Pakistani military is doing it to frustrate Nawaz Sharif’s peace initiatives towards India. This may again be the spin for Indian public and to the world (and Off-course two dozen Pakistani liberals in Islamabad will be happy to buy that) but the ambitions of Modi government are pretty obvious this time and they may not be able to run away with this; especially it may find it difficult to sell it to the Indian public.

Why? because Indian Opposition may hot have limitless tolerance for Modi covering up his economic performance and political challenges under Pakistan agenda and Indian media realizes that Pakistan is far too much busy in its internal political battles and military is stuck deeply in western theatre against TTP and allies; strategizing to contain backlash of Zarb-e-Azab and is watching anxiously how Afghanistan’s potentially weak and unstable set-up evolves over the next few weeks with growing US withdrawal. To any sane mind, Pakistan is in no situation to pick up tensions with its powerful Eastern neighbor – that is also being supported by the US.

Modi may want Pakistan to ask for some sort of bilateral talks to end hostilities before Indian state elections which may help BJP to sell itself as a strong effective bully in Maharashtra and Haryana. Unfortunately Nawaz Sharif suffers from several stumbling blocks; he is mentally stuck in 1999, is under pressure from the US and his business supporters to be cordial towards Modi, considers his military a bigger threat than India and with his narrow focus on Lahore and Islamabad axis, is generally very weak in understanding regional and international issues with their wider implications and may even oblige Modi without understanding the bigger picture. However if Nawaz plays smart to his own advantage, then he can use this National Security meeting on Friday to thunder against India and try to regain his lost political space in Punjab. Given how bad and defensive PMLN looks on this issue with ongoing PTI jibes: Where are Maryam Sharif’s lions and tigers? the possibility is that Nawaz will act smartly and will use this to regain his confidence in domestic politics.

But there appears to be a long term Indian initiative also which is far too risky for Pakistan. Though the fact that “Bashing Pakistan” or dealing strongly with it sells as a political card in Indian politics should be troubling enough situation, but what compounds it further is the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the potential of a weak divided government in Kabul between Pashtuns and Tajiks. India had invested strategically in the political situation there; it did not welcome complete or near complete US withdrawal because any sudden change in status quo there threatens Indian strategic interests. India fears that change of status quo may benefit Pakistan; even the easing of pressure from TTP can make Pakistan more self-confident and demanding on bilateral relations.

“Pakistan Card” is unfortunately not only valid in Indian Politics but its importance is increasing. While in the past several of Pakistani elections (2002, 2008 and 2013) India was not a “vote influencing factor” at all in India political parties derive benefits by hitting each other for being “soft or weak” on Pakistan.

This scenario is unacceptable for the mandarins in South Bloc and they need to plan something to contain it. The sense less and mysterious attack on Indian Parliament in Dec 2011, after the successful end of US operations in Afghanistan and the Indian mobilization against Pakistan then is a good example to keep in mind. The sole purpose of that exercise was to remind world of Pakistani sponsored Jihad in Kashmir and to limit Pakistan deriving any meaningful benefits from the US and west after its valuable role against the Afghan Taliban. Indian mobilization succeeded in forcing Musharraf to disengage from Kashmir, in turning Kashmiri militants into terrorists and allowing India to hold first reasonably managed elections in the troubled state.

Now once again India is compelled to strategize to limit potential Pakistani gains from the end of status quo in Afghanistan. Nawaz Sharif’s innocent obsession with 1999 and inability to understand India’s growing regional ambitions might be a mental block to understand what is happening. But political reaction from a genuine opposition may help to wake him up and let him listen to Foreign Office and other sane advisers around. Let’s see if he can come up with some intelligent response. We all need to support him at this point since he has been caught badly by his blind trust in his PR with Modi.

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

Why Modi Govt is retching up tensions at LOC?

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Admin

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October 8, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

Why Modi Govt is retching up tensions at LOC? – Apparently for two reasons: One, it wants to use Pakistan card in the state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana and Second, it is signaling that it wants a new Assertive Relationship with Pakistan. Both aspirations need our careful analysis.

“Pakistan Card” is unfortunately not only valid in Indian Politics but its importance is increasing. While in the past several of Pakistani elections (2002, 2008 and 2013) India was not a “vote influencing factor” at all in India political parties derive benefits by hitting each other for being “soft or weak” on Pakistan. This was again seen in the run up to the 2014 Elections when BJP and Modi painted Congress as soft and Manmohan as weak on Pakistan. (remember his famous jibes) This also lead to LOC tensions because Congress remained under pressure to show that it was not weak or indecisive. And just like now, even then Indian politicians and media (which acts like a puppy when it comes to foreign policy) kept claiming that Pakistani military is doing it to frustrate Nawaz Sharif’s peace initiatives towards India. This may again be the spin for Indian public and to the world (and Off-course two dozen Pakistani liberals in Islamabad will be happy to buy that) but the ambitions of Modi government are pretty obvious this time and they may not be able to run away with this; especially it may find it difficult to sell it to the Indian public.

Why? because Indian Opposition may hot have limitless tolerance for Modi covering up his economic performance and political challenges under Pakistan agenda and Indian media realizes that Pakistan is far too much busy in its internal political battles and military is stuck deeply in western theatre against TTP and allies; strategizing to contain backlash of Zarb-e-Azab and is watching anxiously how Afghanistan’s potentially weak and unstable set-up evolves over the next few weeks with growing US withdrawal. To any sane mind, Pakistan is in no situation to pick up tensions with its powerful Eastern neighbor – that is also being supported by the US.

Modi may want Pakistan to ask for some sort of bilateral talks to end hostilities before Indian state elections which may help BJP to sell itself as a strong effective bully in Maharashtra and Haryana. Unfortunately Nawaz Sharif suffers from several stumbling blocks; he is mentally stuck in 1999, is under pressure from the US and his business supporters to be cordial towards Modi, considers his military a bigger threat than India and with his narrow focus on Lahore and Islamabad axis, is generally very weak in understanding regional and international issues with their wider implications and may even oblige Modi without understanding the bigger picture. However if Nawaz plays smart to his own advantage, then he can use this National Security meeting on Friday to thunder against India and try to regain his lost political space in Punjab. Given how bad and defensive PMLN looks on this issue with ongoing PTI jibes: Where are Maryam Sharif’s lions and tigers? the possibility is that Nawaz will act smartly and will use this to regain his confidence in domestic politics.

But there appears to be a long term Indian initiative also which is far too risky for Pakistan. Though the fact that “Bashing Pakistan” or dealing strongly with it sells as a political card in Indian politics should be troubling enough situation, but what compounds it further is the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the potential of a weak divided government in Kabul between Pashtuns and Tajiks. India had invested strategically in the political situation there; it did not welcome complete or near complete US withdrawal because any sudden change in status quo there threatens Indian strategic interests. India fears that change of status quo may benefit Pakistan; even the easing of pressure from TTP can make Pakistan more self-confident and demanding on bilateral relations.

This scenario is unacceptable for the mandarins in South Bloc and they need to plan something to contain it. The sense less and mysterious attack on Indian Parliament in Dec 2011, after the successful end of US operations in Afghanistan and the Indian mobilization against Pakistan then is a good example to keep in mind. The sole purpose of that exercise was to remind world of Pakistani sponsored Jihad in Kashmir and to limit Pakistan deriving any meaningful benefits from the US and west after its valuable role against the Afghan Taliban. Indian mobilization succeeded in forcing Musharraf to disengage from Kashmir, in turning Kashmiri militants into terrorists and allowing India to hold first reasonably managed elections in the troubled state.

Now once again India is compelled to strategize to limit potential Pakistani gains from the end of status quo in Afghanistan. Nawaz Sharif’s innocent obsession with 1999 and inability to understand India’s growing regional ambitions might be a mental block to understand what is happening. But political reaction from a genuine opposition may help to wake him up and let him listen to Foreign Office and other sane advisers around. Let’s see if he can come up with some intelligent response. We all need to support him at this point since he has been caught badly by his blind trust in his PR with Modi.

Modi sounded more confident ?

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September 28, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

Why Modi sounded more confident than Nawaz? – Many factors are involved but two or three are more important. Modi knows that English is not his forte; Nawaz Sharif speaks much better English than Narendra Modi but at UNGA Nawaz could have fared much better for himself and Pakistan and his politics if he had decided to speak in Urdu – because he does not have as much skill with English language to be able to play with it, he cannot twist and twirl with it the way he can do it in Urdu which reduced him in UNGA to a monotonous reader of a script.

Nawaz speaks reasonably well when he is with his audience; he connects well with his voters in Punjab and his words sync with his inner self – even if he is twisting facts like all politicians do. Modi’s real edge was that he knew his weakness and decided to speak in Hindi which gave him the confidence and the freedom to maneuver with his words and thoughts and though he too had a written script, he could show independence of thought and belief, freedom from the written script, when he spoke with free gestures of his hands and at times he was even rhetorical in typical South Asian political style which was a bit much for the UN stage.

Why could Nawaz not decide to speak in Urdu and set a new standard and trend for Pakistani politicians to follow? – aferall heads of state of many countries speak at UN in their own languages? This is not only Nawaz’s failure; perhaps this is not his failure at all. Pakistani society has a huge inertia and mental block, a strange slavish attitude in that respect. Psychologically Pakistani elites have not been free from “British Colonial Subject Mindset”, they have not been able to understand distinct “identity” and its expression. This defines the failure of Pakistani politics.

If Nawaz and his advisers could not rid themselves of this “mental prison of being British slaves” then they are not alone; most Pakistani elite belong in that category. Most Indians also fall in that category – especially the rich superficial elite – but India also has a huge intellectual movement since the beginning of 20th century that has attempted creating its own identity and has left strong impressions on Indian mind, politics and psyche and that philosophy gives them a mental strength to deal with the world outside.

Indian rabid reaction in Devyani Khobragarde affair had that “identity” at play which many superficial Indians could not appreciate. Pakistan does not even have that philosophy, (read and hear Pakistani liberals arguments and you can feel a total absence of self-respect) so even if Nawaz would have felt or dreamt that may be I should speak in Urdu, all around him would have looked shocked as if he was committing a crime. But someone like Maryam Nawaz who sweats and struggles all the time on social media to defend “daddy” should have understood this point. This is principal reason why Nawaz could not express himself freely with hands, with body gestures and with the confidence he deserved at this stage.

Modi also appeared to have much more personal input to his speech. Nawaz read out a speech which was his country’s position; it did not appear if he believed in what he was saying or was interested. He was merely doing a duty. This was not because Foreign Office or Military told him what to say; institutions matter everywhere; this has to do with lack of personal interest in the kind of issues that matter at the interface of a state with the world outside. In contrast there were many aspects of Modi’s speech which must have been inserted by the Indian Foreign Office (you don’t need to know from inside; it was visible from outside) on Modi’s insistence because he wanted to say them, because he believes in them like India has its own way, its own philosophy and so on.

I am not suggesting that Modi invented them, these are part of the Indian foreign policy rhetoric but nevertheless Modi seems to believe in them; he has an attitude toward the world which Nawaz lacks. ZA Bhutto and Benazir and Musharraf and even Zia all had an attitude towards the world; ZAB was its most sophisticated expression but you cannot be a regional or international leader unless you have an attitude towards the world. Most Indian leaders who reach the top have that attitude- and Indian Foreign Office has that attitude even more than them. Most Pakistanis either don’t have that or they just cannot muster the courage to bring it out.

But Nawaz Sharif’s additional problem is his relation of fear and hatred with his military and a continuous mental battle to subdue military without which he feels insecure. He did not need these battles; he was very strong by the end of last year; he could have worked with all sides but in over projection of power to buy total and perpetual security he has weakened himself considerably. Present political crisis started from this insecurity. Imagine the fear of walking alone on a dark cold street in a December night. This emotion has consumed him in such a way that he is perhaps ready to get help from Washington or even India to tame his own military. Recent crisis has even added his real opposition like Imran Khan to that list of enemies who have to be defeated with help from outside. Repeated signals of support from Washington during the recent political crisis has exposed that dependence.

It’s only natural that he has to give out something in return to get support from outside. This defines his weakness on the international stage and total inability to deal with the interface of state with the world. Modi derives strength from inside India, Nawaz is dependent on support from outside. Nawaz desperately needs to fix his house; his real opposition inside has to stand by him; this is possible with political concessions; he can still emerge strong for the remaining period of his term (with early elections) by political engagement. Otherwise he will continue to get weaker and weaker. Washington and Punjab Police both will not be able to make him strong. Political process will.

PM Nawaz speech at UNGA…!

Moeed Pirzada

-

September 27, 2014

0

Moeed Pirzada |

PM Nawaz Speech at UNGA was not bad. If anything it was a good balanced speech. Off course it was not written by Nawaz; he would not even grasp some of the concepts or terms -or their real importance – mentioned in the speech. But such speeches are always written by Foreign Policy Experts and in Tariq Fatemi, NS has an excellent Adviser with a balanced world view and we assume it must have been written by Fatemi. But Nawaz Sharif had to approve the gist and the substance and in times of political crisis like these Nawaz had no option but to go with this script and he read it well. He did not misspell, he did not fumble, he did not look out of touch. Since it was a written script and he merely read it out, and in any case, he is not a very good speaker for such international situations but then in Pakistan who are we comparing to whom? Nawaz read it better than Zardari. He is no Oxbridge or Harvard type but from normal South Asian standards, it was fine. (It was better than his performance in front of the PMLN workers in Astoria Waldorf with Ptv camera introducing them as Pak-American community; who was actually waiting for him outside UN).

Govt will find it difficult to govern and will soon start to lose out the support of international stakeholders. The inability – or lack of desire or interest or not finding time – on part of President Obama to meet him on the sidelines of UNGA is a pointer in that direction.

But speeches are not only about “written scripts” and reading them out. Good speakers – even when speeches are written for them – identify with the substance, mark their stresses and pauses for they believe in what they are saying. For Public leaders of the stature of Prime Ministers, it is far more important because you have to bring out a soul of a nation through your words and gestures. From that point of view, this speech was lacking in spirit and mental synchronization with words.

Politically speaking, Nawaz’s problems are not increased by this speech – but they are not resolved either. His opponents were banking upon that he will miss out some essentials – say about Kashmir – to please the US or India but it was never possible at this stage. So it was a safe speech, damage control kind of speech, which does not give out much room for lashing at him – unless you just want to lash out at him. (And firing of Hatf-IX and his Military Chief visiting LOC few hours earlier did not give him much room either).

Politically speaking, Nawaz’s problems are not increased by this speech – but they are not resolved either. His opponents were banking upon that he will miss out some essentials – say about Kashmir – to please the US or India but it was never possible at this stage. So it was a safe speech

However PM Nawaz Sharif’s problems are very deep; he faces a serious political challenge which he and his close associates have continuously dealt, by design and intention, as a law and order or administrative problem and are still wishing that it will peter out due to sheer exhaustion of his opponents on logistic issues. (money, costs, lack of support from Army, depression due to lack of results etc) Unfortunately for Nawaz & Associates, It is not. If anything the political bug is spreading; the robust demonstration by hundreds of Pakistanis in New York only proves that; with every set back his opponents take stock and are improvising; now no one has any control on these action-reaction political dynamics; the best solution for PM Nawaz is to engage his political opponents in a meaningful way across a table and make genuine concessions; the first and foremost being “Election Audit” followed by new Election Commission and an Early Election under new mutually agreed rules and regulations by early 2015 or late 2015. And planners and killers of Model Town massacre have to be punished. Every other trick will fail. Govt will find it difficult to govern and will soon start to lose out the support of international stakeholders. The inability – or lack of desire or interest or not finding time – on part of President Obama to meet him on the sidelines of UNGA is a pointer in that direction.

Moeed Pirzada is prominent TV Anchor & commentator; he studied international relations at Columbia Univ, New York and law at London School of Economics. Twitter: MoeedNj. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy. This piece was first published in Moeed Pirzada’s official page. It has been reproduced with permission.

PM Nawaz Speech at UNGA…!

Articles & Blogs

Admin

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September 27, 2014

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Moeed Pirzada | FB Blog |

PM Nawaz Speech at UNGA was not bad. If anything it was a good balanced speech. Off course it was not written by Nawaz; he would not even grasp some of the concepts or terms -or their real importance – mentioned in the speech. But such speeches are always written by Foreign Policy Experts and in Tariq Fatemi, NS has an excellent Adviser with a balanced world view and we assume it must have been written by Fatemi. But Nawaz Sharif had to approve the gist and the substance and in times of political crisis like these Nawaz had no option but to go with this script and he read it well. He did not misspell, he did not fumble, he did not looked out of touch. Since it was a written script and he merely read it out, and in any case, he is not a very good speaker for such international situations but then in Pakistan who are we comparing to whom? Nawaz read it better than Zardari. He is no Oxbridge or Harvard type but from normal South Asian standards it was fine. (It was better than his performance in front of the PMLN workers in Astoria Waldorf with Ptv camera introducing them as Pak-American community; who was actually waiting for him outside UN).

But speeches are not only about “written scripts” and reading them out. Good speakers – even when speeches are written for them – identify with the substance, mark their stresses and pauses for they believe in what they are saying. For Public leaders of the stature of Prime Ministers it is far more important because you have to bring out a soul of a nation through your words and gestures. From that point of view this speech was lacking in spirit and mental synchronization with words.

Politically speaking, Nawaz’s problems are not increased by this speech – but they are not resolved either. His opponents were banking upon that he will miss out some essentials – say about Kashmir – to please the US or India but it was never possible at this stage. So it was a safe speech, damage control kind of speech, which does not give out much room for lashing at him – unless you just want to lash out at him. (And firing of Hatf-IX and his Military Chief visiting LOC few hours earlier did not give him much room either).

However PM Nawaz Sharif’s problems are very deep; he faces a serious political challenge which he and his close associates have continuously dealt, by design and intention, as a law and order or administrative problem and are still wishing that it will peter out due to sheer exhaustion of his opponents on logistic issues. (money, costs, lack of support from Army, depression due to lack of results etc) Unfortunately for Nawaz & Associates, It is not. If anything the political bug is spreading; the robust demonstration by hundreds of Pakistanis in New York only proves that; with every set back his opponents take stock and are improvising; now no one has any control on these action-reaction political dynamics; the best solution for PM Nawaz is to engage his political opponents in a meaningful way across a table and make genuine concessions; the first and foremost being “Election Audit” followed by new Election Commission and an Early Election under new mutually agreed rules and regulations by early 2015 or late 2015. And planners and killers of Model Town massacre have to be punished. Every other trick will fail. Govt will find it difficult to govern and will soon start to lose out the support of international stakeholders. The inability – or lack of desire or interest or not finding time – on part of President Obama to meet him on the sidelines of UNGA is a pointer in that direction.