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Pakistan and Politics
The site consists of comments on Pakistans current political scene. It will highlight the controversies, the scandals, the political leaders and happenings vis a vis the countries present day politics.
THE LATEST COMMENTS ARE ON THIS PAGE.AFTER THIS TRY PAGES 24 , 23 ,22 and 21. THE OTHER PAGES CONTAIN COMMENTS ON EVENTS SINCE MAY 1997.
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Pakistan and Politics
by ikram ul haq
PAGE INDEX click on any link
MOHAJIR GOVERNORS RULE
MQM END COALITION AND SIND GOVT KICKED OUT
NAWAZ SHARIF COMPLETELY DOMINATED BY THE MQM
THE MQM CAMPAIGN OF TERROR CONTINUES
INVESTIGATIONS, DEATH THREATS
HAKIM SAEED MURDERED
PMLn ALSO CORRUPT, SURPRISE, CANCELLATION
KAPCO, COUNCILLORS,POSTINGS
NEW ISI CHIEF
DEBT RESCHEDULING,PROMOTIONS,MQM
- Sind is now ruled by a retired Lt general Moeenuddin Haider who was selected precisly for such a situation. A mohajir he was retired from the military and appointed the governor of sind when the PMLn did not want to appoint an MQM man.Sind now has two mohajir faujis looking after it. The other is the Corp Commander karachi.To offset this a Sindhi dominated advisory council will probably be formed.Uptill now Moeenuddin has been a lacklustre governor content to warm his chair and not getting on too well with anyone ie the politicos.Some people thought that the PMLn might also bring in a new governor since Moeenuddin had shown a lack of ability in dealing with the situations volatility.For the present several punjabi ministers from the center have flown in to handle the situation.
- In a further change the Inspector General of the Sindh police and his deputy have been replaced.
- Since last night the Sind police have raided the entire town and nabbed over a hundred terrorists. Altaf Hussein on the other hand has asked all his terrorists to go underground.
- Nisar Khurro the leader of the opposition in the Sind assembly has termed the govt action anti democratic while the MQM called it anti Sind. The people in general support the move as the Sind govt was unable to handle the situation
- In further news the president of pakistan has exchanged pleasantries with the president of israel in Turkey which has ties with Israel.The govt has however refused to acknowledge the first official contact with Israel
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- In response to Nawaz Sharifs ultimatum to hand over the killers of Hakim Said the MQM ended its coalition with the PMLn and parted ways with the Sind govt. The MQM also accused Nawaz of being responsible for all the murders in karachi
- Faced with another minority govt in Sind Nawaz kicked out the Sind govt and imposed governors rule. He also announced an immediate operation against terrorists in karachi. The sind govt was a pathetic example of provincial govts in pakistan. PMLn allies were in coalition with the MQM( who were in essence controlled by the center )and were unable to take any action against terrorism . In the end they became literally paralysed as Nawaz Sharifs parleys and agreements with Altaf Hussein strengthened the ethnic MQM and forced the govt to take actions which caused the situation in karachi to deteriorate steadily. The main stipulation of most Nawaz- Altaf agreements were to pacify the MQM militants and terrorists thru payments of compensation and release from jails despite involvement in heinous acts of violence. After being released from jails and getting monetary support from the govt they went back to doing the same things that they were doing before ie terrorising karachi.
- The govt was only able to take this action after the removal of the pacifist and behind the scenes Jehangir Keramat and the total support that Pervez Musharraf offered the govt. The army according toits most recent statement has become totally apolitical and will do everything that the govt requires ofit. This is a significant change from the positions of previous army chiefs who expected to be consulted and not ordered.
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- Two bomb blasts took place outside the Sind assembly on the 27th with minor damages injuring scores of people . The blasts similar to attacks in the previous PPP regime were blamed on the MQM but could also be the work of the AZO
- The Corp Commander Karachi Afzal Janjua and DG Sind Rangers Imtiaz Shaheen were immediately replaced by Corp Commander Bahawalpur Muzzaffer Usmani and GOC Abdul Qadir Baloch. Afzal Janjua has been appointed Inspector General Training and Evaluation while Inspector General(T&G) Tahir Ali Qureshi has been appointed Corp Commander Bahawalpur. Military Secretary Lt Gen Muhammed Yusuf has been appointed Corp Commander Multan .Usmani probably owes his appointment to being an urdu speaking mohajir Major General Masood Pervez(ISI) has been promoted and appointed Military Secretary. Apparently the promotion has been made superceding two other major generals Tauqir Zia and Anis Bajwa. There seem tobe alot of armed forces officers named Pervez these days. The transfer of the Corp Commander karachi and DG Sind Rangers has apparently been made on the request of the MQM
- In further developments Nawaz Sharif accused the MQM of masterminding the Hakim Said murder. Apparently the murder was planned in the MQM headquarters 90 Azizabad(known as Nine-Zero) and one MQM MPA and several top ranked MQM leaders participated in the meeting along with the killers. Nawaz Sharif has asked the MQM to hand over the murderers in a few days or he would dissolve his coalition with them. To of the accused namely Amirullah and Fasih Ahmed alias Jugnoo(who died in police custody) have provided the police with a detailed account of the event. The participants in the murder have been identified as MQM MPA Zulfikar Hyder, Asif Chitta, ex ASI Noushad, Arif Khan, Masroor, Asif, Wahab Bandhani, Ajmal Pahari and Rehan
- The MQM have meanwhile filed a case against the custodial death of Fasih Ahmed by police torture. Meanwhile it is also reported that Amirullah and Asim Reza were also heavily tortured by police during the investigations.
- The govt has promulgated a new contempt of court law which defines three contempt spheres as civil, judicial and criminal. The law allows muted criticism of decisions but not judges and allows criticism of courts in the assemblies
- The Punjab High Court has suspended the operation of Khidmat Committees pending a hearing.
- It is also rumoured that Hakin Said was being blackmailed apparently by MQM bhatta gatherers. Since he refused to cough up the required cash he was killed.This is a routine matter for the MQM who have knocked of many people for not satiating there monetary requirements.
- Apparently the prime minister has handed over a list of 215 terrorists to the Sind govt for immediate arrest. Mostly belonging to the MQM it has raised fears of another karachi operation.
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- The MQM campaign of terror, revenge and ethnic cleansing continues in karachi and hyderabad. Eleven people were killed including two cops yesterday
- 13 people were killed in police custody over the past year in karachi alone.
- An ethnic punjabi transporter was killed by two motor cycle riding murderers in hyderabad
- The police has been unable to trace the killers of the former governor of Sind Hakim Said. Some are suggesting an ethnic motive as rumours in karachi suggested that he was a punjabi too. Other reasons being cited are brutality, cruelty(involvement in the torture of MQM workers), insurance scams, infidelity, looking like a devilish chaprasi, MI5 etc. According to one rumour one of the suspects told police that the hakim was knocked of as a joke.Some wildly suggest that the killers who remained camouflaged in a car were actually top MQM leaders. Others suggested that he conducted human experiments in the guise of research and that he spoiled the original taste of Rooh Afza. The govt however continues to praise the hakim as a social reformer and educationist
- The govt is about to reinduct an MQM minister at the center and bring in karachiite Ijaz Shafi as Minister of Revenue. There are also rumours that the economists dominated ministry of finance might be given political direction by inducting Ishaq Dar while the advisor on Finance Hafeez Pasha might be on his way out after being dubbed as the most unsuccessful economic advisor in decades. Hafeez Pasha has advised the past two govts as well in various financial and planning capacities.
- The MQM has accused the PMLn of murdering Hakim Said while Benazir Bhutto has critisized the govt for protecting terrorists and forming coalitions with them. Senator Aitzaz Ahsan reported that a secret coded message was sent to a Sindh mpa on the successful conclusion of the murder.
- The govt is planning to reduce Wapda staff by around 50% say press reports and the projected reduction in electricity rates are tobe a subsidy by the govt rather than a rate reduction
- The balochistan Governor and provincial assembly have refused to allow the american compny Forbes to fish inits coastal waters as they regard the agreement reached by the federal govt with the said comapny as flawed and dangerous for the countries fishermen. There are accusations of kickbacks in the deal and Humayun Akhter the BOI chairman is said tobe paying the americans for the favours they have done him.
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- The investigations into the murder of Hakim Saeed are showing what everybody knows. Most of the murders in karachi are not carried out by agencies but by MQM hitmen. These MQM murderers have become so experienced in carrying out murders that they execute their prey with precision and ruthlessness. The only reason being cited for this murder is that Hakim was becoming a potential threat to MQM dominance in karachi
- According to press reports one of the suspects named Fasih Ahmed alias Jugnoo died in police custody after acknowledging participation and pointing out the others involved... Some of the others involved have names like Aizaz alias Kala Munna, Asif Burger, Shahid Commando, Tariq Sectorwala etc. The Friday Times alleges that those involved also include Tahir alias Qasai, Arshad alias Chotoo, Naseer aliss Nasroo,Nauman alias Naumi, Ubaid alias K-2,... One sometimes wonders whether karachi’s population contains anyone without an alias. Usually aliases are used for underground criminal activities. Some other reports also suggest that a former MQM sector incharge Imranullah is also being interrogated. While still other reports suggest that the modus operandi suggests that a new group of murderers has come into existence.
- The MQM quickly rejoined the Sind coalition after the Hakims murder as all fingers were being pointed at it.It is suggested that Nawaz rejected demands that their activists not be interrogated or arrested however Jatoi agreed to some face saving cabinet changes
- Some strange rumours are making the rounds as to the reasons of the Hakims murder. Some are suggesting that the Hakim was the legendory behind the scenes operator who created and ran the MQM and had a falling out on finances . Others suggest that he was the chief indian spy in pakistan and that he planned operations by disguising himself as a hakeem and social reformer. Still others suggest that he was killed because of conflicts between the delhi mohajirs and lucknow mohajirs. Still others consider that he was being prepared to take over the mohajir leadership by peaceniks amongst the terrorism oriented MQM.The most farfetched theory is that the hakim was killed by indians after they were challenged by the pakistani foreign minister as they insisted that they could destabilize pakistan with just one action. However most people regard it as a terrorist effort to instill fear into the hearts of senior karachi based personalities especially those opposed to the MQM.
- In a linked story The Fridat Times lists possible people on the terrorists hit list. They include Afzal Janjua Corp Commander Karachi, Major Gen Imtiaz Shaheen DG Sind Rangers, Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari, Naseerullah Baber, Abdus Sattar Edhi, Ghafoor Ahmaed JI, Nusrat Mirza, Shah Ahmad Noorani, Afaq Ahmed, Ishtiaq Azhar,Farook Sattar etc. It is also reported that the Hakim worried about money being transferred overseas by the MQM(Rs 750 million).Apparently the terrorists are still run by Altaf Hussein and all his opponents are considered tobe on the hit lists.
- Pakistan has apparently piled up debt arrears totalling $1.4 Billion.
- Despite having surplus electricity generating capacity there is upto three hours of load shedding in the countries major city Rawalpindi
- According to the Friday Times Nawaz Sharifs son has defaulted on a pound 15 million loan from an arab bank.
- The Friday Times further alleges that one of Nawaz Sharifs ministers was caught with a suspicious girl friend in Islamabads posh Daman e Koh resort
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- Hakim Saeed of the Hamdard Dawakhana and Hamdard University was murdered by car borne terrorists outside his maktab in karachi on the same day that Liaqat Ali Khan was killed in the early fifties.He is the most prominent personality gunned down by karachis unknown killers. He was generally regarded as patriotic and a competent hakim and educationist. Some regarded him as a social reformer and against negative political activities. His most important product was the Rooh Afza drink which was used to quench summer thirst .This event could be the result of the recent agreement reached between Nawaz and Altaf in London. It could also be connected to the recent appointment of a new COAS and ISI chief. However most regard it as the action of indian oriented terrorists who are against pakistani dogooders and charity oriented personalities. Others have voiced the opinion that it could be an effort to increase the possibility of martial law. Still others regard it as the result of MQM's inability to tolerate all possible opponents. Others regard as it as the outcome of the indian foreign secretaries visit
- In another terrorist incident car borne terrorists gunned down the islamabad red mosque imam which is being regarded as sectarian terrorism. Newspaper reports suggest that Maulana Abdullah who was the head of the Ruet e Hilal committee had affiliations to the SSP which would suggest that their opponents the TNFJ or other shiite terrorist groups could be responsible.
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- In what can only be called the surprise posting of the decade the juniormost newly promoted Lt General Mohd Aziz Khan has been appointed as the Chief Of General Staff the number two post in the pakistan army. On promotion Khalid Maqbool has been appointed Corp Commander Lahore while Hamid Javed is to continue as head of Heavy Industries Taxila. Corp Commander Lahore Mohd Akram has been appointed Quarter Master General .That leaves only the position of Corp Commander Multan vacant for which another major general might be promoted. The appointments show a strange pattern with senior Lt generals being sidelined to unimportant positions. It might also show that Pervez Musharraf is not getting along with senior army officers and has to rely on juniors. Probably the mohajor factor has something todo with that and the way he got appointed
- Pmln is also corrupt says Senator SiafurRehman. The govts anti corruption platform does not seem tobe doing too well as of the previous govt only Benazir , Zardari and some officials have been targetted. In fact none of Benazirs ministers have been charged in any major corruption case.The govt is also considering targetting some of its own corrupt . There have been serious reports about the alleged corruption of Nawaz Sharif,Shabaz Sharif, Mehtab Abbasi and Humayun Akhter
- The IMF visit to pakistan has according to press reports been delayed as Pakistan according to Nawaz Sharif has refused to accept misery increasing conditions.The visit may now take place in December
- The third unexploded Cruise missile has been found in the Balochistan Desert
- Another councillor was shor dead in Gujranwala. This time the motorcycle riding councillor was shot down by terrorist riding a car. The rumour machine suggests that it was in retaliation for the killing of four councillors a few days ago
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- Four Councillors belonging to the Dhonkal District Council were gunned down by motorcycle riding terrorists.Rumours are pointing to the punjab chief minister as he is delaying the nomination of mayors and chairman district councils for unknown reasons.
- The Punjab High Court has ordered KAPCO to sell electricity at Rs1.98 as compared to the inflated Rs3.44 per unit. This will save Wapda Rs7 billion per year.26% shares of Kapco were purchased by National Power of the UK at a throwaway price. 74% of Kapco is owned by Wapda
- Several appointments have been made by the new COAS. Former ISI chief Nasim Rana has been appointed Master General Ordinance viz Shoaib Amjad who has been appointed the Adjudant General.Corp Commander Rawalpindi Salim Haider has been appointed Corp Commander Mangla tobe replaced by Commandant NDC Mahmood Ahmad who in turn is tobe replaced by Corp Commander Multan Salahuddin Tirmizi.The other three appointmnments will be made after the promotion of new Lt Generals.Corp Commanders Karachi and Lahore Afzal Janjua and Mohd Akram are being considered for the position of Chief of General Staff while Corp Commanders Quetta and Peshawar Tariq Pervez and Saeed uz Zafar are being considered for the position of Quartermaster General.
- Newspaper reports suggest that the wily, temperamental and unreliable MQM will not support the 15th amendment in the Senate
- The Taliban have agreed to release all remaining Iranian prisoners after intervention by the UN
- According to press reports Iranian material being sent to Taliban opposition commander Ahmad Shah Masood marked humanitarian aid was confiscated from trains in Kirghizstan and found to contain arms and ammunition
- The Supreme Court has ruled that the govt cannot suspend the fundamental rights ofits citizens even in an emergency
- The Punjab High Court has allowed Asif Zardari to raise funds for his defence by selling property owned by him
- Pakistani bookies tell the Punjab High Court that Wasim Akram and Salim Malik accepted bribes to throw matches. Allegations denied by all players.
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- The govt has appointed the Adjutant general of the Pakistan army Lt gen Ziauddin as the new ISI chief. The ISI had become an almost redundant organization under the long stewardship of Lt Gen Nasim Rana.Rana who is now the seniormost Lt Gen had not been given a Corp when he was promoted to Lt Gen and has spent the last six years in the ISI. He will most probably be given the position of Chief Of General Staff. The DG ISI position seems to have been upgraded to number three in the military heirarchy
- The regional situation is becoming murkier day by day. The indian military intelligence chief is reported to be visiting the iranian town of Mashad. This could possibly lead to problems in Balochistan and Afghanistan. The iranians seem to be becoming unreliable allies and such visits could spell trouble for the Taliban.
- On the other hand the indians have announced supposedly routine military exercises in Rajasthan on the Sind border. Such exercises can be foils for starting a war or infiltrating saboteurs into the troubled areas of Sind.
- The MQM ally the JSM has according to press reports started preperations for Sinds freedon struggle
- The police have raided Hubco offices and the govt has asked them to return Rs17 billion to Wapda. The stock market has seen a drop of 7% in reaction to the HUBCO contract cancellation. Hubco has rejected govt allegations of fraud and corruption
- The standards and poors rating agency has cut pakistans long term debt rating to -CCC and the outlook was kept negative. Pakistans short term debt rating was kept at C. Analysts said that pakistan had technically defaulted on about one billion in debt
- Ishaq Dar says that conditionalities have been agreed on IMF loans and that the rupee will not be devalued.Pakistani economists are attempting to raise $5 billion in loans from conventional and non conventional sources.
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- Pakistan has started defaulting on debt repayments which could officially be announced as a debt rescheduling/moratorium next month if agreements are/not reached with the IMF, WB and the European Consortium.
- According to unconfirmed rumours even Nawaz Sharifs speeches are being rubberstamped/written by the GHQ
- According to the News the major generals Hamid Javed(HIT), Aftab Aziz(ISI), Anis Bajwa(VCOGS) ,Khalid Maqbool(GOC),and Tauqir Zia(DGMO)are being considered for promotion to Lt general in expectation of the creation of at least three vacancies
- IMF insisting on 56% rupee devaluation says the News.
- Nawaz Sharif says that FCA's might be restored if foreign exchange reserves improve
- According to press reports MQM is likely to rejoin the Sind cabinet very soon. There are also reports that the MQM and a JSM group are organizing road blockages in interior Sind
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