Karachi Political diary

 Karachi Political diary

Mubasher Mir

The united opposition is busy preparing for a grand meeting and on the instructions of Imran Khan, every party is being contacted that can become a part of the Movement to Protect the Constitution of Pakistan. In this regard, important leaders of the PTI and other parties were on a visit to Karachi, in which the most important meeting was with Pir Pagara and other parties involved in his alliance GDA. In which Pir Pagara was invited to participate in the grand meeting. If the GDA becomes a part of this movement in Sindh province, then a big alliance will come into existence at the provincial level as well as the PPP and MQM.

Regarding the election results, the GDA also has the same stance as the PTI and other parties. The GDA has also been sidelined in Sindh in the same way as other parties in Punjab and Balochistan. Keeping in mind the politics of Sindh, the GDA is also against new canals, on which the PTI is also ready to support them. Although Pir Pagara has been struggling with drawing room politics and more and more public meetings, they can gain benefits by going to this big platform.

The movement leaders also addressed the media at the Karachi Press Club and took a stand on the letters written by Imran Khan that they have reached the real place. But the PTI should bring the contents of the letter to the public, while talking about speculations in this regard, they said that Imran Khan did not demand relief, but government circles are claiming that the former prime minister is seeking relief. Imran Khan seems to be successful to the extent that he has succeeded in forming an opposition alliance against the government alliance while in jail. In the past, the PPP used to take this task from the late Nawabzada Nasrullah. And then the PML-N and the PPP had completed this task from Maulana Fazlur Rehman. But a politician has become so effective from jail that the government is also afraid of him and the opposition leaders have also stood by his stance. If Pir Pagara joins the movement, it is possible that MQM-Haqqi leader Afaq Ahmed, who is currently in jail, will also become a part of it.

As for the issue of new canals, nationalist parties are also protesting on it, but the leaders opposing the project in Sindh have not agreed to launch a joint movement. The PPP has not yet submitted a motion to discuss it in Parliament.

National People's Party chief and GDA Vice Chairman Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi has been arrested again in another case after being granted bail in two cases. Regarding the allegations being leveled against him, people from his party say that these are just allegations, the real issue is a personal dispute between a leader of the ruling party and a minister. Although the incident is old, revenge-like action is being taken now. It is an old tradition in Pakistan that people in power and authority do not keep the requirements of justice in mind while taking action against their opponents. This may satisfy their hearts, but justice and fairness ends somewhere, while the police are used in this.

The social media is abuzz with debate over the interview given to TV by President Asif Ali Zardari during his visit to China, and the content of the interview has been criticized for not answering the questions well and effectively. The questions asked by the female TV anchor were very important regarding Pak-China relations. It is true that the health of the President is not such that high expectations should be placed on him, but his media team should have prepared better for this interview because the impact of the speech of the country’s most important figure is far-reaching. Although several important ministers also traveled with him, the media sector has appeared weak.

After the murder of a young man named Mustafa in Karachi, many revelations are coming out regarding the drug mafia. The police have arrested the people involved in it and the son of an actor Sajid Hassan was also arrested. The court door was opened on Sunday for his remand. His video footage showed that he is not at all remorseful for drug dealing and his father must definitely be aware of it.

India emerged victorious in the match between Pakistan and India. The public expected a good competition in the match played in Dubai, but the fans did not get to see good cricket. The morale of the Pakistani team was not high and it failed to create an atmosphere of competition. If the match had been taking place in Pakistan or India, it could have been said that there was pressure of the match, but even in the match held at a neutral venue in Dubai, the Pakistani team did not appear in a winning mood. The cricket board should pay special attention to this. The public's disappointment is not because the team lost, but rather because the team did not give the Indian players a tough time. The playing field creates a healthy competition trend, but if the quality of the game drops, the entire nation becomes depressed. However, apart from improving the game, the Pakistani team needs to be brought out of the fear of losing because it has tried unsuccessfully to win against India many times.

The arrival of Ramadan is approaching and gradually the prices of goods have started increasing, which is seen every year. The government claims every year that they will improve this situation next year, the government has also announced a relief package, the amount of which is said to be 20 billion rupees, along with this, announcements are also being made to close utility stores, the federal government should privatize utility stores, it has become a brand. The private sector can run it in the best way. People associated with it will also be saved from unemployment. There is a large network of public stores, its closure is not appropriate. The super stores that are running in the private sector are making profits, so the government can also franchise utility stores to different institutions.

The reports coming from Balochistan are very dangerous. A group of armed men is stopping and checking vehicles on the Quetta-Sibi highway in Bolan Valley. There is also news of similar treatment of a provincial minister's convoy. The places where the incidents have taken place include Bibi Nani, Aab Gum, Green Hotel and Pir Ghaib Cross. The security agencies should have taken immediate notice.

Karachi Political Diary

 Karachi Political Diary 

 Mubasher Mir

MQM-Haqqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed has been accused of inciting people to set fire to heavy traffic and to burn their vehicles whenever someone gets hit by heavy traffic. There was a disturbing increase in the number of people killed by dumpers, to which Afaq Ahmed had reacted by saying that if it happens again, he will be held accountable.

Statements of the leaders of political parties Some anti-social elements do not hesitate to use it in their favor and commit crimes on the spot. Of course, Afaq Ahmed must have wanted it that way, but his statement fell on his throat. It is similar to the fact that the events of May 9 are being blamed on former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Imran Khan is demanding a judicial investigation into these events. It seems that Chairman Afaq Ahmed will also demand the same after some time. However, whatever has happened, Afaq Ahmed has benefited a lot politically. He was leading a quiet life, but his party has come to life. Afaq Ahmed has become the center of news. The other side of this is that some people are talking about bringing back former MQM chief Altaf Hussain. While Dr. Ishratul Ibad also intends to start the journey of return. There is disagreement in the current MQM, the Governor Sindh is struggling to strengthen his position, in this situation, Afaq Ahmed’s prominence is important. Some political experts believe that the effort to unite all the MQM groups is also being made to stop the Urdu community in Karachi, which has largely shifted towards the personality of Imran Khan. Many educated members of the Urdu community have turned their backs on the current leadership of the MQM.

The ruling forces are stuck on the old formula that there should be two political forces in the province so that both can be used against each other. Although this formula has been going on for many decades, it has not led to development in the province nor has a political democratic society flourished. However, political tug-of-war continues to be demonstrated, but in the last few years, things have changed completely. Now the people are not interested in this tug-of-war.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has spoken on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, accusing Imran Khan of misguiding the young generation and admitting that Pakistan has not been able to prepare itself according to the requirements of the digital age. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement has been released from Karachi for Pakistan Media. Now he himself is working hard to make the young generation in his favour while blaming the federation for the internet problems. His party has been ruling in the federation and is also playing a long innings in the province. His provincial government has also not been able to do much for the digital age, he should make a dynamic and active IT specialist part of his team at the provincial level so that the IT Ministry in Sindh province can perform better.

The PPP claims to treat political opponents well, but the PPP organization in South Punjab has issued notices to its leaders in Dera Ghazi Khan for welcoming Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr. It is surprising that political tolerance should have been shown.

The Sindh Governor has also started a letter-writing campaign. He is writing to the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court to take notice of the heavy traffic problems in the city. There are reports of a petition being filed by Jamaat-e-Islami. Although this is an administrative matter, the Sindh Transport Department and the Police Department have been unable to play their role. If work is done to control the vehicle issues through their companies, the results can be better. But the tragedy is that there are big stories of corruption in this too, just as police stations are sold and the blame is placed on police officers, similarly there are reports of traffic police sections being sold. Of course, this buying and selling is of a completely different nature in which the police are considered directly involved. Political courage is needed to break this system, which seems to be missing at the moment. If the court, Governor House and other institutions work together to achieve something, it will be a great service to the public.

Former President Dr. Arif Alvi had tried to become politically active but FIRs started being registered against him. After that, he was confined to his Dental clinic but now he was in Washington to meet Pakistanis in the US and members of Congress. At the invitation of PakPac, an organization of Pakistanis, he presented his position to American politicians regarding the protection of human rights and freedom of expression in Pakistan.

This situation in Pakistan is increasing day by day and a confrontation is going on, the current government and the ruling institutions have a different point of view while the opposition parties are coming together and the slogan of protecting the constitution is being raised. A grand dialogue between selected people with both points of view is necessary. But the environment for this has not been created yet. In the past, friendly countries have also been playing their role, but at present, Pakistan's friendly countries are silent and the confrontation is intensifying.

In traffic accidents, serious accidents occurred near Khairpur and Nawabshah, in one of which the pilgrims of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and in the other the famous Naat Khawan Khwaja Ali Kazim, who had gained great fame on social media, lost their lives. Khwaja Ali Kazim belonged to Skardu in the northern areas. After the funeral prayers in Karachi, his body was taken to Skardu where a large crowd attended his funeral prayers.

Another gruesome murder took place in Karachi and Mustafa Khan, a young man, was killed and burnt by his friend. According to reports, Sindh Police failed to catch the culprit and IB solved the mystery. Now in Hyderabad, a famous poet Dr. Akash was killed and burnt by his son, the son of the deceased confessed to the crime.

The increase in accidents and murders indicates chaos in society. Citizens on the roads or on the highway express their power by speeding, while murders are also an expression of greed and power. People escape punishment by using their resources, so society is suffering from anarchy. The authorities should consider this situation and work to remedy it.

Karachi Political Diary

 Karachi  Political Diary  

Mubasher Mir

Intellectuals at the Karachi Literature Festival have emphasized that the establishment is the main obstacle to the flourishing of civil society institutions. And in particular, it has not allowed the institutions to become fully functional and effective. This is the reason  that civil society institutions have failed to play an effective role at present. What the intellectual community has pointed out has been expressed in the past as well and there is a history of political resistance against this behavior of the ruling forces, but it has not ended yet because the ruling forces get some political party or group in their support, thus this role has not ended.

If we look at the twenty-five years of the current century, politicians also provided the oppertunities like President General Pervez Musharraf with the opportunity to form the Muslim League-Q, religious parties under the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal provided a crutch, while the Forward Bloc of the People's Party came into being under the name Patriot, and President Musharraf succeeded in seizing power.

The PML-N and the PPP signed a democracy charter, but Mian Nawaz Sharif's relations with the ruling forces deteriorated once again and the PTI made its place and came to power with the support of the ruling forces. However, soon the PML-N, PPP and MQM reunited with the ruling forces and succeeded in removing Imran Khan as the Prime Minister before his term. After Imran Khan's differences with the ruling forces, the three parties launched a movement with the support of the ruling forces using Maulana Fazlur Rehman. It seems that this series is continuing under the nexus instead of the weaknesses of the political parties and the political struggle to gain power.

The intellectual community should urge political parties to establish democracy within their parties and believe in political struggle beyond family politics. Only then can civil society institutions become active and effective. Otherwise, it will remain a dream. Public awareness has its place, but the politics of alliances is a deadly poison for Pakistan.

Opposition parties observed February 8 as a black day and termed the election results as fraud. In Sindh, GDA also criticized the results of the last election like PTI. Questions are still being raised about the February 8 election, but political parties have adopted the habit of blaming each other but are reluctant to talk about the purification of the system. The ruling parties are trying to consolidate their power while the opposition parties are trying to bring about change through protests.

Meanwhile, an IMF review mission has arrived in Pakistan. The mission will review progress in corruption reduction, financial governance and rule of law. After taking up the IMF program, the government of Pakistan has accepted it as its monitor. What a shame for the entire nation that an independent, sovereign country is under the influence of a financial institution due to its wrong policies.

In principle, the parliament of Pakistan should play a monitoring role, but the members are not even allowed to read the bills that the parliament is passing and they are forced to support it under the agreement. In the legislation of the parliament, the members do not dare to discuss it. In such a situation, Pakistan has acquired the right to control an international financial institution that we ourselves have assigned to it. The standing committees of the parliament are also adopting the style of sitting, speaking and dismissing.

Provincial assemblies have implemented agricultural tax, this too has been done in the light of IMF orders. Not only the government of the day but also the opposition should think about this, if they come to power, they too can be treated in the same way. Therefore, Pakistan needs to have a political dialogue in a broader context so that the future Pakistan can change.

The speeding of dumpers in Karachi has claimed many lives. Announcements are also coming from political parties. Now the Sindh government has banned the transportation of dumpers in the city during daytime. Although this ban was in place earlier. Heavy traffic hours were fixed but it was not being implemented. It is not just a matter of fixing the hours but it is more important to check the inexperienced drivers.

It is also necessary to stop the entry of illegal vehicles into the city. It has also come to light that many four-wheeled vehicles are also illegal, while suspicious vehicles are also found among vehicles with official number plates. Therefore, a complete audit is needed in this regard. The Excise Department of the Government of Sindh has the highest responsibility in this. Serious efforts should be made to remedy the corruption that is happening in registration.

Pakistan Navy's peace exercise is ongoing, along with it, there is also talk about Pakistani seas and their defence. Pakistan's maritime borders are equal to half of Pakistan's area. It is as if our sea is a maritime province that is full of treasures, which we have not utilized in the way we should. Along with making Pakistan Navy effective, there is a need to improve its maritime borders for commercial purposes.

Pakistan Railways has privatized more passenger trains. Although this is a good model, it is very important to take into account merit. There is scope to make Pakistan Railways a profitable institution, for which it is necessary to adopt modern technology.

Shia Ismaili Imam Shah Karim Al-Husseini Aga Khan IV has been laid to rest in the Egyptian city of Aswan. Ismaili Muslims in Pakistan also mourned his death, while top government officials including the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan expressed their grief and sorrow over it. In fact, President Zardari reached Portugal to express his condolences.

Karachi - Political Diary

 Karachi Political Diary 

 Mubasher Mir

Shah Muhammad Shah, the most important leader of the PML-N Sindh, has written a letter to PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif, stating that since he took over the party's presidency, no meeting of the central executive committee has been convened.

Shah Muhammad Shah has raised a very good point, most of the political parties of Pakistan have failed to organize the party and make it active as an institution . If the political parties promote democratic culture within the parties, it will also have a better impact on the country's democracy, but unfortunately Pakistan is still badly affected by power politics. The dominance of families in political parties has made it even more inactive. In fact, it is a very ideal time for the PML-N that the party and government positions are separate. The President of the PML-N can organize the party at all levels but his focus is not on this, he should consider the advice of one of his senior leaders.

Awami National Party chief Aimal Wali Khan, while addressing a rally in Karachi, said that there is no such thing as democracy in the country, even the head of a political party wants to see democracy only in the government, he also does not have the desire to see democracy in his party. These problems of every political party are the same, the ANP chief belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, but he had to choose another province to be elected as a member of the Upper House Senate. It is not difficult to guess how the necessary documents were prepared for that purpose. Even now he is residing in Peshawar, while someone else from Balochistan had the right to become a member of the Upper House. As if he has no objection to such democracy, politicians should definitely think while making statements that to what extent what they are talking about applies on themselves.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has once again hinted at starting a protest movement, his agenda includes raising voice on public issues besides IPPs and energy crisis. Since Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman was elected as the Jamaat-e-Islami chief, he has started a series of meetings, processions, rallies, and sit-ins. Although peaceful protest is the fundamental right of every citizen, for good governance in Pakistan requires more than just protesting. In many cases, the judiciary will have to be approached, while there is also a need to form public opinion by talking to the country’s intellectual class. Political parties should also work as a think tank for policy studies so that the educated class of the country also comes closer to them and they too play a role in the process of better change.

Leaders of various political parties addressed the water conference in Hyderabad and presented their positions regarding the new canals, while PPP leader Arsalan Sheikh spoke in a press conference about the protection of water in Sindh.

The most objections are being raised in Sindh province against the canal being dug for Cholistan, but surprisingly, the federal government is avoiding dialogue with the provinces on these issues. A meeting of the Council of Common Interests is not being convened in this regard. In this regard, the Chief Ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh province had drawn the attention of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif to this, but so far the Prime Minister's Secretariat has not given any indication regarding the meeting of the Council of Common Interests. If any province has an objection to any project, it should be discussed in the relevant forum. When it is delayed, the matter becomes political in nature. Therefore, the federation should address this issue immediately.

The Sindh Chief Minister has warned the Vice Chancellors regarding the ongoing protests in Sindh universities to stop the protests in the universities, he believes that the Vice Chancellors are behind the ongoing protests. It is inappropriate for the Sindh Chief Minister to warn the Vice Chancellors with strong words. Respect for teachers is the duty of every member of the society, and protest is the constitutional right of every citizen. If the Sindh Chief Minister wants to issue any administrative order, it should be at the official level.

An attempt was made in the Sindh Assembly to bring a resolution to revive the students' union, but it was rejected due to the opposition of the Interior Minister, and the provincial Interior Minister announced that work was already underway to revive the students' union. The government should define its scope in view of the importance of the students' union. If there is a swing in this policy, pressure groups including political parties will also take advantage of it, which will also destroy the Academic system of colleges and universities.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has launched efforts to activate the party organization of Sindh province during his visit to Karachi. For the past two years, PTI had completely gone on the back foot in Sindh province and especially in Karachi. When the provincial leadership, especially former Sindh Governor and former Federal Minister Ali Zaidi, separated from the party, many other workers also became silent. At one time, fourteen members of the National Assembly of Karachi city belonged to PTI. The Governor of Sindh was Imran Ismail and the President was Dr. Arif Alvi. Since then, everyone has been living a life of secrecy. The Sindh administration has cracked down on their homes several times and political activities have been suspended. Now, if Salman Akram Raja has tried to bring together the scattered people in this situation, it is good for a political party. Only through political activities can democratic culture flourish in Pakistan.