March 2, 2010
“Aman Ki Asha”; Pakistan & Afghanistan
Jang Group has been an aspirant of peace in the most troubled region of the world. It’s not easy to do this job in a hostile environment in which all “forces” are against the move considering it as anti state. The Indian side has made this job more difficult as the statements of Indian political leadership are used as counter argument against the peace process in region. However, Jang group is doing wonderful job.
If “Aman Ki Asha” on the eastern border is need of the time, there are more chances of success if such moves are started for normalizing relationship with our neighbor on the western border. At least, these articles [Here and Here] by Salim Safi in daily Jang Karachi tell us that it’s high time to move forward.
February 26, 2010
Peace activist cautions against Indo-Pak ‘water war’ By Shahid Husain
Karachi: Eminent peace activist from India, Tapan K. Bose, has cautioned against a “water war” between India and Pakistan if remedial measures are not adopted immediately by the two neighbouring countries.
Bose, who is the secretary general of the Indian chapter of the People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, made the remark while addressing the “Meet the Press” programme on Tuesday at the Karachi Press Club.
“A water war has a major potential to be a reality if we don’t take immediate steps,” he said. “I think water is an important part of the peace process.”
Both India and Pakistan were “water starved.” Though the Indus Basin Treaty exists and is the only instrument, it is clear on certain aspects and unclear on other aspects. “I don’t think that the two states have changed their character,” he said.
In Indian-administrated Kashmir, some people think that they were bypassed by the two countries; they should have been taken into confidence while dealing with issues related to water and Kashmir, Bose said.
Unfortunately, there was not enough awareness amongst the people of Indian-administrated Kashmir to stand against the construction of big dams, he said, adding that just as people-to-people contact between India and Bangladesh played a role in resolving water issues between those two countries, there should be people-to-people contact between Pakistan and India on this vital issue. “Water theft, you know, is an old issue in this part of the world and landlords have been stealing water for centuries,” he said.
Asked if he was optimistic about foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, which begin on Thursday, Bose said that the dialogue should continue. “The governments may be under pressure from the ‘sole superpower’ to go for peace, but we would still welcome it because a face-to-face meeting between representatives of India and Pakistan is better than Islamabad saying something and New Delhi saying something,” he said. “Of course, something substantive will not come out of secretary-level talks, but it is a positive step anyway; it is the first step, and if it leads to some positive results, something substantive will come out eventually.”
“Your government and our government are not influenced by what people say,” he said, adding that not only the divided families in the two countries but other people too were keen in restoring the bus service between the two countries and the Monabao route, and the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
“By and large there is no tug of war. No sensible Indian is talking of war,” he said. “After the Mumbai incident, we thought that we would lose ground, but this did not happen. In Pakistan too, nobody wants war.”
Referring to international pressures for peace, he said that there were several compulsions, including globalisation. “We are in a process where peace is being impinged by several forces and not only by the ruling elites of the two countries,” he said.
The governments of India and Pakistan have not allowed the people to talk on political issues during the past 62 years because they thought that it was their prerogative to talk about these. These governments, however, have never resolved the Kashmir dispute, nor have they done anything about the Sir Creek and other issues, he added.
Kashmir was not a “territorial issue” and the people of Kashmir should decide whether they want to be independent or join Pakistan. “The position of states is not relevant because it is divisive; it is a zero-sum game,” he said.
Water, environment and ecology are trans-boundary issues and both India and Pakistan should initiate “joint research” on these issues. People-to-people contact was the most effective way of challenging terrorism, religious extremism, and violence, Bose said.
It was high time that India and Pakistan establish their respective consulates in Karachi and Mumbai.
The People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy had raised the issue of violation of human rights in Indian-administrated Kashmir, Bose said. “Peace will not come in the next two years, but it will come if we strengthen the process,” he said. “Peace is a compromise. It comes from compromise on both sides.”
Governments think that if they opt for peace, they will become unpopular, but this is not true because people like peace, he said. Security was always the domain of the army and unfortunately decisions on security issues were not taken by the government. The army was the “permanent government,” he remarked sarcastically.
Bose also appreciated “Aman ki Asha,” launched between the Jang Group and The Times of India, and said that it was a “good thing.”
February 17, 2010
What to choose ; Warfare or Welfare?
Like every thing, the Peace and War have also their own stake holders. Although they are less effective despite their enormous strength of empowering the rulers, the masses should be categorized as stake holders in peace.
Both the civil and military establishments of Pakistan and India have sustained the status quo with the help of elements brainwashed to the extent that they don’t stop on less than the dismemberments, division and destruction of their neighbor countries. These elements exist on both sides of border. They “create” the maps of their “enemy countries” which show the “enemy” country divided into so many countries.
Any positive gesture from the leadership of one country receives warm reaction from the other but all at suddenly we witness that an incident, I directly blame the establishment of both countries for orchestrating it, evaporate the feelings of goodwill which falls as fire on both countries.
The need of the time is to reassess our enemies and if done this job sincerely I am sure the poverty will occupy the top in the list followed by unemployment, price hike, lack of education and basic health facilities.
I strongly agree that the aims of Indian leadership being guided [read it misguided] by the military and civil establishment of Dehli has always been cynical and thus it is less sincere in what we describe as the composite dialogues including talks over the issues ranging from Kashmir to Water dispute, but there arises some questions which should be asked from the leadership of Pakistan and India. Will the war benefit the masses of these so-called welfare states? Will the bomb feed the masses of their countries? Can they win over each others? Shouldn’t the budget spent on buy weapon for killing others be spent on buying machines for saving their own masses?
This is what the stake holders in war think. But what the stake holders in Peace think? Thanks to the ruling class, masses are misguided and divided on the issue of relationship of both neighboring countries. But there are forces that “Aspire for peace”. They intend to show the masses their real problems. There is difference between Welfare and Warfare. Two most powerful media groups of Pakistan and India, the Jang Group and The Times of India are aspiring for Peace which will result in welfare of common man. This Indian doctor is healing the wounds of his Pakistani neighbors. The aspirant for peace can heal the wounds caused by the military establishment of both countries of their respective countries. All is not well on state level but something is well on some level. Let’s overcome state level by some level. Criticize Thakre but please don’t hesitate in admiring this Indian doctor to whom “the patient is patient and not Pakistani or Indian”.
February 10, 2010
Brigadier Wins over Professors
The story of NUML is wrapping up with sad end. The Registrar Brigadier (retd.) Obaidullah Ranjha described by one of the news stories in today Daily JANG as Mukkay BaZ Brigadier has resigned most probably under “pressure” from those who have been under his “pressure” for the last two days and saved him from being fired. There is much difference between “being fired” and “resigned” At lease those have being doing government or private jobs know this well.
ISLAMABAD: Brigadier (retd.) Obaidullah Ranjha, the Registrar of National University of Modern Languages, has stepped down here on Wednesday.Brig Ranjha tendered his resignation to the university’s Rector Prof Aziz Ahmed, who accepted it in the best interest of the university.Earlier in the day, the NUML Registrar appeared before the four-member inquiry committee and apprised the committee of details about thrashing of Professor Tahir Malik. He was accused of thrashing and assaulting Professor Tahir Malik. The move angered the students and other professors, who staged demonstrations and demanded his ouster from the varsity.
I don’t know as why has he not been fired and suggested to resign but the message it gives out is very clear that there is something above the rule of Law. I think it’s the age of information. We have a vibrant TV media besides our social/society media is very active which bring such ugly incidents to the forefront, otherwise how many teachers would have been insulted and the incident gone without being reported. The critics of our newly form media and its anchor persons forget that it is these channels which highlight the issues. I hope the media will ask the question as why wasn’t the registered fired? And will he be dragged to court in connection of this the cases reported earlier?
My First Post but not last
Many of us are ignorant of the fact the Qisa Khwani wasn’t the place of social gathering only. It was a place where the traders from all over the world, passing from Khyber, would discuss the politics as well. Being a son of this northern part of Pakistan I have chosen this title for my blog due to my realization that our Qihwa Khanas can serve as a major platform for the political growing up of the citizens which in turn can help create a Pakistan dreamed by its founders. Qisa Khwani will tell the world stories of Past and present Pakistan.
