Our Rooms And Their Streets

Our Rooms And Their Streets

Use your brain before May 11 – this meme, one of many that are doing the rounds on the Pakistani blogosphere in the run-up to the general elections, comes as something of a strange, New Age commandment from on high. It betrays a cavernous assumption – those who do not vote do not employ reason, that most virtuous of all modern virtues. It suggests too that reason can only take a certain definite form (voting for candidate XYZ), that the expression of the authentic political can only mean one thing ie holding free and fair elections. And if I may venture to say, in a perverse manner it also suggests that ‘brains’ are not really required much post-May 11!

The general elections and the accompanying voter turnout have become the ultimate symbols of all things democracy. Not a moment goes by before we are reminded of the crucial ‘choice’ before us. Is it A, B or C, we are asked incessantly? Choose! Now! Or forever hold your silence! I would add the suggestion is more to the tune of: Choose, or don’t, but forever hold your silence either way.

For a country locked in an eternal battle with its colonial and dictatorial history, the question of the democratic and the political is no laughing matter. But can we not take a moment to deconstruct the task before us? Is voting every five years (if we are lucky) the only form of political engagement required, and desired, of citizens? Should we be satisfied with being given the choice of A, B and C, and then make our peace with whatever horrors they might unleash? Is this not a total limitation of our choice, a severe reduction of legitimate alternatives? Is it not a violation of our freedom to not be able to create our own alternatives?

The Greeks called it ‘to pepromeno’ – inflicted destiny as opposed to one that is freely chosen. It might be most plainly visible in the context of Balochistan where a very defiant population will be forced to make this (non-)choice at gunpoint. And if you look closely you will find it at work everywhere: in blood relations from influential families who contest against each other for the same seats, in brothers who are corporate tycoons and also happen to run the defamatory media campaigns of two rival political parties against each other, in manifestos that say nothing of neo-liberalism and foreign debt, in speeches that could go on for hours without addressing the issue of privatisation and labour laws, land rights and agrarian reform. Any meaningful discussion of subjects of concern to the ordinary people is off limits in this electoral campaign it seems. Let us not fool ourselves then...the electoral exercise and the act of voting serve to limit our political engagement in manageable bounds. The New Age political commandment stands decoded thus: Exhaust your choice and close your brain post-May 11, lest you start asking uncomfortable questions regarding how the system really functions.

Well over a century ago, the German scholar Carl Schmitt problematised the marriage between democracy and liberalism for their very divergent tendencies. A bourgeois ideology par excellence, liberalism is the ethical commitment to the rights and interests of individuals seen as self-contained units, and the economic commitment to the profit motive and unimpeded growth (leading to unequal development). The very notion of democracy, on the other hand, suggests collective decision-making, and the community’s influence as a whole over economic activities. Ethically, it fosters community over selfish individual interests, and is only invested in such economic activity that can garner a genuine consensus and is beneficial to all.

Modern liberal democracies could, therefore, be described as a real life oxymoron. By transforming economic enemies into competitors in the market and the ethical world into debating adversaries in parliament, they lead to the depoliticisation of politics proper. We are forced to believe that no truly political issues actually exist (in Schmitt’s sense of rival groups posing an existential threat to each other). Everything can and will be resolved through debate by elected representatives in parliament. Inequality can continue to exist but formal legal equality (universal franchise) is sufficient for democracy. Liberal democracies also equate the political to the state. The world beyond – the economic and social struggles of the masses against or outside the state’s realm – are relegated to the non-political, something to be managed and dealt with, rather than the actual determination of our collective political destiny.

Little wonder then that our present election campaign is in a sense the epitome of the apolitical. Meanwhile, what is termed a ‘law and order’ situation – isn’t. It is in Balochistan’s killing fields, in crowds that riot over loadshedding in Punjab, in Lyari’s ethnic and economic clashes, in the young doctors’ strikes against the doomed health sector, in the tussle over land rights by peasants, in shady deals with the International Monetary Fund behind closed doors, in the apparently benign suggestions by corporate tycoons to further liberalise and privatise the economy, that the real political fate of the country is being wrought. Unfortunately no free coffee at fancy cafes, discounts at fashion houses or blow-dry deals at beauty parlours are on offer for participating in these. We only have to use our brains to figure out why.

This is not to say that elections can or ought to be boycotted all across. And this is definitely not a call for more military dictatorships. Rather it is a sombre reminder of the limitations of choice and the ‘sameness’ of change possible in the present system. For those of us waking up to the dream of real public engagement in the political, the electoral exercise can only serve a very small part of the strategy. The real task is herculean and involves bridging the distance between our drawing rooms and their streets. It involves recognising that the real fight – the class fight – shall continue and cannot be resolved by the system that exists to perpetuate it. In other words, it involves us using our brains not only on May 11 but every waking moment of our lives.

-- Sonia Qadir

Women's Secretary, 

AWP Lahore. 

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Why thumb impression taken on ballot papers if ECP cannot verify

Elections process far from satisfactory

Why thumb impression taken on ballot papers if ECP cannot verify

May 19^th

General Secretary of the Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) Brig. Syed Masud ul Hassan on Sunday said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is not paying attention to the complaints of rigging.

Contestants as well as voters have been protesting across the country staging sit-ins but to no avail, he said.

In a statement issued here today, he said that what happened in Karachi during the elections resulted in global humiliation which proved that our election process is far from being satisfactory after six decades.

Brig. Syed Masud ul Hassan said that why thumb impressions were taken on ballot papers if ECP lacked means of finger prints verification in the disputed constituencies.

Was this exercise carried out to given impression of independence of ECP to the masses, he questioned.

Employing proper finger print technology to trace out who were the actual voters and also those who tried hijacked the polling process was responsibility of the ECP, he said.

He said that the top brass of the ECP should accept their failures and take corrective steps.

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Free-for-all; not so fair

Free-for-all; not so fair
Article in Express Tribune By Najma Sadeque
Published: May 13, 2013

Self-praise is no recommendation. It applies as much to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as to jaded politicians. Where earlier the much-respected Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim conceded failure on some scores, Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed, secretary ECP, made his self-congratulatory address to the media even before the extended polls had concluded; many hadn’t even begun or were obstructed. He seemed oblivious to the undemocratic practices in polling stations across the country and dismissed a few as minor.

For some time it has appeared that the ECP was working at cross-purposes: that it wasn’t taking its cue from the oft-thwarted head, but from elsewhere. Some ideas were not good ones. While some candidatures were rejected under given criteria, others were accepted on grounds that their cases were pending in court. This has not gone down well with an outraged public. It legitimises making hay until time to abscond abroad before the verdict. Furthermore, the computerised ability to catch out fingerprints from fake ballots is not practical when they run into thousands or millions. Some felt disempowered over the withdrawal of the “None-of-the-above” option. The ECP also lacks the teeth for enforcement of rules, but made the government look correctly dutiful while the good Justice took the rap.

It was an election, if not entirely fair or free. Winners are generally satisfied with polls. Losers much less so; especially when there is irrefutable evidence of rigging and strong-arm tactics. While it is acknowledged that Karachi is a hotbed of various mafiosi, that’s not the only place they exist, and their inextricable linkages with the government never prompted remedy. That gives Imran Khan the future opportunity to showcase corruption-elimination mechanisms. This requires a high degree of standing and ongoing transparency, not after the fact.

Whether the deeply-entrenched mafiosi specialise in real estate, water, transport, utilities, jobs, taxes, pension payments, compensations, or bhatta — protection money from commercial establishments, vegetable sellers, roadside barbers alike, each according to his ability to be squeezed — they cannot exist or act alone except in league with a much-corrupted police and government functionaries for a cut. Unless the integrated mafiosi are sizeably and decisively cut down, and total transparency, freedom of information and concurrent accountability applied, free and fair re-elections can’t be guaranteed either, any more than a free country.

The situation makes polling officers particularly vulnerable. Many are government teachers, subject to those in power. Poorly compensated and disrespectfully treated, they have seldom wanted to serve as polling officers with good reason. It’s rather unfair that they are penalised for not wanting to perform a function, as an instinctive reaction for sheer survival, that is not or should not be part of their job description. As government servants subject to unjust political and mafia pressure, they’re left between the devil and the deep blue sea.

While other quarters grabbed credit for the elections taking place at all, no credit has been given to an institution that enabled it by simply refusing to interfere. Yet, its greater involvement may be needed — plus a revamped ECP of the like-minded — wherever re-elections take place, if a repeat of the rigging and high-handedness is to be avoided.

Although biradari still prevails widely, (one clan may have just been substituted for another) people have become savvier — no small thanks to the electronic media — as well as also being pressured by failing socioeconomic conditions. So, there is something seriously wrong when otherwise well-informed people leading normal lives, continue to blindly parrot party rhetoric to the last punctuation mark — as if they have no minds of their own.

Diversity, difference and dissent are endemic to human nature, as much as the ability for mutual understanding, cooperation and creativity. But it is unnatural that everyone would maintain the same rigid stance indefinitely, never responding when change, negative conditions and wrongdoing arise. This is less a sign of loyalty than a silence of the lambs. True leaders live in close proximity to their people to be able to empathise and identify with their issues, and confirm they belong. Nor do they make second homes and offices in ostentatious oil countries.

The surprise was that the Taliban threat of widespread attacks didn’t happen; violence was mostly indigenous. We were treated to new things never seen before: a cop slapping a woman; hard, video evidence of ballot stuffing; wayward and disappearing polling officers and show-cause notices; amazing coincidences of votes ending with two or three perfect zeroes; and cheated voters determinedly waiting for up to 12 hours.

But there’s still another kind of respite needed: no more compulsory shut-down of Karachi on grounds of mourning. Who doesn’t mourn for lost loved ones? But should the uninvolved poorest be forced to also mourn the loss of wages, their families not eating for a day or more, or the continuous destruction of all economic activity on which an entire country is dependent?

There’s time until re-elections for what was left out of voter education earlier, so hopefully, the channels can, maybe, teach the unaccustomed how to accept defeat graciously (from Mr Bilour, maybe?); discuss the possibility of installing international observers wherever re-elections take place; familiarise viewers with the unfairly ignored smaller parties such as the Awami Party and the Mustaqbil Party; how to nab top crooks who have historically escaped through political and judicial manipulation; the far-reaching repercussions on victims of real estate and other records lost in the LDA building fire; discuss land reform for tillers that the original Muslim League promised in 1946.

Or maybe provide entertainment that they’re adept at: such as a prize-awarding competition for how many ballots can be stuffed per second.

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Masses asked not to support failed politicians

Masses asked not to support failed politicians

May 10

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday asked masses should not support failed politicians in the elections otherwise they would continue to reel under problems like runaway inflation, unemployment, lawlessness and energy crisis.

A corrupt or weak government will not be able to overcome challenges or initiate reforms which will accelerate economic contraction adding to  the miseries of the masses, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

A coalition government dependent on smaller parties will not be able to come up to the expectations of IMF to qualify for another loan; it will be unable to lure investors, he noted.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that we must blame nobody but ourselves for the sad state of education system, collapsing healthcare system, inefficient civil service, pervasive crime and terror, and corruption that has become endemic.

He said that endorsing the failed leadership would result in continued chaos, extended inequality, burgeoning unemployment, poverty and the social evils that have become feature of our society.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that handing over victory to politicians that ruled the country for five years would be unfortunate as the incompetent band would never be ale to revive economy or stand up to domestic and international challenges.

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Election fears boost demand for insurance coverage

Election fears boost demand for insurance coverage

May 10

Fears associated with the parliamentary elections have increased need for risk coverage through insurance, a leading business leader said Friday.

Insurance industry should educate business community to take adequate measures to protect themselves and their business from any potential security and investment danger after the elections, said Mian Shahid, CEO Saudi Pak Insurance Company.

Security issues have brought economy to its knees, businesses have been destroyed and employees displaced because majority of the affected did not have proper insurance cover to compensate them, he said.

Rising political temperatures can result in political violence that can cause interruption in the business operations, he warned.

Mian Shahid said that industry should design appropriate products to cover business community especially the SMEs can be adversely affected in the post-election scenario.

The insurance industry should properly respond to rising demand of cover against risk, clashes, and terror, he said.

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Elections not to bring any meaningful change; Hamid Gul

Elections not to bring any meaningful change; Hamid Gul

Masses asked to reject cosmetic changes in the name of elections

April 11

Lieutenant-General Hamid Gul (Retired) on Thursday said elections may bring some cosmetic changes but it will not bring any meaningful change to resolve issues confronted by masses and the country.

Masses will continue to reel under inflation, lawlessness, unemployment, and food insecurity while elite will flourish without discharging national obligations under the oppressive democratic system, he said. 

Speaking at Firk-e-Farda Forum, the former chief of the Inter Service Intelligence Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hamid Gul said that democracy is a tool of western imperialism to dominate world which must be rejected by masses to get Islamic system imposed. 

He said that communism is dead while shelf life of Christian democracy is over. It is dying at our doorstep while the humanity is in need of a new and just system for which Pakistan can become a model, he added.

He said that Anglo-Saxon law has failed to provide justice to masses; it has been supporting the rich that should be replaced through struggle by the Islamic system of justice.

Hamid Gul said that Quaid-e-Azam wanted Pakistan as an Islamic state and he preferred Presidential system to Parliamentary form of government which is full of disadvantages.

He said that India’s water terrorism could lead to a war and that Iran gas is imperative for our survival. Without elaborating, he said that Pakistan has assets that can be sold to avert a default, but many countries would not like it.

The former military strategist said that providing justice to former President Musharraf has nothing to do with the moral of defence forces. 

Hamid Gul called upon the youth to reject the tyrannical system and rise for a change as Pakistan is facing an onslaught on economic, cultural, ideological and internal defence fronts.

However, he was optimistic that country would survive all the challenges as destiny of Pakistan is the fate of the humanity.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President Pakistan Economy Watch, Baig Raj, President Punjab Forum, Abdullah Gul, President Tehreek-e-Naujawanan-e-Pakistan and others also spoke on the occasion.

They said that politicians have bewildered masses who should realise that this country was not destined for failures. Masses should strive to save country and make it an Islamic welfare state.  

Calling multi-party system mother of all ills, they lauded the single-party Chinese model of government and opined that prosperity is not possible in absence of peace.

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The mood of society has changed in Pakistan General Election 2013

The mood of society has changed in Pakistan General Election 2013   By Shoaib Habib Memon   Pakistan General Election of 2013 will be the next election to the 14th parliament of Pakistan The government of Pakistan has announced elections to be held on 11 May 2013.    If We observe the Figures of our Leaders it would hardly be surprising to realize that many Pakistani politicians are quite rich – but the magnitude of the wealth some of them have amassed might raise some eyebrows, if not alarms.   Some 90-million registered voters will select candidates to fill almost 1,000 seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies. The overwhelming majority of them could not even dream of attaining the wealth of some of the politicians they will be casting ballots for.   Consider the incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, will lead the ruling Pakistan People’s (PPP) Party in the election.   According to various sources, Asif Ali Zardari is the second or third wealthiest person in Pakistan, with a fortune estimated at $1.8 billion at least. But that estimate, by Daily Pakistan, dates from 2005 – which means that by now, his riches are probably significantly greater.   Among other lucrative assets, Zardari (either directly or through front companies) owns at least eight properties in Britain (including a 365-acre, 20-bedroom luxury estate in Rockwood, Surrey), other properties in France, Dubai, a mansion in the U.S., several lavish homes in Pakistan, and stakes in sugar mills across Pakistan. Zardari’s wealth is believed to have been greatly accelerated by his marriage to Benazir Bhutto, which granted him instant access to the highest levels of government and corporations, both domestic and international. After his wife became Prime Minister in 1988 .In 2007 alone, Zardari’s Swiss bank account reportedly received $60-million through offshore companies under his name. . Zardari’s son, Bilawal, the new head of the PPP, does not face any criminal charges, and will likely inherit his father’s immense wealth. Bilawal could also become Pakistan’s next leader.   Another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, who leads the principal opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-N. (PML-N), also enjoys a very healthy bank account. According to Daily Pakistan, Sharif’s family own assets estimated at a minimum $1.4-billion – apparently generated by their interests in steelmaking and paper mill businesses as well as land in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East — making them the fourth wealthiest clan in the country. Sharif also owns a bewildering array of luxurious properties in Pakistan as well as stakes in companies from Lahore to London. Sharif, who spent several years in the early 2000s in exile in Saudi Arabia, reportedly enjoys contacts with high-level government and business figures in the kingdom.   The dark horse candidate, former cricketer Imran Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is relatively poor compared to Zardari and Sharif, but he’s not starving. Celebritynetworth.com estimates Khan’s fortune at $50-million. Part of that money likely comes from salary and endorsements he earned as a top-flight cricket star, but the majority likely hails from his landownership in Pakistan.   An even darker horse is former army chief and ex-President Pervez Musharraf ,Musharraf, who has recently returned to Pakistan after self-imposed exile in London and Dubai, is reportedly a billionaire, although the source of his wealth is a mystery. According to a report in Pakistan’s News International newspaper, Musharraf has acquired a handsome portfolio of offshore bank accounts (in Dubai and UK) in addition to land he owns in Pakistan and elsewhere. However, it is unclear how a man who did not come from a wealthy family and who lives on an army pension could have accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars.   A spokesman for Musharraf told the News that, unlike Sharif and Zardari, his boss does not hold any secret foreign bank accounts. In addition, he claimed that Musharraf earns money from speaking engagements around the world – citing that he and former US President Bill Clinton are among the highest paid speakers in the world. Of course, Pakistan is not alone in having billionaires holding the levers of power. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin reportedly is worth some $70-billion, while Sonia Gandhi, the leader of India’s Congress Party (which makes her the de factor ruler of India) is also in the billionaire range. Even in western countries, billionaires like Silvio Berlusconi and Mitt Romney have either led their states or tried to.But Pakistan is awash in poverty, which makes the wealth of its tiny political elite that much more extraordinary.   It will be Better Observation and Monitoring that The European Union offered to send its observers to Pakistan’s elections, in a bid to ensure a “peaceful, credible” vote that will be “acceptable” to all. “The EU looks forward to upcoming elections that are peaceful, credible, transparent, inclusive and acceptable to the Pakistani people,” EU foreign ministers said in a statement released after talks. The 27-nation bloc “is ready to assist by deploying an election observation mission, as a tangible sign of our support for the democratic process,” the statement added. The ministers also said they looked forward to re-energizing ties with the next government and hoped quick contacts could lead to a third EU-Pakistan summit. Pakistan responded by saying it will welcome a European Union election observation mission during the forthcoming general elections.“Yes, we will welcome the observation mission”, foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said.   A 110-member team from the European Union will observe Pakistan's elections. The European Union High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Ms. Catherine Ashton, has decided to authorize a European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the elections. A member of the European Parliament will lead the 2013 EU EOM as its Chief Observer. The EU EOM team will include observers, experts, election analysts, political analysts, legal analysts, human rights analysts, media analysts and others   The US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olsen stated that the United States applauds democratic tendencies in Pakistan, expressing hopes that free and fair general elections would lead to peaceful transfer of authority from one civilian government to successor dispensation. Completion of the current term by a democratically elected government will be a milestone in Pakistan’s history   US officials have denied the general perception in Pakistan that the US government wants to influence the electoral process in Pakistan to bring in a friendly government. US Secretary of State John Kerry skipped a planned visit to Pakistan to avoid accusations of meddling in the May 11 elections. Spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated that the message the United States wants to send out during the election season is “we have no favourites among Pakistani politicians and we are looking forward to work with whoever is elected on May 11.” Secretary Kerry’s decision to skip Pakistan during his South Asia visit is an indication of Washington’s eagerness to maintain neutrality during the elections.   ECP Pakistan Playing a Transprency Role to Conduct General Election 2013.The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned 24 former federal and provincial lawmakers on April 5 over the fake degree issue, The cases of the former parliamentarians would be heard by Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim. The election commission has stepped up its action against those lawmakers who were involved in the fake degree issueafter the Supreme Court of Pakistan .   He also pointed out that 4,000 contestants did not even have National Tax Number (NTN) while 70% parliamentarians had never paid tax. He submitted that the ECP had not yet formed any procedure to reject the nomination paper of such aspirants. Representing the federal government, a standing counsel told the court that Article 62 could be applied on such contestants. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that dual national Pakistanis will not able to hold positions in Political Parties of Pakistan. According to the announcement of Election Commission of Pakistan, the Political Order 2002 will apply to the dual national Pakistani who are seeking or holding positions in political parties. According to the Political Order 2002 the dual national Pakistanis cannot contest the election in Pakistan.   In compliance with an order of the Supreme Court, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has devised a software to help 4.5 million overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in the coming general elections. The $1.5 million software will help overseas Pakistanis in 15 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France and Australia, to vote at 150 polling stations. However, approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be required to prepare required legislation.   The government failed to solve or even marginaly reduce the problems faced by the working class and the poor. Poverty has increased, the prices of essential daily used items including food has skyrocketed, religious intolerance and militancy has increased, the energy crisis has worsened, the economy is facing the threat of a meltdown, the social crisis has intensified, and unemployment and hunger are on the rise. The life of ordinary working class people and the poor has become like a living hell in last five years. According to the new United Nations Development Progress Report, Pakistan stands in 146th place out of 186 countries on the human development index.   It is now equal to Bangladesh and just ahead of Angola and Burma. Pakistan has one of the lowest levels of investment in education and health-spending a mere 0.8% of GDP on health and 1.8% on education. Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and even the Democratic Republic of Congo spend more on education and health than Pakistan. This report says 49% of the population lives below the poverty line. The PPP led government has done nothing to improve the situation for the large swaths of the population.   On the one hand the working masses continue to suffer but on the other hand PPP leaders, their cronies and allies have become billionaires. The looting and plunder of state resources has reached unprecedented levels. One corruption scandal after another appeares in the media almost on daily basis. This undoubtedly was the worst performance of any civilian government in the history of Pakistan..   The mood in society has changed since the 2008 elections. In 2008, the vast majority of people wanted to defeat the pro-Musharaf forces. The people overwhelmingly voted in favour of the PPP, PML-N and other anti Musharaf parties. There were high hopes that the new democratic government will work for their betterment and welfare and would change the anti poor policies implemented by General Musharaf’s regime. The failure of the PPP led government dashed these hopes. These high hopes have turned into big disappointment. Even “democracy” has been brought into question.    The working class and poor are facing more problems and worst nightmare under “democratic rule” than compared to the Musharaf era. some sections of the working masses might come out to vote in the coming elections but not with any enthusiasm and and with very little hope. Large numbers of people might not come out to vote and are likely to abstain. On average 55% – 60% of eligible voters stayed away from the elections between the 1988 to 2008 elections. That clearly means that a majority of the population has no trust on the election process or that it will resolve any of their problems. This time around the turn out might be bit higher. One factor is that some parties boycotted the last elections in 2008 but are now contesting the forthcoming elections.   According to the United Nations, 22.3 percent of the population of 180-million live below the poverty line.  The UN’s Human Development Index (HDIO) estimated that more than 60 percent of Pakistan’s population lives on less than $2 per day, while 22.6 percent live of less than $1.   There are some sections of society that still hope that change can be brought through the elections. These sections will come out to vote either for the Imran Khan led PTI or the Nawaz Sharif led PML-N. They will vote to prevent the PPP from coming back to power. Both the PTI and the PML-N will get protest votes from those sections of society who are disillusioned with the PPP and its allies.   Sources ; Figures Collected by different National News Newspapers.

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Joint statement concerning on electoral process humiliating the candidates

Islamabad:

The concerned citizens belonging to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including writers, poets, artists, journalists, public policy experts, political activists and human rights defenders, in a joint statement have expressed their apprehension on the current electoral process being undertaken by the Election Commission of Pakistan and unnecessarily led by the superior judiciary. This process is not only unethical and undemocratic it is also unprecedented in the electoral history of the country. The statement raised objections to the manner in which the candidates are being questioned about their private lives. This reflects a combination of ignorance and personal prejudices of the Returning Officers in question.  

The statement further endorsed the findings and recommendations of the 2012 annual report on status of human rights in Pakistan, released by HRCP, particularly the encroachment of judiciary on the legislative sovereignty of the parliament and the executive authority of the government. This, according to them, is in complete contradiction of established international values of democracy and people’s representation. They reiterated that parliament is the only institution representing the will and aspiration of the people.

The citizens particularly criticised the rejection of the nomination papers of Ayaz Amir on the basis of his newspaper columns, which is a gross violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens and their representatives. There are clauses within Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution related to a person’s faith and religious practices which create a lot of confusion and provide room for manipulation by undemocratic forces. These cannot be translated into legal and tangible questions to be posed to the candidates. Besides, the term ‘Ideology of Pakistan’ is interpreted differently by different people. It was first introduced officially under Gen Yahya’s martial rule. Gen Zia’s regime used it to castigate political opponents. The citizens asked why Quaid-i-Azam’s first speech to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11 August 1947 may not become the preamble to the Constitution.

The signatories of the statement include Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, Nasir Zaidi, Fayyaz Baqir, Harris Khalique, Mazhar Arif, Syed Arshad Rizvi, Dr Tanweer Ahmed, Zafar Zaidi, Dr Hafeezur Rehman Chaudhry, Ashraf Kakar, Zamarud Tanweer, Nasreen Azhar, Ali Akbar Natiq, Rehana Hashmi, Farooq Sulehria, Shabana Arif, Naeem Mirza, Dr Arif Azad, Dr. Hassan Nasir, Marvi Sirmed, Zahra Arshad, Shabana Zafar, Hamra Khalique, Khan Nisar, Amir Shah, Sirmed Manzoor, Zafarullah Khan, Raza Rumi, Romana Bashir, Adam Malik, Bilal Naqeeb, Kishwar Sultana, Asif Rana, Farman Ali, Muhammad Arif, Faisal Buzdar, Ismail Khan, Lala Hassan Pathan, Abdullah Dayo, Zeeshan Noel Christopher, Malik Shahbaz and Zohair Zaidi

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