Pakistan Civil Society Forum is launched

Pakistan Civil Society Forum is launched

Islamabad Resolution 

by National Consultation of Civil Society Organizations

ISLAMABAD: A representative forum of civil society organisations from across Pakistan met today in Islamabad to discuss ways for effective engagement with federal and, provincial governments and state institutions, civil society and concerned citizens for strengthening a representative democracy, citizenship, and social and economic justice through coordinated and focused lobbying and actions. 

The national consultation held at the Aurat Foundation’s office was convened by South-Asia Partnership- Pakistan and participated by leading civil society organizations endorsed the following resolution :

We RECOGNIZE the significance and importance of this assembly in the back drop of present scenario where the country is faced with serious problems of bad governance including terrorism, lawlessness, rising poverty, energy crisis and other economic challenges. We also note with pleasure the smooth transition of power from one elected government to the other. However, we consider it important to stress on the newly elected government to take the democratic traditions forward and address to the urgent and important issues of public ensuring people centered governance.

We BELIEVE that neither the country’s development nor its policy making adequately involves public participation. As a result of the top down development, the implementation gaps notwithstanding, issues of ownership, ecology, access to resources stand majorly compromised. We emphasise that planning and development must be a bottom-up approach and the state must make an effort to make people’s involvement in their own development and future possible.

We NOTE with concern a gradual indiscernible reversal of devolution through the Constitutional Reforms (18th Amendment) that will deprive the people of Pakistan of a landmark gain through a democratic process. Ambiguities in the responsibilities and authorities of the federal and provincial institutions demand clarity and reconstitution of roles. We believe the constitution and 18th Amendment must be considered as guiding principles to determine the role of the federal government and provincial governments. Federal government’s obsession with trespassing into provinces’ domain will have far reaching ramifications. This approach has intensified a deep rooted distrust among federating units and must be refrained forthwith. There is a need to take devolution process from provinces to district level with substantive institutional reforms and genuine representation of the public.

We are also TROUBLED with issues of gender discrimination, growing intolerance against non-Muslims and the rising trends of ethnic and sectarian violence all over the country.

We are HUMBLED with the contribution and gains of civil society organizations in upholding citizens’ rights, relentless struggle for fundamental freedoms, free judiciary and democratic development. This assembly concludes with this resolve to continue its struggle for further deepening democratic processes and traditions through coordinated and focused actions among diverse civil society groups and institutions.

We RESOLVE forming the Pakistan Civil Society Forum as a joint platform of action, coordination and engagement with government, national and international institutions. We believe this platform will be instrumental in promoting joint actions for citizens’ rights and bridge the gap between government and people, advocate issues of fundamental importance to people and reemphasize important issues in the national agenda. 

THE Forum REAFFIRMS its commitment for continuing its struggle for citizens’ rights and democratic, human and social development in the country.

We REASSURE our constituents to become a viable and effective platform for coordination, collective actions, lobbying and engagement with diverse actors including political parties, federal and provincial governments, media, national and international institutions.

A national level core committee has been formed comprising representatives of all federating units and rights-based organizations. The committee will engage other CSOs, public representatives, state institutions and concerned citizens for further diversifying its support base.

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Who is responsible for the mockery of booking journalists on charges of terrorism?

The Balochistan government has registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against the chief executive and three other employees of a television channel, ARY Digital, for releasing a documentary about the attack on the former residency of the father of the nation. The three other employees are the Executive Director, Owais Tohid, the Quetta bureau chief, Shahid Hameed Rind and the Islamabad bureau chief Sabir Shakir.

A mystery has arisen as there is a great deal of confusion as to who actually ordered the registration of the case against the journalists. The Balochistan provincial government stated that it acted on instructions from the Supreme Court however, the Supreme Court denies that it made any such order.

Balochistan's provincial information department alleged in an FIR that ARY News, in its current affairs programme on Aug 13, ran "objectionable video clips" released by an outlawed outfit about the destruction of the Ziarat Residency after an attack in June.

A spokesman for the chief minister of Balochistan clarified that Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had no role in the registration of the FIR. Jan Mohammad Buledi, the spokesman, said: "The case against ARY News was registered on the Supreme Court's orders."

Today, August 27, 2013, the Chief Justice of Pakistan announced in open court that he had not ordered the case to be registered. He also asked the authorities to make inquiries into who did order the FIR to be registered.

The possible cause of this confusion was the strong protests by the journalists, civil society and some politicians which have forced the Supreme Court and the government of Balochistan to place the responsibility for the FIR on each other. There is actual evidence to show that the Supreme Court has for some time been taking a position against the freedom of expression by the media and the lawyer's community.

After the change of government the Chief Justice has diverted his attention towards the media, particularly towards the electronic media in the background of their debates on biased and tilted decisions of the courts. There have been some decisions where the benches of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice have not heard the other side of the legal arguments and have given one-sided decisions. Such decisions have provoked the lawyer's community who are agitating against 'dictatorial' decisions of the apex court. The electronic media has been providing sizeable coverage to the lawyer's critical point of view.

One of the points the lawyers are objecting to is the continuous use of contempt of court rulings and Sou Moto actions of the Supreme Court which bars the concept of fair trial. The Chief Justice has also started using these methods against the media and the journalists which has infuriated both civil society actors and media personnel and it is widely believed that this is just another way of squeezing the freedom of expression. Civil society actors believe that whereas in the past it was the military government that was controlling freedom of expression it is now the Supreme Court through contempt of court rulings and Sou Motoactions and it is necessary to note that these actions became more common when the media agitated for the prosecution of the Chief Justice's son on corruption charges.

Due to the timely and loud protests of the civil society the Chief Justice had to reconsider his position and even retreat. The actual position is that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken notice of programme on the Ziarat Residency aired by the ARY Channel and issued notice to the chief executive officer through an expeditious mode of service for August 15 to appear before the court and explain as to why proceedings may not be ordered against ARY in the national and public interests. The apex court also issued notices to the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to appear in person and explain as to what action is called for in view of the above facts.

ARY fearing action from PEMRA approached the Islamabad High Court and got a stay order from anyone taking action against it. The question which begs to be asked is as to why, in the presence of the stay order, the Supreme Court allegedly forced the government of Balochistan to file cases against the media personnel on charges of terrorism. The spokesperson of the chief minister of Balochistan has stated clearly that the case was registered on the orders of the Supreme Court and not on the orders of the chief minister.

It is on record that for the restoration of the Chief Justice and the independence of the judiciary one of the major factors was the use of the freedom of expression by the media houses and journalists against the repression by the military government. It appears that the Chief Justice who benefitted from this freedom of expression is now trying to strangle it to suit his own ends. The lawyers are also complaining that the Chief Justice is overstepping his mandate by interfering in political matters. According to the lawyer's community freedom of expression appears to becoming the main hindrance for the Chief Justice to put a halt to fair trial and his attempts to grab executive power.

The Asian Human Rights Commission calls for an independent inquiry commission into the question of who ordered the FIR and the filing of a case in the anti-terrorism court against the journalists and ARY. The AHRC would also ask the Chief Justice to remember that it was freedom of expression that restored him to his exalted position. It is the prerogative of the editorial board of any media house to decide what materials should be used and how much coverage it should be given and this cannot be decided upon or governed through the regulations of PEMRA or the orders of the courts. Every institution has its own boundaries. If freedom of expression is denied there will be no question of rule of law, fair trial and justice for the people.

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Govt’s Balochistan policy encouraging terrorism

BLA accepts responsibility of attacks but case registered against unidentified people

Security forces should not be demoralised in the name of missing people

Dated: August 11

The Punjab Forum on Sunday said Balochistan policy of the government has been encouraging the terrorists and disheartening patriot elements.

It called for an end to demoralise security institutions on the pretext of missing people.

Speaking at a ceremony titled, “Blood-soaked Eid” President of the Punjab Forum Baig Raj said that government has been encouraging separatist terrorist through their flawed policies.

He said that time has come to act against terrorists through a massive and merciless military crackdown across Balochistan to protect life and property of innocent masses.

Had the government taken a firm stand against terrorists the situation would have come under control, he said.

Baig Raj said that terrorists were openly challenging government’s writ while central and provincial government continue to push for talks which has surged terrorism.

Masses has started believing that terrorist groups are less likely to be found in non‐democratic settings than in democratic ones, he said adding that the remarks by courts has demoralised the defenders of the state.

He observed that those who have made Balochistan a hell for settlers, minorities and security forces will soon commit heinous crimes in Lahore.

Murder of Punjabi labourers and police officials inside the police headquarters is ample proof of the morale, cruelty and reach of the terrorists who deserve no sympathy, he said.

The President of Punjab Forum said that BLA would accept responsibility of terrorism related incidents but FIR would be registered against unidentified people which amounts to playing with the integrity and sovereignty of the country.

Government should not allow a handful of terrorists to bring a bad name to majority of patriot Baloch people; he said adding that negotiations with terrorists are nothing but self-deception which has laid the ground for more bloodbaths.

Any delay in destroying the terror infrastructure in Balochistan will have very far-reaching negative consequences for the federation as only condemnation has remained counterproductive, he warned.

Calling for a sustained action, he said that it would be deadly for the public and country if operations against militants were not undertaken immediately to be lasted until all the terrorists are wiped out.

It is the responsibility of those who were elected by the masses to provide security to the people of Pakistan living under severe uncertainty, he said.

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Terrorism to resurface if tribal areas ignored by policymakers

Next Govt asked to focus on reviving industry in tribal areas

Terrorism to resurface if tribal areas ignored by policymakers

Call for facilitating businesses in tribal areas to ensure peace

May 29

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday asked the next government to escalate the revival of industrial activities in tribal areas.

After years of unrest some peace has been restored and life has becoming normal which calls for renewed efforts to support people of tribal areas living miserably, it said.

New wave of terrorism can resurface in the tribal areas if government continued to ignore the revival of business activities in Fata and Pata, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that business community and overseas Pakistanis should also invest in militancy-hit and cash-starved tribal areas while government should ensure conducive environment, proper communication facilities and smooth supply of energy.

Government should support indigenous industry and businesses, develop public private partnerships, frame proper for setting up industrial estates and zones, hold expos, seminars, job fairs and other activities to promote investment in tribal belt, he said.

Similarly, Dr Murtaza Mughal said, banks should extend their coverage and introduce micro credit schemes in the neglected areas.

Despite vast resources, the tribal region has limited economic base to cater to the basic needs of millions of tribal people because of the neglect spanned over decades, he observed.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that many industrial concerns have been closed in tribal territory while few have luckily been surviving. Few years back there were fifteen vegetable ghee units in tribal belt while the number has come down to two catering for one sixth of the demand in tribal areas.

He criticised the ghee producers of the settled area who are conspiring against the two surviving units to impose certain levies in violation of the constitutional immunity to get them closed and seize the entire market of the tribal area.

The FBR should not pay heed to the demand Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association forwarded through letter No. PVMA/1097/FBR/2013 as it will be illegal and unconstitutional which will deprive hundreds of their jobs, demanded Dr Mughal.

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