LETTERS:

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Book of shame

Sir: Senator Farhatullah Babar, a parliamentarian from the PPP, has moved a bill to establish what he calls “The Black Book.” Therein he wants the names of those who subverted the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan. The idea is not a bad one. Nations must do such exercises to learn from their past. However, I am afraid, the proposed book may not be that short and may not contain just the names he thinks should be there. For history has its own verdict.

When this book is finally composed, the senator may be dismayed to see the list and may regret his earlier zeal for the project. Those who organised and led the CIA orchestrated civil-disobedience-type movement against the legally elected government in 1977 may be the first ones in the long list. The ones who sabotaged the government-opposition talks (which were nearing an agreement) may be next. People calling on the army to take-over and perform “their constitutional duty” will probably follow. Those collaborating with the dictator and entering the corridors of power from the backdoor by paying the ‘small’ price of signing the death warrant of the constitution’s founder may be awarded a prominent place. Those who met and acted upon directions of RAW agents in London to launch a hate-movement against the national army shall not be forgotten. Those who compromised principles to accept power on the terms of nefarious agencies, instead of sitting in the opposition, exposing and limiting the damage done by these elements are quite eligible for inclusion. Those approaching US presidents and governments to intervene in their country’s affairs will surely be classified in this ignominious list. Those welcoming military take-over and praising the new ruler as, “a commando and my chief of military operations” and offering their full support shall not be forgotten. Those going to India and giving statements against their country’s interest and the Kashmir policy shall be mentioned in bold letters. The list may go on and on until the senator is ashamed and horrified.

And do not forget the history of ‘subversion’ does not start from the constitution of 1973. This constitution was created on the debris of the largest Islamic state wrecked by traitors. Already historians have started to pinpoint the major cause of the wreck: the boycott of the National Assembly session at Dhaka by West Pakistani legislators.

Still want to press the bill, Mr Senator?
MALIK MUBASHIR A MAJOKA
Sargodha

Blessed are we indeed?

Sir: Shall we thankful to for these blessings?

The supply of a limited number of F-16s; the establishment of the Aga Khan exam board through US Aid; complimentary aid for various projects; modernization through a secular vision; frequent friendly visits; reshaping tribal and cultural identities; gift packs of deported Pakistanis; us being declared a close ally in the war against terrorism; the mushrooming growth of US universities in Pakistan; keeping the status quo on Kashmir issue.
KHALID MUSTAFA
Islamabad

CJP! Please save judiciary

Sir: The Mukhtar Mai case has exposed the judicial system in Pakistan. A woman was outraged in 2002, the suspects were tried, some of them were convicted and the rest were freed. Both the complainant and respondents filed appeals, which were decided by the appellate court apparently according to established judicial norms.

Nothing is wrong up to this point. Yet another appellate forum, the Apex Court, will now scrutinise the rationale of the verdicts, both of the trial court and the first appellate court, and will finally decide the matter.

On Friday, a three-member bench of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) took suo motu action and suspended the verdict of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Multan Bench, and issued notice to the parties.

The FSC bench directed its office to procure all relevant records from the LHC and fix the case for hearing before its full bench. The court said that it had jurisdiction under Section 20 of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance of 1979.

The legal repercussion of this suo motu action could be serious not for the parties but for the judicial system and society at large. So, the intervention of the Chief Justice of Pakistan is necessary in the interests of justice.

The Chief Justice is requested to take up the matter suo motu and decide the matter in the light of the Supreme Court’s full bench judgement PLD 2002 SC 775, wherein it was held that appellate powers belong exclusively to the High Courts when an anti-terrorism court has sentenced someone under Section 10(4) of the Hudood Ordince.

The Pakistani nation cannot bear another judicial conflict. It has already suffered a lot after the 1997 crisis in the Supreme Court itself.
Asadullah Siddiqui
Lahore

Children of a lesser God

Sir: The government has been utilising all available resources for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of Balochistan. So far it has provided Rs 23.7 million in aid to them. The Pakistan army, the frontier corps, and the civil administration are jointly engaged in these relief activities and the rehabilitation process in the affected areas.

The federal government is also paying special attention towards the rehabilitation of these people, while the affected people of Broghil area of Chitral are being dealt with like children of a lesser God. Nobody seems bothered about these poor people who are still living under nine feet of snow, suffering famine-like conditions prevailing in the area. They have nobody to ask for help, except God Almighty.

Why this injustice with the people of Broghil? And why is Balochistan being given so much attention? Are they above the law or is this the fear of Nawab Akbar Bugti? Please Mr President and Mr Prime Minister, do not ignore these poor people, as they are unable to raise a voice against the government’s injustice due to their illiteracy and the backwardness of the area. They really need and deserve your support.
ZULFIQAR AHMAD
Chitral

Occupied liberation

Sir: It is quite clear that when Emperor George Bush the Second mentions liberation, he actually means military occupation. Last year the Pentagon presented plans to Congress for five military bases in Afghanistan, the first of which is already under construction in Herat right near the Iranian border. May God protect the Muslims there.

These bases have become necessary for America, as the noble Muslims of Afghanistan do not consider Americans liberators but occupiers — just like their brave brethren in Iraq. And despite American military might backing him, America’s puppet Karzai faces such popular rejection that America had to delay parliamentary elections for a third time, and polls are now anticipated some time in September 2005.

Surely ending foreign occupation is a prerequisite for citizens choosing a ruler and a representative body of their own free will. France certainly did not busy itself electing a ruler when it faced German occupation in World War II, and I don’t see why Muslims should accept this either.

And if Bush is still confident that Muslims are happy with his occupations, as he so claims, then let him put that to a vote.
ABDUL-WAJID
Lahore

Feudal torture

Sir: The seizure of a huge arms cache and the discovery of private jails and torture cells in Marri camp have unveiled the tyrannical face of some Baloch sardars and their warlord ways. It is enough proof for us to know who are supplying weapons to rip apart our national fabric, and damage our national security and solidarity.

These elements, supported by some local men, have been actively targeting vital installations, which are so dear to peace within the country, as well as the economic prosperity of Pakistan. Despite supporting the government’s policies to curb these elements, the opposition intends to join hands with these warlords, expressing “solidarity with them.” This is extremely deplorable and proves their negative thinking.

I request the opposition to shun cheap political gains, and help the authorities in curbing these warlords and torture-cell operators, in order to save Pakistan and the Baloch.
AMJAD CHARR
Sialkot

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