Date: Apr 21, 2007 2:53 PM
Subject: What Is The Deal?
To: sindh-politics@yahoogroups.com
What Is The Deal?
Confusion reigns supreme in Pakistan. Mostly because it suits the
rulers as they want the people to be distracted and divided at all the
times. It is also because there are several players at work at the
same time – some of them moving in one direction to achieve mutually
desired goals while others in diametrically opposite directions not so
sure of their objectives. Many things are happening in the fast
changing situation – some visible and many more invisible to the naked
eye.
What would be the final outcome – nobody may be sure as yet. One thing
is certain: the government is on the back foot and in proverbial hot
waters. It is not easy for her to swallow the hot potato also known as
CJ.
Then there is the news of an impending 'deal' or an 'understanding' as
some prefer to call it. What is the truth in such reports? Denials are
of course there but who says that they will tell us - the ordinary
citizens - the whole truth.
The news stories about a deal between the rulers and the opposition
actually started circulating about three years ago. ".. after having
gone through a roller-coaster ride and change of interlocutors, they
have reached a point where it can be said with authority that the
decisive phase has begun", writes a senior journalist Zaffar Abbas in
his highly informative article "The Emerging Contours Of PPP-Govt
Deal" in today's Dawn. He gives the names of the people involved in
the negotiations at different times and also makes observations on the
possible final shape of a probable deal between the Musharraf regime
and the PPP.
The article is worth reading: http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/21/top6.htm
Also here is a letter by this scribe published in daily Dawn on 13th
January 2005:
What is the 'deal'?
The media is rife with stories that a "deal" is being worked out
between the military-controlled regime and the two major political
parties in Pakistan. Although there is no word on Mr Javed Hashmi yet,
Mr Zardari is out and abroad, PPP leader Raza Rabbani has been named
opposition leader in the Senate, the party may also get the opposition
leader's slot in the National Assembly and Mr Shahbaz Sharif could
leave Saudi Arabia in a few days. Does that mean that a "deal" is in
the offing?
Whatever the case, it must be emphasized that a rapprochement or a
deal between the two sides should not be a repeat of past mistakes
that have brought so much harm and misery to the people. The governing
principles of any new arrangement should be:
- To strengthen the democratic process in the country and to safeguard
the rights of the people. It should not be another attempt at propping
up the unrepresentative regime or giving a new lease of life to its
unpopular internal and external policies in an exchange for a few
concessions.
- To bring a visible and positive change in governance. There should
be an end to the present regime's divisive and anti-people policies.
- In any new arrangement, the PML-N, the other important political
party, should also be taken on board.
- This should not look like another conspiracy that would remind one
of the nightmarish GIK days.
- There should be an end to the One Unit form of government. Steps
should be taken to accord maximum autonomy to the provinces and
recognize their right to self-rule. That is a must for the future of
democracy in Pakistan.
- There should be a firm agreement on reducing the defence budget and
increasing the education budget by redefining priorities.
- There should come a just distribution of resources and doing away
with the extremely unfair water policies of the present regime which
have devastated the economy, the environment and all other aspects of
life in the lower riparian Sindh province.
It should be clear to all and sundry that if these questions are not
addressed, and if any "deal" between the Musharraf-led government and
the opposition parties is not transparent, it will be just another
opportunistic bargain serving selfish interests of some people, groups
and parties and will bring no change in the lives of the people.
AZIZ NAREJO
Via email
http://www.dawn.com/2005/01/13/letted.htm#6
Regards,
Aziz Narejo
TX
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