Fruits of Democracy. Isn’t it President Zardari’s achievement.

Why Pakistan is not a failed state by Michael Kugelman

 

More than 24,000 Pakistanis form the world’s largest “human national flag” in Lahore. –APP Photo

It’s been about a week since the Connecticut school massacre, and Americans are still grieving.

Yet we’re comforted by the thought that, with time, the bereaved community of Newtown will bounce back. Students will return to school, and victims’ families will somehow get on with their lives. This is because America, as politicians and the US media have intoned repeatedly in recent days, is a strong and resilient society.

For me, such words bring to mind another strong and resilient society — one that endures constant afflictions, tragedies, and privation. I can think of few nations that suffer more misery than Pakistan.

Pakistan certainly isn’t the only country where, in a span of hours, an infant can be bitten by a rat in a hospital nursery, and 16 people can die from consuming toxic cough medicine. This happened several weeks ago.

Yet, place these individual incidents alongside the unending onslaught of natural disaster, insurgency, terrorism, corruption, poverty, natural resource shortage, and disease. Now you can understand why so many Pakistanis suffer from PTSD, and are driven to desperate measures.

In 2008, in one of the most harrowing pieces of journalism I’ve ever read, Newsline’s Shimaila Matri Dawood wrote of Pakistanis murdering their children, jumping in front of trains, and setting themselves on fire — all because they couldn’t provide for their families.

Still, the aim of my final post of 2012 is not to dwell on Pakistan’s suffering. It is to showcase the remarkable strength and resiliency with which the Pakistani society responds to it.

When the 2010 floods plunged 20 per cent of the nation underwater, the government was largely missing in action. Yet doctors, housewives, students, and many others (not to mention the military) immediately deployed to the affected areas to render assistance. Of course, many Pakistanis minister to the needy every day, and not just after humanitarian catastrophes. Witness the tireless work of Pakistan’s living legend, Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Some of Pakistan’s citizen-first responders come bearing not relief or medical supplies, but inspiring words and campaigns that galvanise the nation. Malala Yousafzai certainly comes to mind — as does Sana Saleem, the free speech advocate recently named one of Foreign Policy’s top 100 global thinkers of 2012 (Malala made the list as well). Their ilk will increasingly take center stage as older generations — led by the likes of the late Ardeshir Cowasjee — retire from public life.

Then there are those Pakistanis who use their rare gifts to benefit the country. The tragically short life of Arfa Karim, the teenaged IT genius who provided computer training to the poor, is a shining example.

Also admirable are those who labor under the most difficult of conditions, yet still pull off extraordinary acts. Take journalists and doctors, many of whom are severely underpaid and overworked, and work in dangerous environments. Admittedly, some of them succumb to the stress (recall the surgeon who left operating scissors in a patient’s stomach, and the journalists who fell for the infamous Shamsul Anwar hoax). Yet many more shrug off threats to break critical stories, or save countless lives. I’ll never forget the young doctor I met last summer, who told me he constantly fears getting attacked at his hospital by livid people denied care. When I asked why he keeps going back, his answer was immediate and simple: “Pakistan needs medical care.”

And then there are the besieged religious minorities, who quietly persevere in a nation that refuses to protect them. It’s a wonder more haven’t fled.

Finally, there are the simple yet poignant acts of charity and benevolence — like the kids in Karachi who collect garbage every Sunday, or the Islamabad-based peace activists who travel to KP to speak to students about tolerance and nonviolence.

One of Pakistan’s enigmas is how it manages to “muddle along” despite its multitude of problems. The answer can be found in its people, who hold the country together. They are undoubtedly driven by patriotism, which runs deep despite the nation’s divisions. This is why I cringe whenever I hear Pakistan referred to as a “failed state.” So long as the Pakistani society remains strong, I can’t imagine how Pakistan can fail.

At least not yet.

The question, in the years ahead, is whether Pakistan’s resilient society can beat back the cresting waves of militancy and sectarianism that threaten to tear Pakistan apart and, one day, even plunge it into civil war. Balkanisation, more so than an Islamist takeover, is a very real threat to the Pakistani state.

Up to now, the Pakistani society has stepped in to provide services and fill roles where the government is absent. Yet this isn’t a sustainable strategy. To avert disaster in the decades ahead, the Pakistani state will need to step up — and provide the leadership and good judgment long exemplified by its society.

See you in 2013.

---

The author is the Senior Program Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. You can reach him at michael.kugelman@wilsoncenter.org

Towards a welfare State by Farzana Raja

All the challenges that the nation is facing today demand us to further understand the message, guiding principles and the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad AliJinnah, the founder of Pakistan. It is imperative to reshape the priorities to create a forward looking and progressive modern democracy as it was dreamt by our great leader. The nation needs to strive more to become a genuine democratic society as humanitarian democratic values were the conviction of our great political thinker and a matchless nation-builder. While looking back in the history, we can find the extraordinary characteristics of Quaid-i-Azam as an inspirational leader as well as an ardent and devout leader for whom, the welfare of the masses was prime objective of his movement. Personally, the Quaid not only followed a highly disciplined life but exhibited a spotless character, thus able to lead the nation towards unity, faith and discipline.The struggle of our great Quaid was based on premise of a country that offers equal economic opportunities and social justice to all the population without any discrimination of caste, creed and color. The political insight of the Quaid resulted in carving out a nation from a subjugated and directionless minority besides establishing a modern nation state. Being a true demarcate, Mr. Jinnah prescribed democracy as the only way forward for the newly acquired country. Without any ambiguity, he made the priorities of the state clear right after the inception of Pakistan while stating that the government’s aim and objective should be to serve the people and devise ways and means for their social welfare, well-being and betterment. Regarding the democratic future of thePakistan, Quid said that it is in the hands of people to put the government in power or remove it from power. This guiding principle of Quaid-i-Azam still serves as a source of strength for the democracy loving people of Pakistan. History is evident of the fact that Pakistan’s first democratically elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had laid down their life in the pursuit of the same mission and for the practical manifestation of the dreams of the Quaid.

It is pertinent to note here that the Quaid, as a great leader and statesman, also underpinned the significance of welfare of the people of Pakistan as future roadmap of the state. We must revisit his historic speech delivered on August 11, 1947 when he said that “if we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous, we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor.” Therefore, the dreams of Mr Jinnah revolved around a Pakistan that is an egalitarian modern democracy offering equity in thedistribution of wealth and resources to enable the people of the country to live a happy, prosperous and meaningful life.

The vision of our Quaid has special significance as he had laid the foundation for the concept of an Islamic Social welfare state which is a need of our society and relevant as ever to strengthen the nation on the face of various contemporary challenges. We have observed that PPP has always actively followed the economic and social vision of Quaid-i-Azam and it is a hallmark of the economic policies of the PPP led Federal Government. Under the firm commitment and persistent support from President Asif Ali Zardari, the democratic government has successfully advanced the notions of social justice, equal opportunities and wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.

Besides the importance of equal opportunities, the Quaid had also highlighted the women empowerment as a fundamental requirement for the development and progress of any state or society. In this regard, he said that no struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. The democratic government has adopted the concept of welfare of the people as the only way forward to become a modern democratic in line with the guiding principles given by the founding father of the nation. Moreover, the empowerment of women, youth and children has also made the areas of prime focus under the same vision.

The welfare approach of the Government is based on a holistic approach to cater the needs of all the marginalized groups of the society. This approach also includes the realization of the phenomena of rising inflation, mounting unemployment, and diminishing opportunities as it haspushed a huge chunk of population down to poverty line and hence, countless economic woes for the millions of families. Therefore, despite various economic constraints, unprecedented steps have been taken to provide relief to marginalized segments of society that are worst hit by impacts of global economic turmoil during past few years. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), in line with the welfare-based vision of the government, has been emerged as the key platform of serving millions of families in Pakistan that needed immediate relief and support.

The success and effectiveness of the Programme could be measured and evaluated by the fact that various prestigious international organizations, keeping the transparency, objectivity and effectiveness of the Programme, have posed their full trust and confidence. With regard to the concept of equality given by Quaid-i-Azam, BISP envisaged a fair and impartial selection criterion for all the deserving family to get registered with BISP. To bring positive socio-economic change in the lives of millions of deserving families, the Programme has introduced numerous innovative and unprecedented steps i.e. monthly cash grants, interest free micro-financing, vocational and technical training.

Moreover, besides Health Insurance and Life Insurance, BISP’s Waseela-e-Taleem initiative has been launched to promote education among the children of beneficiary families. While marking the 136th birthday of our great leader, we from the platform of BISP, deem it an absolutely perfect occasion to reinvigorate our commitment with the cause of empowering the people ofPakistan and to make the country a social welfare state as per the vision of the Quaid.

—The writer is a Federal Minister and Chairperson of Benazir Income Support Programme.

President Zardari’s felicitates Christians

ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated the Christian community on the eve of Christmas.
In his message, the President said “on the auspicious occasion of Christmas, I extend heartiest greetings to our Christian brethren all over the world and in particular to those living in Pakistan.
Christmas is a time for celebration and rejoicing. It is also a time to reflect on the message of Jesus Christ (May Allah be pleased with him), the eternal message of love, peace and forgiveness. It is time of rededication to his teachings and to seek forgiveness for sins.
We as Muslims deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah Almighty. His universal message of love and peace transcending race, color and geographical boundaries holds great promise in today’s world that has increasingly become bereft of tolerance, harmony and peace.
On this occasion I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the great contributions made by our Christian brethren in Pakistan in all fields of endeavour. The nation is proud of their great contributions to the development of the country and deeply admires their loyalty to the state and commitment to abide by the law. I have no doubt that they will continue to play their positive role for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
The equality of all citizens of the state has been enshrined in our Constitution. The Quaid-e-Azam made it abundantly clear in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947.
The democratic Government of Pakistan is committed to pursue policies that are aimed at creating greater harmony and cohesion between people of different faiths. I wish to reiterate that we will continue to fight religious apartheid. Let it also be made clear that we will not permit the persecution of members of other faiths in the name of religion nor permit their hounding by misuse of laws and abuse of judicial processes.

President inaugurates Pakistan’s first windmill power project

File photo shows windmills at Jhimpir, Thatta district in Sindh, before the projects completion. — Photo by Farooq Jan

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the country’s first windmill power project in Thatta on Monday, which will add about 50 megawatts to Pakistan’s energy-starved electricity transmission system.

The wind power project in Jhimpir, installed by the Fauji Fertilizer Company Energy Ltd (FFCEL) and financed by local banks, was completed within a year with 33 German-made turbines with a capacity of 1.5MW each.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Zardari said that in addition to the renewable energy project supplying 50 MW to the national grid, an industrial zone was also being set up in Thatta district for which the government will provide all required facilities.

The president added that the industrial zone in Thatta will not only provide job opportunities, but will also help further develop the country’s economy.

Located about 144 kilometres from the commercial capital Karachi, the 50 MW project in Jhimpir will beoperational from next month, according to Zorlu Energy Pakistan, the local subsidiary of a Turkish company which is also executing the project.

In total, more than 106 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national power transmission system in Jan 2013 when the FFCEL and the ADB-funded wind energy projects become operational.

The project is a breath of fresh air for Pakistan, which suffers from a debilitating energy crisis and has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world, estimated at 9.2 per cent of GDP. Experts view the power crisis as one of the main constraints for the country’s economic growth.

Why ? Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should be Mover & Shaker of PPP ?

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s reaction after attack on Malala YousufZai

Most of my fellow Pakistanis specially those between youth age group hardly understand or try to get harsh realities of Live, being part & resident of heterogeneous society they are always told to force their view on others, rather then accepting logic they keep bashing other’s view with irrelevant statements and distorted facts and history. Since media revolution in Pakistan not only the youth but general Pakistani adopt a lot many things from media and anchor persons, in early 80’s & 90’s the prime time used to have drama contrary to this, these dramas replaced current affair shows, but not exactly replaced in fact the general audience started giving more concentration to current affair shows. This not only effected mindset of every individual living in Pakistan but also media started playing role in movers and shakers of society, it started transforming the thoughts of individuals, groups and societies and today one of state’s pillar is truly acting as a pillar of state. In fact this pillar has been very productive to some extent in Pakistan but there has been some forces working in and behind media who are toeing an agenda that’s not their agenda but in fact its hidden agenda and its secret agenda.

When it comes to PPP and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, there has been several media persons who have been trying to convince their audience that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is not eligible to be PPP’s supreme leader, because he is not more than 22 years old, he can not speak Urdu, he can not speak any of regional languages ? Let me reveal you today After Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, when Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was announced as Chairman PPP, I was more of the opinion that PPP should only be leaded by Asif Ali Zardari, as Bilawal need’s to be more mature in next 10 to 15 years. Then to lead Pakistan one need to be aware of ground realities in Pakistan, specially the culture, language and traditions and last but not least one should have leadership qualities to lead PPP and Pakistan, specially those once my elder generation witnessed in Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

I have been working in PPP for last some years, I have been trying my best to avoid buttering which I often find in some political workers doing with great command over this profession, since I started my political career being political activist I was not that much mature to seek or realize reasons for joining PPP‘s student wing, one thing in my mind was to get maximum benefits being a student activist, But later during my education in department of International relations, University of Karachi. I got chance to evaluate Pakistan Politics and political history of Pakistan, Till then I was not well aware about political history of Pakistan, But my education in Karachi university gave me chance to research a lot about Pakistan and its political parties and truly speaking from there my commitment with PPP started strengthening to a extent that today I proudly say After Islam and my religion if anything next I am proud of in my life is PPP.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chairing meeting in Karachi

I don’t want you to read a lot about PPP over hear even I don’t want to write persecutions PPP faced in Pakistan by its establishment, I don’t want to write about historic sacrifices of PPP leaders and its workers, But I do wanna state here that I am not an old PPP worker  just started my political worker in 2002 through PPP’s youth wing and later when i went in university I got affiliated with PPP’s student wing PSF. Through out my political career I was not convinced either I am going to get any place in political cadre of PPP or even I would get chance to be called a PPP leader, because I knew after all I am a son of Poor worker, who have been working in Steel mills for last many years.

But last year I received call from Owais Muzaffar Tappi’s  coordinator to reach Bilawal House next day as I will get chance to meet Party’s chairman Bilalwal Bhutto Zardari following a training on media by foreign qualified media expert, who was here in karachi on chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s request, only 18 high profile PPP workers were there for that training. The day for me and my feelings can never be written, neither i could find any couplet to detail my feelings, but one thing I would like to say I never knew that chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be having those all qualities which usually I was told by the generation which had chance to work closely with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, I never knew and even I was not convinced before meeting him that he is exactly the guy next for Pakistan who has the idea for future of Pakistan & how can get Pakistan towards road of progress.

About two months back watching my abilities Owais Muzaffar Tappi  gave me chance to work for party through bilawal house media cell, for me again it was a great attachments as in my party literate workers hardly get chance to come at front and lead the party, If you are an educated workers in my party no doubt its hard to survive because my party has all those characteristics which you would find in an ordinary Pakistani citizen, but I am great full to Owais Muzaffar Tappi who saw abilities inside me and let me have chance to demonstrate my skills for party. Even though I already have been working with PEOPLES YOUTH  ORGANIZATION- Karachi Division as its divisional Secretary Information for couple of last months, where I was promoted by Mr. Rauf Nagori President Peoples Youth Organizaation- Karachi, again couldn’t find words to describe qualities of these young jeala who almost sacrificed his entire life for PPP, and have been struggling for PPP since he was in college, and had to went in exile as well.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with HH SH.Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of UAE

Again coming back to my point my Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should be Mover and Shaker of PPP ? So let me tell you again recently I had chance to meet him again in Bilawal House Karachi, where I had chance to talk to him, and he kept listening me and answering me with a logic to every of my question, Let me reveal you without any buttering or polishing as being political worker the very first lesson I was told was to speak truth either its in favor of your leadership or not, But what I the qualities and leadership skills I have recently witnesses once again I can describe them in words, but let me detail you that my elder generation who miss Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, no doubt they will get their bhuttos back in Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s charismatic personality. I have the worst critique of family politics, but today I wanna confess Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today is the only guy who is right man for the right job, thats PPP’s leadership, rest you will witness a lot on 27th Decemeber, Be ready to listen Benazir’s Benazir son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 27th December. My words are not ample to describe here today, all you will witness yourself on 27th December.
Malik Zameer Hassan Awan
Secretary Information
Peoples Youth Organization- Karachi Division.
Zameer0201@hotmail.com

Dividends of Democracy.

Pakistan, a country which has been either under one man rule or it has been under an institution which commands full authority till to date in Pakistan and for years it was not answerable to any of state’s pillar those are the judiciary, government, media or executive. This neither let democratic culture take place in our society nor it allowed political culture to grow within the frontiers of politics and political parties. Pakistan Peoples Party, which has been striving to inculcate a democratic culture in Pakistan lost not only top leadership in military coups but also faced worst persecutions in Pakistan, several of its workers were put in death cells, many were abducted but it kept struggling against the mindset which has been on mission to side Pakistan towards anarchy and fundamentalism, the struggle against the thought which want a theocratic Pakistan was on the way in 2007 when the then President of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff General Perviaz Musharaf felt threat from this continued  struggle which started on 30th November 1967, and to get rid of this continued struggle Pakistan establishment had only one way out  and that was wiping out the root cause of this democratic struggle who obviously was Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and then the story of her life ended on 27th December in Liaquat Bagh when she was shot dead following a suicide bomb blast.

Following her death Pakistan faced the worst crisis and anarchy in Society, when the angry mobs from across Pakistan set each & everything on fire which they found on roads either it was railway engines, buses, rollers, shops even Government offices and the then ruling party’s offices were also set on fire, from Karachi to Khyber, Kashmir to Gwader . From Landhi to take-home , angry mobs were on roads and Pakistan was facing worst aggression of its history. But Soon after this incident President Asif Ali Zardari came on the seat and was set to command a party which could have gone into various segments but no doubt the federation remained a federation, symbol of federation –PPP remained intact and solid.

Asif Ali Zardari Leaving for Lahore, Pakistan in 2005

The biggest challenge for President Zardari was to get Pakistan Peoples Party into elections, as it was a time when a majority of opposition parties had decided to boycott elections under Perviaz Musharaf but President Zardari knew it well, this act won’t help democracy but will further give place to Military General, We shouldn’t forget it was President Zardari who convinced PML’N and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif not to boycott elections. But only contesting elections was not a big deal, the main agenda for President Asif Ali Zardari was to inculcate democracy in Pakistan and to kick out the then Dictator out of presidency as four years Presidency remained rooted cause of wiping out democracy in Pakistan. After elections 2008 in which PPP got a silent majority in the lower house of parliament  & in provincial assemblies of Sindh, KpK, Punjab and Balochistan.

This victory for PPP not only forced the establishment to stop their mission but also convinced PPP and its Leadership to create a state which Shaheed Benazir Bhutti and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto dreamed of, But it was not that easy till General Perviaz Musharaf was sitting there in President House. In this blog being precisely I have tried my best to detail some of the achievements of the current government.

In 4 years

Law Making and constitution :-

•  Restoration of the constitution of 1973 back to the position it was abrogated.
• New Mechanism for appointment of judges was introduced to get rid of Politicizing judiciary.
• Concurrent list which had to be abolished from the constitution of Pakistan many years back, it was abolished by the current government.

• A new mechanism was introduced in Pakistan’s constitution for appointment of Chief Election Commissioner & today we have an independent election commissioner “Justice Fukhruddin Ibrahim”.
• Reforms in FATA.
• To hold government more accountable the seat of Chairman of Public Accounts committee was given to Opposition leader in the assembly.
• FANA was given provincial states as ” Gilgit- Baltistan”.
• Abolition of National Security Council.
• Access for general Pakistani citizens to all the materials and information related to Public.
• NFC Awards for the 1st time in history, when the all federating units accepted the award without any accusation on central government.
• The 1st time government made Secret and spying agencies answerable to Parliament.

Most of the work has been done which PPP promised in its constitution, and I can challenge here any one may check PPP’s 2008 constitution and you will find almost 90% of promises fulfilled, and those in a worst circumstances, when the entire world was facing financial crisis and while Pakistan was going through its tough time and situations as during democratic transition we face several routine clashes within state institutions then it was going through a war against extremism and terrorism, which not only effected its economy but also damaged its social fabric of society.

One of the biggest constitutional achievement of PPP is 18th Amendment,

• 69% of articles of Pakistan’s constitution were amended.
• 20% were substituted.
• 7% were inserted.
• 3% were omitted.
• 1% was repealed.

4 year’s assembly completed by following :-

• In 1st year members had 100 sittings in 365 days.
• In 2nd year members had 107 sittings in 365 days.
• In 3rd year members had 109 sittings in 365 days.
• In 4rth year members had 103 sittings in 365 days.

In 4 years around 13,127 questions were asked in Parliament out of which,

• 10,467 were answered completely by relevant authorities.

Since PPP formed its coalition government Balochistan issue has been one of its top priorities and almost the deteriorating law & order situation in Balochistan has been a challenge for the current government, as Baloch’s have been demanding a separate state since Akbar Bugti’s assassination. But not all  Balochs, the majority want rights promised in 1973 constitution rather than a separate entity, But PPP’s leadership & President Asif Ali Zardari has been putting a great emphasize on Balochistan issue which to some extent has been halted by PPP Pro-Balochistan policies, among them were

• Giving more economic power to Balochistan government, which later was also given in NFC award and 18th Amendment.
• Giving more and more federal jobs to Baloch Youth.
• Announcing Balochistan package for development works.
• Recruiting Baloch youth in the armed forces.
• Giving special priority to the Balochs for jobs in province & federal.
• Cases against Baloch leaders have been taken back by provincial and central government.

A lot many other initiatives were taken to get deprived Baloch Youth into the mainstream and to some extent there has been success but still a lot more needs to be done in Baluchistan.

During last four years PPP and its members played a vital role for Pro-Women legislation which includes,

• The Criminal law (Amend) Act, 2010. (PPC amendment in section 509 against sexual harassment). Signed By President Asif Ali Zardari on 31st January 2010.This amendment adds a clear definition of “sexual harassment”  for the 1st time in the history of Pakistan.
• Protection against harassment of women at workplace act. 2010. Signed by President Zardari on the 9th of March 2010.
• Criminal law (2nd amendment ) act 2011 (Acid 7 burns crimes). Signed by President Zardari on 22nd December.
• Criminal law (3rd Amendment) act,2011 (anti women practices Act). Signed by President Asif Ali Zardari on 22nd December.

This amendment declares the following practices, whether cultural, traditional or otherwise a crime in Pakistan for the 1st time :

• Giving a female in marriage or otherwise in badla -e-Sulha, wanni or sowara.
• Depriving women form inheriting property.
• Forced marriages.
• Marriages with the Holy Quran. etc

• Women in distress act 2011. Signed by President Zardari on 22nd December 2011.

National Commission on the status of Women Act, 2012. Signed by President Zardari on 8th March, 0212.

There has been a financial crisis in all over the world for last many years, huge economies striving to stand back on their feet, while Pakistan has been in a state of war which affected its economy badly, the thus PPP government realized growing inflation and price hike and wisely introduced programs to support poors and especially women who in our culture acts as Finance ministers in house. To make women economically important in a household PPP introduced the Benazir Income support program for women, through this program more than 70, 000 families were given RS 124.68 billion as of April 15, 2012 on various activities including cash transfer, graduation program and emergency relief along with nationwide poverty score card survey. Along with these billions of Rupees were directly given to females at Doorsteps through an independent and transparent system.

Pakistan has been a front line ally against the war on terror, due to which not only its economy has been under threat but also its frontiers and inside territory became unsafe due to its role against Al-Qaida and terrorism. Being a Frontline ally on war against terrorism Pakistani state lost thousands of its innocent soldiers and civilians but are committed to fight against militancy and extremism & PPP as a political party and as a leading coalition party played its role not only against militancy but also helping those who have been evicted from international war on terror. In Malakand Division 4 Million people were displaced, and became  Idps, when PPP led government started operation in Malakand against the militants challenged the writ of state, PPP mobilized all physical & human resources to accommodate these Idps by creating shelter and by providing them all necessities of live in (IDP) camps, after the operation ended and got success, Not only these 4 million Idps were settled back to their homes but also PPP government paid for the structure and house destroyed during operation.And Today Swat is safe once again, You may Visit it any time.

Infact this current government has been facing worst challenges of history and Pakistan, those includes wave of extremism, militancy, financial crisis, share of power between institutions, legal battles between state institutions, constitutional problems along with this government had to face various challenges on international level those includes continuous border escalations and border violations from Afghanistan and attack on Pakistani civilians and  soldiers, then after Mumbai attacks there were allegations battle between both the countries, Pakistan & India. But again PPP government played an important role on foreign fronts and avoided any escalation with any of these countries.

Not only this, one of the biggest challenges in PPP government has been two disastrous floods in Pakistan, which further deteriorated its already deteriorating economy, almost each & every seasonal crop were destroyed, millions were displaced and millions lost their homes & households, but PPP remained in front not only settled back those floods displaced people but also managed to set & construct their homes once again. Either we accept or not but without policy of reconciliation it was not possible to kick out Pervaiz Musharaf and to minimize the role of establishment in national affairs, and the credit goes to PPP and Preisdent Asif Ali Zardari who toed Policy of reconciliation even though he lost his various workers in Karachi but salute to the families of  thousands of PPP workers who have been killed in Karachi but still say Geay Bhutto, Geay Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Geay President Zardari Geay Bilawal Bhutto Zardari because they know its only reconciliation which can get Pakistan towards road of development & progress otherwise confrontation would only favor Pakistan’s establishment which neither want a democracy nor civilian rule.

Malik Zameer Hassan Awan
Secretary Information
Peoples Youth Organization- Karachi.
Zameer0201@hotmail.com

President seeks assistance of UNESCO for raising standard of education in Pakistan

PARIS, Dec 10 – President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said greater collaboration and assistance by UNESCO would help Pakistan addressing some crucial issues including literacy development, streamlining non-formal education, promoting early childhood care, technical and vocational education, teachers training and quality assurance, in a significant and effective manner.This he said during his meeting with Director General UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova here at UNESCO headquarters.Those who were present during the meeting included, among others, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Education & Training Sheikh Waqas Akram, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Pakistan Ambassador to France Shafkat Saeed and other senior officials. The President during the meeting appreciated the international community and especially the UNESCO for lending its full support to the Government’s efforts for promoting girls’ education and providing further impetus to the mission of Malala.  He thanked UNESCO’s Director General for taking personal interest in arranging a high level advocacy event on girls’ right to education with the Government of Pakistan and termed it a timely initiative in the run up to achieving the goal of education for all by the year 2015. Discussing attack on Malala and the nation’s response to this dastardly act of the obscurantist mindset, the President said that the whole nation was standing behind brave Malala and considered attack on her as an attack on all its daughters and on its values.  He said the government was undertaking every effort to further promote the mission of Malala as its response to her attackers.  He said that the Government had initiated a special programme called Waseela-e-Taleem under the umbrella of BISP, the flagship programme of the Government that would send around three million girls to schools.  He said the Government was committed to advance girls’ education as an effective tool to defeat militant mindset and to achieve EFA goals. The President also noted that many customary and cultural practices, at times, put the girls at disadvantage and deny them their basic rights including the right to education.  He said that the democratic government was undertaking every effort not only to empower women, but also to address all those issues that hamper their progress and growth. The President while appreciating the efforts of Ms. Irina Bokova for highlighting the issue of girls’ education lauded her valuable support to the country at every platform, providing assistance to the flood affected people of 2010, helping the country in the Disaster Risk Reduction through Flood Early warning system, training of water scientists and hydro hazard experts, marine scientists in Tsunami Warning systems and the protection of our world heritage sites of Moenjodaro and Makli. He expressed the hope that UNESCO would continue assisting the people of Pakistan to benefit from its expertise in the education, science and cultural sectors.

 

President seeks assistance of UNESCO for raising standard of education in Pakistan

PARIS, Dec 10 – President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said greater collaboration and assistance by UNESCO would help Pakistan addressing some crucial issues including literacy development, streamlining non-formal education, promoting early childhood care, technical and vocational education, teachers training and quality assurance, in a significant and effective manner.This he said during his meeting with Director General UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova here at UNESCO headquarters.Those who were present during the meeting included, among others, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Education & Training Sheikh Waqas Akram, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Pakistan Ambassador to France Shafkat Saeed and other senior officials. The President during the meeting appreciated the international community and especially the UNESCO for lending its full support to the Government’s efforts for promoting girls’ education and providing further impetus to the mission of Malala. He thanked UNESCO’s Director General for taking personal interest in arranging a high level advocacy event on girls’ right to education with the Government of Pakistan and termed it a timely initiative in the run up to achieving the goal of education for all by the year 2015. Discussing attack on Malala and the nation’s response to this dastardly act of the obscurantist mindset, the President said that the whole nation was standing behind brave Malala and considered attack on her as an attack on all its daughters and on its values. He said the government was undertaking every effort to further promote the mission of Malala as its response to her attackers. He said that the Government had initiated a special programme called Waseela-e-Taleem under the umbrella of BISP, the flagship programme of the Government that would send around three million girls to schools. He said the Government was committed to advance girls’ education as an effective tool to defeat militant mindset and to achieve EFA goals. The President also noted that many customary and cultural practices, at times, put the girls at disadvantage and deny them their basic rights including the right to education. He said that the democratic government was undertaking every effort not only to empower women, but also to address all those issues that hamper their progress and growth. The President while appreciating the efforts of Ms. Irina Bokova for highlighting the issue of girls’ education lauded her valuable support to the country at every platform, providing assistance to the flood affected people of 2010, helping the country in the Disaster Risk Reduction through Flood Early warning system, training of water scientists and hydro hazard experts, marine scientists in Tsunami Warning systems and the protection of our world heritage sites of Moenjodaro and Makli. He expressed the hope that UNESCO would continue assisting the people of Pakistan to benefit from its expertise in the education, science and cultural sectors.

President Zardari calls for world alliance for cause of education

PARIS, Dec 10 – President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for forging a grand alliance of the governments, donors, politicians, academics, private and public sectors for promoting cause of education and to ensure that every child not only in Pakistan but across the world received quality education.Addressing a high-level event supporting girls’ education here at the UNESCO headquarters on the International Human Rights Day, the President called upon the international community to join hands, pool efforts and form a grand alliance to place a book in every girl’s hand. He said that such partnership was the way to triumph—a triumph of right over wrong, of light over darkness, of hope over fear. Thanking the UNESCO for partnering with the Government of Pakistan to hold such a high level event that aims at rallying international support for further promoting the cause of education the President said that the event was held on a day which had special significance in many ways. He said the day marked 67th foundation day of UNO, 64th anniversary of the International Human Rights Day and it was on this day in 1948 that the UN approved the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which made the world realize that democracy was the best means to ensure that everyone has access to basic rights, freedom of speech, association, and personal security and dignity. The President noted that the nations that have progressed ensured maximum rights to their citizens and provided universal access to education to their men and women. It is no coincidence that these are all democratic nations, he continued. The President said, “progress of these nations has taught us an important lesson. It has taught us that democracy and progress take time and, need political commitment. It also needs sacrifices.” The President while underscoring the sacrifices of the people for the cause of democracy said that Pakistan’s democratic government was about to complete its term for the first time in the history. “As we complete our term our commitment to democracy has also increased. And so has our confidence to deliver peace and prosperity also increased,” he observed. Paying tribute to Malala for her courage to confront the obscurantist agenda of the militant mindset, the President said that two months ago Malala Yousufzai was attacked by forces of darkness for she was aspiring for education. She aspired for education not only for herself, but for others like her in the country, he said. The President said, “we are grateful to God for having spared her life. We are also grateful to the international community, for their support to the cause of girls’ right of education.” While referring to steady health progress of Malala, the President said that getting back on her feet, after being shot in the head, demonstrates that it indeed is a battle between good and evil and between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. He said that while democracy’s agenda is peace and progress the agenda of the extremists is death and destruction. The President said, “Malala’s survival teaches us that extremism can best be fought through collective action.” “Our resolve, to provide education to all, in particular to the millions of out-of-school girls is the best strategy to defeat extremism.” The President also quoted UN Secretary General who recently remarked that “What makes the extremists fear, is the sight of a girl with a book in her hand” and emphasized upon joining hands and focus on placing a book in every girl’s hand. The President said that extremists were not only seeking to hamper the progress of the nation but were also abusing the name of Islam, a religion of peace, which puts education, and learning before everything less. He said that the first word, of the first verse of the Holy Quran, revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), was Iqra, which means, read. The President on this occasion also highlighted that the country took a giant leap forward in quest of education and knowledge two years ago and all the political parties and provinces decided to make fundamental changes in the Constitution so as to make education for all girls and boys, between 5 to 16 years, as fundamental right.The President also highlighted various challenges with regards to education sector in Pakistan. He said that in a population of around 200 million, 36% was under the age of 15. He said that out of over 50 million school-age children, only about half of them go to school. The President said, “We fully realize the enormity of the challenge. We also possess the vision, and resolve to address it.  Our vision hinges on democracy and political commitment at home. It also hinges on seeking support of the international community.” The President said, “our vision for an educated Pakistan was linked to a democratic, peaceful and progressive Pakistan.” He said that long term democratic political commitment was a key to reforms in education. He said that over the past three decades the democratic process was repeatedly derailed. The priorities shifted away from social and human development. As a result the education sector suffered decline, he remarked. The President said that in order to address the issue of the provinces for lack of social sector development, constitutional amendment was made to empower the provinces. They are now in the driving seat to provide education to all and they have an opportunity to make Pakistan a welfare driven state instead of a security driven state, the President said. The President said that the Government has recently launched a major initiative Waseela-e-Taleem for education promotion. It is part of the Benazir Income Support Program, a program of poverty alleviation and women empowerment. He said that the Program will send some three million girls to school. “But we have still to cover a great distance.” The President said that just like the support by the Friends of Democratic Pakistan, the country needs global support for education. He said that Pakistanis were a resilient and a determined nation and they neither shy away from hard work nor from the sacrifices. He said that Pakistanis need the support of the international community in helping every Malala go to school. The President in his remarks also appreciated UNESCO for its call for Education for All.  While lauding UN Secretary General’s initiative of “Education First”, the President observed that the United Nations system has a crucial, even central, role to play in overcoming the crisis of education. He said that guided by its principles, and high ideals of its Charter, the UN was fated to succeed. Pakistan, the President reiterated, will continue to uphold these ideals, and values of the UN. Together, we shall succeed, the President said. Quoting former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who once had said that “Time and Justice is on our side”, the President said, “I hope that together we will succeed in the cause of girls’ education.” The President thanked Director General Ms. Irina Bokova for co-hosting the Malala event and also UNESCO and its continued support. The President, on the occasion also announced $10 million contribution in the Malala’s Fund for Education.