There is a saying that Homer sometimes nods. It means that even the best and the greatest people occasionally make mistakes. Almost the same had been said, by some quarters, about President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to go along with the international community at the time of launching of war on terror. But that point of view has now proved wrong as evidenced from the generous response that Pakistan has got in the form of prompt and wholehearted cooperation in post-earthquake relief assistance from all corners of the world. It appears that Pakistan’s decision to work on promotion of international goodwill and ‘soft image’ created with painstaking, sustained efforts spread over many years has been well reciprocated by the contemporary world. Certainly, Islamabad’s foreign policy has not revolved around anti-terrorism drive only as narrowly perceived by some circles. Instead, Musharraf establishment has from day one toed a line that has most often stood in conformity with the overall expectations and priorities of a large part of the world.
This particular approach has elicited favourable response from the external world. Take for example the keen participation of as many as 42 plus countries of the world in the rescue and relief operations. The involvement has been so humane and splendid that it can be aptly termed constructive, humanitarian globalization, even an ordinary mortal in the remotest and most backward parts of the world, say Muzaffarabad, Balakot or Bagh, feeling connected and supported by people in the advanced world. For sure, it is globalization in the real, fraternal sense that owes to a number of major factors on top of which comes the factor of generous global response to Pakistan’s endeavours in the realm of temperance named as moderation by President Musharraf. To our good luck, Islamabad administration has demonstrated exceptional ability to understand the key factors and subsequently make use of the resultant good sense to rebuild the image of a progressive, cultured Pakistan. So, good sense has led to our good image that has led to our dignified re-entry in the comity of nations. Had Pakistan government heeded the advice of some naïve elements to tread the path of isolation or self-opinionated diplomacy, it would not have been able to get this measure of good response.
This does not mean that the world community would not have responded well. However, it does mean that the cooperation might not have been vehement and forthright as much we have experienced due to our active, participatory role in the global concerns. According to latest reports, Pakistan has received 100 plus relief flights with around 2000 rescue workers, doctors and paramedic staff from US, Poland, Singapore, Jordan, Canada, India, Thailand, Belgium, Baku, Yemen, Malaysia, UAE, Spain, China, Tunisia, Germany, The Philippines, Syria, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Korea, Australia, Finland, Norway, Mexico, Uganda, Holland, New Zealand and South Africa. Many more helicopters and equipment are coming for heavy cargo besides mobile medical hospital, cargo planes C-17 and C-130, water purification units and engineering equipment to clear roads and remove rubble, power generators, medicines, tents, dry food, water and winter clothing. The US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice’s visit has brought further consolation as has been brought by assurances from American personnel in affected areas pledging to continue rescue and rehabilitation work at least till Pakistan requires assistance.
The unbending determination of foreign countries in helping Pakistan in one of its worst-ever crises is equally commendable. Different agencies of the United Nations are also performing an excellent job. The impression gathered is as if the whole world community has become united against apocalypse, forgetting all the differences and considerations of superiority or inferiority. This is indeed a good sign for the entire humankind. Most unfortunately, however, some sections of our populace have undertaken the assignment of poisoning the public mind with regard to the sense of responsibility among different governmental setups doing the relief and reconstruction work. These people should keep in mind that visiting a spot and doing a little welfare work is not the panacea of all ills. The task is uphill as well as colossal. We should not be oblivious to the fact that with regard to rescue and relief operations, the government had to face- and is still facing- the problem of inaccessibility due to remote locations, dark clouds and inclement weather, landslides, aftershocks, destroyed infrastructure, lack of resources, lack of coordination and stubborn attitudes of some quarters desirous of their own name and fame at the cost of government’s good image. All these hard facts should be kept in view so that the people at work should not be dissuaded from this direly needed humanitarian, noble mission.
…………………..Visiting a spot in the regions devastated by earthquake is a different thing and carrying out the main task of reconstruction of infrastructure and distribution of relief items to the remotest, inaccessible areas is a different thing. No doubt, some parts of the country as well as Azad Kashmir still seem to be out of the reach of rescue and relief agencies nevertheless that does not at all imply that the government organizations especially the armed forces have shown negligence, inefficiency and apathy in the identification of earthquake victims and then in the subsequent handing over of goods of relief and refuge to them. If these specific segments of media are just furthering their own routine agendas of criticizing the government at all costs, then they are certainly doing no service to the nation or to the cause of humanitarian assistance that is pouring in the country on a war footing with lot of concern for the sufferings of Pakistanis and their Kashmiri brethren. These sections of media should work in unison with the new realities because media is supposed to act as the steersman of national scheme of things. Not only that, media is also required to play the role of an impartial arbiter that does not permit the element of slant in a world rendered consolidated because of rapid and massive exchange of information. Now the realities can’t be hidden through media angle and slant though the minds can be poisoned and influenced through bombardment of views and propaganda meant to fulfill specific motives.
As regards the allegation that the government has not taken the earthquake and the direly needed rescue and relief programme seriously and sincerely, it is a totally wrong allegation that is not based on solid evidence. As for the so-called evidence that certain electronic media people have presented, that too is debatable. According to one of the anchorpersons of a television channel, the government did not reach the spot where the channel team had gone. The criticism is not true because the government has to deal with the catastrophe at a much bigger scale, that too holistically. And if one has the capability of understanding the magnitude of the government duties, it is no small or easy a task to accomplish. Take for example some media people’s criticism as to where did the Azad Kashmir governmental machinery vanish on the day of the earthquake. The facts are contrary to the criticism because the earthquake has killed several officials of the Azad Kashmir government. Those who survived were on the run either for shelter or for tracing their near and dear ones who had gone missing under the rubble or elsewhere. As for the rescue and relief operations, the government had to face the problem of inaccessibility due to remote locations, dark clouds, landslides, aftershocks, destroyed infrastructure, lack of resources. The government job is not confined merely to visiting spots but to arrangement of much needed items, coordination of relief efforts, construction or reconstruction of infrastructure, fighting the weather, locating the survivors, removing the rubble (quite an uphill task) and what not. The media must keep all these hard facts in view before launching the anti-government tirade.

Qazi’s isolation
Marya Mufti

NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani attended the National Security Council meeting held in Islamabad last Wednesday. Durrani who belongs to JUI-F which had so far boycotted NSC meetings because Qazi Hussain Ahmed does not approve it. The meeting was devoted to earthquake relief, and as Durrani said it justified his attendance. Since the Frontier has suffered heavily, he believes whatever steps are necessary to alleviate the suffering of the people should be taken, rising above political considerations. On that count, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, who is a member of the council by virtue of his position as leader of the opposition, should also have gone to the meeting. His party has in any case given the appearance of being less rigid on the NSC issue than the Jamaat-i-Islami. This has started another discussion whether Durrani got permission from Qazi Hussain Ahmed or not.
There are conflicting reports that the MMA president did allow him. Whereas Qazi Hussain Ahmed has reportedly expressed his strong resentment over Durrani violating the MMA discipline. A meeting between Qazi and Fazl late Tuesday night did not prove to be fruitful because of the rigid stance adopted by Qazi, who was saying the MMA leadership should stick to its initial stance of not accepting the NSC. He was of the view that attending the NSC meeting by any MMA member would mean that the MMA had accepted the body. “We allowed Durrani because of the sensitivity of the situation. As far as Qazi’s reservations are concerned, we will try to alleviate them in the next party meeting,” Fazl told newsmen. Qazi said attending the NSC meeting was Durrani’s personal decision because the MMA had not allow him to do so. MMA is still adhering to its stance of not participating in the NSC.
In my view the NWFP Chief Minister’s participation in the National Security Council meeting was in line with the opposition’s policy of setting aside differences and extending cooperation to the government for the relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the earthquake. But it triggered a serious debate within the MMA, bringing into the open differences between its two major components, the JI and JUI(F). Even though Maulana Fazl did not attend the meeting in his capacity as opposition leader, Qazi’s reservations seem to be uncalled for. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as President Musharraf announced Rs 1 billion for the rehabilitation of the areas of the NWFP devastated by the terrible tragedy and those affected by it, in addition to the Rs 500 million the President had already announced for relief operation in that province.
Maybe Qazi Hussian had a point when he said that this issue should have been debated in a joint session of the Parliament rather than in the NSC, which does not have any constitutional status. But then he cannot escape the responsibility of contributing to the formation of this institution by facilitating the passage of the 17th Amendment, which in turn validated Gen Musharraf’s presidency and the actions of the government after the October 1999 takeover. This had dealt a blow to the country’s largest opposition with the religious parties once again playing their familiar role of second fiddle to the establishment. Nobody is ready to buy the idea that the MMA had done all this to provide a safe exit to the military regime as well as ensure restoration of democracy. Perhaps its leadership failed to realize that the nation could differentiate between genuine opposition and those who pretend to be in opposition. It became evident from the poor public response to protest calls given by the clergy.
This does not mean we hold any brief for the NSC especially when its efficacy in dealing with the major national issues was not generally felt. But if it has now met to devise strategy for providing relief to those affected by the earthquake, the parties across the political divide must remain committed to providing cooperation to the government in this regard. Durrani by virtue of being the Chief Minister of NWFP is part of the system despite his party claiming to be in the opposition. Hence his participation in the NSC should be seen in this perspective rather than being made controversial as Qazi Hussain is trying to do.
Durrani’s decision was eminently sensible and should be commended. Being the political and administrative head of NWFP, it was only correct that Durrani should have been part of the national effort that is being mounted to mitigate the suffering of the people. One cannot accept the continued opposition by JI Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed who has virtually held other components its hostage. MMA has a government in NWFP and the Chief Minister is part of the NSC; so is Maulana Fazl leader of the opposition in National Assembly. Qazi’s JI and MMA’s other components should not enjoy power and politics both ways. Either they should get out of the system altogether and take to the streets, as Qazi presumably wants it to do, or, having accepted the mechanism by signing on the Legal Framework Order, it should become a part of it, as Fazl presumably wants it to do. It is known that Maulana Fazl and his party look at the issue differently from Qazi and his party.
The tussle, which was initially subterranean, has for sometime now been in the open. Qazi sticks to his guns though he does not want the MMA to break-up. Fazl, who is more pragmatic of the two, has tried to placate Qazi while impressing upon the latter that a modus vivendi may be the best course available to all sides. Fazlur Rehman’s conciliatory posture has continued. But it is clear that Fazl is finding it increasingly difficult to keep Qazi in line.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed’s objection to Akram Durrani’s participation rankles sensibilities also because the NSC meeting was not a political affair but called to formulate a collective response to a grave tragedy. But Qazi’s dislike of General Musharraf and his system seems to override his concern for the victims of the quake and what they desperately need at this time. That is misplaced. There are times for political agitation and there are times for a collective, national effort. In fact, “Qazi Hussain Ahmed should pull out of the MMA if he does not agree with the political conduct of the Jul. Just like the MMA, he cannot have the best of both worlds”, as suggested editorial of an English daily.
Durrani’s decision to participate in the NSC is not without a background. Already we have seen split between the two major components of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) surfaced in Senate for the first time the other day when JI Senator Prof Ibrahim sought the Upper House’s support against NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, who is from the JUI-F. The JUI-F and JI fielded separate candidates during the local council election in the NWFP, suggesting that both MMA components were at loggerheads. As Senator Ibrahim targeted Durrani in his speech, JUI-F Senators Azam Swati and Prof Hidayatullah Shah interrupted him and asked him not to raise the issue on the floor and should talk to Akram Durrani on the telephone in case he had any grievances against him.
The JI senator blasted the NWFP chief minister for targeting him in the media and trying to implicate him (Prof Ibrahim) in a bogus votes case against Akram Durrani’s cousin in Bannu district. “The chief minister has threatened to have me arrested on TV and in the press for bringing fake women voters to cast votes against his relative,” he added. Urging the Senate chairman to address his grievance because he was a member of the House and that he deserved the Senate’s support, Prof Ibrahim said, “I am not afraid of being arrested or of jail or of Akram Durrani’s threats, but I am seeking this support because I am a member of the Upper House of parliament.”
The JI senator’s comments promoted Senator Dr Ranjha to stand up from his seat in his support and urge the House to support the JI senator, as he was a Senate member. “Senator Ibrahim is one of the most respectable senators. His grievance is genuine and must be addressed without consideration of party affiliations and politics,” he added. Prof Khurshid was of the view that the issue should have been resolved at the party level, but that as Senator Ibrahim had raised the issue as a member of the House, it must be heard. The Senate chairman, after listening different senators over the issue, asked Senator Ibrahim to report to him in writing and that he would take up the issue, while Senator Swati opposed the idea, saying the issue should not be discussed in the House.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed may stick to his intransigence or start feeling his isolation more and more. The same rigid stand of not participating in the NSC, under the pretext that the supreme body is unconstitutional, stands unreasonable while the MMA has the ‘credit’ to give way to its authenticity. But this was not the time for Qazi to stoop so low to remain struck to his political guns when the nation is facing the worst tragedy of its history and NSC was exclusively called to devise a strategy to cope with that tragedy. Qazi has been isolated and voices are being raised against him even from within the JI. Let’s see whether Qazi continues to stick to his guns or bows before the opportune time.