The present author has in the past made his views clear on Pakistan’s broad model for success: the vision of Iqbal combined with the illustriousness of Jinnah. What is far less clear to all and sundry however, the present author included, is how exactly to go about this. It seems that Pakistan as a nation is stuck in a frustratingly perplex catch-22 case of the ‘chicken/egg’ dilemma. All the while, the question remains: can we change? (more…)

In my opinion the legal violations are compliance issues and can simply be complied with to avoid any future problems. If the Government doesn’t want another Steel Mills case, they should make sure they comply with these requirements. Obviously, the argument that it would be greatly beneficial to the Government if this enterprise is sold for such a high price is also strong. But nobody is above the law, regardless of how beneficial or useful a transaction might be. (more…)

But after I got to Karachi, it didn’t take long for me to change my mind. I simply felt that too much was at stake. I joined my journalist sister, Beena, who is based there temporarily, and other friends at several marches in support of a free press and the lawyers’ movement. (more…)

Today we - you & I - are, by the grace of Almighty God, making history. For the very first time a sitting government has been voted out and a new government voted in. For the very first time all political parties, but most significantly the losing party, have accepted the results of the elections. For the very first time a peaceful democratic transfer of power took place when I administered the oath to the incoming free and fairly elected government. For the very first time a grand coalition between the two largest political parties, that is, PPP and PMLN has taken place and for that I congratulate Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. There were other firsts too. Pakistan does not only have the distinction of being the first Muslim country to have elected a woman Prime MInister, Mohtrama Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, in 1988 but now the first Muslim country to have elected a woman Speaker of the house and for that I congratulate Pakistan’s National Assembly and its new Speaker. (more…)

Aziz, as most readers are  aware, was a prominent figure in Citibank in New York in 1999 when he was asked by Musharraf to be the Finance Minister in the new regime.  The decision to work with a military government was criticized by some, but on the other hand, Aziz had an opportunity to tackle some fundamental problems that plagued Pakistan, and his expertise made him one of few who could do the job.  He accepted and served as Finance Minister for several years, then became Prime Minister in 2004.  Although ultimately Musharraf was in charge, the main domestic and economic policies were designed and implemented by Aziz, and so he was the architect of the reforms that occurred.  He left office in November 2007, and is now on a global  speaking tour, for which he has declined remuneration. (more…)

WITH those words, 19th century British statesman William Gladstone coined a phrase that has echoed in political and legal discourse ever since. Indeed, he could have been speaking about Pakistan today. A miscarriage of justice took place in Islamabad exactly one year and one day ago. It has not been rectified.

The defining moment for the incoming, popularly elected government will come when it tackles the issue. It should think of the constitutional legacy of Quaid-i-Azam M.A. Jinnah, who was also one of the subcontinent’s finest attorneys. The Quaid would have been proud of the role played by Iftikhar Chaudhry, Aitzaz Ahsan, Munir Malik and their cohorts in last year’s movement for judicial independence. (more…)

This, of course, has not happened yet but is quite likely to happen.

Everything that has sustained 33-years of military rule remains in place: a powerful military, strong ubiquitous web of intelligence agencies, weak civilian institutions, rampant societal corruption, deeply-entrenched feudalism, a thoroughly disillussioned populace and faltering economy. Only two things are missing for the moment: masses who are angry with those about to come to power and the will of the army to rule. Masses as of this very second are hopeful and the military desperately needs time to regroup and re-energize by polishing its image and paying attention to building its badly eroded professionalism. How long will it be before these ingredients also get thrown in the pot?

That, of course, depends on what follows. (more…)

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — Perched in the living room of his sprawling villa, security guards posted outside, Ardeshir Cowasjee is feeling a bit cantankerous about the future of volatile Pakistan.Another leader has been killed. He considers his president a pawn of the United States and accuses him of sponsoring the kidnapping and torture of citizens. Massive vote-rigging in the upcoming parliamentary elections appears certain, he says. (more…)

The bomb explodes near Bhutto’s vehicle following a political rally in Rawalpindi.

The conclusions of the inquiry were outlined in a detailed report handed over to interim Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz by Detective Superintendent John MacBrayne, accompanied by a senior official from the British High Commission, during a meeting in Islamabad.

The text of the executive summary of the report is as follows:

On the 27th December 2007, Mohtarma Benazir BHUTTO, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), died as a result of being attacked in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Following discussions between the Prime Minister and President Musharraf, it was agreed that officers from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) should support the investigation into Ms Bhutto’s death. The primary focus of the Scotland Yard team was to assist the Pakistani authorities in establishing the cause and circumstances of Ms Bhutto’s death. The wider investigation to establish culpability has remained entirely a matter for the Pakistani authorities. (more…)