Saturday, December 31, 2011
All voices of tolerance silenced in 2011
The year 2011 has seen the country lose key political figures to religious extremism and this has set an alarming trend for the years ahead, states the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in its year-ending report on minorities and the state of human rights in Pakistan...Continue Reading...
Friday, December 30, 2011
Another bad year?
If 2011 was a "bad year" for Pakistan, 2012 could turn out to be no better. Consider.
The assassinations of the Punjab Governor, Salmaan Taseer, and the Christian leader Shahbaz Bhaati, in January 2011 were tragic precursors to the mass murders of Shia Hazaras in Balochistan province later in the year by sectarian extremists. Lack of decisive action to stamp out such dangerous elements from the body politic by provincial and federal "law enforcement" agencies will remain a hallmark of 2012 because of political and administrative reasons. The onset of Elections will lead to a mad scramble for votes and compel the mainstream political parties to make tactical alliances with such organizations at local levels, especially in Punjab province where such organizations have a significant footprint in many areas....Continue Reading.....
The assassinations of the Punjab Governor, Salmaan Taseer, and the Christian leader Shahbaz Bhaati, in January 2011 were tragic precursors to the mass murders of Shia Hazaras in Balochistan province later in the year by sectarian extremists. Lack of decisive action to stamp out such dangerous elements from the body politic by provincial and federal "law enforcement" agencies will remain a hallmark of 2012 because of political and administrative reasons. The onset of Elections will lead to a mad scramble for votes and compel the mainstream political parties to make tactical alliances with such organizations at local levels, especially in Punjab province where such organizations have a significant footprint in many areas....Continue Reading.....
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A critical review and response to Najmuddin Shaikh’s “What does Pakistan want in Afghanistan?” – by Liaquat Ali Hazara
When we look at the history of Pakistan since its birth, we understand that a particular autocratic mindset has always to tried to keep the general public at bay in terms of having the reign in their own hands. With the time passing, this cunningness of deliberation gained momentum to leave the majority of stakeholders being ruled and taken-granted at all time...Continue Reading...
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
What does Pakistan want in Afghanistan?
Since April, 1978, when the Saur Revolution brought down President Daud’s regime, Afghans have been at war against the local communists, against invading Soviet forces and then, against each other. This last power struggle caused greater material losses than the decade-long Soviet occupation. Taliban rule was a continuation of the same strife. The internecine war and then the Taliban ascendancy both had ethnic overtones — massacres of Hazaras by the Tajiks and then the Taliban, the killing of Uzbeks and then the slaughter of the Taliban in Mazar Sharif...Continue Reading....
Pakistan confirms death of 37 nationals in Indonesian ship sinking
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Tuesday confirmed that 37 of its nationals have died after a ship sank in waters off the Indonesian East Java this month.
The wooden ship carrying about 250 illegal migrants seeking for asylum to Australia sank at about 40 nautical miles from TPI Prigi beach of Trenggalek district of East Java on December 18.
Pakistan Interior Ministry said that it has made efforts to facilitate the transportation of dead bodies of 37 Pakistani youths drowned in the Jawa Sea.
All those died belong to Pakisran's southwestern Balochistan province, an Interior Ministry statement said.
Federal Secretary Interior met with the Indonesian Ambassador in Islamabad and thanked Indonesian government for their all-out support provided to the Pakistan Embassy in Jakarta for transportation of dead bodies of 37 Pakistani youths and searching for the survivors.
The Indonesian Ambassador said that they have issued visas to six relatives of the victims for identification of the dead bodies and helping in the arrangements of their shifting to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, the statement said.
The ill-fated ship was heading to Christmas Island of Australia, according to Indonesia officials.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry Monday referred to unconfirmed reports that the passengers also included over 50 Pakistani nationals.
The Ministry said that Pakistani Embassy in Jakarta has set up an emergency cell which is working round the clock in coordination with the relevant authorities in Quetta for identification of the nationality of the deceased.
The Consular Team of the Embassy has already met six Pakistani survivors in Surabaya Island, he said.
Indonesia has been a favorable transit points for illegal immigrants from the Middle East heading to Australia. But, they are frequently encountered with sea accidents as they take the journey with lack of safety standard, and the huge waves in the ocean could hit and collapse their small ship or boat, leaving dozens fatalities.
Xinhuan News
The wooden ship carrying about 250 illegal migrants seeking for asylum to Australia sank at about 40 nautical miles from TPI Prigi beach of Trenggalek district of East Java on December 18.
Pakistan Interior Ministry said that it has made efforts to facilitate the transportation of dead bodies of 37 Pakistani youths drowned in the Jawa Sea.
All those died belong to Pakisran's southwestern Balochistan province, an Interior Ministry statement said.
Federal Secretary Interior met with the Indonesian Ambassador in Islamabad and thanked Indonesian government for their all-out support provided to the Pakistan Embassy in Jakarta for transportation of dead bodies of 37 Pakistani youths and searching for the survivors.
The Indonesian Ambassador said that they have issued visas to six relatives of the victims for identification of the dead bodies and helping in the arrangements of their shifting to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, the statement said.
The ill-fated ship was heading to Christmas Island of Australia, according to Indonesia officials.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry Monday referred to unconfirmed reports that the passengers also included over 50 Pakistani nationals.
The Ministry said that Pakistani Embassy in Jakarta has set up an emergency cell which is working round the clock in coordination with the relevant authorities in Quetta for identification of the nationality of the deceased.
The Consular Team of the Embassy has already met six Pakistani survivors in Surabaya Island, he said.
Indonesia has been a favorable transit points for illegal immigrants from the Middle East heading to Australia. But, they are frequently encountered with sea accidents as they take the journey with lack of safety standard, and the huge waves in the ocean could hit and collapse their small ship or boat, leaving dozens fatalities.
Xinhuan News
Balochistan security review: Sharp fall in target killing of settlers
By Shehzad Baloch
Published: December 28, 2011
QUETTA:
While violence appeared to have declined in Balochistan in 2011, its contours also changed, data available to The Express Tribune suggests.
There was an unprecedented decline in the number of target killings of settlers from other provinces, particularly from Punjab, but it was coupled by a sharp increase in the discovery of bullet-riddled bodies of missing persons, sectarian violence and kidnappings for ransom.
“Target killing has been controlled in the province,” insists Rao Amin Hashim, inspector-general of Balochistan Police, pointing to records that suggest that as many as 59 settlers were targeted this year – significantly lower than a triple-digit figure for 2010.
Abductions
Kidnappings were on an unprecedented high this year, sending shock waves through the province. Traders and businessmen, particularly those from the minority Hindu community, were very vulnerable.
As many as 480 people, including Hindus and Parsis, were kidnapped by criminal gangs. Most victims were released after paying huge amounts in ransom but those who failed to furnish the amount were killed. The police managed to bust a few of these gangs, but their performance left much to be desired. “Police personnel do not have mobile phone trackers and other modern equipment. There is also a lack of proper investigators and senior and qualified officers,” Hashim explained.
Sectarian violence
Ninety-one members of the Shia community were killed this year in Balochistan.
In Quetta alone, as many as 65 people were killed in 15 incidents of sectarian violence while 26 pilgrims were shot dead in one incident in September in the neighbouring town of Mastung.
But police says that sectarian violence has been controlled by increasing security for Shia people in Quetta and ‘restricting’ their movement outside of it.
“After heavy deployment of police and other law enforcement agencies’ personnel to protect Shia Muslims, violence has been controlled,” Hashim argued, saying that the measure had been taken despite a lack of human resources. “We promoted 25 junior officers but despite the federal government’s orders, they have not joined their
duties in Balochistan because of deteriorating law and order.”
Missing persons
The trend of ‘kill-and-dump’ operations continued unabated throughout the year. Protests were organised in spite of hampered political activity, even in provincial capital Quetta.
Around 231 mutilated bodies were found throughout the province, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
“Demonstrations or public gatherings were rarely held in Quetta but towns in interior Balochistan, particularly Makran Division and central Balochistan, remained shut for weeks in protest over recovery of mutilated bodies,” says Tahir Hussain, chairperson of the HRCP’s Balochistan chapter.
Family members, many of whom blame security forces for kidnapping and killing of political opponents, have registered cases but little progress has been made even in the Supreme Court.
Arson
Armed Baloch nationalist groups continued to target public property, such as gas pipelines and railway tracks. Rockets were also fired in various areas, including Dera Bugti, Nasirabad and Makran divisions and Quetta.
The Balochistan Republican Army claimed responsibility for most attacks on railway lines.
As many as 218 personnel of law enforcement agencies were killed in exchange of fire and bomb blasts.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2011.
Published: December 28, 2011
QUETTA:
While violence appeared to have declined in Balochistan in 2011, its contours also changed, data available to The Express Tribune suggests.
There was an unprecedented decline in the number of target killings of settlers from other provinces, particularly from Punjab, but it was coupled by a sharp increase in the discovery of bullet-riddled bodies of missing persons, sectarian violence and kidnappings for ransom.
“Target killing has been controlled in the province,” insists Rao Amin Hashim, inspector-general of Balochistan Police, pointing to records that suggest that as many as 59 settlers were targeted this year – significantly lower than a triple-digit figure for 2010.
Abductions
Kidnappings were on an unprecedented high this year, sending shock waves through the province. Traders and businessmen, particularly those from the minority Hindu community, were very vulnerable.
As many as 480 people, including Hindus and Parsis, were kidnapped by criminal gangs. Most victims were released after paying huge amounts in ransom but those who failed to furnish the amount were killed. The police managed to bust a few of these gangs, but their performance left much to be desired. “Police personnel do not have mobile phone trackers and other modern equipment. There is also a lack of proper investigators and senior and qualified officers,” Hashim explained.
Sectarian violence
Ninety-one members of the Shia community were killed this year in Balochistan.
In Quetta alone, as many as 65 people were killed in 15 incidents of sectarian violence while 26 pilgrims were shot dead in one incident in September in the neighbouring town of Mastung.
But police says that sectarian violence has been controlled by increasing security for Shia people in Quetta and ‘restricting’ their movement outside of it.
“After heavy deployment of police and other law enforcement agencies’ personnel to protect Shia Muslims, violence has been controlled,” Hashim argued, saying that the measure had been taken despite a lack of human resources. “We promoted 25 junior officers but despite the federal government’s orders, they have not joined their
duties in Balochistan because of deteriorating law and order.”
Missing persons
The trend of ‘kill-and-dump’ operations continued unabated throughout the year. Protests were organised in spite of hampered political activity, even in provincial capital Quetta.
Around 231 mutilated bodies were found throughout the province, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
“Demonstrations or public gatherings were rarely held in Quetta but towns in interior Balochistan, particularly Makran Division and central Balochistan, remained shut for weeks in protest over recovery of mutilated bodies,” says Tahir Hussain, chairperson of the HRCP’s Balochistan chapter.
Family members, many of whom blame security forces for kidnapping and killing of political opponents, have registered cases but little progress has been made even in the Supreme Court.
Arson
Armed Baloch nationalist groups continued to target public property, such as gas pipelines and railway tracks. Rockets were also fired in various areas, including Dera Bugti, Nasirabad and Makran divisions and Quetta.
The Balochistan Republican Army claimed responsibility for most attacks on railway lines.
As many as 218 personnel of law enforcement agencies were killed in exchange of fire and bomb blasts.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2011.
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