Taliban-type fanatics want Ms. Bhutto out of Politics: PPP UK
From: Waheed Rasab <drkhshan@comsats.net.pk>
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2001 2:39 PM
Subject: Press Release
Taliban-type fanatics want Ms. Bhutto out of Politics: PPP UK
Islamabad, 17 May 2001: “Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Ms. Benazir Bhutto has been targeted by the non-liberal and obscuranist element and is a victim of psychological media warfare campaign consisting of false and fabricated propaganda against her and her husband Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and Ms. Bhutto faces political elimination through judicial abuse at the hands of Taliban-type fanatics.”
This has been stated by the Pakistan Peoples Party United Kingdom in a letter to the British newspaper “The Guardian”. The president PPP UK Mr. Waheed Rasab has given a detailed account of the basis the anti-democratic and non-liberal forces are pitched against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Waheed Rasab wrote “The electoral history of Pakistan shows that the dogmatic parties have never polled more than 3 percent of the votes cast in any general election. Thus their assent to power through a free and fair election is a far cry. This miserable failure of religion-political parties compels the incompetent civil bureaucracy, which rules Pakistan through the anti-human rights and anti-democracy laws/ordinances of dogmatists, to discredit and eliminate the genuine democratic political forces in order to maintain and attain State power.”
He further wrote “Ms. Bhutto is first ever-Muslim woman in history who was popularly elected to become the Prime Minister of an Islamic country. She symbolized the finer social values, like democracy, liberalism and tolerance in a society infested with dictatorial tendencies, having been ruled by autocrats for more than half of its life. She defied all previous dictators and resolves not to bow before the current dictatorial regime of General Pervez Musharraf and other self-styled political generals. People returned her to the office of the Prime Minister for two times, but forces of status quo denied her the right to complete her two terms both the times.
There are many problems and peculiarities of political life in Pakistan, where elections are manipulated, conspiracies are hatched and a constant threat to the popularly-elected governments is maintained by the vested interests. For many years two elements of the elite power lobby, namely the civil bureaucracy and the dogmatic gangs, have initiated a systematic and strategic campaign against the liberal and progressive political leaders. The hidden purpose behind their anti-democracy game is to monopolise the policy formation and decision-making process, while on the other hand to enter the corridors of power through the back door, respectively.”
Detailing Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s services for the Pakistani people and society Waheed Rasab wrote “She raised women’s rights issues at international level, introduced measures to assist the poor and needy families to raise their quality of life, contributed heavily to establish and maintain democracy in Pakistan, attracted the active participation of peasants, workers and the middle class.
She kept the protection of human rights high on her agenda for real reforms. She placed special emphasis on health, education and population planning under her government’s social action program. This program was designed to improve the human resources situation in the country and brought social services to the people’s doorstep. She made concerted efforts for active enforcement of laws against child and bounded labour. She supported the Free Press, demanded separation of the judiciary from the executive, established the women bank, gave freedom to labour unions and student unions, brought an end to the Army operations in Karachi, worked for macro- economic stability, encouraged record levels of foreign investments (fifteen new issues in the Karachi stock exchange alone) built bridges and roads, and constructed drinking water and
sewerage facilities.
Pakistan’s economy was tied to donors since the country’s inception and not from 1988 when Ms. Benazir Bhutto took over. Ms. Bhutto inherited an economy burdened with debt. By doubling the national revenues and tripling the economic growth rate, she sought to build an independent and economically viable Pakistan. Ms. Bhutto is the first leader and the only leader in the country’s history who actually paid off one billion dollars of the country’s principal debt. Pakistan’s economy did prosper during Ms. Bhutto’s two terms in power. The growth rate increased, massive investment in power took place with ten thousand schools being built every year. This led to the increase in literacy levels from 26% to 35%. The investment in health led to the complete elimination of polio from Pakistan, the drop in infant mortality rates and drop in the population growth rate from 3.1% to 2.3% targeted to go down 2.1% in 2000. Impartial bodies praised Bhutto Government’s performance, praise that no other leader or government has ever received.”
About the false and concocted allegations of corruption charges against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mr. Asif Ali Zardari Mr. Rasab wrote “The publication by the London-based Sunday Times of the transcripts of conversations between Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum, a judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC), and Khalid Anwar and Saif-ur-Rehman Khan of Nawaz Sharif’s dogmatic autocracy, and even with the then Chief Justice of LHC, Rashid Aziz, exposes the scandal of the decade, which shows how a corrupt and slave judge was pressured to convict former Prime Minister of Pakistan Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Mr. Asif Ali Zardari. The audio-tapes of the infamous telephone communication have exposed as never before how judge Qayyum was pressured, coerced and intimidated to secure a guilty verdict against Ms. Benazir Bhutto.”
Appealing to the newspaper to support liberal and democratic forces Mr. Rasab concluded his letter saying “Ms. Bhutto is an individual whose life has been spent in the pursuit of instilling in Pakistan a true and lasting democracy, based on human rights, civil liberties, freedom, justice and the rule of just and fair laws, which are the great ideals of humanity set in the Charter of the United Nations and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I humbly request you to support all the human, civil and political rights of Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Mr Asif Ali Zardari also other PPP leaders so that they could get elected in the next national elections as true democratic representatives to once again serve all the people of Pakistan.”
From: Raja Azhar <raja.azhar@chek.com>
To: <rory.mccarthy@guardian.co.uk>
Cc: <luke.harding@mantraonline.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 3:57 PM
Subject: Benazir Bhutto
I along with many supporters of PPP strongly object to the statement of General Musharaf against the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
General Zia was also fond of saying that PPP would never be allowed to come into power .
General Musharaf to review history and make statements which could be welcomed rather than statements, which further isolated the regime and rendered the armed forces controversial.
The East Pakistan broke up because Yayha Khan said that the army refused to accept the election results. The army is of the people and the army can respect the views of the people who love Ms Bhutto and remember her era as one of the golden periods in Pakistan’s history.
The armed forces has a duty to guard the frontiers not pick and choose leaders whom it liked and disliked to run and ruin the country.
We call upon General Musharaf to revise his views otherwise he could damage the armed forces and the country and we would all like to avoid such a scenario.
R Azhar
From: Sunny <rose4u@chek.com>
To: <luke.harding@mantraonline.com>
Cc: <rory.mccarthy@guardian.co.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 4:10 PM
Subject: Bhutto
Dear Editor,
It is sad to see Pakistan is being kicked like a football by the army .Ms Bhutto is denied to return back to her home with threat she will go to prison. The founder of Pakistan created Pakistan with a pen not with a barrel of gun. He had a vision to make Pakistan a true civilised country and a Nation. A country where every one would be living a quality life with equal opportunities for all. Where all Muslim brothers and sisters will be respected and provide help and support to each other. Pakistani nation is losing all that.
In Pakistan soliders become leaders like ants. This has to be stopped. It is distressing that a solider decides that when the elected government is not fulfilling his demands, he calls them “Corrupt” and says in the best interest of the country, army had to take over. How long this will continue? I ask is there any one who can take over them?
A General takes over a Country with the help of his colleagues and then gives them top jobs within the Government to protect him. Is this fair? What about all those young educated talented Boys and Girls work hard and a have vision of being elected through a democratic process to serve Pakistan? Their visions and hopes get berried and they lose interest in Pakistani politics and in development of Pakistan. Their fault is that they chose not to join the army and become corrupt general?
How easy it is in Pakistan that a general enjoyed the army life style to the fullest and than realise that the retirements not far and than decides to become President of Country with the support of few corrupt generals. Is this fair? Is this democratic? Would this be continued by all the army solders to become general and take over the country to become President? Is it army’s vision to treat Pakistan in this manner till the end of the World? Please lets not waste time and address the root of the Pakistan politics and the few ruling
generals.
Ordinary People of Pakistan are good, honest and hard working nation. They deserve better Education, better Law & order, better Housing, better Health, better Environment and democratically elected government.
Mr S Ahmed
USA
From: Khalid Mahmood <khalid.mahmood@chek.com>
To: <rory.mccarthy@guardian.co.uk>
Cc: <luke.harding@mantraonline.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 2:53 PM
Subject: Bhutto
Ms Benazir Bhutto has created a place in peoples hearts in Pakistan. No matter what Musharraf says, She is going to be the next PM of Pakistn.He must withdraw his threat.
General Musharraf basically has to decide as to how he wants to be remembered in Pakistan’s history. He still has an honourable exit available to him. If he holds fair and impartial elections, he will always be remembered as a hero. Otherwise, as the recent years have proved, the people of Pakistan have little patience for their rulers. With an unconducive international situation, things may turn ugly quickly not just for the
regime but for Pakistan in general.
Khalid Mahmood
Birmingham
From: Sofia Alam
To: rory.mccarthy@guardian.co.uk
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 7:16 AM
Subject: Pakistan General interview
Dear Editor,
I along with many Pakistani residing in the UK are deeply distressed with CE of
Pakistan over his remarks about Ms Benazir Bhutto.
I as a female understand what woman go through in Pakistan. She is an educated
lady from the Western values and Pakistani fundamentalist are not prepared to
accept a woman as their leader.
Benazir Bhutto is targeted by uneducated and corrupt people to remove her from
politics. They blackmail her by harassing her family and mentally torturing her to
eliminate her from politics.
Why should she be corrupt? Her family is rich before Pakistan was created, god
has given her everything since child hood. Can I suggest that you ask General
Musharff being only a solider How come he is well off? What are his assets worth?
It is upsetting that all those boys & girls study and work hard to get involved in
Pakistan politics with a vision to become a leader, or PM or Minister, their dreams
are dead and berried because Army General takes over a government with a gun and
then becomes a president of Pakistan. Do you think it is fair?
please tell the world that Ms Bhutto is not corrupt its the dirty media and Mushraff of
Pakistan trying to kill an innocent lady who can do lot for her people.
All the best.
Sofia
From: F Khan
To: rory.mccarthy@guardian.co.uk
Cc: luke.harding@mantraonline.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 7:27 AM
Subject: CE of Pakistan remarks on Bhutto
I wonder what price the poor people of Pakistan will have to pay for the military’s actions? It is interesting that the military( the biggest organised and most resourceful political force in the country) along with the establishment is able to create and propagate two key misconceptions. One that all politicians are evil and that the political process is corrupt unless the military is running the show. Two that anybody against military high-handedness is a traitor, meaning that the military’s interests and country’s interests are synonymous. It is high time to debate these concepts of a sacred army and national interest and people should wake up to take their destiny in their own hands.
F Khan
Pakistan
From: Jameel Soomro <jameelsoomro@yahoo.com>
To: <rory.mccarthy@guardian.co.uk>
Cc: <luke.harding@mantraonline.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 7:49 AM
Subject: GENERAL MUSHARRAF’s INTERVIEW
Dear Sirs,
I would like to offer few comments on the interview of General Musharraf in The Guardian. I would also like that my these comments would be accommodated in your prestigious daily as these lines are historic facts which cannot be overrun by the General or his team of fundamentalists.
thanks
Jameel Soomro – KARACHI
______________________________________________________
In his interview with The Guardian, the General didn’t regret snatching the ‘heavy mandate’ his institution (Pakistani establishment) had given to the ‘test-tube’ politician Nawaz Sharif.
Every dictator in Pakistan has played tricks with people behind the veil of ‘national interest’ which has yet not been made known to the people. You didn’t ask the General as to what he means by ‘national interest’. Disenfranchising the people, eating up 70 per cent of the national resources through defence expenditure channels and ruling the country for half of its life directly and remaining half indirectly through controlled demorcacy is national interest? However, the chorus of accountability is for social sector funds which are tip of iceberg of the national budget. The dictator’s subordinates in military management of KESC disconnected the power supply to the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation and founder of Pakistan in the national interest for their own government did’t pay the electricity bills of the mausoleum.
Military dictators in Pakistan have always horribly destroyed the country on the music of two words the national interest. Field Martial Ayub Khan derailed democracy in 50’s and played the trick of ‘devolution of power’ ilk through basic democracy (BD) system. However, the same devolution didn’t take place as yet but the dictator’s son was thrust into the political orbit. Another dictator General Zia introduced the fundamentalists, heroin and drugs, and Kalashnikovs. All these three evils are still a source of remorse
and agony for the people of Pakistan. He too left his remnanents including his son in the politics. The ‘establishment’, which now is represented by General Musharraf and his fundamentalist colleagues, engineered ‘heavy mandate’ for Zia’s test-tube politician Nawaz Sharif but pricked the bubble of the same ‘heavy mandate’ when the ‘baby’ started groaning at the establishment.
However, the establishment has never accepted the popular leadership by heart. Pakistan’s most dynamic leader, who in fact led the Third World, and first democratically elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in a fabricated case by the same
establishment.
General Musharraf has declared Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a dictator, who got released 90,000 of Prisoners of War from Indian camps. Bhutto collected the pieces of Pakistan broken down by the policies of another military dictator and predecessor of Musharraf i.e. General Yahya. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s daughter Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto led the most popular movement against the dictatorship in Pakistan’s history chequered with repeated military take-overs.
Her Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is probably in the only political party in the contemptorary world whose leadership and workers shed their own blood for democracy. Many of the world’s freedom movements have not offered the kind of sacrifices the PPP leadership and workers have offered. After its failure to crush the PPP through state machinery, the establishment has now chosen mud-slinging and propaganda against Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto to remove her from the political landscape of the country. Who is corrupt?
The Generals spending 70 per cent of the national budget or the politicians who managed only 30 per cent of the whole national income. I must point out that Saifur Rehman, the handpicked accountability chief of test-tube politician Nawaz Sharif had spent US$300 million on running a global propaganda against Benazir Bhutto. The military government has added hundreds of million dollars in the same expenditures.
I must point out here and would like to be quoted in your newspaper that sapling of democracy has never been allowed to flourish in Pakistan by this very establishment, which is accustomed to rule the country on both sides of curtain. The world should know that Pakistani people are in fact a ‘human hostage’ at the hands of this establishment. The people of conscience around the globe shouldn’t listen to the clever tricks
of the establishment and its supremo General Musharraf to play with the country, its people and their conscience.
General Musharraf and his colleagues are holding the extremist forces to threaten the liberal political forces who, he himself admits, represent 99 per cent of Pakistanis yet are not being allowed political activity.
Jameel Soomro – Karachi