Focus on the Global South- India - Democratic Aspirations of Pakistan

Pune 24th July 2007

Asma Jahangir and Justice (Retd.) Nasir Aslam Zahid were in Pune on 24th July 2007. Prominent academics and activists of the city attended their 1st meeting in Pune and Dr. Jayant Narlikar, Internationally acclaimed Astronomist was one of the main figures.

Later in the afternoon they spoke at meet-the-press programme organized by Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ). Both of them criticised the Military regime of Pakistan. Justice Zahid specially talked about the concerns of the common people in Pakistan about the nexus between militants and the military authorities in Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf will have to shed the military uniform as the people were in no mood to allow the continuation of military regime.

Asma said the movement in Pakistan for the restoration of democracy-needed solidarity of people across the world. She said that during Agra talks, India gave a grand welcome to military ruler as if he was Nelson Mandela. Dictators across the world are talking the language of human rights. She opined that they in Pakistan just want a democratic government.

"Even in Lal Masjid case, many questions were remained unanswered. How did arms enter the Masjid and who was financing the Masjid authorities? Terrorism is a genuine threat and one cannot depend on the military to tackle it as military itself has links with terrorism," Said Asma.

She was confident that former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan soon and participate in the election. Replying to a question she said," Politics has its role. One cannot deny the role of Politicians. Politics is part of life. May be Benazir and Nawaz will change their style. It's a process by which a new leadership will emerge."

Later in the evening they addressed a public meeting at S M Joshi Socialist Foundation. Ms Manisha Gupte of MASUM chaired the meeting. Justice said that they do not request India's support but they demand it. The meeting was well attended.

Mumbai 25th July 2007

The meeting in Mumbai was also co-organised by St. Xavier's College in their auditorium, which was attended by more than 500 people from all walks of life. Introducing the meeting the Principal of St. Xavier College Fr. Fraser welcomed the guests Asma Jahangir and Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid with the words that they had become the epitome of struggle for democracy and protection of Human Rights.

Mr. Jatin Desai a member of PIPFPD and Peace Mumbai welcomed the guests for their resolute spirit for fighting the rights and dignity of the marginalized, women and the minorities and other sections of the society in Pakistan. He stated that the idea behind organizing such programme was to bring forward South Asian identity. He expected that Indian people would certainly extend their supporting hand for such a valued cause.

While moderating the programme Professor Pushpa Bhave spoke high about their contribution especially of Asma Jahangir towards Rights and dignity of the underprivileged and other lesser mortals. Admiral L. Ramdas shared his experience about the peace initiatives taken by the peace lovers of both countries when there were no diplomatic relationships and they had to go to Pakistan and vice-versa via Dubai.

But they clanged on to the peace process, which was the only alternative to see the problems of the people of the respective countries redressed and their quality of lives enhanced. He stated clearly that there was no substitute for democracy and the major part of the 6o years of Pakistan have been coloured with military dictatorship. He showed approval that the Supreme Court courageous act on reinstating suspended Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, which should be applauded and considered a victory of people's movement. He aspired that the docile attitude of the civil society in India could be broken and they would come out with the support of democratic movement in Pakistan and else where. 'Time has come to see that the leaders are chosen by the people rather people could be chosen by the leaders' was his parting remark.

Justice Nazir Aslam Zahid shared his understanding of the recent democratic upsurge felt in Pakistan after the unceremonious suspension of the Justice Iftikhar when Bar Council of the country came out in full-throated support against such an undemocratic decision. It was really spontaneous and overwhelming response from legal fraternity backed by the people. The magnitude of the civil society support can be very well gauged by the fact that the 4-hour journey of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhury from Islamabad to Lahore took him 27 hours due to the crowd on the streets greeting and congratulating him for his fight for democracy and supporting his reinstatement.

He also stated the present people's movement was a good omen because for the last 7 years no political parties have been able to gather this kind of popular support, in opposition to the dictatorship. He lamented the incident at Lal Masjid where according to Government estimates 102 people died including the police and the military but various organisations claim that probably more than 1500 were killed, which could have been tackled in a more salubrious manner and at least in this way bloodshed could have been avoided. He also stated that why intelligence failed when ISI headquarter was hardly 1 KM away and why suddenly the dialogue was declared failed, all these aspects needed to be enquired. Human Right's Activists' are demanding for an Enquiry Committee to be set up to understand the real issues behind the Lal Masjid episode. He asserted that people's aspirations had been raised through this movement and hopes of the people for better world had been rejuvenated which could not be stifled. He stated that the problems were rooted in the combination of Mush and Bush. Both deserved to be dethroned, he averred.

Human Rights Activist Asma Jahangir, stated that military was part of the problem rather than the solution. Their fights were for the paramount of dignity and self-respect of all Pakistanis. Their struggle was for rule of law, liberty and qualitatively amelioration of the deprived and marginalized, she asserted. People should be empowered and participate in the democratic process. They wanted the military dictator to go and democracy and for that matter sovereignty of the people should be restored. It was the source of rejuvenation that people were at the forefront of the present movement. 'Policy should be rooted in the democratic aspirations of the people' she asserted. She stated that military used indiscriminate forces against their own people, as they all knew what had been going on in Baluchistan. They also used Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM one of the ruling party in the federal government) cadres in Karachi when the people were attacked and 42 precious lives were lost. Although election was not everything for democracy but it was vital that was why they demanded free and fair elections under a caretaker government unlike what happened in 2002 when elections were heavily rigged, she demanded.

She stated that it was fallacy to think that military had been fighting against militancy rather they strengthened militancy because of immunity and unaccountability. Action at the behest of USA must be stopped. She categorically said that dress and a lifestyle should not be imposed on any individual but it should be a personal choice. She was very forthright in her criticism against the religious hardliners and made it clear to the audience that removal of Musharraf does not mean the coming of the mullahs, "the Pakistani people will not let this happen". She vehemently proclaimed that they would win the battle of democracy in her country, may be not in a year or two year but certainly that day was not far off. She urged in the end with the people to support the lawyers movement for democracy in Pakistan.

The programme was concluded with the people's queries and expression of support towards the grand cause.