A follow up to my earlier article in Pragati is up at 3quarksdaily.com
http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksd...ries.html#more
A follow up to my earlier article in Pragati is up at 3quarksdaily.com
http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksd...ries.html#more
Musharraf is hard at image change.
He claims that he won the Kargil War.
SHIAS AND THEIR FUTURE IN PAKISTAN
by Omar Ali
Rather enlightening!
As Pakistan marks the first time an elected civilian government has reached its five year term a long, detailed Indian portrait of Nawaz Sharif, the opposition leader:http://www.caravanmagazine.in/report...hrone?page=0,5
It ends with:In an expansive mood while in exile, Sharif told Warraich one evening: “Once the chief of army staff assumes his title, he begins to think of himself as a king, or super prime minister.” So if Sharif comes back to power, will he really put the generals into Suzukis? He may not go that far, but he will expect the military to heed his legitimacy. He will not rush into embracing India as a long-lost friend, but he will not be drawn into another military adventure. He wants to have a friendly working relationship with the United States and the international community, but he will neither accept them as masters nor spurn them as adversaries. He may once again crack down on the Taliban inside Pakistan—but if he does so, he will still accommodate, as he has always done, the deeply conservative sentiments of religious parties and groups. This, after all, is his history and his patrimony: an old and deep lesson from the real love of his life.
davidbfpo
at AFTERMATH: PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2013 http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksd...2013.html#more
by Omar Ali
.....
All in all, the elections are a step forward. People voted in large numbers, proving once again that the Taliban propaganda against this “heathen system of government” is not getting much traction. The Zardari regime, for all its faults, managed to get Pakistan to this point and deserves appreciation for this achievement. The rigging allegations and various administrative irregularities have dented the image of this election but a more energetic and forceful elections commissioner next time can repair credibility in the heartland without a big problem. Miracles of various sizes (see above) may be needed in Karachi and Balochistan. Miracles will also be needed to bring the war with the Taliban and the war with India to simultaneous closure. If the PMLN can deliver a more capable regime and restore the economy (doable) and some of the miracles happen, we may be in a much happier place by 2018. If not, we may still hope for more of the same. The one thing we cannot afford is a revolution (Islamic, PTI-Paknationalist or Marxist-Leninist..the last is not on the cards but comrades are still around and appreciate the plug). We dodged a bullet this time and with luck we may get away next time as well.
Omar:
I am always completely pessimistic about Pakistan having any chance at all given the Pak Army and the feudal elites. But after reading some of your comments I should be thinking more often that Pakistan is filled with people like that ambulance driver and policeman in Karachi that were profiled in the TV special I forgot the name of.
"We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again." Gen. Nathanael Greene
Carl's post:My initial post April 2011I am always completely pessimistic about Pakistan having any chance at all given the Pak Army and the feudal elites. But after reading some of your comments I should be thinking more often that Pakistan is filled with people like that ambulance driver and policeman in Karachi that were profiled in the TV special I forgot the name of.
Peter Oborne, one of the UK's best reporters IMHO, has been in Karachi, Pakistan's commercial capital and a huge city beset with problems:
His report is based on following an ambulance driver, employed by a charity and a shorter period with a police inspector, who states:In the last 60 years the population of Karachi has risen from 300,000 to nearly 20 million. The pressure for homes, water and food - compounded by high levels of unemployment - has lead to furious conflict between the rival ethnic groups, with around 1300 people killed in gangland violence last year.The title of the thread comes from his closing comment - worth fast forwarding to, if twenty five minutes cannot be spared....at least 100 of his officers have been killed in the past year.
The film clip on: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/u...ld/4od#3180510
The written summary is on: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/u...2011/episode-4
The links do work in the USA and a SWC viewer responded:__________________They should stop making cop shows about Americans and make cops shows about Karachi cops. That was something.
davidbfpo
Not really about politics this time (except tangentially)
http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksd...real.html#more
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