The Complete Magazine for the Region January 2020

The Complete Magazine for the Region January 2020 www.southasia.com.pk

Same Page Saga The civilian government and the military may be on one page but the tenures of the Service Chiefs need to be clearly defined.

Pakistan Afghanistan Maldives Libya Terror Financing The Long Goodbye Playing Her Passion Sea of Blood

39 42 51

Cover Story 16 Civil and military relations in Pakistan are always walking a tight rope.

New Delhi Kandahar Editor’s Desk 07 Live With Thy Neighbour 29 The Long Goodbye 35 Neighbour Lahore The Real Heroes 51 Readers’ Thoughts 08 Islamabad Kathmandu Tehran Countering Terror Financing 30 Kalapani 36 Meeting Challenges 39 Air Pollution Who Said That! 10 Toxic Tales 52 Dhaka Colombo Naypyidaw 57 Grapevine 11 The Sun, the Moon and the Truth 32 Return to Autocracy 37 Rogue State? 40 Mumbai Thimphu Banning The Preacher 54 News Buzz 12 International Between Giants 33 Malé Tripoli Playing her Passion 55 Cover Story Sea of Blood 42 The Control 16 26 California Around Town The Irony 18 Black and White 43 Maria B Winter Escape 57 The Dynamics 20 The Obstacles 22 Feature Reviews Lahore Books One-On-One Pakistani Advertising Needs to Mongolian Pot 58 Tania Aidrus 24 Up its Game 46 Pakistan, the Economy of an Elitist State 59 Region Lahore Documentary 48 Ayodhya Shaping The Future Journey into America 60 Mob Justice 26 Islamabad Film 49 Mumbai WOW is the Word Doctor Sleep 62 Flawed Democracy 27

4 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 39 42 51

Cover Story 16 Civil and military relations in Pakistan are always walking a tight rope.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 5

Editor’s DesSlugk

Missing Logic

The country is shocked over the completing his agenda of national development, he made Special Court verdict in the high a deal with the late Benazir Bhutto and issued the Na- treason case against General (R) tional Reconciliation Order (NRO) – an act that he subse- Pervez Musharraf. Irrespective of quently rued. the merits and demerits of the ver- Pervez Musharraf has now been sentenced to death dict, what makes the court’s deci- on charges of committing high treason when he promul- sion a matter of deep worry is the gated an Emergency on November 3, 2007. The verdict is dangerous precedent it has set for obviously a cause of pain and anguish to most people in the future of the state. Justice must the country – and to the armed forces as it has adversely always be dispensed in a manner that is just in its es- affected their morale. Having led Pakistan in a very distin- sence and as per laid down law. Unfortunately, the verdict guished manner, Musharraf now seems to be the target of in the case of Gen. (R) Pervez Musharraf appears to be an a blatant attempt at image vilification. The Pakistan armed example of judicial arrogance. This is the kind of attitude forces, one of the finest in the world, are highly perturbed that currently seems to be reigning supreme. However, it on seeing the former army chief being declared a ‘traitor’ is doing nothing but demoralising the nation and its armed and being fit to be sent to the gallows on account of high forces - the very people who are always ready to sacrifice treason – even after his death. their lives to defend the country. Paragraph 66 of the verdict of the Special Court, as If anything, Pervez laid down by a three-mem- Musharraf was never a ber bench led by the Chief ‘ghaddar’ – a traitor. As a Justice of the Peshawar soldier, he performed his High Court, the Honourable duties with full responsibility. Justice Waqar Seth, has He led the country with high spelled out the punishment distinction. When judged on of having his body hanged the basis of his nine-year tenure, he emerged as a leader for three days in Islamabad’s D Chowk. Serious questions with a clear future vision for the country. In the late 90s, have been asked as to the sheer brutality of the punish- when the country was on the brink of becoming a ‘failed ment, which is inhuman to the core and defies the values state’ owing to rampant corruption, political instability, upheld by any civilized society. More is the pity, that such economic bankruptcy and looming international isolation, inhuman treatment is proposed to be given to someone General Musharraf ended up leading the “most difficult who was always proud to be a Pakistani and a “soldier’s countries to govern,” in the words of Time Magazine. soldier”. It is also not comprehensible as to why has the During his 9-year tenure, he retrieved Pakistan’s lost im- Opposition maintained a studied silence over the whole age and earned for it a level of respect. He governed by affair? After all, even if they are not in power, they cannot devolving power to the grass-roots when he revived the divest themselves of their status as citizens of Pakistan. local government infrastructure and made a sincere at- The armed forces belong as much to them as to anyone tempt to lead the nation towards development and mod- else. The Opposition must be equally concerned about ernisation. He subsequently became a victim of his own looking for the missing logic in the judicial process. They over-ambitious approach when, in his desire to continue must join the nation in ensuring that the armed forces are being President of Pakistan, to get some more years for not defeated by their own people.

Syed Jawaid Iqbal President & Editor in Chief

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 7 Readers’ Thoughts

Who Owns

January 2020 Vol.24 Issue 1 Karachi?

PRESIDENT & EDITOR IN CHIEF his is related to your December Syed Jawaid Iqbal T2019 cover story on the topic EDITOR ‘Who Owns Karachi?’. Karachi was Javed Ansari known as the cleanest city in Asia, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR S. G. Jilanee most commonly the city of lights ASSISTANT EDITORS and also the largest Muslim city in Faizan Usmani the world. Today, it has become a Syeda Areeba Rasheed governance nightmare as neither the Special COrrespondent city government nor the provincial Rafi Khan - UK government is willing to take ownership CONTRIBUTORS of what is Pakistan’s largest metropolis. Aadil Nakhoda – Amjad Ali Siyal – Atif Shamim Syed The city has been left rudderless Ayaz Ahmed – Dr Muhammad Babar Chohan Dr. Moonis Ahmar – Dr. Taseer Salahuddin leaving its population of over 2 million Hafiz Inam – Imran Jan – Justice (r) M. Shaiq Usmani surviving on its own. Karachi used to be Labbaba Jahangir – Major General (R) Inam Ul Haque the capital of the country until 1960 and continues to be Pakistan’s commercial Muhammad Ali Khan – Muhammad Omar Iftikhar Muhammad Waqar Rana – Nadya Chishty-Mujahid and industrial capital. It has grown at a very fast pace and its problems have also Noor Javed Sadiq – Prof. S. Shafiq-ur Rehman multiplied. In my view, Karachi and its problems need ownership as the city cannot S Akhtar Ali Shah – S.G Jilanee – S.R.H. Hashmi be left to survive on its own. Sabria Chowdhury Balland – Samar Quddus Siraj M. Shawa – Syed Kamran Hashmi Fahim Ahmed, Syeda Areeba Rasheed – Taha Kehar Karachi, Pakistan. GRAPHICS & LAYOUT Haroon Rasheed Kamran Ghulam Nabi Journeying into Riaz Masih - Hassan Raza Hussain, along with setting some new Future initiatives of his own. He had a guiding General Manager-Marketing role in a great social and intellectual Syed Ovais Akhtar t gives me immense pleasure to transformation. He also emphasised PRODUCTION & COORDINATION Aqam-ud-Din Khan Iexpress my gratitude for the kind of the lack of schools producing good CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION work SouthAsia magazine is doing. I managers and leaders that could take Shehryar Zulfiqar can’t thank it enough for interviewing Dr Pakistan forward. EDITORIAL & BUSINESS OFFICE Farrukh Iqbal, the Executive Director of Amna Ilyas, 20-C, Lane 12, off Khayaban-e-Ittehad, Phase II the Institute of Business Administration Karachi, Pakistan. Extension, DHA, Karachi - 75500, Pakistan (IBA) Karachi, who is a gem of a person. Phones: 92-21- 35313821-24 Fax: 92-21-35313832 Being a current student of IBA, it felt great Great Work Website: www.southasia.com.pk to see him in the magazine, sharing his Email: [email protected] views regarding the institution, his tenure ith each passing day, people MIDDLE EAST at the centre and some future plans. Wwho can write with veracity REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Pirana Advertising JLT Talking about his journey, Dr Iqbal was of are decreasing in numbers but your PO Box 486207, 1704, Level 17, HDS Tower, the view that he had advanced initiatives magazine dares to unveil the bleak Jumeirah Lake Towers Cluster F, Dubai, UAE started by hispredecessor, Dr. Ishrat face of the society. After reading the Phone: +97-14- 4508309 Fax: +97-14-3688487 article ‘Paradise Lost’ in which you Email: [email protected] discussed the kidnapping of Maldivian journalist Ahmed Rilwan, I can say that SouthAsia is published every month by Syed Jawaid Iqbal for and on behalf of you are making attempts to uncover JAWZ Communications (Pvt.) Ltd. facts. We should not remain silent and and printed by Ibn-e-Hasan Offset Printing Press, Karachi. should speak in favour of human rights Views expressed by the contributors are and against deadly corruption, just like not necessarily shared by the editors. Rilwan did. But his endeavours to fight Published since 1977 as Thirdworld, the magazine was re-launched in 1997 as SouthAsia. corruption and unlawful decisions cost Read our digital edition at: him his life. I hope you are still ambitious www.southasia.com.pk enough to unveil more hidden facts. Your

8 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Readers’ Thoughts

by numerous independent watchers of Climate Change human rights. There are continued reports about rising human rights violations and lanting trees is a quick and cost-effective the killing and maiming of Kashmiri men, Pway of trying to tackle the climate crisis. women and children over the recent past. In 2019, many young people got fired up Many concerned quarters around the about the climate crisis like never before. world and major international media have In September, children in 150 countries urged the UN to take decisive action but took part in a Global Climate Strike. Led nothing seems to budge. by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, four million In fact, it looks like the killings and the protesters joined and called for urgent action work is praiseworthy and I wish you the best cruelties against the Kashmiris are a matter to stop runaway climate change, while an of luck and expect that people belonging to of tradition for the Indian army. Children estimated 100,000 people attended a rally in your fraternity will continue to work hard. and women are abused and Indian security Central London. The coming generation will Asfer Sajjad, forces conduct extrajudicial executions never forgive us if we fail to curb our reliance Multan, Pakistan. and disappearances and rape women all on fossil fuels. A survey of 1,000 eight to 16- the time. These human rights violations are year-olds revealed that almost eight in ten Bilateral Ties being carried out under total freedom and children worry about climate change at least without any punishment. For the world, it once a month. That’s why the #PlanTree his is regarding the article ‘Future seems there are other expediencies that campaign is so vital. It aims to plant 12 TUncertain’ written by Dr Moonis Ahmar prevent it from taking any action against million trees – one sapling for every child. about the Kartarpur corridor. On the 550th India for this continuing mayhem. Children around the world are crying out for birth anniversary of the founder of the Mukhtar Ahmed, change and in 2020 we must honour them Sikh region, Baba Guru Nanak, Pakistan New Jersey, USA. by making tree-planting an urgent priority. Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated Mushan Ahmed, the Kartarpur Corridor where former Indian Long Way to Go Addu City, Maldives. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Indian politician and former cricketer Navjot here have been reports that Pakistan’s Singh Sidhu and Indian actor Sunny Deol Teconomy is reviving but, in my opinion, Gem Lost were present. From Kartarpur to Kashmir, things have to go a long way before it can be relations between Pakistan and India are in said with any conviction that the economy his is about the tribute to Stephen a deep mix of confusion and the opening has really been put back on rails. TCohen titled ‘A Sane Voice Goes Silent’ of the Kartarpur corridor is a step towards For the moment, Pakistan’s economic in your December issue. Cohen left the solving this chaos. It is hoped this might growth is expected to decelerate to 3.4 world at the age of 83. He was an American ease the tensions in Indian occupied percent in FY19 and 2.7 percent in FY20, political scientist and professor of South Kashmir and free the people of their as fiscal and monetary policies are tightened Asian Security Studies. He was atrocities. to address macroeconomic imbalances. one of those few Americans Ananya Sai, Domestic demand is expected to contract who were best known in New Delhi, India. while at the same time export growth will India and Pakistan for his be gradual. On the supply side, services objective analysis of the The Grab growth is projected to decline while the region’s security options. agriculture and industrial sectors will grow at His 21-year association he Indian grab of Jammu and Kashmir a significantly lower rate. Remittances flows with Brookings Institute Tand endless atrocities against the are likely to support the current account earned him the title of people have constantly been confirmed balance in 2020. senior fellow emeritus in To unleash Pakistan’s export potential, 2017. He wrote several books the government’s finance team needs to and papers on security and foreign policy in implement an ambitious range of reforms South Asia and was among America’s 500 that can improve exports. Efforts should most influential people in foreign affairs. He include trade liberalization, spurring also trained and mentored many leading entrepreneurship and equipping citizens analysts and security strategists during his with the skills they need to compete in the 50-year career. It’s true - the world has lost global market. a gem. Saeed Ahmed, James Andrew, Karachi, Pakistan. Chicago, Illinois.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 9 Who Said That!

“History judges a leader “I am prepared to work with “Judicial activism must by results. Let my other parties, address be lessened, and the results do the talking.” their genuine concerns judiciary should do its - Pervez Musharraf, through talks and work and let politicians former President of correct any past work.” Pakistan. mistakes.” - Bilawal Bhutto - K.P. Oli, Zardari, Prime Minister of Nepal. Chairman, PPP.

“A country that relies on aid? Death is better “It is easy to make than that. It stops promises - it is hard “I think I’m chronically you from achieving work to keep them.” exhausted.” your potential, just as - Boris Johnson, - Hillary Clinton, colonialism did.” Prime Minister of American politician. - Imran Khan, Britain. Prime Minister of Pakistan.

“Jerusalem is holy to three “Film-making is a collaborative “A youthful nation like ours religions. You have to effort and in my view, must leave an impact in respect that.” everyone who brings the entire world.” - Recep Tayyip these dreams to the - Narendra Modi, Erdogan, screen is worthy of Prime Minister of President of Turkey. recognition. Even the India. spot boys.” - Mehwish Hayat, “All leaders must have Pakistani actress. “We want to come out some power. Without of the vicious circle of power, you can’t be a unhealthy politics.” leader.” - Hasina Wajed, – Mahathir Mohamad, “It gets your blood going, the Prime Minister of Prime Minister of adrenaline is pumping, Bangladesh. Malaysia. you’re in a fight. To me, that’s what Test cricket is all about” – Shoaib Akhtar, “As we usher in a new journey “I never, ever grew up as a young Pakistani cricketer. for Sri Lanka, we must remember woman believing that my that all Sri Lankans are part gender would stand of this journey. Let us in the way of doing anything I wanted.” rejoice peacefully, with “For me, physical beauty – Jacinda Ardern, dignity and discipline is never the reason for Prime Minister of New in the same manner in attraction to anyone.” Zealand. which we campaigned.” - Katrina Kaif, - Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Indian actress. President of Sri Lanka. “All IMF has asked us to do is to look at companies that may be better run under a private “I mean I also think it’s “We have to put our house system rather than in the the way we really get in order. It’s an urgent government system” to know ourselves call and an urgent - Dr. Abdul Hafeez by being vulnerable need.” Shaikh, enough to let love in” - Abdullah Abdullah, Pakistan Prime Minister’s - Jennifer Aniston, Chief Executive of Advisor on Finance. Afghanistan. American actress.

10 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Grapevine

Back to Business akistani fast bowler Hasan PAli recently married India’s Shamia Arzoo, a Dubai-based flight engineer. Before this marriage, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis player Sania Mirza had also tied the knot. Hasan was not able to go to India to marry Shamia and the nuptials took place in Dubai. After Good Entertainment having become Mrs. Hasan hile TV plays made in Pakistan these days are mostly Ali, Shamia travelled to Wrun-of-the-mill, one serial has taken the viewing public Pakistan and must have by storm. Mere Pass Tum Ho has become outrageously discovered there was not popular. The main players in the serial are Humayun Saeed, much of a difference be- Adnan Siddiqui and Ayeza Khan. But it’s Humayun Saeed tween her India and Hasan’s who takes the cake and perhaps gone are the days of Fawad Pakistan. Now will Hasan Ali Khan. Those who still wallow in the memories of the golden focus on his cricket again years of PTV drama can follow the Humayun Saeed serial on and pull the Pakistan team ARY Digital – and be saved from the agony of watching aim- out of the pits? less Talk Shows.

Neo Nouveau Girl Ire and Fire

aher Tareen, the daughter of ehwish Hayat tried out a new dance with actor Ahsan SPTI politician Jehangir Tareen, MKhan, dressed in a ravishing pink and white outfit. With did not take to politics and prob- praise, she also got ire on the internet for wearing a revealing ably never thought of following in outfit. Winner of the Nishan e Imtiaz in Pakistan and Pride of the footsteps of her father like Performance in Norway, Mehwish thinks the world of cinema Mariam Nawaz did or Benazir is fuelling Islamophobia. The actress is the brand ambassa- Bhutto before her. For a dor of the Islamic Charity, Penny Appeal. She has also made change, she went into it to the list of The Muslim Vibe magazine’s top five Muslim fashion designing and has women in the world who are striving to make the world a made quite a name in better place to live. making vintage clothing rather than absorb- ing today’s pop culture. Her inspirations are old wedding photographs and heirlooms and she blends old techniques into modern aesthetics rather skillfully. She calls it Neo Nouveau.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 11 News Buzz

OUP Opens Flagship Bookstore

xford University Press and mission were being promoted launched its flagship store at through the OUP. OPark Towers in Clifton, Karachi The event concluded with a per- recently. Fathima Dada, Managing formance by Zambeel Dramatic Director, Education Division, Oxford Readings titled ‘Dhal Gaya Hijr ka Din: University Press, UK, inaugurated the Letters by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Alys store. Faiz’ which represented the years of The British Deputy High hardship, struggle and loneliness that Commissioner, Mike Nithavrianakis, both Faiz and Alys experienced during was the chief guest. The keynote Faiz’s imprisonment. speech was presented by Dr. Shahid The OUP flagship store, which is Siddiqui, Dean of the Faculty of Social the fifth OUP bookshop in the city, Sciences, National University of has a section especially for children, Modern Languages. Arshad Saeed a teachers’ resource centre and an Husain, Managing Director, OUP ‘Experience Zone’ for digital and e- Pakistan, welcomed th guests. learning solutions. There’s also an Fathima Dada said that the book- area where book launches, children’s shop is a key element in the learning experts to the readers. Arshad Saeed events, readings and discussions can process as it acts as an enabler of the flow Husain said the premier bookshop offered be held. of information, knowledge and wisdom all the knowledge and learning resources of A dinner was held the next day at the from the world’s scholars and authoritative the great University of Oxford whose values Sindh Club in honour of Fathima Dada. Pakistani Female Mayor Journalistic he new mayor of the British coastal town, Seaford, is a Pakistani Newseum and her name is Nazish Adil. She is the first mayor of Pakistani Torigin in southeast England. Born and educated in Karachi, Nazish Adil did her LLB from the SM Law College and her masters in international relations from the University of Karachi. She later did her LLM in criminology from the SM Law College. She moved to the UK in 2010 with her husband who is also Karachi-born and is a banker. Nazish Adil says Imran Khan is quite popular where she lives. He used to play cricket from East Sussex, the county where her town is situated. She, however, maintains that politics is quite different in Pakistan than in the UK.

Turkish Serial in Urdu he foundation stone of Siddique Baloch Media Academy has been laid akistan Television is all set to broadcast the Turkish Tin Quetta by the chief minister Jam historical fiction series, ‘Dirilis: Ertugrul’ in Urdu. Kamal. The academy is named after the late PPrime Minister Imran Khan had recommended to all journalist Lala Siddiq Baloch. Pakistanis to watch the drama serial as it promoted love for It is planned to build the Siddique Baloch Islamic values. PTV is dubbing all five seasons of the serial Academy as a Journalistic Newseum where in Urdu for the Pakistani audience. portraits of distinguished journalists will be ‘Drisilis: Ertugrul,’ is also described as the Turkish ‘Game placed. The Academy would also foster of Thrones’ as it is set in 13th century Anatolia in times journalistic and educational activities in the before the Ottoman Empire. province.

12 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 News Buzz

Swedish Royals Fighting Global Warming for Ending Pakistani aerospace Kashmir Curfew engineer is developing Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of A ing a pollution-free Sweden have demanded an end to engine for aircraft that will Kthe curfew and com- reduce global warming and munication blackout of induce artificial rain during Jammu and Kashmir. flight. The Royal couple Dr. Sarah Qureshi, who advised the Indian has a Master’s in Aerospace government to in- Dynamics and a Ph.D. in volve the people of Aerospace Propulsion from Sarah and her team have developed a Kashmir in finding a Cranfield University in the UK, is confident contrail-free aero-engine to counter glob- peaceful resolution of that she will create a revolution in avia- al warming. The engine will have a unique the Kashmir issue. tion. pressure-based condensation system that King Carl Gustaf and Her father, Masood Latif Qureshi, is will cool the water vapours in the exhaust Queen Silvia termed the dreadful situation also a prominent physicist and a scientist. of an aircraft. This water can be released of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir as They have together started a company as rain where required. Dr. Sarah says air “worrying.” The Royal couple emphasized called Aero Engine Craft to develop envi- pollution is equally dangerous for the en- the importance of human rights and said ronment-friendly engines for aircraft. vironment as land pollution. that an escalation of the situation in Kashmir should be avoided and a long-term political McDonald’s Brings solution found. Maj. Samia Back Retro Happy Rehman Gets UN Meal Toys Recognition ajor Samia Rehman of the Pakistan he Happy Meal turned 40 this year Army has made Pakistan proud at Tand with it, McDonald’s has brought Mthe international stage by winning back its most popular Happy Meal toys the United Nations Special Representative for in a nostalgic bid to drum up visits from Secretary-General (SRSG) Certificate of the families with young children to snag another Year, 2019. Beanie Boo, Furby or Hello Kitty. The MONUSCO (United Nations The toys coming back include Patti the Platypus, the Organization Stabilization Mission in the Teenie Beanie Baby (the best-selling Happy Meal toy), Democratic Republic of Congo) Force Acting Tamagotchi, Furby along with Hot Wheels Thunderbird, Power Ranger, Space Jam Commander, and Bugs Bunny toy, all from 1990. Other toys are McNugget buddies Mr Potato Maj. General Heads from 1988, cowboy, fireman, mail carrier, Grimace and Hamburglar toys from Thierry Lion, 1990’s Happy Meal. presented Maj. The push comes a year after McDonald’s celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Samia with Big Mac sandwich and saw lots of positive responses from that marketing approach. the certificate McDonald’s has pledged to reduce its reliance on plastic toys. It’s already on track on behalf of to distribute 540 million books globally by the end of 2019 through the ‘Happy Meal SRSG for her Readers’ program introduced in 2018. exceptional The Happy Meal debuted in the U.S. in June 1979 as the ‘Circus Wagon Happy performance in mission level studies, analysis Meal’ and hit international markets in 1982. The world’s largest restaurant chain has and her other valuable contributions. updated the food in the Happy Meal in recent years by eliminating artificial preserva- Pakistan is the biggest contributor tives from chicken nuggets, adding apple slices and yoghurt as side items and reduc- of military troops to the United Nations ing the number of fries that come with the meal to appeal to pickier parents. Soda was Peacekeeping mission in the Democratic also eliminated from the menu, prompting more people to order them with milk. Republic of Congo.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 13 News Buzz

75 Years of ICI Pakistan

CI Pakistan recently celebrated its 75 largest and most influential companies in years of growth and success at an the country, th seven and a half decade Iexhibition. The company worked with legacy of ICI Pakistan has grown tremen- the Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) to dously. conduct an extensive review of archival Asif Jooma, Chief Executive of ICI material and collect oral histories of retired Pakistan Limited, shared his views on the and current employees to celebrate its occasion, saying, “The company has laid rich legacy. Pictures dating back to pre- solid foundations for future growth, with partition days and anecdotes from retirees major expansion projects and invest- Muhammad Sohail Tabba Asif Jooma were some of the features of the exhibi- ments across its diversified portfolio. We Chairman, ICI Pakistan Ltd. Chief Executive, ICI Pakistan Ltd. tion. State-of-the-art technology was used look forward to the next 75 years and to make the experience exciting. beyond with even more enthusiasm and shareholding by YBG (Yunus Brothers Over its 75 years journey, ICI has confidence to uphold our brand promise Group) in 2012, the growth story of ICI managed to achieve the iconic status of of ‘Cultivating Growth’ and our mission of Pakistan Limited accelerated, while the being known and trusted by generations improving lives”. company remained firmly linked to its core across Pakistan. Starting from a single Sohail Tabba, Chairman, ICI Pakistan, values, which emanate from its distin- manufacturing unit to becoming one of the said, “With the acquisition of majority guished legacy”. The e-learning App to Find Missing potential Children he Islamabad Policy Research Institute organized a lecture by Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi, former Vice “Mera Bacha Alert” app has been TChancellor, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on developed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa December 11, 2019 in Islamabad. It was attended by aca- Ato help people demicians, students and journalists. The lecture was on ‘China-Pakistan Economic find their miss- Corridor: Prospects of Distance & E-Learning for Human Development’. ing children. Dr Sangi provided an overview of how AIOU broke new ground in professional, The applica- scientific, and technical education by reaching out to the remotest areas of Pakistan tion is an addi- through modern information technology. He said that in far-flung areas like Umerkot, tion to the KP D.G. Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Multan, there were now state-of-art study centres, Citizens Portal with no faculty, which were imparting online training and education to rural students. and will also be He was of the view that the full potential of CPEC is yet to be understood, espe- included in the cially in terms of its prospects for human development. “The bigger picture is that Pakistan Citizen Pakistan has a great deal to learn from this extensive cooperation with the second Portal. It will help largest economy in the world - China.” He urged that the National Education Policy recover missing children and will also dis- of Pakistan must catch up with the CPEC initiative. He called for the need to develop courage unpleasant incidents concerning dynamic professionals in commercial and engineering disciplines through strong pro- children. The idea for developing the app cesses and linked activities, safety procedures, skills, communication methods and came after many cases of child abuse teamwork ethics for rapid growth and quality-conscious output. were reported. NAPA Mentors Bahria Students

he students of Media Studies Department, Bahria University, Karachi held a 3-day workshop with NAPA in collaboration Twith ZAHRSSS at the university premises to train aspiring actors. Various activities were assigned to the students who prepared skits on issues on education, water shortage, conflict in media industry, etc. Zakiullah Khan mentored and polished the students’ skills.

14 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 News Buzz

IPPA Awards in Oslo

he IPPA (International Pakistan Prestige Awards) event was held in Oslo recently. T The event was attended by showbiz people, government officials, media representatives and socialites. It attracted people from the Pakistani entertainment industry and served as a platform to project Pakistan’s soft image. The first two IPPA Awards events were held in London.

Influencers and PR Showcasing akistan PR Influencers’ Chat (@ Pakistan PakistanPR) which is a twitter-based P talented graphics designer, forum to facilitate conversations amongst Assam Artist, has made public relations professionals in Pakistan, A life easier for those who want had its third online conversation under to see this beautiful country the hashtag #PakistanPRchat. The PR Pakistan by pictorially putting exclusive interaction, which was hosted all these tourist attractions across by Warda Iqbal, Head of Client Services at In Pakistan, the trend of Micro and Nano Pakistan on a map. BBPR and Events, discussed the role of influencers is slowly emerging and a lot of The map features geographically refer- influencers in PR and how it is evolving and companies are shifting from macro to Micro enced pictorial representations of 71 tourist introducing advancements in technology. and even Nano influencers as they are ef- attractions across the country and each of Influencers are like opinion makers as fective, economical and have the ability to these places is a must-visit for travel lovers. they mould and steer their followers the way reach more people. The attractions include Khunjerab Pass, K2, they want to but their personalities should Pakistan PR Influencers’ Chat was es- Deosai Plains, Neelum Valley, Saif ul Malook, match with the brand or corporate person- tablished to discuss the unrecognized role Kalash Valley, Taxila Stupa, Katas Raj ality. They also play a vital role in increasing of PR and communications in improving Temple, Harappa Civilization, Hanna Lake, sales of a product, as most people wait for different aspects of business and society. Hangol National Park, Ranikot Qila, Bolan feedback from their favourite influencers be- It is operating with the twitter handle @ Pass and lots more. fore making a purchase. Therefore picking pakistanpr and conversations are available Assam decided to create the right ones can help in creating a positive under the hashtag #PakistanPRchat. the map to showcase brand image. Pakistan in its true Chip on CNIC splendour.

he National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has proposed that a Tchip be installed on computerized national identity cards to indicate whether the cardholder wants to donate his or her organs. However, NADRA has been asked to come up with a simpler mechanism that is easier to comprehend for the people.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 15 Cover Story

Civil-Military Relations The Control Pakistani politicians, a conglomerate of feudals, merchants, retired bureaucrats, powerful mafias and religious elements, are always contenders for power but they lack the discipline and organization of the army and are no match for it.

By Justice (r) M. Shaiq Usmani army man turned bureaucrat, Iskandar Mirza, seized power and then disbanded n the history of Pakistan, the expression unfortunate Mirza and took over absolute “Controlled Democracy” was first power himself. used by no less a person than the first Ayub Khan soon realized that the IPresident of the Republic of Pakistan, feudals were conspiring behind the scenes Iskandar Mirza, in 1957. Later the expression hence the need to consolidate his power by was sanctified by Ayub Khan in his famous making his source of power, i.e. the army or infamous book, depending on how one strong, which at the time was equipped looks at it, "Friends Not Masters". Both with Second World War armament that had these gentleman belonged to the Army become obsolete. For this, he turned to the mindset and believed in having total control Americans with whom he was already in and yet had to pay lip service to democracy touch as the Army Chief through the Military since Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be a Assistance Agreement entered into in 1954. democracy. But Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan Pakistan thus became militarily strong but were perhaps alone in harbouring this desire landed firmly in the American camp, leading in the early years of Pakistan. The rest of eventually to heartburns which resulted in the stalwarts of the movement for creation Ayub Khan, courtesy Altaf Gauhar, publishing of Pakistan were essentially feudals, not the book “Friends not Masters”. the feudals in the mould of the aristocrats On the political front, the feudals were in Europe or even in Oudh, Bengal and biding their time for Ayub Khan to show a Hyderabad Deccan in India but a crude chink in the armour. This was provided by lot without any sophistication who lorded the fiasco of the 1965 war and then, through over and even exploited their subjects in a feudal, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a movement their fiefdoms. For them, democracy as was launched against him. Bhutto of course enunciated by Jinnah was an anathema used socialism to give his movement a but they lacked the courage to stand up popular base even though he was far from to Jinnah and hence bided their time and being a socialist or a democrat at heart. It the time came when Liaquat Ali Khan was was for this reason that Bhutto, soon after assassinated. Looking at the scenario then coming into power after the interregnum of prevalent, there is no need to guess as to Yahya Khan’s rule and the ill-fated 1971 war who was responsible for his assassination. and after introducing disastrous reforms to Thereafter in the nascent Pakistan, show his socialist credentials, soon reverted power passed into the hands of the to his feudal ways, that is to seek and wield bureaucrats, who instinctively had no absolute power. Meanwhile, the military love lost for democracy and made haste watched these developments with great to have the parliament disbanded which alarm. They realized that the strengthening had become an inconvenience. However, of the feudals, coupled with the rise of the while the bureaucrats of the ilk of Ghulam left due to the pseudo-socialism of Bhutto, Mohammad and Iskandar Mirza did not would eventually loosen the grip of the army lack in guile, they lacked the muscle to General Ayub Khan, the Army Chief in the over the state apparatus. Hence followed keep the other contenders for power, that cabinet. But then it is a matter of history the movement to oust Bhutto, initiated by is the feudals, at bay hence the induction of how Ayub Khan, in collusion with the ex- Bhutto’s own indiscretions during the general

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elections of 1977 and then galvanized by the religious elements joining in, which eventually led to General Zia-ul-Haq’s putsch in 1979. Zia’s rule was different to the rule of other army generals, i.e. Ayub Khan and Yahya, in as much as that for the first time the army brass was in tune with religious elements of the country, which gave Zia’s regime a strength at the grass roots which no one enjoyed before. Besides, Zia also, while flirting with the feudals, set up the Nawaz Sharif family, a business house, as a contender for power, thereby weakening the stranglehold of the feudals. However, before the death of Zia ul Haq in a plane crash, the geo-political situation in the world had altered in the wake of the Americans getting involved in the so-called Jihad in Afghanistan and the eventual relegation of Soviet power. This new scenario, post-Afghan jihad, required certain stability in Pakistan, hence America’s reluctance to support any continuing direct rule by the military. It is for this reason that General Aslam Baig, in spite of all provocations and opportunities, never took over and neither did his successors support the army’s superstructure. sound economic base and a just political Asif Nawaz, Waheed Kakar and Jehangir By nature, an army is not reformist nor system. The common man’s needs of Karamat and they all preferred to do the next is it reactionary but it likes to preserve the daily bread, employment, health facilities, best thing, that is to exercise indirect control status quo as long as its interests as an housing and education of children are not over the government machinery. institution, which primarily entails preserving met while the need for preservation of In this scenario, Musharraf’s takeover of a certain posture as against its antagonists, security of the country continues to remain was indeed an aberration and, as was are not adversely affected. Since the other paramount. Hence, initially direct but now expected, met resistance from the world elements in the country who are contenders mercifully indirect, control by the army over powers, particularly the Americans and for power, namely feudals, big business and the political apparatus perseveres and with it was only when America’s war against religious elements lack the discipline and it the perpetuation of controlled democracy. Al-Quaida began in the wake of 9/11 that organization of the army, they are no match Perhaps a parallel can be drawn between Musharraf's rule was tacitly accepted. The for it. But, by now the army has realized that the Turkish state and our state where too, the departure of Musharraf brought in General to wield absolute power as certain of its military exercised direct and indirect control Kayani who reverted to indirect control forbearers did earlier, only brings flak from over the state apparatus till such time that as the geo-political situation by then had the world, which no longer looks upon army the present ruler, President Erdogan brought changed and this practice continues. rule kindly. Thus the army has now settled about a change in the political and economic Essentially the army in Pakistan has down to indirect control over the state spheres with accompanying benefits to the never been enamoured by the politicians, machinery as well as foreign policy by giving populace and the military’s control receded. who are mostly feudals with the exception a nudge here and a nod there, knowing well Needless to say that for the moment, of the Nawaz Sharif family which too, over a that our country's strategic situation is such the future beholds a continued system of period of time, has acquired feudal traits of that the security of the country is paramount controlled democracy in our country. acquiring absolute control over the country and only the army can preserve it. to the ultimate benefit of their acolytes and Our politicians, a conglomerate of The writer is a former kith and kin and let only the crumbs trickle feudals, merchants, retired bureaucrats, Chief Justice of the Sindh to the masses. The army does wish to powerful mafias and religions elements, High Court. He has see Pakistan progress economically, not have over a period of seventy two years of been actively involved so much because of any interest in public our existence, utterly failed to impart internal in human and women’s welfare but to have enough strength to strength to the country through evolving a rights causes.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 17 Cover Story

Civil-Military Relations The Irony Civilian leaders, in order to command respect of the uniform, need to show greater ability, vision, organization, unity and a deep commitment to the well-being of the common citizenry.

By Major General (R) Inam Ul Haque

ivil-military relations in Pakistan attract immense attention both nationally and internationally. CAt the heart of the matter is the controversy of civilian control over the armed forces. This is a constitutional aberration, where a seemingly subservient organ of the state wields immense influence, sometimes behind the scenes, but mostly in an overt manner. In the literature on the subject, there is a hierarchy, where, at the top is a “National Purpose”, for which nations exist, leading down towards “National Interests”, which can be “vital” – for which nations go to war, and capability to govern is a flawed escape understandable criticism, as the notions and/ or “peripheral”. Below the “Interests” argument, just like the criticism of the of ‘ability’ and ‘deserving’ are subjective at are “National Aims and Objectives” and, military’s performance while in government. best. It is instructive to cite the series of thereafter, this hierarchy leads to policies. The environment of each military take- ‘National Security Seminars’ at the military- From “National Security Policy” flows over would substantiate this point. In my run National Defence University (NDU), “Defence Policy” which further leads considered opinion, if the military does Islamabad, where a broad range of leaders, down to “National Security Strategy” and, not take over in any dispensation, it is not including politicians, both elected and non- thereafter, “Military Strategy” for the armed because of the superior governance of the elected - from councilors to the members forces. It would be an interesting question democratic dispensation, it is the military of assemblies and Senate, businessmen, to ask the Federal government to produce exercising due restraint. media leaders and other notable citizens a “Defence Policy” compiled by our civilian Without succumbing to the temptation from all walks of life across genders - are government. of ‘ífs’ and ‘buts’, and arguments for and schooled in the imperatives of Pakistani In countries where civilian supremacy against this lop-sided aberration, the state and society. In the absence of any over the armed forces is considered and simple truth is that for civilian leaders to other forum for the purpose, the NDU has ensured as a bedrock of distribution of power command respect of the uniform, they need taken upon itself to impart the requisite – like the US, UK, India and Australia, etc. to show greater ability, vision, organization, knowledge, inculcate some discipline and - such policies are issued and revised from unity and a deep commitment to the well- bring some rationale to an otherwise chaotic time to time to give guidance to the armed being of the common citizenry, alongside national leadership where politicians have forces about threats and response priorities greater sensitivity to the national security traditionally won by delivering fiery and in the obtaining and future environment. challenges. If one draws on personal bombastic speeches but repeatedly failed In the absence of the civilian leadership’s experience of some four decades, it would on delivery. The consequent dependence competence, diligence and involvement, be safe to conclude that the military is of elected officials on a politicized and self- civilian control over the armed forces always willing to carefully cede authority serving bureaucracy makes a toxic mix. remains at best a pipe-dream, as evident to civilian leadership, provided the civilian The second most important aspect of from the reality of military take-overs in our counterparts are able to wrest it and the debate concerns the interplay between history. The rhetoric that the military does deserve it. the various organs of the state - the not allow nurturing of the civilian capacity One is also mindful of the executive, judiciary, legislature alongside

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the deep state or Establishment and a at worst. The saga of extension that is media that is manipulated and beholden dependent on an act of parliament within to ratings or money to be more precise. six months to codify its procedure - with We don’t Ironically, the lines are at times blurred lots of caveats in waiting - is detrimental with the executive not knowing its powers to the overall dignity and apolitical nature promise and obligations, referring politically risky of the armed forces as hinted feebly by decisions to the judiciary; the judiciary the Court. Extension is ostensibly against you Asia... exercising an enthusiastic over-reach and the enshrined “principles of command” activism and the legislature being just a as it deprives career progression to other venue for political demagoguery and point- junior generals; it mocks the System for not just the scoring, rather than enacting needed laws having a suitable replacement; it creates and overseeing their implementation. doubts about leadership for not nurturing South of it! The government of the day spends those in waiting and, lastly, it insults the more time, energy, efforts and resources intelligence of those to follow, for being in battling criticism from the Opposition apparently unable to read the political rather than paying attention to governance situation correctly and act in the larger and where every now and then, the interest of the nation and the country. media brews a storm in Pakistan’s tea Although General Kayani’s extension in cup, keeping the whole nation hostage to 2010 was also challenged in the Islamabad frivolous issues like the recent episode of High Court, but that petition was not extension in the tenure of the Army Chief. upheld. This time around, the situation is This is also where traders – oddly enough more complex. There are “speculations” - submit their grievances to the Army Chief about rival officers backing the judiciary for arbitration and he forms a committee for - although rubbish, nevertheless, and the purpose. There is then no wonder that injurious in implications; or that the Court the Establishment exercises an oversize was sullying an embarrassed government influence and would continue to do so. for its incompetence; or the simple narrative It is for precisely the same reasons that that the Chief Justice was eager to make a important policies like National Security mark just before retirement in December, and Defence and important foreign 2019. However, the Court’s remarks about relations are dependent upon deep input the “regional security situation” being “quite from Rawalpindi and Aabpara alongside vague” a justification for the extension and the Foreign Office, rather than the various the implied yet sublime observation that the committees of the National Assembly and “whole armed forces and not an individual Senate. meets the threat” hit at the indispensability That brings us to the current debate of individuals, besides pointing to the larger about the extension in the tenure of issue of the why, how and when of the the Army chief. Why would a civilian extension. Know the region inside out. government, headed by a Prime Minister Following on from the afore-stated, Have SouthAsia Magazine who is on record being against extensions, with the government of the day manifesting delivered to your doorstep do exactly the opposite if it is not due to the indispensability of the current Army some innate fears about the incompetence leadership, the issue of civilian supremacy every month. and inexperience of his government and of the armed forces would only remain a For subscription details, its ability to survive the quicksand of our pipe-dream and the skewed civil-military please visit our website: politics? In a power-sharing arrangement, relations would continue. In the end, the www.southasia.com.pk where weaker organs look for strong people of Pakistan would always prefer a support, the government’s decision to stable, organized and sympathetic military continue working with the same military rule to the chaos created by politicians. leadership makes political sense, especially The writer has an interest since the next elections “may” fall in the The Complete Magazine for the Region same extended tenure. in International Relations 20-C, Lane 12, off Khayaban-e-Ittehad, However, shooting itself in the foot by and Political Sociology. Phase II Extension, DHA, Karachi-75500. such mis-steps and then blaming the military He can be reached at Tel: +9221 35313821-24, Fax: +9221 35313832 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cmc.com.pk for it is comical at best and hypocritical [email protected]

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 19 Cover Story

Civil-Military Relations The Dynamics It is a fact that civilian rule in Pakistan has largely failed to provide effective and acceptable governance all through the seven decades of the country’s existence. The reasons for this are many as this article proceeds to analyse.

nexus, along with the clergy and the By Dr. Moonis Ahmar Martial Law was the longest in the history feudal aristocracy. The erosion of political of the country, spanning the period from he history of civil-military relations pluralism and democracy as a result of the July 5, 1977 to December 31, 1985. in Pakistan is as old as the imposition of Martial Law in October 1958 Even after the withdrawal of Martial existence of the country. No state and March 1969, weakened the unity of Law, President Zia-ul-Haq retained his T in the region has experienced more the country which ultimately resulted in the post as the Chief of Army Staff till his periodic military takeovers and indirect disintegration of the country in December accidental death in an air crash on August interventions in the mode of governance 1971. 17, 1988. General Musharraf’s takeover on as Pakistan. In its 72 years history, the The historical roots of asymmetrical October 12, 1999 was different as he did military has directly ruled Pakistan for 30 civil-military relations also include the not impose Martial Law but, till the time years while, for the rest of the time, it has Martial Law of July 1977 and the military he resigned from the Presidency in August acted as a kingmaker. In this scenario, takeover of October 1999. It was expected 2008, the military retained control over the civil-military relations in Pakistan need to that post-1971, Pakistan will learn lessons mode of governance. Therefore, in the 72 be analyzed in some depth. from the military’s messing up with the years of the history of Pakistan, the military Whether it is the issue of extending the unity and foundation of the country and and not the civilian authority mattered. tenure of the current Chief of Army Staff will not further intervene in politics or seize Even during the era of Z. A. Bhutto and or the famous Dawn Leaks of late 2016, power. Z. A. Bhutto’s government, which PPP-PML (N) governments from 1988- the asymmetrical nature of civil-military came to power following the disintegration 1999 and 2008-2018, the military retained relations has reflected crisis and conflict of Pakistan, failed to rein in the military’s its influence in matters of state and the in dealing with issues which are central ambitions of capturing power. Once the so-called civilian governments remained and critical to the mode of governance. military recovered from the humiliation of insecure and vulnerable in front of the The dynamics of civil-military relations in surrender in 1971, it toppled the elected military’s power ambitions. The Memogate Pakistan need to be analyzed by taking government of Prime Minister Zulfiqar scandal of May 2011 is a case in point. into account four realities. First, the Ali Bhutto on July 5, 1977 and imposed The reality of the fragile political process historical reality which means that since Martial law. It fact, General Zia-ul-Haq’s and weak political parties also cannot be the assassination of disregarded. Given the Pakistan’s first Prime fact that Pakistan has Minister Liaquat Ali not been able to replace Khan, the military, along its authoritarian political with the bureaucracy, culture with democratic has stepped into civilian institutions, has politics. The weakening enabled the military, the of political parties, most organized and particularly the ruling disciplined institution Muslim League and the in the country, an imposition of Martial opportunity to seize Law in October 1958, power. The feudal and not only widened the tribal structures in wedge between East Pakistan, along with and West Pakistan the conservative clergy but also deepened the and the bureaucratic bureaucratic-military and military elite, have

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caused irreparable damage to the nascent Pakistan’s nuclear program is another democratic process. When political parties subject where the limitations of the civilian have failed to emerge as a cogent force government are obvious. The only way and have reflected dynastic politics, it civilian governments can assert their has been literally impossible to develop a position vis-a-vis the security and military mature and prudent political leadership. establishment is when they put their own Illiteracy, social backwardness, house in order, abolish dynastic rule, corruption, nepotism and bad governance focus on socio-economic development of have been witnessed not only during civilian the people, establish democratic order in governments but such evils have also their own ranks and promote a culture of remained a stark reality in times of military accountability. Those political parties that and semi-military rule. In essence, political do not practice democracy in letter and parties have never allowed democracy spirit, do not ascribe to accountability and to permeate their own ranks and have the rule of law, do not follow the justice promoted a culture of nepotism, which system and do not adhere to merit, can has weakened democracy and political never prevent the military’s domination in pluralism. Since the early 1950s, Pakistan’s politics. military and security establishment has It is also a reality that all mainstream used every opportunity to weaken the political parties have been nourished and political parties and the already fragile patronized by the security and military democratic process. Political manipulation The reality of the establishment and lack the capability and on their part to make and break political credibility to challenge those who promoted parties has caused political instability military’s supremacy them and brought them to power in the and chaos. The military and security on civilian matters first place. This is true in the case ofthe establishment in Pakistan, along with their PPP, PML (N), PML (Q), PTI and BAP. The junior partners in the bureaucracy, have cannot be ruled military and security establishment has, used various tactics to discredit political over the years, succeeded in inducting parties, terming civilian governments as out in the area of their people in the ranks of such political corrupt and inefficient. The military and foreign policy. parties. If PTI is blamed by its rival political security establishment are also credited parties like the PPP, PML (N) and JUI (F), of with forming various political alliances being imposed by the establishment, their comprising political forces supported by (JUI) have lacked the capability, skills and own track record is no better. them, like the Pakistan National Alliance expertise to prevent break-ups in their A constitutional amendment is not in early 1977 against the government of own ranks masterminded by the security required to give a pivotal role to the military Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto and the Islamic and military establishment. When the issue in statecraft; the former Turkish model of Democratic Alliance against Benazir of Dawn Leaks emerged in late 2016 and accepting the military as a senior partner Bhutto’s PPPP in late 1988. the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in the mode of governance also does not Later, the security and military rejected the position of the government need to be considered. In a democratic establishment changed their tactics and on the matter, the PML (N) regime failed to setup, the military needs to be subservient began to sponsor various Islamic extremist establish its writ on its subordinate state to the government and the political parties religious and ethnic groups. They are also organ and asked for the resignation of whether they belong to the opposition or credited with forming the Balochistan the Federal Information Minister and the are in power. The political rulers must be Awami Party (BAP) some months before Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign professional, accountable, efficient and the July 2018 general elections in order Affairs. This reflected insecurity and have a visionary outlook so that they can to counter the mainstream political parties vulnerability of the civilian government vis- ensure good governance, rule of law and a in Balochistan and the Baloch nationalist a-vis the military, which is a subordinate better justice system. groups. As a result, a policy of ‘divide and organ. rule’ has been used by the security and The reality of the military’s supremacy The writer is former Dean Faculty of Social military establishment to marginalize non- on civilian matters also cannot be ruled Sciences and Meritorious conformist and popular political groups out in the area of foreign policy. There Professor of International and parties. Unfortunately, the mainstream are certain ‘no-go areas’ in foreign affairs Relations, University of political parties like the PPP, PML (N), PTI, like India, Afghanistan, the United States Karachi. He can be reached Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-e- and China, where the ascendency of the at [email protected] Islami (JI) and Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan military on civilian authority is paramount.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 21 Cover Story

Civil-Military Relations The Obstacles There are many causes for the failure of democracy and the fall of civilian rule in Pakistan. It is, however, clear that the ills of democracy cannot be cured with military rule.

Pakistan. Jinnah’s speech in the Constituent By Muhammad Waqar Rana a constant threat from its neighbour. The Assembly on 11 August 1947 articulated ‘establishment’ in Pakistan, which claims akistan has experienced military the salient features of the political future of to be the guardian of its ideological and rule many times likes several Pakistan and its constitutional framework. physical frontiers, is unwilling to trust the African and Latin American The constitution-making process for the political leadership whose corruption and Pcountries. The debate about new republic as mandated under the Indian incompetence cannot be overlooked in view civil and military rule and causes of the Independence Act, 1947 and the arduous of the apparent evidence of their wealth and failure of democracy in Pakistan are as process that followed and intrigues and lifestyle. Apart from the external threats, old as Pakistan. A view is there have emerged internal held by group that people dangers from the extremist in Pakistan lack the genius forces that have animus for required for democracy and the state. The failure of the therefore, either ‘controlled civilian institutions to address democracy’ or a ‘good the grievances of the masses, dictator’ are required to bring unending economic crises peace and stability that will and the burgeoning foreign lead to prosperity. The basis debt only add to the gloomy for this view seems to be future of a constitutional rule the turbulent years of the and democracy in Pakistan. early fifties of the last century The disbanding of when the political leadership civilian governments and in Pakistan failed to frame a military interventions have constitution in seven years been a repeated saga. The (1947-1954). This created constitutional and democratic distrust in democracy. ideals and political realities The late Chief Justice remain in conflict. The legal Muhammad Muneer in his order in Pakistan, however, judgement on the dissolution despite these interruptions of the Constituent Assembly (1954) made a debacles it faced, bears witness to the and deviations, remains fully rooted in the reference which sounded like an indictment fact that the road leading to a democratic grund norm of parliamentary democracy. against politicians. The existential threat Pakistan was not very smooth. Moreover, The military rule, howsoever, stable and from India also contributed to this view, the assimilation of Islamic ideology and benign it may be and the prosperity and which urged for a strong and stable western liberal values were hard to put in economic wellbeing it may bring, the afore- government in Pakistan to meet challenges. a constitution. Their conflict was inevitable referred grund norm was founded in the The short democratic experience from 1947 as both reflected different sets of values social contract arrived at in 1973 in the to 1958 was not very assuring. The biggest and civilizations. It has been a constant form of the Constitution of Pakistan and defence of democracy is its success. That problem in the constitution-making process agreed upon by the political leadership from was lacking. in Pakistan. Subsequent events and all the provinces and areas. It remains the It is clear that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, experiments and the history of democracy hallmark of the political history of Pakistan the founder of Pakistan, and the Muslim and civilian rule only strengthened the and it keeps kindling a hope for a bright League, which led the Pakistan Movement, disbelief in democracy. future. A constitution is a political document were clear in their vision of the future setup in The state of Pakistan remains under and it is usually the result of compromises.

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This is also true of the Constitution of Pakistan. It is, however, clear that the ills of Pakistan. But the salient and basic features democracy cannot be cured with military of the Constitution are identifiable and rule. A look at the history of democracy parliamentary democracy stands out as its in Pakistan would show that the political most distinguishing feature. elite, which initially came from the landed In presence of a written constitution classes and then from trading-industrial to which every citizen owes allegiance, bourgeoisies, lacked essential values the idea of military rule, in any form, is a systems, moral stature and the requisite huge contradiction, for one is an absolute character that were the hallmarks of the negation of the other. The idea of a liberal western liberal democratic traditions. The democracy upon which most of the modern essence of a civilian rule is the incorruptibility constitutions are designed has its own set and truthfulness of the leadership. The of values that it protects and promotes. unfair division of economic resources, Freedoms and liberties of the citizens are the centuries old caste system, lack of the foundational values protected under education, absence of a political culture these constitutions that promote prosperity, of debate, argument and tolerance and, happiness and egalitarian societies. These lastly, the class conflict resulting from the are the ultimate objectives, which a modern afore-stated causes, have contributed to state is supposed to achieve. On the other the fall of civilian governments in Pakistan. hand, military rule, since Roman times In order to retain their grip on power, the (dictator) has been an exception. Where the political lot weakened the civil service, state is ostensibly under threat, power is provoked feelings of provincialism and temporarily transferred to the armed forces instigated racial and linguistic prejudices but it cannot be a permanent norm. Every and divisions, which led to instability and constitution contains provisions for seeking then failure of civilian governments. aid from the armed forces for civil power. Today, the nation stands at a One of the greatest merits of a crossroads. The debate about military representative government is that it is rule and civilian governments must end. A built upon consent. This consent needs firm and unflinching belief in a democratic to be informed and free. It is thus equally Pakistan is sine qua non for the bright future important that the people by whom and of Pakistan. As nations have become more for whom a government is established interdependent and physical barriers have make a genuine participation in its making fallen apart due to incredible technological the process. Education is the basic advancements, it is important that the requirement to inculcate in them the foundations of the governments in Pakistan obedience to duties to the Constitution be built on sure grounds of democratic and Law. Apparently, successive civilian norms to earn respect amongst the comity governments have failed to meet the of nations. Pakistan is blessed with talented legitimate expectations of the people. A youth which is looking for an ideal. Human common man from the hills of the Khyber history shows that people are prone to to the deserts of Balochistan and shores following human ideals. These ideals and of Sindh remains poor and down-trodden. heroes have one common characteristic. For him, life is a great and unending ordeal There is no contradiction in their beliefs and hardly offers the luxury of discussing and conduct. the nuances of the ideals of democracy and military rule. This onerous task falls The writer is an advocate of the Supreme upon those who have been endowed by Court and former additional attorney Providence with intellect and reason and general of Pakistan. He holds an LL.M. who have the courage and conviction to degree from Harvard Law stand by the truth. The political elite of the School and is the co-author day has failed the common man as they of a book ‘Comparative generally lack these great virtues. Constitutional Law.’ There are many causes for the failure He can be reached at of democracy and the fall of civilian rule in [email protected]

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 23 One-on-one

‘Digital Pakistan aims to unlock the potential of Pakistan.’ Pakistan attracts a senior Google executive and MIT graduate to lead its Digital agenda.

Tania Aidrus has been made in charge of ‘Digital Pakistan’ - Prime Minister Imran Khan’s new initiative to herald a technologically driven environment for the youth. Here she talks to SouthAsia in an exclusive interview.

How would you explain the concept of Digital Pakistan? Digital Pakistan is an overarching vision that aims to unlock the potential of Pakistan by architecting the foundations of its digital future - a future built on universal and equitable access with transparency and accountability, where technology I strongly believe that Pakistan’s startup out of Pakistan will suddenly bring regional touches and enriches the life of every ecosystem is at an inflection point. Our and then global attention to the massive citizen, thereby driving higher productivity middle class is growing, which is driving opportunity that exists in the country. and grants every Pakistani greater control, growth in consumer spending. We have whilst unleashing their entrepreneurial over 70M broadband internet users and, Are you confident that Pakistan is potential, to propel Pakistan forward and most importantly, we have a young, moving in the right direction? secure its economic future. dynamic population and incredible talent. I’ll be completely honest, there has been The diamonds are there, they now need no direction or vision set to date but things What are your thoughts on the start-up to be mined, polished and packaged. It’s have continued to move forward due to environment in Pakistan? only a matter of time, a few big successes the sheer persistence and resilience of

24 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 One-on-One

our youth and the ecosystem. We should investors abroad but, domestically, we be much further ahead because we have also need to make it far easier for tech ALL the building blocks and necessary startups to operate easily in the country. ingredients. Can we collectively help Some examples include registration of move Pakistan in the right direction - YES! companies, opening corporate bank It’s very doable with the right plan, the accounts, access to funding, repatriation right people and a can-do and inclusive of funds - all of these if made simpler approach. and less cumbersome will help. Also, its important to note that in almost every How can this be a more structured, successful country’s example we see to coherent and measurable pathway? date the Diaspora from those countries Like with most ambitious transformations has played a massive role in helping the we need a clear, comprehensive and domestic landscape evolve - with funding, articulate strategy and be able to see mentorship and also moving back and where we want to get to in the long term. starting companies. This is now starting Then we need to assign clear owners to happen much more in Pakistan. who can be held accountable for each milestone so we see rapid progress in the What kind of solutions does the short-term. We just don’t have the time Pakistan government need to provide? left to work in silos or be incremental in I don’t believe that the government should our approach anymore. be getting into funding or incubating 'We need a clear, companies - the private sector is very Will this also make a contribution to capable of doing that. Also, over- comprehensive the IT job market in the country? regulating anything has never sparked Absolutely - look at any comparable innovation and has mostly killed it! The and articulate emerging market - the next billion dollar government’s biggest contribution should companies will come from tech - hundreds be in enabling an environment that makes strategy.' of thousands of new jobs will get created it easy for Pakistanis to start, run and - and these will not just be jobs in scale companies. technology but across all functions - once have a huge role to play. However, we this ecosystem gets ignited. My favourite Could the country’s universities trigger have a lot of work to do on updating our example is from Indonesia. It is about a such development in a more efficient curriculum across all levels and this is homegrown unicorn called GoJek (think of manner? not an overnight fix. There are also other Uber and Careem for motorcycles) - they Education is the most powerful weapon creative solutions that can enable future recently released research that showed in any country’s arsenal - and there is no and emerging tech skills to be imparted that they have added almost $4b to the doubt that our educational institutions to the youth. Indonesian economy. There is no reason this cannot happen in Pakistan. About Tania Aidrus If this happens, will the need for more Tania Aidrus, an ex-Google executive, has been put in charge of Prime Minister Imran jobs be addressed? Khan’s new initiative that is expected to herald a technologically-driven environment Yes, as mentioned before, the contribution for the tech savvy youth of Pakistan. Before this, Tania was a leader in the Global to jobs will be across multiple sectors Business Organization at Google in the US and then in Singapore where she was and functions; this is the single biggest the Country Manager for South Asia Frontier Markets (Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri opportunity we have as a country to help Lanka). bridge the unemployment gap. Prior to Google, Tania co-founded a mobile health diagnosis company called ClickDiagnostics, focused on connecting rural patients in emerging markets to What has hampered entrepreneurial evolution in the IT sector in Pakistan doctors globally. She also spent a portion of her career consulting for Fortune 500 so far? companies at Booz Allen Hamilton. It is difficult to pin it down to one factor Aidrus has been living outside Pakistan for the last 20 years. She holds an MBA from alone - there is definitely a Pakistan “tax” the MIT Sloan School of Management and a BSc from Brandeis University. when startups try to raise money from

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 25 Region

By Hafiz Inam a Mob Justice The Indian Supreme Court has fallen way short of the expectations of the Muslims of India. Its verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ayodhya Ayodhy Mandir case has sanctioned mob justice carried out by fanatics who believe in imposing their faith over others.

Das in 1885 seeking permission to erect the were raped and a systematic campaign was By Hafiz Inam Ram Temple at the disputed site. However, the launched to strike fear amongst Muslim ranks country that won freedom from the partition in 1947 changed the overall spectrum across India in the wake of the massacre. British on the premise of adding of the region, especially post-independence Since then the Babri Masjid has been in the secular colour to its social fabric India, where the Hindu nationalism mantra limelight of national politics. Aand rejected the religion-inspired was creeping into the society. This culminated The Indian Supreme Court has finally politics of the All India Muslim Leagu, has in a communal quarrel when a mob secretly settled the legal dispute by sanctioning the now started shedding its secular skin. While placed Ram’s idols inside the mosque in 1949 construction of a Ram Temple in place of the deciding the long-awaited title suit vis-à- leading to the closure of the mosque for any mosque which remained there for 464 years. vis. the Babri Masjid, the Supreme Court of kind of worship. In response, both the Nimrohi As an act of compensation, Muslims are to be India has finally acquiesced to the demand Akhara (a Hindu religious denomination) and given five acres of land far from the site they of right wing Hindu nationalists of converting the Sunni Waqf Board filed cases seeking owned once. Fathoming who has won the suit India into a Hindu Rashtra. The apex court control of the site. Since then, the matter had is not tricky, especially if one could see how has sanctioned the construction of the Ram become a bone of contention between Hindus jubilant were Indian news anchors when they Lalla temple on the historical site of Ayodhya and Muslims in India. called the verdict on national news channels, which was once cherished by Muslims as a The legal battle for the ownership of the a victory of Ram or lawyers representing the great symbol of their faith. Not only has the site continued unnoticed inside courts until Vishwa Hindu Preshad – the Hindu litigant – verdict endorsed a wrong notion of impunity the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party when they chanted “Jai Shri Ram” outside amongst the perpetrators but also stirred fear on the national political scene in the 1980s. the apex court. Their gloat about the final among Indian Muslims of relegating them to The BJP, which was founded by L. K. Advani settlement of the case reflected how important second-class citizens as envisaged by the and Atal Bihari Vajpayee who were inspired by the case was for them. It was not a dispute Hindu supremacists. Hindu nationalist ideologues, was championing over a mere piece of land. It was a case of The dispute between Hindus and Muslims the cause of the temple’s construction. Then restoring the secular outlook of India by holding for the ownership of the site goes back to BJP president L. K. Advani began the Rath those responsible who blatantly flouted the centuries. It all started when Mir Baqi, a Yatra on September 25, 1990 from Somnath constitution in broad daylight, blemished the commander in Babur’s army, built a mosque to Ayodhya, demanding construction of world’s largest democracy and threatened the in the name of the emperor in 1528. Later, the the temple. His incendiary speeches, the very existence of a minority. Hindus disparaged the mosque as they believed ultra-nationalist politics of the BJP and the Unfortunately, the apex court had failed it was built on the ruins of a temple that was connivance of the ruling party – the Indian to stand tall against such a challenge by put up to commemorate the birthplace of their National Congress – eventually led to the awarding the site to those who were the main deity – Ram Lalla. After the fall of the Mughal demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, culprits behind razing the historical mosque. Its Empire and dawn of the British rule in 1857, 1992 at the hands of thousands of Karsevaks collusion is evident from the fact that the verdict communal differences between the Hindus (Hindu devotees). This was followed by a remained silent on the wanton demolition and Muslims grew further. Consequently, a planned pogrom that engulfed 2000 lives, of the mosque. It is not surprising that the suit was filed in vain by Mahant Raghubar mainly Muslims. Hundreds of Muslim women culprits who now hold important positions

26 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Region

in BJP ranks and were behind taking down the mosque now feel invincible. L. K. Advani – the man who was leading the mob on that fateful day i Flawed a – said right after the verdict was announced, “It is

a moment of fulfillment for me because god had m b given me an opportunity to make my own humble

Mu Democracy contribution to the mass movement aimed at the outcome which the verdict has made possible When the BJP and the Shiv Sena made holy today.” vows in a marriage of convenience, the already The verdict does not bode well for the broken down Indian democratic machine further Muslims of India who are already on edge after the re-election of PM Modi who, before assuming floundered – while the people looked on. premiership for the first time in 2014, was rather known for his complicity in the infamous Gujarat By Atif Shamim Syed massacre. This is not the first time the Muslims of India feel pushed to the wall under the Modi umbai – the megacity lying at the mouth of the Ulhas river - is the regime. Lately, the draft citizenship law has capital of Maharashtra state in India. More than five decades ago, Bal exclusively stripped Muslim refugees of Indian Thackeray, the son of a Marathi journalist and cartoonist, founded the citizenship. Then, scrapping Articles 35-A and 370 MShiv Sena - a regional Hindu nationalist organization that had emerged in Kashmir and criminalizing the abandonment of from a movement within the city that called for the rights of native Maharashtrians. wives by Muslim men has made Muslims believe With this organization, Thackeray sought to break the back of the Indian that their lives, properties and religious freedom Communist Party which had control over the city’s trade unions. Shiv Sena – the are at great risk. Now the Indian Supreme Court army of Shivaji – showed off the Tiger as its emblem and never shied away from has substantiated the apprehensions of Indian using terror as a means of achieving its ends. Thackeray’s widespread following Muslims about their peaceful co-existence in a among native Maharashtrians of Mumbai further strengthened his grip on the city society where national politics is largely driven by that was to become India’s financial capital and home to her mega film industry. communal hatred and religious identities. There were times when the city of Mumbai danced to the tunes of Thackeray. The destruction of the Babri Masjid was an Throughout the decades of its existence, Thackeray’s Sena has always been act of revanchism by zealots who believed in the fiercely Hindu and even more nationalist. Its natural ideological ally is India’s biggest supremacy of the majority over the minorities. Hindu nationalist party, the BJP. The two parties have been in bed with each other Muslims of India had hopes that justice would be for the past many decades and, since 2014, the duo has been ruling the state of served but their hopes have been turned to dust Maharashtra jointly without any serious conflict despite the Sena’s discontent at by the apex court. The verdict is nothing but a BJP’s rising influence in Mumbai – the turf which Shiv Sena perceives as its very mockery of justice and serves the purpose of right own. wing Hindutva figureheads. Gone are the days when India was a symbol of multiculturalism and religious diversity. Their Supreme Court has set a dangerous benchmark which allows the religious majority to impose its own brand of mob justice and get away unscathed. Nonetheless, excluding the Muslims of India from the mainstream by eliminating their religious identity will have far- reaching consequences. The matter has been settled for a while, but it will continue to haunt the much-celebrated judicial system of India for decades.

The writer is associated with the Research Team at Maritime Study Forum, a think tank based in Islamabad, and writes frequently on political and social affairs surrounding the region. He can be reached at [email protected] Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 27 Region

Yet, the months of October-November saw a discord between the two that culminated in a divorce. Like an Indian film blockbuster, the twist in the tale of Maharashtrian politics started in October when the coalition of these two parties won the state assembly elections together. Shive Sena and BJP had agreed on a formula for governing the state before the elections whereby the incumbent BJP chief minster Mr. Devendra Fadnavis would continue to hold office for the next two and a half years, and hand over the reins of the state to Shiv Sena’s leader Uddhav Thackeray for the remaining term. However, the results of the elections – or rather the number of seats secured by each party, changed the entire political matrix. The BJP had won 142 seats in the previous election, but its total tally was reduced to 105 seats, while Shiv Sena dropped down from its previous 75 seats to just 56. Narendra Modi saw this as existential threat. Its numbers were already to woo NCP’s Ajit Pawar, the BJP-controlled an opportunity to sideline its minor local dwindling as more and more of its rank and home ministry dropped all corruption charges partner and demanded that the previous file defected to the bigger and richer BJP. against him without stating any reason. arrangement of sharing the post of chief Once stripped of the chief ministership, the The drama played out in Maharashtra minister be scrapped. Shiv Sena thought it would lose real power in laid bare the fundamental flaws within the Shiv Sena’s position Maharashtra and become Indian democracy. Politicians showed how was further weakened by a truly local underdog. easily they could manipulate the innate the National Congress Party What is really Not to be outfoxed by elasticity of this system until it suited their (NCP) which had managed amazing Narendra Modi, the Shiv crooked whims. to gain 54 seats. Narendra Sena decided to embrace The final product of this reckless Modi made it clear to the about this its long-term adversary, political maneuvering is an alliance of a Sena that in case it clung political the secular Congress fundamentally fascist party, a secular party, to its demand, the BJP Party which had secured and its nationalist offshoot. This bizarre would form an alliance with game is that 44 seats. However, the invention will have many believe that the the NCP whose 54 seats it was played Sena still needed the NCP Sena tiger has finally turned vegetarian. But combined with BJP’s 105 in order to secure the how long will this marriage of convenience would hand him the majority entirely in majority. last is anybody’s guess. (145 seats) required for Thus began a game Indian extremity is not limited to politics. forming the government. full view of of betrayal, deceit and The economy is in a pretty bad shape too. NCP, on its part, the public. dirty political maneuvering Unemployment is high, and production is low. recognized this opportunity that saw multiple The GDP is below 4.5%, and even this figure and began sending signals defections, desertions, may be engineered by the government. Modi that it may be willing to part ways with the renouncements, and coming-backs until, needs a distraction – a war – or a skirmish. Congress party. finally, the Shiv Sena boss, Uddav Thackeray The world should expect a spectacle Narendra Modi couldn’t have asked for turned up with the majority and became the from India’s biggest showman pretty soon. more. On the one hand, he was getting an chief minister of Maharashtra. opportunity to deliver a punch below the belt What is really amazing about this political The writer is a free- to its main national rival and, on the other, game is that it was played entirely in full view lancer and an investment he had the chance of getting rid of the Shiv of the public. The state’s 112 million people banker based in Karachi. Sena which it had always considered nothing watched helplessly as handouts were thrown, He can be reached more than a local Maharashtrian thorn. grabbed, and sides switched repeatedly. At at syedatifshamim@ Shiv Sena saw this development as an one point during these negotiations, in order hotmail.com

28 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Region Live With Thy Neighbour New D elhi Since neighbours cannot be changed, India and Pakistan would have to find ways to co-exist peacefully.

medical services during the over four month set up for the purpose. The bitterness, even By S.R.H. Hashmi old curfew. massacres of only a few years back, were t is extremely shocking that the Hindu I believe one single factor that could forgotten. One wishes and prays for the revival extremist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) greatly help Muslims in India would be the of that atmosphere in the sub-continent and has made life hell for all the minority development of cordial relations between beyond. With mutual effort, it could happen. Icommunities in India, with Muslims being India and Pakistan, which have been at each The situation was bad enough as it is but their main target. It is an ugly change from other's throats off and on since partition. the re-election of Narindra Modi has made the pre-partition days when Hindus and Sorting out mainly Kashmir and water issues things worse. The best that can be expected Muslims had lived together fairly peacefully is the doorway to peace in the region. at present is a reasonable working relationship for centuries. Prior to coming to Pakistan, my parents between the two countries, provided both Now, to survive in India, Muslims have to lived in a peaceful part of India where there are prepared to make fundamental changes cultivate close relations with other oppressed were no religious tensions. However, after in their attitude towards each other. I bet minority groups to build a stronger voice for listening to the Quaid-e-Azam's speech in the that won’t be easy. However, it would be their common protection. Also, they should city, all Muslims in my father's government disastrous to leave things as they are because form alliances with other minorities, especially office opted for and set out for Pakistan. both countries are nuclear-armed and there is Sikhs, who think favourably of Muslims While on the way, we saw massacres on both the risk that the nearly daily skirmishes may, after the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor sides of the border. People seemed to have in an unguarded moment, spiral out of control in Pakistan. And near the next elections, turned into the wildest of animals. and lead to a full-blown war, escalating further Muslims must form election alliances with However, a few years after the partition into a nuclear conflict. Such a catastrophe other minority communities, including Sikhs when, during India-Pakistan cricket matches, could devastate not only both the countries and moderate Hindu parties. There are signs restrictions at the Wagah border near Lahore but the entire region and there would be that even moderate Hindus are fed up with were eased, Hindus and Sikhs from nearby little prospect of recovery anytime soon. In the extremist BJP which has spoiled the Indian towns came to Lahore in large numbers the interest of regional peace and more so 'Shining India' image and has also destroyed to watch the matches, and were given a in the interest of India and Pakistan, peace the economy. Hopefully, a combination of wonderful welcome at the camps especially initiatives must be made instead of beating these factors will result in war drums. ousting the extremist BJP in It is possible to develop the next elections and bring a reasonable working to power moderate leaders relationship with Modi now who will gradually reverse the when he stands trapped negative trends. through his own drastic When it comes to measures and could be looking persecuting Muslims in for a way out. Basically, Modi Indian-occupied Kashmir, had followed the Israeli model Narindra Modi has crossed all in Kashmir, hoping he will get limits of legality, humanity and just as much western backing decency. Over eight hundred as Israel did, which was thousand disorderly Indian wishful thinking on his part. soldiers have been let loose Still, because of its massive on 8 million besieged Kashmiri population, India provides Muslims. These butchers a big market for Western have been using pellet guns, products and also serves as arresting and torturing youth, an ally against China which is raping women and depriving considered a threat to Western people of even food and civilization. It is because of

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 29 Region

this that the Western world has not taken any d

meaningful measures against India despite its a illegal and inhuman acts in occupied Kashmir b Countering and elsewhere in the country.

Pakistan has done all it could on the ama diplomatic front to attract world attention to the sl

I Terror atrocities committed by the Indian army which has unleashed a reign of terror on the eight million Muslims in occupied Kashmir. However, apart from lip-service, neither the United Nations Financing nor the powerful Western countries, have The FATF has woken Pakistan from its done anything meaningful to bring relief to the Kashmiris. After all, if the US and its Western slumber. The country must move beyond mere allies had any sympathy for the Muslims, they knee-jerk reactions. would not have devastated Iraq, Syria and Libya. By S Akhtar Ali Shah To add to the tragedy, even some Muslim states which had previously supported the Kashmir ombating anti-money laundering and terror financing is now at the highest cause are now non-committal because of their pedestal as a determinant in interstate relationships. The Financial Action close business relations with India. Task Force (FATF) a conglomerate of governments and an offshoot of their The biggest hurdle to decent relations Cforeign policies, has an overarching role in setting standards with the aim between India and Pakistan has always been to pursue effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for the Kashmir issue. On the one hand, millions fighting money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of Muslims are being persecuted there and, on of the international financial system. The ideal to be achieved is to have a coordinated the other, the rivers flowing into Pakistan also strategy to meet the challenges. The other allied sub-group is the Asia Pacific Group originate there. The two countries have fought a (APG) with a task to implement anti-money laundering policies and initiatives as well as few wars over the Kashmir issue. However, now to secure an agreement to establish a more permanent regional anti money laundering that these countries are nuclear-armed, another regime. With a lead role, both the entities gauge the capacity and efforts of member war between them would only lead to massive countries in combating money laundering in support of terrorism. self-destruction and become an obstacle for the Although, despite all criticism dubbing those as instruments to pressurise rest of the world in attaining many of its growth developing countries to follow the dotted line, the stark reality is Pakistan is still goals. grappling with the problem of an undocumented economy and violent non-state However, India is unwilling to loosen its actors who are also operating under the guise of charities and other forums. grip on Kashmir and the United Nations and There are laws to deal with issues such as the Pakistan Penal Code, the Criminal powerful world leaders do not seem to be ready to pressurize the Indians to behave. The only possible solution, no matter how repugnant, would then be for Pakistan to accept the line of control as the actual border, subject to significant relief for Muslims in IOK and satisfactory solution of the water issue. It makes no sense to continue crying for the moon and depriving the Muslims of India of relief. Pakistan also needs to make a policy-level decision regarding the possibility of extreme water scarcity and flooding of its lands due to India's water terrorism. If a neighbour cannot be changed, at least some way can be found to co-exist with it.

The writer is a free-lance contributor with interest in regional, South Asian and international affairs. He can be reached at [email protected]

30 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Region

Procedure Code, Qanoon e Shahadat, (Evidence Law), Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010, Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, Investigation of Fair Trial Act 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act, 1997, the State Bank, Companies Act 2017, Societies Registration Act 1860, etc. Pakistan is also a signatory to all kinds of treaties dealing with terror financing. But the problem lies in their efficient and effective implementation. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the first ever National Internal Security Policy of Pakistan 2014-2018 (NISP) gave overarching guidelines to protect the national interests of Pakistan by enhancing deterrence and capacity of the security apparatus to neutralize the threats to the internal security of Pakistan. The emphasis was on giving a lead role to Counter struggling hard to come out of the grey list. even in such posh places as Hayatabad in Terrorism Departments (CTD) through The agitating question is why is Pakistan in Peshawar. reorganization and activation comprising a Catch 22 situation? While analyzing the The situation does not demand knee- intelligence, operations, investigations and documents of National Internal Security jerk action but sound strategy by a core other technical sections enabling them 2014-2018, 2018-2022 read with the team of specialists, even if they are from to tackle the entire spectrum of internal National Action Plan, it is found that all outside the government. It needs to be security threats, including terrorism and good phrases, analytical skills, goals and understood that one of the most important subversive activities. timelines at the implementation stage have elements of strategy is to examine the The National Action Plan further an abysmally low outcome. All the clichés baseline. Having worked out the weak augmented and simplified of functional specialization areas, forward movement can be made those points, according Pakistan is used in the legal lexicon by plugging the gaps and taking remedial highest priority to choke and the policies lose measures. Today, the weak area is the terror financing. In line still grappling their meaning, ultimating capacity of the implementing agencies with the same spirit, exposuing the weak such as the FIA and the Counter Terrorism the Home Department with the capacity of the whole Department. They still suffer from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in hierarchy dealing with problems of functional specializtion, having order to achieve the goals problem of an terror financing. nominal specialists in comparison to the set by NISP, formed a undocumented When the hammer magnitude of the problem. The heads of working group for reforms of international agencies such departments are usually generalists in the criminal justice economy. comes down, the system having no expertise in the relevant areas. system in 2014. The reacts abruptly, such There is a need to not only provide crash group recommended the as bashing non-profit training programmes but to also induct formation of units of anti-money laundering organisations and actions against them functional experts in the Counter Terrorism and cybercrime in the Counter Terrorism under maintenance laws. Suddenly, the Department and the FIA, specializing in Department. But, unfortunately, it has not office of the DC, the Counter Terrorism countering-terrorism and cyber crime. seen the light of the day so far which has Department, the Special Branch, Industries Moreover, a careful selection of their heads hampered the capacity of the Counter and others spring into action one after who have a clear understanding of these Terrorism Department. the other in a mechanical fashion, tarring issues is imperative. Although, different entities involved in all with the same brush and asking in a the process of countering terror appear harassing manner for information within The writer is a former Home to be doing hard work to transform hours. Usually, such ire falls on genuine Secretary and a retired IGP. challenges into opportunities, the country non-profit organisations also known as He currently heads a think is still in thick soup. The requirements of NGOs, whereas a blind eye is turned to tank ‘’ Good Governance the FATF are hanging over Pakistan like places of worship and seminaries. The Forum’’ and can be reached the sword of Damocles and the country is area covered is within a short radius, at [email protected]

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 31 Region

Dhaka The Sun, the Moon and the Truth

Many celebrated people and institutions in today’s Bangladesh, including Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank, have drawn the government’s ire.

By Sabria Chowdhury Balland Dr. Yunus from his position as the Manag- be lauded. ing Director of Grameen Bank, announcing Furthermore, there was the case of the “Jealousy is both reasonable and belongs that the bank needed to be “reviewed and World Bank refusing to finance the Padma to reasonable men, while envy is base and investigated”. The allegations were based Bridge on the basis of what it stated was belongs to the base, for the one makes on questions on the effectiveness of mi- corruption at the highest levels of Sheikh himself get good things by jealousy, while crofinancing, stating that, essentially, it was Hasina’s government. In a convoluted the other does not allow his neighbour to nothing more than being a loan shark and move, the Awami League government de- have them through envy.” the motives were profit-based. Further- cided to use the World Bank’s refusal as – Aristotle more, there were allegations of coercion, one influenced by Dr. Yunus. Once again, e is perhaps the most celebrated peer pressure and physical harassment of the allegations were baseless. citizen of Bangladesh, winning loan defaulters, which were reported about The reason behind Sheikh Hasina’s the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. some other microfinance organizations. hostilities towards Dr. Yunus date back to HIn 1983, he founded Grameen These allegations were automatically con- 2007. At this time, the Bangladeshi army Bank, an organization which lanched the nected to Grameen Bank as well. It had was backing a caretaker government and innovative practice of providing small loans become evident that the government of a mechanism was launched to get the two to rural women in poverty. In 2008, he was Bangladesh, in particular, Sheikh Hasina, bickering begums, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh rated number two in Foreign Policy Maga- was exploiting questions of morality which Hasina, out of politics. Both leaders were zine’s list of the Top 100 Global Thinkers. began to be associated with microfinance imprisoned, while the army and the bureau- His name is Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his in general in order to expel Dr. Yunus. crats, who were at the center of power, organization, Grameen Bank, became a Because Norway is a 58% stakeholder chose Dr. Yunus as a refreshing alternative globally recognized model for microfinance. in Grameenphone, it conducted an inves- for the leadership of the country. He had an The organization did not stop there, launch- tigation and cleared all allegations of any untarnished image and was respected and ing 48 other firms in widely varied sectors misappropriation of funds by the organiza- admired internationally as a Nobel laure- such as mobile phones and textiles. There tion. However, this did not stop the Bangla- ate who had lifted hundreds of thousands is not a single country which does not hon- desh government in launching its crusade of Bangladeshi women out of poverty. The or and respect Dr. Yunus, except one: his against Dr. Yunus and Grameenphone, plan eventually fizzled out, but to this day, home country - Bangladesh. clearly aimed at defaming and discredit- Sheikh Hasina has clearly not forgotten the In 2011, the Bangladesh Prime Min- ing a citizen of Bangladesh who, in any incident. ister, Sheikh Hasina’s government ousted healthy environment of governance, would Dr. Yunus’ friendship with Bill and Hillary

32 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Region

Clinton also provided a false narrative that all three had a hand in the World Bank’s withdrawal of funding for the Padma Bridge. The delu- sions did not cease there. It was also alleged Between by Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League that

the Clintons endorsed Dr. Yunus for the Nobel Thi m phu Prize, and miraculously, he received it! Need- Giants less to say, Hillary Clinton is also on Hasina Wa- jed’s “hate list” based on these concoctions. The tiny kingdom of Bhutan is stirring with life as its Time and time and time again, decade after young population aspires for change. decade, we have been subjected to witnessing the mischaracterization and vilification of indi- By S.G Jilanee viduals, organizations, opposing political parties and adversaries by the leadership in Ban- gladesh and all without logic, basis and, most importantly, ethical grounds. We have seen it happening to all members of the opposition, main opposition leader Khaleda Zia, former President and freedom fighter, General Ziaur Rahman, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court SK Sinha, internationally celebrated and respected photographer, Shahidul Alam, most recently the Bangladesh cricket team captain, Shakib Al Hassan and of course Dr. Yunus, just to name a few. The very unfortunate circumstances obviously create a vacuum in which the future generations of Bangladesh can look up to a less and less of a shrinking list of accomplished Bangladeshis to aspire to and idolize. Success based on honest hard work and intellect is somehow transformed into a negative because it upsets the temperament or powers that be. Even a Nobel Prize cannot protect a person from persecution in present-day Bangladesh ith its less than a million people, the majority of them young, and even a Nobel laureate is treated like a cul- Bhutan sits serenely ensconced between two giants, India and prit! Granted, Dr. Yunus was recently granted China, playing its cards carefully in order to cultivate friendly bail after an arrest warrant was issued against W relations with both. him and this gave the ruling party and its lead- With China, it has no formal diplomatic relations. Relations in general have ership the much desired and self-proclaimed been historically tense. China shares a contiguous border of 470 kilometres with image of being champions of humanitarianism. Bhutan and its territorial disputes with the country have been a source of potential Even if the majority of Bangladeshis bought conflict. Since the 1980s, though, the two governments have conducted regular into the narrative of defamation against Dr. Yu- talks on border and security issues aimed at reducing tensions. nus or anyone else with a similar misfortune, Along with the occupation of Tibet, the Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army (and this is most certainly not the case), to occupied eight western Tibetan enclaves under Bhutanese administration. quote Sidhhartha Gautama Buddha, “Three Chinese soldiers and Tibetan herdsmen also provoked tensions in Bhutan. things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the This led to imposition of a cross-border trade embargo and closing of the border. moon and the truth.” On the other hand, Bhutan has established extensive military ties with India. During the 1962 Sino-India War, Bhutanese authorities permitted Indian The writer is a teacher, political troop movements through Bhutanese territory. However, India's defeat in the columnist and member of war raised concerns about its ability to defend Bhutan. Consequently, while the US Democratic Party. building its ties with India, Bhutan officially established a policy of neutrality. She can be reached at Actually, there are four disputed areas between Bhutan and China. Starting [email protected] from Doklam in the west, the border goes along the ridges from Gamochen

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 33 Region

to Batangla, Sinchela and down to the Amo Chhu. The disputed area in Doklam covers 89 square kilometres while that in Sinchulumpa and Gieu cover about 180 km2. Until the 1970s, India represented Bhutan's concerns in talks with China over the broader Sino-Indian border conflicts. After obtaining membership of the United Nations in 1971, Bhutan began to take a different course in its foreign policy in the U.N. Bhutan, alongside India, voted in favour of the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) filling the seat occupied by the Republic of China (ROC) and openly supported the “One China policy”. In 1974 in a symbolic overture, Bhutan invited the Chinese ambassador to India to attend the coronation of Jigme Singhye Wangchuk as the King of Bhutan. In 1983, the the Convention of Calcutta. China claimed Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian and on July 5, 2017 it had a "basic consensus" Bhutanese Foreign Minister, Dawa Tsering India remains with Bhutan and there was no dispute held talks in New York on establishing between the two countries. But, on August bilateral relations. In 1984, China and influential 10, 2017, Bhutan rejected Beijing's claim Bhutan began annual, direct talks over the that Doklam belonged to China. border dispute. over Bhutan's With India, Bhutan shares a ‘special In 1998, China and Bhutan signed relationship.” making it a “protected a bilateral agreement for maintaining foreign policy, state,” though, not a “protectorate” of peace on the border. In the agreement, India. Therefore, India remains influential China affirmed its respect for Bhutan's defence and over Bhutan's foreign policy, defence sovereignty and territorial integrity and both and commerce. In fiscal 2012–13, India's sides sought to build ties based on the commerce. budgetary support to Bhutan stood at Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. US$600 million. It steadily rose over the However, China's building of roads on years to reach US$985 million in 2015–16, what Bhutan asserts to be Bhutanese was put on high alert and border security making Bhutan the largest beneficiary of territory, allegedly in violation of the 1998 was tightened as a result of the growing India's foreign aid. agreement, provoked tensions. In 2002, tensions. The Royal Government of Bhutan Bhutan’s former Prime Minister, Tsering however, China presented what it claimed has not confirmed in any manner that Tobgay, secured an additional aid package to be 'evidence', asserting its ownership of Bhutan asked India to intervene. A stand- from India, worth US$ 819 million for his disputed tracts of land; after negotiations, off between China and India has endured nation during his visit to New Delhi in August an interim agreement was reached. since mid-June 2017 at the tri-junction 2013. The government of Bhutan also On 11 August 2016 Bhutan Foreign adjacent to the Indian state of Sikkim, received Nu.4 billion for trade facilitation Minister Damcho Dorji visited Beijing for after the Indian army blocked the Chinese and boosting economic linkages. the 24th round of boundary talks with construction of a road in what Bhutan and However, though Bhutan’s trade Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao. India consider Bhutanese territory. and commerce is mostly with India, yet Both sides made comments to show their Both India and China deployed 3000 the latter also provides it the facility for readiness to strengthen cooperation in troops on June 30, 2017. On the same day, conducting its commerce with the outside various fields with the hope of settling the China released a map claiming that Doklam world. boundary issues. belonged to China. It also claimed, via On June 29, 2017, Bhutan protested the map, that territory south of Gipmochi The writer is a senior to China against the construction of a road belonged to China and that it was supported political analyst and former in the disputed territory of Doklam, at the by the Convention of Calcutta. On July 3, editor of SouthAsia. meeting point of Bhutan, India and China. 2017, China told India that former Indian He can be reached at On the same day, the Bhutanese border prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru accepted [email protected]

34 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Region r a The Long Goodbye The Americans are taking a long time to withdraw from Afghanistan. US departure dAh would be a solution to Afghanistan’s long-drawn problems as it would be in the interest of the Afghan people to stand on their own feet. Kan

By Labbaba Jahangir

fghanistan was a graveyard for the Soviets and the Americans will meet the same fate. For years Anow, they have been planning a withdrawal but that seems impossible in the prevailing situation. How did the USA, being a superpower, lose the war against the tribal Afghans, is a question that needs serious answers. Was it a lack of strategy on America’s part or the shrewdness of the enemy or maybe a bit of both? Perhaps the Americans expected that the flimsy Afghans would be simply trammeled under US boots. Pakistan has always played a vital role in wars fought in Afghanistan. Recently, when some US war veterans wrote and listed the reasons for the failure of the US in Afghanistan, they termed the duplicity of Pakistan as one reason. It is a common belief among the Americans, that a victory in Afghanistan was impossible so long as Pakistan controlled the supply routes, providing safe havens for Afghan terrorists. Pakistan’s national interests. and the economy was affected in a major There is also the view that the American Pakistani has said on various occasions way and all because Pakistan was fighting senior leadership had, after 9/11, empha- that the US needs to work with it to end a war that was forced on it. sized the means over the ends in Afghani- the war in Afghanistan. The doubts regard- Pakistan has never supported any ter- stan and, in the urgency to respond to the ing Pakistan wanting peace and stability rorist activity on its land. It does not al- attacks, had never strategized this war in Afghanistan are based on assumptions low use of its territory against any country properly. Even now it appears as if the USA and speculations. The world fails to realize though it has always been a target of proxy has no framework through which it can that peace and stability in Pakistan largely wars on various fronts. The USA has used withdraw from Afghanistan. It seems the depends upon the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan as a scapegoat on numerous oc- US officials didn’t fully understand how to For years the people of Pakistan have suf- casions. Hillary Clinton regarded Pakistan align their objectives with proper planning fered tremendously due to the unsettling as a training ground as well as a place to so that they can leave behind a peaceful situation across the border. dump weapons and launch forces against and stable Afghanistan. The Pakistan economy suffered a loss the Soviets in 1980s. The first and foremost priority of a state of $126.79 billion in the war since 2001 There is talk about the longest war the is always its national interest. The war that while over 70,000 Pakistanis lost their lives. USA has been fighting in Afghanistan and the USA and its allies started in Afghanistan The overall security situation in Pakistan has the causes for the US’s failure in that war under the slogan of war against terrorism remained volatile in all these years. People are being deduced. But there is no concern was in their national interest. The decisions coming to Pakistan canceled their trips, about the helplessness of the Afghan peo- that Pakistani governments have taken sports teams refused to play on Pakistan’s ple who have been subjected to an endless over the years have also been aligned with grounds and the tourism industry suffered war and sufferings for over 4 decades. Pak-

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 35 Region

Pakistan and Afghanistan have Kalapani long been caught India’s aggressive move to show Kalapani up in the power du h man Kat as its territory in a new map has sparked struggle between a dispute with Nepal. By S.G Jilanee world powers. n British India, Kalapani meant the convict settlements of Andaman and istan and Afghanistan have long been caught Nicobar Islands below the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean where criminals up in the power struggle between world pow- sentenced to life imprisonment were transported. But, in today’s idiom, ers. These states are punished because of their IKalapani is the name of a territory, disputed between India and Nepal – and locations and their people suffer at the hands of there is no pani (sea) in the region – just a river! The dispute was sparked by a external powers. recent Indian map, showing Kalapani as a part of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The United States is now faced with the But the Nepal government contends that the area lies within its territory and has embarrassment of losing an 18-year long war. It raised objections to its inclusion in India's new political map, which has triggered seems though that it doesn’t seem to have any loud protests in Kathmandu. plans for a complete withdrawal. It is a fact that Kalapani is a 35 sq. km. stretch of land, located at an altitude of 3600m on the the American people are now tired of squan- Kailash Manasarovar route. It borders Uttarakhand in India and Sudurpashchim dering money and losing their precious lives in Pradesh in Nepal. a war that seems to have no end. For them, While Nepal claims Kalapani to be a part of its Darchula district, the region is the sooner the US forces leave Afghanistan, administered by India as a part of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand. the better. The talks that had been initiated be- Nepal also claims that the river to the west of Kalapani is the main Kali River; tween the US government and the Taliban had hence it belongs to Nepal. The river borders the Nepalese district of Darchua in raised some hope that the withdrawal process Sudurpashchim province and the Indian district of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand would be accelerated but it now seems things state. The Nepal government, therefore, claims that the Kalapani territory located are back to square one as the US president in its far-west is an integral part of its state. some time back called off the talks with the The Treaty of Sugauli signed by the Kingdom of Nepal and the Government of Taliban. British India on 4 March 1816, locates the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary It seems the US is now looking for some- with India. The 1911 British Indian gazette Almora Volume XXXV by JMS Adams one to put the blame on for its long military en- shows that the Kali River is originated as Kunthi Yangti River. The people of Vyas gagement in Afghanistan and the fact that the region were instructed to pay taxes in Nepal. whole effort has been a fruitless one. Its high Subsequent maps drawn by British surveyors show the source of the boundary time they acknowledge their shortcomings river at different places. This discrepancy in locating the source of the river has and learn from the experience. The Americans led to boundary disputes between India and Nepal, with each country producing should be happy that they have succeeded in at least gaining a foothold in a part of the world that overlooks Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and China. Now it’s time for them to end their long goodbye – though it is obvious that it will not be a hundred percent US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The writer has an abiding interest in international relations. She has a Masters degree in the subject from the National Defence University, Islamabad and can be reached at [email protected]

36 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Region

maps supporting their own claims. The Kali Company in 1816, the Kali River was located Kalapani River. The Nepalese maps show River runs through an area that includes as Nepal's western boundary with India. It, this area, measuring 35 square kilometres, a disputed piece of about 400 square km however, made no mention of a ridgeline as part of Nepal's Darchula district. around the source of the river although the and subsequent maps of the areas drawn Meanwhile, Nepal’s foreign ministry exact size of the disputed area varies from by British surveyors showed the source of has stated that the Nepal government was source to source. the Kali River at different places. committed to protecting its international Nonetheless, Kalapani has been This discrepancy has led to the border and any border-related issue controlled by India's Indo-Tibetan Border boundary disputes between India and between the two friendly countries needed Police since the Sino-Indian War in 1962, Nepal, with each country producing maps to be resolved through the diplomatic without any objection from Nepal. including the territory in their own area to channel, based on historical documents India considers Kalapani as part of support their claims. The exact size of the and evidence. This is a very prudent move, Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, while Kalapani territory also varies in different because, it rules out any armed clash Nepal treats it as part of its Darchula district sources between the disputants. and an integral part of its country. However, Kalapani, though disputed How the Kalapani dispute will, ultimately, The Nepal government made the between India and Nepal, is under Indian be sorted out between India and Nepal, is claim on Kalapani on November 6, 2019, administration as part of Pithoragarh district too early to predict at present. But, there a few days after India issued its new in the Uttarakhand state. But, according can be no question that India’s new map political map, which showed Kalapani to Nepal, it lies in Darchula district in is a crass attempt to bully its neighbour by as a part of the Indian Union. The Nepal Sudurpashchim Pradesh. It is marked by needlessly sparking a controversy. Worse, government is clear that the area lies within the Kalapani River, one of the headwaters it betrays a new trend in India’s external its jurisdiction. of the Kali River in the Himalayas at an policy, from acting like a peace-broker Nepal claims that the river located altitude of 3600 to 5200 meters. It forms among the South Asian countries, to a towards the west of the territory is the main the boundary between India and Nepal in troublemaker. Kali River and thus it falls in its territory, this region. However, India states that the India, on the other hand, claims a ridgeline headwaters of the river are not included in The writer is a senior towards the east of the Kalapani territory the boundary. Here the border runs along political analyst and former and hence includes it in the Indian Union. the watershed. This position dates back to editor of SouthAsia. Under the treaty of Sugauli signed British India as far back as 1865. He can be reached at between Nepal and the British East India Today, Nepal claims all the area up to the [email protected] Return to Autocracy With one Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka’s President and the other as Prime Minister, it is expected the country will enter a new era of Colo m bo autocratic rule, corruption and nepotism.

By Taha Kehar Though 2015 steered Sri Lanka away A vast majority of Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese from the web of nepotism woven by the population believes that Gotabaya and t is difficult to forget Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s graft-addled Rajapaksas, the island nation’s Mahinda’s persistent endeavours enabled the tenure as Sri Lanka’s defence secretary. political climate after the Easter bombings Sri Lankan army to quash attempts by the Under him, a diverse range of human in April 2019 has once again brought the Tamil Tigers to establish a separate state in Irights violations and war crimes were clan into public office. In November 2019, the country. That Gotabaya was able to get reported. While the defence chief permitted the erstwhile defence secretary won the 52% votes suggests that he is still riding on these transgressions to run rampant, his presidential elections and pledged to appoint the crest of his wartime popularity. brother Mahinda Rajapaksa served as the Mahinda as the country’s prime minister. As expected, public memory is short-lived president of the country and pushed the As the Rajapaksas gear up for their and the crimes against humanity committed Sri Lankan polity towards authoritarianism. second innings in power, the stage is set during the civil war have been conveniently Around the same time, other Rajapaksa for yet another authoritarian regime that overlooked. Analysts believe that the influence siblings also assumed key positions in the will blithely distort democratic values and of the Rajapaksas hasn’t been weakened by corridors of power, making the clan’s dynastic undermine civil liberties. However, Gotabaya’s these allegations because national security ambitions all the more palpable. victory continues to divide public opinion. considerations are above and beyond any

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 37 Region

acts of cruelty against the Tamil Tigers. Rajapaksa government may sound the death previous Rajapaksa regime. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential knell for efforts to curtail these issues. According to a report published in The campaign capitalized on these sentiments The centralization of power and gradual New York Times, a crackdown is feared on after the Easter attacks. The incumbent institutional erosion are likely to make matters critics of the so-called Rajapaksa political president led the electorate to believe that worse. During the previous Rajapaksa dynasty. As a consequence, a vast number of active surveillance and drastic changes within government, then president Mahinda officials and media personnel who had been the intelligence services could control “Islamist Rajapaksa dismantled constitutional pro- conducting investigations on the political extremism” from gaining currency. Gotabaya visions that stipulated term limits for the clan’s involvement in human rights abuses was able to secure a win for himself by presidency – an autocratic move that showed and corruption are trying to flee Sri Lanka. exploiting the frailties of the country’s troubled disregard for the constitution. Years later, Some weeks ago, a Sri Lankan employee electorate after April’s terrorist attacks and Mahinda joined hands with former president of the Swiss embassy in Colombo was the subsequent instability. Sirisena to push the country towards a kidnapped. The abducted official was forced Now that a Rajapaksa government is in repressive path through an attempted to reveal sensitive information about Sri office, we cannot expect accountability for coup. With such a checkered history in Lankan citizens who had sought asylum in the alleged war crimes. Instead, the abuse of preserving democratic values, it is unlikely Switzerland because they feared for their power and the cycle of bigotry are likely to that Gotabaya’s decision to bring his brother safety under the new president. A travel increase, and threaten democratic survival. into the prime ministerial slot will bode well for ban was simultaneously imposed on over During the previous Rajapaksa regime, the nation. 700 members of the Sri Lankan police who nepotism was deeply embedded in the polity An editorial comment – titled ‘We fear were involved in investigations against the and meritocracy was dealt a critical blow. Gotabaya’ (Sunday Observer, November Rajapaksas. Until 2015, approximately two-thirds of Sri 10) – that was published days before the Separately, a group of police officials Lanka’s national budget was controlled by the presidential election, outlined the Rajapaksas’ and officers in plain clothes raided a Rajapaksas. If news reports are to serve as uneasy relationship with journalists and news outlet that was fiercely critical of the a gauge, key slots within state corporations activists. According to the editorial, “the Rajapaksas. Journalists were asked to and the national airline were monopolized Rajapaksa standing for election this time have their computers examined for by members of the Rajapaksa clan. was the defence secretary under any objectionable content. Although Even diplomatic postings were made whose watch journalists were killed no incriminating material was found, it on the basis of nepotism. Since the and abducted and citizens exercising appears that this was a flagrant attempt Sri Lankan government is now run their democratic right to protest were to threaten the media and encourage by siblings, one can expect similar shot to death”. With Gotabaya in the top journalists to pursue tactics of self- practices in the years to come. Though slot, media freedom will be compromised censorship to avoid a falling out with the corruption and nepotism have remained to a large extent as the scope of dissent powers that be. recurring problems in Sri Lanka, another will shrink further than it was under the Conventional wisdom would have us believe that the Rajapaksas, who were brought back into the saddle by a Sinhalese majority fuelled by Buddhist nationalism, may rule the country in a fundamentally divisive manner. Minority groups, such as the Tamils and Muslims, may find themselves shortchanged by this arrangement. With Sinhalese nationalism at its peak after the Easter bombings, anti-minority violence and a new wave of ethnic strife will emerge. With the seeds of bigotry sown in Sri Lanka, the return of the Rajapaksas is more ikely to weaken the roots of democracy.

The writer is a journalist and author. He analyses international issues and can be reached at

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. [email protected]

38 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 InteNernationalighbour

Tehran Meeting Challenges Head-On The West and Iran must meet at some point of mutual peace and remove long-pending disputes or the region could simply blow up and there would be no going back.

By Amjad Ali Siyal

ran has had a chequered history from the times of the ancient Persian Empire. The turmoil has continued to the Ipost-revolution present-day Iran. The country has faced immense challenges in recent times, due to its ongoing tussle with the United States and the Middle Eastern Arab-monarchies. Recently, a wave of violent protests spread like wildfire after a fuel price hike was announced. These demonstrations are believed to be the largest uprisings since the 1979 revolution which overthrew the Shah of Iran. The November protests resulted in the loss of dozens of lives, thousands injured and public and private properties damaged. These agitations were also fueled by the Besides, there was a naval blockade and against the fuel price hike. Drivers left their foreign opponents of Iran to bring the the US and its allies were standing eyeball vehicles on the roads and participated in Iranian regime to its toes. to eyeball against Iran for some days. It was the demonstrations. According to Interior Iran has a bitter past. As the country has feared that this brinkmanship might spiral Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli “as been under international sanctions due to its out of control and turn into a full-blown war. many as 200,000 people took part in the development of a nuclear programme, the Apparently, it was aimed at bringing the protests and 731 banks, 70 petrol stations economic growth rate has slowed down to Iranian economy to near standstill, so that and 140 government sites were set ablaze. a historic low which has put severe pressure internal anarchy might erupt and a regime More than 50 security bases were also on the population. Successful negotiations change could be realized without direct attacked”. and inking of the Joint Comprehensive intervention. In response, the regime resorted to Plan of Action (JCPOA) back in 2015 The roots of the recent discontent can ruthless force in an attempt to curb the gave rise to hope that the sufferings of the be traced to the economic woes of the widespread protests. Supreme Leader Iranian people would be relieved, and a Iranian citizens. The Rouhani government Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dubbed the violent confrontational atmosphere will come to an increased fuel prices to 15,000 rials per protestors as “thugs” and labelled them end. Nonetheless, as President Trump took litre; earlier it was 10,000 rials for the first as counter-revolutionaries while President oath, he vowed to unilaterally withdraw from 60 liters per month and each additional Hassan Rouhani said, “anarchy and rioting the JCPOA alleging that Tehran did not litre after that would be charged 30,000 will not be tolerated”. As per estimates, more comply with the agreement. Although other rials. That amount was to be diverted as than 200 fatalities had occurred and 800 members of the P5+1 were satisfied with cash handouts to the poorest citizens. persons had been injured. Nevertheless, the Iranian side, President Trump withdrew Despite one of the lowest fuel prices US sources claimed the casualties could through a presidential order followed by even after the recent increase, people be around 1000. The government imposed more economic sanctions against Iran. came into the streets of around 100 cities a weeklong internet blackout in order to

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 39 Neighbour

restrict information-sharing related to the lives after the crackdown. Under pressure, to resolve outstanding issues with its Arab gory incidents that boccurred during the President Rouhani recognized the legitimate neighbours or the status quo will continue clampdown against the demonstrators. protests and ordered that "clemency should to hound both sides. In addition, as Iran Undoubtedly, though the be shown and those innocent people who was compliant with the JCPOA agreement, demonstrations were sparked by the rise protested against petrol price hikes and the Trump administration must reinstate in fuel prices, the opponents of Iran left no were not armed should be released”. the status of the agreement. In case any stone unturned to exploit the situation in Now that the protests have been lacunae are identified in the deal, they may their own favour.It was the largest wave of curbed, the Iranian regime must tackle be negotiated in coordination with other protests that had swept across Iran after issues at the internal front. Firstly, it has concerned parties. Britain, China, France, the Revolution. President Trump, during his to bring about transparency in order to Russia and Germany have an important visit to London, remarked “Iran was killing address the problems faced by the citizens. role to play in the resolution of the US- perhaps thousands and thousands of Secondly, it must release the facts with Iran nuclear issue. Lifting of sanctions people right now as we speak”. The Trump regard to the actual number of causalties, will also provide breathing space to the Administration tried unsuccessfully to injured persons, number of incarcerated Iranian citizenry. The world has suffered intensify the chaos in order to bring down people, etc. Thirdly, they should also show a lot after 9/11 and it cannot sustain the regime. release all the protestors who were not another disastrous inter-state or intra-state Ironically, the manipulations on the part involved in any heinous act as ordered conflict. If this happens, the damage will be of the opponents of Iran overshadowed the by President Rouhani forthwith. Fourthly, irreversible and unforgivable. May sanity legitimate grievances of the Iranian people. they must facilitate the people who are still prevail. The poor segments, who were under the grappling with the all-time high 40 per cent pressure of rising fuel prices and economic inflation and high unemployment rate. This The writer is a development stagflation, were protesting against the is the toughest economic situation for Iran sector practitioner and rising fuel prices; their cause was not only in the last 40 years. can be reached at betrayed but dozens of them also lost their Iran must also show flexibility and try [email protected] w a Rogue State? Is Myanmar guilty of developing and using chemical weapons? If

ypyid this is proven right, the country must immediately be taken to task a

N by the world community.

By Siraj M. Shawa

ollowing the installation of a new quasi-civilian government in Myanmar in 2011, some significant reforms were set in motion. The country adhered to the Biological Weapons FConvention in 2014, and though it was among the very first nations to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1993, it did not ratify it until 2015. On July 8, 2015, it became the 191st member of the CWC, pledging to comply with its obligation and helping make the world completely free of chemical weapons. But its honouring of these commitments still remains distinctly dubious. Under the CWC, its all members are banned to produce, develop, possess, stockpile, transfer or use chemical weapons. Having said that, senior State Department official of the United States recently testified in front of the annual meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which monitors CWC, that Myanmar may have breached the convention. It is alleged that the South East Asian nation is armed with chemical weapons

40 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Neighbour

since the 1980s against which the US group, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, The US State Department believes that emphatically voiced its concerns during incriminated Myanmar for using chemical Myanmar has hidden chemical weapons at 1980 to 2000. However, no effective legal weapons to annihilate rebels of the Karen a historic place where previously mustard or political action was taken against it in that community. It is also believed that in 2011 gas was developed. Washington has period. After the ratification of the CWC, it chemical weapons were used against ethnic already announced that it was ready to was wrongly presumed that Myanmar’s armies as a consequence of which many help in the destruction of these chemical was seriously planning to disarm itself citizens in the adjacent areas fainted and weapons and that this should be done of chemical weapons. Because neither some suffered from nausea and vomiting. sooner than later. In case of refusal, the Myanmar declared these weapons of mass In November 2013, the state police used international community and, specifically, destruction nor destroyed its facilities which white phosphorus against protestors near the Security Council must put considerable should have been done a long time ago. But a controversial copper mine in central pressure on the rogue Myanmar state for this is not the only case which proves the Myanmar which was later proved beyond doing so. lack of honesty and integrity in international doubt a private laboratory on the basis of However, the question remains, what dealings when it comes to Myanmar. The material collected from the protest site. was Myanmar planning to do with these undeserved reputation enjoyed till recently The government rejected reports weapons? To what extent have they used by Aung San Suu Kyi, state counsellor about the use of chemical weapons on these already? To what limit have they (Prime Minister) of the country and Nobel the Kachin minority in the north the same violated International Law? laureate, has been tarnished because of the year. But there is no smoke without fire. In These questions need to be answered. terrible state of human rights and racial and 2014, five journalists had to face 10 years And if proven, Myanmar must be held religious discrimination by the government of penal servitude as a punishment for accountable for its criminal actions. The and its machinery. Calls have even been reporting that the military was involved in country gets strong political backing from made to strip her of the Nobel Prize. the production of chemical weapons. They two permanent members of the UN - China In 2017 the United Nations human blamed the former military leadership of and Russia. Instead of their own narrow rights chief labeled the treatment of the having a chemical weapons factory in the interests, they should work for promoting Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar as a Pank Township, Magwe Division, which international interests which warrants textbook example of ethnic cleansing, as a was built in 2009 on land seized from cutting their support from Myanmar. In result of which more than 700,000 people farmers. It was also discovered afterwards order to make the world a safer place, no had to flee their homes to escape extreme that the state security forces used chemical one must be allowed to make chemical brutalities at the hands of the Burmese weapons in 2015 against the ethnic armies weapons while all the existing ones should army. The encouraging thing is that in which made the residents of the local areas also be destroyed immediately. November 2019, Gambia brought a case of unable to speak or hear. The rebels claimed Rohingya genocide against this rogue state that they had sent ample evidence to the The writer is a freelance at International Court of Justice which was United Nations indicating the illegal use of contributor. He can be endorsed and supported by 57 members chemical weapons by Myanmar though reached at SirajShawa@ of the OIC. this is vehemently denied by the country’s gmail.com Apart from this, a London-based rights military.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 41 International Sea of Blood Following the Spring Revolution and then the Libyan Civil War, the influx of Tripoli refugees and asylum-seekers has intensified. They long to enter Europe through the perilous waters of the Mediterranean. The number of migrants has been increasing at an alarming rate each year though many are drowning.

By Samar Quddus the Libyan Civil War, the influx of refugees and taking a hardline stance on these vessels asylum-seekers has been intensified. They and turning them away. The rescue ships nce operated as a supply are people longing to enter Europe from Libya have been confronted with a huge backlash support vessel and rescue craft via the perilous waters of the Mediterranean. for encouraging human traffickers to arrange for offshore oil rigs and gas Since then, the number of migrants has been illegal crossings and getting involved in Oplatforms, Ocean Viking shifted to increasing at an alarming rate each year, and smuggling people for economic purposes. rescuing migrants and refugees who became thereby, increasing the risk of migrants to The tough anti-immigration policies adopted stranded while crossing the Mediterranean become stranded or drowning in the sea. To by the Italian government brought a sharp to reach Europe. This migrant rescue vessel, save the lives of these stranded migrants, the decline in SAR operations. This posed a conducting maritime Search and Rescue SAR operations, such as Ocean Viking, have serious concern for the life safety of migrants (SAR) operations, is jointly run by SOS become crucial in response to the ongoing who were abandoned either at detention Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders human tragedy. centers in Libya or at sea. (MSF) organizations. It was dispatched by The Ocean Viking has rescued almost In 2018, the humanitarian non- the NGO to rescue people from dying at sea, 30,000 people from rubber dinghies in governmental organization, MSF, was forced missing or being returned to Libya. Sailing distress so far, off the Libyan coast. They to stop its rescue vessel conducting SAR under a Norwegian flag, the ship’s spacious were the ones who risked their lives to reach operations by the authorities after being deck now houses a medical clinic on board, Europe each year. The humanitarian rescue accused of colluding with traffickers and life jackets, several tonnes of food and shelter vessel, like many others, is also facing aiding illegal immigration. Earlier in 2017, for the migrants, instead of containers. political hurdles from European countries, the crew members of civilian rescue ships Following the Spring Revolution and then mainly Italy, Malta and Greece which are were charged or prosecuted for working

42 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 International

with smugglers under anti-smuggling laws. by the Institute for International Political if nothing is done to rescue migrants at sea. They were detained for 20 years by the Italian Studies (ISPI) in Milan further refute this pull- They have warned that lack of NGO vessels authorities. Moreover, these officials seized factor assumption and conclude that there is would turn the Mediterranean waters into a rescue vessels that disembark refugees at no direct link between the number of migrants sea of blood. Italian harbours or charged heavily those crossing the sea and rescue capabilities. Regardless of the validity of the pull factor rescue ships that were trying to enter Italian It has been found that, in fact, migratory hypothesis, the narrow perspective does not waters against bans and limitations. movements increase on the days when there justify the legal deterrence of rescue missions Another stronger assumption that were lower levels of SAR operations. Also, to save human lives at sea. The international dominates this argument is that the presence the mortality rate is highest on such days. law of the sea also obliges governments to aid of rescue ships not only facilitates smuggling This shows that high SAR capacity does not boats in distress and disembark them at safe but encourages more people to cross the drive people to migrate. This reduces the ports. sea. Critics argue that the humanitarian NGOs mortality risk of migrants as well. This can This perspective is the only unique factor operating at sea act as a pull factor for the only be one of the many complex factors of for encouraging asylum-seekers to migrate. It migrants to proceed on such horrendous irregular migration and displacement across will fail to present the situation appropriately. It endeavours. As a bridge to Europe, these the sea. In this regard, the asylum seekers’ is important to address the issue considering all rescue vessels foster irregular migration by narrative would help to look at the other side the possible factors in order to aptly resolve the making the journey easier and safer, thus of the picture. Their rhetoric substantiates that problem at hand. The respective governments taking more and more migrants to sea. Getting political instability and civil war in Libya along should grant legal and safe routes to asylum- more people to sea, in turn, means risking with hard weather conditions, such as floods, seekers disembark to reduce deaths at sea. more lives. Hence, it has been argued that it are the main causes for them to leave the Governments should relax visa restrictions for is not the stoppage of SAR operations that country. The study also found that everyday legal passage, increase family reunification would increase mortality risk of shipwrecked almost 85 migrants attempted to cross the opportunities and resettlement places, and migrants but the presence of rescue ships like sea without any NGO vessel operating at sea introduce humanitarian visas to protect the the Ocean Viking near the Libyan coast, will throughout the year. The figures dropped to fundamental rights of the migrants. deteriorate safe maritime migratory movement. 75 with rescue ships present. Though the statistical facts do not show any According to a UNHCR report, nearly a The writer is a freelance conformity with this notion and substantially thousand number of migrants have drowned contributor and follows reject the hypothesis, it is a conventional or gone missing in an attempt to cross the national issues with keen thought in today’s policy-making. dangerous and perilous waters during the interest. She can be reached The findings from a recent study conducted year. These figures can increase manifolds at [email protected] Black and White

lifor n i a There is a need for the black and white population in the United States to

a develop a mutual language of co-existence for the greater good of the country. C

By Ayaz Ahmed the total US population, white people have to different kinds of violence. Before the Civil always found it quite easy to subject them Rights Movement of the 1960s, white racists acism has always been a debatable used to target and torture them in public issue in the United States; the white Since African- places. In this regard, Black women were majority has always discriminated Americans make up more vulnerable to violence than men owing Ragainst Afro-Americans on the 2% of the total US to their weaker gender. political and socio-economic fronts and have Speaking historically, the black endeavoured to marginalize them and push population, white community bore the brunt of many bouts of them to the wall. Though gun laws have people have always violence perpetrated by the white Americans, allowed the black community to protect especially those who had racial prejudices themselves from the atrocities unleashed by found it quite easy towards the black community. Bryan the police and white people, it is feared that to subject them Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice they would be susceptible to brutalities once to different kinds Initiative, has documented 4,400 racial again if the gun laws are rescinded. terror lynchings so far. This figure does not Since African-Americans make up 2% of of violence. include those cases which took place in the

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 43

International

countryside where most cases of violence tortured, but were also blatantly gang-raped legislators and exercises increasing influence against Afro-Americans went unreported. by white men. Like black men, these black over the Senate to promote the culture of One can say that before the 1960s, the life women had no recourse but to take up firearms in the country. for these black people was short, brutish and firearms to defend themselves from violent However, if stringent gun laws are nasty. gangs of white men. Reports suggest that made and implemented in the future, such The uninterrupted access of black people before the Civil Rights Movement, black acts would presumably safeguard the Afro- to firearms immensely helped them make the women could not go outdoors alone and Americans from white racism and police Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s a without guns at night due to the fear of being brutality. To supplement acts related to gun phenomenal success. What is important is sexually assaulted by both the police and the control, the government should increase the that before the struggle for fundamental in white racists. number of black personnel in the police; this the 1960s, a large number of disgruntled Since the government dismally failed could work as a bulwark to stop white police Afro-Americans openly used arms to protect to devise a feasible strategy to protect the officers from targetting the black community. themselves from brazen attacks carried out lives and property of black people, the Black Moreover, a countrywide media campaign by white men, especially the racist ones. Panthers deemed it necessary to carry highlighting the services of black people, However, it was during the Civil Rights firearms everywhere; and they had to display their tolerance and their approach to mutual Movement in the 1960s, that the Black their guns so that the police and white men co-existence would also help make the white Panthers heavily relied on guns to prevent the would not subject them to torture. All this people respect Afro-Americans. police and white racists from attacking the so- created an atmosphere of anarchy, fear and On its part, the current administration called peace struggle for civil rights. Reports complete lawlessness in some cities of the should shun its politics of white supremacy suggest that even Martin Luthar King Jr. had United States. Therefore, in California, the and divisiveness if it wishes to make the a secret room filled with firearms and other Mulford Act was passed to outlaw carrying United States stand taller and see farther kinds of sophisticated weapons. Though loaded guns in public places. than other countries. Co-existence and there were some incidents of attacks on black All this leads to a major question: in mutual cooperation between the white and people by the police to disperse them and today’s America, would tighter gun laws help black communities would go a long way to obstruct their movement, the possession of protect African-Americans or make them make the country a safer place to live. firearms largely protected them and enabled more vulnerable to white racism and police them to make the struggle succeed. brutality? First, it seems elusive that laws The writer is a columnist Black women were quite vulnerable to related to gun control would be executed in and an M. Phil scholar white mens’ sexual abuse, abduction and the United States, given the increasing clout of at Karachi University. torture, especially at night. American history the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA); He can be reached at is witness that black women were not only the NRA funds a large number of American [email protected]

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 45 Feature

Pakistani Advertising hore

La Needs to Up its Game

By Syeda Areeba Rasheed increased sales. Yasuharu Sasaki, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu, was akistan held AdAsia 2019, at the of the view that society could be enhanced Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore from through digital creativity. PDecember 3 to 5. This is Asia’s Richard Quest later presented an largest and most prestigious biannual interactive session on leadership and why advertising event. The Lahore event was businesses need to stick to their core held with great gusto and enthusiasm. The values. The first day concluded with Fawad three-day event was based on the theme Khan, Pakistani TV and film actor and Atiqa ‘Celebrasian: Celebration of Advertising Odho, Chairperson and Founder, Focus and Creativity in Asia’ and was jointly PK, speaking about the pros and cons organised by the Asian Federation of of being a celebrity and how some the Advertising Associations (AFAA) and the characters that they have portrayed have Pakistan Advertisers Association (PAA). left an impact on their lives. Hundreds of delegates from all over the On the second day, Guan Hin Tay, world and from within Pakistan attended Creative Change Catalyst at the APAC AdAsia 2019. It was after 30 years that Global Advisory, captured the audience’s AdAsia was taking place in Pakistan. It was attention with his ‘Imperfect Beauty’. Tay held for the first time, again in Lahore, in said nobody in this world is perfect and 1989. being imperfect is the new perfect. He The opening ceremony of AdAsia showed campaigns like #nowyouchoose 2019 was held at the historic Hazuri Bagh by Pepsi and Burger King where such in Lahore’s Walled City with the stunning imperfect people were given importance Lahore Fort in the background. The event though they were rejected by McDonald's was hosted by Mikaail Zulfiqar and Naveen because they did not like the way they Waqar. look. The session was followed by the Prime Minister Imran Khan was to former commercial director and head of inaugurate the event but due to his President of Pakistan Arif Alvi marketing and digital media, Manchester unavailability, Sarmad Ali, the Chairman of United, Vange Kourentis, who made a AdAsia 2019, did the honours, welcoming presentation on ‘Building a Global Cult delegates and speakers by saying ‘Jee Brand over Generations’. Everyone raised Ayan Noo’ which means ‘We welcome you their hands when asked whether they had with all our hearts’. heard about Manchester United, proving Javed Jabbar, Chairman AdAsia Richard Quest Sir Martin Sorrell Sarmad Ali brand recognition. Kourentis narrated how 1989, and Raymond So, Chairman AFAA, his team made Manchester United (football delivered the welcome address. Several Award while Tariq Rashid was conferred team) a universal brand. awards were announced by the AAFA. the Merit of Service Award. Shahzad Nawaz and Faraz Maqsood These included the Asia Leadership Award There was an engaging conversation Hamidi explained how their individual which was presented to the founder between Richard Quest, CNN anchor and working styles helped them carve a niche and chairman of EBM, Khawar Butt. His reporter and Sir Martin Sorrell, Executive in Pakistan’s advertising sector. Their daughter, Dr Zeelaf Munir, who is also the Chairman S4 Capital Limited, after which Ali conversation began with the Markhor, an CEO of the company, received the award Rez, Regional Executive Creative Director, animal that Hamidi had used as part of PIA’s on his behalf and also unveiled the new Impact BBDO, ME & Pakistan, talked about branding. Nawaz had done the same when logo of EBM. Javed Jabbar was admitted how advertising can change the world. He creating communication for the ISPR. into the AdAsia Hall of Fame and Sarmad mentioned Ariel’s #DadsShareTheLoadToo Women-centric sessions took centre- Ali and Jonathan Chen received the Merit that affected societal change and also stage, first with Samina Baig, the first and

46 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Feature

only Pakistani high-altitude mountaineer, who was praised with a standing ovation by delegates and then with a session on ‘Women and Power’ moderated by Atifa Silk, Editor Campaign Asia. The session had Dr. Zeelaf Munir, Managing Director & CEO, EBM, Frieha Altaf, CEO, Catwalk Event Management & Productions, Seema Jaffer, CEO, Bond Advertising and Nabila, stylist and entrepreneur, as panellists. The Javed Jabbar Ali Mandviwala Shahzad Nawaz segment focused on leadership among women in Pakistan and the issues they face in male-dominated sectors. On the last day, Randi Zuckerberg, the CEO of Zuckerberg Media, shared her experiences on the frontlines of social media. Her tenure at Facebook included the launch of Facebook Live after which she set up the Zuckerberg Institute for Randi Zuckerberg Salima Hashmi Wasim Khan budding entrepreneurs. Tom Goodwin, Head of Innovation at Zenith Media, discussed the new rules of business in the post-digital age. For him, technology is not sufficiently customized as a medium as far as advertising and marketing are concerned. He even showed clips of how TVCs are still uploaded on YouTube without further modification.

The event continued with a panel Tom Goodwin Faraz Maqsood Seema Jaffer discussion on Pakistani art featuring Salima Hashmi, Rashid Rana and Adeela Suleman. They lauded the female artists for their courage and talked about Karachi during Zia’s regime. Wasim Khan, MBE then Managing Director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), talked about the growth of PSL as a Pakistani brand that has gained worldwide recognition. The AdAsia event concluded with presentations for AdAsia 2021 by the Macau team and for AdAsia 2023 with At the AdAsia Orientation Dinner. an inspiring presentation by Kim Nackhoi, Chairman Korea Federation of Advertising Associations (KFAAI). like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge The concluding session of AdAsia 2019 The three-day AdAsia 2019 concluded Prince William and Kate Middleton and was also addressed by Sarmad Ali, Javed with a closing speech by Dr Arif Alvi, the Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visiting Jabbar and others. President of Pakistan. Dr Alvi highlighted Pakistan, the perception might change. He the importance of marketing in business termed Pakistan as an emerging market The writer is a member of and stressed upon the need to modify and a safe destination for investors. the staff. She writes on marketing strategies to achieve a realistic Let's see how Pakistani advertising political, international and approach to selling products. He was of will take advantage of this opportunity. It is social issues. She can the view that Pakistan has been wrongly certain that it will have to up its performance be reached at areeba@ portrayed in the past and now, with guests by many notches. southasia.com.pk

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 47 Feature

hore Shaping The Future La

This transformative approach inspires people to create and improve their public places because it strengthens the connection between people and the places they share.

By Dr Muhammad Babar Chohan no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ approaches. It is rather process requiring a step by step winnowing ‘better’ and ‘worse’ handling of urban places of urban externalities. meliorating the quality of places for the citizenry. This suggests that the quality Against this backdrop, it may be is surpassingly becoming the of places, in the long run, is determined by the underscored that policy cultures in Pakistan nucleus of policy and planning ongoing policy practices defining otherwise have despicably been finagled through Adebates in the developed world. unfathomable planning cultures. dictatorial and dogmatic practices lacking The rudimentary question, in this perspective, The planning contraptions and policy an inquisitive approach to place-making. is about the institutional governance practices are indeed engineered by a morass Consequently, there is an unbridled urban capacity of a country to bring about spatial of attitudes and ingrained beliefs behind expansion in Pakistan, particularly the improvements in a coherent manner. Such a place-making and urban design in which mushroom growth of housing schemes, capacity fundamentally relies on the quality megaprojects are built. Cities can act as literally swallowing vitally crucial green spaces. of local and contextual policy cultures. The engines of economic growth only if the quality A seemingly insuperable challenge is to put notion of ‘quality of places’ is applicable in of places is boosted through multiple vibrant a well-informed policy in place capable of most of the public welfare megaprojects in processes revolving around economic, framing robust urban design, effective place- Pakistan including, but not limited to, Solid social, spatial, environmental and political making and transforming cities into engines Waste Management in Karachi, Orange Train determinants. Pasty Healey, a UK-based of economic growth. A basic framework in Lahore and Metro Bus in Peshawar. planner, notes that well-connected, well- juxtaposing the state of places, the policy, The inability of prevailing policy cultures informed and well-integrated policy cultures and the processes to gradually integrate them to acknowledge the quality of places, have the ability to surreptitiously mobilize and with a tantalizingly conceived urban design is as an essential function of robust spatial capture urban opportunities and improve local the kernel of this article. management, is a root cause of the failure conditions. However, the pandemonium of As said earlier, there are no right or wrong of megaprojects in Pakistan. The concept of fragmented policy practices lack connections approaches in place-making; a 2010 book urban design is also inherently conjoined with with updated knowledge and power, resulting “Public places, urban spaces: the dimensions the quality of places. During the circuitous in their failure to augment quality of places. of urban design”, however, appears to sum process of defining urban design, there are The snippet is that place-making is a holistic it up. There can be three epicurean stages

48 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Feature

behind place-making: the design stage, the policy d stage and the implementation stage. a b The design stage is primarily a broad WOW is the exposition of what we understand by the term

‘urban design'. It is way beyond the narrow ama confines of visual and physical understanding sl I Word of space making it a holistic and integrative phenomenon. This stage is reflective of the Now women can look forward to having the same political and planning vision of cities’ places while sense of empowerment and the same mobility and handling various socioeconomic externalities. Way independence that men have. above the traditional power centered practices; framing urban design is indeed an ethical activity By Dr. Taseer Salahuddin in an axiological perspective. The policy stage needs to treat urban design as a holistic guideline t was a scorching hot day. As the family car was not available, for the very first thus accommodating various economic, social, time in my life, I found myself standing on the roadside, waiting for a rickshaw spatial, environmental and political externalities. or some other means of public transport, to take me to the university. The On the micro level, these externalities can further Itime for my class to begin was approaching and the exam I was supposed to be bifurcated into morphological, visual, social, conduct depended on my presence. Perspiration was soaking the envelope I was perceptual, functional and temporal fronts. holding. I stood there for I don’t know how long but soon, I had an an eye-opening The six overlapping dimensions truly define the experience. While standing for transport and loaded with papers, laptop and other perception of place-making. stuff, as a woman, I was scrutinized by almost every second passerby. Some The morphological, visual, social and were just plain curious while others had that lustful harassing look. I had never perceptual dimensions mainly relate with the experienced this before. On reaching the university, I shared my experience with my predominant perceptions about a place. The colleagues. To my horror, all this was a norm. Rather, in the month after my public functional and temporal fronts are related with transport episode, I experienced and heard many horrifying incidences of women the policy and implementation processes. An having to face while using public transport. That’s when I decided to purchase urban design can be integrative meaningfully my own motorcycle. It has been more than a year since I have had it and I ride it if the six dimensions are considered together to the university regularly. I feel I am blessed to be commuting so independently, in policymaking. The implementation stage translates the visions, enshrined in an urban design through a policy framework, into reality. The implementation stage is practically crucial in the sense that it does away with the unrealistic romanticism of seemingly attractive public welfare projects. The underestimation of a proposed project’s costs and overestimation of its benefits may also be contained at this stage. Once an effective place-making phenomenon is in place in Pakistan, the earlier mentioned megaprojects and housing schemes will be part of a pre-defined urban design. The understanding of space at three procedural stages will have the ability to come up with an institutional power capable of countering the interests of the powerful strata of society. The pith is to encourage, enable and even force high quality urban design capable of making the places better for people living in Pakistan.

The writer is a civil servant holding a Ph.D in Planning from Massey University, New Zealand. He can be reached at [email protected]

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 49 Feature

efficiently and cost-effectively. occupational choices. A motorcycle is Women on motorcycles are rare available for less than 70,000 PKR on everywhere in the world but definitely not installments and is an affordable means of unheard of. In the early 1980s, a program transport. However for those coming from was initiated in the US by some women that under-privileged backgrounds, especially was called Women on Wheels (WOW). The students, the money is still not easy to purpose of this community was to create pay. awareness that this mode of transport was It is commendable that the Pakistan equally effective for women as it was for government wants to empower women men. They wanted to help women realize both financially and socially and has started the mobility, independence and social a motorcycle funding scheme under empowerment that this low-cost and easy- which it will provide 10,000 motorcycles to-learn mode of transport offers. The first at subsidized prices in five large cities of few members of WOW made an effort once Punjab. The Government also calls the a year to come together in order to stay initiative, Women on Wheels (WOW). The in touch, find old friends and make new Bank of Punjab is subsidizing pink Honda ones. Veterans were always supportive of CD 70 motorcycles for such girls and young women joining the group. Today, in women whose monthly family income the USA, this fraternity has grown to the does not exceed 30,000 PKR. At zero extent that they have started a bimonthly mark up and with a very simple application magazine in which they share their stories, procedure, this seems to be a blessing for joys and learning experiences. They also under-privileged women who now have the have product reviews and motorcycle- opportunity to become part of a growing related information. class of independent, self-sufficient and In Pakistan, women bikers are growing empowered individuals. every day. The pace of growth is still slow It is also learnt that after Punjab, the but when women look at other women using Women on Wheels programme will also be motorcycles, they are encouraged to adopt launched in Karachi – a city that is acutely this form of transport. Now women riding starved for public transport and where motorcycles is actually becoming a positive women users of public transport suffer the activity that enhances their self-esteem. most. This is also a challenge for stereotyped The motorcycle for a woman is a social beliefs. It helps women to realize that hassle-free, harassment free, cost- they too can have limitless potential and can effective, liberating and empowering mode accomplish any goal in life. Instead of being of transport. It saves time and opens new a burden on their families, they can actually The new-found avenues of development in all spheres of become their active support systems. They mobility has life. It must be underscored, however, that are not dependent anymore on their male the motorcycle is not a very safe mode of family members to pick and drop them given women the transport. Proper training, safety helmets, a and they don’t wait at bus stops for long confidence to do riding licence, road safety sense and proper hours. In many instances, this new-found dress with respect to weather conditions mobility has given women the confidence outdoor chores and propriety, are some necessary and to do outdoor chores on their own. They basic conditions that must be fulfilled before are finding that their independence in terms on their own. adopting the motorcycle as a personal of transportation has given them new mode of transport. empowerment. schedules of the family in line with the Following my example, many girl availability of transport. Everyone in the The writer is a Ph.D in Economics and students at my university have started family now has more productive time. works as an Assistant Professor at using motorcycles. They are so happy that Some women have even revealed that Government Sadiq College, they can help their fathers and brothers their incomes have increased because Women’s University, in paying utility bills, buying groceries they have taken up jobs as data collectors Bahawalpur. She can be and getting other things done. Their lives and marketing agents which they could reached at salahuddin. have transformed from being dependent not have done otherwise. Having their [email protected] on others and being bound to the time own motorcycles has expanded their

50 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Feature The Real Heroes hore

La Besides our heroes who get bravery awards posthumously or in their lifetimes, there are many other heroes who must be recognized for their piety and virtue.

By Syed Kamran Hashmi You just thought of them as eye candies in the cultural heart of Pakistan. They were rowing up in Pakistan, I did not good to be seen in films, TV and on the treat the calling of the performing stage, showing off their curves, much like arts with high regard. I thought objects of pleasure, but not as real people Git had the stigma of impiety whom you could be befriendand build and immodesty. Not only my parents but relationships with. You were taught to stay the community at large instilled a particular away from them as if you would catch a set of values in me and most of them did disease of indecency and immorality just not favour women. The world stood like by association. Your own set of morality a giant pyramid in that model, reflecting a was endangered under their shining life. hierarchy that defined and regulated our Stories of prostitution kept surfacing, their society. Equality was not a part of it. Each affairs appearing as gossip in magazines profession was scored against a confusing and their promiscuity swirled as the talk of matrix of religion, finance, education and the town. The discussion of arts was left to authority. Hence, one career choice was their camera appearances. The discussion always considered superior to the other usually revolved around their bodies and and rated better than yet another one. the carnal desires of men. Doctors stood higher than engineers, who Down the line, as I now have more were praised more than the lawyers, who experience and have seen the world through themselves superseded the bankers and so my own eyes instead of through the lens of on. CSS officers always seized the top spot; my family or through the framework of the after all, power attracts money, prestige and community, I have learnt how these women fame, all at the same time. have guarded their families from entering the Reema Khan The smaller segments of the pyramid had same business; how they have focused on its own hierarchy. In the cohort of doctors, their education and how they have invested for example, surgeons bagged more all their savings on the social, moral and points than the physicians, general surgery financial well-being of their families. They remained a notch higher than urology but have taken the ire of the whole community fell below orthopaedics. Actors, regardless by encouraging their family members to go of their popularity, recorded unfavourable abroad and earn degrees from the highest- grades and female performers, whatever ranking universities so that they do not have the medium, were almost always found in to undergo the same humiliating treatment the lowest pit. that they suffered. Andleeb In the industry, male writers, directors, These women are the matriarchs of producers and actors could still survive but their families, the breadwinners and the women performers never had a chance. the other. It was more tolerant in Karachi, decision-makers. They have acquired this They had to face a lot of humiliation, a since it had more urban and diverse values role not because they wanted to dominate process that does not stop even after than Lahore. Generally, women from the the males or to put them down but because their achieving national recognition, getting largest city belonged to middleclass, they had no choice. They had to go out and the Pride of Performance or international educated families. They were backed by take all the abuses from the community awards. the community and supported by their in the name of religion or morality; and Let me add a nuance before proceeding families because they were sitting at a level convert that embarrassment into their further: The pattern in Lahore and Karachi above than the women in Punjab who were strength. Yet, instead of being commended represented a culture of performing that regarded at the bottom and earned the for their bravery, they are condemned and could be disregarded at one extreme, or least respect. disrespected.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 51 Feature

Toxic Tales South Asia is home to the most polluted regions in the world. Fifteen of the world’s 20 worst polluted cities in 2018 were in India, followed by Lahore and Dhaka. Air pollu Air t io n

By Prof. S. Shafiq-ur Rehman

t the end of the second decade of the 21st century, the review of environmental data indicates that the world we live in is becoming increasingly dangerous for human health at large and sensitive groups in Aparticular. Almost everything that surrounds us, such as air, water, soil, and often food items we consume, are polluted because of our own actions making large populations highly vulnerable to adverse health impacts in the form of protracted ailments and fatalities. Besides, some air pollutants are directly responsible for global warming and climate change that trigger all sorts of natural disasters unleashing death and destruction on human beings and affecting the rest of the ecosystem. The Air Quality Index refers to the numerical values reflecting concentration Niggo of major air pollutants that include particulate matter, ground level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide per cubic meter of air. Among these Women performers pollutants, particulate matter and ground level ozone are considered to have the face a lot of humiliation, highest impact and affect everyone. The AQI categorizes air into six categories, i.e. Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very unhealthy a process that does and Hazardous. Higher index value means higher pollution level, hence higher risk not stop even after to human health. According to WHO, an annual mean of air quality guidelines of their achieving 10 µg/m3 is the safe limit for particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller (PM≤2.5) while the safe limit for a 24-hour mean is 25 µg/m3. The safe limit of annual national recognition. mean for PM≤10 is up to 20 µg/m3, while the 24-hour mean is 50 µg/m3. Common ailments associated with bad quality air include chronic obstructive pulmonary For me, they represent the real piety and disease (COPD), hypertension, strokes, lung cancer, pneumonia, cardiac diseases, the true virtue which is much more precious dementia, chronic renal diseases and type-2 diabetes. than the virtue displayed through long beards On the basis of AQI values, countries and selected cities are ranked from most and short pajamas. They are the heroes, both in polluted to least polluted, indicating public health risks from highest to lowest levels front of the camera and in real life. Their sacrifice is more enduring and the nation must stand by them. Female actors die every day, when they pull up their sleeves and face repeated torture and humiliation. They should also be awarded with the most prestigious medals, the roles of honour. It is then that we will not be ashamed of them and will be proud of their sacrifices and their selflessness. In this age of female diversity, they too need to receive as much recognition as men.

The writer is a US-based freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]

52 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Feature

City AQI Health impact City Ranking for Gujranwala 397 Hazardous December 2018 Lahore 336 Hazardous Pakistan Air Quality Data for the people residing in these countries and shows that the 2018 ended cities. The latest country rankings indicate Faislabad 325 Hazardous with extremely unhealthy that 15 of the top 20 most polluted countries Bahawalpur 214 Very Unhealthy are in Asia. In descending order, the first ten and hazardous air pollution Peshawar 183 Unhealthy countries are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, throughout the country. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Mongolia, Kuwait, Rawalpindi 183 Unhealthy This is a public health Nepal, UAE and Nigeria. Other Asian emergency. Islamabad 159 Unhealthy countries among the top 20 most polluted are Indonesia, China, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Karachi 141 Unhealthy* Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan. The most polluted cities the world is Table A also alarming in the Asian context. Seven Indian, two Pakistani and one Chinese City PM 2.5 µg/m3 Air Quality Index city constitute the top 10. Fifteen Indian cities, two Pakistani, two Chinese, and one Dhaka 24 days: Unhealthy 24 days: Unhealthy Bangladeshi city account for the top 20, 06 days: Very unhealthy 06 days: Very unhealthy whereas, 25 Indian and 22 Chinese cities are included in the top 50 most polluted cities Delhi 15 days: Unhealthy 15 days: Unhealthy in the world. While Faisalabad and Lahore 09 days: Very unhealthy 09 days: Very unhealthy rank at number 3 and 10 from Pakistan, 05 days: Hazardous 05 days: Hazardous Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, Noida, Patna, and Lucknow are the Indian Lahore 25 days: Unhealthy 25 days: Unhealthy cities in the top 10. Delhi ranks at number Kabul 13 days: Unhealthy 13 days: Unhealthy 11, Agra at number 16 and Dhaka at number 06 days: Very unhealthy 06 days: Very unhealthy 17. The highest air quality index in the 04 days: Hazardous 04 days: Hazardous world’s top 10 most polluted cities remains predominantly unhealthy to very-unhealthy, Kathmandu 23 days: Unhealthy 23 days: Unhealthy typically from October to January. Kolkata 30 days: Unhealthy 30 days: Unhealthy Some of the scariest occasions of air pollution reaching such high levels and Mumbai 28 days: Unhealthy 28 days: Unhealthy causing instant fatalities and chronic diseases over extended period, include the “Deadly Table B Donora Smog” in Pennsylvania, USA in 1.93 billion population, i.e. almost 1/4th air pollution and its consequential health October 1948, the “London Smog” of Dec. of the world’s population, poor healthcare hazards within the shortest possible time. 1952, the “Central European Smog” in Dec. systems and infrastructure, extreme air In India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, 1962 and Jan. 1985, and the “New York pollution and intense water scarcity, South and Nepal collectively, the bad quality air City Smog” in Nov. 1966. However, more Asian populations are faced with extreme kills nearly 1.8 million people prematurely recently, smog has been experienced rather environmental vulnerability. A 2019 study each year. The strategy must include frequently in Lahore, Delhi, Kathmandu, of the Energy and Resources Institute enacting new national standards and laws, Dhaka, Tehran and Kabul and has taken (TERI) India, reports that air pollution is the strict enforcement under the watchful heavy toll of human life. second most prevalent health risk factor in implementation agencies, aggressive urban AirVisual latest data of 30 days from South Asia, responsible for about 22% of all plantation drives, increasing reliance on Mid-November to Mid-December 2019, deaths and affecting nearly 58 million people renewable energy, use of green technologies indicates the present daily average through disability adjusted life years (DALY). in industry and transport sectors, use of concentration of particulate matter under Besides, a 2016 report of the World Bank solar-powered ambient air filtration plants in 2.5-micron diameter/cubic meters of air. For and Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation mega cities, and controlling transboundary major cities of South Asia, this is presented (HIME), stated that the economic cost of air dispersion of pollutants and emission. in table B. pollution in South Asia was estimated at 7.4 According to WHO estimates, polluted % of the regional GDP. The writer is former outdoor air causes premature deaths of There is an urgent need for a well thought Chairman, Department of about 4.2 million people every year around and through intervention of the respective Environmental Sciences, the world, mostly in South East Asia and governments, international organizations University of Peshawar. Western Pacific region. In the middle of and aid agencies to roll out an effective He can be reached at pervasive poverty, affecting approximately combat strategy and action plan for curbing [email protected]

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 53 Feature i a

m b Banning The Preacher

Mu The Indian authorities are out to get the Muslim preacher Zakir Naik for allegedly making inflammatory hate speeches around the world. Perhaps they should also pull in their own leaders for making similar speeches.

By Imran Jan cricket match between Pakistan and India Saudi Arabia bestowed on him one of their and, among the huge crowd of spectators, highest awards for “Service to Islam”. After he threat to India’s survival I saw the Indian superstar Aamir Khan. He the rumour mill calmed down, it was realized doesn’t come from Pakistan or was visibly more enthusiastic than most of that he was residing in Malaysia after England China, but rather from India’s own the Indian crowd. And then it occurred to and Canada had refused him a visa. Tactions. India is a nuclear state me; these Indian Muslims have to prove their In an open letter, Naik said, "IRF and I and therefore, it can’t be militarily defeated loyalty to India. They have to earn their Indian were set up for a ban .... It is now proven that unless the other country is also willing to patriotism certificate. the decision to ban IRF was taken months go down with it. That has been the reality Naik’s video statement didn’t do the ago and it was a communal decision. Before of the Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D) trick. In November, the National Investigation investigations were done, even before concept of nuclear armed states. With its Agency responded by filing a First Information reports [were] submitted, the ban was actions and policies, India is wired for self- Report (FIR), which was an official police already decided ... Whether it was owing to destruction. complaint against him and his non-profit my religion or some other reason does not In August of 2019, the Indian government organization Islamic Research Foundation matter. What matters now is that my work of made an amendment to the Unlawful (IRF) that he had founded in 1991. The FIR 25 years - completely lawful work - has been Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). It was accused him of indulging in unlawful activities banned. And that is the most unfortunate approved by the Indian Rajya Sabha of the and promotion of religious hatred. Under thing for this country." Indian Parliament, empowering the National the afore-mentioned draconian UAPA, the Since India could not openly say that Investigation Agency (NIA) to conduct raids Modi-led government imposed a 5-year ban it was going to stop Zakir Naik from using anywhere prior to the government’s approval. on the IRF. India’s Enforcement Directorate his free speech rights because the Hindu The law empowers the government of India (ED), which investigates financial crimes nationalist and extremist government does to designate anyone as a terrorist, stripping has accused the IRF of money-laundering. not like what he says, so it went ahead with him or her off of any civil liberties or rights An educational trust fund that Naik ran was equating his speech with incitement of terror. whatsoever. This is one example of that prevented from receiving any more funds. That magic word can do magic. Indian self destructive move that would The IRF’s properties in Mumbai were also Words speak louder than actions in eventually lead to its collapse from within. seized. politics. The Indian authorities accused Zakir Zakir Naik, a religious scholar, preacher Naik escaped from India. Many believed of making young men commit acts of terror and a popular televangelist, started facing that the Saudis gave him citizenship because with his words. They are trying to equate trouble primarily because of his him with Anwar al-Awlaki and faith. A terrorist attack occurred Charles Manson, whichever is in a posh cafe in the Bangladeshi more convenient. India makes capital city Dhaka, killing 22 young men commit acts of terror people. The attacker was with its actions. Ahmed Dar who inspired by the speeches of Zakir blew himself up in Pulwama and Naik. Bangladesh responded by killed over 40 Indian soldiers, banning Peace TV, a channel was radicalized because the founded by Zakir Naik in 2006, Indians had humiliated him. which is broadcast from Dubai. Beatings, burning of beards The channel claims to reach 100 and amputations are some million people worldwide. of the nightmarish stories in a Zakir Naik denied supporting never-ending list of the forms of violence. He released a video Indian torture meted out to the statement in which he said, Kashmiris. "Killing innocent beings is the When white nationalists second major sin in Islam." indulge in terrorism around Once, I was watching a live the world from New Zealand

54 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Feature

to California, rampaging mosques and we do not believe in this right at all. There synagogues, they cite Donald Trump as is no difference between his followers who their inspiration. Should President Trump be kill and those who ban and dehumanize him prosecuted for it? Should his organization because both pay attention to his speech, be banned from doing business around the not his speech rights. Also, the cause of the world? When soldiers of an invading army NIA would be served better if Indian Defence indulge in rape, extra judicial killings and Minister Rajnath Singh and Indian Prime other such horrific crimes in the occupied Minister Narendra Modi receive subpoenas land, should the world prosecute the for hate speech because they do it more leaders who ordered the invasion? There is and on a much larger scale since their a stronger and real link between the soldiers reach is far wider. This year the ED (India’s and the leaders rather than the terrorists and Enforcement Directorate) filed its first charge the inspirational leader, namely Naik and sheet against Zakir Naik saying, "His [Naik’s] Trump. thoughts created disharmony amongst The point is: this is about hatred for an various faiths and created hatred amongst individual and his faith and justifications are people following different faiths." The same found to satisfy those sadistic urges. Most could be said more strongly about Modi. importantly, the entire critique against Naik is focused on his religious work by those who The writer is a political otherwise talk of human rights. What about analyst. He can be reached his human rights, his right to a fair trial, his at [email protected] right of free speech? If we do not believe in free speech right of those we despise,

lé Playing Her Passion

M a Aminath Fazleena Abbas or DJ Angie is an enterprising and ambitious girl who has created a fresh, new niche for women in the Maldives.

By Noor Javed Sadiq felt through what she said in an interview: “You don’t just play to ike Anja Schneider to Ellen make people dance; you play for Allien, Monika Kruse, Magda, good music to fill the air”. From Cassy and many more around understanding and tuning to what Lthe world, Aminath Fazleena the audience wants, to setting the Abbas of the Maldives is out to make ambiance and vibes, DJ Angie mixes her own place as a female DJ. She is her sets right. Her favourites include popularly known as DJ Angie in Male. minimal techno, though she rarely The lady has broken many stereotypes gets to play it. This explains why by setting her mark in female DJing. she stresses that understanding and Aminath Fazleena Abbas’s journey tuning to the audience is the key to was not a bed of roses, though. It took the profession. a lot of rejections and not giving up in Now, with years of experience the name of the ‘not for girls mindset’. at hand and a recognized identity, She had the gumption and the guts to DJ Angie is known not only in the stand and get what she had dreamed Maldives but has also made a mark in of. That brought her to where she countries like Sri Lanka and the UAE. stands today - the first female DJ of But how did she do it in less than a the Maldives. decade? It was not easy. In her earlier Her passion for her craft can be days she was not considered by a

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 55 Feature

local DJ agency because they said they did marketing manager and helps her dad in not need a ‘typically local’ female Maldivian DJ Angie has his company. There she gets a chance to DJ – a rejection that did dim her zest at the succeeded in making plan her own business too. She believes in time but she didn’t give up and got her first having backups and not depending on one gig in Kuda Bandos Island for a crowd of a mark beyond her avenue. around 200 people. Her first resort gig was For her, passion comes from within. in Dusit Thani Resort in 2013 and, well, let’s own country. A lot of rejections and not giving up are at say, DJ Angie never looked back. the core of achieving her dreams. Maybe The calling of DJing has great scope Malé, from 2009 to 2011, she faced major she never dreamt of becoming the first in the Maldives as it is a major tourist limitations as there was no setup to practise. female DJ in the Maldives but her dream of attraction. But the locals lack opportunity In 2011, she finally had her own studio becoming a DJ did change a stigma - many in the profession because foreign DJs are where she polished her skills. She didn’t DJ agencies in the Maldives thought until hired or preferred over local DJs. DJ Angie, stop there. In 2013, she set out to fine-tune Abbas came along that a female was simply however, believes that the local DJs should her craft and completed a Electronic Music not cut out for the profession. get gigs and a DJ must understand that Production course in Thailand. This proved Today, Fazleena Abbas plays at highs and lows are a part of the profession. to be her anchor and aligned her to live her pioneering festivals and private and Abbas’s story is one of tests and dream of becoming a DJ. After facing one commercial resorts. She is a trail blazer for tribulations – and it is an inspiration; in 2008, challenge after another, today DJ Angie has many women. she decided to pursue DJing as a career, succeeded in making a mark beyond her not realizing then that years down the lane own country. The writer is a freelance she would rule the roost as the first female DJ Angie’s story is about pursuing her contributor. DJ in the Maldives. She completed her basic dreams. She took a decision and stuck She writes on socio-economic beginners course from the DJ Academy in to it. She travelled other avenues as well issues and can be reached Sri Lanka in 2009. After moving back to because she was multi-talented. She is a at [email protected]

56 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Around Town

Maria B Winter Escape he winter season is in full swing but winters without woollen clothes and pa- Tshmina shawls are no fun. Maria B has recently released its Winter Linen La Vie Luxe Collection which is full of sophistication and glam and has a variety of shades and styles. Maria B is one of the most significant labels in Pakistan‘s fashion industry and is well-known for its women’s clothing ideas and accessories. It is also operating internationally and gets a huge response from overseas customers. The brand now brings an opulent winter escape with fine linens, lush velvets, warm hues and chic embroidery invoking the magic of winter. The designs have good colour com- binations with premium linen fabric and hand-woven shawls and dupattas. The collection comprises three-piece unstitched women linen suits with floral patterns and embroidered shirts and plain linen trousers, woollen and pashmina shawls and fully printed dupattas. The embroidered shawls are hand-woven and add more grace to the winter line as they are stylish in their own way. All the dresses have delicate designs with bold colour patterns and soothing prints. Starting from its first retail store in 1999, Maria B’s main focus has always been on ready- to-wear fashion that reflects an elegant fusion of East and West. Today, Maria B is Pakistan’s most diverse designer fashion brand with prêt-a-porter, couture, formal wear, lawn, embroidered fabrics, linen and cottons - all under one affordable label and an extensive retail network with 25 outlets comprising both standalone outlets as well as mall outlets in 12 cities. They also export to India, the UK, USA, Bangladesh, the UAE and Qatar. Available nationwide, the collection is also available online.

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 57 Reviews Book Mongolian Pot Renaissance Man

By Nadya Chishty-Mujahid work, as do mentions of leaders and conquerors such as Napo- otable senior banker (who has leon Bonaparte, Aurangzeb, and been based in Switzerland as well Alexander the Great (whose destruc- as other places) Sirajuddin Aziz tion of the Persepolis library in a drunken Ndelights us with this collection of rage — one of the Macedonian’s less com- essays which spans well over three decades. mendable moments — is well-noted by Aziz’s Aziz, though a seasoned and harried banker, informed pen). One of the wittiest essays deals is remarkably well-read and his thoroughly in- with types of bosses in the corporate work- formed opinions on current affairs and history place; Aziz likens some to Napoleon (especially are consistently infused with literary allusions the short ones), others to the lascivious Henry as well as delightful personal anecdotes. The VIII, and some to modern-day King Arthurs best part about the book is that the sundry presiding over boardroom tables as opposed essays, each of which is brief but captivating, to the Round Table! Book Title : Mongolian Pot need not be read in any particular order. Clearly What impresses me about Sirajuddin Aziz’s Author : Sirajuddin Aziz this is a book to be savoured and enjoyed, and writing the most is the lightness and deftness Publisher : BBCL, 2019 Aziz does us a favour in carefully compiling his of his touch. His tone remains unobtrusive re- Pages : Hardback; 574 pp. sundry heartfelt writings in this single volume. gardless of whether he is expressing his dis- ISBN : 978-969-976-004-4 The former Pakistan High Commissioner to pleasure over irreverent Danish cartoons or Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, an unapologetic voicing his sincere appreciation of Syrian sites as fine a freelance journalist as he appears to an Anglophile as Aziz himself, pens a thorough such as the Cenotaph of St John the Baptist. be a committed banker, though he takes the foreword to the book. He deals skillfully with religious and political is- undeniable demands of the latter career in Having travelled extensively over the sues and personalities; indeed, his respect for stride by referring to aspects of it humorously. course of his career, Aziz makes interesting Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s charisma and diplomacy For instance, he comments that in order to references to several places he has person- reflects genuine admiration as well as nostal- compensate for their dull, number-crunching ally visited. His awestruck impressions of the gia. One of his pieces on Bhutto was written jobs, bankers hold their conferences in the Great Wall of China, his aversion to Egyptian as far back as in 1976, and though many of most interesting and exotic locations around bellydancing, his delight in the picturesque his essays (such as those on Presidents Mush- the world! He speaks in more detail of cer- French city of Nice, and his literary snapshots arraf and Zardari) are less dated, his writings tain specific conferences such as the famous of places as diverse as London and Hong will appeal to both young and old alike. It is Asian Development Bank conference based in Kong, all serve to provide us with a panoramic refreshing to observe Aziz paying sincere com- Manila, and uses such points to springboard and global view of the modern world viewed pliments to Asif Zardari’s political and business his discussion towards broader views of cul- from a position of both privilege and empathy. savvy, since one gets tired of hearing the same ture than just those presented in over air-con- Lest readers assume that he can focus only on old criticisms of the former president, many of ditioned conference rooms. the grandiose, I shall hasten to note that Aziz is which are no doubt grossly exaggerated. A thorough gentleman, Aziz’s old world as good about writing on topics far more do- I am unable to gauge why Aziz chose to charm and superb breeding are evinced by the mestic and close to his heart as he is about place his essays in this order — perhaps he subtlety and refinement that underpin even his depicting his globetrotting adventures. was relying on some mysterious inner instinct strongest opinions and most complex topics. His mother passed away tragically when as a writer. But given that there are several His feelings for Pakistan range from restrain- he was but a child, and his father raised him pieces on the importance of China as a major edly passionate to politely critical, but every with a grace and tenderness that would put global power, on his father, on various loca- line of his text smacks of sincerity. With an most women to shame, and virtually all men. tions in Asia, and on matters pertaining specifi- egalitarianism and diversity of which the great Firm and capable, but also sensitive and cally to Pakistani politics and society, perhaps Dickens himself would have been proud, Aziz ethical, his father instilled fine values in the the book would have benefited from being or- writes about ‘characters’ such as a sari-clad child while simultaneously encouraging his ganized into topical sections. Regardless, he airflight companion with the same grace with love of reading. One of the essays is entirely has written widely for respected publications which he deals with Imran Khan and Benazir on Charles Dickens, himself a pastmaster at ranging from Dawn, Newsline and the Express Bhutto. Though he may not actively character- depicting social panorama. But references to Tribune to the Business Recorder and the Daily ize himself as such, at heart Sirajuddin Aziz is a Shakespeare also crop up regularly in Aziz’s Times. Thus, in his own inimitable way, he is true Renaissance man.

58 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Reviews

Book

pakistan, the economy of an elitist state A Useful Resource

By Aadil Nakhoda decades (2000-2019), which the author Book Title : Pakistan the Economy of an spent at institutions, both government and Elitist State he second edition of “Pakistan Author : Dr. Ishrat Husain higher educational, in Pakistan. The Economy of an Elitist State” Year : 2019 The book begins with a chapter on authored by Dr. Ishrat Husain, Publisher : Oxford University Press the growth and structural change in the T published in 2019, provides Pages : 556 economy of Pakistan. This chapter outlays readers an excellent and detailed analysis of ISBN : 978-0-19-940661-6 the transition from an agricultural economy the economic conditions that have persisted at the birth of Pakistan, which accounted throughout the history of Pakistan. It is a for more than 50% of GDP, to an economy useful resource on the economic history of dominated by the services sector in the Pakistan. The book explains how Pakistan mid-1990s. The chapter discusses various has experienced volatile economic growth eras that shaped the economic history of rates, uneven and low levels of development Pakistan. A chapter on the production and weak social indicators. base follows which details the development The socio-economic environment in of the agricultural and industrial sectors Pakistan clearly suggests the domination of in Pakistan. It emphasizes on the lack of the elite class in the political systems as well reforms as well as the lack of innovation as in the distribution of economic resources. and competition in the critical sectors. For This tilting in their favour has created what instance, the industrial policy in Pakistan the author refers to as an ‘elitist state’. The has favoured the elite as it has not only fact that the author goes beyond the scope been highly protective of selected industries of economics and expands the horizon but generated large private benefits. The of the discussion with the aid of political macroeconomic foundations lay out the economy helps the reader get a better challenges in setting the fiscal, monetary understanding of the economic conditions and exchange rate policies throughout prevalent in the country and their impact on the history of Pakistan, leading to volatility. the distribution of resources across different The book emphasizes on fiscal indiscipline strata of society. The extensive coverage in across various eras leading to high fiscal the book makes it highly recommended for deficits and consequently challenges in all individuals interested in the economy of economic management. Pakistan. The author includes chapters that Dr. Ishrat Husain is a leading expert discuss the importance of human capital on the economy of Pakistan. He has such as health, education and poverty over twenty years of experience serving across the country. alleviation as well as chapters focusing on in various positions in Pakistan apart Serving as the dean of a premium physical capital in Pakistan. This provides from his experience in the World Bank, business school in Pakistan, Dr. Ishrat the reader with valuable insights into the spanning more than two decades. The Husain interacted with students graduating level of inequality in the country as well as first edition of the book under review was from the most elite private schools in the impact of poor availability of resources published in 1999 when Dr. Ishrat Hussain Pakistan as well as CEOs and owners of on labour productivity and economic was still working at the World Bank. He elite corporations, multi-national companies growth. The chapter on physical capital later served as the Governor of the State and large-scale businesses. Therefore, with highlights the constraints due to the low Bank of Pakistan, the country’s financial his vast experience that involves heading the quality of infrastructure with the help of regulator and has first-hand information on central bank and a premier business school, detailed analyses on various aspects the workings of the elitist state. The elitist he is endowed with enough knowledge and of the infrastructure that include roads, group are not only major borrowers from insights to write a comprehensive book on telecommunications, irrigation and energy. the banks but several within the group have the elitist state. The last chapter in the book The author ensures a holistic approach large stakes of ownership in major banks provides a detailed analysis of the last two in discussing the impact as not only

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 59 Reviews

challenges are put forward with a detailed detailing Pakistan’s economic performance. on the mechanism for rent-seeking and historical analysis on each issue discussed This primarily discusses the economic wealth accumulation adopted by the elite but policy reform recommendations are conditions of Pakistan over time and groups and the distortions created as a also incorporated. The author follows up includes comparisons against best- result. with a chapter on the external account of practice countries in East Asia as well as The book is highly recommended as it a country that includes a discussion on the development of Pakistan in the context is an excellent resource for any individual foreign trade, external debt and resource of South Asia. It brings out paradoxes in interested in obtaining well-rounded flows. The author mentions the structure economic performance as poor trends insights into the economic conditions of of trade, consisting of a narrow base, the for certain indicators have weakened the Pakistan and the evolution of the economy extremely slow approach towards trade economy. The author emphasizes on the role since the birth of Pakistan and that too from liberalization and the chronic balance of of the elite groups as they have maximized a source regarded as the most experienced payment crisis as weaknesses in the trade their rent seeking activities. In one chapter, and most authentic voice on economic policies. In essence, the author ensures the author lays out the economic and issues in Pakistan. However, it would have that not only a detailed historical context social agenda for the 21st century. This been more interesting if the information and be provided to the reader but discussions chapter forms the backbone of the book statistics in each chapter were updated to on cross-country comparisons and future as it involves several recommendations more recent years instead of putting them all prospects are also provided to readers for key institutions in Pakistan. The author in one concluding chapter. This disconnect accompanied with rounded insights into concludes the book with a chapter titled with issues faced in recent years is one critical issues. ‘The Elitist State’. This is mainly an addition disadvantage that must be addressed by The author continues with a chapter to the first edition. This chapter emphasizes the author in subsequent editions.

documentary Journey into America Travelling to Discover BY Muhammad Omar Iftikhar State Representative says that people in the Muslims opposed it while some Muslims parade represent all walks of life. “This is what thought that the parade was too American hmed Akbar, American-Pakistani Islam is all about,” Samad says. He says that and too Western. academic, author and former Islam asks everyone to come together as a Akbar Ahmed’s documentary is an eye- Pakistani High Commissioner to community. When asked if there was any opener for those who think that America is Athe United Kingdom, narrates his opposition that they faced when organiz- the land of the free. Despite such thinking, journey to rediscover Islam in America in his ing the parade, Imam Shamsi Ali says that the documentary shows a woman hold- documentary “Journey into America.” the non- ing a placard that reads, “Home of The documentary begins with the Free and not Sharia because scenes from footage captured at of our Brave Constitution.” Ahmed the Muslim Day Parade in New goes on to say that “people had York City. American-Muslims are different ideas of what it meant to carrying placards and banners be American.” A verbal confronta- along with flags of their representa- tion between the Muslims and the tive countries. non-Muslims is also seen. They are “I had set out to learn Islam in presenting their views to the other America. But I found I could not do group and standing tall with it. so without understanding the Ameri- A clip from The Riz Khan Show can identity” are the first words in on Al Jazeera English shows a the documentary as stated by the unique journey to the Muslim narrator, Akbar Ahmed. While talking world through America. Profes- to Ahmed, Ako Abdul-Samad, Iowa sor Martin and Hailey Woldt, who

60 SOUTHASIA • January 2020 Reviews

were both Ahmed’s former Honours students, along with Jonathan Hayden from Alabama and Ahmed’s Chief of Staff for five years, ac- companies Ahmed to the Muslim world. Craig Considine, Ahmed’s student is the film director. While Ahmed has worked with film production units in the past, he has decided to work informally and casually while shooting the documentary. “This way we will not attract attention and distract people, especially in mosques and homes.” Ahmed says. Ma- diha Hameed also joins the group for three months. While filming the documentary, Ahmed and his crew visited over 75 cities and some 100 mosques and met every kind of Muslim. Ahmed says, “For me, it was a journey of dis- covery. It was also my tribute to the land that had welcomed me and my family.” Dr. Craig Considine in his blog, craig- considinetcd.com, writes that, “‘Journey into America’ is arguably the most comprehen- Susan Talve, Central Reform Congregation, Lee from the Rehoboth Cathedral said that sive documentary ever made on Muslims in gave blessings to Ahmed and his team for he saw Imam Seifullah as his brother. He said America. The film explores the issue of what their journey. Talve said it was a huge respon- that he was trying to remove the myths many it means to be American sibility and an honour to go people have about Islam and Christianity. In- through the lens of Mus- This film on the journey. Bob Holden, terestingly, the mosque and the cathedral are lims.” former Governor of Missouri situated beside each other, which goes to Ahmed’s documentary shows the said that minorities, includ- show the freedom in opinion enjoyed in the has also been called an es- causes and ing the Italians and the Irish, US. sential pillar in the effort to had tremendous problems This film shows the causes and reasons build the interfaith bridge of reasons for the coming in the country. for the non-Muslims of America to see Mus- understanding by Congress- non-Muslims During his journey, lims as invaders into their land. Most of this man Keith Ellison, America’s of America Ahmed visited Dearborn in confusion and debate began because of the first-ever Muslim represen- Michigan that houses one gap the two communities had among them. tative on Capitol Hill. Ellison seeing of the largest Muslim pop- While there are non-Muslims and Muslims adds that “‘Journey into Muslims as ulations in the US. At the alike who are trying to reduce the gap, this America’ will inform, pro- Islamic Center of America film by Akbar Ahmed will be viewed as a case voke, and inspire Americans invaders into in Dearborn, Ahmed met study. It will facilitate members from both of all colors, cultures, and their land. Imam Sayed Hassan Al- communities to look at the Muslims as the faiths.” Qazwini who has become custodians of a religion that was founded on Most of the documenta- the voice of the Muslims peace. ry is focused on the sympathetic depiction of in America. Where Imam Sayed has been As the documentary ends, Ahmed says, Muslims belonging to a diverse range of pro- promoting Islam, the documentary also fea- “We can all benefit from the wisdom of the fessions residing in America. While the docu- tured Farhan Latif, former President, Muslim great founding fathers of America. The found- mentary looks at the views from both sides of Students Association, University of Michigan, ing fathers passionately believed in a plural- the fence, it does point out an interesting de- Dearborn, who was attacked for promoting ist America. A statue at Jefferson’s Univer- tail. Viewers realize that anti-Muslim prejudice interfaith dialogue. sity in Virginia carries a tablet which reads, can be because of ignorance and not malice. In Las Vegas, Ahmed met two inspiring ‘Religious Freedom: 1786. God, Jehovah, Traveling far and wide across America al- people, Imam Fateen Seifullah and Bishop R. Brahma, Atma, Ra, Allah, Zeus.’ Jefferson lowed Ahmed and his team the opportunity to E. Lee. Ahmed met Imam Seifullah at the old- owns the Quran and welcomes the believers meet all sorts of Americans. He says, “As we est mosque of Las Vegas. It was built during of Allah. It is this extraordinary pluralist vision travelled, I was again struck by the beauty and the late 1960s. Imam Seifullah said that Mike that is in jeopardy. I believe America needs to grandeur of America and the hospitality and Tyson gave one of the largest donations to the rediscover the moral clarity, courage and in- generosity of its people.” In St. Louis, Rabbi mosque along with Muhammad Ali. Bishop clusiveness of its founding fathers.”

SOUTHASIA • January 2020 61 Reviews

Film Doctor Sleep Cult Classic

BY Muhammad Ali Khan Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings led by Dr John Dalton (Bruce Greenwood) to octor Sleep’ is an adap- quit drinking. During the sessions with Dr tation of Stephen King’s Dalton, he meets a girl Abra Stone (Kyliegh 2013 follow-up novel ‘The Curran) who possesses psychic powers ‘DShining’, a cult that Stan- that shine even brighter than his. ley Kubrick adapted in 1980. Not many Things begin to shatter when Abra people would remember the boy Danny accidentally gets the attention of the True Torrance in the story as he was the least Knot, a group of powerful creatures who engaging character but ‘Doctor Sleep’, feed off the shine of innocents in their quest a belated sequel to ‘The Shining’, wants for immortality. The group, led by their blue- people to review their memories and think eyed leader Rose the Hat (Rebecca Fergu- about Danny’s fate. Combining the works of son), keeps the ghosts of the people they ematic Stephen King villains right alongside King and Kubrick, the film makes success- target in silver canisters. In a scene where the likes of Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance, ful changes and presents an intense drama they despoil a frightened young boy for his Kathy Bates’ Annie Wilkes, Bill Skarsgard’s journey full of horror and magic. Director essence, is nightmare-inducing. With Abra Pennywise The Clown and Clancy Brown’s Mike Flanagan, most popular for his Netf- in danger, Dan confronts his trauma and Captain Hadley. Rebecca gives her career- lix production ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, uses his powers while reawakening the best in ‘Doctor Sleep’. very brilliantly pulls off this difficult blend of ghosts of the past. His idea is to attract the Flanagan doesn’t emphasise his con- legacies. He makes major changes to the True Knot to the Overlook Hotel where the nections to the rest of King’s work but his source material and comes out illustrating ghosts of the hotel give them a taste of their film encompasses so many of the author’s again what a confident and interesting film- own medicine. Thus, Abra and Danny draw obsessions like cats, psychics and missing maker he can be. Rose and her team into a final showdown. children that it prompts viewers to ask if the The story unfolds forty years after the The film blends emotional and -super events of ‘Carrie’, ‘The Dead Zone’, ‘Cat’s terrifying events of Stephen King’s book natural events and enhances the role of the Eye’ and ‘Pet Sematary’ all consist of the where Danny Torrance, having telepathic characters. Ewan McGregor brings out the same fictional universe? Flanagan, while abilities known as ‘the shining’ that enable emotional and fearful Dan as a character portraying more closely the novelist’s ideas him to read minds and predict the future, who battles to overcome his past while about evil, innocence and addiction, also escapes the haunted halls of the Overlook helping others to heal through his powers. pays tribute to some of Kubrick’s visual sig- Hotel with his mother and a handful of He sells the heavy baggage that he carries natures, especially in flashbacks that take ghosts in tow. Flanagan narrates the story with him everywhere and demonstrates a grown-up Dan back to the Overlook. Mi- in his style through the eyes of an adult powerful inner-strength. Kyliegh Curran as chael Fimognari’s cinematography and The Danny (Ewan McGregor), now Dan, who as Abra, a young but confident girl, shows her Newton Brothers’ score give the film a chilly a child was terrorized by demons. bravery and infuses her role with impressive look and atmosphere. Dan is now using alcoholism to hide his charisma and energy. She nicely comple- ‘Doctor Sleep’ makes for a sombre re- trauma and reaches a point where he takes ments Dan as they both share the same flection on the lingering effects of childhood money from a single mother whom he finds power. trauma and addiction by way of the hor- dead next to him after a one-night stand. Cliff Curtis as the friend Billy, also Dan’s ror genre. Credible in its characterisation, He then decides to rebuild his life and AA sponsor, adds additional warmth to the rich in mythological detail and touchingly winds up in New Hampshire where he finds film but the best thing about it is Rebecca sincere in its treatment of alcoholism and a job as an orderly at a hospice clinic and Ferguson as Rose the Hat. She turns a thin trauma, the film is impressive in all sorts of uses his shining power to ease people at character into a great villain, someone who ways. The climax is eerie and satisfying but the edge of death. One of his patients even uses her good looks and charisma to dis- its greatest achievement is that it makes nicknames him as ‘Doctor Sleep’ and, with guise her evil intentions of killing children ‘The Shining’ seem like a prequel and you their ease, he finds peace. Soon he makes with nary a second thought. People will re- feel glad that you got to see that sinister a friend Billy Freeman (Cliff Curtis) and joins member her as one of the all-time great cin- funhouse again.

62 SOUTHASIA • January 2020