INTERNATIONAL Failed Coup in Turkey Reg. ss-973 September 2016 www.southasia.com.pk INSIDE INDIA BANGLADESH NEPAL NEIGHBOUR Perception and Fact Terrorism Threat Musical Chairs Across the Line

WHO Will Be The New ARMY CHIEF? This is a crucial question both for the Pakistan Army and the nation’s political leadership. The ‘who’ and ‘when’ of the decision will be important for the on-going operation Zarb-e-Azb as well as for the future course of democracy.

Contents 12 Difficult Legacy Will he or won’t he? Will Gen. Raheel Sharif accept an extension and become a Field Marshal?

India Pakistan Perception20 and Fact India takes an important The Real Estate step forward. Conundrum 26 How well will the real estate sector perform after reforms?

Nepal Musical Chairs The world is watching Nepal as 28 it makes its next move.

The Maldives Waiting Game Voices of dissent against the 32 Yameen government are growing. 22 Bangladesh Terrorism Denied There are some key lessons that Bangladesh needs to learn.

4 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 REGULAR FEATURES 35 Editor’s Mail 8 After the Storm On Record 9 The Turkish government is going into the causes Briefs 10 of the aborted coup with COVER STORY great vehemence. Difficult Legacy 12

Change of Guard 14

Marching Forward 16

Passing the Baton 18 REGION

India

Perception and Fact 20 Bangladesh

Terrorism Threat 22 Sri Lanka

Ways of Democracy 24 Pakistan

The Real Estate Conundrum 26 Sri42 Lanka Nepal Another War Musical Chairs 28 The country is devastated by the drug menace. Bhutan

Groping for Good Sense 30 The Maldives

Waiting Game 32 Bhutan INTERNATIONAL Save that Glacier! After the Storm 35 Among the many reasons for climate change in South Asia, 44 NEIGHBOUR melting glaciers in Bhutan is one. Across the Line 38 FEATURES

India

Saffronising of India 40 Sri Lanka

Another War 42 Bhutan 38 Save that Glacier! 44 Neighbour SOUTHASIA 15 Years Ago 46 Across the Line The love-hate relationship SPECIAL REPORT INSIDE: continues. France & Pakistan

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 5

COMMENT

Pakistan’s New Direction SEPTEMBER 2016 Vol.20 Issue 09 n the backdrop of the intensely growing relationship between Pakistan PRESIDENT & EDITOR IN CHIEF and China, there has been a major development in U.S.-India security Syed Jawaid Iqbal Irelations, resulting in the signing of the long-anticipated Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). The Agreement facilitates the provision of MANAGING EDITOR logistical support, supplies and services between the U.S. and Indian militaries Zeba Jawaid on a reimbursable basis and incorporates a framework to govern the arrangement. EDITOR LEMOA would help both countries in monitoring the use of each others’ land, Javed Ansari air and naval bases for repair and resupply and would be a step forward in building mutual defence ties as both countries seek to counter the growing ASSISTANT EDITORS Mahrukh Farooq maritime assertiveness of China. It is interesting to note that a week before the Samina Wahid – Faizan Usmani signing of the LEMOA, Forbes magazine had warned China and Pakistan that Feature Writer: Khawaja Amer India and the U.S. were about to sign a major pact. The fact that the magazine described the US-India agreement as ‘a major pact’ was pregnant with meaning. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Commenting on the agreement, US media noted that it was a key component S. G. Jilanee of the Obama Administration’s policy to contain China, which would further spread its influence across Asia by deploying 60 per cent of its surface ships in CONTRIBUTORS the Indo-Pacific region in the near future. The media reports also pointed out Saira Owais Adil - Dr. Moonis Ahmar that unlike Afghanistan and Iraq, where the US had to build everything from M.M. Alam - Muhammad Ali Ehsan scratch, India already had the military facilities the United States could use Muhammad Omar Iftikhar - S.G. Jilanee when needed. Taha Kehar - Dr. Raza Khan - Taj M. Khattak The advisor on foreign affairs to Pakistan Prime Minister, Sartaj Aziz, said, Mahrukh A. Mughal - Lubna Jerar Naqvi “The U.S. approaches Pakistan whenever it needs it, and abandons it when it S. Mubashir Noor - Tahera Sajid - Faizan Usmani doesn't.” He also said, “We firmly conveyed it to the U.S. that maintaining effective nuclear deterrence is critical for Pakistan's security and only Pakistan GRAPHICS & LAYOUT itself can determine how it should respond to growing strategic imbalance in Kamran Ghulam Nabi Haroon Rasheed South Asia." The massive expansion of US-India military ties will definitely impact both Pakistan and China and may draw actions on their part which could MARKETING & ADVERTISING further escalate the military balance in the region. At the same time, there is no Aqam-ud-Din Khan denying the fact that Pakistan has dismally failed to put in order its foreign office SPECIAL PROJECTS so that it can more effectively tackle such developments as LEMOA and many Waqas Jan - Syed Ovais Akhtar other similar situations. In fact, the question of India’s entry into the NSG will Hira Sarwar again raise its ugly head very soon, as the U.S. will now feel more confident in making another attempt of supporting India. The pity is that the democratic COORDINATOR government in Pakistan is still without a full-time foreign minister which has Shehryar Zulfiqar impacted the country’s outlook in many sticky situations pertaining to foreign CIRCULATION relations. Danish Shahid The newly developing ties between the U.S. and India are seen as a foreign policy success of the Obama administration. It is now becoming clear that EDITORIAL & BUSINESS OFFICE America regards India as an important counter-balance to China. Pakistan has 20-C, Lane 12, off Khayaban-e-Ittehad, Phase II been ignored in the entire equation and the U.S. is giving much more weight Extension, DHA, Karachi - 75500, Pakistan to India as the bigger power in the region. Pakistan should, therefore, take this Phones: 92-21- 35313821-24 opportunity to get all the more close to China and provide it everything that is Fax: 92-21-35313832 possible in terms of cooperation and support for CPEC. The country should also Website: www.southasia.com.pk Email: [email protected] expand its military and technical cooperation with the Central Asia Republics and there should be a renewed focus on exchanges with these countries. So MIDDLE EAST far Pakistan’s main interest has been in the economic and energy area but now REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE regional security and stability must be a part of the agenda. By boosting its Pirana Advertising JLT military cooperation with the CAR nations, Pakistan could minimize India's PO Box 486207, 1704, Level 17, HDS Tower, regional role because the Central Asian States are not backward countries Jumeirah Lake Towers Cluster F, Dubai, UAE anymore and are much advanced in terms of education, infrastructure, standard Phone: +97-14- 4508309 of life, gender rights, etc. On the US front, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum Fax: +97-14-3688487 of Agreement (LEMOA) is like a wakeup call for Pakistan. Instead of just looking Email: [email protected] towards the U.S. for aid in various areas, it needs to have a better understanding of the emerging realities nearer to home. Being a part of CPEC is very much a SouthAsia is published every month logical direction for this South Asian power to take. After all, it is the world’s by Syed Jawaid Iqbal for and on behalf of sixth largest country and has one of the best standing armies. It must take full JAWZ Communications (Pvt.) Ltd. advantage of its positive points and, by further leveraging its relationship with and printed by Union Graphics, Karachi. China, it must become an important player in the region. Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily shared by the editors.

Published since 1977 as Thirdworld, the magazine was re-launched in 1997 as SouthAsia.

Syed Jawaid Iqbal EDITOR’S MAIL

Beyond CPEC Stunted Corruption Region Rules WaterAid is an According to a recent international NGO, working report issued by Transparency to make sure that everyone in International, less than 38 the world has access to safe per cent of the accused in water and proper sanitation. Bangladesh are convicted Recently, it has issued its in corruption cases, while annual report titled ‘Caught the remaining lot of the Short,’ which reveals the accused goes scotfree owing Procedure' to entertain those world’s worst places in terms to lack of substantial proofs bids and proposals which of children’s physical growth and witnesses. More than are sent by the private sector and cognitive development. for the implementation of According to the report, such government projects. Based South Asian nations as India, on a Swiss model, the Pakistan and Bangladesh are system is already in use in among the top-ten countries many countries other than with the greatest number Switzerland and is supposed of stunted children. India to be an effective method tops the list, while Pakistan to select private contractors and Bangladesh are ranked and investors purely on at 3rd and 7th positions, merit because it disregards respectively. This is really any political influence a matter of concern for the or favouritism during the Southasia’s cover story region, which lags well bidding process. This is a on the China-Pakistan behind the rest of the world good move and will help Economic Corridor (CPEC) in providing basic facilities bring transparency in Sri featured the strategic to its people. Instead of Lanka, where even mega significance and huge spending the most part of 68 per cent of the people development projects are growth potential of CPEC their hard-earned resources are affected by rampant assigned to parties through which is being termed as a on military expenditure, corruption both in the wheeling and dealing and game-changer in the region. government and private without considering actual For a struggling economy sectors but only a few of the qualifications, expertise and like Pakistan’s, the project victims lodge complaints experience. is a positive development, against such practices. The but the country also needs Anti-Corruption Commission S.V.P.T. Bandara, to think beyond CPEC to (ACC) in Bangladesh Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. achieve long-term goals receives a small number of in terms of economic and complaints related to graft, financial growth. Putting all corruption, nepotism and Crisis in Nepal eggs in one basket is never other forms of official abuse. the right approach. The This tends to be an alarming After the resignation of principle also applies to situation for a country which PM K.P. Oli, the political the ongoing CPEC project is behind most of the world crisis in Nepal is at its which with all its immense in terms of social justice, peak in the country and potential. It can never poverty alleviation and rumours are rife about alone serve the objectives economic development. another political ploy being Pakistan wants to achieve developed to topple the in the longrun. The country Habib Ullah Ansari, new federal government. should adopt a multi- Chittagong, Bangladesh. Currently, there are more pronged approach and than a dozen political explore all of the untapped South Asian countries must parties and alliances in avenues to address its focus on the welfare of their Welcome Move Nepal that have different development issues. people. views and policies The Sri Lankan regarding constitutional Abdul Hameed, Alia Fareed, government has introduced amendments, foreign policy Karachi, Pakistan. Azamgarh, India. the 'Swiss Challenge and other governmental

8 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 ON RECORDSLUG

“Every institu- “If we cannot tion should embrace our dalit work in proper brothers and sis- fashion. Oth- ters, the world will erwise, other not forgive us.” players will Narendra Modi, chime in.” Prime Minister Pervez Musharraf, of India former President of Pakistan

“Kashmir remains “What kind of an unfinished Muslims are these agenda of the who kill other United Nations people during and India must Ramadan?” realise that Polio Vaccination Sheikh Hasina Kashmir is not Wajid, its internal matter, Regular vaccination is the only way to prevent Prime Minister of Bangladesh rather it is a matter of regional and polio and no country in the world can afford to international concern.” run out of polio vaccines due to any reason. Nawaz Sharif, Unfortunately, the health system in Bhutan has Prime Minister of Pakistan been running out of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine “The government (IPV) since the beginning of 2016. Bhutan launched is fully committed the first polio immunisation programme in 1979 to safeguarding and after 12 years, it also achieved universal the nation as well “What aspect of childhood immunisation. For the last two decades, as the pride of human dignity has not a single polio case has been reported in the the heroic armed been lost? What country, which is no doubt a big achievement. But forces.” are the weakness- despite being a low-risk country in terms of polio Maithripala Sirisena, es in the Maldives’ importation and spread, Bhutan cannot afford to President of Sri Lanka judiciary?” be complacent on this crucial matter and it must Abdulla Yameen, take all necessary measures to have a sufficient President of the Maldives stock of polio vaccines. Choten V. Dorji, “Terrorism is the Gelephu, Bhutan. common enemy “Nepal wants to of Pakistan and develop trilateral Afghanistan relations with its and we should two big neigh- eliminate the bours - India and menace with China.” joint efforts.” Pushpa Kamal Ashraf Ghani, Dahal Prachanda, President of Afghanistan Prime Minister of Nepal

“Russian security “If the govern- services are trying ment of the day to distract the were to spend a population of disproportionate Crimea and the amount of time international com- talking about GNH munity from its (gross national criminal actions, turning the penin- happiness) rather than delivering ba- sula into an isolated military base.” sic services, then it is a distraction.” Vladimir Putin, Tshering Tobgay, President of the Russian Prime Minister of Bhutan Federation matters. Excluding the Communist Party of Nepal, all other parties are trying to destabilise the existing political system. A major setback will pave the way for new “There are no good “I call President general elections which is not only a costly exercise but terrorists or bad Obama and Hil- also detrimental to the future of democracy in Nepal. terrorists. Terrorists lary Clinton the are terrorists.” founders of ISIS.” Roshan Kumar Sharma, Rajnath Singh, Donald Trump, Butwal, Nepal. Indian Home U.S. presidential Minister candidate

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 9 BRIEFS

PAKISTAN Moving Ahead oving ahead in major Asian economies in terms of stock market performance, the Pakistan Stock MExchange (PSX) has been declared Asia’s best stock market by Quartz, an international business publication. In Exchange the best market in Asia, while the country has 2016, Pakistan’s benchmark equity index, the KSE 100, was successfully regained the ‘Tiger’ status in the region. Moving also declared the fifth-best performing stock index globally. ahead to stronger points with stable output, Pakistan has seen In its latest report, Bloomberg also termed the Pakistan Stock 15 per cent rise in its overall economic growth this year.

PAKISTAN Clearing Ballast akistan Railways has acquired a state-of-the-art ballast cleaning machine for automatic track maintenance. PNormally, the ballast (little rocks) is damaged owing to ground movement, vibrations, contraction and heat expansion. The new machine will help clear the old ballast and way for new ballast to keep the wooden cross ties on the tracks stable. The machine will clear cover 300 meters of tracks with new ballast within an hour, saving significant time and resources and keep the railway tracks smooth and running. The machine has been initially introduced in the Punjab on a test basis.

INDIA Kerosene Quota ollowing Delhi and Chandigarh, Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is going to become the third 'kerosene-free' city Fin India. The Karnataka government is providing cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to below poverty line (BPL) households, which use kerosene oil owing to insufficient LPG supply. Currently, some 15 per cent households in Bengaluru and nearly 35 per cent families in Karnataka rely on kerosene. The Karnataka government has reduced the kerosene quota to 90,000 kilolitres against a sanctioned quota of 5.09 lakh kilolitres. This will help the state government get additional funds worth 75 crore rupees from the centre.

INDIA Training Vendors he Delhi city government will provide food safety and hygiene training to some 23,000 street food vendors. In the Tfirst phase, 18,000 vendors will be trained in hygiene, food storage and handling methods, as per standards set by the Drug Control and Food Safety Department. Each vendor will then be awarded a skill endorsement certificate. The initiative is a part of the Delhi government's long-term plan to provide safe, healthy and unadulterated food in the city.

10 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 BANGLADESH Floating Schools o provide uninterrupted education, even during the rainy season, solar-powered floating schools serve Bangladesh with primary Teducation – a world first. Since 2002, more than 70,000 children have benefited from the schools. A smart combination of school bus and schoolhouse, the floating schools collect students from riverside villages, dock at a fixed point and later take students back to their homes. Providing primary education up to grade IV, each boat school can take up to 30 students. Each boat school has a library, an Internet- linked laptop and other electronic resources.

SRI LANKA Wi-Fi Hotspots or high-speed Internet connectivity, the Sri Lankan government is setting up Wi-Fi hotspots at 400 locations across the country. FThe idea is to build a knowledge-based economy to help people get information online. The seamless internet service will help increase employment to achieve long-term economic growth. The broadband infrastructure will cover far-flung areas and the project is expected to be completed by November 2016.

NEPAL Mountain Academy fter its Mountain Training Centre in Solukhumbhu District, the Nepal government will now set up the Nepal Mountain AAcademy in Kathmandu for those who want to study the mountains. Focusing on mountain tourism, the Academy will provide education to local and international students in mountaineering and trekking as per international standards. It also aims to produce well-trained manpower for development, expansion and promotion of mountain tourism. Nepal is home to some of the world’s tallest mountains, including Mount Everest.

BHUTAN Better Connections he Bhutan government is providing utility vehicles to gewogs (a group of villages) on highly subsidized rates. The operational Tand maintenance cost of these vehicles will be borne by the government which is also offering a helicopter-bus service to such gewogs and chiwogs (administrative divisions), which don’t have road connectivity. The disconnected areas will be connected by the helicopter service on a fifty per cent discount. There are 6 gewogs in Bhutan that are not linked with the rest of the country via roads.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 11 COVER STORY

Difficult Legacy

Gen. Raheel Sharif has set a shining example of moral sagacity and leadership for his successor.

By S.G. Jilanee

en. Raheel Sharif is the first where he stepped in resolutely when the it should be recalled that even the British Pakistan army chief ever, to civil government was found dragging its gave it a wide berth. The area was called Gbecome a legend even during feet on the issue of taking a firm action Yaghistan and its inhabitants, Yaghis. It his tenure, with many spectacular against the Taliban terrorists. was held that an outsider going into the achievements under his belt. The Zarb- To have a proper idea of what the territory never returned alive and the high e-Azb operation is a shining example operation in North Waziristan involved, cliffs dotting the area were inaccessible.

12 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 Gen. Raheel shattered that myth new. In Pakistan, the army has always to take out the terrorists and destroy and disinfested the area from terrorists, held all the power because from the their hideouts. The harder part will generating hope among the people for earliest days, while the politicians be that of rehabilitating the displaced a peaceful and better future. In another forfeited the trust of the masses due inhabitants of North Waziristan and decisive move, he had a gate erected at to their corruption, favouritism and holding the area against any new Torkham to check the influx of terrorists and other illegal entrants into Pakistan in spite of flimsy and unreasonable objections from the Kabul government. In the existing situation the task before There were occasions when opportunity invited him, like sirens, to Gen. Sharif’s successor would be cut out give a push to the prime minister and for him. He should be able to carry on the take over the reins but like Odysseus, he resisted the temptation. Whenever he mission of his predecessor to a successful end. found the elected government wavering to take action for national security, he took the initiative as in the case of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, but he had no nepotism, the army won their confidence terrorist infiltration. This will be the first inclination for adventure. on account of its clean hands. Besides, challenge for the new army chief. The Yet, it was the army chief’s reverence to the army chief is inbuilt in task is gigantic because the territory is ‘thunderous‘ proclamation that he the Pakistani psyche due to its Islamic almost in a primitive state of civilization, would retire on the dot at the end of his profile, because, in Islam the head of which needs proper civil administration service term that has raised him head state is the sipah salar. and other basic amenities. and shoulders above his predecessors However, to consider the sipah salar A still more formidable challenge in public esteem. In a country where as being synonymous with the army for the incoming army chief will be to army chiefs have been prone to a chief is rather misplaced due to the fact prove himself equal to his predecessor lust for power, going from extension- that sipah salar means commander- in many other ways because, Gen. seeking to staging coups, Raheel in-chief of all defence forces, not the Sharif has emerged as the most popular Sharif’s pronouncement was historic army alone and in a democratic setup, Pakistani leader, yet. His popularity can and endeared him to the people all the the elected president or prime minister be judged from the fact that he is said to more for his moral sagacity. holds that office. In Pakistan the prime have become a “bestseller, with badges The declaration unwittingly also minister appoints the army chief. It is, and stickers of him in the military created two camps among the public. however, a different matter that after uniform selling like hot cakes at stalls One considered him as the messiah; assuming office, the army chief takes in Karachi's Paper Market in Saddar.” the proverbial Godot. This group went virtual command and the prime minister One newspaper reported that “the to the length of distributing leaflets takes guidance from him. hashtag ‘Thank You Raheel Sharif‘ and posting banners appealing to the The initiative to dictate policy is commonly used when citizens army chief to revise his decision. The decisions to the elected government by appreciate a positive development in ISPR promptly distanced itself from any the military on domestic and foreign the country.” insinuation that the army was behind affairs in Pakistan is going to remain The newspaper has even quoted a the campaign, while the general stood with the army, since, there is little few sellers of Raheel badges to show by his decision to retire in November. hope that in the foreseeable future an the high esteem in which he is held by The denial led to a shower of plaudits elected leader with unquestionable the people. One quote says, "The badge for Raheel Sharif for upholding the probity would emerge. It would only be might be Rs50, but don't ask us what lofty traditions of democracy, while the such person who would command the Raheel Sharif's price is. There is no organizer of the pro-Raheel campaign respect of the armed forces and receive price on him; he is priceless." Another Difficult was arrested for the so-called criminal their allegiance. says, the nation’s hopes are centered activity. It seems though that such an event around him.” A third says, “A person's The COAS does not seek extension would remain a dream so long as good work is obvious like the sweet as he has the satisfaction of having political leaders behave like upstarts - fragrance of flowers. When someone done his job faithfully and sincerely. greedy to the core and always ready to performs, people will always like him.” According to Pakistani tradition, he amass pelf by fair means or foul. Prime His name is not only on badges; wielded all the power he needed to Minister Nawaz Sharif offers a shining there are also some T-shirts with an drive crucial state policies but he did not example of such a character. Though image of his face printed on them. Legacy explicitly interfere in the affairs of the bursting at the seams with riches, he No leader in Pakistan ever enjoyed state. He was, nevertheless, regarded as could not control his insatiable greed such popularity, not even the Bhuttos, the ultimate source of decision-making that led him into offshore enterprises although Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and and all foreign envoys visiting Pakistan and earn a name in the Panama Papers. Benazir were charismatic and widely compulsorily called on the army chief. For all that matters, he comes across as popular. The point to note is that Raheel For his part, Gen. Raheel Sharif also a politician who is more interested in Sharif does not interact with the people. visited the defence establishments amassing wealth than giving policy. He moves about among his men. Yet, of many foreign countries. In China In the existing situation the task he has won the hearts and minds of he reassured Chinese investors about before Gen. Sharif’s successor would be the masses. In these circumstances, it the measures he had initiated for the cut out for him. He should be able to will be the mother of all challenges for security of the China-Pak Economic carry on the mission of his predecessor the incoming COAS to come up to the Corridor. to a successful end. Zarb-e-Azb has expectations of the people. If Gen. Sharif has been exercising broken the ground. That task was power to direct the country’s policies, comparatively easier. It needed a few The writer is a senior political analyst foreign and domestic, it was nothing air sorties and a few guns on the ground and former editor of Southasia.

SOUTHASIA • September 2016 13 COVER STORY Change of Guard Pakistan must make an important decision in the coming months.

By Dr. Raza Khan

n the contemporary history of of the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Zia-ul-Haq ahead of several senior Pakistan, the months from August lies in the fact that irrespective of the generals. Likewise, Prime Minister Ito November 2016 could be democratic-parliamentary constitution Nawaz Sharif, during his second term exponentially consequential as on the of Pakistan, the position is de facto in office (1997-99), again appointed one hand as the movement against the the most powerful within the state a junior general, Pervez Musharraf, alleged financial corruption of Prime structure. The most interesting aspect bypassing many senior generals. But it Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, is that constitutionally the appointment a sorry aspect of both the mentioned spearheaded by opposition leader of the most powerful man has to be cases that General Zia and General Imran Khan, may result in something made by the most powerful de jure Musharraf removed PM Bhutto and PM tangible. In the economic sphere, the office – prime minister of Pakistan. It Sharif and imposed martial law. potentially historic China-Pakistan is important to note that elected prime PM Sharif appointed the current Economic Corridor project may also be ministers have been exercising their army chief General Raheel Sharif to given a final shape. However, keeping discretion in the appointment of army the position of COAS on November in view the chequered political history chiefs and at times overturned the list of 26, 2016, bypassing the senior-most of Pakistan, the most vital decision in senior generals provided by the General general at the time, Lt. Gen. Haroon this period, as always, would be the Headquarters (GHQ). For instance, Aslam. However, fortunately there has appointment of a new Army chief. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto been no martial law this time so far. But The importance of the appointment (1973-77) appointed a junior general this does not mean that civil-military

14 SOUTHASIA • September 2016 relations are exemplary. In fact, ties The state of relations between the between Nawaz Sharif and Gen. between PM Nawaz Sharif and COAS Nawaz Sharif government and the Sharif is the China-Pakistan Economic General Sharif are reportedly not very military can be judged from the August Corridor (CPEC). The project which satisfactory and there are many reasons 13 public statement made by Gen. would bring around $46 billion dollar for this state of affairs. Sharif. While presiding over a high- Chinese investment into Pakistan The foremost difference of opinion level special security meeting at the mostly in infrastructure development, between the government of Nawaz Sharif GHQ, he said: “The National Action is being described and rightly so, as and the General Sharif-led army is the Plan is central to achievements of our a project on which hinges Pakistan’s matter of relations with arch-rival India. objectives and its lack of progress is economic future. Both the civilian Nawaz Sharif, during his first interview affecting the consolidation phase of government and military leadership are to a foreign news organization, after Operation Zarb-i-Azb.” well aware of this. However, both the becoming prime minister for the third This was tantamount to raising pillars of the state look at the project time in May 2013, made a startling but serious question marks over the role from different standpoints. The civilian understandable revelation that he got of the government in the context of the government wants to take not only the mandate because he had good ties war against terror. Even before that, the credit of CPEC but also of using with Delhi. PM Sharif may have been the COAS alluded to the inability of the funds earmarked for CPEC for the partially correct in his analysis (though the government to support the military development of the Punjab, from where it like more a wish) because his party in the offensives against the terrorists. it won most national assembly seats. got most of the seats in the National During a corps commanders conference On the other hand, the military high- Assembly from the Punjab, particularly in November 2015, General Sharif had command considers that the civilian from the business and trading class that reminded the government of the need government does not have the capacity wanted Pakistan to have good relations for “matching governance initiatives” to to befittingly implement the project. The with India so that their businesses and military’s efforts to fight the terrorists. military also has some serious capacity trade could thrive. Nawaz Sharif, with The real bone of contention issues for implementing such a huge his own business empire and economic between the Nawaz Sharif cabinet and multidimensional project despite stake in India, seemed to be the right and military leadership regarding the having a very strong engineering arm. choice to vote for these communities. war on terror has been the complaints The argument of incompetency of the However, the Pakistan military, which of the latter to give it a free hand to civilian government is far-fetched but in is trained fundamentally to avert any launch anti-extremist and anti-terrorist case of the PML-N government it has threat from India is constantly reminded operations in Sindh and the Punjab. substance. For instance, the government of its role and, considering the threat Although the ruling party in Sindh, the which claimed to end power shortages that India poses to Pakistan, this is not Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) called in within a few months of taking charge acceptable. the paramilitary force, the Rangers to failed to address the issue. General The second cause for differences launch operations against the terrorists Raheel Sharif or the institution of the between the PML-N government and and militants in Karachi, which is a hub military per se thinks that if left to the military leadership has been the of their activities, but there has been the government. it may flounder in approach and strategy regarding the war wrestling over the scope of powers given putting CPEC on rails. As such, Nawaz against terrorism. It was Gen. Sharif who to the Rangers between the provincial Sharif would prefer an army chief who ordered the massive Operation Zarb-e- government and military leadership. accepts the control of his government Azb in June 2014, launching a decisive In this situation, besides interior over CPEC. onslaught against the Tehreek-e-Taliban minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, The nature of Pakistan-India Pakistan and their local and foreign even Nawaz Sharif could not play relations, approach and strategy affiliated groups. After the loathsome a meaningful mediatory role. Most regarding the war on terror and handling terrorist attack by the TTP on the Army analysts have been of the view of CPEC will influence appointment Public School, Peshawar on December that Nawaz Sharif has had a tacit of the new army chief. Personalities 16, 2016 in which more than 150 understanding with the PPP leadership do matter in all governments and its people, mostly schoolchildren were to help each other in keeping the institutions but the military in Pakistan butchered, there has been a constant military at bay from the power corridors. has largely been acting institutionally deterioration of relations between the Both these parties believe that the rather than individually. There is still civilian and military setups. military historically took advantage no guarantee that the next army chief The comprehensive 20-point of the divisions of the political forces would be more pliable for the civilian National Action Plan (NAP) formulated to capture power. On their part, both government. Perhaps this is the reason by the parliament and the political the federal and Punjab government that the government is reportedly leadership with consensus, has not been have allegedly indulged in large-scale offering General Raheel Sharif the satisfactorily implemented. The NAP financial corruption and abuse of elevated position of Field Marshal and called for the role of all state and other power and authority, giving space to also considering an extension for his institutions to eliminate the scourge of the militants and terrorists, particularly tenure as army chief. The argument is religious extremism and terrorism. The their financiers. In this situation the that by doing so the government would military was able to play its side of the military, with its institutional culture tacitly give a free hand to the military role by driving militants and terrorists of suspecting the civilian leadership of regarding war on terror and appropriate from their largest redoubt in North compromising on key national interests, for itself control in other important Waziristan by physically securing the has been constrained in its efforts to root areas. entire district but the government could out extremism and terrorism. This entire not fulfill its part. This can be gauged episode of civil and military leadership The writer holds a doctoral degree from the fact that even the very agency suspecting each other’s intentions has in International Relations and is a National Counterterrorism Authority made the appointment of a new army Political Economy and Security Analyst, (NACTA) could not be meaningfully chief all the more crucial. specializing in Af-Pak and South Asia made functional. Another very important difference affairs.

SOUTHASIA • september 2016 15 COVER STORY

Marching Forward It is important that the momentum built against the terrorists continues.

By Dr. Moonis Ahmar

“Pakistan Army is a great institution. terrorism drive Zarb-e-Azb and his These are the questions which are raised I don’t believe in extension and will stepping down will adversely impact from time to time as the retirement of retire on the due date. Efforts to root out the country’s war on terror. General Raheel Sharif approaches. terrorism will continue with full vigour Never before in the history of General Raheel Sharif will be the and resolve.” Pakistan Army had its head announced fourth head of army in post-1971 - General Raheel Sharif, almost a year ahead of his retirement Pakistan who will retire on completing Chief of Army Staff. that he was not interested in seeking his term. Earlier, General Tikka Khan, an extension of his term. How will the who was appointed Chief of Army As early as January 25 this year, retirement of General Raheel Sharif Staff in 1972, retired in March 1976. General Raheel Sharif was quoted in an impact Pakistan’s security and civil- General Mirza Aslam Beg, who became Inter-Services Public Relation’s (ISPR) military relations? Will his retirement Chief of Army Staff after the death of tweet that he would not seek an extension ease pressure on the Nawaz Sharif General Zia-ul-Haq, retired in August in his term which would expire on government as his successor may not be 1991. In fact, Nawaz Sharif, who was November 29, 2016. Immediately after that assertive and independent in doing Prime Minister at that time, was advised that announcement requests poured in things? Why is the promotion, extension by his confidants that in view of the from different parts of the country that and appointment of general officers in power ambitions of General Aslam Beg, the Army Chief should reconsider his the military considered important in the government should announce the decision as his presence as the top man Pakistan and why does the Pakistani appointment of a new Chief of Army in the military’s chain of command was media take so much interest in matters Staff much ahead of his retirement. This essential because Pakistan is passing which are related to the appointment was done when General Asif Nawaz through a difficult phase in its anti- or extension of the Chief of Army Staff? was appointed as the new Chief of

16 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 COVER STORY

Army Staff three months ahead of the of military control, formally through was called the ‘B’ team of Martial Law retirement of Gen. Beg. introducing constitutional provisions, and was blamed by its opponents of General Abdul Waheed Kakar, penetrating the public sector by strengthening the Zia regime because who was appointed Chief of Army appointing serving and retired military of its deep-rooted conflicts with the Staff in January 1993, after the sudden officers, and by occupying the economic Pakistan People’s Party. death of General Asif Nawaz, retired space through its business activity, has Thirdly, civil-military relations in after completing his three year term in made it increasingly difficult for the Pakistan tend to tilt in favour of the January 1996. General Zia-ul-Haq was political elite to roll back its influence. military because no civilian government the longest serving Chief of Army Staff, This has created what may be referred has tried to put its own house in order from March 1976 till the time of his to as ‘informal blocks’ that have stalled by ensuring good governance, rule of death in an air crash in August 1988. transition to a democratic form of law and eradicating corruption and General Asif Nawaz died in January government in the country.” nepotism. It is true that out of Pakistan’s 1993 while he was the chief of army Three major reasons tend to raise a 69 years of existence, the military has staff while General Jehangir Karamat question mark about the strengthening been at the helm of affairs for around was asked to resign in October 1998 of democracy in Pakistan and stable 33 years but even then, the remaining by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on civil-military relations. First, political years have witnessed the military’s his controversial proposal to form a parties in view of their feudal indirect interference in governance and National Security Council. General characteristics have failed to promote foreign policy. Unless political parties Pervez Musharraf held the office of and strengthen democracy in Pakistan. and their leaders follow democratic Chief of Army Staff from October 1998 Lack of professionalism, political principles and improve their standard in till November 2007 and was succeeded maturity, political wisdom and lust for terms of political wisdom and maturity, by General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani who power has contributed to the failure the military as the most organized got an extension and remained chief of many civilian regimes. Although, institution will take advantage and of army staff from November 2007 till a lust for power is also to be seen in will continue to exert its pressure on November 2013. the military but it took advantage of civilian regimes. It is not only in case The Army’s hold on Pakistan’s politics, incompetence, corruption and bad of Pakistan where the threat of military governance and foreign policy is almost governance of politicians and showed takeover exists but in many Muslim as old as the history of the country. to them that they are better in terms of and other Third World countries one Immediately, after the assassination managing national affairs, particularly can see the fragility of democracy. of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan on the economy and administration. Turkey is the latest example where October 16, 1951, conspiracies were Corruption also made inroads in an aborted coup on July 15 this year hatched by the bureaucracy to weaken the military but unlike the politicians seriously challenged the survival of the civilian control over governance. who embarked on loot and plunder government. Therefore, the ball is in The military-bureaucratic nexus led while in power, the military acted in the court of the political parties who to palace intrigues causing political a professional manner. An inferiority must weed out corruption, introduce instability and ultimately leading to the complex on the part of politicians vis- professionalism and display enough abrogation of the 1956 constitution and à-vis the military is a sad reflection of confidence while interacting with the the imposition of Martial Law in October their mediocre and below-mediocre military. 1958. The fear of a Bengali majority and traits as they seldom withstand If General Raheel Sharif retires in the perceived notion that in democracy pressure from the men in uniform. November after completing his three they will form a government was The arrogance of generals vis-à-vis year term as Chief of Army Staff, the instrumental in the military’s takeover politicians is understandable because policies in terms of national security as that institution happened to be of the latter’s failure in governance and and anti-terrorism operation may still heavily represented by West Pakistanis, weak leadership qualities. Secondly, continue. His successor is not expected particularly the Punjabis. within political parties there are to deviate from the established Even after the dismemberment of leaders who have close connections principles and policies because of the Pakistan in December 1971, which with the military and they are the ones military’s ownership of such aspects. happened when the military was at the who provide them with an opportunity It is another matter, however, if Gen. helm of affairs, did not diminish the to step in. It is perceived that such Sharif’s successor accepts the pressure military’s power ambitions. No civilian people are inducted in all major of his colleagues to intervene in government in post-1971 Pakistan, even political parties who work for the case of a major political crisis. It is, that of Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto was interests of military and intelligence nevertheless, certain that the army will able to limit the military’s role. After agencies rather than their own parties. act as an institution regardless of who recovering from the debacle of 1971, For instance, the Muslim League, is at the helm of affairs. The legacy of the military was again interfering in the creator of Pakistan, is blamed for General Raheel Sharif as a professional civilian affairs. This was to the extent supporting all the military dictators. soldier and his commitment to the well that even a shrewd politician like Z. Two military rulers, General Ayub being of his country and institution A. Bhutto failed to restrain the generals Khan and General Pervez Musharraf would continue in the years to come. from crossing the limits and seizing formed their own Muslim Leagues The military’s deep-rooted influence in power. whereas others used the party for the politics, governance and foreign policy The military’s role in Pakistan is perpetuation of their rule. will certainly leave a deep imprint on multidimensional: it is not only an Other political parties like the the national fabric and it appears it intervening player but has enormous Pakistan People’s Party, Awami will be a hard act to match by the next corporate and business interests in the National Party and Tehrik-e-Insaf have COAS. country. According to Mazhar Aziz, also not escaped from people in their author of the book, Military Control In midst who work for the interests of The writer is Meritorious Professor Pakistan (New York: Routledge, 2008), the military and intelligence agencies. of International Relations and Dean “the case of Pakistan comes across as The Jamaat-i-Islami, during the Martial Faculty of Social Sciences, University complex, where the institutionalization Law regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, of Karachi.

SOUTHASIA • September 2016 17 COVER STORY Passing the Baton Who makes for an ideal COAS - just having military expertise or hope as well?

By Tahera Sajid

akistan has spent almost half of the borders against foreign intrusion at the is number one.” A Pakistan Army general, its 70-year history under military same time. However, contrary to previous Lt. Gen Maqsood Ahmed, also holds the Prule – sometimes because of the years, the army is now increasingly important position of Military Advisor to civilian leadership’s failure to deliver on reluctant to take on any visible role in the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping its promises and sometimes when the governance and disrupt continuity of Operations in New York. ambition of a military man overshadowed civilian rule. This foresight is bringing Due to these important roles the rational thought. Either way, Pakistan’s long-term benefit in strengthening the Pakistan Army plays on domestic and strong military has traditionally determined democratic process. The current COAS, international fronts, the position of COAS the direction not only on defence but Gen. Raheel Sharif, has won accolades (Chief of Army Staff) is closely monitored also on politics, economy and domestic for his gains without challenging the across the world. When Gen. Raheel and foreign policy. Consequently, every government’s authority. Sharif retires in November 2016 as the serving Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is Besides its domestic role, the Pakistan 15th COAS, he would be the first army the most powerful person in the country Army has maintained a strong reputation chief since 1998 who did not have an and a key player on the world stage, for its commitment to world peace, extended tenure, in contrast to his two whether a civilian government is at the proudly serving the world community in predecessors, Gen. Pervez Musharraf and helm of affairs or a military one. UN Peacekeeping missions for over 55 Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. To its credit, the Pakistan Army is years. Traditionally contributing the largest Needless to say, the nation is not happy proudly loyal to and strongly aligned number of skilled and dedicated troops to at the prospect of saying goodbye to Gen. with the country’s national interests and UN peacekeeping missions in conflict Sharif, and there have been numerous has by and large upheld the trust of the zones worldwide, the Pakistan Army has calls for his extension from all quarters – common man and stepped in to hold the received numerous commendations for and for good reason. Gen. Raheel Sharif country together through some of its most bravery. This was acknowledged by UN has proved himself to be a leader like no difficult times. It also continues to provide Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on his last other. When he took office, not only was many essential civic services and relief in visit to Pakistan: “More than 100 countries his impressive career record a harbinger disaster situations whenever the civilian contribute troops and police for United of good things to come but his blood ties government falls short, while protecting Nations peacekeeping missions. Pakistan to two of only eleven recipients of the

18 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award in Pakistan – his maternal uncle Field Marshals in Recent History Maj. Raja Aziz Bhatti and elder brother, There have been rumours that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may decide to Maj. Shabbir Sharif – set him up for high make Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif a Field Marshal in recognition expectations in the public eye; he did not of his services in the war against terrorism, especially for leading Operation disappoint. Zarb-e-Azb so successfully. This would be a remote possibility because General After taking office, Gen. Raheel Sharif is not likely to accept any such post. However, if it happens. Raheel Sharif Sharif ran several initiatives: his effective will be the second field marshal in Pakistan’s history as the first one was General counter-terrorism operation Zarb-e- Ayub Khan. The only difference, however, will be that while Ayub was a self- Azb gave much-needed respite to the proclaimed field marshal, Raheel will be earning the rank. traumatized masses. He went deep into Field marshal is an honorary rank given to generals in recognition of their the tribal areas where no military chief services in war or extraordinary military service. It is a ceremonial office with had ventured before and rooted out no powers and no salary. The only privilege is that a field marshal never retires. terrorists through decisive action, causing Therefore, even if General Raheel Sharif is promoted to Field Marshal, it will in a sharp decline in terror attacks within a no way affect appointment of the next Chief of Army Staff. short span. The rank of field marshal is senior to that of a four-star general and, as such, He did not stop there. He is greatly he is given five-stars. There have been a fairly large number of field marshals admired for his no-nonsense approach in the world. India has had two field marshals to date. Gen. Sam Manekshaw, to dealing with other corrupt enemies of the 8th Chief of Staff of the Indian Army became the first Indian officer to hold the state by initiating a Rangers’ operation the rank. The other was Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, who was in Karachi and even tackling corruption elevated to the rank in 1986. Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, is the within the institution of the Army itself. only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to that The Rangers’ operation in Karachi against of a field marshal, in 2002. With the death of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw criminal extortionist gangs and jihadist in June 2008, he is also the only living Indian military officer with a five-star groups soon resulted in bringing peace rank. Turkey has also had two field marshals, Kemal Atatürk, the founder of to the battered city, leading the Karachi modernTurkey and his Chief of Staff Fevzi Çakmak, both for their successes in Chamber of Commerce president, Iftikhar the Turkish War of Independence. Even Afghanistan has had two field marshals, Vohra to openly credit the military for namely HM Nasrullah Khan and Mohammed Fahim. making the city safe again. He was quoted Egypt has had many field marshals from the time it was a kingdom to when as saying that the COAS’s efforts resulted it became a republic. The latest Egyptian field marshal is Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. in catching “…criminals that were being The People’s Republic of China had some 10 field marshals in 1955 but there patronised by politicians.” Now, there is no record available of Chinese field marshals before or after that year. There is serious concern among Karachiites were six field marshals in the Republic of China until 1935. about the future of their city. Though The United Kingdom probably has had the highest number of field marshals. the statement issued by the ISPR on the The vast majority of officers to hold the rank of field marshal were professional Chief’s behalf has affirmed that “Efforts soldiers in the British Army, and eleven served as officers in the British Indian to root out terrorism will continue with Army. Of these, Field Marshal Sir Archibald Montgomery rings a bell for people full vigour and resolve,” the military has in South Asia as he was an outstanding British soldier. He was appointed a recently expressed deep concern about general staff officer at the Staff College, Quetta in 1912. The city of Montgomery the civilian government’s inadequate (today’s Sahiwal) was named after him. The US Army does not have any provision support to consolidate the military’s for the rank of field marshal. efforts. Early this year, General Raheel Sharif was also praised for the unprecedented currently at the top of the list in seniority Musharraf, might consider someone less move of dismissing eleven army officers are Lt Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat likely to challenge his authority as more ranking between lieutenant-general and (current CGS) and Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem of an asset to his government, while the colonel over corruption charges. He is Ahmed (Corps Commander Multan). outgoing COAS would want to preserve reported to advocate that: “…across the Lt. Gen. Zubair Mehmood Hayat is his legacy and seek continuity of policies board accountability is necessary for the senior-most serving general from the that earned him his reputation and the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Artillery. He has also held the position brought relief to the nation. Pakistan,” Gen. Sharif’s instrumental role of Director General of Strategic Plans Either way, what the nation wants is in influencing foreign policy to improve Division (DGSPD). He comes from a continuity of policies that have provided relations with the country’s neighbours military family as his father is a retired them relief from their woes and offer them and other regional players has also been major general and his two brothers are opportunity for education and prosperity. received very well internationally. serving at the ranks of major general and After decades of despair, Gen Raheel Nonetheless, the process of selection lieutenant general, respectively. Sharif is a symbol of hope and stands for the new COAS is about to commence Lt. General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed, tall not only as a distinguished military soon. A short list of senior-most generals commanding 2 Corps based in Multan, leader but also as someone who truly will be sent to the prime minister by the has served as CGS and Director General understands the common man’s struggles defence ministry and ensuing discussion Military Operations (DGMO) and is and has diligently worked to change their with the outgoing COAS will then considered the main architect behind lives for the better. He will not be an easy determine the PM’s final decision. This Gen. Shareef’s very successful counter- man to replace. This means, the new chief would be the fifth time that PM Nawaz terrorism operation, Zarb-e-Azb. will have some very big shoes to fill. Sharif will get to appoint an army chief. The outcome of this process would The chief of the Pakistan Army has likely depend on how well the PM and The writer is based in Massachusetts, often hailed from the fighting arms and the COAS’s interests are aligned but also USA. Her writings and volunteer work nine previous chiefs have held the office on their own personal priorities: PM focus extensively on socio-economic of Chief of General staff (CGS) before Nawaz, having experienced a coup in issues, interfaith dialogue and US-Muslim being appointed COAS. The two generals a previous tenure by then COAS Gen. relations post 9/11.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 19 REGION INDIA Perception and Fact By removing its harsher provisions, the Indian government has made the Lokpal Act more acceptable.

By S.G. Jilanee

he Congress-led United provisions which are too draconian. funded by the Union government to Progressive Alliance The Lokpal Act brings under its the extent of one crore rupees or more T(UPA) government passed purview any NGO “wholly or partly and has received Rs 10 lakhs or more the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act in foreign donations. The provisions (LL Act) in 2013 in response of the act, “not only intrude into to a countrywide agitation the privacy of individuals, but also against corruption led by provide the leeway for officials to Anna Hazare. But, in a harass people,” analysts say, adding bid to be seen as cracking that, “overregulation may not only down on those who stifle the voluntary sector but also swindle public money or force volunteers and donors to stay resources, it introduced away. Many trustees, directors and professional managers in NGOs, who could be philanthropists, experts and eminent persons from different walks of life, wouldn’t want their assets and liabilities loosely posted on government websites.” India has followed a clear course since the beginning of economic reforms in 1991 of doing away with the tyranny of “red tape and inspector raj.” At the same time, the direction has also been “to encourage enterprises and individuals alike to invest their precious and finite resources such as time and Anna Hazare money, in areas including health

20 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 and education where the government amount as the Central Government the form and manner of declarations has not met the needs of the country’s may, by notification, specify.” of assets and liabilities that will have poor.” The need for transparency and The Confederation of Indian retrospective effect.” adequate disclosure, by organisations Industry (CII) was foremost to seek Rights activists, however, have that are recipients of public money, is clarification about the provisions expressed concerns that the Bill may not disputed. It is the provision relating of the act, through a petition to be used to dilute the law, restrict the to personnel and their dependents that the government. It argued that disclosures from becoming public is at issue. “unnecessary intervention” by and protect the bureaucracy and According to the Indian Express the government would create ministers from making disclosures in the Act “overzealously included senior disruptions in the working of trusts, a transparent fashion. management personnel working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the definition of ’public The framers of the Lokpal Act overlooked servants‘ requiring them to disclose their assets and liabilities if their NGOs the fact that people working with NGOs receive foreign donations and funds from the Union government. It didn’t do not receive their emoluments from the stop there. The personnel’s spouse and dependent children too were required tax payers’ money. to furnish such details.” The framers of the Act overlooked the fact that people working with societies, charitable and non-profit According to the Commonwealth NGOs do not receive their emoluments organisations. In a representation Human Rights Initiative’s Venkatesh from the tax payers’ money so they are to the government, CII said a large Nayak, who analyzed the provisions not public servants in the same sense number of these bodies, as well as of the Bill, “the amendments will as bureaucrats or ministers of the hospitals and educational institutions, restrict the declaration only to the government. Yet, these persons, now are served by philanthropists and assets and liabilities of the public that they are categorized as public professionals, and “the provision servant. Assets and liabilities of the servants, could be prosecuted under of intimating asset details will spouse and dependent children will the Prevention of Corruption Act for discourage senior philanthropists and be exempt from such declarations”. non-compliance. social workers from participating in Nayak also pointed out that The provision has drawn criticism social development services.” It also the current formulation of Section from various quarters. The inclusion said that the expression “wholly or 44 requires the mandatory public of the spouse and children of the partly financed by the Government” disclosure of the assets and liabilities personnel is perceived as particularly in Section 14 (i) (g) was ambiguous. statements by public servants on the harsh. Some philanthropists also have NGOs and civil society groups official websites of their ministries and reservations, because, they do not want have also expressed apprehension departments. As such, he said, “the publicity. And finally, the requirement that the insistence on declaration of amendments seek to do away with was seen as intrusion into privacy, assets and liabilities is a way to harass this proactive disclosure requirement. insofar as posting of personal assets them and shackle their activities, and So people will not have access to the on the official website would make said that describing them as “public assets and liabilities statements of it “public property,” vulnerable to servants” is nothing more than a the public servant at all under the LL attachment in case of civil litigation. “joke.” Act.” The Indian Express quoted CII Meanwhile, the government told His assertion is correct prima facie. president Naushad Forbes, as saying, the Lok Sabha that as many as 14,222 But the basic question around which “Unnecessary intervention will NGOs were barred from receiving the controversy revolves is regarding adversely create a lot of disruption foreign funds in the past four years the definition of “public servant,” in the working of trusts, societies, for violating norms. Speaking in the because, by no stretch of imagination, association of persons, charitable Lower House, Minister of State for can workers of voluntary, non-profit, and non-profit organizations and we Home, Kiren Rijiju said, “The Ministry philanthropic organizations, who would request the Government to of External Affairs has communicated sometimes work in an honorary urgently re-examine this legislation.” a write up containing certain views of capacity, be put in the same category Industry lobby groups and trusts, as United Nations Human Rights experts as government employees who are well as the NGOs that are either aided on provisions of Foreign Contribution truly “public servants.” by the government or get money under Regulation Act (FCRA), which Further relief was allowed for filing Foreign Contribution Regulation Act regulates foreign grants.” declaration of assets and liabilities (FCRA), want the definition of “public However, the recent amendment by extending the July 31 deadline servant” revised. Under Section 14 (i) to Section 44 and the related rule- prescribed in the notification on June (h) of the Lokpal Act, “public servant” making provision in Section 59 of the 24. includes “any person who is or has Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act passed by There is no question that, due to the been a director, manager, secretary or the Lok Sabha attempts to dilute its impugned provisions, the legislation other officer of every other society or rigour by restricting its application to was perceived as an unjustified act. association of persons or trust (whether “only a public servant” and repealing The amendment has now sought registered under any law for the time the provisions relating to bring the to contain the damage and make it being in force or not) in receipt of spouse and dependent children of acceptable. any donation from any foreign source a public servant under the ambit of under the FCRA 2010 in excess of ten the law, as well as to “empower the The writer is a senior political analyst lakh rupees in a year or such higher government to make rules regarding and former editor of Southasia.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 21 REGION BANGLADESH Terrorism Threat The Bangladesh government lives in denial as various terrorism incidents continue to ravage the country.

By S. Mubashir Noor

016 is turning out to be styled Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda, Syria. In short, IS nor Al-Qaeda had a transformative year for have quietly set up shop. an operational foothold in the country. 2Bangladesh, but not for the better. Since 2013, the AL government has This facade perpetuated by Wajed Episodes of violence bearing the mark refused to accept that seemingly random herself crumbled with the Gulshan and of foreign jihadist cults have either been attacks on minorities, freethinkers Sholakia attacks in July. swept aside by the Awami League (AL) and foreigners by machete-wielding Multiple armed attackers struck government or quickly blamed on the assailants or drive-by shooters that the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have left more than 40 dead were the upmarket Gulshan neighborhood on the country’s main opposition, and its handiwork of IS or Al-Qaeda affiliates in July 1, killing 20 patrons including 17 hard-right ally, the Jamaat-e-Islaami Bangladesh. Instead, it pinned them on foreigners. They besieged the bakery (JI). Behind the long-running political homegrown militant groups (backed by for hours as a fierce shootout with local theater of the “battling begums,” the the BNP and JI of course), particularly police resounded through Dhaka. This Bangladeshi media’s sobriquet for the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) was the first incident of mass hostage- incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh and Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh taking and murder targeting foreign Hasina Wajed and her political nemesis (JMB). These militants, law enforcement nationals in Bangladeshi history, which and predecessor, Khaleda Zia, global officials stressed, were weaving illusory initially befuddled first responders to terrorist organizations, namely the self- and opportunistic links to Iraq and the scene and bled precious time before

22 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 law enforcement got its act together, stormed the cafe and killed them. IS immediately claimed responsibility for the hit through its social media outlets and made public the photos of five attackers posing in the now familiar set- piece: brandishing AK-47s before the group’s black flag. In a stark throwback to the Safoora Goth massacre and murder of activist Sabeen Mahmud in Pakistan last year, Dhaka police divulged that at least three attackers belonged to well-off families and had attended elite schools. A week later, unknown militants threw homemade bombs and opened fire on a mammoth Eid congregation in the Sholakia field in Kishoreganj district of Dhaka, with four casualties. Law contends the Wajed government’s networks like ABT and JMB. There were enforcement’s first instinct was to again head-in-the-sand response to IS in also indications that some JI partisans deny any foreign connection to the Bangladesh is driven primarily by incensed at Wajed’s witch-hunt against attack. Naming JMB as the most likely economic realism. “The government party patriarchs for war crimes dating suspect, Bangladesh’s police chief doesn’t want to say it has a terrorism back to 1971 could be colluding Shahidul Hoque categorically stated problem, because that could hurt with the militants to destabilize her "We have not found any evidence investment and trade with other government. about any connection with the IS.” countries," he explains. Bangladesh’s Meanwhile, the blame-mongering That connection was soon to emerge in garment industry accounts for 80% of continues unabated. Wajed, in a dramatic fashion. its export revenue and some 15% of session of parliament on July 27, Under the gun to make headway, annual GDP. Moreover, Bangladesh is refused to join hands with the BNP in Dhaka police on a tip-off raided the second largest exporter of ready- tackling militancy, saying she refused quarters in the city’s Kalyanpur area on made garments after China. Historically to work with “terrorists.” Wajed also July 26 and uncovered a jihadist safe reliant on foreign executives flying into insinuated that BNP demands for her house. They were met with resistance the country to place orders, a sustained resignation in the wake of the attacks on location and killed nine militants tempo of violence, jihadist or otherwise, held a darker meaning: "It is naturally in the ensuing firefight. A militant could spell catastrophe for balance of visible in the BNP leaders' comments taken alive insisted he was “IS” and trade. that they are giving a condition—do that his cell had been plotting another Furthermore, foreign remittances this or else terrorism and militancy will major hit on the city. He also revealed that make up 9% of the GDP today not stop." Keeping with the party line, the cell’s kingpin, and mastermind could be under threat if frequent terrorist Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu of the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks, attacks motivated by Islamic extremism in mid-June had confided to reporters to be a Canadian-Bengali man in his tarnish Bangladesh’s cherished secular that Zia and the BNP were directing early 30s named Tamim Chowdhury. identity. Should Western countries peg it the terrorists. "The producer is BNP, “Chowdhury,” believes Zayadul Ahsan as a new breeding ground for jihadism, the director is JI, and the small actors Pintu, a journalist with extensive freedom of travel for its citizens could on the ground are variants of...militant research on Bengali terror networks, be curtailed. This will compound Islamic networks." “is the connection from Bangladesh to employment woes at a time when Though the government launched Syria.” plummeting oil prices have resulted in a nationwide crackdown following Thought to head the JMB faction massive layoffs in the Arab kingdoms, the murder of a police officer’s wife in allied to IS, Chowdhury, using an alias, home to 85% of Bangladesh’s expat June, eventually booking over 11,000 was interviewed by the middle eastern population. If the deteriorating security individuals including 150 suspected group’s Al-Dabiq magazine not long ago situation in Bangladesh continues to militants, the BNP cried foul, alleging where he promised bloody revolutions coincide with rising xenophobia in the raids were calculated to detain its in Bangladesh and India. The magazine Western capitals, Bangladeshi Muslims workers and leaders. Zia has reason introduced him as the Bangladeshi could soon find it impossible to score to fear mass detentions. Bangladesh’s IS chief. Chowdhury reportedly fled jobs in the “First-World.” police has a dubious reputation for to India following the police raid on While the Wajed government arcs mysterious deaths occurring in custody, his hideout. More alarmingly, a list of between tamping down the role of IS and staging extrajudicial murders 10 high-priority suspects released by and Al-Qaeda in recent terrorist strikes, popularly know as “crossfire killings.” law enforcement recently shows he is and scapegoating the BNP/JI alliance Wajed, nonetheless, needs to realize merely one of at least three active IS for stoking them, US authorities that Bangladesh will struggle to bottle recruiters in Bangladesh. The other two reportedly warned Bangladesh last up the militancy genie without political share his affluent background. Saifullah September of an imminent IS plot consensus in parliament. She need only Ojaki teaches business administration targeting foreigners. Wajed, however, look at Pakistan and its National Action at a university in Japan while Tajuddin was dismissive then, citing the lack of Plan for a successful model. Now is not Kausar has lived in Australia for over a “actionable intelligence” provided by the time to politicize terrorism. decade. Washington. She appeared convinced Dr. Sajjan Gohel, a visiting professor that local police were on the right The writer is an Islamabad-based at the London School of Economics, track in chasing established militant freelance journalist.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 23 REGION SRI LANKA

Ways of Democracy The Executive Presidency may soon become a thing of the past in Sri Lanka if democracy is exercised with liberty.

By Faizan Usmani

s rightly described by Abraham Jayewardene had earlier shared his decisions because of censure from Lincoln, democracy is the vision to bring in some needed changes its parliamentary party. This seems to Agovernment of the people, by in the parliamentary system when it me a very necessary requirement in a the people, for the people. But some failed to put the country on track in developing country faced with grave democratic states have devised their terms of socioeconomic development problems, such as we are faced with own version of democracy and after and financial growth. today." clever customisation, they have even Addressing the Ceylon Association In 1972, when the Constituent defied the democratic system to serve for the Advancement of Science (CAAS) Assembly of Sri Lanka decided to their needs. in 1966, he said, "If the system of replace the Soulbury Constitution Sri Lanka is one country where some democratic government has failed in of 1946 with a new Republican sincere efforts have been repeatedly some aspects, we should not hesitate Constitution, Jayewardene moved made to form a parliamentary to think of changes and amendments in an amendment to vest the executive government, but sometimes a mere that system where it is necessary." powers of the state to the President, but individual dooms such efforts, leading Later he proposed the concept of the proposed change was rejected by to authoritarianism in a democratic executive presidency along the lines of the House of Representatives. setup. the United States and France, where "the During the general elections It was 1979 when the then Sri Executive President is always chosen of 1977, the Executive Presidency Lankan Prime Minister J.R. Jayewardene by the people and is not dependent on became a part of the election manifesto introduced an Executive Presidency after the parliamentary legislature during the of the United National Party (UNP) amending the Republican Constitution period of its existence." led by J.R. Jayewardene. Having of 1972. After the move, the President "Such an executive is a strong won the election by a majority, the became a fixed executive of the state executive. He is seated in power for UNP government hurriedly moved who could not be removed by the a fixed number of years and is not to introduce the executive judiciary parliament while he was in office. subject to the whims and fancies of an through a constitutional amendment. Though the constitutional elected legislature. The executive is not The Assembly passed the resolution amendment was made in 1979, afraid to take correct but unpopular on October 1977, forming a Select

24 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 Committee to revise the Constitution, which was based on the Westminster model formulated in late 1950s. In February 1978, at long last, Jayewardene became the first Executive President of Sri Lanka. After assuming the presidency, he said, “I am the first elected Executive President, Head of the State, Head of the Government. It is an office of power and thus of responsibility. Since many others will succeed me, I wish, during my term of office, to create precedents that are worthy of following. First, I will always act through the cabinet and parliament, preserving the parliamentary system as it existed, without diminution of their powers." According to Professor Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson, who helped in the drafting of the constitution, the 1978 Constitution is heavily inspired by several resources, as it is not only a mixture of the previous constitutions of the country but also has numerous features of the British, French and American systems of government. "There is little doubt that the framers of the constitution had in view the example of the Fifth French Republic when they planned on the powers and position of the elected President. What Jayewardene was after was a stable Executive, which would not be easily swayed by pressures from within the legislature or from the outside. The Article 38 (2) says, "Any member of In other words, the President has a outcome in the end was a President Parliament may, by writing addressed constitutional right to dissolve the who in many ways can, in certain to the Speaker, give notice of a parliament, but when it comes to his circumstances, be more powerful than resolution alleging that the President is own removal, “the Executive President his French counterparts," says A.J. permanently incapable of discharging is insulated from the people, virtually Wilson. the functions of his office by reason giving the office a free hand to do as The 1978 Constitution has a of mental or physical infirmity or the person pleases without having to separate chapter `The Executive,’ which that the President has been guilty consider the views of voters,” says says the President will be elected by of: (i) intentional violation of the Javed Yusuf, the former Sri Lankan the people for a 6-year term. "There Constitution; (ii) treason; (iii) bribery; Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. shall be a President of the Republic (iv) misconduct or corruption involving In 1994, the former Sri Lankan of Sri Lanka, who is the Head of the the abuse of the powers of his office; President Chandrika Kumaratunga, State, the Head of the Executive and of or (v) any offence under any law, during her election campaign, the Government, and the Commander- involving moral turpitude, and setting pledged to put an end to the executive in-Chief of the Armed Forces," states out full particulars of the allegation presidency. However, after becoming Article 30 (1) of the Constitution. or allegations made and seeking an the President she decided to keep the According to Article 31 (2), “The inquiry and report thereon by the status quo, enjoying the impeachment office of the President shall become Supreme Court." immunity with all the powers as vacant (a) upon his death; (b) if he However, according to the the elected Head of State and resigns his office by writing under his Constitution, no notice of such Government. hand to the Speaker; (c) if he ceases resolution will be entertained by the Now in 2016, Sri Lankan President to be a citizen of Sri Lanka; (d) if the Speaker or will be placed on the Order Maithripala Sirisena says he is planning person elected as President willfully Paper of Parliament unless it complies to abolish the executive presidency by fails to assume office within one month with the provisions of Article 38(2), amending the constitution. No doubt, from the date of commencement of while "the allegation or allegations it is a welcome move, but some people his term of office; (e) if he is removed contained in such resolution shall be in Sri Lankan take it with a pinch of from office as provided in the next referred by the Speaker to the Supreme salt. Considering the sound track succeeding paragraph or; (f) if the Court for inquiry and report," says record of President Sirisena, it seems Supreme Court in the exercise of its Article 38 (c). the Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka powers under Article 130 (a) determines Therefore, the Chief Justice, who will soon become an episode of the that his election as President was void is also appointed by the President, past. and does not determine that any other can only hear an impeachment trial or person was duly elected as President.” may remove the president from office. The writer is a member of the staff.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 25 REGION PAKISTAN The Real Estate Conundrum

It is hoped an important amendment in Pakistan’s Income Tax Ordinance will discourage black money and will open doors to foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector.

By Muhammad Ali Ehsan

n idea is something that helps the rich and the elite will continue to hurts the poor and lower middle class us make our claims and defend stay out of the tax net. The good thing is while the 10 percent elite and well- Aour interests and surely all ideas that the government has agreed to revoke to-do remain exempted from direct at the level of the state are linked to the tax from property that is valued at Rs 4 taxation. If the governments had been interests of the social classes. Every state million and was purchased before June taxing the elite class, it would have – big or small - performs three identical 30, 2013. Now tax will be imposed on collected enough revenue and there functions: national defence, economic the sale and purchase of property from would have been little or no need to run reform and tax collection. But given July 1 2016 onwards. the country through loans and taking aid the circumstances and the conditions Considering that 60 percent of from international organizations. What in Pakistan (which many people say is Pakistan’s federal budget is earmarked stops the government from bringing more oligarchic then democratic) any for interest payments, salaries, pensions in tax reform? The simplest answer to new reform seems to benefit not all and defence and 12 percent for subsidies that those with political clout will do the subjects of the state but mostly a and grants, it leaves only 28 percent for nothing that hurts their interests. Any selected class or the state itself. Ideally a other areas. Given the natural disasters government continues to follow a policy government should be doing all it can to and unforeseen events, the state finds of appeasement because if it does not improve the lives of the ‘have nots’ but little room to cough up the required do so, it will not have the numbers that in Pakistan, considering that the state is capital for a fiscally fragile economy. will support it to form a government and more patrimonial than impersonal, the The government in Pakistan does stay in power. The tax to GDP ratio in have nots almost always live their lives not collect direct taxes and since it Pakistan is 9.5% which is amongst the under the knife’s edge. has no mechanism in place to do so, it lowest in the world. Pakistan collected The new property tax imposed by continues to resort to indirect taxation. $8 billion in total income tax in fiscal the government on utilized plots may Property tax is another addition to year 2013-14, which was just enough to be a much desired reform introduced by indirect taxation. Almost 68 percent cover the country’s defence expenditures the government to collect revenue but it of tax revenue in Pakistan comes from amounting to $7 billion. looks as if its byproduct will be burdening indirect taxation. An example of this is As far as real estate business is ordinary citizens, pensioners, retired that Pakistanis pay more for fuel as well concerned, the most important question people and many others involved with as electricity than any other country in is to find out how well it will perform real state. While these people may lose the region because of the surcharges under a taxed environment? Would their methods of earning a livelihood, added by the government. This only the private developers be able to buy

26 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 The Real Estate Conundrum

themselves out of the restrictions imposed by the government? The existing cooperative housing society Property tax is another addition to indirect law stipulates that 40% in an area for a society should be dedicated for taxation. Almost 68 percent of tax revenue in amusement, green belts as well as Pakistan comes from indirect taxation. landscaping but most private developers provide only 20% of the area for such use and still get it approved. Looking at the positive side of the in Pakistan’s lucrative real estate market It may be noted that this is the 10th Pakistan government’s idea to tax real could back off and stop remitting their amnesty scheme in Pakistan’s history estate, it can be argued that the sector savings to the country. Instead, they and the third in as many years by the does not add any real value to the may like to take their capital to such PML (N) government. The last time that economy. In fact it makes conducting countries as the UAE. The new taxation the PLM (N) government introduced a business more expensive by making laws are also likely to increase paper tax amnesty scheme it claimed to bring available not very affordable business work as against the easy and streamlined over 1 million people in the tax net. spaces and places. The rich and the procedures that well-established real Instead it could bring only 9,090 traders movers and shakers of society also use estate developers like the DHA and into the tax net. the business to hoard black money and Bahria offer. Properties in DHA and Amending Finance Act 2016 is use the real estate medium to circulate Bahria societies may witness the biggest aimed at taxing income gains during it. As such, the new property evaluation drop in the market as more than half the property transactions but this has also tax system may prevent the big investors plots of land in these societies are vacant facilitated the whitening of over Rs7 from circulating black money. By taxing but the prices are sky high. trillion untaxed black money parked real estate, the government could also Looking at the increase, withholding in Pakistan’s real estate sector. Given be looking at solving the housing crisis tax on immovable property in the hands the benefits that the rich and mighty in the country. This means that genuine of sellers has been increased to 1% for enjoy through the real estate amnesty buyers may be more likely to acquire filers of income tax and 2% for non-filers. scheme compared to the negative effect houses at affordable prices. Similarly, for buyers, withholding tax has that it has on the business of day to day On the flip side, the proposal only increased to 2% and 4% for filers and dealers, it may easily be speculated that benefits the big real estate groups and non-filers, respectively. Tax on builders the amnesty tax scheme may not see not small retailers who live on day to and developers will also now be based more than just the light of the day. day dealings. Capital from the real estate on specific rates in cities where projects market will be gradually withdrawn are being undertaken. This increase will The writer is a retired lieutenant and may end up in the stock exchange, definitely bring a slump in real estate colonel of the Pakistan Army. He is leaving the real estate market dry. Also business and may turn the government- currently pursuing a Ph.D in civilmilitary foreign investors who prefer to invest offered tax amnesty scheme on its head. relations.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 27 REGION Nepal

Musical Chairs Nine prime ministers in ten years in not very good news for a nascent democracy. Is Nepal on the right track?

By Saira Owais Adil

epal’s present politics appear Party of Nepal and served only Oli was Nepal’s eighth premier like a game of musical chairs, for nine months. Oli took charge in the last 10 years. The instability he Ncontested by the dominant on a “gentleman’s understanding” brought in was triggered by the turmoil political parties in quest of a lead role with the coalition partners that the in the system ever since the killing that could ensure their future in the premiership was to be rotated with of the royal family in 2001. Nepal’s country the other partners every nine months. transformation to a federal republic The Maoist and Unified Marxist The rotation formula, however, did in May 2008 brought to an end 240 Communist Party as well as the Nepali not work well and the Maoists, on years of royal rule. But this has not yet Congress are the main political forces not getting their due turn, withdrew been welcomed as a strong notion as that vie for seats in the parliament; they support and instigated a no-confidence far as the country’s overall social and are also criticized for greed of power. motion. Had Oli not resigned, there economic growth is concerned. That was perhaps one of the reasons was a probability that he would lose Some prominent reasons that led why K.P. Oli decided to step down. the motion, leading to a disgrace to the end of Oli’s regime: He belongs to the Communist removal. • Failure to honour the gentleman’s

28 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 Relations with India deteriorated Nepalese people lacked proficiency to the extent that Oli’s government and long-term vision. refused to approve a visit to India After Oli’s resignation, some by the President of Nepal, Vidhya lawyers and constitutional experts Devi Bhandari, during his brief put forward the ridiculous argument rule. The cabinet also accused that there was no provision for Nepal’s ambassador to India, choosing another prime minister in Deep Kumar Upadhyay, of anti- the constitution. Some other experts government activities. talked about taking the issue to court. • Oli failed to satisfy the Madhesi Nepal is a poor and mountainous - an important stakeholder in nation that is sandwiched between Musical south politics and having close India and China. The two giant cultural ties with India. This group neighbours wield their influence on the demanded some revisions in the country in one way or the other and are new constitution and also wanted accused of unnecessary interference. fresh demarcation of their majority Oli’s efforts to reduce dependence area in the form of a separate on India was a good move but when province. The Oli government did the influence was strongly felt within amend the constitution and rejected the country, a somewhat diplomatic a key Madhesi demand to redraw approach was required. the map of the country’s federal The common man is not interested Chairs agreement. Oli failed to pass on provinces. The issue became a key in who and from which party occupies power to his coalition partners element for the Madhesi activists the prime minister’s seat because he who were eagerly waiting for and further bolstered the no- wants resolution of his problems. He their turn. The frustration among confidence motion. wants someone who would address the coalition partners could • Slow developmental work. Though his issues and infuse continuity in the be sensed in a statement by a brief nine month period is not political culture. Prachanda of the CPN(MC). In a sufficient to judge a government’s Now that the Maoist chief Pushpa discussion in parliament over the performance but the reconstruction Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has been no-confidence motion against Oli, work, especially after the sworn in as the 39th Prime Minister of he said, “PM Oli monopolized earthquake last year, was extremely Nepal, the world is watching and he government functioning and did slow and many people were still better deliver on the promises he has not pay attention to implementing living in temporary shelters. made. Prachanda is the first communist the agreement reached with us, • Oli himself. The constitution that leader to hold the Prime Minister’s including a gentleman’s agreement invited controversy from the very post twice. This time again, the same to hand over leadership to us.” beginning became more complex rotation formula is being applied and • Oli built Nepal’s ties with China, after Oli’s resignation. The hurry in the same ‘gentleman’s agreement’ is to rather than with India. He signed promulgating a piece of document be honoured. trade and energy treaties in at any cost created ambiguity Perhaps there is some sense in the Beijing and said the two countries and lack of clarity. A series of hope that the world will now see a were poised to announce a new amendments immediately after better Nepal. rail link. India surely didn’t like promulgation of the constitution China’s growing influence and was made it clear that those holding The writer is a freelancer with special unhappy with Oli’s government. the fate of more than 28 million interest in socio-economic issues.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 29 REGION BHUTAN

Groping for Good Sense Currently in a state of transition, the democratic process in Bhutan has to surmount many hurdles.

By Mahrukh A. Mughal

hutan is a constitutional the institutions of government and was held in 2008, making it one of the monarchy with a parliamentary the legal framework for a democratic world’s youngest democracies. Druk Bform of government. The current multi-party system. Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) which was monarch is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Officially there are five political founded in 2007, won the election Wangchuck. The democratic process in parties in the country that are registered in March 2008. This was a landslide the country is currently undergoing an with the election commission of victory. In 2013, after winning the first evolutionary phase as the tiny country Bhutan. The People’s Democratic Party round by a large margin (44.5% against is slowly marching towards democracy was founded in 2007 while the Druk 32.5% by PDP) it suffered a defeat in while there are many hiccups on the Phuenum Tshogpa came into being as the general election (45.1% against way. a merger between the People’s United 54.9% ( PDP). It obtained only 15 seats Since 2008, the government in Party and All People’s Party in 2007. out of 47 in the National Assembly. Bhutan has been a constitutional Both these parties are registered with Considered a conservative royalist monarchy while executive power is the election commission of Bhutan. faction, the People's Democratic Party exercised by the Lhengye Zhungtshog, The Druk Nayamrup Tshogpa was (PDP), which is the governing political or the council of ministers, headed by registered in 2013 and the Druk party, holds 32 seats in the National the prime minister. A ban on political Chirwang Tshogpa was also registered Assembly. It was the first party registered parties was lifted on April 2007 and after the same year. in Bhutan, in 2007. The PDP is regarded the election of 2008, Bhutan adopted Bhutan’s first election after the tra- as progressive and pro-business. its first modern constitution, codifying nsition from a monarchy to democracy, The three other leading political

30 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 parties which met in Denmark at the end of 2014 and discussed the idea of merger are still wavering and are inconsistent regarding the merger program. These political parties describe themselves as center-left and social democratic and were registered by the election commission in 2013. Druk Nyamrup Tshgpa (DNT) with 17.04% votes in the primary round, finished third and therefore could not participate in the general election. It is a “people-centric political party,” promoting social democracy. Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT) obtained 5.9% votes in the primary round. Realizing the challenges of democracy, the Bhutan Kuen-Nyan Party (BKP) was disqualified from participating in the five registered parties have united to build primary round following a controversial ruling by Bhutan’s election commission, a common vision of promoting a vibrant due to a lack of candidates in two constituencies. democracy in Bhutan. In June 2013, all five political parties, while on a joint study trip to Denmark supported by the Danish Institute of also means that these parties lack strong she was open to all options. The DNT Parties and Democracy, unanimously values. This is most evident during said, it has publicly floated an open agreed on the need for support in the elections. In their pursuit to win, these proposal for the three new registered development of democratic culture parties seem willing to do anything and political parties to put people before in the country besides institutional everything to secure their seats. parties and unite to have a better strengthening of the political parties. The Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party, (BKP) chance against two established parties, Realizing the challenges of democracy, president, Sonam Tobgay said that if the the PDP and DPT, to give the people a the five registered parties have united Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) claimed better platform. to build a common vision of promoting to have made an informal offer for a The DNT is not against the a vibrant democracy in Bhutan by merger for the 2018 elections, it could established parties but believes jointly establishing a multi-party not be taken seriously. that Bhutan deserves better. It also Association called Bhutan Democracy “I would like to categorically claims that Bhutan must prevent, Dialogue (BDD), Endorsed by the mention that no offer was made by “establishment politics” where only election commission of Bhutan, it is DNT to BKP.” He also says the issue two political parties dominate. DNT a common platform that is owned does not merit an answer from BKP. believes that people’s power is more equally by all the political parties and “The future is unpredictable and it’s important than the party’s power. No engages in a dialogue, cooperation and too early for any one of us as political doubt merger of the three political partnering for facilitating, nurturing parties to come together. If at all there’s parties, if it can materialize before and strengthening democracy in the a need for parties to come together and the 2018 election, would certainly country. form a dream team why just limit to make the party stronger. The presence However, it would be fair to say that three parties?” Durk Nyamrup Tshogpa of a third strong party would offer democracy in Bhutan has not been the said they had proposed the idea during an alternative in terms of political resounding success that people hoped the joint multi-party trip to Denmark leadership and ideology. As far as it would be. In fact, the transition to in 2014 but no further discussions had the BKP is concerned, it has created a democratic society has been a slow ensued. confusion by denying a merger plan. and an increasingly painful process. The DNT general secretary, Tenzin The 2013 elections were very Political parties in Bhutan are still Lekphell said the three political parties challenging for the new political parties bereft of distinct political ideologies will have less of a chance as the small which were competing against the and of them, more or less, espouse the voting base with votes based on the well-established PDP and DPT. Along same rhetoric. The ruling party says it is political party, its mandate, its manifesto with an established party machinery committed to empowering the people and its candidates gets divided. “Based across the country, wide membership for liberty, equality and authority. The on such voting pattern, we feel we are and winning over many former local opposition‘s Druk Phuensum Tshogpa moving towards wrong direction.” leaders, both the PDP and DPT have was founded on the fundamental Both the DNT and DCT also said continued to play an important role principles of equality and justice. It that contrary to the BKP President’s since 2007. should come as no surprise that the denials the idea of three parties uniting Bhutan’s democracy is only eight other three parties on the scene have was discussed with BKP. Brushing aside years old. The emerging third force, if also been built around broad, generic any controversy and speculation, the the merger of the three leading political and ultimately empty catchphrases such Druk Nyamrup Tshopga (DNT) came parties takes place, would definitely as ‘equality,’ ‘justice’ and ‘freedom.’ out once again to say that its offer have some impact on the political scene However, the question of merger of of uniting the three new parties into in the 2018 election. But it seems like a political parties in Bhutan is not based one still stands. Meanwhile the Druk long way to go. on ideologies. There is a lack of distinct Chirwang Tshopga (DCT) President, and strong political ideologies which Lily Wangchuk said that personally The writer is a freelance journalist.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 31 REGION MALDIVES

It looks like the current Mohamed Nasheed President of the Maldives will continue to rule by force and is in no mood to pay heed to mass public protests.

By Lubna Jerar Naqvi

country cannot resolve its - the Maldivian Democratic Party - has problems unless its people get been urging President Abdulla Yameen A involved. But for nations like to release his predecessor, former the Maldives, which have a fractured President Mohamed Nasheed. He democracy, public involvement usually was the first democratically-elected means a clash with the government. president of the country but was At such times, instead of a solution, removed from power on allegations the situation only gets worse. of corruption. President Yameen took The Maldives has been constantly over after the elections in 2013.

Waiting Game Waiting protesting since 2013, as the opposition The short democratic rule of

32 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 President Nasheed (2008-2012) was a breath of fresh air for the people, because when he was removed, many fundamental rights were suspended, as President Yameen does not allow dissenting voices. He has been accused of manipulating the judiciary, the police and the bureaucracy to get absolute control and stifle the opposition completely. The protests have been a thorn in the side of Yameen's government and there have been numerous incidents where protestors have come face-to-face with the police and often things have been quite dangerous. The Maldives reveals a tense situation in which the population of the country has taken to the streets and it is clear that all is not well. In such circumstances, street protests should be acknowledged and the government should open channels of negotiation to understand and resolve the problems. But this is not the case. The government seems to forget that the masses are the reason it has been elected to run the country. It didn't come as a surprise that the government in the Maldives is not interested in sitting down with the protestors and listening to their demands. This disconnect between the rulers and the ruled has only increased over the three years since Yameen came to power. Similar conditions in other regions are examples of how public unrest and protests can harm the rulers. Once the die of unrest is cast, it is very hard to be resolved, especially if force is used against the protestors.Take the Indian- The short democratic rule of President held Kashmir, where young people - even children – who are only armed Nasheed was a breath of fresh air for with stones and slingshots, try to quell a fully armed force that has bloody the people. footprints in the region and has no qualms in even using deadly pellets on protestors. The Maldivian government doesn't throats. Who knows whether this was for their recovery, the police often seem interested in negotiations as a warning for other vocal voices? If mistreats the families of the missing President Yameen's government tries you talk to a Maldivian journalist, you journalists. One such case was of to control the population with force. It can almost feel the anger about the Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla who went seems like Yameen is quite strict when missing colleague’s disappearance. missing in August 2014, when he was it comes to keeping the country in line There are also those journalists abducted from outside his house. His - dictated by him. Therefore, it is not who seem uncomfortable and refrain family and friends have been taking out surprising that one of the first things from voicing their opinions about the rallies and holding vigils for his return. that happened after he came to power, regime. It is almost as if they are afraid But instead of finding him or even was the gagging of the vocal section of to state their feelings lest the 'unknown making an attempt in that direction, society. Many journalists were targeted forces' find out and they face with the the police manhandled Rilwan's by unknown forces which led to their same fate as many another journalist. mother and close friends. The same going 'missing.' This was a more The braver journalists team up in lack of empathy by the government compassionate way of silencing them demanding that the government do is also seen against the protests of compared to other not so fortunate something to retrieve the missing those who support democracy and techniques in which protestors were journalists but these demands have so who gather under the umbrella of either brutally beaten or murdered. far fallen on deaf ears. the newly formed Maldives United Some were symbolically left with slit In fact, instead of taking steps Opposition (MUO). But this does

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 33 REGION MALDIVES

not stop the MUO from continuing national economy. It seems that the regressive and will harm any form the struggle; the Maldivians seem government believes that it has to keep of democracy in the country. It is determined to break their shackles the country calm and safe to keep the also thought that this will pull the and strive for democracy. The MUO tourists coming at any cost, even at democratic process back, harming any provides a platform for all such people the cost of quashing the rights of the progress made before 2013. However, who stand up to the dictatorial rule people. the MUO seems determined to get and take part in the anti-government It is probably based on this notion people to join the anti-government campaign. Many rallies have been that the government has passed protests and is offering relief for those organized and more are planned till a dangerous defamation law that who could be arrested during the the fall of the government. threatens to usurp fundamental rights rallies, with funds being earmarked for The government gives the false of the people and which shows that the the benefit of those jailed or remanded. impression as if it has no clue why the government's concept of democracy is Those injured in the events will also be people are agitating because President completely different from reality. given compensation. Yameen believes that the government As if missing and dead journalists Street protests may prove to be enjoys democracy. He says the very fact weren’t enough, the law has given the dangerous but are extremely vital for that the Opposition is able to organize President more power to not only curb the people to get their point of view protests and a chance to express itself free speech and mute the opposition across to the world despite the ban, shows that his government is tolerant but also shut down media organizations since the local media may not be able to the opposition and is therefore a and cancel their licences. This does not to do this effectively after the passing democratic regime. help the cause of democracy in any of the defamation law. The claims of the President are hard manner and will only lead to further The only hope is that President to swallow as there is a ban on street stifling voices against the regime. Yameen will not clamp down on the protests since November 2015, with the The plan is probably to blackout any large number of citizens on the streets police blocking marches by the media, opposition in any form - news reports, and stick to his concept of democracy civil society and the opposition. rallies and protests - so that their of allowing the oppositions to protest. The government explains this by fervour does not trickle down to the This is a tough situation which cannot saying that the ban on street protests masses and create more problems for be predicted. Perhaps it is a wait and was basically to make the streets safe the government. see game. and peaceful which is an important The Maldives United Opposition component for the thriving tourism has vehemently opposed the law but The writer is a senior journalist based industry, the main contributor to the failed. Many believe the statute is in Karachi.

34 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 SPECIAL REPORT FRANCE & Pakistan Partners in Progress

Published by SOUTHASIA * SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan A Strong Commitment n the National Day of commitment towards reinforcing statement. “This [occasion] gives France on July 14, 2016, a sustainable and long-lasting me the opportunity to renew the Othe Ambassador of France partnership with Pakistan. “We appreciation of the entire French in Pakistan, H.E Martine Dorance, believe in a strong, resilient and community for the hospitality of reiterated her country’s strong stable Pakistan,” she said in a the Pakistani people and to express

François Hollande, President of the French Republic met Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, in Malta.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 III SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

Senator Lt. Gen. Abdul Qayyum, Convener of Pakistan-France Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Senate, chairing a meeting of both the parliamentary friendship groups from Pakistan and France at the Parliament House.

our best wishes for their continuing support.” Her words, in essence, echo the sentiments of several Pakistanis, many of whom can trace back France’s many endeavours towards strengthening its bond with Pakistan to the time of Partition. France was the first non-Muslim country to recognize Pakistan as an independent state. This ultimately paved the way for diplomatic relations which ultimately culminated in the agreement to open embassy services in both countries in July 1951. What followed were several high value trade and import- export treaties that enabled both Ambassador of France, Mrs. Martine Dorance, called on Pakistan’s Federal Minister countries to benefit from the vast mutual resources situated. for Finance, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. In terms of military and strategic cooperation, France has been a of bilateral economic ties between required to develop a framework that significant partner, especially for the the two countries, the Pakistan-France ensures closer economic cooperation Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as well as the Business Alliance has played an as well as enhancement of trade and Navy. The PAF is the largest customer instrumental role. The CEO/Chairman investment links to further strengthen of France’s aerospace industry in of PFBA, Mr. Jamil Hamdani, along the bond between the two nations. terms of fighter and civilian aircraft. with the Director South Asia of In addition to efforts made in The Pakistan Navy has also been able Business France, Mr. Thibaut Fabre, business and diplomacy, France has to set up a strong connection with have worked extensively to ensure also instituted an initiative dedicated the country; its first big purchase of useful trade leads for members of to providing development assistance the Daphne class submarine is well- PFBA and other businessmen. They to Pakistan. The Agence Française known along with the successful have also stressed on the need for de Développement (AFD) began transfer of technology of the Agosta greater collaboration for developing operating in Pakistan in May 2007 Class submarine since 1994. lucrative business opportunities for with most of its financing objectives The relationship between France French companies as well as their centering on the development of and Pakistan is based on three planes: Pakistani counterparts. green energy, i.e. energy efficiency politics, economy and security. Numerous agreements for the and hydropower. Today, it is one of This was determined during Prime facilitation of trade and business have the five leading donors in Pakistan’s Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s visit to been made between both countries. energy sector and has played a France in 2011 leading to bilateral In August 2010, France and Pakistan significant role in defining the dialogue between the two countries. agreed to set up a joint commission country’s energy policy. On the economic front, Pakistan- to undertake cooperative projects Both nations have a clear France relations are geared towards in food and agriculture, economic approach towards further developing prosperity and growth. The economic development, security and medical their political, economic and exchanges between the two countries training. Recently, Pakistan and security ties. Major French projects have yielded some €1 billion with France have signed an agreement are already undergoing intense Pakistan holding the highly esteemed to strengthen their economic and negotiation and are expected to rank of being France’s second biggest commercial relationship, aptly named come to fruition soon. With these export partner in the South Asian the Joint Declaration on Economic objectives, both France and Pakistan region. and Commercial Partnership. Under are looking ahead towards a brighter In terms of facilitating the growth this declaration, both countries are and more sustainable future.

IV SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

FRANÇOIS HOLLANDE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (MAY 15, 2012 – PRESENT) François Hollande is the President of the announced several wide-ranging economic and French Republic. Before being elected to the educational reforms. These include capping tax position in 2012, he was the First Secretary of loopholes at a maximum of €10,000 per year, the French Socialist Party from 1997 to 2008, reducing the share of electricity generated by the mayor of Tulle from 2001 to 2008 and the nuclear power in France from 75% to 50% in favour President of the Corréze General Council from of renewable energy sources, pledging to recruit 2008 to 2012. He also served in the National 60,000 new teachers, creating a study allowance Assembly of France twice for the department and means-tested training and planning for the of Corréze’s 1st Constituency from 1988 to construction of nearly 500,000 public homes. He 1993 and again from 1997 to 2012. has also announced his personal support for same- François Hollande graduated from the sex marriage and adoption of LGBT couples. Panthéon-Assas University with a Bachelor’s President François Hollande has proposed an degree in Law before going on to study at HEC Paris from acceleration of the establishment of a Franco-German civic where he graduated in 1975. He then attended the Institut service. In September 2015, he warned the former Eastern d’études politiques de Paris and the École nationale bloc countries against rejecting the EU’s mandatory migrant d’administration (ENA) from where he graduated in 1980 quotas, saying, “Those who don't share our values, those after which he entered the prestigious Cour des comptes and who don't even want to respect those principles, need to worked as councilor. start asking themselves questions about their place in the Ever since becoming President, François Hollande has European Union."

MANUEL VALLS PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE (APRIL 1, 2014 – PRESENT) Manuel Valls has been the Prime Minister until 2002. of France since April 1, 2014. Prior to In 2009, Valls announced his intention to run assuming this office, he was the Minister for the Socialist Presidential Primary in 2011 for of Interior from 2012 to 2014, the mayor of the 2012 election. On 7 June 2011, he confirmed Évry from 2001 to 2012 and was first elected his candidacy for the Socialist Primary. He was to the National Assembly of France in 2002. eliminated in the first primary round after which At the age of 17, in 1980, Valls joined he decided to endorse François Hollande for the French Socialist Party (PS) to support the second round. He was eventually appointed Michel Rocard. While studying history at the Minister of the Interior before being appointed Pantheon-Sorbonne University, he was also by the President of France as Prime Minister in a member of the UNEF-ID, a progressive March 2014 in place of Jean-Marc Ayrault. students’ union. He soon became Head of Considered as a ‘far-right’ member of the the Socialist Party in Argenteuil-Bezons after which he Socialist Party, Valls has always advocated ‘economically was mostly responsible for the functioning of the Prime realistic’ political speech without ‘demagoguery.’ He also Minister’s Cabinet. In 1998, Valls was elected Vice President describes himself as a ‘reformist rather than a revolutionary’ of the regional council for the Île-de-France which he held and wants to ‘reconcile the left to the liberal approach.’

JEAN MARC AYRAULT MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (FEBRUARY 11, 2016 – PRESENT)

A former Prime Minister, from May 2012 Socialist Party to become mayor of Nantes, a to March 2014, Jean-Marc Ayrault is France’s position he was subsequently re-elected for in Minister of Foreign Affairs and International 1995, 2001 and 2008. Ayrault was a supporter of Development. Prior to becoing the prime François Hollande during the Socialist Party’s 2011 minister, he was the mayor of Nantes from primary election. Soon after becoming president, 1989 to 2012 and led the Socialist Party François Hollande appointed Ayrault as the Prime group in the National Assembly from 1997 Minister replacing François Fillon. Once in office, to 2012. Jean-Marc introduced a range of progressive Between 1961 and 1968, Ayrault attended measures, including a reduction in the retirement the Lycée Colber in Cholet. In 1969, he spent a age from 62 to 60, cuts in ministerial salaries of up term at the University of Wüzburg in Bavaria. to 30%, a rise in the minimum wage, introduction He graduated with a degree in German in of a 36-month rent freeze on new contracts, an 1971 and in 1972, obtained his graduate teaching diploma. extension of social rebates on energy, increased educational Between 1973 and his election to the National Assembly support for low-income families, introduction of a system of in 1986, Ayrault worked as German language teacher in subsidised employment for young people between 16 and Saint-Herblain. 25 and the extension of entitlement to free health care to an In 1989, Jean-Marc Ayrault was chosen by the French additional 500,000 people.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 V * SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

Pakistan-France: a mutually benenficial relationship

rance and Pakistan have enjoyed links between both nations. The Pakistan-France Business a mutually beneficial economic Pakistan’s imports from France Alliance (PFBA) has been actively Frelationship for a number of years. mainly comprise pharmaceutical involved in drawing French companies Both countries have been extremely ingredients, chemical products, power to set up business in Pakistan. In addition open to the concept of bilateral trade as plant equipment and machinery for to helping businesses find trading well as for the need to have a platform specific industrial sectors. Other partners in Pakistan, the PFBA also helps that would allow companies from both products such as smart cards, fruit and French companies invest and set up countries to set up business. vegetable seeds and animal health business within the country. During the As of now, trade between France products are beginning to occupy last 18 months, PFBA’s Business Support and Pakistan has crossed the US$1 increasing space in French exports to Office has organized four company billion threshold for the third year Pakistan. Textile and leather products visits to Pakistan in the agro-food, dairy running since 2013. It has also shown represent more than 85% of Pakistan’s and cosmetics sectors. The organisation a significant increase of the surplus in exports to France. A small but potentially was also the co-organiser of the favour of Pakistan with duty-free access important part of the country’s exports Pakistani business mission to France to the EU market for a large range of constitute automotive and engineering at the invitation of MEDEF (French products via the EU GSP+ mechanism components. Business Confederation) in May 2014. granted to Pakistan in 2013. Major French brands such as Total PFBA expects a return visit by MEDEF Recently, Pakistan and France and GDF Suez have a strong market later this year or early next year. PFBA signed an agreement for an economic presence in the energy sector of Pakistan. also played an integral role in helping and commercial partnership. Under Some of the other famous French brands the French microfinance bank, Advans this agreement, both Pakistan and operating in Pakistan include Verlinde Pakistan, set up business here. France will try to develop a framework France, Hyperstar, L’Oreal, Moulinex, Trade with Pakistan has helped of close economic cooperation as well Lacoste, Sanofi, Alcatel and Schneider cement France’s strategic influence in as nhancement of trade and investment Electric. the South Asian region.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 VII SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

How Pakistan and France collaborate Agriculture akistan’s agricultural sector is one of the primary sector that PFrance is interested in investing in. Both countries possess huge potential for expansion and growth through bilateral trade, particularly in dairy and livestock. France has already been providing Pakistan’s agricultural sector with technology and technical expertise. In October 2013, France helped establish the Food Technology Transfer Center near the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad. The project was set up under French management teams from the AgroCampus in Rennes. The center constitutes three major processing units - milk, cereals and oil seeds. It is one of the few food processing factories that produce processed goods of more or less the same quality as those produced by larger factories, made following a declaration made technology for Pakistan’s dairy industry at nearly half the cost. by the World Organisation for Animal in an effort to increase the production The Pakistan government’s recent Health (OIE) that stated that France of cheese which will resolve the issue move to lift the ban on import of was a country of ‘negligible risk’ and of malnutrition in the country. It will live cattle and bovine meat from hence was free to export live cattle also encourage efforts to capitalize on 41 countries, including France, and meat to Pakistan. France’s significant fruit consumption has greatly facilitated the country’s Future endeavours include the through the export of citrus fruit at livestock sector. The initiative was development of value addition zero percent import duty. Pharmaceuticals he pharmaceutical sector is another industry in Pakistan that Thas potential for massive growth, particularly for French pharmaceutical products and services. The Sindh Medical Stores (SMS) has helped develop a substantial market for many products belonging to the French pharmaceutical sector, including biological vaccines, homeopathic medicines and diagnostic kits, reagents and instruments. Some leading French companies represented by SMS in Pakistan include BioRad Laboratories, Interscience and Nutriset. Of the 44 French companies set up in Pakistan, including 15 CAC40- listed companies, several are operating in the country’s pharmaceutical sector. These include two of France’s a leading pharmaceutical company an EU member country. leading chemical and pharmaceutical in Pakistan, Martin Dow, acquired a France is amongst the biggest companies, Rhone-Poulenc and pharmaceutical manufacturing facility consumers for pharmaceutical products, Roussel-Uclaf, both of which have in Meymac, France. The company is holding the position as the second several production units across expected to begin operations this year. largest European market for medical Pakistan. This will be the first acquisition by a care after Germany. It is also one of the France has also given Pakistan Pakistani pharmaceutical company most complex markets to promote and the opportunity to expand its of a medicine manufacturing facility commercialise pharmaceutical products. pharmaceutical sector and enable in France as well as one of the few At the moment, France has the world’s key players in the industry to reach instances where a Pakistani company highest consumption of medicines per out to French consumers. Recently, has made a significant investment in capita at nearly US$300.

VIII SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

Telecommunications

akistan’s telecommunication sector is one of the country’s Pfastest growing industries and has the most potential for further expansion and growth. France, which has a strong telecommunications sector of its own, is already looking into several avenues in the industry for the purpose of investment. Alcatel, an award-winning mobile phone brand from TCL Communications in France, has made its official entry into the Pakistan market with its complete range of mobile phones, smart phones and tablets. In addition, Orange S.A, formerly known as France Telecom S.A, which has over 263 million customers worldwide, has announced plans to invest in Pakistan’s telecommunication market. The successful launch of 3G and 4G services in the country has helped to a highly urbanized population, a 3 million users. The industry is Pakistan’s telecom sector and presents relatively high per capita GDP and highly concentrated with the five an attractive deal for investors. an extensive network of main lines top players controlling two-thirds Pakistan’s tele-density is one of the throughout the country, there are a of total communications services in highest in the world which makes it an number of opportunities investors France as of 2013. Future mergers attractive destination for investment. can capitalize on in the telecom and acquisitions are expected to France has the third largest industry. The total number of 4G drastically change the face of the telecom market in Europe. Thanks subscribers now amounts to nearly country’s telecom industry. Armament akistan’s links with France with relation to the transfer Pand exchange of aeronautic technology go back to 1967. In 1967, France sold its first batch of Mirage fighter jets to Pakistan followed by a second batch in 1990. In 1996, a contract was signed between the two countries for the acquisition of 40 reconnaissance French aircraft. It has been reported that a deal for advanced avionics, radar, EW suite, HMD and MICA missiles between Pakistan and France as well as for PAF’s JF-17’s Thunder Jets may be finalized. Pakistan will upgrade its aging fleet of fighter jets and may acquire French planes. There is also a possibility of Pakistan acquiring the Thales-made Damocles, a third- generation targeting pod. Recently, France’s aerospace industry showed a significant growth in exports, thus making 2015 a record year for the industry. Orders reached around €78.3 billion ($88.1 billion). Much of this success can be attributed to the phenomenal performance of the country’s defense sector; the export of the Dassault Rafale Fighter to Egypt and Qatar, with a pending deal with India, has had a tremendous impact on revenue.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 IX SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

Automobiles he automotive industry of of every four vehicles manufactured French ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. France has produced some of by these companies are exported. Martine Dorance, expressed a strong Tthe world’s leading brands in Some 23% of all cars sold in the desire to initiate investment in the automobiles. Since 1903, France has European region are French and 10% country’s auto sector. She expressed a helped pioneer the development of the of the country’s working population is major interest in the investment plans global auto industry. Renault-Nissan employed directly or indirectly by the of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, a occupies the fourth position among automotive industry. strategic partnership between Renault top automotive manufacturers around France has yet to make a dent and Nissan. France is already one the world, while PSA Peugeot-Citroen in Pakistan’s automotive industry. A of the biggest markets for Pakistani ranks at eighth position. Three out delegation from France, headed by automotive exports.

Culture

remendous efforts have been a goodwill gesture on behalf of the project is to share with the Pakistani made by the governments of both French government to encourage people the works of French intellectuals TFrance and Pakistan to facilitate greater learning as well as integration and opinion-makers on different the exchange of each country’s culture within French society. In Pakistan, three topics. In 2015, among others, Laurent and ideas. The objective behind Alliances Francaises in Islamabad, Gayer, a writer, Jean-Pierre Perrin, a such initiatives is to promote a deep Lahore and Karachi, respectively, war journalist, Jean-Joseph Boillot, an understanding of both cultures as well strive to spread French culture and economist, Michel Bolvin, a researcher as the people belonging to each country, language. on Sufi cultures, Pascal Boniface, a which would further strengthen the To encourage debate on important well-known expert on geopolitics bond between the two nations. questions and issues that the world and Christophe Jaffrelot and Jean-Luc Part of this endeavour includes faces today, both governments have Racine, experts on South Asia, shared financing scholarships for Pakistani jointly launched an ‘Open Doors in their diverse views on different forums students to study in France. This is Pakistan’ programme. The aim of this across Pakistan.

X SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

PFBA: promoting France-Pakistan business SouthAsia talks to Jamil Hamdani, President, Pakistan-France Business Alliance (PFBA).

What is the PFBA’s raison d être? delegations to France in the past. The main objective of PFBA is to Recently, it organized a social get- promote economic and trade ties between together for the delegation of France- France and Pakistan. It was founded Pakistan friendship group in the French more than 25 years ago by Karachi- Senate to help both parties understand based Pakistani companies working with each other. During the past 18 months, France to serve as a platform for attracting the PFBA has organized four visits of similar companies all over the country in French companies to Pakistan in the order to project business opportunities agro-food, dairy and cosmetics sectors. with France. Since its inception, French On a higher level, the PFBA also companies in Pakistan have been a part works in close collaboration with the of the PFBA. At the same time, the PFBA Economic Counselor at the French has been endeavouring to highlight trade Embassy in Islamabad in order to project and investment opportunities in Pakistan for the major French multinationals, the for the French private sector. investment opportunities in Pakistan Q: What are the major business in sectors such as dairy, agro-food, areas in which France and Pakistan find telecommunications, transport, energy, common ground? water resources development and to change. The present situation is a A: France has been traditionally very infrastructure development, etc. sad reflection on this beautiful country. active in chemical, pharmaceutical and What are the current business Things are not very good and even strong telecommunication sectors in Pakistan. activities between France and Pakistan? companies like Gul Ahmed, the Tabas Rhone-Poulenc, which used to be a Pakistan is a major exporter of textile and the Al Karams, who are exporting to world ranking French chemical and and leather goods to France. The bilateral France, are having problems. pharmaceutical multinational, worked trade has crossed one billion euro mark The buyers don’t want to come to in Pakistan since the 1960s, before its for the consecutive fourth year. France Pakistan and want to meet in Dubai. It is pharmaceutical business went on to has been instrumental in setting up the a sad reflection but I still think that this is merge with Germany’s Hoechst, which mega Hyperstar stores in Lahore and a land of opportunities. itself later merged with the French Karachi and plans to open five more Are all French companies operating company Sanofi to form one of the Hyperstar stores in the next two years. in Pakistan members of the PFBA? leading pharmaceutical multinational Advans Pakistan, the French Micro- Yes, from Total to Sanofi-Aventis to companies, Sanofi-Aventis. It is among Finance Bank, has started its operations Bureau Veritas to Schneider Electric and the top five pharma multinationals in in Karachi and will be expanding in many more. We have three membership Pakistan. Sindh in the near future. categories: the first are corporate In telecommunications, Alcatel was L’Oreal has achieved phenomenal members, the second are affiliates of the pioneer in digitalization of the PTCL success and growth ever since it French companies and the third are telephone network. French companies, established its direct subsidiary in associate members who joined the along with Italian companies, played Pakistan in 2007. alliance in anticipation of acquiring a dominant role in construction of the Has the political situation in Pakistan a French franchise or prospective Tarbela Dam. Water supply and sewerage and the recent terror attacks in Paris business. systems are the other fields in which affected French investment? Has the PFBA earmarked any France has played a major role. A water Absolutely. Before investing in a particular areas in which France and treatment plant was set up in Faisalabad country, companies first look at the Pakistan could collaborate for better with French development aid. critical mass and determine if their results? How does the PFBA encourage ties products would sell in that particular The sectors they can collaborate in between the business communities of market; the second factor is the legal and are dairy, animal health and agro-food. Pakistan and France? financial system of that particular country, We are also working at the local level In order to promote business between whether their capital or investments with the Sindh and Punjab Boards of France and Pakistan, PFBA has a business would be protected, whether they would Investment to identify new avenues for Support Office which works in direct be able get their dividends and, in case cooperation. collaboration with the French external they want to pull out, will they be able to What is the future of the relationship trade agency Business France. PFBA was take the capital back? The third and most between France and Pakistan? the co-organizer of the Pakistani business important factor is the law and order I think the prospects are good and mission to France at the invitation of situation of that country, if the expats there is a lot of scope of doing business MEDEF (French Business Confederation) would be protected there? The changing with France. To increase the prospects we in May 2014. Many major business and uncertain policies of the past and must focus on quality and not on making groups from Pakistan participated in this present governments is a factor as well. a quick buck. If you manufacture quality mission which had a very big impact. It’s very sad but, unfortunately, the products, you are bound to get a quality The PFBA has been taking business current perception of our country needs price.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 XI SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

The legend continues The discovery of Mehrgarh’s ancient civilization by the Frenchman Jean-François Jarrige and his wife Catherine Jarrige has been described as an epoch-making event.

By M.M. Alam

rench archaeologist couple BC. Speaking about the historic Jean-François Jarrige and unearthing, Jarrige humbly said FCatherine Jarrige are that the river had done the work for globally acclaimed for discovering him, removing silt and exposing the 9000-year-old Mehrgarh the 8000 BC civilization. civilization of Balochistan (it is In 2004, Jarrige was appointed 500-years-older than Egyptian director of Guimet Museum (a and Mesopotamian civilizations). Mecca for aficionados of Asian Talking to this writer in Paris, Art, thanks to its 45,000 objects). Jarrige said he was born in a Guimet is situated not far from the middle-class milieu. Eiffel Tower (where this interview “My family had a tradition was conducted). He had shown of having books at home where me around when the French education was considered more public museums (including the important than money. Any act Louvre, which houses the Mona connected with art and culture Lisa) were closed. was deeply appreciated.” Tracing back its history, Jarrige chose the theme of the Jarrige said that Emile Guimet, Ganges for his dissertation. In lieu a French industrialist who was of mandatory military service, he passionately interested in the had offered to teach French in Orient, founded the museum in Lakhnow for two years: “Students 1889. Initially he brought back were gifted but strikes kept thousands of works of art from classes suspended. Telling pupils an 1879 scientific voyage. Later to let me know about opening the range kept on increasing of the University, I used to go for due to French expeditions to excavations at Indian sites.” Asia, as well as donations and He said he went to Pakistan acquisitions. When closing in in 1963 as a 22-year-old 1920, the Indo-Chinese museum student. “The person incharge of at Trocadero handed all its riches excavations there was looking for Jarrige and Catherine at the Guimet. to the Guimet Museum. an assistant. As I was studying, I While the Louvre has art offered to go only for one session.” pieces from the western half of Jarrige had married Catherine, a fellow he observed that things had changed the globe (up to Iran), antiques from student, in 1965. She joined him in after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan: the east were displayed at Guimet. It Pakistan two years later. The couple has “A lot of ‘traffic’ which did not exist, is exchanged its classical and Egyptian two daughters: one is a photographer here”! pieces for artifacts from the Louvre’s and the other a journalist. Jarrige said Twenty three years old Jarrige was Asian Arts department in 1945. The \their children were not interested in excited to discover a beautiful ceramic director, while pointing towards objects, archaeology, “a difficult vocation in jar from the kulli culture - Hindowari magnificently presented in appropriately dust, mud and sun!” - dating to 2300 BC. After a decade lit spaces, said that earlier Guimet was a Speaking about his ‘first taste of of work as an assistant to Jean-Marie sleepy museum with few visitors. Many Pakistan’, Jarrige said: “Elections were Casal, he replaced him in 1973. Jarrige’s parts, including the third floor (Lacquer being held under the Basic Democracy Mehrgarh historical breakthrough has Rotunda), were in ruins and home to system. Everybody was in favour of Miss a tremendous significance as it had pigeons. After four years of renovation, Fatima Jinnah yet Field Marshal Ayub established that Mohenjo-Daro’s history the museum was reopened in January Khan won!” About life in the metropolis was deeply rooted in the soil. 2001, attracting a large number of art in the 60s, he remembered that the This negated the universal belief that lovers. French Embassy was still located in migrants brought the civilization to the A tour of the museum takes visitors Karachi. He remembers “A small town Indus Basin. He said that there were to various regions of Asia covering with little traffic. You could have forgotten older sites all over Pakistan that were south east, far east and central asia. The a suitcase and found it two hours later.” buried under the sediment; civilizations visitors are explained the civilizations Maintaining that it was difficult for an brought to light by archaeologists that of countries such as Afghanistan, outsider to gauge the causes and effects, were of a later period, 3000 to 4000 Burma, Cambodia, China, India,

XII SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. Interiors of ten Buddha sculptures were photographed without opening them, using hi-tech instruments similar to the ones physicians use to scrutinize insides of human bodies. The impressive three-dimensional electronic spectacle takes one on a journey through ancient statues revealing precious ornaments. A book has been read without even opening one statue. The Pakistani pavilion is not very developed, which is an answer to the controversy that French archeologists might have taken antiques out of Pakistan. The Jarriges continued the practice of digging in Balochistan for three to four months each winter. Regrettably, though The historic unearthing of Mehrgarh by the Jarriges in the 1980s was reported by they have spent their entire lives at the The Guardian as one of the major discoveries of the time. Mehrgarh site for 35 years, they became victims of local politics. An admirer of Baloch traditions, Jarrige said: “I was by the Jarriges in the 1980s was indigenous as the earlier bulls were too amazed by the cultural wealth of reported by The Guardian as “one of the big and wild then gradually became Balochistan to mind the ‘battle’ that was major discoveries of the time.” Radio- smaller as captivity decreases the size of going on. It was no secret that the province carbon dates have also established that bones. Says Jarrige: “All those graves had is not an easy place.I was amazed by the Mehrgarh started in 8000 BC. Jarrige different types of things. So it is difficult cultural wealth of Balochistan, which is explained that those people were able to categorize people by their tomb.” He richer than Iran.” to build monumental architecture before the stuff inside the graves changed with Jarrige said Mehrgarh had raised a Mohenjo-Daro. the concept of the afterlife and in the lot of interest and controversy in India: This was a society with an advanced later period, tools were not found. “They were at first jealous as to why distribution system and granaries to Jarrige said: “A child was buried such settlements were in Pakistan; they store barley, etc. What people thought with a belt made of seashells, turquoise, wanted to call it the Saravati Civilization. was brought in from Iran was originally demonstrating a relationship and Rejecting their arguments,Jarrige grown here a lot earlier. However, he connection with far-off places like maintained: “In 8000 BC there were no cautioned: “Water is destroying sites and the coast of Makran. Outstanding Hindus, Muslims or Christians, all had parts are collapsing in the river.” craftsmanship was seen in drilling of a mutual history. Besides, the vicinity Jarrige said people of these remote beads using high-quality techniques that of the waterway bestows on the Indus a areas were using wood: trees like elm, were also used for dentistry; a painful coherent preference.” juniper, pine, poplar and oak, which practice carried out on fully conscious In 1974, Jarrige’s team was allowed today grow at great heights, were grown patients.” by Sardar Raisani to work in Mehrgarh in this region. Maintaining that today’s The earliest discovered cotton near a village of his tribe in district vegetation started in 3000 BC, he held: encased in metal ornaments was found Kechhi. Speaking about that patch of “It is said that people and animals like with the skeleton inside a grave. The land near the bank of the Bolan River, goats, had destroyed vegetation, but people of the area had already discovered 140 km southeast (30 km from the Sindh- sometimes nature itself changes the in 7000-6000 BC the material the Balochistan Highway), he reminisced: environment.” famous Mohenjo-Daro seals are made “It was not big, but being a small team Three hundred (7000BC and of. A room full of ceramics and 2700 BC with no money, we had decided to carry earlier Neolithic) graves revealed early bull prototypes was also discovered. on.” skeletons of the human species which Jarrige’s wife Catherine had Commencing in 1975, they worked were of larger built and were involved extensively worked on figurines found for a few months each winter and this in hunting. Studies by Harvard scholars at the site - such as a woman coloured led to the unearthing of the 8000 BC show 95 percent of the meat came from with red ochre and another sitting with old ruins of Mehrgarh which had large hunting but the sheep and goats were snakes, which was probably a a sign of settlements spread over 300 hectares also domesticated: “When ceramics fertility and perforated statuettes with and depicted the dwelling of an (which first appeared in 6000BC) were sticks inserted into them for some magical advanced agrarian society like spacious not made, hunters used to cook food the activity. Figurines were also found in clay-brick boundary-walled houses way today’s Baloch hunting parties bake a grave though these are normally not which were built close to each other. bread on hot stones,” says Jarrige. associated with the dead. They had underground chambers to beat Hunting took place on the lower It is interesting to observe that 2600 the heat. The mud-brick houses were parts of mountains and in the marshy BC male figurines are seen wearing adandoned when they became unusable environment of the alluvium plains. turbans similar to the ones used by the and were later converted into graves. Elephant tusks with handicraft work were Baloch today, Jarrige, while showing This is how Jarrige had proved that the found there, Mehrgarh is the only site so pictures of a female statuette with 5000-year-old Indus Valley Civilization far which has a documented history of curious eyes and a big nose painted in was indigenous. the Zebu Bulls. yellow, said that the colour misguided The historic unearthing of Mehrgarh The bovines of the region were also many who believed there was lot of gold

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 XIII SPECIAL REPORT France & Pakistan

there. would send a platoon. Elaborating on urbanization, Jarrige Meanwhile, Jarrige got another email spoke about different periods (2700-2300 reporting the burning of the village and BC): “For ten years we have excavated camp. The much-awaited platoon arrived what belongs to the Indus Civilization. after the plunder. The French President And we have been able to link Mehrgarh expressed his deep shock at the incident. remains with Mohenjo-Daro; the long A large number of relics were pillaged blocks, sophisticated sanitary system, when over ninety rockets, fired at the canals and water in big tanks were the Raisani village , killed Nawab Ghous same as found in Mohenjo-Daro, but Baksh Raisani and destroyed Jarrige’s on a smaller scale.” They have also camp that possessed documents regarding found crude sculptures of elephants and their findings and a personal collection of three-headed lions similar to the present ethnic outfits which the attackers looted. Indian motifs, small bullock carts and the Jarrige lamented that since the murder figurine of a lady grinding flour. of Nawab Raisani (who had permitted Jarrige also spoke of 1800-500 BC excavations in his area) the state of affairs Pirak (located 20 km from Mehrgarh): was not very encouraging. During their Funerary Pottery “The final period of the Indus Civilization last visit, the couple saw holes at the was the climax of urbanization. But Mehrgarh site made by well-organized borders. Through his knowledge of the later, as trade routes were cut with gangs led by sardars. Objects from various field and his sense of public interest, Mesopotamia, the history of this part was Pakistani locations were smuggled out to he helped establish archeology as an forgotten.” He demonstrated strikingly Dubai, Paris, London and New York via important vehicle for promoting French similar structures of Pirak and 1947 AD drug routes. The thieves, in order to make scientific influence. Kotra architecture by comparing their a few bucks, destroyed traces of human After the demise of Jean-François pictures. Rice was the staple food of history, which could help decipher the Jarrige his widow and co-archaeologist Pirak, and then Sorghum – Jawaar”; it evolution of climate, crops, domesticated Catherine chose Dr. Aurore Didier to is still cultivated in the arid climate that animals, etc. continue work the couple had started. Catherine has lauded Aurore as a brilliant scholar whom she and Jarrige had chosen to continue with their archaeological work, look after their files and documents and publish the findings. Dr. Aurore Didier first came to Pakistan in 2000 as a member of the Franco-Pak Archaeological Mission in Makran, directed by Dr Roland Besenval (founder of the Mission in Makran who worked there from 1987 to 2012). She said that at that time she was a Masters student at Paris University focusing on research on the Indus Civilization. Dr. Didier there is a lack of awareness in France about South-Asia’s protohistoric archaeological importance: “The first time I heard fleetingly about the Indus Civilization, it was at the Head of French Archaeological Mission in the Indus Basin, university during a course concerning Dr. Aurore Didier (right), with the writer. Middle East archaeology and trade in the 3rd millennium BC.” Didier plans to introduce the Indus Civilization as a has remained the same through the ages. Adjacent to the Guimet Museum is subject at French institutions and create New arrivals as portrayed by the Pirak an extension that houses a number of awareness through talks at various artisans were the Bactrian camel and displays and bureaus. One can see here forums. horse ridden by a bird-headed man-like the Japanese Garden of the Buddhist Didier and her team are presently creature. Pantheon galleries, where ceremonies focusing on details of transition linking Tribal feuds between the Rinds and are organized and the public is invited to the pre-Indus and Indus civilization the Raisanis too had prevented their attend on reservation. In another room, periods. They are endeavoring to find a archaeological endeavours: While Jarrige researchers are seen busy tracing and connection between ancient cultures of was in France and was scheduled to drawing the findings in their cubicles. Balochistan and Sindh, how the Indus return to Pakistan after a couple of weeks, The Guimet Museum regularly organizes Civilization developed and what the his campsite at Mehrgarh was looted. cultural events like film festivals and relationships between the different regions In response to his advance tipping of concerts featuring Oriental instruments of the Indus territory and Balochistan’s the Pakistan Embassy in Paris and the and dances. culture were. In the next few years, with French Embassy in Pakistan, concerned Jean-François Jarrige served as the help of Pakistani partners, Dr. Didier authorities thought he was ‘just Secretary-General of the French will try to organize an exposition at the dreaming.’ They said that only two people Consultative Committee for Overseas Musée Guimet at Paris featuring objects were fighting over a canal and there was Archaeological Research for almost 20 of Pakistani heritage, especially the Indus nothing to worry about. However, the years and helped to promote the common civilization and the chalcolithic period Chief Secretary of Balochistan said he history of peoples, beyond identities and in southern Pakistan.

XIV SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 * * INTERNATIONAL After the Storm

The failed coup in Turkey could have many negative implications for the future.

By Taha Kehar

onventional wisdom would have of nations. In the blink of an eye, of democracy are weakened, friends us believe that a military coup countries that once shared friendly become foes and erstwhile enemies Cis an antithesis of democracy. ties are mired in a cold war defined turn into trusted allies. But what is the Such takeovers can affect the comity by ostracism and doubts. As the roots direct impact of a failed coup? Can it

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 35 INTERNATIONAL

be equally damaging, if not altogether destructive, as a military takeover? In July, a faction of the Turkish military embarked on what can be termed as an audacious plan to take over the country. The attempted coup was duly thwarted. However, the turn of events raised a diverse menu of concerns for different countries. For instance, in Pakistan, a country that has seen decades of military dictatorship, the failed coup served as a warning sign. Many analysts raised concerns over the move and wondered if the Pakistan Army would adopt a similar approach in the near future. Overall, there was an emerging consensus that the failed coup in Turkey would affect the country’s relations with the U.S. Turkey is a longtime ally of the U.S. and a member of NATO and the takeover attempt was likely to generate an adverse impact. At this critical juncture, Turkey has a central position in key conflicts. It plays a critical role in the struggle against IS in Syria and is also at the forefront of handling Syrian refugees since it is believed to be a transit point for foreign IS fighters. The immediate effect of the failed coup was the decision to halt operations at the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey. The airbase has been billed as a key asset in the campaign against IS militants. The move sought to quell uncertainty. However, it was also construed as an attempt to make US airstrike missions against the IS impossible. Turkey has witnessed many military Pentagon Spokesperson Peter Cook takeovers in the past. However, there is a said they were working with Turkey to make the airspace operational again. A strong likelihood that the country will pay a U.S. defence official insisted that the Pentagon was finding ways to conduct heavy price for the recent coup attempt. operations from other bases. However, this was not suggested as an attempt to assist the country in its time of need. To heartening show of solidarity for IS militants. On the other hand, his AKP the contrary, officials believe the U.S. Turkey from U.S. leaders. Shortly after Party support for Islamist policies and military might be reluctant to restart the coup attempt, President Barack parties such as Muslim Brotherhood operations from the base at a time Obama summoned an emergency and Hamas is also a cause for concern when there is considerable ambiguity meeting in the White House Situation for the US. Erdogan has also spurned over who is in control of the Turkish Room to deliberate the matter. Obama western ideals and undermined press army. threw his weight behind Turkey and freedom. The U.S. government fears he Another factor that could insisted that the country’s cooperation could spread his tentacles and do more potentially thwart relations between was required to stem the roots of damage than good. both countries is Fethullah Gulen, militancy. Secretary of State John Kerry After the coup, the Ankara chief an exiled Turkish cleric who lives in informed the Turkish foreign minister public prosecutor's office took 200 Pennsylvania and is believed to have that he had guaranteed absolute court officials, including members of spearheaded the failed coup. Across support for democratic institutions in the Supreme Court, into custody. This the world, many schools sponsored Turkey. It is difficult to gauge the extent is little more than an extension of his by Gulen have been closed down and of this show of support and whether policies against the judiciary as there this is likely to impact students who are it is derived from a genuine desire to is no concrete evidence which prove studying at these institutes. The Turkish promote democratic rule. their involvement in the coup. authorities have asked the U.S. to hand Over time, the U.S. government As a NATO country, Turkey has Gulen over but the cleric, on the other has developed bipolar relations with the second largest armed forces. The hand, has denied any involvement in Erdogan. There is a growing perception country is also one of only two Muslim- the attempted takeover. that Erdogan’s party has adopted a majority members of the 28-nation There has, however, been a lackadaisical approach to rooting out defence alliance. In the aftermath of

36 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 the takeover attempt, Turkey’s military cooperation with the U.S. is also likely to be affected. Since the beginning of 2016, this level of cooperation has improved. However, the upheaval within the army ranks and reluctance to conform to pro-western ideas is bound to leave an imprint. The growing suspicion over the Turkish armed forces after the coup will also affect its capacity. Erdogan is likely to sack more military officers for being decidedly disloyal. As a consequence, a weak military could give the IS an opportunity to attack cities in Turkey. The country’s relationship with Europe also stands the risk of turning sour. Turkey and the EU’s relations are vested on the latter’s demand that the country amend its anti-terror laws in accordance with human rights. Under the current circumstances, Turkish authorities might not be willing to ease legal restrictions. This could trigger a diplomatic crisis. Moreover, the refugee package whereby Turkey hosts Turkey will be unable to contribute to for the recent coup attempt. At this millions of Syrian refugees could also regional stability. More significantly, stage, a suitable interaction among the be affected by the uncertainty that now the interplay between the military, the state, the military and the public can prevails. police, and intelligence might also negotiate tensions and weaken the Many analysts have painted a be impacted. Turkey has witnessed scope for uncertainty. bleak picture of what the internal many military takeovers in the past. consequences of the failed coup could However, there is a strong likelihood The writer is a poet and author. He is a be in Turkey. It is widely believed that that the country will pay a heavy price law graduate of SOAS.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 37 NEIGHBOUR

he Pak-Afghan border region subjugation by powerful militaries from states are not required to formally ratify is characterized by a pervasive outside. binding previous agreements. It cleanly Tconflict which has now spanned The root cause of hostility between enunciates that any unilateral declaration over four decades. The conflict has Afghanistan and Pakistan continues to has no effect and boundary changes have challenged the two state’s authority in be the Durand Line, which the former to be made bilaterally. the largely Pashtun region that straddles refuses to recognize. From Pakistan’s The Vienna Convention and the common border between Pakistan perspective, at the time of partition courts in various countries have also and Afghanistan and has given birth of India in 1947, it inherited the 1893 universally upheld this principle. to problems of governance, cultural treaty signed by Britain and the Afghan Besides, Afghanistan has never formally integration and religious militancy. This Amir, Abdur Rahman Khan (and approached the UN since it is aware that has also had a profound socio-cultural subsequently reconfirmed by rulers of its locus standi and claim in the matter impact and resulted in political instability both sides in 1905, 1919 and 1921). is not supported by universally accepted and economic deprivation and provided In accordance with the principle of uti principles governing territorial disputes.

Across

Many peoplethe in Afghanistan still dreamLine that one day they might reclaim the territories their forefathers lost across the Durand Line - an unrealistic wish of course.

By Taj M. Khattak

an excuse for presence of extra-regional possidetis juris - followed all over the It is interesting to note that at the time forces in an area which, for centuries, world - when new states emerge upon of the Indian national movement, the has successfully thwarted attempts at gaining independence, the successor prominent Pashtun nationalist leader

38 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 Abdul Ghafar Khan and his Khudai provocation which resulted in causalities naturally considers this unacceptable Khidmatgar movement advocated on both sides, particularly dismayed for its security as it contains a strong merger of the present-day KP province Pakistan because the new mechanism potential for sowing seeds of anti- with India and not Afghanistan. All this requiring Afghan nationals to carry valid Pakistan sentiments in the minds of highlights the extent to which the Afghan and authorized travel documents for future generations of Afghanistan. argument of Pashtuns being unfairly entering Pakistan, was agreed between But there is a need to move on beyond divided by the Durand Line is flawed the two countries in April 2016 and these irritants because too much is at stake and unrealistic. timely notifications were issued. for impoverished populations of the two In 1950, UK, the erstwhile regional While Afghanistan is a sovereign countries. Afghanistan, under President colonial power, conceded that Pakistan state and is free to act in its own Ashraf Ghani, has so far preferred its was the legal inheritor of rights and duties interests, its actions should not impinge channels of communications with of the old Government of India and UK in on the sovereignty and wellbeing of Pakistan’s military which it considers as these territories and that the Durand Line its neighbours. Pakistan’s concerns the decision-maker in its Afghan policy. was the international frontier between about use of Afghan territory for acts Ghani clearly feels concerned with the Pakistan and Afghanistan. The United of terrorism in Pakistan and the level of ideological and military resilience of the States as well as many countries around Indo-Afghan security co-operation is Taliban movement for future stability the world too accept this position. detrimental to the safety of Pakistanis and in Afghanistan. But he does not take After an excruciating phase during cannot be taken lightly or ignored under seriously Pakistan’s worries about an the rule of President Hamid Karzai in any circumstances; this is something unfriendly and pro-India dispensation in Afghanistan and President General which Afghanistan would do well to Kabul. For long term perspective, the two Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan, it was understand with full clarity. sides need to deepen their diplomatic expected that a new era will be ushered The role of the US is particularly and political relations as opposed to in on assumption of political power intriguing the one hand as it has short-sighted overtures to the military in by President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul repeatedly asked Pakistan to ‘do more’ Pakistan. and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in against terrorism which has primarily Unfortunately, mutual efforts Islamabad and they would leave behind spawned in this region because of its of the two counties have suffered a their acrimonious past. On his part, own ‘Great Game’ policies of the past pattern of the ‘one step forward, two President Ghani, during his visit to and for which it bears full responsibility steps backwards’ phenomenon due Pakistan, committed to address Pakistan’s – and, on the other hand, it is not helping to frequent acts of terrorism on both concerns without, understandably, the success of Zarb-e-Azb by turning a sides and the dynamics unleashed by compromising his country’s sovereign blind eye to safe havens in Afghanistan external interests like the intriguingly- independence and Prime Minister Nawaz for Pakistanis and other militants who timed announcement of Mullah Omer’s Sharif reciprocated appropriately. foray into Pakistan and carry out acts death and killing of the Taliban leader This new direction was never of terrorism. It’s reneging on release of Mullah Mansur in Balochistan just after considered to be easy because of a long coalition support funds and sale of only he crossed over to Pakistan from Iran. If history of mutual suspicion and negative eight F-16s, under pressure from India Pakistan, gave an impression that it will perceptions as well as difficulties rooted (an aircraft which has been in service be able to nudge the Afghan Taliban in interests and institutions and in with the PAF now for nearly thirty three towards the negotiating table, as claimed contrasting perspectives and priorities years). This betrays a gap between word by Afghanistan, it may well have bitten but the roadblocks have come sooner and action. more than what it could chew. than expected. Relations hit a new low At the very least this amounts to Pakistan is not placed in a happy after the APS attack in 2014, the drone the US being non-serious in the fight position due to strained relations with attack in Balochistan which killed against terrorism (a trait which is also both Afghanistan and India but its Mullah Mansur and arrest of an Indian beginning to emerge elsewhere in the antagonism level with the former is much spy with networks tentacles extending to Syrian and Islamic State conflict in the lower. On the other hand, any prospects neighbouring countries. Middle East). A more somber view is that of improvement in diplomatic relations These incidents set off a chain reaction the US has chosen continued bloodshed with India are becoming more and more forcing Pakistan to revisit the issue of a in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a policy a distant dream. It would thus make three and half million Afghan refugees option to retain military presence to immense foreign policy sense if Pakistan who have now been in the country for further its China containment policy, prioritized its efforts to mend fences with over forty years and are invariably found to cause anxiety in Pakistan’s nuclear Afghanistan. embroiled in incidents of terrorism, law establishment and to keep an eye on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should and order and serious crime. In addition Iran which has an ambitious missile take the lead in picking up pieces of Pak- to the honourable repatriation of these development roadmap. (Iran has for the Afghan relations and rejuvenate trade refugees back to their country, Pakistan time being agreed to western terms and assistance, investment prospects and direly feels the need to enforce dictates conditions for abandoning its nuclear cooperation in economic and energy of modern nation states to regulate and program but has not abandoned its right corridors, apart from working closely legalize movement of people across the to pursue nuclear power). with Afghanistan in China and US- Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The concept The US, as an occupying force and sponsored regional initiatives like ‘The of a porous border is a thing of the past calling the shots in Afghanistan, does not New Silk Road’ and ‘Heart of Asia.’ This as even in the European Union, which see any evil in that country’s increasing path too is not likely to be easy but is not has a one-visa system, the documents security cooperation with India with beyond the realm of possibility if a well of people travelling across international which it has no historical bonds. India thought-out road map is prepared and frontiers are checked politely but and Afghanistan do not share a common is followed with renewed fervour and diligently. border nor is Afghanistan’s security political will. The border clash at Torkham, in cooperation balanced by a similar which Afghan security forces opened fire outreach to Pakistan in spite of repeated The writer is a retired Vice Admiral of the on Pakistani security officials without offers from its establishment. Pakistan Pakistan Navy.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 39 FEATURE INDIA

Saffronising of India Hindutva-inspired school textbooks in India give a distorted view of Indian and world history.

By Faizan Usmani

he Sangh Parivar means the as a superior religious and political of Hinduism. family of the Sangh or the family ideology in India. The federal government tried its Tof the Rashtriya Swayamsevak The Sangh Parivar came to power best to exert control over the Indian Sangh, commonly known as the RSS. in 1998 when its political wing, the Council of Historical Research Representing the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, formed (ICHR), which is an autonomous body, movement, the Sangh Parivar includes a national government in coalition providing financial assistance and the RSS and a number of affiliated with other parties for a year and direction to historians and research organisations, such as Bharatiya then, after fresh elections, the BJP-led scholars in their respective studies. Janata Party (BJP), Bharatiya Kisan government stayed in power for a full However, during its first rule, the BJP Sangh, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, term until 2004. government faced numerous problems Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, In 1998, soon after the government as most states did not support its efforts, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Vishwa came to power, it established a except states like Rajasthan and Gujrat Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and many National Curriculum Framework (NCF) where the BJP was in power. others. to rewrite public school textbooks In India, Hindu sannyasis (priests) All the organisations within the to develop a ‘national spirit’ and to wear saffron-coloured robes. The term Sangh Parivar have different aims and inculcate a ‘national consciousness’ ‘saffronisation’ refers to Hindutva objectives but they all draw inspiration among children, making them feel which seeks to recall and glorify from the same thought, which is to proud of India’s glorious past and of ancient Hindu history. Saffronisation, establish Hindutva (Hindu supremacy) the religious and philosophical values in more simple terms, means going

40 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 back to the holy traditions of India, according to Murli Manohar Joshi, a BJP leader. When the BJP won a landslide victory in 2014, within the first week of its victory it announced its plans to saffronise education by revising the school textbooks. Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been a full member of the RSS, was the first to take the initiative. Within a year, the Gujarat government introduced nine new books for classes 1 to 12, which were provided free of cost to some 42 thousand elementary schools across the state. Out of the nine books, eight were written by Dina Nath Batra, the founder of such educational organisations of the RSS as Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan was invented in India when Hindu god with Indian base," says Batra. Nyas (SSUN) and Shiksha Bachao Ram flew from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya. Sticking to old tactics, the Andolan Samiti (SBAS). The ninth book Prime Minister Narendra Modi (then government forced Penguin Books to was written by another Sangh Parivar chief minister of Gujarat), for whom withdraw all copies of ‘The Hindus: An ideologue, while the foreword for each history is clearly not a forte, wrote Alternative History’, which is written of these books was written by Narendra forewords for Batra’s books. Modi has, by American scholar Wendy Doniger Modi himself because he regards this for instance, said that genetic science and was a part of the syllabus earlier. literature as a source of inspiration to existed in ancient India," according to Similarly, two more publishers, Orient both students and teachers. Faisal Kutty, an associate professor at Blackswan and Aleph were forced to During a recent Conference of Valparaiso University Law School in withdraw their books, which were State Education Ministers, the federal Indiana, United States. deemed "hurtful to Hindu religious government suggested loads of new Showing the inaccuracy and sentiments.” texts to be included in the national distortion of facts, there are some more In June 2016, Rajasthan’s Minister curriculum. When the contents of examples from Hindutva-inspired of State for Primary and Secondary the revised textbooks are examined, school textbooks: ‘The first king of Education, Vasudev Devnani said the it is obvious that the text presents a the Nanda dynasty, Mahapadma purpose behind rewriting textbooks distorted view of Indian and world Nanda had so much wealth that if was to make sure that “no Kanhaiya history and has factual errors to the divided among the population, every Kumar was born in the state.” Kanhaiya point of ridicule. person would get Rs. 50 lakh each,’ Kumar is a leader of the students union In one book, for example, the Indian the ‘Qutb Minar was constructed by at the Jawaharlal Nehru University map shows Pakistan, Bangladesh, the fourth ruler of the Gupta Empire (JNU) in New Delhi. In February 2016, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Tibet as Samundragupta and its original name he was arrested on sedition charges for parts of ‘Punnya Bhoomi Bharat.’ was Vushnu Sthambha,’ ‘the second allegedly chanting anti-India slogans In the same book, it is mentioned phase of the freedom struggle began at a student rally. that ‘Iran was first settled by the with the invasion of India by Mahmud Vasudev Devnani says the revised Indians,’ ‘the Egyptian faith was based of Ghazni’ and the 1962 Indo-China curriculum will teach children about on Indian traditions according to Plato and 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars the ‘veer’ and ‘veerangana,’ making and Pythagoras’ and ‘the language of occurred because of the selfishness young persons proud of Indian culture the Native American Indians evolved of the leaders of India’s neighbouring and helping them become truly from ancient Indian languages.’ countries; it was ‘owing to their patriotic and ideal citizens. According to the revised textbooks, expansionist policies that they declared Devnani thinks there is no need to ‘The cow is the mother of us all, war on our great, peace-loving nation tell the youth of Rajasthan how Nehru in whose body gods are believed and disrupted our progress.’ built such institutions of the “world’s to reside,’ ‘Jesus Christ roamed the Indian Minister of Human Resource largest democracy” as the Rajya Sabha, Himalayas and drew his ideas from Development Smriti Irani believes the Lok Sabha, the Supreme Court, the Hinduism;’ ‘Homer adapted Ramayana national curricula in primary and Election Commission of India, etc. into an epic called Iliad;’ ’Greek secondary education must include For the next academic session of philosophers like Herodotus and ancient Hindu texts. When she assumed 2016-17, the Rajasthan government Aristophanes were influenced by the the office in May 2014, Dinanath Batra has already spent some Rs. 37 crore Vedas;’ ‘The Vatican City, Westminster sent her a detailed proposal to revamp to reprint 36 textbooks for class 1 to Abbey and the Taj Mahal were once the school curriculum. 8, while previous textbooks have been Hindu temples to Shiva,’ ‘the Red "NCERT (National Council of rendered obsolete. Being described by Fort in Delhi was a Brahmin palace,’ Educational Research and Training) critics as a "blatant attempt to saffronise and ‘naturally evolved in India, the textbooks will be rewritten according textbooks," the Karnataka government Ayurveda is the finest medical system to the aim and objects of the nation so has also ordered new textbooks for the of the world.’ that it inculcates a feeling of patriotism next academic session. "Among the pearls of wisdom among children. Modernity is not imparted in the books, the first airplane westernisation. We want modernity The writer is a member of the staff.

SOUTHASIA • September 2016 41 FEATURE SRI LANKA Another

Now Sri WarLanka needs to save its youth from drugs.

By Muhammad Omar Iftikhar

fter years of scuffling with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil AEelam (LTTE), the Sri Lankan government defeated the LTTE with the help of the Sri Lankan Army in 2009, following the death of its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran. The credit of this victory went to the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka is now facing another problem of grave danger. The issue has been impacting Sri Lanka in the same manner the LTTE caused distress for decades. It is the menace of narcotics, which has been growing day by day at an alarming rate and is affecting the youth. Recently, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau seized a boat entering the Galle area carrying nearly 110 kilograms of heroin. Reports say that around fourteen suspects belonging to various nationalities, including country in July 2016. The ill effects of of any suspicious activity that might be Pakistani and Iranian, were involved drug addiction were highlighted during taking place in or near schools and in in the illegal trade. Further arrests the march that took place at Ragama, a their neighborhoods. were made revealing to the police the suburb of Colombo. The Customs Ordinance Amendment whereabouts of other smugglers. Reports say Sri Lanka is becoming Bill is also creating problems and is Drug addiction is a menace in a drug smugglers’ paradise. These providing impetus to the spreading of society and mainly affects youth. It is smugglers use the island as a transit point narcotics in Sri Lanka though a new bill only a process of rehabilitation and because their journey originates from was drafted to replace it. It is alleged by proper medication that can bring a India. It is felt the Sri Lanka government close friends of the Minister of Finance person to normalcy otherwise though it must devise a strategy to reduce and limit of Sri Lanka that the new bill was drafted is difficult to provide a complete cure. the sale of narcotics in the country. The in haste and suspicions over the legality According to the National Dangerous law enforcing authorities should also of the bill have been raised. The Customs Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) of Sri make efforts to pass laws that prohibit Act has loopholes, which give freedom Lanka, it is estimated that there are over the sale of intoxicants and lead to the to dishonest businessmen to operate 45,000 heroin users in the country and ruin of generations. The presence of without the fear of accountability. over 200,000 addicted to cannabis. The powerful and influential hands behind According to J. A. Gunathilake, NDDCB has revealed that nearly 1,000 such illegal acts is a norm; Sri Lankan Secretary of the All Ceylon Custom to 2,000 people fall victim to drug authorities must reveal those who are Services Union (ACSU), “The more than addiction each year. Cardinal Malcolm spreading the hazard in the society by 200 years old Customs Ordinance is a Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo using their muscle. Since drug addiction very strong Act which protects the people, called for a march to protest against has now reached schools, parents and environment and natural resources of the spreading of drug addiction in the teachers are compelled to be vigilant the country. The racketeers who try to

42 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 In recent years, drug addiction in Sri Lanka has moved from urban areas to rural areas.

avoid taxes, damage the environmental schoolchildren a reason to consume system, import dangerous drugs and drugs. To vent out their frustration against smuggle the cultural heritage out of the joining a study cycle where they are country are spiteful of this Ordinance. given no breathing space, these children The government is trying to facilitate the indulge in consuming illegal drugs racketeers by abolishing this important which include heroin and marijuana. Ordinance. We maintain certain limits Says Thera, “There is no variation in by the present Ordinance. Those who do the national curriculum." There are not not fit the gateways are blocked entry. enough aesthetic subjects to bring out But the new Act will widen the doors the hidden talents of children. There and withdraw the previous restrictions. is not enough opportunity for students It will be similar to the traffic laws. You to participate in sports to release their can escape even though you cross the energy.” lines when the police are not there.” Since the trade of narcotics is a dark Athuraliye Rathana Thera, a Sri truth facing Sri Lanka, it could be that Lankan Buddhist monk and a member drug traffickers have political protection, of the parliament feels the cases of drug which is why law enforcement agencies addiction are more common in all-boys are unable to curb the menace for schools as compared to all-girls school. good. The National Drug Prevention However, they are lower in number in Program has been actively participating co-education schools. In recent years, in precluding the sales of banned drugs however, drug addiction in Sri Lanka has near schools in Sri Lanka and in other moved from urban areas to rural areas parts of the country. However, it is and affects villages. Despite the amount imperative for the government to take paid to buy drugs, villagers addicted to stern action against drug dealers, sellers, drugs are bound to waste money to feed and smugglers operating and entering themselves with these drugs. the country. Rathana Thera also blames the strict educational system of Sri Lanka in giving The writer is a freelance columnist.

SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 43 FEATURE BHUTAN

Save that Glacier! Slowly-melting glaciers in the Eastern Himalayas may lead to massive floods in Bhutan.

mong the numerous factors that carbon emitter, has the lowest rate of compared to those countries where the contribute to global warming, CO2 (carbon dioxide) emission in the car ownership ratio per capita is higher. Ahuman activity is a leading one. world at 0.19 metric tonnes per person. Similarly, the environmental impact of Scientists now believe that humans The country generates almost 100 per aviation is negligible in Bhutan as the are the main culprits when it comes to cent percent of its electricity through number of flights using its four airports pollution, environmental degradation, hydropower, consuming the lowest is very low. etc., according to Ilissa Ocko who is a amount of fossil fuel energy compared A truly environment-friendly nation, climate scientist at the Environmental to any other country in the world. Bhutan is signatory to the United Nations Defence Fund (EDF), a U.S.-based In addition, it has almost zero levels Framework Convention on Climate environmental advocacy group. of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen Change (UNFCCC) and has also signed According to Environmental Re- oxide (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) the Kyoto Protocol. search Letters, a reputable journal of emissions. Despite a proven track record in environmental science, India, China, With nearly 75 per cent forested terms of environmental conservation Russia, Brazil, Germany, the UK and areas covering three-quarters of the and preservation, Bhutan has to bear the U.S. are the top countries that are country, Bhutan also has one of the the brunt of rapid climate changes and causing an immense impact on the highest forestation rates in the world. global warming. global environment because of their Only a few people in Bhutan have With such climate-damaging climate-damaging activities. automobiles as most people use public countries as India and China next In contrast, Bhutan, a negative transport, which creates less fuel burning doors, Bhutan is a part of the Himalayan

44 SOUTHASIA • SEPTEMBER 2016 Mountains system which is undergoing major environmental changes with progressive warming rated at 0.01 Bhutan is a part of the Himalayan degree centigrade per year, says Rajib Bandopadhyay, an associate professor Mountains system which is undergoing at the UGC-Centre of Advanced Study at the University of Burdwan, West major environmental changes. Bengal, India. He says glaciers are slowly melting in the Himalaya region owing to global warming, which may soon result in “Even if temperatures in the region the toe of the glacier, where it's actually massive floods in Bhutan and may also remain steady for decades, the glaciers receding. It is a little like saying the glacier cause a loss of such species as the tiger, of Bhutan will continue to melt,” states has memory," says Summer Rupper, a white-bellied heron, wild elephant, the Geophysical Research Letters, head researcher and a glaciologist at the taken (gnu), black-necked crane and a scientific journal of geo-science Brigham Young University, Utah, United snow leopard. published by the American Geophysical States. "Starting conditions matter and According to the Bhutan-Biodiversity Union (AGU). Bhutan's glaciers are relatively warm to Action Plan 2009, the country is home The journal adds: “Bhutan's glaciers begin with," according to Rupper. to more than 676 species of birds, has will shrink by about 10 per cent A major blow to water resources, almost 200 species of mammals and and lose about 30 per cent of their glacial retreat will severely affect those some 5,603 species of vascular plants. meltwater even if current temperatures villages and local agriculture that In addition, there are over 15 species of hold over the next few decades. And largely rely on glacial meltwater. Also, livestock and more than 80 species of if regional temperatures rise just 1.8 hydropower is the largest economic agricultural crops. Most of these species degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius), export of the country, while the power have quite distinctive characteristics as the glaciers' area could decrease by 25 plants entirely depend on meltwater they have adapted to the country’s harsh percent and meltwater could drop off from the glaciers, she believes. climatic conditions and have adjusted by 65 per cent. The major reason is the “As a glacier rapidly retreats, it to the rugged mountain terrain. time lag between changes in the climate drops rocks, dirt and other rubble that Bhutan can be referred to as a and a glacier's response to them.” can temporarily dam up the meltwater, conservation centrepiece of the Eastern According to the U.S. National creating a lake. As water builds up, Himalayas, a region that represents a Research Council, glaciers in the however, the makeshift dam can break, global biodiversity hotspot. Due to the Himalayan region will react to climate resulting in massive floods for the alarming rate of global warming caused change in a number of ways. Currently, communities living below. One such by CO2 emissions, this landlocked glaciers in the eastern Himalaya are flood killed 21 people in 1994,” says country is destined to experience the affected by the summer monsoon and Rupper. negative aspects of the melting of are gradually retreating. However, Thanks to global warming, Bhutan glaciers. The average temperature in the glaciers at the western end are still faces a genuine threat of severe floods region has risen by about one degree stable. in the future mainly due to glacial lake centigrade and the annual glacial retreat "Changes in climate alter glacial outbursts. is estimated at 100-130 ft., which poses melting rates, but it takes a long time for a serious flooding threat to the country. those changes to be communicated to – F.U.

SOUTHASIA • September 2016 45 Southasia 15 Years Ago SLUG

A page from Southasia, 2001

46 SOUTHASIA • September 2016 46 SOUTHASIA • MAY 2016