People might have appreciated the army’s role in combating terrorism but everybody knows its a mess that they created themselves, and, they were actually forced to kill this monster primarily due to international pressure and secondly because it had assumed a frankenstein-ian proportion. Army’s performance in handling terrorists starting from intelligence gathering to eliminating them has been at best marginal. International media/leaders raised serious questions about their ability to deal with a security crises.
Given that Chief Justice was removed by army (missing persons case being central issue) and then restored under public pressure against the army’s will. Army gave tacit approval because it:
i) wanted to shed Musharraf legacy
ii) had no choice
Chief Justice is of course fully cognizant of these dynamics and even if a law of this nature exists. Its good time to open the rationale of such a provision. Justice must be secured for All, offenders be taken to task with their careers getting hit which they deserve. And, alongside, even if offenders fabricate allegations of inefficiency or abusive language (which they almost certainly will), nothing would justify use of physical force and its a fit case to maximize public embarrassment for army and leverage for some steps towards fundamental change in the relationship between civil and military bureaucracy. We can’t behave as if democracy is a temporary interruption between a military system of governance for this country. Dictators in waiting have to be suitably discouraged, repeatedly reminded of their right place and kept on back foot at all times.
Mr.AlI Anan Qamar a 35th common DMG officer currently at the disposal of ERU and working as Camp Incharge Sheikh Yaseen IDP Camp, Mardan was vandalized, brutally beaten, physically and verbally abused by army officers and jawans, while performing his official duties yesterday 8th july 2009.
The ERU members are privy to the sequence of this shameful event. His report is as follows:
_____________________
It has been reported in Dawn as well:
Today on 08-07-09, at about 11:00AM, I was sitting in my office at Skeikh Yasin Camp, when Lt Haider of 32 cavalry came to my office. Apparently he was in on angry mood and told me that Major Asad 32 cavalry was not happy with me. He mentioned as list of things which Major Asad wanted to be done through me. I responded and if he had any complaints against me, he better report it to the DCO and Commissioner Mardan.
He threatened me with dire consequences. I then proceeded to the Rub Hall, where an army JCO came and asked me to report about the tents which the army had provided to the camp. I responded that I will hand over a report to some officer like a captain or a major. The JCO misbehaved with me there, in front of many witnesses including two doctors for ERU who had brought in Atta for the IDPs. The JCO too accused me of abusing the army and refused to move, but later some civilians finally managed to take him away from the Rub Hall.
About half an hour later, while I was standing in a container along with Wajid of SRSP, that I saw army jawans fully armed beating up the IDPs. Then Major Asad and Lt Haider rushed towards one with 35/40 troops fully armed and Major Asad said, “Pick him up”.
The jawan of army led by Major Asad and Lt Haider started beating me up mercilessly with fists, shoes and butts of gun and abused me continuously. I was thrown on the ground and beaten. Then they picked me up from my hands and legs and dragged me towards the military vehicle parked outside.
The jawans beat me continuously under the directions of Major Asad and forced me to sit on the floor of the vehicle with my head down. I was then alternately asked to stand on the seat of the vehicle with my hands raised. The beating continued, the abuses continued. The IDPs were rounded up and made to look at my beating the message was given that this is your ACO, and we the army are throwing him out. We have taken over..
I was then thrown on the ground and then dragged on to as to the main Charsadda Road. There my shirt was ripped open and I was asked to lie on the road. Then amidst the continuous beating, Major Asad stopped a rickshaw and I was put in the rickshaw. Lt Haider come to me and said, now you know what the army is and beat me more.
In this whole ordeal I have sustained injuries on the chin and head, bruises on the face, which will be shown in the medicolegal certificate. Prior to the incident they raided my office and took away the record of the camp. Lt Haider took away my two mobiles telephones 1 Nokia communicator with Ufone Sim 0334-4119821 and 2 Sony Erricson 03004132534. The Lt Haider also took away my wallet with some cash in it and ID Cards, Aim Cards, Driving Lenience and Service Card. That cash amounted to R.S 3000-4000/-
I charge Major Asad and Lt Haider for physically assaulting me, causing injuries on my chin and other parts of the body and obstructing me form tha discharge of my official duty, snatching my purse and mobiles. I can also identify the other accused if they are produced before me.
The accused also gave beating to my gun man Qayyum, Mr. Wajid from SRSP and some others who were accompanying me at that time.
08-07-09
Signed by Ali Anan Qamar
Friday, May 08, 2009
To,
Editor,
Subject: Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
Dear Editor: Assalamo Alaikum.
It is so sad to see that the American Government which claims to be the champion of human rights, democracy, justice and war on terrorism itself is engaged in the worst form of terrorism, torture, injustice and abuse of human rights as well as dignity of women. Dr. Aafia had no sin and crime and yet this brilliant scientist who always obtained 1st position in all her examinations and with frail body but caring and tender heart for poor and even for Americans was subjected to such humiliation. Tying her with chair and then stripping her naked in the New York Jail which she was all time in the custody of USA Government from Bagram to USA does not make any sense except that it reveals the psychopath and sociopath mentality of the so called human beings who were doing it. Her six month old son Suleman, 4 year old daughter Maryam and 7 year old Ahmad were all arrested and tortured. 7 year old son Ahmad who is now released has develop foot defect due to constant tying of his feet in prison which still carries about 3000 children. Even during her Bagram prison after gunshot wound by trigger jerk American soldier she was kept in 4 point total body restrain. This story of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui by Mariana Baabar brings tears to the eyes. How man can become the lowest of the low when he abuses his God gifted intellect. It is a moral duty on all of us to get Dr. Aafia and her young children released from State Terrorism of the United States.
With Most Cordial Regards,
Prof. Anwar Ul Haque
Consultant Pathologist,
116. St. 49 F 11/3 Islamabad 44000
Phone: 03335129849, 2294099
With Most Cordial Regards,
Prof. Anwar Ul Haque
Head Dept. Pathology
PIMS
–
Anwar Ul Haque
Dear Mr. President,
We, the citizens of Pakistan, expect our government to deal with the
extremists with a firm and effective strategy. We want the human
rights of ALL citizens protected and the violators punished. We are
dismayed at setting a precedence of giving into Taliban’s demands.
They have proved themselves not to abide by any deal made with the
government again and again. The government has to fulfill its
responsibility of uprooting the network of extremists currently
operative in different parts of the country, including FATA, Swat,
Islamabad, South Punjab and Karachi. A short term fix has proved to
give them legitimacy and allowed them to regroup and become stronger.
We demand that the Government takes full responsibility of protecting
its citizens and punishing those who are breaking the law, burning
schools down, humiliating citizens, destroying property, flogging
people, attacking and killing security forces and killing innocent
citizens including women and children. We want our country to be a
stable, tolerant and progressive Pakistan as envisioned by its
founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
We believe that any agreement signed at the point of a gun and under
threats from violent extremists can never lead to a lasting and just
peace. Since you signed the Regulation, the Taliban have not laid down
their arms, questioned the legitimacy of the Parliament and Supreme
Court, and declared the intent to impose their own brand of violent
and brutal Sharia law not only in the rest of Pakistan but across the
world! This is proof that the real aim of the Taliban is to seize
power through brutal force and intimidation.
The collusion of some religious political parties and certain elements
within the government machinery has resulted in strengthening the
extremist elements in our country and propagated a ‘Jehadi’ mindset
within parts of the society. This has also been a cause of mistrust
among people for their own government and military. The government
should scrutinize its own departments including military and other
security forces and uproot such elements. Unless this is done, no
Government strategy can be implemented effectively.
Mr. President, you must mobilize the state machinery and the people of
Pakistan against the existential threat facing us. It is incumbent
upon you to continue to use the Pakistan Army, in a targeted and swift
manner, to aid a constitutionally elected government in establishing
the writ of the State and to fully eradicate the networks of
extremists settled well in different parts of the country.
You must urge the Supreme Court of Pakistan to exercise the full
extent of its authority to safeguard the fundamental rights of all
citizens including those in Swat.
We expect from you Mr. President, the Prime Minister, the Chief
Justice of Pakistan and the Chief of Army Staff to show your
leadership and prove to us that this is a strong civil government
which can protect its citizens from the menace of violent extremism.
Regards,
A Pakistani
Hajra Saleem
Stop the Deportations of the Pakistani Students!
Stop the criminalisation of Muslims!
In a blaze of hysterical publicity, armed police swooped on 12 Pakistani students in Manchester and Liverpool on April 08th. The Prime Minister boasted of a major terror plot being foiled. In spite of the fact that no evidence of any terror plot has been found on any of them, 11 of the 12 are still being held in custody, awaiting deportation. Instead of an apology, the police have promised more such raids. We must unite to stop the deportation of the Pakistani students and break the wall of fear that is being built around Muslim communities.
In February this year Nine Muslim men were arrested on the M65 motorway near Blackburn on their way to join the Viva Palestina aid convoy for Gaza. They were released without charge. Five years ago, again in a blaze of publicity, ten North Africans and Kurds were arrested in Manchestere, falsely implicated in a terror. The Government must stop this shameful harassment and Criminalization of Muslim communities and the media must stop the demonization of Muslims.
Stop the Terror Raids!
Public Meetings
Speakers, Students’ solicitors and family and campaigners
Saturday 9 May 2009, 2pm.
Pakistani Community Centre, Stockport Road, Longsight.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009, 7.30pm.
Saffron Restaurant, Cheetham Hill Road, Cheetham Hil
Dear PK Politics Admin
I hope you would be enjoying good health by the grace of Allah. I visit http://www.pkpolitics.com quite often to get an insight of what is going on in Pakistan. While staying in Kuwait, this site is very useful for me to get the information of current happenings in Pakistan especially on politics.
The reason why I am writing this mail is Pakistan Railway’s service to passengers. The passengers of Air Conditioned class in Karakoram Express (Lahore to Karachi) on 4th May 2009 had to travel without AC despite having paid almost 3000 rupees per seat. Upon the protest of passengers, the railway staff said, “We will not turn the AC on and you will get the money back”. I would like you to please investigate on this matter and bring it to discussion so that people and higher authorities in Pakistan know the plight of passengers. People have to pay a lot but they get nothing in return.
So, please, if possible, investigate on it and bring the matter for discussion.
Thanks & regards
Atif Majid
