Book Review: "South Asian Cooperation and the Role of Punjabs" by Zamurrad Awan

Punjab-Punjab Cooperation

South Asian Cooperation and the Role of Punjabs
By Tridivesh Singh Maini
Siddharth Publications, New Delhi
ISBN: 81-7220-186-9
161pp. Rs 275.00
……………………………………..
Reviewed by Zamurrad Awan
zamurredawan@yahoo.com
student of M.phil, political Science dept
Government College University Lahore
…………………………………….

Regional cooperation in present world scenario is considered as an important ingredient of developmental process in a region. But a region like South Asia which shares its long history of bi-lateral disputes usually has lot of challenges for its future endeavors. In this region, the regional cooperation appeared in a form of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which was formed on the initiative of Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman in 1985. The Association consists on India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan as current members but China, European Union, Iran, Japan, Unite States of America and Korea have been given a status of observers. The organization was made originally with the intention of the trade and investment promotion in the region but social and political environment does not let these objectives towards their attainment. Although the countries of this region do share a long history of its heritage, especially its member countries India and Pakistan and Bangladesh passed several years with each other so that’s why few provinces of these countries share common culture and heritage. The peculiarity of this region can surely help to enhance generally social, political and particularly economic cooperation among the countries of this region.

By giving a road map of regional cooperation the author of South Asian Cooperation, Tridivesh Singh Maini being a writer and peace activist emphasized on the contribution of East and West Punjab in the development of SAARC. Miani being a proponent of Indo-Pak healthy relations struggles to highlight the role of Punjabs in both countries for the betterment of not only the strain relations between them but also for the promotion of economic development in the region. He proves that by using the tactics of dialogue the objectives of peace and stability can easily be achieved. For this purpose in his book, after elaborating briefly the important developments in SAARC, he discusses the issues of main concern (Kashmir) in between Pakistan and India with his suggestion of economic and functional integration among countries of South Asia.

While emphasizing the effective role of Countries in regional cooperation, the author of the book skillfully highlights a strong linkage between the Punjabs of India and Pakistan as they share common culture and heritage. They make their attitudes flexible from last 5 to 6 years through the initiative of bus service from Amritsar to Lahore and after that from Amritsar to Nankana Shahab. The flexibility is more vibrant on the part of Pakistani government as they agreed to the demand of Sikh devotees to visit their shrines in West Punjab which was highly appreciated by Amarinder Singh who is a Punjab Chief Minister of east Punjab. Miani attract the reader by giving glimpse of the work of great writers, poets, professionals, saints and Sufis from East and West Punjab who worked without the boundary constraints of their countries and spread the message of peace, love, freedom and welfare, ultimately promote the Punjabiat. Baba Guru Nanak, Baba Bully Shah, Peer Waris Shah are those Punjabi poets who through poetry spread the great message of unity between both provinces. The promotion of Punjabi culture was further highlighted by the ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh and after that generous contributor Dyal Singh Majitha and Gnaga Ram worked for the welfare in the period of pre-partition. After independence Fakhar Zaman as a chairperson of World Punjabi Congress worked for the promotion of Punjabiat in the country. NGOS with the name of Lok Sagat and Sachet Kitab Ghar further promoted the Punjabi scripts through seminars and their publications.

A smooth transition form the cultural homogeneity to the economic ground in between the West and East Punjab can be superbly identified in Miani’s book, as he after defining the strong common heritage comes to the economic field where both side Punjab can support each other through the productivity of their agriculture. In productivity, where Pakistani Punjab is best in cotton production Indian Punjab is ahead in other crops. The reasons of low production in both Punjabs are almost the same. In this regard Writer gave some recommendation to overcome the issue of production through well networking, efficient marketing system, Joint India–Pakistan Basmati Patent project, through cooperative system of Canal irrigation and last but not least through more flexible and trust worthy attitude towards not only each other but towards the other countries effort who are the part of South Asia. In this regard Miani pin point the other fields of cooperation to ensure further development in the region generally and in Punjab of both sides particularly. He very rationally consider governments, professional, common citizens, public opinion, efficient communication system, business endeavors, funding and the religious harmony as the tools of diplomacy for both Punjabs to make them close.

Miani, at the end of this book give some suggestions for the improvement of relations not only between both Punjabs but also among the South Asian countries. he recommended, free movement of people through making the visa process easy, opening up of trade routes, modernized structure of trade, improved communication facilities on national level, formation of a joint trade office at Wagah, setting up of a joint Punjab of Commerce at Wagah and politically the welcoming attitude of all countries of region towards each other.

Nonetheless, through a ground breaking research work the author visualized the vigorous picture of future in his imagination through the trust worthy cooperation and hard work among South Asian countries, which would ultimately not only boost the economic and socio-political development in both Punjabs but finally would contribute in to the development of this region.

Post-Election Scenario of Pakistani Politics by Zamurrad Awan and Yawar Hayat Shah

Post-Election Scenario of Pakistani Politics

The result of polls held on February 18, 2008, has spoken unambiguously the will of the people of Pakistan, in favor of two main stream parties the Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan Peoples Party. Theses two parties cherished majority votes in National Assembly as well as in four provincial assemblies. The mainstream parties, PPP and PML (N) along with Pakistan National Alliance joined their hands for a new coalition government. No doubt these parties have their own agendas and manifestos but they united on a single platform in the interest of the whole nation. In the politics of reconciliation for the broader interest of the country, the MQM was also requested to work as coalition partner in the new set up, which was after few deliberations was to be accepted despite of the past rivalries between the PPP and MQM as there is no permanent friend and foe in politics.

The unexpected results of these elections further veil out the fake policies of previous government who left the sever challenges for the new government. The consequences of these policies came out in the form of inflation, whole day black out, suicide bombing, cut back on jobs and last but not the least a national staple from the market. Along with these problems, the demand by ‘pro-active’ lawyers for restoration of judiciary further confronted the situation. The prevailed unrest in country immediately demanded from a democratically elected government with the smooth transfer of power and, no doubt the winning parties tried to make a new set up accordingly. However, the reconciliatory approach of winning parties could not come out with the expected results and the unpleasant events kept on diverting the attentions of new government along with the public. The most objectionable event was the harassment of prominent members of Pakistani Muslim League (Q), former Chief Minister Sindh, Mr Ghulam Arbab Raheem in the Sindh Assembly session, when an angry mob of activists encircled him and hurled abuses on him. Meanwhile one man hit Arbab’s face with a shoe where as other workers did try to hit him with fists and shoes. Similarly, Former Minister of Parliamentary affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi was swooped down by the mob apparently showing themselves lawyers, when he was brought out of his advocate office under the secuity of police to rescue. The series of such events was an organized afford from the people who wanted to snuff out democracy.

The former government left the Pakistan’s economy in a quagmire. The socio-economic condition of Pakistan is becoming intense day by day; therefore the state appears rudderless, even in the presence of two major political parties together with their allies in government. From its day first the new government is handicapped by the lawyers’ movement for restoration of judges. The PML (N) included in its manifesto for elections, the restoration of judges the key point, however, thought PPP was in favor of independent judiciary but they did not make any commitment to the people regarding this issue. It’s an ultimate reality that both parties are agreed on the restoration of judges however, the difference is just only on the method of re-instatement of judges. PPP wants a restoration through a constitutional package, conversely PML(N) want the restoration of judiciary first without the compulsion of constitutional package at the same time. Consequently, the most awaited talks between the head of ruling parties ended up on a sad note on 12th May, when PML(N) head Nawaz Sharif decided to quit from the Federal cabinet as he could make his promise to restore judges in the confined time period. While talking to the Press conference, he said that his party would not become a part of any conspiracy against the democratic government and would not strengthen the President Musharraf camp. He further insisted that his party is still in coalition with PPP and would support the government according to the Charter of Democracy.

To get rid of all evils of the former government, newly elected Prime Minster Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani declared a 100 days package after getting the unanimous vote of confidence from the National Assembly. The judicial crisis has crippled the whole governmental machinery. Lawyers have become a pressure group. They have become an obstacle on the way of resolution of other issues which are directly related to the common masses. The restoration of judiciary is a constitutional matter and it will be resolved constitutionally. As Co-chairperson of PPP Asif Ali Zardari has stated that he would not amend an illegal act by another illegal step. PML (N) and lawyers’ community should wait for some time for the restoration of the judiciary. Now lawyers have called for the Long March. That will be the first step of agitation against the newly born government. Though it’s their democratic right but matters should be resolved amicably. On the other hand there is no clear demarcation of powers and authority between the President and the Prime Minister. According to the 1973 constitution, the form of government is parliamentary, however, the tempering with the constitution by the presidency along with his ally parties, the presidential system is working in the country. Where all the powers reside in the office of president, who has already generated strained relations among the institutions. There is no system of checks and balances; consequently, the political system of Pakistan lacks the doctrine of separation of powers. Due to this deficiency the political system is in mayhem. Therefore, the public have serious resentment against the president Musharaff, who despite of the defeat of his ally party PML (Q) in general elections, is not ready to resign.

While keeping in view socio-political vulnerability along with economic deficits of the country, now people are desirous to hear the debate of Finance Minister while presenting the annual budget for the fiscal year of 2008-09. There is a ray of hope; people think that they will get some relief in the upcoming budget as government is saying again and again that next budget will be the people friendly budget. At this point of time people are more concerned about the wheat crisis, energy shortage, increasing inflation and unemployment. The people of Pakistan are desperate and hopeless because of the situation emerging in the country. This situation is resulted in frustration among youth who are the real builders of future. After passing a long journey of education they can not get suitable jobs according to their academic qualifications. Whole system is victim of the corruption, nepotism, red tapism and bribery. Many qualified but poor youngsters have been deprived from their right to job, as the jobs are given to the sons, nephews and relatives of the powerful people. The current situation of Pakistan is same as Thomas Hobbes’ state of nature. Where people were living under the principle of ‘Might is Right’ and there was a ‘perpetual war of everyone against everyone’. The need of hour seeks serious action to tackle immediate issues, which the country is facing. Though the institutional independence is significantly an important demand to deal with, however, there are so many other issues related to the common man of the country, which should be resolve first.

Zamurrad Awan & Yawar Hayat Shah
e.mail:zamurredawan@yahoo.com