Updates from Pakistan!

I just arrived in this magnificent city days ago and while it may have only been two years since my last visit, a lot has changed. And im not surprised! The story of our economic prosperity has yet to reach the Western media, so allow me to tell it :)

There are so many trade centers and shopping plazas here that parking has become a major issue. So are the countless cars on the streets of many of Pakistan's cities. The new money that's flooded homes and businesses is reflected most evidently in cars and clothing.

I am still trying to fathom how Islamabad, the capitol, is getting the world's first 7 star hotel. It's actually 5 stars for technical reasons but how is this possible in Pakistan, and why Islamabad of all cities?

Anyway, on to some socio-political issues. Benazir's assassination has caused obvious political turmoil, but what the Western media has yet to report is that this time around, a lot more has been affected. With the rioting and violence that ensued shortly thereafter, many people have experienced a tremendous loss in amount of gas, water and electricity to their homes. Pipes carrying either of these commodities were damaged in the riots (yes, they are above ground, not underground like in many other parts of the world), so even doing a simple thing like writing an email has been troublesome. Wedding season is in full swing and people have had to rent alternative power supplies which run on petrol. Prices of candles have gone up nearly 300%. Wheat is in shortage, so bread is expensive too. People are basically waiting and hoping and praying for rain so the dams produce something, anything.

And this is the story for everyone. The rich can minimize it because their money can afford them that level of comfort, but even they are affected. My aunt's husband is now retired, but was the highest-ranking official in the federal government's law department/ministry, and they have barely had hot water to cook, bathe, etc. for the past month.

The general sentiment in the public has been overwhelmingly consistent regarding Benazir's death: She may not have been the country's best leader, but she was extraordinarily brave, courageous and very charismatic. She was at least one option for the masses. Scotland Yard is investigating but everyone knows it's a farce. Elections have been delayed. People are trying to get by.

I have been taking lots of pictures, so I will try to upload those as well, but the portrait I can paint without over-generalizing is that poverty still affects so many people. Most of the aid from the West has gone straight to the army with nearly zero accountability. Testimony to the enrichment and consolidation of the army in civilian life is the presence of grandiose housing societies/colonies for senior army officers. Their presence in NGOs cannot be underscored either. What work does an armed forces person have in civil society? Stay on the borders, please! Standing at a traffic light makes one realize how fortunate those of us are who have the means to lead a decent life. If only others were given that chance too.

I will try to update soon, and might add minor addendums to previous posts in future posts.
As always, please pray.

Views on Post-Bhutto Pakistan

Many friends have messaged me (through all means! phone, facebook, email...) inquiring what my thoughts were on the current socio-political situation Pakistan finds itself in. Thanks so much for your concern amidst this chaos and turbulence.

The fact is, my views are not too different from the views the majority of Pakistanis (around the world) hold - that this event inspires shock, awe, disgust, pessimism and fear. Just when we thought the end of the "State of Emergency" would bring some stability with the prospects of elections just around the corner, things actually took a turn for the worse.

My question, though, is why should Pakistanis be surprised by this twist of fate? Bhutto never had a good reputation to begin with. After being ousted in 1990, she returned in 1993 - only to wreak more havoc. If she did finally return, why didnt she "pay her dues" (literally; no pun intended...) and start afresh, with a clean slate?

Instead, the masses remember her as the woman who looted, raped and pillaged the country. I remember her time in power, and was in awe of her persona. She was charismatic. If one looks at pictures of her from her college and young adult days, you can foresee that she was destined to do great things; not necessarily positive things, but great nonetheless.

And so, today, I am baffled again as to how the Western media is celebrating Bhutto's life. Why, I ask? Yes, she's liberal, progressive, a smart female and the scion of a major political family, but she's also corrupt, greedy, hypocritical, and power hungry. She is one person whose thirst for power and wealth rivals only that of General Pervez Musharraf. I looked to both of them for hope - Bhutto in the 1990's and Musharraf post-9/11 - yet neither stepped up to the plate.

So, I would like to make a humble request. Two, perhaps. For those of you affiliated with the media, please refrain from celebrating her life. It was not worth it. Can anyone recall any of her achievements? At least Nawaz Sharif connected the entire country with a network of highways and beautified the cities of Punjab in his quest to make them the "Paris of the East". Bhutto effectively created an elite class that is politically and socially so secluded from the masses, she could very well be christened Marie Antoinette.

Did Bhutto really intend on coming back to her homeland to "serve" her people? I consider such an action to be highly dubious. If her track record is any indication, she was all set to take the country by storm again. I'm sure she slept so peacefully at night knowing that her largely illiterate voters were to be taken advantage of again. When will my countrymen learn?

My second request is that we pray for her soul. I dont care what political stance one may have, such an event is not only reprehensible and worthy of our highest condemnation, but has led to the breaking of a family and the loss of a mother for three teenage children. No one should ever have to go through this agony. This violence that has emerged in the past few years in Pakistani politics has frightened me beyond words. It is amazing how dissent and divergent opinions can do so much harm to someone. Disappearing people, drive-by shootings, kidnappings are all accepted forms of treatment meted out to people who question authority. It's as if we've forgotten the nature of democracy - yet we yearn for it so intensely?

With Bhutto's passing, we have lost a major battle in the war our masses are fighting to gain democratic control of the country. She was a beacon, maybe not of hope, but a beacon and a trailblazer nonetheless. I will make no predictions about the upcoming elections and instead, am hoping against hope that we finally see some fresh leadership emerge from somewhere, somehow.

It is this very leadership deficit that has brought us to where we are today. In an article I wrote just weeks ago for The Epoch Times when Musharraf declared the State of Emergency, I mentioned in it how many of my generation never even considered a career in public service. So strong was the social stigma against politics; those who pursue it as a profession are probably either illiterate or wealthy, effectively excluding countless people from creating a better future for the country. Clearly, this most harmful trend must be reversed, lest we see the country's law and order situation spiral so out of control that we never see it regain a stable footing.

Lastly, an update from the ground: I have been in conversation with my family back in Pakistan including my father in Islamabad and my mother and sister in Lahore, and both parties basically paint a picture of a barren wasteland. These cities are large, vibrant and dynamic and so to hear of them as being devoid of cars on their streets, with no gas stations or convenience/general stores open is quite odd. Not a soul can be seen apparently. Till yesterday, phones and internet were not functioning.

A friend in Karachi said that the evening following Bhutto's death, there was a wedding in the family that was canceled at the last minute. When news broke of the attack in Rawalpindi, people in Karachi closed businesses immediately and run for dear life. My sister told of another wedding she attended where the groom's procession only included seven people - even close relatives were not present!

The three day mourning period ends Sunday and I imagine that by the time I arrive in Islamabad Monday afternoon, things should be heading back to "normal". I have never heard of nor seen such a day in Pakistani history. This one event will have reverberations across coming generations, let alone mine.

I think this might be my last blog entry till departure (Sunday morning, 12/30), but I will try and update with relevant articles and other resources as and when possible. I return three weeks from now, God willing.

Again, many thanks to all those who've communicated their thoughts and concerns. You've all been like a pillar of support to me in these trying times. As if it's not enough that I am going back to my homeland for a three week vacation (which is crazy in itself!), I now am under this constant tension. The burden, I fear, will not be lifted soon.

Prayers for peace,

Zeeshan

My article on Pakistan's current state of affairs in The Epoch Times

Can't write in detail now, but as always, comments and feedback gratefully accepted! Hopefully, it should appear in the hard copy version of the paper in a few days. Please pick up a copy if you can!
The article is here.
Many thanks to National Editor for Epoch, Genevieve Long, whose passion for a prosperous and peaceful Pakistan will go far in helping bridge gaps and build bridges in US-Pakistan relations.
Happy reading!

Pakistan: 60 years on...

I'm excited to announce that an article I just wrote on the 60th anniversary of Pakistan's founding has just been published by one of Pakistan's most respected newspapers: The Nation. I'm thrilled!

I've copied it below and the webpage is here.

As always, comments appreciated and always sought after!

Pakistan: 60 years on

Zeeshan Suhail

Six long decades have passed since Muhammad Ali Jinnah saw his dream come true when Pakistan was created on August 14th, 1947. We had so much to be proud of when the country was founded: a secular homeland for South Asia’s Muslims, where those from minority backgrounds could also live in peace and harmony; a country whose economy grew to be self-reliant and resilient; a nation whose people were prosperous and content.

Yet a cursory perusal of Pakistan’s state of affairs in the 21st century reveals anything but what I’ve mentioned above. Our people are victims of inter- and intra-religious conflict. Our economy has been spurred by Western aid, grants and loans. And lastly, our people are demoralized and distraught. It is evident we do not have much to be proud of.

It is in such dire straits that I cannot help but think of what Pakistanis can do - particularly members of the Diaspora - in these trying times. The task at hand is difficult, but it requires broad vision, strategic thinking and boundless ambition. I outline some of the more important issues at hand below. God knows there is so much more to be done. We must start somewhere. I hope this article is a good place to begin.

The rule of law is the single most important pillar of any society where citizens of the state can look to for redress of their grievances and for the upholding of sacred values such as equality among all citizens. No one is above the law. It is because of this reason that we should not fear law enforcers, but demand their assistance as and when it is needed. To know that the integrity of Pakistan’s Constitution could have been compromised severely this past spring when the Chief Justice was sacked was more of a plausible fear for me than the number of lives that could have been lost in subsequent protests demanding justice. Knowing that the whole fiasco was carried out by higher authorities angers me even more so.

Pakistan has seen most of the past six decades of its political history dominated by martial law administrators. For any country that was founded on the ideals that Pakistan was founded on, this fact serves as a rude awakening every day of its citizens lives. To see such talent, such potential go to waste every day because the masses must act at the whim of an un-elected, un-democratic leader is extremely distressing. Those Pakistanis who lived under General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime can testify to the suffocation one could feel simply trying to survive in the country.

Accountability is the hallmark of any democratic entity, and Pakistan’s government should be no different. For most of the 1990’s, Pakistanis watched in horror as politician after politician squandered billions after billions from the national exchequer, only to leave the country yearning for sustenance. Everywhere one looked, one could not find a suitable leader. Such was the absence of oases in this barren desert that stretched for thousands of miles.

As Pakistanis look forward to a future where they are equal stakeholders in the future progress of the country, they realize the road is bumpy and may even be laden with landmines. But six decades of hardship has taught us much. We have been shoved to the side, and pushed to the floor - but not for long. An Arab proverb says it aptly: The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
But before we march henceforth, we must make an assessment of the changes that need to take place. On my list, transition to a democratically-elected government features prominently at the top. My cynical friends would laugh at this proposition. That’s how tragic our state of affairs is. What we in the West take for granted every moment of our lives, the concerned Pakistani citizen fights for every moment of her/his life.

The first step in this transition should include the return of some Pakistanis living abroad who have skills, expertise and experience as well as the language and cultural affiliation to assist in a smooth transition from a western lifestyle to an eastern one. This is not a novel concept; Indian professionals with degrees from top western schools are heading back to India to take advantage of the economic boom. I’m sure they are also looking at such an opportunity to provide some sort of service to their country.

Pakistanis should do the same. With growth rates averaging over seven percent annually for the past few years, what time other than this would anyone consider going back? Multinational enterprises scout out those with English language proficiency, and the social service sector is thriving. Pakistanis are volunteering and donating to charities in record numbers as well.

A close second to a reverse brain drain phenomenon, is the stepping down of General Pervez Musharraf. While Musharraf’s initial expedited and progressive action on various issues such as women’s rights and media liberalization was much appreciated, his recent crackdown on independent media and the judiciary have been anything but appreciated. Pakistani civil society has become so deeply entrenched with personnel from the military that it seems as if it is an extension of the government itself! It disgusts me to even think what sort of work must be done to cleanse this sector of society from the residue of the military and/or government.

I often ponder over General Musharraf’s doctrine of “enlightened moderation”. It is remarkable how rhetoric and semantics can go so far in developing the policies of a country which damage it so badly beyond repair, that the country’s citizenry can only sit and watch in horror. While this ideology is nothing but words, Musharraf’s actions - or inactions - have spoken much louder than them. His inaction when it comes to the disappearances and killings of media personnel speak volumes, as does the state-sanctioned violence targeting media outlets. The media assault on his power trips are intentional and will only increase until and unless he steps down to make way for leaders who have what it takes to lead us out of harm’s way.

In my work on an initiative called “Hope not Hate” with an NGO called Americans for Informed Democracy, I often refer to the glorious past Muslims enjoyed - along with Jews and Christians and those of other faiths. Despite all our present day problems - from political instability to religious extremism - we can find solutions. Pakistanis would be better off revisiting their past before stepping in to the deep, dark recesses of an, as yet, unknown future. I hope we can do this with the help of the global community, for Pakistan cannot live in isolation and will be better served if it used its time-tested friends.

Much as this seems unrealistic, Pakistan must set a precedent in the geo-political realm as a state that values democratic ideals, women and religious/ethnic minorities, and true vision for a prosperous future. This means Pakistanis must formulate ways of working cooperatively with neighbors like Iran, China, Afghanistan, and of course, India. In a globalized world, we have much to gain from our allies, and also much to learn. And as we become more and more globalized, we must devise steps of reducing inequality within a socio-economic context. This should be a high priority for both policy-makers and those who are affected by the policies that are set.

I feel as if this is the time in my life where I want to stand on a podium and yell to a crowd of millions that I have a dream, much like Martin Luther King. But the fact is, this dream has come - and gone. I am actually beginning to realize it. While many of my Pakistani brethren have disappointed me in years past, I will not hold any grudges. I need their support as I help a sharply divided country begin to heal its wounds. We can’t do it alone, but we can surely try. It’s worth the effort.

The writer is a Board Member for Americans for Informed Democracy

Lobbyists, Democrats pressure Bush, Pakistan government for fair elections

This is the first time in Pakistani electoral history i've seen such an organized campaign to get someone out of office. Bhutto has her work cut out for herself, but it also seems odd that she is sleeping with the very enemy she seeks to do away with.

I've copied some salient lines below, and the article gives some good background info as well.

"Lobbyists for a Pakistani opposition party are urging top Democrats to press the Bush administration and President Pervez Musharraf to promote free and fair elections in Pakistan this year.

Under contract with the Pakistan People’s Party, led by former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, lobbyists with BKSH & Associates have made dozens of contacts with Capitol Hill, the State Department and think tanks around Washington.

“Our key message has not wavered: Robust U.S. support for free and fair, internationally monitored elections in Pakistan remains critical, as does U.S. support for the safe return and participation of opposition candidates,” a BKSH director, Lisa Cotter Colangelo, said.

Her firm has earned more than $80,000 since January for its work on behalf of Bhutto’s party, according to records filed with the Justice Department.

Led by Cotter Colangelo, who has more than 15 years of experience in representing foreign opposition parties, BKSH is using its partners to help Bhutto’s party.

BKSH’s affiliate, Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, has worked on polling research for the party.

Parent company Burson-Marsteller LLC is handling an extensive media campaign, with the former Coalition Provisional Authority’s communications director in Iraq, Robert Tappan, taking the reins.

Lobbyists have handed out several op-eds critical of Musharraf, including columns by Bhutto and an editorial by The New York Times, entitled “Propping up the General.”