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01-17-2007, 14:59 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Postmaster General
Military Professional
Join Date: 08-20-03
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This is Pakistan
Quote:
The man in the iron cage
By Ardeshir Cowasjee
‘THEY’ killed one former chief minister of Balochistan (also a former governor) in the August 2006 shoot-out at the Kohlu corral, when Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Shahbaz Bugti went up in his gory blaze of glory.
‘They’ have learnt nothing, neither have ‘they’ been reined in. ‘They’ have now incarcerated, and humiliated, in Karachi Central Prison another former chief minister of that unhappy deranged province of Balochistan, Akhtar Mengal of the Balochistan National Party, son of Ataullah.
On April 5, 2006, while Akhtar was taking his son to school here in Karachi, two motorcyclists, both with pillion riders, followed his car. On his way back home, with them still following, Akhtar stopped his car and asked them who they were, why he was being followed, and what they wanted of him. They refused to give any satisfactory answer.
Then, perhaps rather foolishly, four of his tribesmen guards picked up the two riders of one motorcycle and carried them back to Akhtar’s house intending to hand them over to the police, at which stage the two admitted to being army personnel. Almost immediately, a large posse of law enforcement agency men (LEA) arrived at the house, took away their two companions who had been picked up, and laid siege to the house and its occupants.
On April 11, Iqbal Haider, secretary-general of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) along with a group of fellow commission members, visited Akhtar’s house and were allowed entry by the LEA custodians. That same night all personnel were withdrawn from the house and Akhtar and his family were free to come and go.
At some later stage, it was found that a havildar of the Pakistan Army, one Qurban Hussain, had filed on April 5 2006 an FIR (170/06) at Darakshan Police Station against Akhtar and the four concerned guards. On the basis of this FIR, a case (8/06) was registered in the Anti-Terrorism Court-V (ATC), Karachi. When Akhtar’s relatives attempted to file an FIR against the LEAs, it was refused. A constitutional petition (D-1917/06) was filed on Akhtar’s behalf in the Sindh High Court asking that an FIR be accepted and registered. On October 13, the court restrained the ATC from pronouncing a judgment against the four accused. The restraining order is still in force and the petition is due to be heard on January 23 2007.
Despite this restraining order, Akhtar’s four guards named in the FIR, who were under arrest, were convicted on December 9, 2006, by the ATC and sentenced to several terms of imprisonment, including life, for each of the offences and each was fined Rs.140,000.
Akhtar himself remained free to move about at will, which he did, speaking at public meetings in various places in Balochistan, and continuing with his normal political life until November 28 when he was arrested, together with 14 of his partymen, by the Balochistan police and taken to Lassi Farm House in Hub Town, which was declared a sub-jail. He was kept there until December 26 when his arrest was disclosed and he was produced before the same ATC. His 14 companions were removed to an undisclosed destination. Their whereabouts remain unknown – they have simply disappeared.
Akhtar’s trial in the ATC started in the usual court premises but it was later decided that he would be tried in Central Prison, Karachi, the date of the first hearing being fixed for January 8. On learning of this, Iqbal Haider sought permission from the superintendent of the prison and attended the hearing on January 8. It was granted (but only for one representative of the HRCP). Iqbal, as reported in this newspaper on January 9, was horrified to hear from Akhtar of the treatment meted out to him.
In the court room, he “had been forced to sit in an iron cage away from his counsel. ‘He is being denied even the most basic amenities, such as bedding and a pillow, medical treatment, home food and permission to see his relatives,’ Mr Haider said.” Akhtar had stated in court that though he was in prison on judicial remand, his custody was being controlled by Military Intelligence.
On January 10, a news report was carried in this newspaper under the heading “Govt denies HRCP claim.” The report about the iron cage is not based on fact, said a government spokesperson, one Nishat Ahmad Khan, and “the trial is being conducted at the request of the police and Home Department, Sindh, for safety of his life as he has old enmity and simmering disputes in his home district, Khuzdar.” According to the spokesperson, Akhtar is “being kept in a room where he is regularly meeting his family members.” The funny part is that the spokesperson also stated that Iqbal Haider had “intruded into the court [inside the prison] without permission.”
On January 12, Dawn printed a news item stating that the HRCP had refuted the government’s denial and reiterated Iqbal’s statement printed on January 9.
Who would one rather believe – Iqbal Haider, a senior advocate, an officer of the Supreme Court, and secretary-general of the HRCP or one of the ubiquitous ‘government spokespersons’? There is an easy answer to that.
Speaking to Iqbal on the news reports, I requested him to tell me, in his own words, about the cage and repeat part of his e-mail message to me on the subject : “In the court room, I was surprised to find that by installing iron bars from floor to ceiling and covering those iron bars with an iron net, a sort of cage had been created in a corner of the court room for the accused. This iron cage had a separate iron gate at its rear. Mr Mengal was brought into this iron cage from a separate backdoor when the presiding officer started the proceedings. Mr Mengal was not allowed to sit with his advocates nor was any member of his family allowed to witness the proceedings. I requested the court to allow him to sit alongside his lawyers but the court merely ignored me.”
Akhtar has moved three applications, one seeking the provision of medical attention, a second asking that he be given ‘B’ class accommodation, and the third for his release on bail. The hearing of all the applications was deferred. The reason given for the deferment of the ‘B’ class application was that no income tax certificate was available, but when on January 10, a certificate was produced to the presiding officer, no order was passed. The next hearing of the case of the man in the iron cage is fixed for January 20, 2007, on which day the incompetent members of the government of Sindh hope to be celebrating a festival of sorts of their own making at which, as is the term here, ‘the highest in the land’ will participate.
On January 10, when senior advocate Mr Azizullah Sheikh arrived at Karachi Central Prison to have his vakalatnama signed by his client, Akhtar Mengal, he was denied access to him. Iqbal also, that same day, was refused permission to meet Akhtar.
As editorialised in this newspaper on January 10, this is a ‘deplorable’ situation. The press has also reported that this January 11, after the passage of almost seven years, President General Pervez Musharraf has taken “serious notice of the worsening law and order situation in the country. . . . “. Should he not at last do so? After all, we have all been hyper-worried about it for years. The general is not pleading helplessness. We can only hope that good sense will prevail.
DAWN - Cowasjee Corner; January 14, 2007
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This is Pakistan!
The justice of the military regime speaks of the draconian manner in which the citizen can be subjugated.
It is unbelievable and reprehensible.
I would not blame Musharraf because this is the ethos that repeated martial law fosters on the military who think they are beyond the law of the land!
India can thank the Lord that the military is a stable institution of a vibrant democracy!
__________________
"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."
I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
HAKUNA MATATA
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01-17-2007, 15:16 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Banished
Senior Contributor
Join Date: 06-11-04
Location: Dubai
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Citizens? I ask you one thing when they a Sardar says we will not let you build Gwadar port, we will challenge the very writ of the government... That's the point he stops being a citizen and becomes the enemy. Who has given a draconian member of a tribe from Dera Bugti, whose 90% of other leaders were expelled in real draconian fashion from the town, their babies were murdered and several females died in dungeons, who has given this man to represent the freedom cause of 6 million Baloch?
Yes this is Pakistan. To quote Musharraf "They won't even know what hit them".
I would support the assassinations of 10s of people like him if they won't surrender and face the charges that have been brought against them. They aren't just "former chief ministers" you know, they were given that position (which means money too) since they offered to support Pak government.
Today the majority of their own tribes don't support them. Akbar Bugti is dead. Akhtar Mengal has been left high n dry by his tribe whose Mengal members are now becoming the main supporters of Musharraf in Balochistan. Akhtar Mengal doesn't even look like a tribal elder (he's not old enough). Third tribe you the Marris aren't even interested in the fight. Most of them live in Arabia married to daughters of rich influential Sheikhs.
This is Pakistan, our enemies don't get a break. Mengal's tryin to keep his act clean. But he's dirty as hell. Just because he surrendered after the Bugti operation doesn't mean he's washed off from his previous sin. He's getting to live, he should be thankful.
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01-17-2007, 15:43 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Postmaster General
Military Professional
Join Date: 08-20-03
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[quote=Asim Aquil;330622]
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Citizens? I ask you one thing when they a Sardar says we will not let you build Gwadar port, we will challenge the very writ of the government... That's the point he stops being a citizen and becomes the enemy. Who has given a draconian member of a tribe from Dera Bugti, whose 90% of other leaders were expelled in real draconian fashion from the town, their babies were murdered and several females died in dungeons, who has given this man to represent the freedom cause of 6 million Baloch?
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I reckon Balochistan is still a part of Pakistan.
Hence, under all circumstances and logic, he is a citizen of Pakistan.
By your logic, many an Indian politician should also be locked up since they do not agree with the govt. But that is not the case in India. In fact, Mamta Bannerjee is holding the govt of WB at ransom!
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Yes this is Pakistan. To quote Musharraf "They won't even know what hit them".
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Not true. They know what is hitting them but are not bothered it appears since what is hitting them are possibly pinpricks compared to their fiery zeal for Independence. If it did affect them why should Musharraf but recently hit them again. If they did not know what hit them, then why hit them again? So, all that is bluster and Musharraf has failed to live up to his words, even though the words spewed by Mushrraf are very inappropriate for a President to say about his own citizens, even if the citizens are a bit odious and continues to c-ock their snoot at him!
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I would support the assassinations of 10s of people like him if they won't surrender and face the charges that have been brought against them. They aren't just "former chief ministers" you know, they were given that position (which means money too) since they offered to support Pak government.
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You would?  You support murders?  I am sure you don't.
If they were bribed into being Chief Ministers to buy their support, it does not speak highly of the way Pakistan is being governed! Come on Asim, the little that I thought workable about Pakistani democracy is going up in smoke!
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Today the majority of their own tribes don't support them. Akbar Bugti is dead. Akhtar Mengal has been left high n dry by his tribe whose Mengal members are now becoming the main supporters of Musharraf in Balochistan. Akhtar Mengal doesn't even look like a tribal elder (he's not old enough). Third tribe you the Marris aren't even interested in the fight. Most of them live in Arabia married to daughters of rich influential Sheikhs.
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And yet Musharraf has to bomb them again? Is he bombing chaps who are with him then? Why?
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This is Pakistan, our enemies don't get a break. Mengal's tryin to keep his act clean. But he's dirty as hell. Just because he surrendered after the Bugti operation doesn't mean he's washed off from his previous sin. He's getting to live, he should be thankful
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That's rather nasty a statement, Asim.
Are you suggesting that so long one agrees with the government, one's life is assured? That is not democracy or even dictatorship! That is sheer mafiosi!
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01-17-2007, 15:57 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Regular
Join Date: 08-17-06
Location: Abu Dhabi
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This thing will continue without any result and agreement.
__________________
Break the temple, Break the mosque, Break whatever besides!
But do not break a human heart, because that is where the GOD resides!
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01-17-2007, 18:58 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Navajo Code Talker
Senior Contributor
Join Date: 12-27-04
Location: Patiala, India
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Asim Aquil
Citizens? I ask you one thing when they a Sardar says we will not let you build Gwadar port, we will challenge the very writ of the government... That's the point he stops being a citizen and becomes the enemy. Who has given a draconian member of a tribe from Dera Bugti, whose 90% of other leaders were expelled in real draconian fashion from the town, their babies were murdered and several females died in dungeons, who has given this man to represent the freedom cause of 6 million Baloch?
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Those are ditto Mushy's lines... Although, I think Mushy is probably the most adequate person to lead Pak right now, atleast for India, he is o.k., better then some extremist like Zia; those points could've been easily refuted had that chap been given a chance to bud in. Now, point by point:
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I ask you one thing when they a Sardar says we will not let you build Gwadar port, we will challenge the very writ of the government... That's the point he stops being a citizen and becomes the enemy.
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No, thats where you are wrong... That is democracy my friend; if the whole world started using that as an excuse then even in India, you would not see seperatist parties like Hurriyat being active here, because for the same reason you gave, they are technically the enemies of the state... but now, if India treated them the same as the Balochis are being treated, you would be crying Human Rights Violations!...
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Who has given a draconian member of a tribe from Dera Bugti, whose 90% of other leaders were expelled in real draconian fashion from the town, their babies were murdered and several females died in dungeons, who has given this man to represent the freedom cause of 6 million Baloch?
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Oh yes, the Balochi people should look through this, but maybe they are more pissed at Pakistan when they see their children massacred by the Pak army... whatever type of leadership they have, the Balochis DO have their own voice...
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Yes this is Pakistan. To quote Musharraf "They won't even know what hit them".
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Yes... neither did they...
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6799/pic105lf8.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4229/pic104eu0.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4673/pic1cv1.jpg
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They aren't just "former chief ministers" you know, they were given that position (which means money too) since they offered to support Pak government.
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So these people only get into the political system if they represent Pak government's views???  Thank you for making that clear Asim... that just proves that democracy is just a fairy tale in Pak!!!
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Today the majority of their own tribes don't support them. Akbar Bugti is dead. Akhtar Mengal has been left high n dry by his tribe whose Mengal members are now becoming the main supporters of Musharraf in Balochistan. Akhtar Mengal doesn't even look like a tribal elder (he's not old enough). Third tribe you the Marris aren't even interested in the fight. Most of them live in Arabia married to daughters of rich influential Sheikhs.
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Ah ok, so Balochistan issue is really a non-issue, right? 
__________________
Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory
Last edited by Tronic : 01-17-2007 at 23:52 PM.
Reason: Pictures unacceptable - I think now, they are ok... :P
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01-17-2007, 19:10 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Navajo Code Talker
Senior Contributor
Join Date: 12-27-04
Location: Patiala, India
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Khan Sahab
This thing will continue without any result and agreement.
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Maybe. Though it is still insightful to see the view from all sides...
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01-17-2007, 21:09 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Moderator
Join Date: 08-04-03
Location: Georgia, USA
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Don't post pics like that again please...I had just eaten dinner, and almost puked when I seen them. You want to provide a link in the post, that's fine, but not brutal pics like that. Understood?
Please continue.
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01-17-2007, 23:28 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Navajo Code Talker
Senior Contributor
Join Date: 12-27-04
Location: Patiala, India
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oh yeah, should say sorry first...
EDIT: nvm... love firefox...
Last edited by Tronic : 01-17-2007 at 23:54 PM.
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01-18-2007, 00:07 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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Postmaster General
Military Professional
Join Date: 08-20-03
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I found my thrill on Chagtai Hill
On Chagtai Hill when I found you
The moon stood still on Chagtai Hill
Yeah and linger until my dreams came true
sung to the tune of BLUEBERRY HILL
(Al Lewis - Larry Stock - Vincent Rose)
Dedicated to my friend M
Keepin' walkin' these streets so long singin' the same old song
He knows every crack in those dirty sidewalks of Islamabad way
Where hustle's the name of the game
And nice guys get washed away like the snow and the rain
There's been a load of compromisin' on the road to his horizon
He's gonna be where the lights are shinin' on him
Like a Rhinestone Cowboy
Ridin' out on a horse in a star spangled rodeo
Like a Rhinestone Cowboy
Gettin' cards and letter from people he don't even know
And offers comin' over the phone
Sung to the tune of Like a Rhinestone Cowboy.
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01-18-2007, 00:10 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Bandaid
Military Professional
Join Date: 10-04-04
Location: India
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Asim Aquil
I would support the assassinations of 10s of people like him if they won't surrender and face the charges that have been brought against them. They aren't just "former chief ministers" you know, they were given that position (which means money too) since they offered to support Pak government.
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Support it by all means, but remember this is the chain of thought that cost your nation its eastern wing, now the fire is closer home.
__________________
Cheers!...on the rocks!!
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01-18-2007, 00:37 AM
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#11 (permalink)
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Postmaster General
Military Professional
Join Date: 08-20-03
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“1971-like situation developing in Balochistan”
Sardar Attaullah Mengal
Karachi: A prominent Baloch leader has said that a “serious situation” was emerging in Balochistan whereby innocent people were being kidnapped and subjected to inhuman treatment, and that it might lead to a 1971- like situation which resulted in the formation of Bangladesh (out of East Pakistan).
Founder of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal said that in case the military operation was continued and the national rights of the Baloch people were not recognized, a Bengal-like situation could develop in the province.
“We are heading towards a very serious situation and presently no solution is in sight,” he said and blamed the Pakistan rulers for it because of their “lust for power and wealth”.
Accusing the Pakistani rulers for the inhuman and degrading treatment being meted out to the Baloch people, he reminded that initially there had been a democratic movement in the former East Pakistan, but “due to Army action and atrocities, the Bengalis were ultimately forced to demand a separate homeland for themselves”.
Ruling out the possibility of any negotiations with the Pakistan government in the near future keeping in view the current situation of the province, he said: “the rulers have never been serious about finding a lasting solution to the Balochistan issue because of their sinister designs. Had they been serious about dialogue, the situation would have been different today and we would have not reached this stage.”
“Talk of dialogue was nothing but nonsense……….it was directed towards a particular lobby and was just carried out to sell the idea that they were keenly desirous of solving the issue,” The Dawn quoted Sardar Mengal as saying on Saturday.
Arguing that the ground realities (in Balochistan) were quite different, he said, “the question is, who will hold talks with whom, notwithstanding the fact that a credibility gap also exists.
He said that there was a conflict of interests between the rulers representing the Punjab and the Baloch people, saying that while the former wanted to exploit the resources of Balochistan, the latter being the rightful owners were totally against it.
He urged the country’s political parties and human rights organizations to force the government to stop its atrocities in the troubled province, which, according to him, “had crossed all limits”.
Kerala Guide, News on India, Kerala, Bollywood, Business India @ new kerala .com
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01-18-2007, 06:29 AM
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#12 (permalink)
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Senior Contributor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lemontree
Support it by all means, but remember this is the chain of thought that cost your nation its eastern wing, now the fire is closer home.
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Asim might do well to learn this:
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller
__________________
Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu
My bow is stretched for its task
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01-19-2007, 00:28 AM
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#13 (permalink)
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Bandaid
Military Professional
Join Date: 10-04-04
Location: India
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Archrer,
Have you been going to church?....this is heard in most church sermons.  ...maybe following some lovely lass during sunday mass. 
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01-19-2007, 06:26 AM
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#14 (permalink)
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Banished
Senior Contributor
Join Date: 06-11-04
Location: Dubai
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[quote=Ray;330635]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asim Aquil
I reckon Balochistan is still a part of Pakistan.
Hence, under all circumstances and logic, he is a citizen of Pakistan.
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He is as much a citizen of Pakistan as is Dawood Ibrahim.
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By your logic, many an Indian politician should also be locked up since they do not agree with the govt. But that is not the case in India. In fact, Mamta Bannerjee is holding the govt of WB at ransom!
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Running an army of 3000? Anyone who operates an army of 3000 people needs to be killed.
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You would? You support murders? I am sure you don't.
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Murder of a murderer? I would! Killers have two options, either surrender to the law or the police might have to just get you by force.
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If they were bribed into being Chief Ministers to buy their support, it does not speak highly of the way Pakistan is being governed! Come on Asim, the little that I thought workable about Pakistani democracy is going up in smoke!
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This was the 70s... And it's the truth.
Quote:
That's rather nasty a statement, Asim.
Are you suggesting that so long one agrees with the government, one's life is assured? That is not democracy or even dictatorship! That is sheer mafiosi!
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They are not being targeted because of disagreement with the government, they are being targeted for operating a 3000 strong army which is dedicated to attack Pakistan. They would kill me, my family and anyone else who is pro Pakistan. I've dealt with these a-holes and they know only violence. I tried talking to them and in return came a long series of death threats.
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01-19-2007, 10:14 AM
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#15 (permalink)
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Regular
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[quote=Asim Aquil;331415]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
He is as much a citizen of Pakistan as is Dawood Ibrahim.
Running an army of 3000? Anyone who operates an army of 3000 people needs to be killed.
Murder of a murderer? I would! Killers have two options, either surrender to the law or the police might have to just get you by force.
This was the 70s... And it's the truth.
They are not being targeted because of disagreement with the government, they are being targeted for operating a 3000 strong army which is dedicated to attack Pakistan. They would kill me, my family and anyone else who is pro Pakistan. I've dealt with these a-holes and they know only violence. I tried talking to them and in return came a long series of death threats.
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Does the same logic of enemy of the state is enemy no.1 apeals to all the country or only to pakistan. If it does then what do you call the people who are having a jihady forces attacking people of india in different part of the country they also have to be enemy of the state and should be shot first. my 2 cents.
cheers
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