The week started out with a whirlwind of activities happening on all fronts. Cultural events were dominated with the usual gossip of the change of the face in the driver's seat in this merry go round of political gimmicks. What a laugh that one could become an Awami leader by adorning the commoner's attire and get elected on a stage- managed seat. We should get an Oscar award for the superb theatrical performance. Enough of this though or people would think that I've lost my marbles.
My first invitation was from Democratic Action, Research and Education - DARE- a project of Pattan Development Organisation. This organisation came into being in 1992 with its primary mandate to work on disaster preparedness, management and mitigation. However, the organisation envisages a democratic change enabling and empowering people to take control of their destiny through informed and active citizenry. It seeks to strengthen the democratic processes and good governance through proactive research and education.
The event was titled 'Remembering the democratic resistance against Zia dictatorship'. A large gathering of political leaders, parliamentarians, political activists, journalists, intellectuals and women rights activists narrated their personal experiences with the Zia's regime giving details of political, socio-cultural and judicial repression. The legacies of Zia's regime are depicted amply in discriminatory laws, jihadi culture, militarization of society and the marginalization of the masses from politics. Some of the incidences recounted were indeed heart rending. However, since the gathering had a political connotation therefore, the party leaders/members standing at the podium uttered a lot of rhetoric with lots of political flavour. The gathering called for observing 'Anti Dictatorship Day' every year on August 17 so as to remember the struggle people had to undergo during the Zia regime.
One of the speakers belonging to PPP said that there is 'the culture of lotacracy in the Assemblies' nowadays and it is being institutionalised at the highest level. He said that people should be shown the difference between democracy and dictatorship. He lambasted the government over the change of premiership.A.B. Mujahid, belonging to the PPP, related the saga that he confronted at the hands of military dictatorship. He was of the view that Bhutto's PPP was at the forefront of the struggle against the Zia's rule.
Sultan Mahmood, a party activist gave graphic details and articulated the victimisation faced by him due to his political affiliation. He differentiated between the people who struggle for democracy and the ones who stand up for principles. He elaborated that people fighting for democratic rights go behind bars two to three times while the ones who stand up for principles, it is a life long struggle. He said that he belongs to a poor family and people usually compromise once faced with hunger and poverty but he stood tall amongst his fellow brethren as he didn't compromise and is to date unemployed.
It was an event honouring the thousands of political workers, leaders, students, farmers, academicians, journalists, labour unionists, lawyers and women's rights activists, who relentlessly struggled against the oppressive clutches of the 11-year martial law under Gen Zia-ul-Haq. Their resistance is a beacon of light for the coming generations as it was their unflinching resolve to stand up for utopian principles of democracy, constitutionalism, civil and political liberties. It was a remarkable chapter in the history of Pakistan shaping the present political culture of the country that emphasises the erosion of the spirit of democracy.
DARE has done a commendable job in bringing the repressive legacies of the army rule to limelight and linking it up with the present façade of the government.
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My second invitation was to a public meeting with the Interfaith Delegation of Indian parliamentarians and peace activists. Kishwar Naheed welcomed and introduced the delegation comprising of General (Retd) Moti Dhar, Mohammad Saleem, Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Karvinthan, Member of Parliament, Congress Party; Akram Zaki, Member of Senate and Chaudhry Manzoor, Member of National Assembly were the Pakistani speakers in the meeting.
Chaudhry Manzoor, MNA initiated the dialogue in the forum. He reminded the gathering of Baba Bulley Shah's message that emphasised the respect for all the religions of the world and the unique statement that all the different faiths, sects, ethnicity that divides people are smaller in comparison to the stature of a human being. These divisions are for the people and not the other way round. Manzoor said that the situation at hand was hypocritical that on one hand 'Islamabad Accord' was signed and on the other there was a 21% increase in the defence budget of Pakistan with India increasing it up to 23%.
He questioned, 'Is the Islamabad Accord wrong or the increase in the defence expenditures is wrong?' There is hunger and poverty on both sides. Recounting his last visit to India, he said that over there markets were open only from eight in the morning to six in the evening as rest of the time there was load-shedding. What is Pakistan doing about it? If it erects electricity poles along the border, then India could be supplied with electricity within a day that will lower the rates of electricity that Pakistan is anyway purchasing from abroad. Then again Pakistan is facing a shortage of 40% wheat and is purchasing at commercial rates from Canada and Australia while the Indians are sitting with surplus produce at the borders. The ruling classes take one step forward and two steps backwards. Therefore, now people from both sides would have to take the initiative for peace.
General Dhar very candidly said that politicians have a way with talking and he felt tongue-tied as the military are taught to act rather than talk.
The universal consensus was that unless and until the core problem of Kashmir is resolved, the people to people contact and such other peace initiatives would go haywire. The problem of issuing visas was highlighted from both sides. The emphasis was on regional cooperation in business, trade, education and socio economic-development Examples of European Union and Asean were given so that lessons could be learnt from elsewhere and incorporated in the sub-continental milieu. Akram Zaki, rounded up the discussion on a positive note of continued interaction between the two countries at all levels so that the feeling of mistrust could be removed clearing the way for a positive stance to solving outstanding issues between the two countries.
The meeting was hosted by Action aid Pakistan, Citizens Peace Committee, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Sungi Development Foundation and The Network for Consumer Protection.
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Last but not the least was the fund-raiser consisting of a fusion of art and music at a night gala 'Raag & Rang', Serena. The evening started with a welcome by Saima Ammar - a blind girl who is a Programme Director of PFFB Audio World. The World Bank and the National Bank of Pakistan with Serendip Productions being the organisers hosted it. It was a resounding success as 400 people gathered to see Gulgee paint to the rhythm of Asad Amanat's classical number.
The minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, auctioned the bat signed by the Pakistan Cricket Team. Later Fuzon and Asad Amanat Ali performed for the audience till late in the night.
A film was screened and the Athletes in the Paralympics Team enroute to Athens were introduced.
All's well that ends well. All of these events show one thing that every one of us can make a difference in this world. It is not of much significance that one joins an organisation that is already successful, it is more important to be able to believe and work for something that is good irrespective of its chances to succeed. The challenge and the satisfaction there is unparalleled.
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