FROM A RINGSIDE SEAT

Every day the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani makes a number of statements. Yes, this was, generally, the case. But on Friday he behaved like a miser and avoided making any statement on the worsening situation in restive Swat valley.
On his behalf and on behalf of the government, the information minister Sherry Rehman, who has recently been awarded with the title of 'Democracy's Hero' by International Republic Institute (IRI) spoke. And you will not believe me, but this is true when she spoke mixing Urdu with English, she did not look to be impressive or the one who was awarded the title of 'Democracy's Hero'. I do not know how much command she is holding on Urdu. But her command on English language has always been thought uncontroversial. Her assurance must have come in English if she was having any problem with expressing her feelings in Urdu.
Unrest in scenic and what to be known as tourist destination Swat valley is not a new thing. It happened in 1990s decade. It happened last year and the case is the same at present. There is only one change that in the past this movement was run by Maulana Sufi Muhammad, now it is run by his son in law Maulana Fazlullah. What, however, new was the expiry of the deadline given by the Taliban to close down all female education institutions.
The Taliban movement in Swat says it is against the girls' education. They had given the deadline of January 15 that expired on Thursday. Since the schools are closed due to winter vacations, the expiry of the deadline had not created any major stir in the government. The one month vacation gave some two more weeks to the government that mainly runs itself in this country on day to day basis. The PML-N MNA, Ayaz Amir, who raised this issue on a point of order, must have known that two weeks time is a longer time for the government. The rulers are interested only in Senate election and nothing else right at this point in time.
According to some rough estimates, there are more than 500 schools both in public and private sectors in Swat. Around 120,000 girls are studying at different levels from class one to twelve. The threat of the Taliban has darkened their future. Some of them might have dreamt of becoming doctors, lecturers, teachers etc to serve the society. The girls in Swat were having brighter future as the government has already built a beautiful Malakand University near Chakdara, too close to the whole of volatile area. The Malakand university has started working and hundreds of female students both from Dir and Swat districts and other areas are getting quality education from that institute.
One does not understand as to what is the motive behind Maulana Taliban move to ban female education only in Swat. The Taliban leadership in their strongholds like North and South Waziristan and Momand and Bajaur agencies never tried to ban the girls' education.
As I was willing to write something more on this issue, the private channels are flashing news that Taliban spokesman in Swat Muslim Khan announced that they are not against the female education. A good thing, if it proved to be true. According to Muslim Khan, they are in contact with Fazlullah, the Taliban chief in Swat and "we will soon give good news to the people. Let us hope that Taliban will not deprive the women from education." This could be termed a better thing happened after the tragic incident of razing the house of ANP central president Asfandyar Wali Khan in the valley.
Keeping in view the feeble assurance given to us by the information minister in the National Assembly, the Muslim Khan announcement could be seen as a major development. From here I will return to the National Assembly proceedings that remained largely non-serious as members like Fauzia Wahab, Shehnaz Sheikh and others kept strolling from one seat to another in what to be called an attempt of the lady legislators to meet the great number of other MNAs.
The session provides a good opportunity to live up to their dreams of meeting people. One does know the reason why Shehnaz Sheikh is not serious. She is from a party known as PML-Q that was nurtured, supported and backed by military dictator General Pervez Musharraf. I do not know what could be the reason of the casual attitude of PPP MNA Fauzia Wahab. Has she been left out? Yes, I think.
Many times I have seen another MNA Bushra Gohar speaking very impressively during the meetings, conferences and seminars. Known largely as NGO lady, now she is representing the Awami National Party (ANP) in the capacity of MNA. During the National Assembly proceedings so far she remained silent.
Since the issue of female education was discussed in the house, I thought that she would, at last, speak up. The issues like 'female education' and 'women empowerment' are turned up for discussion, then the people like Bushra Gohar should have spoken loudly. She was silent and same was the case with other MNAs of the party. They looked to be least interested on the issue relating to ban on girls education in Swat.
As the coalition government goes ahead, the differences are becoming visible. It was hard to believe, but the parliamentary secretary for commerce Noor Alam refused to answer some questions of the lawmakers. His behaviour was in total contrast to what is being pledged by the Prime Minister asking the ministers, advisors and parliamentary secretaries to reply to questions in befitting manner. Has this Noor Alam incident is linked to any differences? Only time will tell us. One parliamentary secretary Ijaz Virk has already resigned. Is another resignation in the offing?