Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
"Is Partisan Governor Acceptable for GB...?"
By Shahid Hussain
The statement of Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) created doubts in the minds of various political fractions regarding the appointment of new governor as saying that governor would be from people party. Leaders from other political parties rejected the idea of partisan governor and are in a view that the position of governor is entirely neutral and represents the federation.
As was expected from the motto of late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto whose survivals repeatedly say about “Reconciliation” remained functionless. Also from the political perspective, mutual consultations with all stakeholders act as a bridge to overcome the probable misunderstanding. Soon after assuming public offices the ruling party from national to provincial level remained passive to ensure the durable political insight of their own late leader. These are selfless interest base motives which extend doubts, conflicts and even division within the society.
It is easier to establish a democratic political structure than have a democratic political culture. Democratic political culture appeal working of a democratic fashion in a pattern of democratic constitution. For the smooth functioning of democratic political culture in GB federation must propose and recommend experienced and neutral person acceptable for all stakeholders for the portfolio of governor. So that the symbol of federation could be ensured in the year to come and the idea of reconciliation will be in practical grounds. Rare democratic values in GB not only paralysis democratic political culture but widen the gap with all political machineries. Mutual consultations regarding any public related issue always establish good and durable links for the long lasting of public welfare programmes.who so ever will assume this public office must treat everyone on equal basis beyond his personal affiliations
Various political parties showed their concern and criticized the statement of chief minister GB Syed Mehdi Shah who said few days before about partisan governor and he never touched constitutional boundaries being a responsible executive figure. Leader of the house in assembly always discourage his cabinet and party members not to meltdown public expectations but our chief minister never felt bothering to make this publicly i.e. governor would be from people party.
Unfortunately senior minister of GBLA Mr. Jafar also supported partisan governor and proposed himself on the basis of long before affiliations with people party. Acting governor who is also speaker of GBLA expressed the desire that he will continue the position of governor if centre will consider his awaiting wish. These three public office bearers supported partisan governor while opposition parties demand neutral governor but public at large expects efficient and acceptable governor for GB.
Now there arise a rift among different political fractions and contrary statements of different public figures about the appointment of governor. How federation will respond to address this issue in the pattern of public expectations. Therefore, federal govt must be backed by right attitudes to normalize public doubts.
Members of legislative assembly and council, who are having public mandate, must be intact to debate and discuss about all issues including neutral and capable governor but not a partisan governor. Various political parties showed their concern and criticized on the statement of chief minister. leader of the house in any assembly always discourage his cabinet members and party members not to meltdown public expectations but our chief minister never felt bother to make this publicly”Governor would be from people party”
How democratic norms could be strengthen in GB, so that the forthcoming generations may practice them with full devotion. The partial attitude of ppp leaders will divert the public patriotic eager once for all. As GB received somehow a self governance powers and if these powers are being discharged in a democratic and constitutional manner then succeeding generations will follow their footsteps and the dream of good governance could be ensured.Rulling party in GB generally and allied parties particularly must be responsible while giving public and media statements regarding the appointment of governor. He should be appointed on the basis of merit and rumors of partisan governor must be discouraged at all levels to create harmony, brotherhood and bi-lateral consensus with all stakeholders in region. The one sided govt recommendations regarding the appointment of governor, may lose the credibility of federal govt and govt of GB.If it happens then public will get back the mental attachments from ppp and no one will relay on the actions, sayings and determination of ppp led govt in the year ahead.
The writer is Gilgit based free lance article writer.
shahid.glt@gmail.com
shahid.glt@gmail.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
“Voiceless council”
By Shahid Hussain Shehzada
Since 63 years political encroachment made by federal Government of Pakistan kept in dark the constitutional will of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Present government at last gave a so called self governance rule 2009 in a view to empower the public representatives within the GB legislative Assembly which is the popular house and has been declared lower house while a separate house has been established for technocrats termed as upper house popularly known as “Gilgit-Baltistan Council”. It is ironically that the respective council is still voiceless and has not been convened its first ever inaugural session so for. Prime minister of Pakistan leads chairman of the council and Governor acts as a vice chairman and other members comprises from federal cabinet and the elected councilors of GB Council.
The duration of last few months when these councilors have been elected on the basis of propositional representation didn’t bother the executive head of the federal govt to call its inaugural secession to discuss the regional problems of Gilgit-Baltistan and also share the political experiences with these new born political babies (Councilors) of GB council. The aim behind this self-governance rule for the people of GB through their elected representatives was to limit the influence of bureaucracy in day to day affairs of the region and empower public representatives to handle the problems and responsibilities by their own political setup. But public at large is worry and doubtful about the bureaucratic influence in executive matters and repeated delay of first ever secession of GB Council, means that freedom of expression is being politicized by the head of the federal government and other influential political figures.
It is worth mentioning that if we carry the same sense of deprivation in federal, provincial and other regional level and continuously delay of inaugural secession of any assembly, what will be the response of media, civil society, judiciary and other social forces. Off course these forces will keep alert and accountable the responsible to ensure at once the public will at constitutional forum through constitutional means. To defend the political will of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan council all these political, social and constitutional forces remained ‘’Voiceless’’ to invoke the federal govt and the govt of GB to convene the forthcoming possible secession of GB council. As claimed in the provision of GB council that the inclusion of federal ministers in the council will educate the councilors to run the administrative machinery and make them able to discharge other constitutional means in the year ahead.
Time never waited for anyone and initiatives are being taken to get benefits from the existing opportunity. The ongoing delay of council’s inaugural secession will keep aloof the public representatives to get political guidelines, constitutional and administrative tactics from the seasonal politicians of federal govt.When and where the inaugural secession of GB council will be held to minimized the political disparities of the people of GB.This is what the public agenda at different public forums for discussions, is now alive in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Prime minister proudly express about the constitutional package of Gilgit-Baltistan at different forums and pointed out that present govt intends to empower all federating units on equal basis by their own due share. But in practice these claims are only political statements and don’t touch the reality to defend his govt stance in public empowerment initiatives so for. How a common man will expect these statements by responsible govt figures in terms of public welfare and political empowerment slogans. To minimize the existing public grievances of Gilgit-Baltistan the prime minister who is the chairman of the new born council must intervene to call the inaugural secession of GB Council. So that these councilors will be able to address public matters and handle the day to day affairs of the region through debates and discussions within the council. The further delay of its inaugural secession means deliberate efforts to keep the council’’ Voiceless’’ by federal govt in the year to come and prolong the influence of bureaucracy in administrative matters. This shows that unitary system is operational here in Gilgit-Baltistan and the fruits of federal system are not tasted by the public representatives of GB till now. So the announcements of prime minister remained media statements and a series of official correspondence .
The writer is Gilgit based freelance Article Writer.
Shahid.glt@gmail.com
Shahid.glt@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)