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Pakistan a turbulent state 

COLUMN

-By RC GANJOO

Pakistan under the leadership of Imran Khan is at crossroads today.

At partition, Pakistan’s civilian institutions couldn’t develop as strongly as India’s because India had inherited the entire institutional infrastructure pre-partition. Whereas, Pakistan inherited broken remnants. Pakistan had to build everything afresh, except the military.

Pakistan’s political leadership came predominantly from the Western part, agrarian, feudal, tribal, jagirdari. Muslim civil servants, predominantly Urdu speaking went from India and very few from joined the civil services but dominated the military.

The civilian institutions, weak and ineffective, were dealt the first deathly blow by Ayub’s Martial Law. If Ayub had not taken over, Pakistan’s civilian institutions would have been stronger. Watching vast cultural differences between the military and the civilians any military general could have taken over, sooner or later.

The Pakistan Army, with a strong colonial and elitist ethos, has been keeping an eye since, on incompetent, power hungry, corrupt politicians fighting to preserve their status quo. The squabbling in political parties dominated the thinking of subsequent military leaders, leading to the inevitable Martial Laws.

Thus from 1971 on Pakistan witnessed a series of civilian administrations, actively weakening civilian institutions to preserve their own power and influence, misgovern, loot and plunder, and avoid accountability. A system further strengthened by Gen. Zia ul Haq  and Gen. Musharraf, who co-opted, by and large, the same corrupt elements they had overthrown, in their attempt to prolong and legitimize their take over.

Post-1971, the first big opportunity, for reform came under Bhutto who swept to power on a wave of popular support, his demagoguery, and a defeated nation. But he failed because at heart he was a dictator and not a democrat, despite his democratic trappings and pretensions. He dislodged the democrats and socialists in his party, welcomed feudal and traditional corrupt politicians, who always, remained close to power, Military or Civilian!

And Martial Law or a quasi-military dispensation worked and Pakistan continued to receive the same tragic results.

Pakistan always hoped for a better future provided the stranglehold of a strange combination of a   political mafia was broken. Also accepting of strong civilian institutions and supremacy of civilian rule. This is the only path to sustained and long term progress and development for Pakistan.

But hoping against hopes Pakistan’s political mafia will try its best to recapture power, and back to corruption, misgovernance, and exploitation, making even weaker. Their only fear, to political parties are from the Army which has been a constant threat to their loot and plunder.

In  Pakistan Army where Generals, Brigadiers, Lt. Cols, Majors, etc are promoted, posted, and transferred with the same impunity, as witnessed in the police and bureaucracy, where IG’s, DIG’S, SSP’S, SP’S, SHO’s and bureaucrats are tossed about on the whims of an Asif Zardari, a Nawaz Sharif or a Shahbaz Sharif. And it continues, even today under the present administration.

Today, Nawaz Sharif and Zardari with supposedly diametrically opposing political platforms, have joined forces with the ultra-right-wing obscurantist forces of FazlurRehman and the supposedly secular nationalists like Asfandyar and Achakzai to form a strange new “Urban- Feudal – Religious – Secular” front to recapture political power.

The opposition party mission is “saving democracy” while targeting both PM Imran and the Army. , It is extremely critical at this juncture for the people of Pakistan to bring effective political system to take root.

Imran Khan has completely failed in delivering good governance. Pakistan needs a new governance model and a new Constitution, more provinces, Empowered local government, Complete revamp of electoral laws.

A complete restructuring of proportional representation, police, bureaucracy, and judiciary, and a Presidential system. But this transformation can only happen through people referendum, backed by powerful political leadership.

Eye on China: Australia to join Malabar naval exercise next month

New Delhi (NVI): Australia today said that it will be participating in the Malabar Exercise next month that will see the participation of other Quad countries — India, Japan and the US — to counter the growing assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific region.

The growing cooperation among Quad nations and the naval exercise next month is also significant amid the India-China border stand-off in Eastern Ladakh for over five months now.

Accepting the invitation for the mega drills by India, Australian Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, said that ‘Exercise MALABAR 2020’ marked a milestone opportunity for the Australian Defence Force.

Australia’s participation in the annual exercise, which is likely to take place next month in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, will definitely add muscle to Quad for an increased cooperation between in the maritime security domain.

“High-end military exercises like MALABAR are key to enhancing Australia’s maritime capabilities, building interoperability with our close partners, and demonstrating our collective resolve to support an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Reynolds was quoted as saying in a statement by the Australian Ministry of Defence.

“Exercise MALABAR also showcases the deep trust between four major Indo-Pacific democracies and their shared will to work together on common security interests,” she added.

Commenting on the crucial development, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the announcement was another important step in Australia’s deepening relationship with India.

“This builds on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, to which Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Modi agreed on 4 June 2020, and which I progressed with my counterpart, Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar, this month when we met in Tokyo.

“It will bolster the ability of India, Australia, Japan and the United States to work together to uphold peace and stability across our region,” Marise Payne said in an official statement.

“Participation in Exercise MALABAR demonstrates Australia’s enduring commitment to enhancing regional security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and increasing the capability and interoperability of the ADF,” the Australian Defence Ministry said.

Australia last participated in Exercise MALABAR in 2007.

It is pertinent to mention here the foreign ministers of India, the US, Australia and Japan held talks at a recent Quad meeting in Tokyo recently and vowed to intensify cooperation to ensure an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo had also slammed Beijing’s coercive actions, including against India on the Ladakh border, during the meet.

-ARK

No property tax will be imposed in J&K: LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha (file photo)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that no property tax would be levied on land, buildings or vacant lands in the UT, amid protests by the J&K Congress against the Centre’s earlier decision to impose a property tax in the Union Territory.

“Some people are saying that property tax will be in J&K. Let me clarify, there will be no such tax be levied in Jammu and Kashmir by the UT administration,” Sinha said while addressing ‘My Town My Pride’ meeting after inaugurating a bridge in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Commenting on the recent amendment in J&K Panchayat Raj Act, Lt Governor said that there were apprehensions among the Panchayat representatives that they will not receive the monthly honorarium by virtue of this amendment. “I want to inform them that the government is thinking of increasing your remunerations rather than stopping the same,” he said, adding these are just rumors which one should not pay any heed to.

The Lt Governor also solicited the opinion of Panchayat representatives in increasing the developmental index in Baramulla district. He said that the union government has recently amended J&K Panchayat Raj Act by virtue of which District Development Councils would be formed in each district so that the people are benefited by the developmental activities planned at the grassroots levels.

The LG said that after the successful experiment of ‘Back to village’, there was a demand for My Town My Pride for the towns. “This initiative is meant for resolving the people’s issues in towns,” he said.

-ARK

NTPC Dadri strives to become cleanest coal fired plant of India

NTPC Dadri has been striving to become the cleanest coal-fired plant in the country.

New Delhi (NVI): In a bid to cut down on emissions, NTPC Dadri is striving to become the cleanest coal-fired plant in the country. The thermal plant is complying with all CPCB guidelines on emissions, the Ministry of Power said in a statement today.

All the emission parameters are being monitored online and transmitted to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on real time basis, the Ministry said.

As per a statement issued by NTPC Ltd, the PSU under the Ministry of Power, the Flue gas emissions and Particulate matter are well within the CPCB norms with high efficiency ESP (Electrostatic Precipitators) in service in all the 4 nos. 210 MW & 2 nos. 490 MW units, read an official release.

For SOx reduction, Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) system has been installed in 210 MW units for the first time in the country with technology from UCC (United Conveyor corporation), USA and now all the four units are meeting emission norms, the Ministry said.

In addition to this, FGD system is in advanced stage of implementation in 490 MW units by BHEL with technology from Mitsubishi Power Works, Japan.

All the 210 MW units were already compliant to NOx emission norms. In 490 MW units, SOFA (Separated Overfire Air) system has been installed and all the units now comply with the norms for NOx.

NTPC Dadri has also pioneered co-firing of Biomass pellets along with coal in the boilers. The pellets are made of husk or agro-residue which would have been burnt otherwise in the fields increasing the pollution in NCR region. More than 8000 Tons of pellets have been fired in the boilers of NTPC Dadri, which is equivalent to almost 4000 acres of farm fire avoided.

Apart from that, NTPC Dadri has set new benchmarks in Water consumption, going beyond compliances, by implementing Zero liquid discharge system, and Rainwater harvesting system.

NTPC has also made efforts towards leading the energy transition to a decentralised, decarbonised and digitalised energy. It provides broad framework for the company’s priorities to meet the challenges in Decarbonisation & Air emissions control, Water & Biodiversity Conservation, Circular Economy, Health and Safety, Community Development, Strong Finance & Ethics and Sustainable Supply Chain.

As part of its commitment towards the environment, NTPC has undertaken many ‘firsts’ for the sector. NTPC is working towards utilising agro residue for power generation to discourage in-field crop residue burning. NTPC is also striving hard to install sulphur dioxide-reducing technology flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) at all its plants across the country. NTPC is also working towards various waste to energy projects for a sustainable environment.

NTPC is also taking every possible step to make its energy portfolio greener by adding significant capacities of Renewable Energy (RE) sources. By 2032, the company plans to have a minimum of 32000 MW capacity through RE sources constituting nearly 25% of its overall power generation capacity, the Ministry of Power said.

-ARK

Increasing protests in PoJK, Gilgit-Baltistan against Pakistan

Today's protest in occupied territories of J&K

Muzaffarabad (NVI): Pakistan-occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are witnessing increasing protests over issues like converting Gilgit-Baltistan a province of Pakistan ahead of the anniversary of occupation of these territories.

A major protest was staged by Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) and Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP) at Kohala Bridge main road connecting Muzaffarabad.

The protest was against Pakistan’s move to make Gilgit-Baltistan the country’s fifth province.

Authorities resorted to violence against the peaceful protesters and arrested 47 activists, including JKNAP president Liaquat Hayat and party general secretary Abdul Sattar, reports reaching here said.

Meanwhile, National Equality Party (NEP) and National Students Federation (NSF) of Gilgit-Baltistan have announced a sit-in at Tetrinote on October 22, the anniversary of Pakistan’s invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.

The Pakistani invasion was aimed at militarily annexing Jammu and Kashmir and four days later, the ruler of the erstwhile state Maharaja Hari Singh sent an SOS to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for help. The Indian Army landed in Srinagar on October 27, 1947 and started pushing out the Pakistani invaders.

While India’s campaign to oust the Pakistani invaders was still underway, the UN Security Council ordered a ceasefire, as a result of which the state was divided and Pakistan continues to occupy a part of it. These territories are — Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In a recent media briefing, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur stated that Pakistan Government has decided to change the status of G-B and to make it a full-fledged province.

India has opposed Pakistan’s plans to conduct elections in Gilgit-Baltistan on November 15, saying that the Imran Khan government has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it.

Earlier this month, there have been huge protests in Gilgit-Baltistan by the locals for release of their loved ones including several political activists, some of whom have been jailed for 70-90 years since 2011 for raising voice against Pakistan atrocities.

The local people have been demanding unconditional release of all political prisoners in Gilgit Baltistan, including the towering figure of the region Baba Jan, along with Iftikhar Karbalai and others who have been languishing in Pakistan jails for years for raising their voices against Pakistani military and ISI.

Baba Jan, who has been serving sentence behind prison bars for 6 years now. Reportedly, he is the longest-serving political prisoner in occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan.

Police Inspector shot dead by militants in J&K’s Anantnag

Indianapolis
Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A Police Inspector was killed after suspected militants fired at him from a close range in Bijbehara area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said.

An official said that the suspected militants fired at the Police Inspector in Sundpora, Kanelwan village area of Bijbehara when he was returning home from a mosque after offering evening prayers. “The cop sustained multiple bullet injuries and was shifted to hospital,” he said.

Police Inspector Mohammed Ashraf Bhat (Pic via arrangement)

The official identified the police inspector as Mohammed Ashraf Bhat, a resident of Sundpora Kanelwan, Bijbehara, and was presently posted at Lethpora, Pulwama. He was shifted to Sub-district hospital in Anantnag where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

“Entire area has been cordoned and a massive search has been launched to track down the attackers,” the official said.

Haj 2021 to depend on COVID-19 protocols by India, Saudi Arabia: Naqvi

New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said that Haj 2021, that is scheduled to take place by June-July next year, will depend on national and international COVID-19 protocols.

During a high-level review meeting on the status of annual pilgrimage for next year, Naqvi said that a final decision regarding Haj 2021 will be taken in due course keeping in view the necessary guidelines to be issued by the government of Saudi Arabia and India in the wake of the pandemic.

“Haj Committee of India and other Indian agencies will formally announce Haj 2021 application process and other related preparations after decision taken by the Saudi Arabia government,” he added.

The Union Minister also said that the entire Haj process might witness significant changes in view of guidelines including accommodation, transport, health and other facilities both in India and Saudi Arabia, adding that the health and well-being of the pilgrims is the utmost priority for the governments.

Naqvi further informed that, Rs 2,100 crore of 1.23 lakh pilgrims, who were unable to go on Haj this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, have been returned without any deduction.

The three-year pending amount of about Rs 514 crore of the Haj pilgrims has also been returned during this period.

“The result of the 100 per cent digital system in India is that the money was returned through the Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) mode into the accounts even during the ongoing pandemic,” Naqvi added.

-RJV/ARK

J&K Cricket Association scam: ED grills fmr CM Farooq Abdullah for 7 hrs

File photo: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): National Conference President and former J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was today questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Srinagar for seven hours in connection with the multi-crore Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association scam.

Speaking to reporters outside the ED office in Srinagar, Abdullah said ED is doing its job and he will do his own.

“I am quite clear. I will always face them,” the NC chief told media. “My fate will be decided by the court when ED would put the case into the court. I couldn’t have lunch today. There was no time for it,” he said.

Asked whether he was summoned because of the formation of Peoples’ Alliance for the Gupkar declaration, Abdullah said, “don’t bring the Gupkar declaration into this.”

On whether the questioning was regarding J&K Cricket Association scam, he said: “Apko kya chati padi hai (Why are you bothered?) Ask them (ED).”

Replying to a query whether ED’s summon and his questioning for seven long hours would weaken his resolve for a fight seeking restoration of Article 370, Abdullah said that it wasn’t his resolve alone. “This is the resolve of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This will continue whether Farooq Abdullah is dead or alive.

To a query that his son Omar Abdullah and PDP chief had termed the ED summon to him as political vendetta, he said: “I have nothing to say on that.”

The NC chief was summoned today by ED at 11 am. He was let go at 5 pm after facing seven hours of questioning. The NC president, however, said ED sleuths were “nice sober and friendly to him.”

-ARK

J&K: Terrorist killed in encounter in Shopian; operation underway

IED expert among 2 terrorists to flee from encounter site in Kashmir's Pulwama
(File/Representational)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An unidentified terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter in Melhora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, police officials said.

The encounter broke out in Melhora village after joint teams of security forces launched a cordon and search operation to track down the militants. When the joint teams of Police, Army’s 55 RR and CRPF zeroed in on a spot where militants were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire.

“In the initial exchange of fire, one militant was killed. The second militant changed directions and kept security forces engaged,” a police officer said. He said that intermittent exchange of fire is going on.

“Since it is dark, lights have been installed and cordon layers tightened to ensure the hiding militant doesn’t flee,” he said. The body of the slain militant has been recovered and his identity is being ascertained.

-ARK

1.39 cr passengers have flown since domestic flights resumed in May: Puri

domestic flights
Representational/file image

New Delhi (NVI): A total of 1.39 crore domestic passengers have flown in the country since the flights recommenced on May 25 with 1.8 lakh passengers flying on October 18, Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said.

In a tweet, Hardeep Singh Puri informed this and said, “New High! 1,581 flights. 3,168 total flight movements. 3,63,757 total footfalls at airport. 1,80,838 domestic passengers on 18 October. Nearly 1.39 crore domestic fliers since 25 May 2020. Steady growth trajectory.”

Speaking on the Vande Bharat Mission, Puri yesterday tweeted and said, “No citizen will be left behind. Reaching out to stranded and distressed Indians around the world.”

“More than 2.2 million people have been repatriated and flown out so far. Vande Bharat Mission continues,” he added.

The government started Vande Bharat Mission – one of the largest initiatives to repatriate nationals back to India – on May 7, 2020. Under this mission, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is coordinating with Ministry of External Affairs and the state governments to carry out the evacuation.

Earlier, Puri had said that around two lakh domestic air passengers will be flying every day by the end of October and added that the figure is expected to reach three lakhs between Diwali and by the end of this year.

The domestic flights in the country resumed operations from May 25 in a gradual manner, after scheduled commercial passenger flights were suspended in India on March 25 due to COVID-19 induced lockdown to contain the further spread of the virus.

-RJV

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