Was Long March a Failure?
By Dr. Hassan Isfahani • Jun 15th, 2008 • Category: Politics • (3,394 views) • 14 CommentsHundreds of Thousands of people gathered in the Parade Avenue if not millions in the wake of long march by the lawyers for the rule of law and the reinstatement of the judges. The President House, Parliament House and the Prime Minister House, all the leading buildings saw the happenings in culminations of the long march.
As the long march has concluded peacefully, another debate is being carried out as whether the long march served its purpose and was it a failure or was it a success. The objective of the long march was to have judiciary restored and to have the rule of law having upper hand. Have these two objectives achieved? Does the deposed judges back in their chambers? Has the law gained its supremacy? I fear not. So does that make long march a failure?
The handling of the long march at the end was very premature and very non-committal, there is no doubt about that. When you have brought the people from as far away a places like Sindh and Balochistan and then you just all of a sudden disperse then it leaves a bad taste to those who were passionately following the leaders in the lime light, and that portion remained bleak for the long march.
But long march wasn’t a flop altogether. It showed a change in the Pakistan and it showed that now there is another pole stands in the country who could gather the people massively and extensively at short notices besides of Pakistan People’s Party. This starts the politics of issues, and this renders another platform for the people of Pakistan.
The convulsive politics of Pakistan and the shenanigans of the power politics have eclipsed the long march, and for that the leadership of the lawyers especially Aitzaz Ahsan is to be blamed. But as far as the passion of the participants was concerned that was unprecedentedly noble and passionate.
Last 5 posts by Dr. Hassan Isfahani
- What We are Giving to IMF in lieu of $7billion - November 18th, 2008
- I Trust IMF more than I Trust Them - November 16th, 2008
- Hazrat Fazlur Rehman Diesel and Land - November 15th, 2008
- Pakistan's Routine Economic Meltdown - November 13th, 2008
- Re-conditioning of PML-Q for Musharraf's Entry - November 11th, 2008
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June 15th, 2008
TOTAL FLOP IN EVERY RESPECT, IN EVERY ASPECT.
AFTER THIS LONG MARCH (WHICH WAS THE LAST CARD TO SHOW OFF) CH. IFTI, CH AITAZO, NAWAZOO, IMRANO, QAZIO, RETD. GENERALS HAS NOTHING LEFT IN THEIR POCKETS.
THEY SHOULD DIE IN “CHULOO BHAR PANI MEIN”
THEY HAD ALREADY SUFFERED THE ECONOMY OF PAKISTAN SINCE MARCH 2007. THEY ARE THE AGENTS OF INDIA AND “MULK DUSHMAN” PEOPLE.
PAKISTANIS MUST BRING THEM ALL TO JUSTICE BY BLACKENING THEIR FACES, RIDING ON DONKEYS WITH SHOE GALANDS ON THEIR NECKS AND TAKING THEM ON EVERY CORNER OF THE COUNTRY WITH THE PEOPLE STONE TREATING AND SHOE TREATING THEM.
THESE MUST NOT BE SPARED AND FORGIVEN NOW OTHERWISE THEY WILL CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHEN IT BECOMES IMPERATIVE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT TO IMPOSE ANOTHER MARIAL-LAW ON PAKISTAN
June 15th, 2008
Facts About GEO
Jeenay do Geo !!!
Please clear your mind and think.
I think you are not aware of GEO… Its been funded by USA government.
just think, what Jew / Indian/ American lobby want ……… the basic
idea is to promote frustration, and despondence in a nation so they start
to demoralize the nation. And the future can be mapped as they want to
project in the minds of 50 percent Illiterate population….that are born
Muslim can’t read ..But can see
Why on earth is USA is concern with only GEO, why CNN, BBC
and Bush quote GEO? Why not other TV channels in china, Japan, CUBA,
Indian channel, Arab, France….. ?why only Pakistan??????
o Why geo showed peoples body without head, only fingers parts, people
dying after bomb blast? Does any other channel show these things????
o Just think……
o In India more than 2000 Muslims were killed in Gujarat for three
months!!!! any 36 hours live coverage of these killing have any one seen
on ZEE or star or Sony, etc any Indian channels???? Babri Masjid was
destroyed by Hindus any live coverage???? Nuns in Tamil ado of India were
burned alive in a church and for next 6 hours the church was burning did
any Indian channel or CNN or BBC showe that????? in France 700 cars were
burned in one day …
By Fatir
June 15th, 2008
AOM accepts success of Long march only…when people kills others…as done by one party on 12 May 2007 and burning of Lawyers in Karachi.
Shame on these culprits who do like this and shame on those who supports them.
June 15th, 2008
The descent of the long-marchers on Islamabad, which began Friday afternoon and continued into Saturday, marks an event of immense significance. After decades, ordinary people may well prove the force they wield is mightier than that of dictators and political parties who align themselves with them. Buoyed by the immense crowd, the tone of the key speakers certainly left no doubt that they intended to ensure their target was attained. This goal, as lawyer leader and Supreme Court Bar Association President Aitzaz Ahsan clarified, was the restoration of the pre-November 3 judges and the creation of a welfare state. Mian Nawaz Sharif, who arrived at the venue of the mammoth rally several hours into Saturday, made it clear there would be no safe exit for the president. He also called on parliament to make decisions in keeping with the wishes of the people. He stressed these wishes included the departure of President Musharraf.
Whereas an initial plan to stage an indefinite sit-in at Islamabad was cancelled, with Aitzaz citing resource constraints, the impact of the long march will not dissipate with the dispersal of the hundreds of thousands who participated in it. Figures being projected range from about 200,000 to half a million with the actual figure, most probably, somewhere in between. By any standards, the gathering was huge. More remarkable still was the fact it included so large a cross-section of people, ranging from political workers and lawyers to ordinary housewives and professionals. It seems in many ways extraordinary that an issue which on paper appears to be rather academic – that is the restoration of judges – could have galvanized so many people to come together, braving high heat, hours of travel and the threat of terrorist attacks that now hover everywhere.
What those who had predicted the long march would fizzle out, and the political parties – chiefly the PPP – which distanced itself from it, had not realized that the campaign for judicial restoration has metamorphosed since its earliest days. Today, it has come to represent a struggle by people against oppression, against injustice, against a lack of democracy and against wrong of every kind. The presence of tens of thousands of people under the shadows of the three buildings that represent the institutes of state; parliament, the Supreme Court and the presidency was as such extremely appropriate. The slogans raised hour after hour by the crowd, calling for Musharraf to leave, also made it clear which institution they saw as the main source of anti-people authority.
The results that emerge from the march on Islamabad are yet to be seen. Will President Musharraf, as he has done in the past, simply turn a blind eye to all that has happened and go back to his insistence that people wish him to stay? Has Aitzaz Ahsan emerged as, potentially, the man to lead the country at some point in the not too distant future? Will a newly galvanized PML-N carry on where the long march left off?
But perhaps most intriguing of all will be the impact on the PPP – the party that terms itself a party of the masses, yet removed itself from their midst as these masses converged on Islamabad. Within the party the voices critical of the manner in which Asif Ali Zardari has handled matters are rising. Some believe a split may not be far off; others say it is still not too late for the PPP to jump onto the long march bandwagon by beginning the process to impeach the president. But Zardari, who delivered a talk to Steel Mill workers in Karachi as the long marchers shook Islamabad, will have to make truly heroic efforts if his party is to recover from this latest debacle. The PPP, at present, is regarded as having allied itself with the presidency for reasons of expediency. After the long march, there is growing conviction that this is the losing side.
Parliament too, as the body representing people, needs to rise up to its role. All eyes will be on it during the days ahead. The people have shown they are capable of demanding their rights. Parliament needs to prove it is capable of delivering these to them.
June 15th, 2008
Saleem are you seriously dillusional or just blinded by the extreme love for a ceratin group of people?
The person speaking at the lomng March is one who himslef ridiculed the justice system during his tenure, has on more than one occasion lied to the country, looted the country, had persudaed widows to sell dowry (collected for their daughter’s weddings) in the name of the fake ‘ mulk bachao scheme’, while he himslef amassed wealth and built a palace in punjab!!….You seriously want people to believe that a movement supported by him will be sincere to the country?
June 15th, 2008
The positive side of the March was to see that Pakistanis of today can make a point decently…without tearing down traffic signals, shattering commercial window panes and killing a few.
Please, excuse my ignorance when I ask:
What was the immediate, and distant aim of the drive? I ask this not out of sarcasm but rather to really know from those present on this historic event.
Secondly, why is it that the noble judiciary stands shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Nawaz Sharif, knowing fully that he and his cronies orchestrated the Supreme COurt building storming and that case is still pending (I refer to a factual article by Mr. Cowasjee in todays DAWN, I think there is not much to argue on the essence of this piece).
Also, Justice Iftikhar Choudary is on record (on none other than GEO, would you believe it) saying that PCO judges have no legal value. That should also disqualify him from the court, right ?
Now, the most critical point for me: assuming that our country has been messed up by Mushy, then was it not Justice Choudary et al who validated his take-over under the pretence of necessity (or some thing like that). Unfortunately then, Juctice Choudary is part of the problem.
This issue has been deeply politicised and bias sown in every individual - the end does not seem close.
Congrats to all those who took part in this memorable movement.
June 15th, 2008
Daakter Hasan Isfahani, you claim, “Hundreds of Thousands of people gathered in the Parade Avenue if not millions in the wake of long march …………”
The TOTAL population of Islamabad is just about one million people. Judging from your this hyperbolic estimate, the readers are better off, discounting all you say by, let’s say by about 90%. You really have worked very hard, haven’t you, to destroy your own credibility. Tough.
June 16th, 2008
short sighted march
June 16th, 2008
All comments of Aashique of Musharraf are not rubbish.
Media should be free but it should not be free of ethics.
Problems with GEO.
1) GEO tends to abuse the freedom. Conveying News is one thing, conveying it in a particular manner that is not impartial is another. And it can affect how people think. Both legally and ethically “GEO News cannot use the freedom to makeup the public’s mindset for or against anyone.” It is not only a bad practise and injustice with the profession but also dangerous for the country. Your objective is to make money but my problem is that not all viewers of GEO are 50 years old goats. There are children who watch GEO, their brains are tender, they don’t understand under what circumstances they are watching it–they just watch, and now they have started to dislike if not hate the Pakistan Army and Pakistani Politics..in fact the whole country. GEO has the mandate to “make money by using the news” but please don’t poison the children of my country. They are our future. We count on _them_. Not on somebody’s business.
Sometimes, the GEO programs look as if they are not intended to be watched by Pakistanis but the rest of the world. Shame on you GEO. In one way or another, you all are pets.
If GEO staff or its investors do not like a particular person or group, please keep it to your homes or offices. What you should deliver to us is “JUST NEWS”.
2) I want to see some Pakistani stuff when I’m watching a Pakistani TV channel. I DO KNOW how to use my TV’s remote control to switch to STAR PLUS.
3) Who in the hell asks the
funny guysGEO newscasters to almost grin after every news headline that is about a murder or a road accident? No other Pakistani TV channel have that ridiculous smiling section in their News hours. After reading the news, please use your bloody common sense.Again, your job is to convey the news; and that’s all. Keep your bloody opinions in your pocket, don’t express it. I am not requesting you to shed tears after you have informed us of a massacre but please at least do not grin, you don’t look good.
I felt sorry last year when GEO’s office was attacked but now, sometimes while watching GEO News, I think that it was not so wrong.
Enough of suggestions to GEO. If you are AAJ TV’s employee, please keep reading.
1) TOUCH Condoms? Shame on AAJ TV.
They start condom ads 8:00am everyday till 12:00am. WTF? Are you running out of sponsors or what? You should shutdown the channel if you don’t have enough sponsors but take the condom ads out of the transmission. AAJ is not a family channel. No matter one needs it or not, the condom ads for Live with Talat Hussain anger, piss off a lot, piss off a little, embarrass or at least make uncomfortable 99% of Pakistanis. Where in the hell you think you are broadcasting the channel? It’s Pakistan goddamn it. Tomorrow you will advertise dil–s. Shame on AAJ TV and its senior executives.
2) Your newscasters are relatively less expressive which is good. But one of the ladies that you have looks constipated. Please, news are enough to cause depression in the masses. Bring some good stuff like GEO. Even PTV has good taste.
Your well wisher
June 16th, 2008
Aashique of Musharraf
who is funding Musharraf?
June 16th, 2008
The Inside Man
June 16th, 2008
Some people have chronic case of Musharraf ‘phobia’. I hope their condition is not too acute and can be helped. Read the following it just might sooth your jittery nerves a little.
“………….. After all, whatever else might have to be said against Musharraf and the technocrats and bureaucrats on whom he relied, it cannot be denied that in their time the national income had doubled — in nominal terms if not in purchasing power. Though the benefits of growth had not travelled down to one-third of the people at the bottom of the pile living on no more than Rs150 a day, the professional class indeed had expanded and prospered.
As it is the time ahead is difficult for the world economy as a whole, the democratic government should not make it more difficult for Pakistan through its compromises and incompetence. An independent judiciary is important to justice and the wrong done to the judges must be undone but it should not bring the business of the state to a standstill while the misery of the poor and jobless grows and life becomes insecure even for those who are more fortunately placed……….”
(”Justice for the common man” By Kunwar Idris; DAWN, Sunday June 15, 2008)
“For most of us, the issue of restoring the judiciary was just one aspect of the anti-dictatorship struggle. But with the elections, the defeat of the PML-Q, and the marginalisation of Musharraf, the issue of the judiciary should have become subordinate to the larger compulsion of protecting the emerging democratic order, and making it work.
So why didn’t things work out this way? Why are the marchers risking the collapse of the system? Surely they don’t imagine for a moment that the judiciary will remain independent if martial law is declared. As I said earlier, there are forces that are willing to risk all the political gains we have made in the last few months in order to make a grab for absolute power. A share of the government is not enough: they want it all, and they want it now.”
( “Heads I win, tails you lose” By Irfan Husain, DAWN Saturday June 14, 2008).
June 16th, 2008
Farid,
We the Pakistani nation funding for Musharraf. Can’t you see? Wake up and open your eyes and remove the spectacles of haared and jealousy and use their mind.
If majority of Pakastanis not supporting Musharraf: he will be out from presidency within no time. Look at the history of Pakistan politics, the rulers who were not liked by Pakistanis were thrown out from power by hook or by crook.
Musharraf, we are with you. Don’t scare and do whatever you like and even you can use 58 2 B, to get rid of these mean politicians especially Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif has harmed the country the most in recent years. This characterless person has been fighting with COASs, Judiciary, Presidencys and did his utmost to brought down Benazir govt. twice.
He is the NO.1 MULK DUSHMAN, BEZAMEER, AND UTTER DISHONEST PERSON WHO HAS EARNED BILLIONS FROM PAKISTAN AND STOLE THE TAXES, LOOTED THE MONEY OF THE PUBLIC BY MULK SANWARO QARZ UTARO AND BY FREEZING FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES.
THE DAY HE CAME TO PAKISTAN, THE COUNTRY HAS TOUCHED ITS LOWEST EBB IN EVERY RESPECT.
AEY ALLAH! TU AESAY AADMI KO UTHALEY JO MULK KA ITNA DUSHMAN HO AUR AILK NO. KA KINA PARWAR HO
AAMEEN
June 16th, 2008
“……….But the real reason why President Musharraf is important today is because he is the sun around which Pakistan’s small universe revolves. In an ironic way, he is the apple of the eye for the judiciary, political parties, civil society and even the Islamists. The moment President Musharraf decides to throw in the towel, the grand shows that are being staged in different parts of the country, the speeches, the street marches, numerous press briefings and last minute revelations on television screens will come to a halt.
The continuing excitement in Pakistan’s politics which is providing a smokescreen to hide the grim reality of world economic recession, rising commodity prices and a bleak investment outlook for the foreseeable future will disappear quickly like vine withering away in a rainless hot summer……
…..
Others are united in the belief that he must be held accountable for overthrowing a democratically elected government and undermining an important institution of state. Still some more want him to be accountable for the hard strategic decisions that were taken during the last eight plus years, costing precious lives in Kargil, Balochistan, North Waziristan and Lal Masjid operations. Whatever their gripe, they are united in their hatred for Musharraf. As long as he is in office as president, the nation stands united — even archrival political parties whose leaders suffered so much at each others’ hands have decided to ignore their half healed wounds. They have become brothers just to take on Musharraf.”
(Musharraf’s last legacy - Syed Sharfuddin, DAWN, Saturday June 14, 2008)