The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pakistan's journey to democracy

WITH the Pakistan People's Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto becoming the biggest winner in the just held elections and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) emerging a close second, the focus of attention is on how the course of events now shape up as the United States has termed the elections credible while the Muslim League (Q), the major party that supports President Pervez Musharraf, has accepted the results.

Ms Bhutto's widower and the PPP leader, Asif Ali Zardari, said his party would "form a government of national consensus which will take along every democratic force". Former PM, Nawaz Sharif said earlier that he was prepared to discuss joining a coalition with Mr Zardari's party in order "to rid Pakistan of dictatorship forever". Nawaz Sharif, allowed back from exile three months ago, had urged Musharraf to accept he was no longer wanted. "He would say when people would want, I will go. Today the people have said what they want," Sharif was quoted as saying. PPP won 88 seats in the Pak National Assembly and PML-N 66 and the two parties together command more than an absolute majority in the house.

Those who want to see democracy to flourish in Pakistan would be interested in observing whether the proposed coalition of PPP and PML-N or the government of national consensus works and leads to a healthy transition to democracy. Nawaz Sharif's remarks about President Parvez Musharraf which may be taken as his revenge but would be of no use if the two parties fail to work together. The two parties now have a great responsibility to prove how democratic they are in their words and deeds and whether they can lead their country to build a corruption-free society. Only a corruption-free and democratic polity is the best guarantee for sustained development of their nation.

Condemnable indeed

BANGLADESH has condemned the reprinting of a cartoon on Prophet Muhammad (SM) in a number of Danish newspapers saying it could only be 'destabilising'. 'We deeply regret the republication of the Danish cartoons. We condemn it', a foreign ministry spokesman said. It is not understood 'how hurting the sentiments of a billion Muslims can advance the cause of freedom of expression'. 'By reprinting these cartoons we are heading toward a bigger conflict and that shows that both sides will be hostages of their radicals', OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said reminding it is not a way of … exercising freedoms … insulting the most sacred values and symbols of others and inciting hatred.

Reports from Copenhagen say, at least 17 Danish newspapers including three of the country's biggest dailies, republished one of 12 cartoons which had caused bloody protests and riots lingering across the world after police uncovered an alleged plot in the Scandinavian country to kill the cartoonist. Danish daily Jyllands-Posten, first published the cartoons on the Prophet of Islam in September 2005 that sparked violent protest in the Muslim world continuing till January-February 2006. The Danish newspapers that printed the cartoon on February 13 said they 'did so to take a stand against self-censorship' as reported by the news agency.

This is not the way to improve relations between the East and West, between Islam and Christianity,' Ekmeleddin remarked. Strong protests were lodged also in Iran and Pakistan. Iran showed its anger by summoning the Danish ambassador in Tehran and voicing an official protest while in Pakistan angry protesters burnt Danish flag and effigy of Danish prime minister. In Dhaka also protest rallies were held by different organisations. The reprinting of the cartoon, undoubtedly, was done deliberately by an increasingly intolerant group of people in the West where Islam phobia is gaining ground alarmingly.

Ethics of Journalism

Prof.M Zahidul Haque

Recently I read a note offering apology by the Editor of a reputed English daily for publishing an article in that newspaper which was malicious, sweeping, full of innuendos but contained no facts.

I was glad to see the Editor's goodwill and courage to accept a mistake and to regret for that. Well, the Editor mentioned three purposes behind writing the note.While stating his third purpose, the Editor raised a core ethical question-whether a columnist has the right to malign individuals,families or groups without any proof.Here comes the issue of ethics of journalism.

A few days ago while re-launching a English daily, President Iajuddin Ahmed called upon the media people to maintain the ethics of journalism and bring out objective news with a sense of obligation to the nation. Emphasising the important elements of code of ethics in journalism, the President said - "As you know, accuracy,objectivity, patriotism and public accountability are some of the vital elements of code of ethics in journalism, which should be upheld". Some vital elements of journalistic ethics have been highlighted in the above observation made by our Hon'ble President.

It is known to every journalist that there are some journalism ethics and standards which are called - 'Code of Ethics' or 'Canons of Journalism'. The ethics of journalism includes,truthfulness, accuracy, wisdom, courage,justice,temperance, objectivity, impartiality and public accountability. While making a report on an event, a journalist must keep in mind these code of ethics and devote himself to report only those matters which are based on fact and evidences. Good faith with the reader is very important. The news served must have credibility. It should be unbiased and free of any twist or unwarranted comments either from the side of the reporter or his 'ism' quarter.

Journalistic ethics also include the principle of 'limitation of harm' that pleads to withholding certain details from the news report in support of which no significant evidence is available or which may jeopardise one's reputation in the society. Often news of persons, children related to the report are being withheld for social or humanitarian reasons. Sometimes news-photos published in some of our newspapers bypass the social and psychological limitations! The 'Code of Ethics' restricts a journalist to get involved in 'Yellow Journalism', i.e. unethical and unprofessional journalsim. Sometimes some journalist takes money or other forms of favours from people to publish certain news or to distort some news willingly. This is a very bad practice contrary to the ethics and principles of journalism.

The Editor, News Editor or the Chief Reporter under no circumstances should depute a journalist to an area to report an event in which the latter has no or little knowledge or experience. Often the News Chief, out of favour or affection deputes someone to certain bits by keeping the associated one idle!

Last but not the least,one of the fundamental ethics of journalism is 'Objectivity' which refers to fairness, disinterestedness, factuality,and nonpartisanship. Sociologist Michael Schudson (1978) argues that "the belief in objectivity is a faith in 'facts', a distrust in 'values', and a commitment to their segregation".

This author feels and believes that a journalist/reporter in order to attain the standard of the objective journalism need to practice investigative method for gathering information and facts behind the screen. It would be evident that often some news reporters collect information from their known sources ignoring the facts lying with the other side which may have become a victim of the situation! A reporter should take time, apply his insight and conscience to dig out actual facts and figures.Investigative journalism can ensure justice to all the parties.

A responsible Press can help a society or a nation to flourish. A newspaper is said to be a unconventional court where people approach to seek justice. Journalists are the conscience of a social system. They must discharge their duties by following the code of ethics to put a social system into order through objective journalism.

The code of ethics of one of the prominent forums of journalists in the United States states :

"t..public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalists is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialists strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalis's credibility".

[Prof.M Zahidul Haque teaches Agril.Extension, Apllied & Agricultural Journalism at Shere-e-Bangla Agricultural University,Dhaka]

Retooling Pakistan Army

Adnan Gill

One doesn't put a call to a blacksmith to get a piece of jewelry fixed, because blacksmith's sledgehammer lacks the precision achieved only from a jeweler's craft hammer. Similarly, it's a mistake to send an army to put down highly elusive and mobile terrorists. For the last 60 years, Pakistani Army had been indoctrinated and trained to fight a foe six times larger of its size. But the rules of the game have changed: 'real-time intelligence', 'speed', and 'precision' are the reigning principles modern armies live by now.

Fairly or unfairly, the rules of game have been changed by the terrorists. The Pakistani Army will have to start carrying jeweler's craft hammer in their toolkit too, right next to the sledgehammer. The terrorists operate in fluid situations and rely on toxic mixture of ambiguity, guerrilla warfare, modern communications, and most importantly their ability to blend in with the civilians.

In 2002 border standoff with India, Pakistani Army proved beyond any shadow of doubt that it was prepared to rise to the occasion even if challenged by world's 4th largest army. Then came the long simmering Lal Masjid standoff. Army was called upon to clear the mosque from well-armed and heavily barricaded militants. To add to the complexity, the militants thoroughly blended themselves with the odd population of some 2,000 students, including women, and children. It was an intelligence nightmare. Unfortunately, the Pakistani Army found itself thrown in a situation where identifying and isolating the enemy was next to impossible. It was well trained and well equipped to flatten the mosque, but it was ill-trained and ill-equipped to conduct hostage rescue operation of such proportions. In the ensuing cleanup operation, massive loss of life and property on both sides exposed the soft underbelly of the Pakistani Army. While it was ready to give a run for its money to the Indian army, it lacked the sophistication required to conduct antiterrorist operations.

Pakistan Army's critical deficiency is not a secret anymore. Americans Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates publicly exposed its weakness. He said, "The Pakistani army is an army that essentially has been trained and equipped to potentially fight India. They are now going to have to reorient themselves and figure out how to do counterinsurgency."

Ironically, Americans are also relatively new players in this deadly game of cat and mouse, but their unlimited resources and their constant quest to overcome the odds have become their saving graces. Since 9/11, US dove headfirst into the uncharted waters of global terrorism. They learned hard lessons from the experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have already reoriented their Cold-War military into a nimble and extremely flexible war machine; that can simultaneously fight at two fronts, while successfully executing multiple covert and overt military operations worldwide. Its warbirds can deliver nuclear weapons, shoot down enemy airplanes, and still stealthy loiter over the areas of interest to eavesdrop on the elusive terrorists only to finish them off with a precision weapon. U.S. Navy now ferries around Navy SEALs more often than the nuclear tipped missiles. SEALs have mastered in conducting real-time intelligence missions, designating targets, training foreign operators, and executions of targets of opportunity. Similarly, US Army has transformed itself into a highly nimble and lethal war machine that mostly revolves around its Airborne Brigades and Green Berets. They along with the US Navy SEALs and the US Marines have become America's first line of defense, rather offense, to deal with crisis anywhere on the globe within the 36 hours of notice.

Thankfully, Pakistani military doesn't have to reorient and retool itself to the levels of what the US had to, because its mandate doesn't require global presence or global rescue missions. Nevertheless, the internal threats to Pakistan's sovereignty have risen to a level where status-quo is not an option anymore. Pakistani Army is in dire need of sophisticated real-time intelligence gathering platforms like longer-range and long-endurance unmanned aircrafts, which can provide a constant stream of actionable-intelligence. It needs to secure precision weapons and a generous supply of air assets at its disposal, like military helicopters configured for night operations.

Most importantly, it needs to exponentially increase the numbers of its Special Services Group(SSG); specializing in real-time intelligence gathering, close-quarters combat, hostage-rescue operations, and neutralization of threats through covert means.

Luckily, at this time of need, Pakistan has an ally who is more than keen to retrain and retool Pakistani Army. Americans have also offered to step up its training of Pakistani forces as part of a new $750 million program. It's Assistant Defense Secretary for Special Operations and Low-intensity Conflict, Michael Vickers said, "Sites [in Pakistan] are being chosen for a five-year program to train and equip the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary unit, to confront al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region."

According to Mr. Vickers, there are already fewer than 100 American personnel present in Pakistan. They are focused on what he called "targeted training." He further elaborated, "It's been ongoing for a whilet They're expanding their capability substantially; they're essentially doubling their force. So we're helping them with that expansion and trying to improve their capabilities at the same time. There's also some aviation training. It's been ongoing for several years." The training includes teaching SSG specialized fighting techniques, such as helicopter assaults. The US military advisers are helping the Pakistanis double the size of its elite commando force to blunt the rising threat of terrorism and anti-government militants.

It's not a coincidence that the Americans are in the mood to retrain and retool the Pakistani Army, Americans are doing it to prepare a proxy force. Nonetheless, there should be no shame in learning from the best. Besides, it's not like terrorists are going to vanish into thin air, once the Americans leave Afghanistan and the Iraq.

Lal Masjid fiasco should have served as a wake-up call to the Pakistani planners as to how ill-prepared Pakistani Army was to deal with the faceless modern enemy that can come from any direction, at any time, and worse, in any appearance. The terrorists have no regard for age or gender of civilians, but the Army cannot afford flattening whole neighbourhoods. The key to success lies in actionable intelligence, intelligence, intelligence, and lightning fast response.

As apparent from the fighting in the NWFP, the retooling of Pakistan Army has to be done on war footings. Another Lal Masjid fiasco could turn out to be one too many.

Opinion: US Poll 2008: Obama’s economic plan

Dr.Abdul Ruff

The US presidential candidates across the political spectrum have mooted their own business visions to boost the weakening US economy. Buoyed by a string of eight consecutive victories, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, Illinois senator, who would be the first black U.S. president if he wins the November election, bashed rival Hillary Clinton, the former first lady and the first ever woman president, if elected, over the ailing U.S. economy last week and also took aim at Republican front-runner John McCain.

The Illinois senator, a day after sweeping three more Democratic presidential contests, unveiled an initiative to produce 5 million new jobs in the green energy sector and promised to create a development bank that would invest $60 billion to rebuild the nation's infrastructure. "We are not standing on the brink of recession due to forces beyond our control," Obama said in Wisconsin. He took a hit at President Bush for the economic state of affairs. "It was a failure of leadership and imagination in Washington-the culmination of decades of decisions that were made or put off without regard to the realities of a global economy."

Obama, made his remarks at a Janesville, Wisconsin plant that produces General Motors' popular sport utility vehicles and has been seen as vulnerable to being closed. He used the occasion to criticize both his main rivals, Democrat Clinton and Republican McCain, saying they had wasted billions of dollars and cost thousands of lives by supporting an unnecessary war in Iraq as U.S. senators.

He accused Clinton, who "tactically" supports Bush terror war, of changing her stance on the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, saying she supported it when it was signed but now says "we need a time-out on trade." "I don't know about a time-out, but I do know this-when I am president, I will not sign another trade agreement unless it has protections for our environment and protections for American workers," Obama said, adding he would end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. But Mrs. Clinton said Obama's ideas for an infrastructure development bank and 5 million green energy sector jobs were taken from her own campaign proposals." If Senator Obama cannot produce his own ideas on the campaign trail, how will he solve new problems as president?" asked Clinton's policy director.

The New York senator dismissed Obama's criticism over the economy, saying his plans fell short on extending health care to all Americans, on dealing with the mortgage crisis and expanding the use of renewable energy. "I don't know how you take on the economy and produce real results for people if you don't stay focused on how we're going to create the good new jobs of the future," she said. "It's a difference between promises and solutions."

While Obama campaigned in Wisconsin, Clinton focused on contests in the heavily populated states of Ohio and Texas in three weeks as her best hope to stop Obama's surge. Tuesday's victories gave Obama scores of additional pledged delegates to the Democratic Party's presidential nominating convention in August.

Republican and a pro-war hawk, McCain, riding his own wave of momentum after sweeping the Republican primaries on Tuesday in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, fired back on Iraq, saying developments showed Democrats had been premature in demanding a withdrawal of U.S. forces. "They said that we would never succeed militarily, then we began to succeed militarily," McCain said in Washington. He is gaining momentum in the Republicans platform and is the most likely candidate for presidency.

Meanwhile Obama is surging ahead of Clinton to obtain the party ticket. Obama had 1,078 pledged delegates to Clinton's 969, and his campaign said it was unlikely the former first lady would be able to catch up. A candidate needs 2,025 to clinch the Democratic nomination. "We believe it's next to impossible for Senator Clinton to close that pledged delegate count," said David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager. "The only way she could do it is winning most of the rest of the contests by 25 to 30 points."

The former first lady shrugged off Tuesday's losses, saying Obama had been expected to win the contests and congratulating him on his victory. But she issued a challenge, saying: "Tell him to meet me in Texas. We're ready." She is still hopeful of emerging the ultimate winner of the Democratic nomination for presidency. Obama has already convinced himself of being the Democratic candidate. And there goes the musical chair primaries for the US presidency.