Surviving Musharraf\'s Exit? Re: # 185
Why is every comment seen through the political partisan lens?
Is it not possible to have a rational discussion based on facts rather than biased by who you happen to like or support at any given time? The words "democracy" and "dictatorship" should not deter us from the facts. Elections in Pakistan are no guarantee that the resulting government would necessarily be democratic. We have seen popularly elected dictatorships in our own history and history of other nations.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Surviving Musharraf\'s Exit? Re: # 173
With tremendous economic growth in emerging economies like China, India and Pakistan, there is a global surge in demand for commodities including food, fuel and metals. In a globalized world, no country or economy is immune from the resulting hyperinflation. The nature of the problems we deal with now are very different from late 1990s. The old prescriptions need to be updated to take into account new realities. I am not particularly sanguine about Mr. Dar's leadership on economy, given that he left the country bankrupt and debt-laden. Pakistan's external debt exceeded its GDP in 1999. Musharraf and Aziz worked hard to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio to about 50% in the last few years and doubled the GDP at the same time. While Musharraf-Aziz admin did mistakes leading to our current crises of wheat and energy, we must acknowledge that a large part of the crises stem from the global hyperinflation that every country and region of the world is suffering from.

Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Surviving Musharraf\'s Exit? I have a feeling Pakistanis are going to start missing Musharraf even before he leaves, if the politicians in power do not start building and executing on a positive agenda. There are serious economic challenges stemming from global commodity inflation including basic food and energy prices. An anti-Musharraf agenda is not going to solve these fundamental issues.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

New US Strategy Needed in Afghanistan and Pakistan Re: # 214
I think there is dangerous escalation taking place from both the US and the Taleban and we are headed for a major regional war.
There are parallels here between the Afghan war and the war in Indochina which began in Vietnam but grew to engulf the entire region including Cambodia and Laos. In Indochina, the US became frustrated with the lack of progress against the Viet Cong and blamed the existence of Viet Cong sanctuaries in the neighboring countries. This was followed by the US invasion of both Laos and Cambodia, resulting in more than a million deaths in carpet bombing. A similar situation is developing here, if you substitute the Viet Cong by the Taleban. The growing US frustration against the Taleban is creating a dangerous situation with the US mounting more and more cross-border attacks into the tribal region of Pakistan.

In spite of their differences with the Bush policies in Iraq, the leading US presidential candidates seem to be in agreement with attacks on insurgent targets in Pakistan, paving the way for a possible "Gulf of Tonkin" type resolution in the US Congress. This situation makes it very likely that the war in Afghanistan will become a regional war outlasting several US administrations, just like the Indochina war did in the 1960s and the early 1970s. With the presence of three nuclear powers in this region, this time the regional war could be catastrophic for the entire region and the world. In such a situation, the US may not be able to escape like it did in Vietnam. The US policy makers would be well advised to tread with care as they contemplate their policies and actions to deal with the Afghan insurgency.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

New US Strategy Needed in Afghanistan and Pakistan I see parallels between the Afghan war and the war in Indochina which began in Vietnam but grew to engulf the entire region including Cambodia and Laos. In Indochina, the US became frustrated with the lack of progress against the Viet Cong and blamed the existence of Viet Cong sanctuaries in the neighboring countries. This was followed by the US invasion of both Laos and Cambodia, resulting in more than a million deaths in carpet bombings that followed. A similar situation is developing in Afghanistan, if you substitute the Viet Cong by the Taleban. The growing US frustration against the Taleban is creating a dangerous escalation with the US mounting more and more cross-border attacks into the tribal region of Pakistan.
Please see my blog for more on this: http://www.riazhaq.com/2008/03/afghan-war-is-it-dangerously-escalating.html
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

The Deoband Declaration on Terrorism: Why Now? I think there has always been a divergence of views between Debandis in India and Deobandi-offshoots in Pakistan. I remember in 2001 prior to 911, when the leader of Indian Deoband Maulana Marghoob visited Pakistan for a Deobandi conference, he openly criticized the Taleban for destroying Buddha carvings in Bamian. This criticism was not welcomed by Maulana Fazlur Rahmman of JUI in Pakistan. The Indian Muslims at the time were cognizant of the fact that they could not criticize the destruction of Babri Masjid while at the same time turn a blind eye to the destruction of Buddha statues. Don't forget that Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani of Deoband and the pre-independence JUI-Hind were supporters of a united India and collaborated with Congress rather than the Muslim League. The Muslim League was mainly supported by secular Muslims in its quest for Pakistan. About the only notable Maulana that openly supported Pakistan Muslim League was Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani who became the leader of JUI-Pakistan. He was clearly a small minority among the Indian ulema. The Indian ulema have always been pro-united India and continue to believe in peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims as taught by Islam.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Pakistan: The War of Drones Re: # 120

While I concede the point you make, please do not find comfort in "I told you so." What is happening in Pakistan poses a serious threat to the entire region and the world. An unstable Pakistan is not good for India and its other neighbors.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Pakistan: The War of Drones A very well written piece by Pervez describing the situation with suicide bombings as it exists in Pakistan today. I couldn't agree with it more. The real question is how do you stop this self-destruction of a nation that has serious consequences for the entire world and force a course reversal? If the great majority of Pakistanis including the apologists for the bombers truly condemn the actions of the few, would it be sufficient? These bombings have spawned a new culture with its roots in the Afghan resistance of the Soviet Union in 80s backed by US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. This culture has developed in two decades in Pakistan's tribal belt and gained strength more recently. There are many culprits, Pakistanis of all stripes are culpable to varying degrees. But so are many others. In my humble view, there are no quick fixes. We (Pakistanis backed by Americans, Saudis, the Europeans etc.) must start by addressing what Pervez describes as the "enabling environment of poverty, deprivation, lack of justice, and extreme differences of wealth is perfect for demagogues". At the same time, we must continue to act against those who orchestrate these crimes in the name of Islam. If we do one without the other,the chances of success are zero. If we do both, we can entertain the hope of ending it in a decade or two. It's in the best interest of all to begin this effort quickly and earnestly.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa Agha on Pakistan Military I think Ms Agha is being too generous in her praise of the voters in Pakistan. By recycling the old, failed leadership of the PPP and PML(N), the voters have essentially punished Musharraf and his allies for the atta, security and electricity crises but also signaled a clear lack of better options to replace the current rulers. In a way, the US still comes out ahead because it was the US that sponsored the amnesty paving the way for the return of PPP's exiled leadership. Zardari owes it to the US to toe the US line, as was agreed by BB and articulated in her speeches prior to her unfortunate assassination. So, don't expect a fundamental change in Pakistan's posture toward the US. Nor would I expect any big changes in terms of better governance in Pakistan on the domestic front. I hope I am wrong but I am going by the known history of the expected new government....a third chance for both the PPP and the PML(N).
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Kashmir Liberated, Others Languish Kashmir Singh's story powerfully illustrates that the prison system in Pakistan (and perhaps India) is akin to a big black hole where people simply disappear. The lack of proper record-keeping takes a toll on the poor prisoners of all nationalities, ethnicities, religions etc and their loved ones. I'm glad to see people like Ansar Burney working to alleviate the situation.
Aside from the sad truth of lives destroyed, I am a little concerned about the admission by Kashmir Singh of his role as a spy would likely reinforce the hawks in Pakistan. I hope I am wrong on this. I think Pakistan (and India) need to address the issues by agreeing on the treatment of all prisoners, regardless of the nature and the veracity of charges.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

When the Will of the People Poses an \'Inconvenient\' Truth Re: # 9
Two hundred years ago, one of the US founding fathers Alexander Hamilton said, " The masses are asses". US democracy restricted voting rights to "white men owning property" for a long time. Blacks were held as slaves and women denied suffrage for a century. Even today, the US elections, legislation and policies are heavily influenced by corporate money and lobbyists. Neocons supported by the military-industrial complex have led us into a disastrous war that Nobel Laureate Joe Stiglitz describes as a "Three trillion dollar war". Let's see reality as it is.
Let's not get carried away by the hype of US democracy.
Let's hope Pakistan achieves a better system of democracy in a lot less than 200 years, a democracy that is responsive to the needs of its people and serves them well.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

When the Will of the People Poses an \'Inconvenient\' Truth While free, fair and peaceful elections by Musharraf in Pakistan are very welcome, I am a little leery of accepting this as a fundamental change in Pakistan. This vote is more a protest vote based on basic bread, security and electricity crises they were subjected to in the last few months as the polls showed Musharraf going from 60% favorable rating down to 15% within about a year. People have responded by recycling the old, failed, and thoroughly corrupt feudal politicians and given them a third chance hoping things will improve. If they fail in solving the basic problems of food and fuel and security (a tough challenge by any measure), I wouldn't be surprised to see the same voters yearning for and welcoming another coup with a new general as a strongman. Let's all hope I'm wrong but we have seen this film replayed several times in our 60 year history. Let's hope the PPP and the PML(N)leaders are returning to power as a duly chastised and reformed bunch.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Ralph Nader Joins 2008 Presidential Race It was interesting to see in the Ohio debate tonight how both Clinton and Obama were competing aggressively with each other to pander to the Israeli lobby in the US. I guess they were both trying hard to live up to the pandering charge by Nader.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Ralph Nader Joins 2008 Presidential Race Re: # 5

Gaging from the voter turn-out in the primaries, all indications are that the Democrats are far more energized than Republicans this year. Unless there's a real blunder by the Dems or a provocation by UBL, I think Democrats are headed for a land-slide in 2008.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Ralph Nader Joins 2008 Presidential Race Re: # 2
Israel has nothing to fear regardless of who gets elected as US president. There will be no fundamental shift in total support for Israel, given the composition of the two main parties and the US Congress and the US political system. The hope is that the next president will be more proactive and more competent than Bush in bringing Palestinians and Israelis together to work out a deal that's in the best of the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Ralph Nader Joins 2008 Presidential Race The latest issue of Newsweek has a story titled "Good for the Jews?" that raises questions about Obama's support of Israel. Danny Ayalon, Israel's former Ambassador to US, says Iran would exploit Obama's gullibility and race ahead with its nuclear program. Hilary is using this argument against Obama to peel away Obama's Jewish supporters.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide