Middle Class Remains Deprived of the Right to Contest Elections
On April 05, LFP Islamabad Chapter organized seminar on Is Pakistan an electoral Democracy? at Islamabad Hotel.
There is a need to introduce fair and extensive reforms for reducing expenses during electoral process to ensure active participation of people from every segment of society. These view were expressed by speakers at a seminar on Electoral Democracy. Speaking on the occasion, Senator Haji Adeel said the polling booths should be set up at a walking distance from the voters’ residence as being practiced in other countries. There should be joint polling booths for both male and female voters with separate polling rooms so that the whole family could easily cast vote at one place. As a result people from middle class remain deprived of the right of contesting elections, he added. He also asked for imposing ban on providing transport for voters on the polling day as this practice could help reduce expenses of the candidates to a large extend. Despite establishing separate camps by each candidate in front of every polling station, there should be only one camp in which one representative of every political party could guide voters, he added.
The seminar was organized by LFP to highlight international criteria for electoral democracy and exploring related areas for development in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, former secretary election commission, Mr Kanwar Dilshad said that except 1988, voter turn-out has remained between 30 to 38 percent in different elections. He said that election commission has forwarded its recommendations to the government for improving electoral process which included that all the bills of election expenditure should be paid through bank draft or checks so that the whole transaction would be on record and transparent. He said that election commission has also suggested that the code of conduct should be part of election laws. He noted that the election commission has also recommended that article 63-A of the Constitution should be made compulsory for the candidates for the position of President of Pakistan. He further said that election commission has also asked that a bankrupt person should not be eligible to contest elections and the procedure of reserve seats for women should be reviewed.
Sharing his views, Dr. Israr Shah, an activist of PPP and who currently is not on good terms with the government said that drastic political reforms are required to improve the electoral system in the country. He said that talented people from all walks of life especially middle class should be encouraged to join politics. He also called for ensuring democratic norms within the political parities which would result in overall change in the society.
Spokesman PML (N) Mr Sadiqal Farooq said that absence of continuity of democratic system in the country is the root-cause of all the evils in the society. He was of the view that superior judiciary is working independently in the country which would bring about a positive change but these steps are required to strengthen institutions in the country.
Chairman LFP Mr Anees Jillani presented welcome address on the occasion.
Islam has Secular Attributes as both Stand for Individual Freedom
On Feb 25,Islamabad Chapter held a seminar on Peace and Tolerance.
The speakers at the seminar included Mr Aamir Rana (director of. Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies); Prof. Mushtaq Victor (former minister for minorities); Allama Ayaz Hasmi (chairman National Peace Commission on Interfaith Harmony); Dr. Khalid Masood and Mr Anees Jillani.
Dr Masood said that many often describe secularism as anti-Islam and fail to recognize that attributes of Islam and secularism are similar as both stands for individual freedom.
Mr Aamir Rana briefed that there cannot be peace amongst the nations without peace among the religions; and there cannot be peace among the religions without dialogue amongst the religions.
Prof. Mushtaq Victor said that advocacy seminars on interfaith should include all classes of society and not just the rational-minded people. He was of the view that despite worsening condition of Pakistan, the issue of interfaith harmony is not receiving enough attention and its due share in the national debate.
Mr Jillani in his speech said that LFP stands for individual freedom and that can only be achieved if everyone is tolerant in society.
Allama Ayaz Hasmi said that tolerance in Islam towards other religions is rooted in the Holy Quran and denied that Islam has spread by force.
Seminar ended with a question and answer session. The seminar was conducted by Ms Farhat Akram.
Rule of Law & Progressive Pakistan
The Islamabad chapter organized a seminar on “Rule of Law & Progressive Pakistan” on June 18, 2010.
Mr. Mushahid Hussain Syed, Secretary General PML (Q), Former senator Ms. Sadia Khaqan Abbasi Advocate, Dr. Nadeem Ahsan MNA of MQM and Mr. Anees Jillani spoke at the seminar. The seminar proved to be lively and was followed by an intense and lively question and answer session.
Mr. Nadeem Ahsan was of the view that rule of law is a must for Pakistan as it was the answer to all ills of the society. "We think that feudalism is the biggest hurdle in the way of rule of law. There is a privileged class which is only two percent of the society but they are depriving the 98 percent population," he said. The MQM leader said due to this exploitation, people were compelled to commit collective suicides which were a stigma for the government as well as the people at large.
Ms Sadia Abbasi was of the view that rule of law is linked with progressive Pakistan, both are necessary and compliment each other. She said that lawyers and judges must perform their duties according to the Constitution and they are the ones who can better implement Quaid’s vision of rule of law, taking Pakistan on a progressive path.
Mr. Jillani said only those nations succeed which observe rule of law in all spheres of life.
Mr. Mushahid Syed said today, the time is ripe for the nation to go for a new security agenda. Armed forces are busy in their professional assignments. Now, the political leadership should come up with their vision on national security,”
He said civilian leaders had taken major security decisions and they could again contribute to national security "History tells us that the major decision of national security was taken by a politician, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and he tasked three civilians including Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Agha Shahi to look after the project," he said.
The PML leader added that it was again a civilian, the then PM Nawaz Sharif, who decided to go for nuclear tests on May 28, 1998.
He disagreed with the notion of “strong centre can ensure strong Pakistan”, saying that more autonomous and strong provinces could ensure a vibrant and strong Federation.
He said the nation was resilient and more cognizant of the situation and the political leadership should take this new reality into account. "Things have changed a lot in Pakistan over the years. Today a vibrant and agile media is making the nation cognizant of its rights and happenings while pressure groups, including civil society and NGOs are also playing their part. This revolution is irreversible," he added.
Seminar was followed by a question and answer session; and ended with Mr Asif Noor thanking all.
Liberalism Worldwide- A Historical Overview
LFP, Islamabad Chapter has organized a Liberal Club meeting on “Liberalism Worldwide- A Historical Overview” at University of Lahore, Islamabad dated May 28, 2010. Mr. Zia Banda gave a presentation on the subject and briefed on historical view of liberalism, defined liberalism and analysis of liberalism at regional levels and how liberals lost their way.
Mr. Zia while explaining the Liberalism historical view; he said that the world liberalism originates from the Latin word “Liber” meaning “Free”. He added that it is a modern phenomenon and started off in the late 17th century. It begins to take roots in the societies because of religious orthodoxy. While explaining the concept, and duties of liberals, Mr. Zia said that they are committed to build and safeguard free, fair and open societies, in which they seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, and equality, and in which no-one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. He said that common principles of liberalism are human rights, free & fair elections, democracy, social justice, tolerance, free market of economy and these values are necessary to build the society on solid grounds for development and prosperity.
Mr. Bandy while explaining the liberal values said that liberals have to fight the collectivist & market riggers by supporting multiple centers of power. Liberal ideas have the tenacity & strength to offer optimal solutions. He was of the view that Islam and liberal values are complimentary and Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and it promotes the liberal values through out history since its inception. He also said that economic liberalization is vital however liberals must not keep their eyes shut off from the suffering of the humanity.
It was informed that World Federation of Liberal Political Parties was founded in 1947 and there are 47 full members while 27 are observers. Liberal political parties are much weaker in Asia and most Liberal Parties doesn’t use the word liberal. In Africa liberalism a relatively new current while in Europe was the epicenter of liberalism as political current & intellectual tradition. In American continent has remained a mixed current, strong in U.S, moderate in Canada and flexible in Latin America. It was explained that liberals in the current situation had lost their ways and it happened because of political polarization rose with mass participation realigning positions on left & right; hence squeezing space for liberals. Though liberal ideas sustained the modern state & economy; it didn’t get the credit for the boom only blame for the bust but they were also unable to carve a niche that can attract mass voters. While concluding, Mr. Zia Bandy was of the view that Liberals of today and tomorrow needs to develop understanding and motivation for projecting the liberal values and traditions.
Ms.Farhat Akram said the nature of the society is very much important in spreading the ideology. The more conducive the society is the more liberal traditions disseminate amongst the masses. Mr. Zia added that society one the whole is responsible for the ills and good wills for it. Mr Asif Noor, Board Member, Federal Capital Territory, was of the view that we need to reinterpret the Islamic traditions according to our time. Miss Shaista Kiran said that we need to develop the understanding and we must not let ourselves exploited in the hands of political parties that promotes and harbors the traditions and values away from the liberal ones. One of the participants Mr Rizwan Rauf Malik said that the moment we closed the door of ijtihad, we have lost our ways and objectives. Mr. Zia added that we need to look towards future for making Pakistan a progressive and prosperous civil society.
Lecturer followed by the question and answer session.
Democratic Practices within Political Parties of Pakistan
Seminar on ‘Democratic Practices within Political Parties of Pakistan’ arranged by Liberal Forum Pakistan (LFP), Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi of MQM said on Wednesday that 19th Amendment should be tabled. He added that in the 18th Amendment, elections within the party were abolished on which MQM had a clear stance and had also submitted a dissenting note. It was only to stop workers, lower and middle class persons to come up, Tahir said.“18th Amendment has also empowered party presidents as now they can sack any representative of the party. The tool is to suppress the party members and now it would be very difficult for members or legislators especially for those sitting on the treasury benches to speak on public issues,” Mashhadi said. He said there was no doubt that the democracy now existed in Pakistan but it was a controlled democracy and every one used it for one’s own purpose. Police, politicians and bureaucracy mostly support land mafia and Smugglers, he added.
Talking about the democracy in the party, he said the representatives of MQM came from the general public and were not landlords and elites. “We have a proper system, and following that system or the process the workers come up and contest elections,” Mashhadi said. He said after the efforts of four or five years now MQM existed in Punjab with the same system, however it was not obvious to the people as its representatives were from common people.
“MQM concentrates on local body elections as according to our study, people do not vote for the freedom of judiciary or for the passage of 18th Amendment. They vote for the solutions of their problems,” Senator Mashhadi said.
Legislator from PML-Q (Like-minded) Kashmala Tariq, however, alleged that the some clauses of the 18th Amendment were settled after a secret deal as 63(A) was a demand of PML-Q and PPP supported it, 17(4) was PPP’s demand while PML-N was demanding third time premiership. Terming 18th Amendment a flawed one, Kashmala said that 19th Amendment should be passed unanimously. She said that the new provinces should be formed for good governance and financial autonomy. “The provinces should have a right to generate income through their resources while budget should equally be distributed,” she added. Zafar Ali Shah of PML-N, however, said the leaders who spoke about democracy in the country did not practice it within the party.
He said the workers were the real representatives of the political parties who fought dictators for democracy.
Talking about 18th Amendment, he said that Parliament was a legislative body and could not amend a bundle of clauses existed in the Constitution. He added that only the constituent body could amend as many clauses as were amended through 18th Amendment.
Israr Shah of PPP was of the view that the political parties should have to bring discipline, tolerance and democracy in the party. He recalled that there was a time when the leadership sat in open kutcheries and the workers were used to criticise them but now who criticised the leaders was supposed to be an enemy.
He added that he was a member of Central Executive Committee of PPP but was suspended because he criticized on the party decision. Criticizing 30 percent quota for women in Parliament, he was of the view that there should be a quota for labours and special persons in the Parliament.
Speaking on the occasion, Ch Manzoor Hussain of PPP said that every party had its manifesto but no party had its own constitution, which should be followed in every policy of the party.
Liberalism
Islamabad chapter has conducted a Liberal Club meeting on the subject “Liberalism” dated March 27 at Civil Junction at 4:00 PM. Chairperson Mr. Anees Jillani delivered a lecture on liberalism.
Mr. Tauqeer Ahmed (Information Secretary) welcomes all the members and performed the duties of stage secretary.
After introduction of members and their views about liberalism Mr. Anees Jillani said Liberalism is based on two values - Individual freedom with social responsibility, thus it should easy to understand and to become the basis of any society.
He further said liberalism beliefs in the individual liberty and equality of opportunity. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but we, the liberals support such fundamental ideas as constitutions, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights, secularism, and the free market of economy. Liberalism encompasses several intellectual trends and traditions, but the dominant variants are classical liberalism, which became popular in the 18th century, and social liberalism, which became popular in the 20th century.
Liberalism is not a phenomenon that belongs to one specific social group or one specific culture. In the same way liberalism doesn’t describe the freedom of specific individuals; individual freedom is interlinked with human being existence.
Individual freedom however cannot exist without the social responsibility as one individual cannot exist without others, as liberalism covers the two aspects of human existence, liberalism is universal truth.
After lecturer a debate was generated in which most of the members actively participated.
After that members suggested to organize a seminar on 18th Amendment. Dated was decided April 24, 2010 at Islamabad Hotel. Mr. Ahmed Mujtaba Noor, Mr. Muhammad Anwar and Mr. Irfan Raza suggested speakers name; Haji Adeel Senator ANP, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal PML (N) Spokesperson. Mr. Raza Rabbani Chairman Constitutional Committee and Mr. Aitazaz Ahmed.
Target group & number of participants were selected by the members. Mr. Anwar took the responsibility to invite Mr. Raza Rabbani, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal and Haji Adeel while Mr. Ahmed Mujtaba Noor took the responsibility of Mr. Aitazaz Ahmed.
Chairman showed his consent on the same date with same speakers. In the end Mr. Ahmed Mujtaba Noor and Mr. Tauqeer Ahmed thanked to all the members and to the chairperson LFP for his time given to the Islamabad members & fruitful discussion.
Islamabad Chapter Elects New Office-Bearers
On March 5, LFP Islamabad chapter has convened a meeting of members to elect the office bearers for the year 2010 & a Board Member LFP. Ms. Liaba Yousaf was unanimously elected as the President, while Mr. Mujtaba Noor as the General Secretary and Mr Touqeer Ahmed as the Information Secretary.
The newly elected persons, spoke on the occasion, and discussed ways to more effectively organize the Chapter locally.
