All posts by Raza Jaffri

Will there be peace?

Foreign Policy of Pakistan, War and Peace

By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn

AS the prospects of peace in South Asia become brighter, one waits with bated breath to see the outcome of the recent initiatives in the region. There have been so many false dawns that it is difficult not to feel sceptical.

Didn’t we see the promise of peace emanating from Tashkent in 1966, Simla in 1972, Lahore in 1999 and Agra in 2001, which all came to nought? Each time we were told in a burst of euphoria that it was to be different on that occasion, only to find ourselves back to square one before long.
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Donating more for charity

Economy, Education, Social Issues

By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn

ACCORDING to a rough estimate, approximately three billion rupees will be donated by the Pakistanis as Fitra on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy has calculated that five years ago a sum of Rs 70.5 billion was donated by the Pakistanis towards philanthropic causes. This figure must have grown since.
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How effective is the China card

Foreign Policy of Pakistan

By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn

THE euphoria generated by President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Beijing earlier this month has glossed over some hard realities of international politics in South Asia.

The visit was described as “outstanding” and a “success” by the two sides. There was a lot of talk about the “all weather relationship” and their ties being as “high as the mountains and as deep as the oceans”.
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Charity begins at home

Education, Terrorism and Violence

By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn

MERCIFULLY, the voices of sanity are now being raised in support of moderation and religious tolerance. Many high profile figures have vociferously expressed their views on the need for the renunciation of extremism and militancy in religion.

We have had the outgoing Malaysian prime minister, Mahathir Mohammad, the Saudi crown prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and president Pervez Musharraf speak out against extremism and militancy. This must have been reassuring for many — especially those who have fallen victim to the mindless obscurantism of the fanatics.
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Khakis’ inroad into civilian sector

Defence and Disarmament, Politics

By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn

THE dichotomy in Pakistan’s state and society is amply manifested in the takeover of civilian positions in the public sector by men in uniform. The militarization of civil society has emerged in the last two decades further widening the gulf between the haves and the have-nots.

True, this phenomenon has existed for a long time — after all, Ayub Khan, a serving military officer, became defence minister in Mohammed Ali Bogra’s cabinet in 1953. But what is significant today is the magnitude the problem has assumed. Previously, when a handful of retired military personnel would gain entry into the civilian sector it was regarded as an aberration. But times have changed.
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