ISLOO SAGA: A Harsh Reminder ?

                                       ISLOO SAGA: A Harsh Reminder ??

We all witnessed a Drama unfolded in Islamabad, when an unknown man later recognised by the name of Sikander, drove in his Black Colour Corolla with his wife and two small kids, aged between 5-6 years. Parked his car in the middle of the road ( Blue Area ), got out with two guns one each in his hands, threatening of dare consequences who so ever come close to him. Some say Isloo came to a standstill but I humbly disagree it's our country who became hostage to this Drama, while  footage's of the crime scene were shown live to the whole Nation for almost 5 hours, Prime Time show are run on all Major TV Channels by well known, honourable Anchors, till we witnessed a bizarre heroic act by "Zumard Khan", an Ex PPP MNA ended the entertainment of the whole Nation. Let's dissect what we gained or lost as a Nation from this comic yet serious episode in the heart of Pakistan.

Now let me give you the harsh reminder, while this stupidity was going on in Islamabad and was shown live for 5-6 hours literally by every Private Media House, watched as entertainment by millions  while sitting in our Cosy Lounges, at the same time Pakistan was literally drowned in Floods from KPK to Sindh, India threatening us with dare consequences of War and continuous firing across LOC, No Body cared about much hyped Law and Order situation across Pakistan, how many Karachiates lost their life's in target killings?, Terrorism which has taken thousands of life's, On International front 500 plus Egyptian lost their lives protesting against Military Coup ..... all that we cared in those 5 hours was a Lunatic Sikander, using his two little children as hostage to shield himself and prolong the inevitable that was his arrest or killing by a police sniper .

Pakistani Media indulged in a "Rat Race" of ratings and believe me they are stretching it to nuisance limits, this ISLOO SAGA is a glaring example of that rat race, I always used to give them benefit of doubt when people use to criticise that this Breaking News race is causing psychiatric fits to the Nation, I used to build an argument that Media being very young needs this kind of sensationlization to attract viewers so they can stand on their feet, they wouldn't have to be dependent on Government Ads, hence dependency on Present Day Governments will compromise their neutrality. But this is going too far, live scenes of Isloo Incidence which had no significance at all if you ask me but the way Media projected it actually turned into some kind of National Disaster or should I say Security Lapse of highest order. Every word that Lunatic Sikander spoke, every negotiation he held with security agencies, every move that he made, the cigarette  he smoked, the Red Bull  he had,  was shown live on National TV. His ID card copy, his Father Interview, infect two channels had live Telephonic Conversation with him, put forward his Charter Of Demand. When finally Police Force tried to cordon off the area, Media Persons and Police Force had a brawl. This doesn't end here, even the after the incidence, Media kept us update about the Saga, showing interviews of Sikander's friend, Father, his recovery in hospital after bullet injuries etc. Running different kind of Polls whether "Zamurd Khan" act was a Bravery or Stupidity.

Prime Time Show by major anchors explaining the lope holes after Sikander incidence, Government and State failure to protect the life's of its citizens. Major debates held on different talk shows where is the Government, where is the Interior Minister, Pakistan has become a Banana Republic etc etc .

Second Culprit in Isloo Saga surely are the security agencies, a simple incidence let me say in civilised World, made to erupt into something gigantic. They should have simply cordon off the area from the out set, no civilian and Media person would have been allowed to come close to the vehicle or area of crime scene, specialised personal to negotiate with the culprit to wear him down, talk  to him , tire him out and finally trick him to separate his children from him, from there on, all that was required a bullet in leg. But ironically all this happens in "Civilised World Dare I Say". Our Police Force has become inept and corrupted to the core they need the Heroics of untrained Civilian which could have lead to another disaster, not trained enough to handle such incidences leave terrorism alone which I think is beyond their capacity and training as well.

Ch Nisar very rightly pointed it out that it was a security lapse on two front... 1) Not cordoning of the area timely. 2) allowing a Civilian "Zamurd Khan" risking his life by going close to crime scene. ( In Civilised World The Heroics Of Zamurd Khan is Considered a Crime and could have been arrested for Interfering In Security Forces Work ). Ch Nisar made the right call by ordering Security forces not to gun down the man in front of his children, more importantly live in front of millions of viewers, making it an "International Headline". Many blamed Ch Nisar that he was not present on crime scene, he was doing nothing while chaos was rampant in Isloo, I again repeat,Ch Nisar did the right thing by not going to the crime scene and interfering in security forces work, similarly  Nabil Gabool, Zamurd Khan, Media and General Public had no right to interfere in police work. Many were complaining that at least former Interior Minister Rehman Malik used to make himself available to Media when ever such an incidence happened in the past ??. I still remember his Media Appearance after Margala Hill Plane Crash, where he claimed after the crash that two passengers have been evacuated from the crash site ( Breaking News ), his famous statements regarding Karachi Target Killings where he claimed that girl friends are behind most of the Karachi Killings (Breaking News) ??. May be we as a Nation want "Hulla Gulla" ( Fun ) ??, Or we are not tuned to solid ground work, we always have been shown crap, alien to real work ??.

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The way forward, as Ch Nisar very rightly has taken the responsibility of the whole fiasco, loop holes in our Security Forces, promised dramatic change in coming months,  in his Press Talk earlier  has given the details of National Security policy.... But let me tell you it's not an easy task, it's a long and bumpy road ahead, lots of hard work, continuous effort is required to revamp crumbling Institution "Security Forces", most importantly billions and billions of rupees are required. Sometimes I feel it's unfair to compare Security Agencies of 225 billion Dollar Economy to Multi trillion dollar Western Economies !!!!.

Finally our Media needs serious reconsideration of it's priorities, an immediate "Code Of Conduct" need of the hour, a specialised training institution where the new recruits can learn before given active duties in field, Owners need to be held accountable as well, strict check and balances where the money is coming from, "Most importantly they themselves need to come forward with a strong and solid work ethics otherwise Government must intervene, establish an independent commission for Media Code Of Conduct. Every Media Anchor sitting in a cosy atmosphere with a mike and prime time at his disposal, thinks he has a right to  bare anyone. 

This type of incidence  happen almost every other day in America, even it happened last night, sometime they have to negotiate with the culprit for hours but no unconcerned man is allowed to come near him, this type of incidences can not be stopped. Our media thinks it is their sacred duty to present the culprit as a hero. Did our media had a word of praise for the security man who talked to the our deranged hero (I know that young man)?. I think our security agencies were doing the right thing to save man's wife and his children. This whole incidence has made us and our security agencies a laughing stalk in International Community, made us more vulnerable against terrorist attacks, because they know exactly what our Security Agencies capable off. ( Can't even fight in dark )

PPP And PTI: A Fight For Political Survival And Ascendancy

                           PPP And PTI: A Fight For Political Survival And Ascendancy

PMLN is off to a rollicking start in its election campaign 2013, Nawaz Sharif leading huge rallies across Pakistan, attracting humongous crowds, campaign gathering momentum and crowds are becoming larger and larger with each passing day. On the other hand Shahbaz Sharif also leading rallies across Punjab and attracting reasonable crowds, it looks, Imran Khan is the only man who is trying to compete PMLN in Punjab and KPK, attracting reasonable crowds but still not huge enough to threaten PMLN in Punjab and parts of KPK , his campaign is lacking   momentum rather he needs two or three big big rallies to really kick start his campaign and brighten his chances in GE2013. On the other hand the third party, PPP has almost vanished from Hazara to Sahiwal, even in Southern Punjab is relying on Bradri vote and missing  charismatic Leader like BB to help them out after horrendous five year of their rule.

Now let us find out what are the prospects of different parties in coming GE. A popular feeling in Social and Electronic Media is that it will be a hung Parliament and nobody will get a clear mandate. PPP supporters hoping against hope that PTI will be their saviour and make a crack in right wing vote bank and PPP will be be the net beneficiary of PTI and PMLN fight.

Recent Polls and International Press has clearly indicated that PMLN is the front runner by a long distance, whether its Gallup, Pildat, Fefma, Economist and recently Guardian also declared, PMLN as the front runner. If we look  closely into these Polls, PMLN going to get 110-115 NA seats, PPP 45-50, PTI 15-25, MQM 18-20 and rest of the seats will be shared between Independents and other small group's. On the other hand Economist is assuming PMLN will be getting 59% of the popular vote, meaning more than 150 seats.

There should be no illusion in any body's mind that from "Hazara to Sahiwal", it's two way fight between PTI and PMLN, that accounts for 114 NA seats and who so ever Win's this battle Royal, is going to form next Federal Government.  PPP is almost missing from the scene in these 114 seats battle, despite few terror threats in these areas, is not able to hold a single Jalsa till now, neither their ally Q League able to hold big rallies . We all should remember in cities where urban middle class lives, voting pattern is performance based, Zardari Regime has played havoc in this regard for last five year's.  Secondly close to 35% of the voter's are below thirty, who haven't seen BB or ZAB,  have only witnessed Zardari Regime for last five years and it's horrendous aftermath to economy, not willing to vote PPP. Thirdly Leaderless PPP is not able to hold rallies or Jalsa's, hence gather a momentum of some sort as PMLN and PTI are doing, literally leaving PPP in lurch and out of the race on these 114 seats except few here and there if they get lucky.  PMLN is running the show from Hazara to Sahiwal with PTI threatening them on few seats but up till now, not able to gather enough pace to pose a  stiff challenge to PMLN. The picture really looking bleak as far as PPP is concerned, even their stalwart's like Tasneem Quershi NA 66, Firdous Ashiq Awan NA 111, Imtiaz Safdar Waraich NA 98, Nazar Gondal NA 109, Nadeem Afzal Gondal NA 64, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo  NA 146-147, Qamar Zaman Kaira NA 106 are feeling the heat and  striving for their political survival, as report's from thier area's are not very encouraging and stiff fight is expected on PPP safe seat's. Nawaz Sharif and  Shahbaz Sharif aggressive campaign and huge rallies are not helping them either, giving headaches and monumental task to retain their seats.  All the theories in air that PTI is going to cut PMLN or right wing vote would ultimately benefit PPP and hence ensure another term in office, are dieing a slow death, as  explained earlier, in cities where urban middle class lives, this right and left debate is almost done and dusted.

As soon as you enter Southern Punjab , it becomes a three horse race between PPP, PTI and PMLN. Here again four things matter's 1) Party Vote 2) Leadership 3) Bradri  4) Religious Vote. For the last five years PMLN has focused that area and has  invested a lot, in Medical Colleges, Universities, Dannish School's, roads, infrastructure, Hospital's etc has been able to increase their Party vote bank considerably  secondly have been able to lure big guns into their party,  as we speak PMLN  has got the  strongest candidates in Southern Punjab and bradri's have aligned themselves with them,  report's are suggesting it's getting tough for PPP to hold on to their fort. Similarly PTI lured many big names into their rank's and posing a stiff challenge to establish poll parties but thing going against PTI is that they are a very young party,  Imran Khan  wasn't able to make a people to people contact in last 15 years until recently he started focusing on that area, root's of PTI are not strong enough. PPP hopes of Yousaf Raza Gillani leading their campaign in Southern Punjab with a Separate Province slogan would materialise, until now whether he is not getting enough public support or Intra-Party rifts?, thing's are not very clear . But still Southern Punjab is a battle field and tough contests are expected in all District's but  PPP needs to pick up otherwise they will lose their much trumpeted card of Southern Punjab.

As we enter in Sindh , PPP is still very confident and hoping to get enough seat's as they did in previous GE or even improve the tally. But a strong alliance is emerging against PPP in Sindh and if they are able to field joint candidates, anything can happen in one on one fight. As there is no PTI in interior Sindh and PPP contesting it's first election without any towering leadership or  sympathy vote to bank on, it can be a tough battle for PPP , by this time it's PPP's election in Sindh.

 GE2013 is make or break for two parties " namely" PPP and PTI. PPP trying to save Bhutto's legacy and win enough seat's to be in the game and a force to reckon until Bilwal leads them to yet another glory. While PTI is striving to make a dent in major poll parties vote bank and find an honourable identity for themselves, so they can become a force and replace of PPP as the second biggest Poll party in Pakistan. As for PMLN it's their GE, if they lose, there no one to blame and they are looking to form the next Federal Government, seemingly with a clear cut  rather  than a spilt  mandate, contrary to a popular belief of a hung Parliament.