Political and Electoral Disconnect

Picture shows polling taking place in NA-246, Karachi on April 23, 2015, in the presence of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) ¹

That it is the Pakistan Rangers, requested to be deployed by the ECP for ‘maintaining peace during by-election in NA 246 (Karachi VIII)‘ ² who should demand for placing CCTV Cameras both inside and outside every polling station and installation of biometric verification system at every polling station in itself speaks volumes about the inability of the ECP to grasp and provide for stringent requirements of holding free and fair election in Pakistan.

In a stranger turn of events, the first demand was initially rejected by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, MPA, only to be accepted the next day, ³ while the ECP’s statement that it was ‘not technically equipped to introduce and handle biometric system during the NA-246 by-election‘, citing that ‘any such action taken in haste could bring the whole electoral process into question‘ ⁴ signified yet another embarrassment for the institution.

Since the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) had been given the responsibility of ‘maintaining peace during by-election‘ they had a right to suggest measures in pursuit of this end. Given the peculiarities of elections in Karachi and urban Sindh, and that biometric verification a longstanding demand, it was the responsibility of the ECP to take every measure possible to provide for a level-playing field for holding a free, fair and credible election. That it was not done but even the demand was rejected both by the Provincial Government of Sindh and the ECP was tantamount to undermining the very job that had been assigned to the Rangers.

An apparent disconnect was also observed between the Provincial Government of Sindh and the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) with regards to the ban on pillion riding in all districts of Karachi from April 21-23, 2015, for the by-election. Apparently, to rebuff the impression that the call had emanated from the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and to allay the apprehensions of the Chief Minister when he stated that he was ‘not at all consulted on banning pillion riding in Karachi‘ ⁵ , DG Rangers, Maj. Gen. Bilal Akbar on April 24, 2015 stated that the ban had been imposed by the Home Department of the Government of Sindh, not the Rangers. ⁶

This unfortunately signifies the lack of coordination between the civilian Government and the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh). The Rangers have been deployed in Karachi to undertake a task. If, however, the prevailing disconnect continues, it is likely to dilute not only the effectiveness of the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), but will also put a question mark behind the whole objective of the deployment. To improve this coordination, there is a need to immediately appoint a Provincial Home Minister, a portfolio that currently lies with the Chief Minister. Considering the grave security situation prevalent, it is nothing short of embarrassing that the post has been vacant all through out the current PPP tenure in Sindh.

In the light of on-going security operation in Karachi, DG Rangers, Maj. Gen. Bilal Akbar, has also made it a point to state that the Karachi Operation is not against any particular political party, emphasizing a much-needed above-the-board approach. ⁷

 
Updates on Military Courts: First batch of executions and the Stay Order by the Apex Court

Picture showing the Supreme Court of Pakistan ⁸

Contrary to the perception that the legality of the Military Courts was a done and dusted affair, a 17-member bench of the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the first batch of executions on April 16, 2015, ordered by the Military Courts. ⁹

Announcement of the first batch of executions came to light after a Press Release issued by the ISPR on April 02, 2015, which stated that the COAS had confirmed the death sentences of 6 ‘hardcore terrorists for heinous offences related to terrorism, men slaughtering, suicide bombing, abduction for ransom, colossal damage to life and property‘ ¹⁰ . However, a stay was placed, after the Supreme Court Bar Association filed a petition. ¹¹

Without commenting on the legality of Military Courts, a matter that is sub-judice, PILDAT believes that certain aspects of the petition filed are worthy of consideration. These primarily deal with apprehensions regarding a lack of transparency and doubts about the Military Courts’ ability to safeguard provision of basic rights, such as following the due process of law in the course of its proceedings. ¹²

PILDAT has already raised these concerns, heightened especially by the promulgation of Pakistan Army (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015, in its Monitor on Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan for February 2015. ¹³ The granting of the right of one appeal to any terrorist convicted by the Military Courts, in front the Supreme Court of Pakistan might allay these concerns. Also, considering that the 21st Constitutional Amendment has a sunset clause of two years, it is important to ask what has the Government done to enhance the capacity of the civilian justice system, inlcuding improving the prosecution and the investigation branches? Till now, little or no recommendations have been floated , amidst fears that the Government may revert back to the Parliament seeking an extension for Military Courts when the period lapses.

 
Pakistan-China Economic Corridor: Establishment of the Special Security Division

President Xi Jinping meeting with Pakistan’s Services Chiefs on April 20, 2015 ¹⁴

In order to provide security to Chinese workers, whose influx is expected following the recent Sino-Pak investment agreements, on April 21, 2015 the President of Pakistan, Mr. Mamnoon Hussain informed the Chinese President, Mr. Xi Jinping, of the formation of a Special Security Division.

According to a Press Release issued by the ISPR on April 21, 2015, ¹⁵ and various media sources, ¹⁶ the Division would include:

Both the visit of the Chinese President and the hefty Chinese investment in Pakistan have been hailed widely as a watershed moment in Sino-Pak relations.

PILDAT lauds and credits the coordinated efforts by the civil-military leadership to this end. Not only has the civilian Government pursued a focused policy to attract foreign investment, but the commitment shown by Pakistan’s Armed Forces in combating terrorism through Operation Zarb-e-Azb, hailed internationally, has paved the way for this landmark achievement. However, it may be examined by the Federal Ministry on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs whether creation of such a special unit requires a new legislation.

 
Mr. Jawad Zareef’s visit to the GHQ

The Foreign Minister of Iran calling Gen. Raheel Sharif at the GHQ on April 09, 2015 ¹⁷

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jawad Zareef’s visit to the GHQ to meet with the COAS on April 09, 2015 affirmed the latter’s growing international role, a regular feature for Pakistan’s civil-military relations, particularly since November 2014. ¹⁸

In what has become a pattern of sorts for visiting foreign dignitaries, Mr. Jawad Zareef held separate meetings with both the Prime Minister and the COAS during his visit.

PILDAT, while apprehensively noting this developing trend, recommends that apart from the presence of the Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs, or the Federal Minister for Defence during a foreign civilian dignitary’s interaction with the COAS, the practice of coordinated, rather than separate meetings should be established.

 
Alternate ‘Realities’ on Balochistan

Ms. Sabeen Mahmud, the Director of T2F who was murdered on April 24, 2015. ¹⁹

Balochistan made headlines once again in the month of April 2015 both in the context of the insurgency in Balochistan and the alleged role of the security agencies in muzzling what is being termed as curbing of the freedom of speech on Balochistan.

Consider for instance the case of cancellation of Seminar on Missing Persons organized at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The organisers of the seminar, the Humanities and Social Sciences Department of LUMS, have whispered, though not fully confirmed, that the seminar titled Unsilencing Balochistan to be held at the LUMS on April 9, was cancelled, ostensibly at the behest of officials of an Armed Forces’ intelligence agency. It was a part of a series titled Remapping Justice: On Human Rights in Pakistan, aiming to analyze Pakistan’s law and the human rights situation in the country. The panel, completely stark in its composition of only representing one side of the narrative on insurgency in Balochistan, a narrative which is not supported by Pakistan’s State, Federal Government and Security Agencies, consisted of Mama Qadeer, the Chairman of Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), as well as Ms. Farzana Baloch, General Secretary of VBMP; Mr. I. A. Rehman, Director Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP); Mr. Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, an academic and activist; Mr. M. M. Ali Talpur, a columnist; Mr. Sajjad Changezi, an activist associated with Alif Ailaan, and Mr. Rashid Rahman, Chief Editor of the Daily Times.

Horrifying in itself, the Turbat Massacre on April 11 which resulted in the killing of 20 non-Baloch labourers, with the responsibility claimed by the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), generated another controversy when the FC claim of killing of 13 militants belonging to the BLA involved in Turbat massacre were refuted by Mama Qadeer who claimed that 5 of the 13 suspects killed by the FC had been missing for the past few months.²⁰ Note here again that the narrative of the State Security apparatus commended the FC and civilian Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for improved law and order in Balochistan, along with warning ‘ foreign states, int (intelligence) agencies against trying to destabilize Pak (Pakistan) by supporting the terrorists in Bln (Balochistan).²¹

In another condemnable and unfortunate turn of events, the murder of Ms. Sabeen Mahmud, Director of The Second Floor (T2F) in Karachi, led to social media ablaze with blame to the security agencies for her murder. It was alleged that her voice was silenced as she was murdered in the context of organizing the talk Unsilencing Balochistan Take 2: In Conversation with Mama Qadeer, Farzana Baloch & Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur. Note again the divergence of narratives as the DG ISPR, condemning Ms. Mahmud’s murder, said that ‘Int (Intelligence) agencies been tasked 2 (to) render all possible assistance 2 (to) investigating agencies 4 (for) apprehension of perpetrators & bring them to justice‘ ²². Later developments in the murder case reportedly point to capture of the suspected killer who maintains that the murder was an act to discredit Pakistan’s security institutions to benefit Balochistan’s separatist movement. ²³

There can be more than what meets the eye on Balochistan. It is a classic case of the prevailing disconnect on civil-military relations. Neither the