Opinion Chinese takeaway

An editorial in the newspaper the next day welcomed the development: “There are a number of points which would suggest that the Chinese may be more profitable partners for us at Gwadar. Not the least of these is the vast tonnage of shipping that they could bring in,the oil and gas termini they could develop and the potential for infrastructure development that would follow along. We have already inked an agreement with the Chinese for a feasibility study of a rail link roughly parallel to the Karakoram Highway. It is no stretch of the imagination to see that link running from Kashgar to Gwadar in the next 10 to 15 years. They are already working with us in Gilgit-Baltistan on the upgrading of the Karakoram Highway to an all-weather highway,they are resilient people and able to work in the sometimes difficult environment we present.”

Electing Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf’s latest moves have certainly stirred up the country’s politics. Dawn reported on September 14: “Pervez Musharraf… joined hands with a private TV channel… to seek and then garner pledges of hundreds of millions of rupees for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected people… The people phoned in to the show to pledge donations for the Pervez Musharraf Foundation which,according to the former president,has already been registered in the UK… Musharraf told them he planned to return to Pakistan to take part in the next general election.”

Soon after,Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani reacted. Dawn reported: “(He) said if former Musharraf returns to the country he will be received by the chief justice because a lot of cases have been lodged against him.”

Daily Times carried an interview Musharraf gave to the BBC in which he said he was not scared of the legal cases against him. He insisted he had to try to lift Pakistan out of its “pathetic situation”. He admitted his popularity had waned but said it was still strong among the majority who do not vote. “Two hundred per cent I will participate in the next election. Standing for myself. Standing for a party that I’ll create,” Musharraf was quoted as saying. “I do intend creating a new party because I think the time has come in Pakistan when we need to introduce a new political culture: a culture which can take Pakistan forward on a correct democratic path,not on an artificial,make-believe democratic path… I haven’t decided whether I’m going to be president or anything,but however,winning first of all in the next election is the issue. I did very well for Pakistan,I know that. I can challenge anybody on any point… We did wonders for them in those seven years,which should be compared with the 50 years of the past… Legally,I am absolutely on a safe wicket… We will go and face the music,we’ll answer every allegation… I have fought wars,I have faced dangers and I’m a lucky man. I’ll try my luck again.” Musharraf is expected to launch a new political party on October 1.

Murder in London

The News on September 17 reported the assassination of senior MQM leader-in-exile,Dr Imran Farooq,in London. He was a founding member of the MQM along with its chief,Altaf Hussain. “When the news broke late Thursday night,streets in Karachi became deserted as people headed for their homes. Sources said on Thursday evening when Dr Farooq was climbing the stairs of his flat in Mill Hill,North London,an unknown person stabbed him twice… Following the confirmation of his death,all birthday celebrations of the MQM chief were cancelled.”

Tax the flood

Dawn carried an editorial (September 17) on the government proposal to levy a tax to raise funds to manage the aftermath of the floods,which is becoming politically contentious: “We have been hearing of the imposition of a one-time flood tax to raise money for the huge reconstruction job ahead ever since the first hamlet was destroyed by the recent floods and the first community displaced. Much time has elapsed since then but the government still appears clueless as to what tax should or can be levied and the modalities of such a tax.”