Deeda-i-Beena
The public pronouncements made thus far by the Chief Justice Iftikhar have emphasised two themes viz. Supremacy of the Constitution and, the Rule of Law. He has left his own restoration and that of the superior judiciary to his minions, Aitzaz and Nawaz to pursue. Together his two themes represent the foundation and the essence of any Democratic system.
What we have witnessed since the 18th February are the diktats of some individuals having no electoral credentials and not even the protective cover of an Oath under the Constitution. The media pundits and the so-called civil society are entranced in a deafening silence over this version of Democracy, either through some ulterior motives or sheer ignorance. Perhaps both.
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Owais Mughal
Following photo appeared in both Jang and Dawn of May 29, 2008. It shows residents of Baldia Town Karachi have resorted to harnessing Wind Energy to produce electricity. We’ve discussed Electricity shortage and alternate ways to produce electricity in Pakistan in several posts here. I am happy to see this indiginous effort on part of a middle-class community to control their own destiny where Government has failed to provide for them. Wind is usually in abundance in coastal areas of Pakistan. More communities may emulate this example.
Owais Mughal
Kalabagh Dam, which has been a dead project for all practical purposes, got a stir yesterday when Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf said that the project has now been shelved for ever.
On the same day, another interesting development happened about NWFP where it was decided to change the name of NWFP (North West Frontier Province) to ‘Pakhtunkhwa‘
1. Kalabagh Dam
For the past few decades, both of these issues have always created passions and exposed the fissures in Pakistani society. The politicians from three smaller provinces have been unanimous in hailing the decision on shelving Kalabagh dam for ever, whereas JI and PTI have been very vocal against the decision. Infact, the opposition from Punjab has been so great that later in the day, Minister had to change his words and he clarified that the project was ‘on hold’ and not totally discarded.
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