View From The Domain

Today while praying the Jumma prayers at the local mosque at Islamabad, at the end of the congregation the Imam in the central prayers went political which is unusual for a mosque of such a posh neighbourhood i was saying my prayers at. The Imam simply blamed America for their involvement in Pakistan which is directly resulting in terrorist attacks by mercenaries like Pakistan's Kamra Airbase faced the day before. The Imam also prophesized that till the time the Americans won't disengage from our region, such attacks on the State of Pakistan won't seize. Now the strange part was the heads of almost all those almost a thousand mostly well educated and highly placed people present there nodding in agreement with the Imam. These people are the one who not only run the affairs of this nuclear armed country to some extent in their individual capacities but also their opinions carry weight in shaping the domestic and regional policies of this country.

The US global empire is fast loosing the battle for the hearts and minds of their domain like those at Pakistan in particular and rest of the Islamic world in general. They are at war in most of these countries with the hardliners with the help of the educated liberal lot. However, lately the same educated liberal lot are undergoing change of hearts due to the obvious US clandestine tactics to justify and enhance the use of force to acheive the end goals. The US global empire's managers continue to operate in text book vintage strategies insulting the intelligence of the the native observers of their client states. For instance one day the US Secretary of Defence Mr Penetta, a CIA cheif ex spook proclaims the nuclear assets of Pakistan could fall into the hands of the terrorists. Within short span of some hours at most a day highly trained and equipped mercenaries attack a Pakistani Airbase where Pakistanis are building their indigenous fighter Jets with the Chinese support. The attack completely fails to acheive any target with all nine highly trained mercenaries dead and one Pakistani Army soldier martyred however, within no time the Washington Post through their Islamabad based correspondant prints a story that nuclear assets present at Kamra Air Force Base were the target. What the .......... or what in the world the US embedded media and their bosses at Langely and Capital Hill are up to......?  Do they want the world to beleive that the Pakistanis are so naive to keep their nuclear assets at a base directly under terrorist threat as indicated by the Pakistani Intelligence a week earlier? besides the fact that there is no military need to keep any nuclear weapon at Kamra. Or it's the US desire to de nuclearize the Islamic republic, so strategically geo located between their newly found allies the Indians, Arabian Sea and the energy rich Central Asia.

Some prominent military and political analysts at Pakistan beleives and openly express their views about such incidents like the Kamra Air Base mercenaries terrorist attack as directly sponsored by the Indian American intelligence operatives working togather from the same basis at Afghanistan to soften up Pakistan before an all out assault. But such naive ventures they beleive will lead to only one logical conclusion, utter destruction and chaos of the entire region with Pakistan going for the nuclear option sooner than latter as their nuclear threshold dettoriates through the so called softening up by the Indians-Americans alliance. In their opinion it is also a discomforting fact for the consumption of the unholly Indo-American intelligence alliance that the Pakistani Nuclear assets are dispersed at sites across the country under fool proof security beyond the reach of their hired guns. In case of an eventuality, the Indians are sure to bite the dust before anyone else if Pakistan is assualted all out by a foreign invader like the US global empire or any of her cronies.

While the US global empire continously fails to realize the fact that it is they who are the reason for most of the militancy and terrorist activity directly or indirectly, Pakistanis casualties of this war on terror rise every day. With the rise in these casualty figure and the above stated American arrogance the Pakistanis are but forced to re think their beleifs and concepts effecting their motivation to fight a war they now mostly consider not their own. The Pakistan Armed Forces who are fighting this war and taking heavy toll for the same on daily basis are if, isolated without the native public support which is happening right now will be no longer able to pursue these operations at their western front. Sooner or latter if the US global empire does not make a drastic change in their current policies in the region, even the remotely controlled leaders of their domain won't be able to contain a situation where the Pakistanis will entirely stop beleiving in this cause. This might trigger a domino effect ......................................... 

Effects of Sino-Pak Relations On Global Power Dynamics- What Holds The Future

This is my fourth and final article in the series about the subject in which I intend to analyse in my humble opinion the future of this dynamic bilateral relation between the Peoples Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the effect this relatioship bears over the regoinal and global geopolitical contours. Earlier we discussed the vibrant history, forced and voluntary anology and the happening proceedings of this diverse relationship in detail. Although no one individual can present a prophesy about what holds the future for China in particular and the Sino-Pak relation in general but the signs are there for everyone to read and analyse painting a picture of what is the most likely outcome of the complete scenario. Let us first discuss these open and hidden signs before we present any prognosis. The signs or observations essentially effecting any future outcome evident and obscure under the curtain are as appended below:-

> The Chinese although are a regoinal military and global economic power house but in no way matches the conventional military might of the sole super power they intend to compete. This difference needs atlest five decades to be bridged but by than the US Global Empire might have further advanced in these feilds. It's a tough race for the Chinese least to say and interstingly enough, they know it clearly where they stand. Considering this fact the US global enterprise is a tough nut to crack when they have decided to forestall the Chinese designs for a superpower status. Same goes for the Chinese desire to seek energy corridor from the middle east through Pakistan. The Chinese persistance is but a question of credibility it seems for which they have to remain engaged with their Pakistanis partners hence the projects they are in to already will be sustained by them with a perespective towards the distant future.

> The Sino-Pak relatioship is born out of necessasity and by far the most, the Chinese have the profitable edge so far when it comes to benefitting out of joint ventures like the Sandak copper project at Baluchistan or the magnaminius defence contracts the Chinese have with Pakistan. On the other hand the US is funding the Pakistani military machine and the government since decades with billions of dollars buying influence in the Pakistani power houses and soceity which is a far off goal for the Chinese administration owing to prevalent language, cultural and religious barriers between both the countries to begin with culminating on the huge budget difference between the USAID and the Chinese financial assistance towards Pakistan.

> The Chinese administration's inability or the lack of the same due to their communist manifest to understand and appeal the religious foundations of Pakistan is a divide deeper as much as the proclaimed friendship of both the countries. Serious Chinese efforts to understand and bridge this great divide is lacking at the moment it seems. On the other hand The US think tanks and operatives on ground are wise enough even here to portray and capatilize upon the religious freedom they offer to the Muslims living at the US homeland and the monolithic religoin appeal which binds the Christians and the Muslims in a bond togather. Irresepective of the post 9/11 Muslim hatred and at times sheer persecution of the Muslims by the US and allied nationals the US administration successfully highlighted the positives hiding the negatives in the Global War on Terror which followed the tragic incident.

> The Pakistani government is essentially under the US influences and only can divert towards the Chinese shores with limited latitude. The Chinese global economic might is directly propotional to the fiscal well being of the USA's economic health in which the the former is one of the biggest stake holder. 

> The Chinese geopolitical position in the Asia is very sound indeed but it's power potentials yet have limitations to flex their muscles to the max keeping the US influences in the regoin. The geopolitical alliances like the SCO are a step towards the evident Chinese future designs but there potential will take decades to bloom to it's desired optimum level. The observer status which Pakistan holds on the specific forum ( SCO ) is countered by the Indian presence there.


These signs discussed above provides a certain basis for the predictions at best for what holds the future for the Sino-Pak relations and it's effects on the global power dynamics. The key points in this regard are as described below:-

> The Chinese will refrain from openly confronting the US strategy in South Asia for at least four to five decades to come. This will include opening any new military base at Pakistan or any strategic project. However the ongoing Sino-Pak military, technological, economic, cultural and associated relationship will continue growing owing to the vibrant history and physical attached boundaries between both the countries.

> The Sino-Pak partnership in opposition to the Indo-US alliance will grow even further and tit for tat attitudes will prevail due to the inherent Pakistani animosity towards the Indians and the Chinese regoinal hegimomic designs which directly confronts with the same designs of the Indians. The trade ties between India-Pakistan and China will however flourish and provide a respite in the nuclear loaded regoin of the world.

> The Sino-Pak relations will continue to grow however, with inherent limitations till the time the Chinese decide to ultimately flux their muscles in four to five decades time. At such a moment this bilateral partnership will be the most valuable and profitable investment by the Pakistanis ever since their inception six decades ago.

> The energy corridor as envisaged by the Pakistanis from their land uptill China may not materialize owing to the harsh terrain conditions but the Chinese will establish their strong foreign military presence at Pakistan to secure their interests in the middle eastern and south and south east asian regoins. Most likely deployment areas would be the Arabian Sea shores of Pakistan.

> The Chinese influence on the Pakistani power dynamics will grow further in decades to come with the US confronting each and every Chinese move here to retain the critical access to the energy rich central asian republics (CARs) corridor accessible most easily through Pakistan. Pakistan in the meantime will remain subserviant to the power politics of Both China and the US benefitting and paying the price of the clandestine activities related to such power struggles at the same time. The regoin will see futher turmoil mostly and less of peace and normal law and order situation in particular for the Afghanistan-Pakistan-CARs regoin.

> The Sino-Pak relationship will play a pivotal part in shaping the future power dynamics of Asian regoin in particular while resultantly effecting the global scenario in gereral in times to come. It may take as stated four to five decades but it is an "assesment of a novice" please do note who beleives in divine interventions..................................................................     

Story Of An American Dream

Ali could not beleive his luck, rather he was dumbstruck while the huge black guy shoving his shiny 9mm Beretta 92FS against his face asking for cash on him stood in the dark of the night getting impatient by the second. It was a dramatic and most undesired end to an enchanting evening he had spent with her class mate Laila, a MBA student like him at the American University from Lebonan and this encounter was taking place at none other location  but the American University Park at Washington DC. Laila was equally shocked by this aggression but seemed under control. God knows what sparked the mind of Ali, frustation of not having any cash on him or the need to prove his guts to his girlfriend when Ali suddenly picked up a midsize stone at his footstep out of a rockery and hit it directly at the black guy. His target caught the black guy right in the face only after he had he had pulled the trigger of his 9mm. The bullet hit Ali in the chest and he fell while Laila could not control her hysterical scream witnessing the scene. The black guy just ran out towards the darkness. Laila called 911 and tried helping poor Ali, who was evidently having trouble breathing while he went unconcious.

The ambulance reached the sibley memorial hospital within no time. The Emergency staff at the hospital took over from there and started an all out effort to recover Ali who's right lung had been punctured by the bullet. His condition was highly critical. The doctors started the procedure upon Ali. It could be either ways from here for Ali considering the nature of the injury. He was hanging in there till than.

United States of America is the leader of the world with the strongest military, freedom and quality of life people from around the world dream of having. The lifestyle of Americans is the dream millions of humans around the globe want to live. The "American Dream" is not merely a slogan but an obsession for countless around the globe. The facade of this dream however shows the rossy picture or is deliberately seen as such by the aspirants of living this dream.  It is most true that USA is a land of opportunity irrespective of race and creed unlike any other place in the world with success stories in huge abundance for the native people of the those setllers who did succeed and have beaten the odds living the American dream. Their stories are truely inspiring and proves the merits of struggle and knowledge in the land of level playing feild with equal opportunities they call America. It is the sole current superpower of the world. The rise of the gaint known as the USA is based upon embracing multicultures and races who participated in her growth at each step. However with the  diverse power and population also came associated problems. The USA, few know is the country also with the highest crime rate in the world. Almost double that to the next on the list, which is surprisingly UK. There seems to be an intimate connection between, muticulturism, economic growth and crime rate if we study the top ten countries in the crime rate index around the globe being USA, UK, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, South Africa, Cananda, Italy and India. Well these are however a risk and price most willing to live the American dream agree to take and pay, so did Ali. So the crowds of American Dream's inspired aspirants grow by the day till todate ready to take their chances. But when the dream shatters after hard hitting the realities for those who are not skilled and sharp enough, they turn towards making easy cum illegal money for a living ultimately ending up in the jails or hell only after shooting further the ridiculously high crime rate of the US. 



Ali belonged to a middle class Pakistani family living in the city of Lahore. His father is a retired government servant living in Johar Town, a newly built housing soceity of the city. It took almost all the life savings of Ali's father to make the house they now live in. Ali's siblings include two younger sisters and an elder brother who is doing post graduation at the Punjab University, aspiring to join the civillian superior services of Pakistan, a dream for any Pakistani youth for the power and status it is attached with the job. Ali was a top student at his high school known as intermediate college at Pakistan. He is a typical youth of urbanized educated class of Pakistan. He was an ardent lover of Hollywood movies, a habit he picked up from his father. U2, the American rock band is his favourite music while his elder brother prefers Brayn Adams like their father besides the classic American pop. His father was more than willing and happy to send Ali for studies at the USA which he could only manage after selling his ancestral village land, his last real estate possesion beside the house they lived in. The reason Ali's father went to the last extent to ensure Ali's admission and study at the USA is the dream every educated man sees for himself if not, than for his children to have a western education and if possible a permenant job there with the residency. The phenemenon is fuelled and supported by the American dream which is at the heart of majority of Pakistanis like that of peaple around the developing world and the middle east. Due credit is certain for the US global empire for keeping the dream alive at times as such through both propoganda but mostly by real time quality efforts for a life worth living at their homeland.

It was almost noon when Ali's father received the call from the New York. It was Najeeb, Ali's roommate at the American University of the Washington calling to break the news. Ali he told could not survive the shooting which was also a news for his father. While he was narrating the details, Ali's father collapsed on the sofa beside the phone and could not beleive what he was being told. The cry of anguish from the father's throat is what caught the attention the Ali's elder brother. He rushed towards his father who handed him the phone. The devastating news also blew his heart apart.

The dead body of Ali arrived the next week at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. Ali was burried under earth by the father who cherished his life and wanted to live the dream he shared by and through his son Ali , an "American Dream".

Democracy In The Developing World

In modern world the name of democracy,it's virtues as adovocated and fought for by the iconic figure of Aung San Suu Kyi is an ideal we are led to beleive by the international media of the so called free world for the fight to freedom and democratic values. With much hype and all out support by the western democracies, the said lady is now in power at her home country, Myanmar. A dream come true it was for democracy advocates arond the world with the rise to power of Aung San Suu Kyi. Yet today, ironacally her government is allowing a mass genocide in their country based upon racism as witnessed by the entire world. Unfortunately, the international community cannot react appropriately to these massacres, due to obvious embarresments. The most galling of all is Aung San Suu Kyi, who received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, for her struggle against the junta rule, and has exhibited a hypocritical attitude toward this tyranny. She first tried to brush aside the matter, saying, “This is a very complicated and fuzzy matter.” But upon persistent questioning, she said, “Muslims may be given ‘permanent settler’ status, but they should not be accepted as citizens of Myanmar,” and the disgrace of her words are etched in history. This fact only proves the saying of "Edmund Burke" in most clear terms about democracy:

"In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority"

The western model of democracy is commendable when it comes to it's implementation in country states with high literacy rates having a sence of this system and it's functioning. However in countries with low literacy rates and poor economies, the democratic form of government is at most a proven faliure. In countries such as the third world states the democratic system of governance where implemented is being exploited to justify mass corruption, genocides and promotion of specific vested interests. The masses are the direct victoms of naked corruption eating the very roots of their existence in the name of democracy in these republics supported by the developed world under the notion of democracy. The illeterate populations of these states under the illusion of a democracy continues to live on and as a result being exploited day in and day out by their elected leaders who are mostly shameless and possess morals only suiting their illicit desires. These leaders are not only expendable but also easily corruptible and hence best suits the corporate empires of the global powers lead by the US global empire in their "quest for spreading democracy". This mockery of a system was best described by the graet philospher " George Bernanrd Shaw" when he says that:

"Democracy subsitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few"

Democracy is continously failing the peaple in the third world countries. The illeterate poor masses of the developing world gives way to their corrupt leaders to form governments by cheaply selling their votes in a fundamentaly flawed electoral process. These corrupt politicians after investing their illgotten money in the elections gets bussy in serving their own personal intersets and that of their paymasters. The result is what we see in the shape of everyday suffering of the peaple in one way or the other of such like facade of democracies in countries like, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh and their alikes. Infact in these countries the remotely foreign induced and backed democracies are an extension of the dictatorship which is worse if not better than the former form of governments there. It won't be to pessimistic an analysis to say that if these so called democracies continue to function, rather dysfunction in their current mode, the end result will be the retransformation of these states to absolute dictatorship once again. The signs are very much evident in the shape of the fascist attitudes of the third world leaders of the democracies where a time has to come when there will be nothing more left to plunder and the human tragedy that will follow will engulf the complete world in this era of globolization.

The solution to this fiasco is country specific and has to be tailor made for every regoin of the world where the dysfunctional democracies are operating. In this regard some of the essential suggestions are  enumerated as below :-
> Transperant and concious electoral processes. A tough ask in developing countries, but utmost important ingredient indeed. The UN has a role to play here in the conduct and educating the masses.
> Transperacy and accountability of the elected leaders at international standards must be ensured. Again easier said than done but most essential factor for any healthy democracy. Unfortunately the developing world countries lacks any such mechanism in true sence resulting in the fiasco their corrupt leaders have put their contries in to.
> Abolishing of safe heavens for the corrupt leaders of these countries in the western world where they hold huge bank accounts and properties with the looted money from their countries. An idealist thought in a scenario where such specific situations are used to exploit and earn concessions for their business houses and geopolitical goals from these corrupt leaders by the western governments. But if disastor has to be averted than the western governments must take this direly needed step for the sake of humanity.
> Democratic form of governments must be confirming to the cultural heritages and traditions of the specific country like those in Japan and Israel for instance.
> Literacy rate of these countries needs to be dramatically increased through formal and informal means

The debate over democracy as the basic form of government and it's virtues is going on for centuries now. But the critics against this form failed to provide any valid alternatives. Democracy itself is far from the perfect governance solution, however attached with it is a feeling of freedom and paticipation in ruling thy life for a commoner..................................