Progressive discourse

Source: The News International

LINK: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=205797

Friday, October 30, 2009

Harris Khalique

Now come off it, you Pakistani thinkers who seek pleasure in tracing the roots of all our present-day ills in the genesis of the state of Pakistan, the two-nation theory, the founding party being one man called Mohammad Ali Jinnah surrounded by pygmies vis-a-vis a robust political party with cadres of trained workers in the shape of Indian National Congress which held India together from day one. Nation-states cannot be created on the basis of religion alone. Agreed. There are as many Muslims in India or perhaps more than the population of Pakistan. Accepted. In 1971, the absurd geography Pakistan inherited and then the shabby treatment meted out to the Easterners by us culminated in putting the Muslim League's ideology of Pakistan to rest for good. Endorsed. It is important to have a sense of history, a sense of what went wrong when, a sense of failures and misdoings.

But there has to be a limit to historicising. It is like absolving ourselves of our responsibilities of today. Unfortunately, this is how many of our progressive thinkers and political workers continue to think. Ironically, they are the only ones who believe in the ideals of a socially just, prosperous, peaceful, educated and enlightened society, and understand that creating a modern and rational state is the only way for us to survive. If they do not play their due role, nobody will have to bomb us to the Stone Age. We are fast drifting backwards and our progressive thinkers have left the ground for the self-styled custodians of Pakistan – the stinking jingoists who are acting like the Pied Piper of Hamelin and luring our children and youth away to their wicked tunes.

The progressive thinkers and political workers of Pakistan have to come forward and act. They must not sit back, analyse in their drawing rooms or tea stalls and then leave it to the mood of those who are wide off the mark in their interpretation of history, who are narrow-minded and terribly prejudiced against all other faiths and peoples, those who are occupying our living rooms through televisions and our shop counters, office desks and dining tables with their news analysis and columns. They dominate the public discourse. Pakistan has to be saved from being ensnared by hate speech, conspiracy theories and myopia. The battle of ideas has to be won at any cost. It is more important in the long run than the battles to be fought to reclaim the institutions of the state or on the streets through ballot or direct political action. The people who have to be taken on are crystal-clear, articulate and eloquent in what they profess and preach. They misstate facts, misinterpret history, perpetuate feelings of hatred for others, whip up religious emotions and play upon baser instincts of the masses. They provide covert legitimacy to terrorism in the name of faith. Some of them do it visibly and for some, you just need to scratch the surface.

Pakistanis belonging to different national and linguistic groups, religions and sects, share a statehood at least if we haven't become a nation yet, a common political experience, a composite economy, a desire to be equal citizens in the eyes of the law and within the state of Pakistan. Pakistan is about these 170 million people. If the progressive thinkers do not give voice to the people and help them fight their battle, history will judge the progressives of today much more contemptuously than they are in the habit of judging others.

The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and rights campaigner. Email: harris@spopk.org

Pakistan’s Economy Grew by 2 percent in 2008-09: World Bank Economic Update‏

Source: http://go.worldbank.org/ZTVKU33FB0

 

Though Pakistan's economic activity slowed significantly due to reduced domestic and global demand, initial estimates suggest that the economy still grew by 2 percent in 2008-09, according to the World Bank's latest Pakistan Economic Update. The country's stabilization efforts since November 2008, together with a decline in international commodity prices, have succeeded in reducing external imbalances, rebuilding foreign exchange reserves, and lowering inflation. However, the macroeconomic situation remains fragile and the medium-term outlook uncertain. The report warns that failure to raise revenues going forward would further heighten Pakistan's vulnerability to shocks, and jeopardize country's development efforts by limiting resources available for planned investments in human and physical infrastructure.

Read Full Economic Update

Can Job Creation Help South Asia to Escape Global Economic Crisis?‏

Source: http://go.worldbank.org/7IMPF28550

In South Asia more than 150 million people are expected to enter the prime working age population over the next decade. According to a recent World Bank report, titled Accelerating Growth and Job Creation in South Asia, the key challenge is to create enough good jobs that will convert this large population into a productive asset.

Eliana A. Cardoso, the World Bank's Chief Economist for the South Asia Region, says the region's key asset is its people. "South Asia has a young population and the lowest female participation rate in the labor force. The demographic dividend will result in more workers entering the labor force in the future. Hence, the region must exploit the unparalleled advantage of demographic dividend that could structurally transform South Asia economically and socially."

Read more here

FW: Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 Requires Serious Revisions before it is passed by the Parliament

 

	Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 Requires Serious Revisions before it is passed by the Parliament: PILDAT Legislative Forum Islamabad, October 26: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 requires serious revisions before it is passed by the Parliament. This was the consensus that emerged out of a PILDAT Legislative Forum on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 that was held here today. The Forum included as its speakers Mr. Ejaz Khan, techno-legal expert and Partner Aqlaal Advocates, Mr. Tariq Khosa, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ms. Anusha Rehman Khan, MNA and Ms. Marvi Memon, MNA. Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Aasiya Riaz, PILDAT Joint Director, said that PILDAT organised the forum in order to generate public debate on this important piece of legislation before it is adopted by the National Assembly. Earlier, PILDAT had prepared and issued a legislative brief on the ordinance both in Urdu and English languages which was widely circulated to the Parliament, the news media and other stakeholders. The legislative brief has been part of PILDAT's Legislative Development Programme and its objective was to assist parliamentarians to understand the context, objective and issues relating to the ordinance and to enable them to participate in a more informed debate and take well-considered position on the subject. Presenting an overview of PILDAT's analysis, she said that despite the presentation of the report of ! the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on the Ordinance, there remain serious concerns that the offences outlined in the ordinance are vaguely defined, despite involving complex technological issues and carrying severe penalties. The offence of "cyber-terrorism," is very broadly defined and carries a potential death sentence. Concern has also been expressed as to the potential overlap of offences within the Ordinance itself and existing provisions contained in the PPC. She said that the PILDAT Legislative Brief, also circulated to the participants of the forum, recommends that the jurisdictional definitions of offences be amended to require a significant link to Pakistan. The offence of unauthorized interception should be amended so as to include a requirement of malicious intent and the reversed burden of proof in relation to sensitive electronic systems must be removed, etc. She thanked active support from Ms. Anusha Rehman, MNA and members of ! the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology for her support for background information on the ordinance and for organising the forum. Mr. Ejaz Khan, the techno-legal expert and Partner Aqlaal Advocates, presented an overview of the existing ordinance, its provisions and their shortcomings. He said that in the context of ever increasing cyber crime, regulation was required, however, he expressed grave concerns over the existing law in terms of civil liberties, business continuity and the norms of international best practice. Essentially he proposed a careful amendment of the Pakistan Penal Code, to ensure coverage of electronic offences in terms of existing crimes, rather than a specialist law, whilst highlighting the need for safeguards for civil liberties and fundamental rights. His main concern related to the discretionary application of normal criminal processes in cyber crimes cases, which can be dispensed with by the Federal Government. He also drew att! ention to the lack of any third party protections, right to privacy or confidentiality or redress for economic damage arising from data loss or hardware damage. He proposed the use of the Budapest Convention as a model for future amendment, legislation and protection in relation to cyber crime, alongside robust capacity building of specialist knowledge in terms of the FIA's specialist cyber crime cell. Mr. Tariq Khosa, Director General of the FIA, spoke from an enforcement perspective. He explained the existing Special Cyber Crime Branch of the FIA and its work. He strongly defended the need for a specialist agency to investigate and prosecute this technical area of criminal law. He asserted the political independence of the FIA and gave the forum an assurance that the branch applied the Criminal Procedure Code in all cases and that there was "no chance of playing with rights" by the FIA.  Ms. Anusha Rehman, MNA, explained to the forum the role of the Standing Committee, its work in reviewing the Ordinance and the content of its report to the National Assembly that was presented in the last session.  Ms. Anusha Rehman and Ms. Marvi Memon added a detailed dissent note on the committee's report tabled in the House. She indicated that, in some respects, her views differed from other members of the Standing Committee. She highlighted a number of major concerns with the existing Ordinance, most notably the overlap of offences with both the Pakistan Penal Code and Electronic Transactions Ordinance, and the resulting risk of multiple liability and punishment. She drew particular attention to the copy of the FIR of the Khanani and Kalia case that the Interior Minister Rehman Malik provided to her on the floor of th! e House in response to her specific question noting that the FIR carried reference to prosecution under three separate legislative provisions. She raised particular concern regarding the vague definitions adopted for offences of cyber terrorism, which, in some cases, can attract the death penalty. She made clear that in her view the law must provide protection for basic human rights and freedoms and protect against possible abuse in the future, rather than placing reliance on good practice by law enforcement agencies. She also highlighted the need for specialist expert input to the Standing Committee and Parliament, in order to ensure that Parliamentarians can adequately understand and tackle technical areas of legislation.  Finally, she highlighted the critical need for public debate on such an important issue before the National Assembly passes the law in its current form during the upcoming session in November 2009. Ms. Marvi Memon, MNA and also a member of the Standing Committee on Information Technology, made a strong plea for a public debate on the issue and cautioned that approval of the Ordinance in its current form would lead Pakistan towards "a police state." She described the Ordinance as a law bulldozed through Parliament and the Standing Committee and her view that efforts at presenting alternatives had been blocked by Government. She called for the business community, whose interests could be irreparably damaged, to enter the debate and expressed her view that the issue was now time-critical as the National Assembly could pass the law in its current form at any point once the National Assembly session starts on November 2, 2009.  She expressed disappointment at the lack of debate on this critical issue to-date and said tha! t if the civil society, particularly the Overseas Investors Chambers and the FPCCI, did not protect its interests by intervening now, it will be too late. Parliamentarians are doing their job but the stakeholders must also come forward and present their reservations now, she urged. She highlighted that a revised law has been proposed by them the text of which is available at her website: at http://marvimemon.wordpress.com/category/legislation-bills-introduced/ In the ensuing discussion at the forum, that mainly included representatives from the IT business community, telecom industry, media and Parliamentarians, a number of provisions of the law and its practical use were discussed. It was highlighted by the business community, through the anecdotal evidence of their experience, that even though the FIA Director General maintained the agency will never stoop to abusing basic rights, the law was applied indiscriminately by corrupt officials. It was highlighted that a badly drafted law can not be left to be implemented on the integrity of the implementing agency but the job of the Parliament was to ensure that no unspecific, duplicate or badly-drafted law should be passed that is liable to misuse at the stage of implementation. The industry deplores this Ordinance, many participants s! aid, terming the ordinance as an "atrociously drafted law." Mr. Khurram Dastgir, MNA noted that if the law violates basic human rights which are enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, these constitutional rights can not be left to be protected or abused on the discretion of implementers. The session ended with a call for further public debate and expressions of disappointment that the Interior and Information Technology Ministries and Standing Committees of both the Senate and the National Assembly which chose not to participate in the forum despite invitation. PILDAT Legislative Brief on The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 can be downloaded here.   _____________________________________ PILDAT will welcome feedback and comments at info@pildat.org  If you wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail at unsubscribe@pildat.org     Download Legislative Brief [PDF] Links: PILDAT Website PILDAT Events PILDAT Publications Feedback

 

Nobel prize 2009 for economics

FYI!

LINK: http://www.afp.com/afpcom/en/taglibrary/activity/enterprises

First woman win Nobel Economics Prize

Stockholm, Oct 13: Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win the Nobel Economics Prize on Monday for research seen as highly topical in the wake of the economic crisis and amid efforts to tackle climate change. Fellow US economist Oliver Williamson shared the 10-million-kronor ($1.42-million) prize with Ms Ostrom, whose name has circulated for years as a possible winner.

Ms Ostrom told Swedish television her first reaction was "great surprise and appreciation" and said she was "in shock" at being the first woman to clinch the honour.Ms Ostrom describes herself as a political scientist instead of an economist and is a professor at Indiana University, where she researches the management of common property or property under common control, such as natural resources.

Her work challenged the notion that common property is poorly managed and should be either regulated by central authorities or privatized, the jury said.

"If we want to halt the degradation of our natural environment and prevent a repetition of the many collapses of natural-resource stocks experienced in the past, we should learn from the successes and failures of common-property regimes," it said.

Mr Williamson, a professor at the University of California Berkeley, was honoured with the other half of the prize "for his analysis of economic governance, especially the boundaries of the firm."

He has studied the existence of large firms and argued that hierarchical organisations represent alternative governance structures which differ in their approaches to resolving conflicts of interest.

"According to Williamson's theory, large private corporations exist primarily because they are efficient.... When corporations fail to deliver efficiency gains, their existence will be called in question," the jury said.

Landis Gabel, a senior economics and management professor at top French business school INSEAD and who studied under Prof Williamson in the 1970s, said the choice of Prof Williamson and Ms Ostrom was 'timely'. -AFP

 

FW: The Unheard Truth - Poverty and Human Rights

FYI!

 

THE TRUTH At least 963 million people go to bed hungry every night 1 billion people live in slums One woman dies every minute in pregnancy and childbirth 2.5 billion people have no access to adequate sanitation services 20,000 children a day die as a result. 'The Unheard Truth: poverty and human rights' a new book by Amnesty International's Secretary General, Irene Khan, tells these truths and more. It shares with us the voices of those living in poverty and shows that human rights must be at the centre of our efforts to end poverty. As you’ve expressed an interest in the work of Amnesty International we wanted to share with you these insights from the book in advance of its launch on 15 October 2009. More human rights= less poverty Change the debate on poverty. Join the Demand Dignity Campaign. Speak out www.theunheardtruth.org www.demanddignity.amnesty.org

DESPITE ECONOMIC GROWTH BILLIONS LIVE IN POVERTY Irene Khan claims that economic analyses do not provide a full picture and economic solutions alone cannot end the problems of poverty. In a bracing argument enriched with her personal experiences and case studies from around the world, Khan sees poverty as the world’s worst human rights crisis because it traps people in a vicious cycle of deprivation, insecurity, exclusion and voicelessness. She argues that the foremost challenge is the empowerment, not the enrichment, of poor people, and makes a passionate and urgent plea for action to uphold human rights in the fight to end against poverty. THE EXPERTS AGREE "Irene makes a convincing case for putting human rights at the center of the effort to end poverty ..." Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General in the Foreword "The Unheard Truth is a passionate and urgent plea for action. Poverty is the world's worst human rights crisis and this book makes a powerful statement about not only why but how we can turn the tide." Mary Robinson, President, Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), President of Ireland (1990-1997) "The Unheard Truth-poverty and human rights is not just another book, but a manifesto for our time, a script that urgently needs to be heeded and performed by a growing critical mass ..." Professor Muhammad Yunus: Founder and Managing Director of Grameen Bank; Chairman of the Yunus Centre FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF Visit: www.theunheardtruth.org and buy the book (royalties come back to Amnesty to help our work). Keep an eye out for updates, videos and more information as the debate unfolds. This book is part of Amnesty International’s global campaign to Demand Dignity which calls for an end to the human rights violations that drive and deepen poverty. Currently too much talk focuses on the economic aspects of poverty. But economic growth alone is not a panacea. Human Rights violations both cause and consequence of poverty but you, as part of our global movement can help change this.

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FW: http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/services/alumni-databases.html

Note: I am sending again for our new staff members.

Dear All,

This is to inform you that “SPO National Centre” has subscribed a website named “Monash University Alumni Database” is the largest online library of books and journals, and will prove very use full to those who are continuing their studies and also for conducting research.

If anyone (from the SPO family) is interested to know more about it or visit the website than I am available in this regard at SPO National Center. (The user name and password will be provided to check/visit the site).

Regards,

Roohi Bano