Issues of Local bodies politics, Palestine & 70 years of Pak China Friendship

 

Issues of Local bodies politics, Palestine & 70 years of Pak China Friendship

Recorded @21May 2021,Lhore Studios,

Mast FM103, Punjabi Radio Show Lok Lhar

Local bodies politics is among the vital issues yet either it is ignored or misused by dictators since Ayub till Mushraff extensively. Current hybrid democracy is also reluctant to use it. Had our governments, federal as well as provincial, used it during Corona we would have better results. How PTI government ruined it in the Punjab, the biggest & vibrant province is the worst example of misusing Local government just to achieve short term goals in immediate politics. Dr Abdus Sabor, tries to unfold it, 

Muhammad Abdul Saboor (Phd.) has over 28 years of experience of working on development initiatives based in Pakistan, with specific thematic focus on WASH, disaster management, Governance & Democracy, Local Government, Human Rights, Counter Violence Extremism (CVE), youth & women empowerment and child protection. With a specific focus on the Pakistan, he has an excellent regional knowledge and experience, having worked with numerous stakeholders including government officials, political parties, parliamentarians, universities, vocational institutions, local governments, minority groups, local development organizations, media and government line departments.

He has taken numerous initiatives to promote opportunities for marginalized in improved local governance, strengthening citizen’s voices and peace building through implementation of 200 projects with NGOs, Punjab Sports Board, Sports Associations, Media, Universities, District and Provincial Governments and Women Councilors Network.   

As a human right activist, he was instrumental in voicing and serving for the rights of women, minorities and marginalized segments of the society.

He served in many INGOs, Punjab Information Commission and NGO. Currently, working as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP), Dr. Muhammad Abdul Saboor has initiated the idea of Clean & Green Lodhran campaign in 2018 and also be the part of many initiative like first Urban forest of South Punjab in Lodhran and working in contributing and strengthening national and regional strategies and contribution in SDGs.

Palestine , who is making fool 

Gaza attack failed & it has exposed Israel, its new & old friends, OIC and Nitanyahu local political aims.

Veto at UNSC by US, three times, also reminded us cold war days but this time China, as head of UNSC and EU (in.spite of Brexit) stood away from Israel along with Russia & some Muslim countries like Iran & Turkey proved that we are living in post cold war era.

70  years Pak China Friendship

It is time to revisit 70 years, from May 21, 1951 till May 21, 2021. Thanks to colonial legacy, there is an Anti China lobby even before the birth of both Pakistan & Bharat. In a link given below you can check who was in favor of Pak China ties since late 1940s in Pakistan but it is also a reality that there were issues in Pak China friendship narrative. Both China & USSR were Reds but in our official narrative USSR was against Islam yet Red China was acceptable. Since 1950s, Mian Iftiqar uddin, H S Suhrawardy, Z A Bhutto & Mian Nawaz Sharief  supported Pak China relation

Click & listen

Further readings

Is Netanyahu struggling against Time? Narrative vs State A post ceasefire impression

70 years of Pak China Friendship 21 May, A rare message of a Pakistani at Peking Radio 1951

Some more useful links

Is Netanyahu struggling against Time? Narrative vs State, a post ceasefire impression

 

Is Netanyahu struggling against Time? 

Narrative vs State

A post ceasefire impression

It is becoming hard & harder to run a State on 20th century narratives in this interconnective digitized world.  In late 19th & early 20th century new mantra was to think beyond Kingships & by mushroom  yet cesarean operations world had entered in the Bhandar of Nation States. Those who tried to save past could not survive & world had witnessed a change of priorities. There are lessons for all.

Right or Left Wing politics with Pro War mantras has less place in this interconnected 21st century world. From digitization to post corona world, situation has been changed yet many nation states, like 20th century Kingships are in the state of denial. 

With these comments now you read links below

UN Security Council urges ‘full adherence’ to Gaza ceasefire

Conflict Strengthens Netanyahu, but the Price Is High

The battle with Hamas may benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel politically in the short term, but it leaves his underlying problems unresolved. 

https://www.nytimes.com/

We’re here to be sure that the blood on the hands of Israel is visible, so we have put this symbol of blood coming out of the door,” Rabbi David Mivasair, a member of IJV, said in a Facebook video as he stood outside the consulate.

https://www.rt.com/news/524502-israel-consulate-canada-protest/?fbclid=IwAR1eY_gIiczHxG4_h8tcEtCPznfxuf40Yjnws2AEyaF5gQkod4rnuXXfyl0

The U.S. government should not be selling weapons to a government that has shown repeatedly it will use them to attack media outlets and journalists. As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep Gregory Meeks must allow a vote on the proposal to halt the arms deal. If he fails to do so, he’s actively working against freedom of the press, democracy, and human rights around the globe.

https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2021-05-21-human-rights-and-press-freedom-groups-call-on-rep/

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced legislation to suspend the deal earlier this week. The bill has so far acquired 14 co-sponsors. Bernie Sanders has also introduced the resolution in the Senate. ... The House measure will not advance even for a debate without the approval of Meeks, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/rights-groups-urge-top-us-lawmaker-block-israel-arms-deal

70 years of Pak China Friendship 21 May, a rare message of a Pakistani at Peking Radio 1951

 

70 years of Pak China Friendship 21 May,

A rare message of a Pakistani at Peking Radio 1951

Chinese travellers had visited areas, land & people  much before creation of Pakistan, mentioned many places but till todate we have only colonial time translations of that resource. We certainly need new translations along with new research about old times. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faxian#:~:text=Faxian%20(337%20CE%20%E2%80%93%20c.,Foguo%20Ji%20%E4%BD%9B%E5%9C%8B%E8%A8%98).

During the times of Lhore Darbar (1799-1849) we read many things regarding trade between Tibat & Punjab and during Kangra campaign Maharaja himself mentioned it too. Through water & trade we are linked with China since ancient times. right after the death of Maharaja, (27 June 1839) colonizers started opium wars, first in 1839-42 & second in 1856-60. It is a known fact that the prime factor of European entry in our lands was lucrative trade routes. They want either to control or destroy it. If you read colonial literature regarding Chinese & yellow race, it was either mysterious or blur or dark in many ways. But rise of Germany in Europe & rise of Japan in Asia had changed many priorities of the British Empire in late 19th century. During WW1, British had fixed Germany but could not damage Japan. Many leaders & intellectuals in 20th century knew China through Bertrand Russel book The problem of China published in 1922. Till 1930s many South Asian intellectuals  started rethinking about China, thanks to resistance struggle of Chinese against occupant Japan. it was a time when Iqbal  too praise rise of Chinese

ہمالہ کے چشمے ابلنے لگے

گراں خواب چینی سنبھلنے لگے

With this background , after creation of Pakistan, colonial trained establishment had no attraction in China but there were political leaders and intellectuals who had a vision to develop relations with China. Among those people one was Mian Iftiqaruddin of Lhore. He visited China in September 1951 and what he said about Pak China friendship at Peking radio is recorded in his book of statements and speeches. It is to me remembered that in last 70 years three PMs & one editor had played vital role but they paid the price too. Husain Shaheed Suhrawardy visited China in 1956, Signed friendship treaty. Z A Bhutto did his best, as FM & as PM to popularize Pak China relations. Benazier Bhutto & Nawaz Sharif  emphasized on it in 1993 and 1998. The tear 2015 was the prime year in Pak China history when both had signed CPEC. All the 4 paid heavy price for it and rest is history. 

 H SSuhrawardy meeting with zahu eanlai 1956

 Mian Iftiqaruddin 

Singing CPEC 

ہمالہ کے چشمے ابلنے لگے۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ گراں خواب چینی سنبھلنے لگے

یہ علامہ اقبال تھے جنھوں نے 1930 کی  دہائی میں چینیوں کے ابھرنے کی نوید سنائی تھی جو  اکتوبر 1949 کوسچ ثابت ہوئی۔ 21 مئی 1951 کو پاکستان اور عوامی جمہوریہ  چین نے سفارتی تعلقات قائم کیے تھے۔جن سیاسی رہنماوں کی کاوششوں سے  پاک چین دوستی کی بنیادیں رکھی گئیں تھیں ان کے آج کوئی نام بھی نہیں جانتا کہ انہیں میں لاہور کے میاں افتخارالدین بھی تھے جو 29 ستمبر 1951 کو ایشیائی امن کانفرنس اور چینی انقلاب کی دوسری سالگرہ پر پارلیمانی وفد لے کر  پیکنگ  یعنی بیجنگ گئے تھے اور پیکنگ ریڈیو نے  نئے چین کی حوالے سے انکی تقریر نشر کی تھی جو ریکارڈ کاحصہ ہے۔ اکتوبر 1956 میں پاکستان کے وزیراعطم حسین شہید سہروردی نے چین کا دورہ کر کے پاک چین دوستی کو توانا کیا۔یہی وہ کوششیں تھیں جن کی وجہ سے1959 میں شاہراہ قراکرم  بنانے پر دونوں ملک راضی ہوئے۔1963 میں بطور وزیرخارجہ ذولفقار علی بھٹو کے دورہ چین کو بہت اہمیت حاصل ہے۔1970 کی دہائی میں پاکستان کے مقبول عام رہنما ذولفقار علی بھٹو نے ماو کیپ پہن کر پاک چین دوستی کو عوامی رنگ دیا۔ 1995 میں محترمہ بے نطیر بھٹو نے چین میں خواتین کی عالمی کانفرنس میں شرکت کی۔1998 میں میاں نواز شریف کے دور میں پاکستان اور چین نے  مشترکہ طور پرجے ایف 17 بنانے کے معاہدے پر دستخط کیے۔۔2006 کو چینی صدر پاکستان آئے۔2015 کا سال پاک چین دوستی  کے عروج کا سال ہے جب 46 ارب ڈالر کی سرمایہ کاری سے سی پیک کے تاریخی معاہدے پر چینی صدر شی پنگ اور پاکستانی وزیراعظم میاں نواز شریف نے دستخط کیے۔

1950 – Pakistan becomes the third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to recognise the People's Republic of China.

1951 – Beijing and Karachi establish diplomatic relations.

1956 – Pakistani Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signing the Treaty of Friendship Between China and Pakistan in Beijing.

1962 – Sino-Indian War breaks out between China and India.

1963 – Pakistan cedes the Trans-Karakoram Tract to China, ending border disputes.

1970 – Pakistan helps the U.S. arrange the 1972 Nixon visit to China.

1978 – The Karakoram Highway linking the mountainous Northern Pakistan with Western China officially opens.

1980s – China and the U.S. provide support through Pakistan to the Afghan guerillas fighting Soviet forces.

1986 – China and Pakistan reach a comprehensive nuclear co-operation agreement.^{[citation needed]}

1996 – Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Pakistan.

1999 – A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in Punjab province, is completed.

2001 – A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT is completed.

2002 – The building of the Gwadar deep sea port begins, with China as the primary investor.

2003 – Pakistan and China signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a housing project on Multan Road in Lahore.^[71]

2006 – China and Pakistan sign a free trade agreement.

2007 – The Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured multirole fighter aircraft – the JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out.

2008 – Pakistan welcomes the Chinese Olympic Torch in an Islamabad sports stadium, under heavy guard amidst security concerns.^[65]

2008 – Pakistan and China agree to build a railway through the Karakoram Highway, in order to link China's rail network to Gwadar Port.

2008 – The F-22P frigate, comes into service with the Pakistani Navy.^[72]

2009 – The ISI arrest several suspected Uyghur terrorists seeking refuge in Pakistan.

2010 – Pakistan and China conduct a joint anti-terrorism drill.^{[citation needed]}

2010 – China donates $260 million in dollars to flood-struck Pakistan and sends 4 military rescue helicopters to assist in rescue operations.^{[citation needed]}

2010 – Wen Jiabao visits Pakistan. More than 30 billion dollars worth of deals were signed.^[73]

2011 – Pakistan is expected to buy air-to-air SD 10 missiles from China for its 250 JF 17 thunder fighter fleet.^{[citation needed]}

2013 – Management of Gwadar Port is handed over to state-run Chinese Overseas Port Holdings after previously being managed by Singapore's PSA International,^[74] and it becomes a matter of great concern for India.^[75]

2013 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Pakistan. Trade between China and Pakistan hit a 12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time in 2012.^[76]

2013 – On 5 July 2013, Pakistan and China approved the Pak-China Economic corridor which will link Pakistan’s Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea and Kashghar in Xinjiang in northwest China. The $18 billion project will also includes the construction of a 200 km-long tunnel.^[77][58]

2013 – On 24 December 2013, China announced a commitment $6.5 billion to finance the construction of a major nuclear power project in Karachi, the project which will have two reactors with a capacity of 1,100 megawatts each.^[78]

2014 – Chinese Premier announced investment of $31.5 billion in Pakistan mainly in countries energy, infrastructure and port expansion for Gwadar. According to The Express Tribune initially projects worth $15–20 billion will be started which include Lahore-Karachi motorway, Gwadar Port expansion and energy sector projects will be launched in Gadani and six coal projects near Thar coalfield. The newspaper further claimed that the government has also handed over to Pakistan Army the task of providing fool-proof security to Chinese officials in Balochistan, Pakistan, in a bid to address Beijing's concerns and execute the investment plan in the province, which will get 38% of the funds.^[79]

2014 – On 22 May 2014, The governments of Pakistan and China on Thursday signed an agreement to start a metro train project in Lahore, Express News reported. The 27.1 kilometres long track – named Orange Line – will be built at the cost of $1.27 billion.^[80]

2014 – On 8 November 2014, Pakistan and China signed 19 agreements particularly relating to China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, China pledged a total investment worth of $42 billion. While Pakistan pledged to help China in its fight concerning the Xinjiang conflict.^[81]

2015 – On 20 April 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by the First Lady and a delegation of high-level officials and businessmen, visits Pakistan. It is the first visit to Pakistan by a Chinese president after a gap of 9 years and the first foreign trip of Xi in 2015. 51 Memorandums of Understanding are signed, including the plan of "Pakistan China Economic Corridor".^[82]

2015 – Pakistan began circulating the Rs. 20 coin with the Pakistan and China flags to commemorate the countries' lasting friendship.^[83]

What Qureshi said at UN & CNN is tricky largely

What Qureshi said at

UN & CNN is tricky largely  

RSF has formally asked International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to investigate these airstrikes, which we regard as war crimes.

If it is Pro Israeli media these days than why they attack on it? Cold war politics was different but it is post cold war times. 

Targeted Israeli airstrikes have destroyed the premises of 23 Palestinian and international media outlets in the Gaza Strip in the past ten days. Those destroyed by last Saturday’s airstrikes include the bureaux of the US news agency, the Associated Press, and the Qatari TV broadcaster Al Jazeera.

The misleading speech of #SMQ FM in #UN

He neither acknowledged #China who as president #UNSC did his best to alive the issue of #Palestine, Mr Qureshi did not acknowledged members of SC including #UK, #France, #Russia & others who consistently voted for immediate ceasefire against #US three vetos. Poor Qureshi had criticised UNSC but did not said a single word against the country who veto joint resolution three times. In his speech he mentioned attacks during Ramazan in #AlAqsa but everyone in #Pakistan knew that when May 7, last Friday brutality happened he with his PM were busy with #MBS and his first statement appeared at twitter after 36 hours and next day in joint Pak Saudi statement there was not a single line against that brutality. Even #OIC remained silent. How can such people represent the country??? He can play sensationalism in Pakistan but at the international forum he cannot make fool others. We have to check ourselves before giving sermons to others. He even criticized international media but it is a fact that after attack on media in #Gaza things started improving against #Israel & #Netanyahu. We witnessed unprecedented world support in favour of ceasefire, that was not there during the infamous #coldwar but Mr Qureshi did not mention it at all. It was among the bad representations of Pakistan at any international forum.

Speech of S M Qureshi at UN

Qureshi attack the media at a time when few days back Netanyahu's IDF had attacked many international media houses. Reporters without borders questioned Israel attack as war crime. it has claimed that Israeli forces had destroyed 23 media houses in 10 days. #CNN accused him for using anti semitic remarks but it is case of freedom of press. Qureshi used loose tongue, accuse media & blamed Israel for media management. On contrary, he is representative of a party who pressurized media since last three years.

https://www.rt.com/news/524410-qureshi-cnn-antisemitic-slur/

Targeted Israeli airstrikes have destroyed the premises of 23 Palestinian and international media outlets in the Gaza Strip in the past ten days. Those destroyed by last Saturday’s airstrikes include the bureaux of the US news agency, the Associated Press, and the Qatari TV broadcaster Al Jazeera.

What the Israeli military has claimed, namely that the buildings destroyed in these attacks were legitimate military targets because of an alleged Hamas presence, is completely false from the legal viewpoint because these buildings were also housing civilians, in this case, journalists and their installations and equipment. RSF maintains that, by deliberately destroying media infrastructure, the Israeli military violated Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists, which the UN Security Council unanimously adopted in May 2015, as well as the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute (applicable to the Palestinian Territories)*.

The Israel Defence Forces are inflicting unacceptable material damage on news organisations and, more broadly, are obstructing media coverage of a conflict that directly affects the civilian population.

RSF has formally asked International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to investigate these airstrikes, which we regard as war crimes.

RSF asks ICC prosecutor to say whether Israeli airstrikes on media in Gaza constitute war crimes

https://rsf.org/en/news/rsf-asks-icc-prosecutor-say-whether-israeli-airstrikes-media-gaza-constitute-war-crimes

May Day 2021, some unusual thoughts, you may enjoy Lok Lhar Punjabi Show

 

May Day 2021

Some unusual thoughts,

You may enjoy

Lok Lhar Punjabi Show

Struggle for labour rights & 47th death anniversary of Abdur Rehman, a labor leader who was killed in 1974.

ٰکرونے وچ پھسے ایس جہان اندر، تمام ترعالمی رپورٹاں دس رہیاں جے کہ ایس میڈیکل بماری  وڈا پاروں جیہڑا معاشی عذاب آیا ہے اوہ بندیاں دا ہی لیایا ہویا ہے اتے ایس دا وڈا شکار ماڑے تے مڈل کلاسئیے جے۔تاں مارے 2021 دا یوم مئی باقیاں توں ڈھیر وکھرا جے۔بس ایس گل نوں چیتے رکھدے ہوئے جمعہ دے دیہاڑ مست ایف ایم 103 تے اک پروگرام کیتا۔ کیونجے ایہہ 30 اپریل دی تریخ سی تے ایس نال مزدور لیڈر عبدالرحمن دی یاداں وی جوڑ لتیاں جنہاں نوں 47ورہے پہلی بھٹو دور وچ 1974 دےسال قتل کروایا گیا سی۔ ایس پروگرام وچ مزدور کسان پارٹی دے کامریڈ عرفان اتے عوامی ورکر پارٹی دی نصرت بشیر ظفر رلت کیتی۔نصرت ہوری پرانے مزدور لیڈر بشیر ظفر دی دھی جے۔ تسی انہاں دوستاں دی گل بات وی سنو کہ ایس وچ کجھ وکھری گلاں چھیڑن دی کوششاں وی شامل جے جس بارے 2021 وچ غور لوڑی دا جے۔

A clip of Nusrat Bashir Zafar 

https://www.facebook.com/aamirr/videos/10158511380969032

یوم مئی بارے لوک لہر شو وچ کامریڈ عرفان اپنی پنجابی نظم ''چاتر پھیر مزدوری کھا گئے'' سناوندے ہوئے۔

Comrade Irfan sharing his Punjabi Poem about May Day

Listen the complete recording of the show recorded at April 30th, 2021 @ MastFM103, Lhore Studios 

https://voca.ro/12woQuekinKt

تیزی سی بدلتی دنیا میں یہ سوال اور بھی زیادہ اہمیتوں کا حامل ہو چکا ہے مگر قدامت پسندیوں کی وجہ سے ہمارے ہاں اکثرنئے خیالات کو رواج پر ترجیح نہیں دی جاتی۔نجکاریوں اور کنڑیکٹ لیبر کے اس دور میں جہاں ذہنی مشقت میں بھی قابل قدر اصافے ہو چکے ہیں اور مصلیوں، کھسروں، چوڑوں وغیرہ کے حقوق پر بات کرنامیعوب نہیں وہاں یوم مئی کو جس نئے پن کی ضرورت ہے وہ فی الحال مفقود ہے۔ 

https://punjabpunch.blogspot.com/2018/04/may-day-include-intellectual-labor-and.html

https://punjabpunch.blogspot.com/2015/04/129th-may-day-revisit-and-develop.html

An in depth analysis of Abdur Rehman, the labour leader ...you may disagree with Anushay Malik but you will find many unheard facts about that time in it. 

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-asian-studies/article/public-authority-and-local-resistance-abdur-rehman-and-the-industrial-workers-of-lahore-19691974/FE7171D67CD45871BEE9E5496634A45C