Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Captain1 · November 9, 2007, 2:32am

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

From the very article you posted:

So making up for no raise in salary in 1995 was "bribe"... nice, who was that "considered by many as bribe"? Are those the same people in Mushy camp now?

Okay... but I still don't see jump from 43,000 to 133,250, how it happened "gradually".

Aalsi · November 9, 2007, 7:23pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

You are absolutely right. Mujhay daal mai kuchh kala lag raha hai. Why can’t people rise up against this dictator and throw him out once and for all?

daleel · November 9, 2007, 7:26pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

People didn’t rise against Zia, I suppose you can call he is on par with Zia, ever popular. In fact he is so popular that he doesnt feel the need to face the public just in case he again receives 95% of the popular vote. He doesnt feel he is yet in the same popularity league as Mubarik and Saddam. He wants to learn more from them and than get 99% vote.

Aalsi · November 9, 2007, 7:56pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Ah I see. Now I understand why people have not come out on the streets - he is a very popular leader. Thanks for explaining. :k:

Reza_Pahlavi · November 10, 2007, 3:46pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Yes or NO game!

I am not clueless of CJ salary jumps.

Salary of CJ was Rs 5500 in 1973 (dollar was Rs 9.90 in open market) and that means CJ in 1973 was getting $555 a month. [No pay rise to CJ by Bhutto]

In 1988 (when Zia died) CJ salary was Rs 7900 a month (dollar in open market was Rs 18) and that means CJ salary in 1988 was $ 440 a month. [Zia ruled 11 years and gave TWO pay rises to CJ (1981 and 1985)]

In 1998 CJ salary was Rs 20250 a month (dollar in open market was Rs 46) and that means CJ salary in 1998 was $ 440 a month. [CJ got THREE pay rises after the death of Zia (twice in 1991, and once in 1994) and appointment of Ajmal Miah as CJ in 1998]

In 1999 CJ salary was raised to around Rs 43000 a month (dollar in open market was Rs 54) and that means CJ salary in 1999 was $ 795 a month. [Above increase is considered by many as bribe to Judges. It was Fourth increase in 11 years after death of Zia]

In 2007 CJ salary is Rs 133250 a month (dollar in open market was Rs 60.90) and that means CJ salary in 2007 is $ 2190 a month. [Since 1999, CJ and other judges … well, all government servants … are getting pay rise regularly].

[And yea, be assured, I will never quote inaccurate figures intentionally. I have never tried to spread lies in my life :)]

Here is reference to Judges pay I quoted above (only thing is that I also quoted that in dollars after converting rupees into prevailing dollar rate of the time):

http://www.dawn.com/2007/08/04/top5.htm

Superior court judges get 25pc raise: President issues order
By Iftikhar A. Khan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday increased the salary of judges of superior courts by 25 per cent. The president’s order shall be deemed to have taken effect from July 1, 2007.

The salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been increased to Rs133,250 per month and of other judges of the apex court to Rs125,875 per month.

The salary of the Chief Justice of a high court has been raised from Rs85,900 to Rs123,500 and of other high court judges from Rs82,600 to Rs118,750 per month.

Last year judges of the superior courts got a 15 per cent raise.

In 2005, the salary of the Chief Justice had been fixed at Rs92,700 per month and of judges of the Supreme Court at Rs87,600. The Chief Justice of a high court was entitled to a salary of Rs85,900 and other judges were drawing Rs82,600 per month.

Apart from the salary, a judge of the Supreme Court is entitled to free residence, utility bills, an officially maintained car, a cook, a driver and a guard at his residence.

After retirement, a judge of the superior court is entitled to pension equivalent to 70 per cent of his salary in addition to 200 litres of petrol, 1,000 local phone calls, 1,000 electricity units, 12,000 cubic feet of gas and water charges. A retiring judge is also entitled to a car on depreciated value and a driver and a cook or an orderly at government expenses till the time of his death. The widow of a retired judge will get 50 per cent of the pension and after the widow’s death, sons of the judge who are less than 21 years of age will continue to draw the same amount. Unmarried daughters of a deceased judge will get the pension till their marriage.

The salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan has progressively increased from Rs5,500 fixed in 1973. The first increase of Rs1,000 was made in 1981. Through a constitutional amendment order issued by General Ziaul Haq in 1985 the salary was increased to Rs7,900 with retrospective effect from July 1, 1983. The salary of the Chief justice was twice increased in 1991. It was first raised to Rs9,900 and then to Rs15,000. It was increased to Rs20,250 in 1994.

In 1995, the salaries of the judges of the Supreme Court were raised but the salary of the Chief Justice was not enhanced.

The Chief Justice’s salary was increased to Rs43,000 in 1998 and to Rs55,000 in 2002 effective from December 1, 2001.

The salary of the judges of the Supreme Court was fixed in 1973 at Rs5100, Chief Justices of the High Court at Rs5,000 and judges of the High Courts at Rs4,000.

Commenting on the raise, Supreme Court Bar Association President Munir A. Malik said it was not a favour. He said the government would fail to influence the judiciary by increasing salaries of the judges. “We have a new Supreme Court now,” he said.

No wonder the ex-CJ is also keen to meet President Musharraf.

Sohaib · November 10, 2007, 5:00pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

It is not common for Pakistanis to get out on streets specially in cities like Lahore. But Lahore has seen a rise in street protests on daily basis since the emergency was imposed. If Musharraf has lost it, doesnt mean whole nation is losing it.

pride · November 10, 2007, 5:10pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Is it necessary to that people should come out and change the most un-popular regime of the time? If people don't come out, it is even more dangerous. Have you forgotten the fate of Zia?

Ali_R · November 10, 2007, 5:45pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Good signs of resistance and retalitation in a peaceful manner :k:

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=79883

Reza_Pahlavi · November 10, 2007, 8:17pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Millions of people have congregated in Raiwind for a religious confgerence. Proof that 99.999% of people are just getting on with their lives as normal.

1.5m people attend Raiwind congregation

Saturday, November 10, 2007

AROUND 1.5 million people today attended the Tableeghi Ijtima at Raiwind and offered Friday prayers. The Tableeghi Ijtima which started on Thursday witnessed traditional zeal as people in great numbers started gathering there just before the morning prayer. Special lectures were delivered by scholars highlighting the teachings of Islam and Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). People remained busy in offering prayers in their respective circles until Friday prayers. A large number of people from Pakistan as well as other parts of the world - irrespective of their colour, cast and creed - gathered at Raiwind and bowed before Allah Almighty. Prominent figures, including Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, top bureaucrats and provincial ministers also attended the Friday prayers. Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool was also expected to offer his Juma prayers at the Tableeghi Ijtima but he could not reach there. Special security arrangements were made to facilitate millions of people.

The administration during the current year had divided the Tableeghi Ijtima in two phases. The first ongoing phase of the congregation started on November 08 and over 1.5 million people attended. It would conclude on November 11, 2007. The second phase of the congregation would commence from November 15 and conclude on November 18. The administration while explaining the reasons for dividing the Ijtima in two phases stated that the security concerns forced the administration to make such decisions. No Muslim could target such religious gathering but the main reason was to manage the huge rush, it said. Muhammad Jameel, a representative of the administration, said a large number of people had arrived to attend the ijtima and it was difficult to manage all the people at the same time. He said last year around 3 million people attended the final Dua. To ensure foolproof security, hundreds of personnel of law enforcement agencies were deployed at the venue. Private security guards were deployed at ‘Pandal’ (the place where activities of the congregation take place). The provincial and the City District Government Lahore had also taken various steps to facilitate people arriving from all over the country to attend this congregation. The city government had arranged supply of water at the venue for ablution, washing and drinking purposes. Special trains were run from all parts of the country to Raiwind to facilitate the participants during the three-day congregation and especially after the final Dua after which around over 2 million people would start returning to their homes. Pakistan Railways had also ensured that all trains stop at Raiwind railway station for a longer duration. Six trains were plying between Lahore and Raiwind. Two additional trains will be run on the last day of the congregation.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=79920

zobia · November 10, 2007, 8:34pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

**well all i see president is whinnying about how much powerless, impotent, weak, defenseless, unprotected, paralyzed, and disabled he is.

so ya for the first time i agree Pakistan and Pakistanis has never been better insulted like this then ever before!**

antiobl · November 10, 2007, 8:38pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

When an Arab calls you miskeen (with no support from Musharraf), you say Ya-Shaikh "give" me more.

When our president explains the bad impact of bickering and guerrilla-Judge's backstabbing, you say O me God O me god! shame shame! shame shame!

With love and peace to all

Pak army jawans and officers zindabaad.
Pakistan Zindabaad.

Reza_Pahlavi · November 10, 2007, 8:39pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Very aptly put. :k:

zobia · November 11, 2007, 7:07am

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

when any nation worship their 2-min fame gods n goddesses then they are made to wander, as you are.

p.s. all your believe, must only be on ALLAH SWT!

Reza_Pahlavi · November 12, 2007, 11:16pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Well put. :k:

omkara · November 13, 2007, 10:23am

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

because theres no alternative to musharraf.bhutto is corrupt and evil ,sharif is slightly more promising,the judiciary is the 3 rd most corrupt insitituition in Pakistan,there are cases pending in courts of pakistan for as long as 25 years and these judges spend most of their vacationing.And on the other side where people are pehaps not corrupt you find extremism and Islamo facism(imran khan is very much a part of that as well).So why would anybody wanna get out on streets?

Captain1 · November 13, 2007, 4:17pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

what was the alternative before Mushy showing up at the door and taking over our house (Pakistan)? Only if we stop kicking law and constitution around and keep the 2-term law intact we wouldn't have to see these alternatives (Bibi and NS).

Seminole · November 13, 2007, 4:52pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

Would that be 99.999% of the people who he hasn't thrown in jail or put under house arrest? When the constitution is suspended, emergence military rule is implemented, there's a violent crackdown on civilians, elections are put into question, Supreme Court justices are ousted, the media silenced and broad powers to squash dissent have been ordered and things are going on with "life as normal"? I would be more concerned that people consider that normal instead of bragging about their complacency.

Aalsi · November 14, 2007, 1:14pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

It appears that way, as we hear more and more from the opposition.

Captain1 · November 15, 2007, 4:30pm

Re: Why Pakistani people have not taken to the streets?

This update from Spock bhai, thanks Spcok

alot of them are beaconhouse students, arrested in the end for silently protesting, even girls werent spared… they’re from decent backgrounds and they were protesting silently witout causing any trouble… this was on paliament road, near blue area…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSGEQedkR8A

Dear Friends,

The martial rule in Pakistan is turning into a reign of terror for ordinary citizens. Thousands of lawyers, journalists, human rights activists and professionals from all walks of life have been detained and held without charge. At the same time, the regime has allowed criminals with proven links to international terrorism to walk freely out of prison, and continues to cede vast tracts of Pakistani territory to militants. By suspending the constitution and disbanding the judicial edifice, the regime has become the prosecutor, the judge and the executioner for anyone who stands up to it. As the people of Pakistan continue to resist the dictatorship, it grows desperate by the day, turning evermore to measures unheard of before.

Yesterday, 12th November, the regime crossed a new threshold by shamelessly attacking, arresting and detaining schoolchildren in Islamabad. Around 100 students, most of them between 14 and 18 years of age, were staging a silent protest by walking outside a public park holding placards when they were accosted by Islamabad Police.The Police told the students that, because of their age, they needed special approval from the district magistrate’s office to walk any further and that they had to wait until such approval arrived. The students, unwilling to challenge the police, obliged and sat down where they were. Twenty minutes later, the students were informed that they had not been given permission to proceed any further, and were asked to return to their starting point and disperse. Once again, the students obliged, showing that they did not want to confront the Police who had clearly been given specific orders from above.

As they were walking back, the students were surrounded by more than 500 policemen –their ranks now reinforced with Punjab Police and the heavily armed commandos of the Anti-Terrorism Force –and were asked to disperse immediately. When some of the students pointed out that they were merely walking back to their starting point, as previously ordered, the Police turned violent. They started manhandling the children and hitting them with batons, pushing them into police vans. 48 students were physically assaulted and detained, amongst them a 12-year old boy. Even after they had turned themselves in without resistance, many of them were beaten with sticks and severely bruised. They were detained in the Margalla prison for hours without charge, and were prevented from meeting visitors or making calls. They were eventually released after they had signed written assurances not to attend protests against the government in the future.
This is another shameless act by an increasingly brutal and scared regime. We must not allow this to go on.

Aalsi · November 15, 2007, 7:38pm

The Muted response to Emergency measure.

Why are people not coming out on the streets in large numbersAre they happy?.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=d8d73b99-e857-449b-9c9f-05b6d8a9d95aEmergencyruleinPakistan_Special&&Headline=Not+many+protest+against+General

Not many protest against General

The muted response to Emergency measures imposed by General Pervez Musharraf is worrying many in Pakistan. Unlike in the past, when thousands emerged to combat extra-constitutional measures, this time round the people have largely kept off the streets. “One would have expected more people on the roads. But the streets are empty,” laments Nazish Brohi, a human rights activist. Brohi says that she has attended at least 12 public protests in the past week, but in almost all of them attendance was very thin.

Human rights activists, lawyers, a sprinkling of journalists and NGO members were seen at the protests. Ghazi Salahuddin, a local journalist, finds this indifference exasperating. “I think General Musharraf has played his cards well. The public protest over the emergency in Pakistan has been quite muted.”

One of the reasons why many Pakistanis feel the protests have not been vociferous is possibly because of a ban on private TV channels which would have shown how events were unfolding in the country.

There have been interesting twists and turns in way the public have reacted to the imposition of “Emergency-plus” in Pakistan. Many lawyers and politicians have come out on the roads and been arrested. But the most potent force that usually appears at these times — the right wing parties — have been subdued. There have been few protests from religious parties against the Emergency. So disappointing has been the response of right wing parties that some people have accused them of being in league with the government.

This point was brought home when student activists of the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party helped in having Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, arrested on Wednesday. The Jamaat is supposed to be part of the grand Opposition alliance. However, its members have sat on the sidelines as members of civil society take on the government.
While the right wing parties may have an ulterior motive, the public apathy has raised many eyebrows.

This silence, however, cannot be taken for indifference, say others. Many say Pakistanis, increasingly becoming wary of violence on the streets, have decided the best option is to stay at home. “People are being targeted by the army and suicide bombers. Where does that leave us?” asked student Mudassir Kazi. At the same time, the onus now falls on Benazir Bhutto, who enjoys that kind of grassroots support not seen in other parties, to bring people on to the streets. But Benazir is cooling her heels under house arrest.

Many feel as things stand, it is better to remain indifferent. A small minority, however, differs. There have been protests reported from all over the country, with some schoolchildren also joining in. These children have demanded respect for human rights and democracy. Political analysts say these are the days of drawing-room deals. “We have a tradition of proxy decision making and that is why people are elected before the elections,” said one commentator.