Diplomacy & the modern world mission. Diplomatic immunity is also given in case a crime is by a diplomat. Mahrukh A Mughal committed No country can afford to Email:drdanish56@yahoo.com keep itself aloof in this complex political world. International diplomacy is a part of IPLOMACY has been prac international laws, governed by certiced since the inception of tain conventions, rules and princiCivilization. In the ancient pals laid down by international times diplomats were sent only for bodies namely by the UNO. It is specific negotiations and their area of an art of conducting negotiations influence was so limited that they in regional and international relawould return immediately after their tions to resolve conflicts and ismission concluded. Their sole pur- sues through diplomacy. It also pose was to seek interaction with provides opportunity to make good other states to develop friendly rela- ties with other countries for develtions as well resolving certain issues oping socio-political, cultural and between the two countries. Diplo- economic cooperation. Diplomatic mission is carried macy and trade have also been closely linked with each other. Early out by the diplomats who represent modern diplomacy started with the their country in the UNO or in any European Renaissance. The rules of country where they are deputed. modern diplomacy further developed There are different groups of people to resolve political issues and con- who are on diplomatic mission, like flicts among the European Powers. Ambassadors who are the full Ambassador became the top ranking Incharge of the Embassy and Envoy representative of the state. The con- Extraordinary and Minister Plenipogress of Vienna of 1815 was the hall tentiary, Minister Resident and mark in establishing an international Charge D, Affaires etc. This is the sole responsibility of system of diplomatic ranks to resolve disputes among the European powers. the head of the state to guide, plan Bismarck of Germany was re- and give a correct direction to diplonowned for his skill in exercising di- macy in the foreign affairs. In the plomacy in the international relations. formation and organization of forSo the role of diplomat from the po- eign affairs the Secretary of the State sition of a negotiator evolved into a / Foreign Minister and the Secretary persona that represented an autono- Foreign Affairs play a vital role. The mous state in the area of political af- foreign office is the main institution fairs. Vienna Convention on diplo- in regard to the looking after of inmatic relations in 1961 formalized the ternational affairs. There are many types of diplorights of the diplomats to protect them from the danger of being persecuted macy, which have been instrumental while they are on their diplomatic in the development of international
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relations. Diplomacy either-single track, track two, multi-track, summit and open / secret has its merit and demerits, however, it is influenced by a complicated combination of different interrelated factors depending on the specific nature of issues in their historical perspective. Modern day’s challenges after the cold war era are more complex owing to the growing extremism in religious and political ideologies. During the two World Wars, cold war era, tension between the two opposite blocks, diplomacy became a subsidiary instrument of power politics and ideology. Despite many flaws and weaknesses international diplomacy had had its significance by developing multinational institutions and regional and sub-regional organizations. The EU, APEC, ASEAN, CIS, NAFTA and SAARC have come into existence through the exercise of diplomacy. The instrument of Public diplomacy was much used by the Americans during the cold war era as the conduct of international relations. International law is related with its enforcement quality by ensuring to abide by the agreements, treaties, protocols conventions, covenant, acts and memorandum of understanding so on. In the modern international law, the significance of “International Treaty” to create international rules has fairly increased. Despite all these efforts failures have also been observed in the enforcement mechanism in certain cases. Enlarging and institutionalizing the “Universality” of Human rights is one of the most important achievements made by the in-
ternational treaties after the World War-II. The Geneva conventions played crucial role in formulating humanitarian laws. Accords, alliances, conventions and treaties are the result of negotiations carried out through some kind of diplomacy. The United States and Great Britain ended the revolutionary war with the treaty of Paris in 1783. In 1973 representatives of 80 countries agreed on a convention on international trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to protect rare plants and animals around the world. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949 to serve as a bulwark against threats by the communist Warsaw Pact in Eastern Europe. The US-South Korea mutual defence treaty in 1953 is example of bilateral agreement between two countries. Similarly KYOTO accord was done among nations to limit the emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, diplomacy as an instrument to maintain international harmony among nations or to complete a specific agenda between the two countries for the bilateral relationship is necessary in this political world and without diplomacy, much at the world’s affairs would be abolished, international organization would not exist and the world would be at a constant state of war. In the absence of diplomatic relations with a country of interest, it is difficult to achieve a successful pursuit of foreign policy goal. —The writer is political and social columnist & analyst.
Modi’s maltreatment of Muslims & ME Arab Islamic countries. If the BJP led Modi governSajjad Shaukat ment started harassing and cleansing Muslims in India, the Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com heat will especially be felt by Hindus living in Middle East. In this regard, some forward INDU politics and culture, looking members of Hindu commudominated by the funda nity are already feeling the heat, as mentalist parties such as BJP, Muslim anxiety in India is surging RSS, VHP, Shiv Sena and other simi- through media projections about poslar groups, which have been propa- sible governing style of Modi in Ingating Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) dia. Insular minded Modi and Hindu are feeling pleasure, because Indian extremists of the BJP stand fully elections based on media campaign charged to govern India with iron against Islam and Muslims and other hand especially when question of minorities, enabled BJP hardliner Muslim community and other minoriNarendra Modi to get a land slid- ties is to be addressed. This has been ing victory in the Indian elections the elusive dream of Modi and the 2014. Whereas the Indian Hindus BJP to forcibly convert all non-Hindu celebrated Modi’s victory, who Indians into Hinduism. Their power himself is follower of the Hindu motives are guided by their religious extremism and has become Prime beliefs. Therefore, tough times are Minister of India, the Muslim com- ahead for Muslims to face in India In this respect, anti-Muslim apmunity and other minorities in Inproach of the BJP and India’s new dia feel insecure and perturbed. Muslims are well-aware of Prime Minister Narendar Modi could Narendra Modi’s agenda to reduce be judged from the fact that encourthe Muslim community in India to aged by the election-victory of the BJP, second class citizens. Muslim anxi- on May 28, this year, in a provocative ety in India is multiplying due the fact act to disturb communal harmony that during the election campaign, among different religious communiHindu majority was mobilized on ties in India, Rashtriya Hindu Andolan, ‘hate Muslim’ slogans. Hence, Modi a little known Mangalore-based regime is likely to target and perse- Hindutva outfit and activists from cute Muslims in India. Besides, other various right wing groups organized similar events against them, the mas- a protest in Mangalore in front of sacre of Muslims in Gujarat might the office of Deputy Commissioner be cited as an example of the BJP by demanding the authorities to ban brutalities. While destruction and the morning Muslim call to prayer desecration of Babari Mosque in In- (Azan) across the country. Now, the analysts believe that dia led to the burning of Hindu Manders (Places of Hindu worships) Modi’s narrow mindedness would and destruction of Hindu property in entrap him into street quarrels and Pakistan. Similarly, maltreatment of slanted politics, blended with social Muslims—hating them in India will prejudice and political biases. Mushave dire repercussions for Hindus lims are likely to be the main target in the Middle East including non- of Modi torment and the BJP perse-
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cution. This will certainly result into a chain reaction, loaded with public emotions against Hindu community living in the Middle East and other Islamic countries. Internally, India will face the worst turmoil. However, Muslim countries will not be able to control public reaction against Hindus, in case, Muslims are persecuted in India. Obviously maltreatment, oppressive tactics and cruel injustice against Muslims in India will cause Hindu distress in the Islamic World, particularly in the Middle East. So, the overseas Hindus, especially in the Middle East are equally worried as practical manifestation of Modi’s style of governance is likely to be upsetting the Indian Muslims. The incessant and unjust Indian propaganda against Pakistan is beyond anybody’s cognition. It simply speaks of Hindu deep seated animosity against Pakistan and Pakistani public. Nevertheless, Modi and his Hindu followers must understand that in socio-political arena, public motivation, based on exploitation of negative emotions may offer temporal gains, but in the longer run such gimmicks prove fatal and disastrous. No doubt, Modi has won election using ‘hate Muslim’ slogan, its practical manifestation will create negative backlash. Under the leadership of Modi, maltreatment and socio-political marginalizing of Muslims in India will send pessimistic message to Hindu community, which is living in the Middle East. In this connection, our own political leadership and media—especially of the other Arab and non-Arab countries, must give a matching response to the BJP-led new government. In this context, they must make it clear that Modi’s victory in Indian elections is a source of concern not
only for Muslim community in India, but also for the regional neighbours and the Islamic World. They must point out that Modi’s election campaign was based on negative emotional appeal in which, he used Pakistan as enemy, while tipping-off Muslims to go to Pakistan. In this respect, exploiting emotions negatively will have serious consequences for both the nuclear countries, South Asia and the Middle East. These Islamic entities must indicate that Indian media already toes Hindu mindset and conducts propaganda against Islamabad and the Indian Muslims in one way or the other. That is why, Hindus hate Muslims in India and Pakistan. By speaking in optimistic tone, our own electronic media and that of the Muslim World must counter Indian propaganda, and suggest to the new leadership in New Delhi to avoid playing with the fire, otherwise, the results would be disastrous. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Modi must understand that every action has its own opposite and equal reaction. Therefore, let us give peace a chance, before the propagandists spoil the issue to a point of no return. In order to settle all the issues including the thorny dispute of Kashmir with Pakistan, which are essential for peace of the region, BJP and Prime Minister Modi must forget that they won the elections on the basis of anti-Muslim and antiPakistan slogans. Consequently, Modi‘s maltreatment of Muslims by emboldening the BJP would have frightening repercussions in the Islamic countries, especially the Middle East and Pakistan. —The writer is Lahore-based freelance columnist.
Views From Abroad
India’s feudal rapists Amana Fontanella-Khan
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HEN a distressed father is reporting his daughter’s disappearance to a policeman in India, there are some questions he doesn’t want to hear. “What is your caste?” is one of them. Yet, the father, Sohan Lal, said this was the first thing the police asked him last Tuesday, when he begged them for help. After revealing his low-caste background as a Shakya, Mr. Lal said the officers mocked him and refused to lift a finger. Hours later, Mr. Lal’s daughter, 12, and a female cousin, 14, were found hanging by their scarves from a mango tree in Katra Saadatganj, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. They had been raped. His daughter had last been seen with a group of brothers from the Yadav caste, which is the dominant caste in the village. Our understanding of their deaths will be incomplete until we recognize the role of the caste system in India’s rape crisis. For much of India’s history the lower castes, especially the Dalits (once known as untouchables),
have been routinely raped by the landowning upper castes. Better legal protections, urbanization and social mobility have helped reduce caste-based discrimination, but not enough. Dalit women are still the most likely to be victims of gang rapes. An analysis of Uttar Pradesh’s crime statistics for 2007 by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties showed that 90 percent of rape victims in 2007 were Dalit women. Since December 2012, when a 23year-old woman from the Kurmi caste, another low caste, died after being gang-raped and attacked with an iron rod by five men in a moving bus, India has been undergoing a process of soul-searching. Yet the caste system has not been mentioned enough in the debate. While attacks against Western tourists and women in urban centers have attracted a great deal of attention, rapes of lower-caste women routinely fail to provoke an outcry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for example, has yet to condemn the rape and murder in Katra Saadatganj. It is no surprise that the caste system, and the unequal society it produces, leads to moral blind spots that hide rapes from public view.
Caste historically determined where you lived, what you did, whom you married, even what you ate. Though upper-caste men are rarely imprisoned for raping Dalits, they have a widely accepted defence at their disposal, should they ever need one: They would never touch a lowercaste woman for fear of being “polluted.” In one famous 1995 case, a Dalit woman’s allegations of gang rape were dismissed by a judge who claimed that “an upper-caste man could not have defiled himself by raping a lower-caste woman.” Caste discrimination is exacerbated by corrupt and inefficient governance, which encourages people to seek political power through caste allegiances. When the police and judiciary cannot be relied on to resolve disputes, rape often becomes a means of retribution. This has been apparent in Hindu-Muslim riots as well as in intercaste conflict. “Rape is a weapon to silence the assertions of the community. A way to teach us a lesson. To show us, including our men, that they are helpless and cannot protect their own women,” said Asha Kowtal, a Dalit activist. Such thinking seems to have been at work
in March, in the state of Haryana, when four lower-caste girls were gang-raped and dumped on a train station platform more than 100 miles from their homes. But we cannot rely on the shock value of particularly horrific cases to lead to change; we need structural solutions. The government should start by amending the 1989 Prevention of Atrocities Act, which is designed to address castebased violence. The conviction rate under the act is notoriously low — according to a 2012 report, more than half of all cases are closed before they reach the courts. In the case of Mr. Lal’s daughter and her cousin, the police did not register the crime under the act at all. Amendment proposals that would ensure crucial witness protection, more legal support and special courts are sitting in Parliament right now, awaiting approval. There is no doubt that it was wrong for the police to ask Mr. Lal about caste. But for the rest of us, when it comes to understanding India’s rape crisis, not talking about caste is just as bad. — Courtesy: The New York Times
Voice of the People Yet another controversial verdict SAKHI SARWAR
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t last, the second version of the PEMRA verdict, coined by the government sponsored members and the just-appointed acting Chairman, is out. There is a wide divide, as it is in PEMRA itself, on the magnitude of the offence committed by Geo and the punishment announced. Some say, it is an eye-wash while the others think, it is O’Kay. But the legal position is still hanging in the balance; there are two verdicts – both are valid, but the first takes precedence. Despite the announcement of the punishment eye-wash, engineered, a sponsored favour in disguise, controversial or rightful and genuine, the Geo is still venomous and against the State agencies and has filed a suit for damages. What an arrogance! Desecration and defamation of State agencies cost Geo 15-day suspension and 10 million, while the selfesteem of Geo - an entity opposed to the Two-Nation theory and campaigning (under-cover) for ‘Akhand Bharat’ through ‘Aman ki Aasha’, amounts to 50 billion as claimed in the damages petition; what a mockery of law and what a stubbornness of the media house proven to be working against Pakistan on behest of the enemies of Pakistan. PEMRA is divided as was the Judiciary in December 1997, all state institutions are under the process of disintegration, government has become a party against its own institutions and is instrumental in sabotaging the writ and integrity of PEMRA, TV channels are throwing venom upon the rival channels, anchors are biased and prejudiced, corrupt members sitting in the Parliament proclaim that Parliament is supreme, journalists believe that they are the king makers and they have the mandate to judge what is in national interest and what is not, hence nobody can remind them the Code of ethics for media, nobody can ask them to read the full text of Article 19 of the Constitution, public dealing departments like WAPDA, SNGPL, Income Tax, Police and even Education portfolio are submerged in corruption, the poor and vulnerable people are the target of law enforcement while the influential and law makers are above law, people are facing the worst kind of load-shedding and lawlessness – what a state of affairs. We are really ‘waiting for Allah’ to set us in order, discipline and good governance. We ourselves and our leaders in authority are bent upon disintegrating our state institutions and hence heading towards self intimidation and thus total collapse. God help Pakistan!! —Islamabad
Closure of PRCS blood bank outlet
time got the right attention of the government in the budget of 201415. Without a vibrant and active HBFC, the government could not achieve any objective in housing MASOOD ALAM sector. HBFC, hence, must be made I have learnt media that the Blood a forceful organization, which would Bank run by the Red Crescent So- be able to drive this sector. ciety of Pakistan at Clifton Road —Islamabad Karachi has been closed. Earlier, I used to visit to the said Blood Bank for donating blood regularly. Two years ago, I was informed by the doctors deputed in the Blood Bank RANA DILAWAR, M AYYUB that the collection of blood was temporarily suspended. According to the Press reports, the manage- Banking sector has immense imporment of Red Crescent Society tance for the growth and economic (Sindh) has closed the Blood Bank development of a country. Pakistan has a growing economy and bankfor want of funds. It is strange that the manage- ing sector is playing a vital role in ment did not show any indication it. Being a Muslim nation our first of closing down the Blood Bank priority should be Islamic Banking. till 2011 and they could not be able Efforts for elimination of Riba to visualise its financial con- started during 1970s and most of the straints. Deplorably, now the significant and practical steps were Blood Bank is finally closed down taken in 1980. In 1980 initial steps by them! I recall that I was en- were taken by the State Bank of Parolled by the Red Crescent Soci- kistan by changing the rules and ety as a member of their Blood regulations of the Banking sector. Donors’ Club in a ceremony ar- After that in 2001 first certificate had ranged by PRCS Management at been issued to Meezan Bank as a full Hotel Mehran on June 14, 2009, fledged Islamic Bank. Many people think that there is when the society was celebrating no concept of Banking in Islam. ObBlood Donors’ Day. I understand that the existence viously, the concept of Banking is of a Blood Bank is essential for a not categorically prescribed in humanitarian institution like Red Quran and Hadith, but the fundaCrescent Society. I know that the mentals and a comprehensive code society was running the Blood has been provided, which lays down Bank in its Blood Bank Complex the foundation of Islamic banking. for decades and quite a large num- Shahriah provides the guide line ber of people used to approach the about conducting business in fair society for donating blood for the way. Ulema can play an important use of suffering humanity. I avail role for the promotion of Islamic this opportunity to raise my voice banking. They can create awareness against the closure of Blood Bank in people about Islamic banking and in Karachi. Especially when Sindh mobilize the society for elimination Blood Transfusion Authority was of riba. This is their religious obliprepared to provide assistance to gation to tell the people how strictly the Red Crescent organisation for riba is prohibited in Islam. Ulema continuing their services of blood should give the reference to the collection and subsequent transfu- Quran and Hadith to people. Awareness of Islamic banks can sion to the needy. I, therefore, appeal to the also be created by media. People can President of Pakistan and the Gov- be encouraged to deposit their savernor of Sindh to take immediate ings in the banks. Most of the people have spare notice of such an act of mal-administration on the part of Red money and they do not deposit their Crescent Society in the Province money in the banks. Such saving of Sindh. I hope, the other mem- remains idol unless it is invested for bers of BRCS Blood Donors Club productive purpose. If people deposit their savings in the banks, it join me in this appeal. leads to the financial strength of the —Karachi country and enhances employment opportunities in the country. Proper steps should be taken to educate the people; enhancement in the Islamic banking trainM RIZWAN ISMAIL ing of the staff should be taken into consideration. I don’t remember when the most —Islamabad important economic issue like housing finance was dealt with in a Federal budget. But surely the big thing this time is, in the Federal budget of 2014-2015. F Z KHAN The government of Nawaz Sharif, and his Finance Minister Ishaq Dar have very specifically Pakistan projects Omar Abdullah as dealt with the issue of housing in a puppet Chief Minister in Srinagar, the country and to finance this sec- but his recent statement has caused tor and the country’s prominent stir in New Delhi. Reports suggest housing finance institution, the that the newly installed Modi govHouse Building Finance Company ernment took a serious view of a Limited or HBFC. tweet by IHK CM Omar Abdullah, Housing is a very big issue; which has been taken as a threat to hence in the budget speech. So, the secede from India. present government surely de“Mark my words and save this serves big thanks! Taking this op- tweet – long after Modi government portunity, I would like to request is a distant memory, either J&K the honourable Prime Minister and won’t be part of India or Article 370 the Finance Minister, to consider will still exist.” Whereas Omar a few other steps to strengthen Abdullah has categorically denied housing finance in the country, making any kind of threat to secede thus resultantly increasing the from India, his statement has kickhousing and construction activities started a controversial debate across in the country. India, which, observers predict, may To give appropriate boost to deprive him of his Chief Ministerial mortgage financing in the country, office in Srinagar. and thus stimulating the economy, In fact Omar Abdullah reacted the Finance Minister might have to Jitendra Singh’s statement, also announced making the lend- which said “the consultation proing in housing sector the priority cess had begun to repeal Article lending, and persuading the banks 370” of the Indian Constitution that and financial institutions to put cer- gives Kashmiris the right to decide tain portion of their portfolio in this which Indian laws apply to them. sector. HBFC probably for the first In an interview, Abdullah told BBC
Islamic banking in Pakistan
Budget 2014-15 and HBFC
What is article 370
Hindi that his tweet had been misconstrued, the fact remains that Article 370 was the only link Kashmir had with India. PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti also lambasted at Jitendra’s statement and vowed to resist any such move. Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference also opposed New Delhi’s decision to get the Article 370 repealed. Another debate whether the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan would help contain the freedom struggle in Held Kashmir or foment further violence. This was in the light of a reported statement by Syed Salauddin, chairman of the UJC, in which he warned that Indian targets could be attacked after international forces withdraw from Afghanistan. But Omar Abdullah dispelled the impression, saying, “the presence of NATO in Afghanistan may have contributed to a decrease in the violence in Kashmir but it is not the overriding factor. The withdrawal of forces will not lead to reversal of the situation to the early 1990s when militancy was at its peak.” Islamabad needs to understand the gravity of the situation and renew, in clear and unambiguous terms that the resolution of the Kashmir issue can only be achieved through the implementation of the UN Resolutions. Silence on Pakistan’s part would leave the people of Kashmir more isolated; and would give Modi sarkar a free hand to do away with Article 370. If it says it is internal matter of India, then the argument can weaken Pakistan’s official stance on the issue of Kashmir and Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. —Islamabad
Animal testing MAHAM MAZHAR I strongly condemn animal testing; I believe that animal rights should be taken seriously. Animal testing is extremely cruel, unethical and completely unnecessary. It should be banned and outlawed, animal experiments are unkind and cause a lot of pain to animals. Sometimes, it proves to be inapplicable to humans because animals’ bodies are not exactly the same as our own. Although, so many alternatives are available to us like, Harvard’s Wayss institute has created organson-chips that contain human cells grown in a state of the art system that mimic the structure and function of human organs and organs system. The chips can be used instead of animals in disease research, drugs testing and toxicity testing and researchers at the European Union’s reference library for alternatives of animal testing, developed five different tests of human blood cells to detect contaminants in drugs and many such alternatives have been developed but many medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies are still doing animal experimentation. The question is, why do we test on some poor innocent animal that hasn’t done anything wrong? Why should animals suffer when they are never going to use these products? This is my humble request to the government to take some serious action against this cruelty prevailing in the country. —Via email
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