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Late MB Naqvi’s Book “Paksitan At Knifie’s Edge’ Launched

By Zia Ur Rehman

17 January, 2011
Countercurrents.org

KARACHI : Rich tributes were paid to senior journalist, columnist and author Mohammad Baqir Naqvi (M. B. Naqvi) with speakers eulogizing his efforts for upholding fundamental rights of the people, democracy and regional peace in South Asia.

The speakers were speaking at launch ceremony of the book “Pakistan at Knife’s Edge” by M. B. Naqvi organized by Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) at auditorium of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA), here Sunday.

In the book, late Naqvi focuses on the lawyers’ movement for judicial autonomy and reinstatement of economy and derives hopes from it. A human rights activists and fervour supporter of liberal democratic dispensation, Naqvi presents in this book a blue print of future of this country.

Mani Shakar Aiyar, a senior Indian diplomat, politician of Indian National Congress, and member Indian Rajya Sabha paid rich tributes to late Naqvi for his efforts for friendship with India and upholding fundamental rights of both India and Pakistan. He gave an overview of the writings of late Naqvi in his articles and books.

He said the two countries must work seriously to set their people free from the clutches of poverty. “We need to make a governance system in which common people’s voice is given priority in the government decision-making.” Talking about the political direction of the region, Mr Aiyar opined that neither India was a complete democracy nor Pakistan could be categorized as a total non-democratic state.

He said that fundamental rights are guaranteed in the Indian Constitution and no one can alter this right. However, questions of human rights violations and equitable distribution do arise in India and these require serious attention.

Mr. Aiyar recalled that in a number of meetings between him and late Naqvi, he had found late Naqvi expressing sorrow that Quaid-e-Azam’ dream of democracy in Pakistan was not fulfilled. He said Naqvi was concerned about the expanding influence of the US in Pakistan particularly after 1954. “Late Naqvi was in favour of an independent foreign policy without any external influence,” he added.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Karamat Ali, Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) said Naqvi was the most readable analyst and political commentator of Pakistan. He recalled an occasion when late Naqvi had spoken about Jihad in Afghanistan and its after-effects. “Looking at the developments in Pakistan today, one is compelled to think how true his warnings and fears have been.”

The PILER Executive Director said that ‘Pakistan at Knife’s Edge’ while covering politics and social development in the country extensively deal with the recent lawyers movement in Pakistan. He regretted that the presently lawyers are supporting the killer of governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. “Had Naqvi Sb been alive today, he would have been shocked to see the support extended by lawyers for the murderer of Salman Taseer,” he added.

Karamat Ali observed that Naqvi’s vision revolved around a society where human equality prevails and where every citizen is considered as equal without any prejudice for creed, sect or religion. He said late Naqvi had considered militarization a big threat in the region. “He (late Naqvi) was also against nuclearization, which is being imposed by radical elements. Naqvi sahib was very clear that peace cannot be restored until fundamentalism is ended in the South Asia region.”

Senior journalist and writer Zubeida Mustafa read out and linked excerpts from the book to the ongoing developments in the country. She said Naqvi sahib always wrote for peace and democracy in the country.

Dr. Jaffer Ahmed, Director Pakistan Study Centre said this book by late Naqvi carried analysis of the Musharraf period in Pakistan which in its last days faced many crises. Besides discussing lawyers movement, late Naqvi has also wrote on extremism, contradictions in the social structure and regional disparities. Dr. Jaffar said after 1947 Pakistani people have not become independent and there is always a fear of India in the minds of the people as well as the decision-makers.

In his welcome remarks, B. M. Kutty, Secretary General of the Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) paid rich tributes to M. B. Naqvi and his friends. He said MB Naqvi was a strong advocate for regional peace. “Being the founder member of Pakistan Peace Coalition and Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy, Mr Naqvi did all to advocate regional peace. His contribution for political balance and social progress in Pakistan too was very valuable.”

Senator and Senior Baloch leader Hasil Bizenjo too spoke on the occasion. In his brief address, he said that unless the establishment changes its hypocritical policies – supporting and fighting militants all at the same time, there is little hope for Pakistan to move away from extremism and terrorism.

(The writer is a journalist and peace activist: Blog : www.afpakwatch.wordpress.com)





 


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