Independent Skies Magazine 13th I ssue

thirteenth issue

| 2 | Independent Skies Magazine | Issue 13 May 2013

4. PAKISTAN’S FIRST DEMOCRAT-IC GOVERNMENT COMPLETED FIVE

YEARS SunIta nayab GIll

14. YOuNG AFRICAN LEADERS CONGREGATE IN ACCRA

IHaV

10. IS STREET LANGuAGE ThE CuRRENCY OF STuPIDITY?

ErnESt MackIna

16. NEVER ENDING SECONDSalMuStafa M. kHalId

18. TOMORROw DIED YESTER-DAY......

nwakanMa cHIka


Pakistan became inde-pendent from British India in 1947, following its parti-tion. Both Dominions, India and Pakistan, adopted the Indian Independence Act of the same year as interm constitution. In 1947, the First constituent Assembly was established; it did not work properly and with-out giving any constitution within six months it was dissolved. A second constituent As-sembly was established in 1949 and it just started drafting the constitution. It only gave the Objective Resolution for the Constitu-tion and dissolved in 1952. The Third Constituent As-sembly established in 1954 and gave the first Parlimen-tary short-lived constitu-tion, 1956. The three Con-stituent Assemblies took 9 years to adopt the first indigenous constitution.

In 1958, President Isikan-der Mirza staged a coup d’etat and abrogated the first Parliamentary Consti-

tution. Shortly, Gen. Ayub Khan deposed President Isikandar Mirza and de-clared himself President. In 1960, Gen. Ayub Khan ap-pointed a commission to draft a new Constitution. In 1962, the new Constitution was introduced and it was a Presidential one. All powers vested to the President. On 25 March 1969, the second Martial Law imposed; Presi-dent Ayub Khan abrogated the Constitution of 1962 and handed over power to Army Commander-in-Chief Agha Muhammad Yahiya Khan. Gen. Yahiya Khan abolished the one unit sys-tem in West Pakistan and announced general election in the country based on “One man, one vote”.

On the 30th of March, Gen. Yahiya Khan introduced “Legal Framework Order, 1970” in which he intro-duced fundamental princi-ples of the proposed Con-stitution and composition of National and Provincial Assemblies.

In general elections, two

major parties got the ma-jority votes. Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman won 288 out of 290 seats in East Pakistan. Awami League clearly won elec-tion in East Pakistan. In West Pakistan, the Pakistan People’s Party under the leadership of Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto won 88 seats out of 144 seats; other seats won by7 parties and 15 indepen-dent candidates. Therefore, in West Pakistan PPP got the majority.

Two major parties got the majority in East and West Pakistan. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman wanted to be the President and Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as well. So nego-tiations held between these two parties from January-March, 1971. On 13 February 1971, President Yahiya Khan announced the meeting of first National Assembly on the 3rd of March in Dhaka. On 22 December 1970, Awami League claimed that they made the government because they had the ma-jority.

PAKISTAN’S FIRST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT COMPLETED FIVE YEARS | SuNITA NAYAb GILL

PAKISTAN’S FIRST DEmOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

COMPLETED YEARSSuNITA NAYAB GILL

5


15 February, PPP did not attended the meeting of the National Assembly. As a result, civil disobedience started in East Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan fought with the Indian Army and the Indian Army backed East Pakistan as well. At the end, on 16th December 1971, East Pakistan was separat-ed from Pakistan and new country named Bangladesh came into being.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto be-came the fourth President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. On the 14th of April 1973, the third constitution of Pakistan was passed, which is parliamentary and still prevails in the country. After his rule as president Bhutto became the ninth Prime Minister of Pakistan.In parliamentary elections 1977, Bhutto won. On 5 July 1977, his Army Chief Gen. Zia-ul-Haq deposed Bhutto. In the evening of 17 Sep-tember 1977, he along with his top leaders arrested and detained. Gen. Zia-ul-Haq imposed the third Martial

Law in the country. After the demised of Gen. Zia-ul-Haq regime, Benazir Bhutto became the Prime Minister of Pakistan for two consec-utive terms from November 1996 to October 1990 and 1993 until her final dismissal on November,1996. She was the first woman Prime Min-ister in the history of Paki-stan.

After 9 years of self-exile, she returned to Pakistan on the 18th of October 2007 after having reached an understanding with Presi-dent Pervaiz Musharraf. Benazir Bhutto then was as-sasinated in a bombing on 27th December 2007, after leaving PPP’s last rally in the city of Rawalpindi, two weeks before scheduled 2008, general elections. Nawaz Sharif, a politician and Chairman of Pakistan Muslim League (N), steel mill industrial and busi-ness magnate serving as the twelfth Prime Minister of Pakistan for 2 consecu-tive terms form November 1990 - July 1993 and from February 1993 until the

military coup d’état staged to end his government on 12 October 1999. He left the country with his family after having reached an under-standing with Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf.

Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf was the fourth Martial Admin-strator from 2001-2008. During his term, he declared “Legal Framework Order, 2002”, the Minority Bill and the Women Protection Bill. Media got independence and he cleared the image of Pakistan internationally. Musharraf declared volun-tary resignation and left the country. Before his depar-ture, he held the general elections in 2008; no party got clear majority but PPP got highest seats in both houses and made a coali-tion government with other parties. PML (N) was the second party who got high-est votes in both Houses. Now after 5 years, on the 24th of March 2013, Pervaiz Musharraf, returned to Paki-stan and participated in the elections.



This Coalition government has faced many challenges, like the war and terror in Karachi, Drone attacks in Khyber Pakhtoon Khow and an internal war in Balu-chistan and in many areas of the Punjab. Also in the country, there is shortage of electricity, gas, CNG and inflation in the prices of goods, diesel and pet-rol. The Hindu community started to migrate back to India and that is a big challenge for this govern-ment because the rights of minorities are infringed. Whereas in Punjab many development projects have started in which the Metro Bus project with the Turkish Government was successful one.

Now in the history of Paki-stan, the government of PPP is the first democratic government, which com-pleted its 5 years tenure. Whereas, every demo-cratic government, in the past, was demolished be-fore completing its tenure. Therefore, the credit goes to all the parties who sup-

port this government and be with the government in the crucial times this country goes through. It is the first step towards de-mocracy. As Pakistan is a developing country and is still finding the best system leading to success. Anyhow, the next general elections will be held on 11 may 2013. All parties and independent candidates are preparing themselves for contesting in the elections.

Now, the challenge is that the new government has to solve the problems, which the country faces right now, people are aware of the importance of their vote, that means the parties have to show their agendas be-cause people want change and the parties should ask, will the voters lose hope and not cast their vote? Because these are widely asked questions in the streets that only the gov-ernemnt can answer ‘What will the future of Pakistan be; socially, politically and economically? Will this gov-ernment also complete its

tenure or the nation has to be ready for another Martial Law? Is the nation going to see some new faces in the political scenario or not? This general election provides the answers of all these questions. Let us hope for the best.

Sunita Nayab Gill



Street Language “ An insightful read that will make you think”The Independent Skies Team

You have probably come across it being used, or

have used it yourself.

Is the Currency of? ?

IS STREET LANGuAGE ThE CuRRENCY OF STuPIDITY? | ERNEST MACKINA

Slang refers to the use of informal words and expres-sions, more commonly used in spoken language and can be localized to a particular group of people. Often used to identify with peers, slang is one aspect that has been largely graced by many of the youth.

“Is slang a language for those of low vocabulary?” A random survey across one social network revealed that most people, particularly those of the younger genera-tions, find comfort in slang as it offers a less formal and serious approach to communicating as opposed to formal or serious

speech and writing.

For most school-going teen-agers, slang is a trendy phe-nomena and a recognised tool that aids in gaining acceptance and opportunities of popular-ity as it provides discourse and fosters elements of rebellion.

“Does slang defeat written language?” however it is imperative to note the difference between slang and vulgar language. Ac-cording to the Oxford Dictionary

(2012), slang refers to the spe-cial vocabulary used by any set of persons of a low or disrepu-table character; language of a low and vulgar type.

The English Stack Exchange notes that originally, slang was language associated with low socio-economic class or char-acter and that a secondary sense has developed, that of general “group talk” in a mildly disapproving or mocking way—even if this group isn’t lower class.

Street Language Is the Currency of? ?Stupidity?

Ernest Mackina


“Is slang a strategy of hiding illiteracy?” Vulgar, on the other hand is noted as being “filthy” and/ or obscene language and that a vulgar person, or a person who engages vulgar language speaks crudely and offensively.

Slang has the vast ability to spread rapidly beyond its area of origin and can exceed the group or subculture from which it originated to cut across previ-ous limitations.

Because of this, slang may grow out of constant interaction, repetitive incidents or phenom-enon or general familiarisation with certain environments and incidents.

“Is slang a means of fit-ting in?” Since slang circumvents the social taboos that orthodox forms of communication shy away from, users of slang tend to escape harsh reality and trivialise sacred issues. Slang is then largely punctuated with elements of crime, drugs and sex. Also known as street lan-guage, slang, in some circles, is diverse as it cuts across wide geographic, economic, social and ethnical strata and is con-stantly evolving over time and space.

Though slang may fall into disuse over time, its magnificent power to grow more and more common in use until it imposes itself as a dominant way of say-ing something to such an extent that it becomes the mainstream and acceptable language or accepted as official informal

language/speech. This form of language may incorporate attaching new meaning to old terms or the cre-ation of new terms altogether. This creates a major discourse to the general understanding or meaning of a term. Differences in context lay the basis of this phenomena.

Now with all these facts in our basket, we come then to ques-tion ourselves, is slang the currency of stupidity? Is it a tool in which we comfort our failure as a society with the educa-tional system? Is it a language which we have come down to a compromise in our vocabularies competency?

Are we moving towards a time when slang will completely replace written language? Is this the age of stupid? Powered by laziness and language incom-petency? Are we hiding our il-literacy through combinations of street words that makes us look hip and a part of?

Ernest Mackina

IS STREET LANGuAGE ThE CuRRENCY OF STuPIDITY? | ERNEST MACKINA


TAKING ENTREPRENEuRShIP IN AFRICA TO ThE NEXT LEVEL | IhAV

Young African Leaders Congregate in Ac-cra – IHAV Conference 2013

Accra-Ghana, April 29, 2013 – This July, over a hundred young African leaders from the world over will meet in Accra-Ghana for the inaugural IHAV Conference under the broad theme “Af-rica’s Youth, Agriculture and Entrepreneurship from July 24 to 27 at the plush Ramada Resort. IHAV (I Have A Vision) Conference is designed to raise a generation of African young entrepre-neurs who will collaboratively work to create employment and provide sustainable solutions to Africa’s challenges.

Participants include over 100 outstanding and innovative young problem solvers between the ages 20 and 26, and 10 prominent leaders and change champions who are actively working to-wards Africa’s rise to prosperity.

Ms. Christabel Ofori, the Chief Executive Of-ficer of IHAV Foundation, the organizers of the conference, stated that “we are very excited to provide this unique opportunity to support youth development through capacity building and em-ployment generation by identifying and challeng-ing youth visionaries across Africa to envision change and Act on it”.

She further hinted that IHAV Conference 2013 will feature headline speakers which include Esi Yankah of Ticklz N’ Gigglz, Mr Charles Sam of Golden Future promotions, Dr. Julius Weche of the Akad Education Group – Africa and Bernard Kelvin Clive. Conference speakers will present pa-pers on topics like social entrepreneurship among the youth, our agricultural treasures and opportu-nities, and business start-ups.

Beyond the conference, IHAV Foundation will continue to provide platforms like periodic fo-rums and blogs, for sharing ideas and developing new projects geared towards fulfilling our societal needs and implementing these projects within planned time scales. It is hoped that the confer-ence will nurture and shape a strong dynamic youth to tackle Africa’s debilitating challenges.

Registration to the conference can done through our website www.ihavfoundation.org or send an email to [email protected] for more details. IHAV Conference 2013 is sponsored by Ramada Resort, and supported by Independent Skies Magazine, Sangy Nursing Services, and the Ku-masi Centre for lifelong learning.


I am writing this when I set my stopwatch free counting those never ending seconds where my sister is in an operation theatre getting herself a plastic surgery at the age of 5.... Yea, you read it “we called the plastic surgeon he is on call today and he will be here in an hour” said the nurse at Glen Eagles hospital in a rainy gloomy night in Kuala Lumpur.It is now 12:42 am and my stop watch is at 20 minutes, they just don’t seem to pass these min-utes.I was playing FIFA on playsta-tion when the door was beaten and the bell rang like the end of the world.the door opened and I froze; I couldn’t even carry myself to stand listening to my mother “lets go lets go, get the car keys” I then jumped and got the keys in lightning speed because I knew something had gone wrong. Then I saw my sister’s face full of blood and freaked out of place, I tried to calm my mother down because that little person was being brave and saying “I don’t feel pain”.


30 minutes had gone and she is still in the theatre dreaming of pink flying elephants or at least I hope she is.Now, it really isn’t that deep cut and lost skin that worries me most.... But, the surgery of 19 stitches in the upper lip itself is quite a tricky one with a 5 year old.The doctor said it is going to be okay, my mother reading the Qura’n on the right, my cousin on my left my father and uncle are walking around waiting in despair and my stop watch is now at 35 minutes.I know I am writing this article in a very emotional status while my sister is in an operating room but I also have a message from this article ..... An update “soon, soon” said a nurse..... Now, back to the message of this article... I have been in all sorts of pain and injuries but all that is a different type of pain when you yourself are hurt, I can tell you that I never felt any type of pain relat-ing to what I felt today. We know we like some people, we dislike some and we love some.... Most

of the time we never show these emotions, but we have to.I have showed everyone how much she means to me but, deep inside you will only know true feelings when you go through pain... So, I am here telling you to cherish those you love and I hope no one would have to go through difficult times.I am now right outside the operation room with my watch indicating 50 minutes with an-other update of “very soon”.It is cold, my knees are shaking and the heart is beating at 200 BpM.... But all is now balanced when the never ending seconds have passed with my watch reading 65 minutes. She is okay.

NEVER ENDING SECONDS | ALMuSTAFA M. KhALID

Never ending seconds

Almustafa M. Khalid


Tomorrow died yesterday......By Nwakanma Chika ( Nigeria )

Tomorrow died yesterdayHis corpse rots at the city gateWe mourn for our dead sonsBut our histories shed blood

The marauders pillaged our librariesBooks and texts taken captiveNo one is paying attentionEveryone is fighting for resource

The great Alexandria fellNow Timbukutu burnsWhile the media shows a proxy warIntellectual pirates rob treasure hub

Tomorrow died yesterdayOur children have no rootsNo history, no anchorHow would they oppose the locusts?

Tongues float in jars of silenceBrains stored in alcoholFingers are black with berryYet we dance in ignorant merry

Tomorrow stands naked in the sunHis story would be told by the slave masterFragments of our identity scatteredDrifting in imperial waves

On history’s mountaintopLies the view of the futureSons of Nubia claim your limbs!And put breath to your dead future

Tomorrow died yesterdayNo petals for his graveHis remains laid to wasteWe betrayed him for little grains

| 18 | Independent Skies Magazine | Issue 12 april 2013

In this month’s issue we feature a poem from Nigeria ,Africa .In the piece “Tomorrow died yes-terday” Nigerian poet Nwakanma Chika narrates the gradual death of Africa at the hands of the West, he questions their con-cern in African issues under the guise of “international aid “ and “the quest for democracy” yet in actual fact they run a parallel agenda, that of looting African resources. What is sad to note is that as this happens, African are ignorant, they dance along to the beat like pawn pieces in a game of chess,” brains stored in alcohol” and confused by the media while the former oppres-sor continues to loot unhindered .The poem’s title emphasises the fact that there is little or no hope for Africa’s future hence the title “Tomorrow died yesterday” .It ends on a rather sad note ,as the poet explains us to us that as Africa continues to be plundered no one cares hence the imagery of “a grave that has no flowers or petals, one whose remains are laid to waste.”

liked what you saw?Visit us

http://independentskies.com


Documents

Independent Skies Magazine 13th I ssue