We’re back. Thanks for your patience. This week’s web exclusives:
- In the lead-up to next week’s Pakistani elections, Ayesha Siddiqa asks if there is any danger of parts of the country’s nuclear arsenal falling into the wrong hands. Look out for more Pakistan coverage next week.
- As the dust settles after the Rowan Williams sharia row, barrister Thom Dyke suggests that English law is perfectly capable of incorporating an element of sharia—and provides a model for how it could be done.
- Legal commentator Ian Caplin explains why the proposed lifting of the ban on the use of intercept evidence in British courts is to be welcomed—as long as it’s done in the right way.
- Phil Zabriskie looks at the life and legacy of Indonesia’s late President Suharto.
As ever, leave your comments below.
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Safety of Pakistan Nukes.
On Pakistan, Ayesha Siddiqa is always worth reading – but not this time.
Let me explain.
First one needs to define the terms used.
Thus “the west” needs to be exactly defined bearing in mind that during its brutal Apartheid days South Africa was regularly includeed in “the West”. Not now. Kindly explain “the West”.
Secondly, there is the need to define, compare & contrast Islamic militants, some few of whom caused shock, death & destruction in New York & the Pentagon (certainly a military target, was it not?)in September 2001, with Christist militants such as President G.W. Bush in the White House & former Prime Minister Tony Blair in 10 Downing Street, who sent their national armed forces to cause havoc, death & destruction, indisciminantly blitzing Afghans & Iraqis; both conflicts now into their 7th & fifth years, respectively (cf. the Great War a.k.a.WWI 1914-1917 & WWII 1939-1944).
A. Qadir Khan is iconic to Pakistanis, for obvious enough reasons, & there is absolutely no need for Ayesha to use U.S. terminology of “infamous” (I do not use the mealy mouthed phrase “the west”, please notice).
“Infamous” she could well have reserved happily for Frederick Kagan, planner of death & destruction, but she failed to do so for reasons best known to herself.
As for seizing Pak nukes: don’t even think of it.
Sense on Sharia
For many years my suggestion has been that IF there is any element in Sharia law that is seen to be beneficial, then propose it to the Law Commission or any other proper mechanism & let it be incorporated in English or Scottish (there being no such thing as “British Law” so beloved in newspaper rants questioning the admirable Archbishop Rowan Williams) so all who need it may benefit.
I read with great interest, Ayesha Siddiqa’s short article; Watch those warheads.
I must say that opinion makers in the west and some Pakistani intellectual like Ms Siddiqa have not understood the gravity of their assertions or even wishful thinking concerning the safety of Pakistani nuclear assets.
Pakistan armed forces are among world’s most deciplined and professional outfits. They number nearly one million and are armed with latest weaponry. How on earth anyone- Taleban, Al Qaeeda or few lower level army anti-West officers could take over the nuclear weapons of Pakistan is beyond my imagination. To do so, someone has to climb over the dead bodies of this million strong army plus 160 million proud pakistanis. I am sure that no USA president with a little common sense would ever dream of launching such a snatch and grab attack on Pakistan.The consequences of such adventure would be felt all over the globe.
Peope who are advocating such silly notions are either enemies of Pakistan or living in fool´s paradise.
Bashy Quraishy
Chair : Advisory Council – ENAR ( European Network Against Racism) – Brussels
Chair : Jewish Muslim Co-operation Platform – Brussels
Member: Board of Trustees – More colour in the media – Holland
Member: Board of Trustees – Centro de Estudos Multiculturais – Portugal
Mobile: 0045 – 40 15 47 71 Phone/Fax: 0045-38 88 19 77
e-mail: bashy@mail.dk http://www.bashy.dk