Kashmir; students ask for Azadi

In Pakistan the media is not giving much heed to what is going around in Indian Held Kashmir, might be they want to distance themselves from the events. Reading news articles, both by Indian and non-Indian, it seems everyone is in conclusion that they are largely based on anger of local people, more on the basis of how govt. is treating them.  Have a look at BBC’s Soutik Biswas Deja vu in Kashmir and Wall Street Journal The New Kashmir Anger.  Indian Army is marching in the streets of Kashmir and Media restrictions have been placed. Due to media restrictions no newspaper was published yesterday.

One of the Interesting news was about the Film Lamhaa. IBN CNN reported Kunal Kapoor’s tryst with danger in Kashmir and what was danger? He was performing Lamhaa’s scene in front of 400 schools students and some students start objecting to what he was saying.

Kunal says, “I was saying my lines when suddenly some students said that you are not making sense and everybody joined them. However, there was another group of students who were supporting what I said. This small argument led to a big argument where both groups started arguing with each other.”

He further elaborates, “In the midst of this big argument, I didn’t know what to do and I was simply standing. Then suddenly from nowhere a student came and shouted, ‘Kashmir ko kya chahiye?’ (What does Kashmir want?), and the rest answered in one voice ‘Azadi’ (freedom).

These are not words from some Pakistani or any other non-Indian personality, we can’t say that he is twisting it to make it against India. So when I listen and read many Indian commentator saying whatever is happening in Kashmir is Pakistan’s doing or they have been manipulated by few, I want them to listen and observe Kashmir. Try to understand what the people of Kashmir want. One of the excellent interview is what Mehbooba Mufti gave to IBN CNN on 8th of July 2010 http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mehbooba-blames-government-for-kashmir-violence/126260-37.html?from=search . She truly said that the said alleged tapes regarding the so called Separatist Leaders can’t be used as an excuses of State sponsored violence Kahmiri people are facing.

 

16th March; day to remember

I do not want to write about this moment because it is full of success, it is full of message; and because it is still not away from shadow.

What can you write about this day? This day is for nothing; yes among all the noise and hu-ha this day is for none of them.That’s why I dont want to write about it.  When army overtakes the city every officer starts plundering the success, humming stories of bravery of people in his command, victory came because of my men, he will say.But I dont want to write about officers that stood victorious on that day. Because that day is not for them, that stands for something more important than rugged egos and rebuffed ethos.

I dont want to write anything about this day because  CJ is not my hero, he is not what I want for my savior. But This day is not about Chief Justice this is about justice.

I have zero expectations from Choudary Iftikhar, but I have full right to expect justice from Chief Justice of Pakistan. This day says keep your fingers away from chief justice.

This day is not about Politics, this is not about PPP, PLM (N); but this day shouts in the faces of politicians.

It showed that simply winning elections dont give right to rule. You can not assume to be given full authority just because you have won the election. Today was the day when people spoke and said you have to talk about what we are talking about.

Being cynical as always I still see many hurdles and un-cleaned business, ambushes and traitors every where.

I dont want to say anything, I want to hear stories of people who were there in the streets of Lahore, who were there on the roads towards Islamabad.

It is day of Hope. It is day of victory.

But no one has any right of claiming to be victory leader; if story of GPO 150 is true then no one except lawyers and civil-society deserves the right to claim victory.

What ever this day is, it is  Day To Be Remembered.

 

4th Nov. Glory of the moment

My friends Today is historical moment.
Whether this man will make further mess of the America or the world will not decrease the Shine of this moment. Because this moment does not belong to Obama but to the people of America.

Today A Black person was elected to the most powerful seat in the world.
Today a person won a State where some decades ago his parent’s marriage would have been illegal.

This country witnessed hundreds of new voters, revival of the young people’s interest in the politics. The  political capital that does not comes form lobbyists but from the people directly.

Nothing that happens after that will take away the Glory of this moment.

Change is difficult to come, it might take many years to even witness something new. But who could have thought a Black Person on the Presidential Seat.

I wish America good luck

 

Obama Wins; God Bless America

Today the history has been made.

Obama has won. And it’s not just because he is First Black president.

I do not know how he will run country, or more correctly how he will run the world.

Whether he will further make mess of the country or not, it does not decrease shine of this moment.

This moment is important. Important to reinforce their belief that they can do the things appearing impossible.

Today they have elected a new president.

The person who is black. The person who is inter-racial. The person who has not a family in politics.

The person whose first national stand was just 4 years ago.

This moment defines What America  is.

It is land of oppertunity.

After hundreds of years of slavery there is a Black person sitting on one of the most powerful seat in the world.

God bless America I must say.

And I am saying it with all the fears in my heart that this president might end up sending troops in Pakistan.

That would be a mess I am sure.  But I am saying because I have today winessed What truly how any society should work. It should allow anyone to rise from below to above.

The change itself is at long distance from here. But from saggregation about 70 years ago to tonight is a short distance in the life of the nation.

 

Pakistan; still the land of Kings, Queens and slaves

Harvard and Oxford educated Benazir wrote in her will that her husband would lead Pakistan Peoples Party. Yes my friend we still live in the land where democratic parties do not get their heads elected but have them selected.

But Zardari wants his 19 year old son should inherit PPP. Son that has not even stood for one election. Son whose education and life has been far away from the land of Pakistan. But King wants his son to be crowned.

To enhance the claim of inheritance now his Son will not be Bilawal Zardari but Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Now Mr. Bilawal will go for further education and after his education he will come back to take leadership command. Isnt it like fairy tale where prince goes for learning art of war and then returns to take back the throne.

I am not amazed by the PPP’s top leadership’s decision, they are old experienced players of politics who would have little sympathy in changing the status quo.But what happened to this 19 year old Bilawal who is continuing his education from Oxford? Has the education system failed to build any moral and ethical structure in him? I have always thought that young people of his age are more realistic and resilient to the glitter of corruption. Or he seriously thinks he is the only hope of Pakistan (how different is this from what Musharaf thinks about himself)?

But how can I expect anything positive form the member of the family who got Prime Minister ship for 3 times and about their villages BBC best said

But there is little sign that the region has felt any benefit from living in the shadow of one of the country’s most influential dynasties.

The poverty which blights rural Pakistan is striking and most people eke out their living in the scrubby fields.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7163579.stm

The other thing that amazed me was silence from electronic Media, none of the them was even commented about this undemocratic act and its implications. Even Talat Hussain from AAJ Tv. kept mum about it.

They might be more busy in their duties, but even on some blogs respected writers and commenter’s (for example have a look at www.pakistaniat.com) were supporting that decision. General feeling you get from their messages is it is unfortunate but necessary to protect the PPP or some are saying they do not wanted it but if this happens they will support it.

They are fearful that party would break but with this decision what it would stand for? a dynasty of Bhutto’s? We know its not temporary decision, he will not be temporary head till they hold some party elections. He announced his plans of completing his education and comeback to become active Chairman of PPP

All this night while news of crowing of new prince was unfolding, I was remembering the early days of Musharaf. That time also many educated people and respected intellectuals supported him calling him a lesser evil, defending his actions as necessary to protect country. They kept on protecting him even when people were dying in various parts of country.

Today when it looked like that civil society has finally stood against dictatorship. Today when it looked we could see evil as evil and will not close our eyes for momentarily benefits. I am horrified to know our minds are still slaves, slaves of our own fears.

Sometime its better to do right & just act, instead of doing wrong act that looks beneficial.

{On side note I must say Zardari’s address on many times contained important things about stability of Pakistan, the way he defended Punjab and asked people to support for the federation, I was impressed. I feel the gesture of Nawaz Sharif played a very vital role in solidifying the feeling that Punjabis are with Sindhis. Its the first time I feel that existence of PML(Q) has been blessing, as all angre has been toward them and PML(N) was able to get sympathies of Sindhies for Punjab}

 

Benazir Killed! Questions and Liaqat Ali Khan

Media is describing her assassination that she just came out of the sunrise window to wave for the crowd but they are not raising the questions about how it is possible that some assassin got clear shot in such small amount of time. Or was he lucky? But how did that lucky devil knew that car will stop at this point?

News is also there that the dead body has not been given any postmortem, why? I dont understand. How will they decide that whether she died with bullet or shrapnel? Without the medical exam who will tell how far away was murderer?.

These questions might not be able to find the conspirator, but not answering them will definitely raise more shades, give boost to the conspiracy theories. More fingers will be raised on the government, citing not only their incompetence but  doubts about their involvement

When Liaqat Ali Khan was killed, his murderer was killed on the spot and by the police themselves, till now we do not know why Liaqat Ali Khan was killed. Lots of questions that are still raised but there is no way to answer them.

Sad event for the Rawalpindi, it now has blood of two leaders on their streets.How different are two leaders, one about whom it is said that he was wearing clothes having holes in them and other who has long list of corruption on her. One who played important role in creation of the country, other whose biggest achievement was nothing more that being daughter of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. She might had potential of doing something great, but what ever she had she lost it in the dirt of the politics and personal dictatorship.

But she was leader, leader of this nation that does not get any leader for long time.

Nation who is so unfortunate that their best leaders are Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir.

May Allah Protect Pakistan

 

Writting off Pakistan!

I have been on many sites and many websites and many blogs. I was disappointed to read people writing with full confidence about Pakistan, much of which can be summarized in few sentences  i.e. Pakistan is finished, Pakistan is too dangerous to exist and every ones favorite Pakistan is factory of terrorism. With it was tag line that if we support the democracy thats what will be going to happen.
The American presidential elections added further factors. Most the messages except  Mike Huckabee every one else messages looked like they have already found who is responsible. Interestingly this the same tune of the Pakistani officials i.e. Terrorists and extremists are responsible of that. I think these people dont know what people of Pakistan are feeling, many of them feel that ‘someone else’ is responsible for that.

The people who are on the streets are not burning mosques, destroying the madrasas and beating people with beards; they are attacking the offices of the PML(Q) , burning the flags, banners and even sometime even the houses of the people considered to be allies of the Musharaf. If you see videos you see that people are raising slogans and chanting against Musharaf.

I must stress that in this time we dont know who is the killer and who is behind it, I have just tried above to show that how different is the view of the international community

Today we have got 4th main leaders killed starting from Liaqat Ali Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq and now Benazir. We survived everyone of it.

Yes its a sad day but believe me we will survive it, in fact I feel its the moment we can transit to more prestigious position, by asking for the resignation of the Musharaf, holding the elections. People on the streets is what was not there before, now people will be more willing to come outside, it will be difficult for the leaders to make deal with the establishment.

But for this Pakistan require America not to mess with Pakistan’s internal matters for their own benefit, let people decide. Accept the verdict of the people.

 

Benazir Killed! Ramifications?

Finally her killers were able to kill her, remove her from scene. Last one of the Bhutto’s children also killed like her kins. In the long list of conspiracies one more has been added but it will echo a many years.

She might have long list of corruption both monetary and political but she was viewed as great leader for so many people of Pakistan. Her removal will going to affect Pakistan in a really bad way. Pakistan People Party (PPP) workers are known for their activism. They have already taken the streets. People have started rioting. Curfew might be imposed to control it.

However it’s the small problem, the big problem is that a major leader has been removed from the scene. Frankly if the elections are held in the fair way, now it will be really really difficult for Musharaf’s ally to win. But who will be the leader? Nawaz Sharif? he can not even contest the elections.

Benazir was not as big leader as his father Bhutoo. She was helped greatly by his father’s name. But now there is no one from Bhutoo’s family that could come in front and take the charge, the PPP would be run by someone not from Bhutoo.The impact of the larger than life leaders is that it shadows away all other leaders. It will take time before people will start recognizing anyone from her party. Right now there is only one person ‘Aitzaz Ahsan’ from her party being recognized and praised. Zardari might not be able to win the majority favor but he might be accepted for sometime to allow any one of the children to come and takeover the leadership. Yes my friends the political parties are like dynasties in Pakistan, unfortunate but true.

The other effect is who will be blamed? Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Musharaf or Pakistan Army, ISI ? There many suspicious names, but she herself have ruled out that she will be attacked by Taliban or people fighting in Nothern Areas, she was more inclined that ISI might try to kill her. Where will the anger go? Musharaf will be the most clear person, target of people’s anger.

Why I am writing this? I ask my self. People who have orchestrated these events would have thought about the future, but they dont know sometimes some events are too big to be handled by the planners.

I wish this event is the event which changes the direction of the nation in the right direction.

Long Live Pakistan

 

Should I vote?

Should I vote? or boycott elections.

Question so important for the people of Pakistan and it is without answer.

I dont know answer, what I know is that our decision should be unanimous. Unanimous is the silver bullet, its the solution. How difficult is to get? Extremely extremely difficult; even in the room full of educated, knowing and honest people its difficult and impossible.

But in this situation there is something we know what will not happen, its unanimous that there will not be complete boycott. There will be vote-casting either for the PML(N) or PPP or in the worst case for the Musharaf but there would be.

So what will happen now in the present scenario if we dont vote? We will just help dictator’s party.

But then I question my self what if the long lines of the people are just the used for propaganda for  free and fare election while results are manipulated in the background?

For this I dont have answer.  The answer I have is that if I had been in Pakistan I would have gone for voting.

I know that PML(N)  and PPP have made unwise decision for participating in the election, but now they have decided to enter the ring the only option I have is to either support the ring masters or them. I will support them even while I dont feel good in supporting them, they are not much  different from the ring masters, but they atleast require me for their existence.

But like many questions in Pakistan, there is no perfect answer and what decision is correct and what is wrong depends on the future.

I know one thing after the election the student/civil-society activism will become more important,  they will be the force ready for battle and then political parities will need them to put pressure on the government. They are the only threat to government and every party will play card with Musharaf that if their terms are not agreed they will become part of those who are protesting.

 

Bomb Blast in Pakistan another view

When now there has been the bomb blast targeting the Arm and Security Officials one should be careful in what is saying and hearing.

We should understand that anything being said against Army, Military Rule and Musharaf should not be taken as supporting the terrorists.  I will again give example of America, American people have learned 6 years after the 9/11 that supporting the government is different than saying what you are doing is wrong. Where you are going will not stop the terrorism.

Challenging the Musharaf government is like criticizing the President Bush  for his actions, its like voting against the Republicans in the Senate and Congress polls.

In America the detainees are going  to the courts to defend themselves, which in Pakistan does not appear to be possible because in Pakistan the courts are, as newyorktimes puts it, ‘Courts Loyal to Musharaf‘.

Please be conscious to understand that silence will only worsen what is going in Pakistan. Say loud and clear that we want to defeat militants/terrorism but govt. is not capable of doing it; as its in his rule that we have reached here.