A drop in the Ocean

The biggest humanitarian disaster has broken the backbone of Pakistan which was not in a good shape before. Despaired eyes, torn clothes, bared footed, empty stomachs and dry mouths of flood affected people of Pakistan are waiting for some miracle to come over and correct everything. Who will help them actually? You? Or I?

We remain confused or want to be confused when we think of helping them. We see towards other people and call them to help out OUR people. But what are WE doing actually? I am among WE and I confess it shamefully that I am not doing what I am supposed to do.

We always think that helping these people means to donate thousands of money or to arrange a big truck of their food and clothes. Some of the people are doing so and I truly appreciate it. But if we cannot do this, it does not mean we can't do anything and can just sit and see the relief activities. A little drop in the ocean is as important as a whole ocean. Do little things! I swear they mean alot.

My friend in Multan was telling me that thousands of people are placed in different schools near by her area. They have made a small group of friends who have adopted few schools in their localities. They visit these schools regularly, ask what they need, bring them food, clothes, medicines, utensils, toys and books for kids, Quran and prayer mats, etc. Affectees are many and helpers are few. They don't have much resources but they are becoming few drops in the ocean.

My friend's cousin is just 19. He decided to do something and started gathering few things at his house. Other of his friends, their families and his neighbors joined him. He and his friends literally gathered huge amount of goods. They didn't advertise or go to people's doors and ask them for donation. They started collecting stuff and when their peers got to know about this, they came in and gave their share. Later, they arranged a big container and brought these goods to one of the affected areas and distributed the stuff by themselves. There are many but they could only touch one of the affected the areas. Their drop in the ocean can never be undermined. It's as precious as the billions of dollars of aid from the world.

Although the world is now the global village but people still do not know what has happened in Pakistan. The world is still unaware that 20 millions people are displaced and 6 millions among them are children. They do not know that millions of people are sleeping under sky and there is still raining. They do not know that the epidemics are slow-poisoning the poor people. We can aware the people around us as Natasha Jahangir did. Her tweets created awareness in Hollywood stars regarding floods devastations in Pakistan. Tom Cruise, Angelina Joli, Ryan Seacrest, Maroon 5's Adam Lavine, Queen Noor, Michelle Branch and Marie Digby all came in.

It's time to play our roles and think the way of helping them. Let's start from our own home. Let's see what are the things which we do not need and lying idle at our homes. Some of them can be useful for others. I swear we will not die without half of our clothes and shoes. Let's spend some of our pocket money on buying food, water bottles, medicines and other stuff. Believe me, the pleasure of spending money on this stuff will be much more higher than we spend on our hoteling which always ends up on higher calories. It's not difficult to get to these people. They are near you. Go to them, console them, tell them you are with them in this time of misery. Help them! Can't you become a single drop in the ocean?

May 27, 2009, Lahore Bomb Blast

I think it was 10:45, when our building shivered with a powerful jolt. It shuddered first, then we heard the voice of blast and tattering of glasses. I cannot explain in words that jerking and blast. For some time, i went blank. There was nothing in my mind to think upon. I was just waiting my building to fall down. After few second when i felt that nothing would happen now, I stood up from my chair and went to my colleague who was still in shock. I took her to the middle of the floor as our seats are set near wall high glass windows. First I thought that our underconstruction upper floor had fallen down, then i thought of earth quake. Then a man shouted 'bomb blast, see that smoke in the sky'.

Although my hands were shivering but I managed to take these pics. Sorry for being blurry :)

I captured it from my window:

All the staff evacuated immediately from the building. The red building which you can see behind the parking area is one of the main police stations of Lahore. We remain at risk with them. It comprises the police station, the main women police station and a big police hostel:

Our reception:

The glass wall was half collapsed.

Aid for Trade

It has become a common philosophy that if you want to destroy a nation, put them on aid. War cannot completely destroy a country, but Aid helps to evaporate a country from the world map.

Trade is the key to success of any country. We have the shining examples of East Asian countries, especially China, where trade has helped to bring the Chinese industry at top and hence helped 400 million people escape poverty in the past 20 years.

Trade is the engine of growth. It is more than true as whole economic system of a country and of the world stand by trade. It is the international competitiveness that compels the microeconomic and macroeconomic stabilization. Only trade is the answer of global poverty.

But the philosophy proves fatal when it comes to Pakistan. The Pak government is pressing hard for acquiring aid in the name of war against terrorism. This is the only thing which they demand with passion rather condemning drones attacks. The external debt has reached almost US$ 43.23 billion this year. Instead of asking aid in monetary terms, Pakistani government should demand:

• access to all international markets especially markets of the Allies.
• special access to American markets
• withdraw of anti-dumping duty imposed by US government and Allies
• special incentives to Pakistan traders hitting US markets
• training and technical assistance for Pakistani export oriented industries
• etc.

I wonder why the educated officials of our government are sitting idle waiting for money to come rather than suggesting government what type aid we should demand for. The war against terrorism has been imposed on us. It has become our war now, then why shouldn’t we get some benefits out of it if they are available?

Morning Comes After Night

After months of political chaos, the crisis came to an end with the reinstatement of sacked Chief Justice of Pakistan. I hope that the remaining matters would also be settled down easily and calmly.

I'd never seen such a huge crowd of people gathered for one objective. People from all the parties were there. And I am happy that I am alive to experience the joy of this memorable moment.

I cannot explain in words how much people are happy. The jubilation around is wonderful. It is amazing to see how a single decision of President has brought everyone and everything at ease. People are congratulationg each other. Sweets are being distributd.

We did not mind staying in front of TV sets for live coverage. We could not sleep till the PM announced the restoration of CJ.

I prayed alot for things to be settled without any violence. We were not in position to face another May 12. Thank God, there were no casuality, no bomb and no violence (except minor shelling and tear gas. The sincere struggle of lawyers and political parties borne sweet fruits.

I hope today's historical sunrise brings peace and justice in the country. Ameen

I am in love with my country

I was thinking to start up a blog about the attractions in Pakistan, but could not do it yet. Some thing is pinching me, don’t know exactly what’s it but I am sure most of the Pakistanis are going through this phase.

There is no parameter to measure one’s love for their country. You might say it a mere show off but I do need it at the moment. I love my country. I love it more than any thing else in my life. It runs in my blood. It gives me more strengthen with each breath. My eyes get brightened when I see little development in my country. My hearts start beating joyously when I see people roaming around with lovely lighters and lively smiles. The song, which our kids learn to sing at first, is our national anthem. My eyes get teary when I hear it. The roads, bridges, parks, schools, universities, mountains, lakes, trees, flowers, birds……what to say and what not, my country is full of loveable things. I love every bit of it. I don’t want it to lose at any cost. I simply want peace and freedom for everyone here here.

Then I think that people of Kashmir, Afghanistan, Palestine and Iraq would have been loved their countries. They would have been wished for peace and stability. But what have happened to them?

My heart starts bleeding when I hear how people are fighting with each other. How could they find satisfaction in killing their own people? Are they humans? Would their rule last forever? What they are leaving for the generations to come? They are just leaving orphans, widows and enemies who would surely kill their love ones afterwards.

We did never think how much a strong economy is essential for our survival. They have nothing to do if, God forbids, this country becomes defaulter. They need power. They need rule. They need blood. When this lust would come to end? I pray it will soon.

Islamabad is under attack again!

“A suicide truck bombing destroyed the packed Marriott Hotel in the city of Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday night.

The attack, which occurred near the Parliament building and the prime minister's home, killed at least 40 people and wounded another 200, police said.

People were still trapped in the hotel, which burst into flames after the explosion caused a natural gas pipe leak, officials said. The fire was still burning at 2 a.m., six hours after the blast, according to The Associated Press.

Rescuers worked to move bloodied bodies from the hotel but were forced to stop out of fear that the structure could collapse.

Details and the number of fatalities are still unclear because of conflicting initial reports. Officials said one or two vehicles was involved in the attack”.

The news struck all of us and left us speechless. The Live coverage is still haunting me.Oh my country is burning. I cannot take this anymore. Who these people are? How these people are convinced to sacrifise their own life? How these people take the lives so many innocent people? Do they know how many curses they received from the poor grieved relatives of dead people?

They are not muslim. A true muslim can not kill himself and others. They are the astrayed people. I wish they could learn in their life what they would get hereafter for their brutal act.

May Allah give peace to the souls of all deceased persons and give patience (Sabr) to all their relatives and also show them the right path to these astrayed people. Ameen

Marriott Hotel before bomb blast