Peshawar, Lahore, Pindi and now Multan

My little nephew who's in nursery to my brother-in-law:

Nephew: Baba! what should I do when there is a bomb blast in school (Khuda na khuasta)?

BIL: beta try to stay away from the main gate. You ll be alright. Nothing would happen.

Nephew: But if bomb walay uncle enters the school then?

BIL: Then lay down on the ground and cover your ears with your hands.Understand?

Nephew: OK

BIL: and if  you see your teacher around, go to her and do whatever she says. OK?

Nephew: and if teacher says nothing?

BIL: then lay down and close your eyes. No need to see here and there.

************

 
Listening to all this, I couldn't stop my tears. How much terrible our lives have become? What type of fear this is. Death is eternal. We cannot espace from it. But such a painful death with listening the screames of injured and dying people around is unimaginable. Life is uncertain but when this uncertainity overcomes you all over, you die before your time.

These days, we live on daily basis. Each day, I thank Allah SWT for keeping me and my family safe. Yea I sound selfish but what I can do except praying that my country gets rid of all those who are doing this. May Allah guard everyone, He is the actual Protector.

I have stopped watching news. I cannot bear the scenes of dead bodies and cries of their loveones over them.  Just a single bomb blast ruin the nemerous families with the lost of their bread earners. Not only few people die in these bomb blasts, their whole families die with them. They die spiritually if not physically. Can they forget all this? No, no way!! The accidental deaths can never be forgotten. NEVER! No word can console the family of deceased. And the announced money, Is there any value of a life?

Parents are especially in an extremely difficult situation. I can understand how my mother lets me leave the home daily in prayers and wishes. Whole day, my father keeps calling me and advising me not to go anywhere unnecessarily. My colleagues remain in stress until their children reach home from the schools.

I wish that I wake up one day and find every thing PERFECTLY alright. Can my wish change any thing? I wish it could!

What's going on in Lahore?

Security is on red alert in Lahore, don't know why. Whenever I see Elite Force standing alert with Kalashnikov in their hands, my heart misses a beat. It seems some thing is going to happen in LHR. They should at least take the general public into confidence if they have received any security concerned information. We have to pass through four check-posts while coming to office. Thank God! they do not stop females for complete search. They do not stop everyone but the suspected ones. But when they stop someone, everyone has to wait for the 'clear signal' as a long queue starts behind that person due to the barriers around the road.

Today, police again stopped a car in front of us. We were getting late but we have to wait as road was blocked. A policeman asked him for his IDs and other papers. He showed every thing but they were not satisfied. They asked him to come out of the car. He came out hesitantly. He was a nicely dressed young man looking very anxious and nervous. The policeman started his complete search even searched out his pockets and shoes too. The man was feeling very embarrassed as everyone was looking at him. People were passing comments on him and on policemen as well. I think police is used to such comments but that young man seemed difficult to face the people. He kept his eyes on his feet all the time. What a degradation of people in their own land? Poor soul....I really felt for him deep down from my heart.

Well the whole way to my office, I kept on thinking what type of measures police should adopt to check people by not humiliating them. There should be scanners fitted on specific roads where they think have security risks. These scanners should not only be used for checking weapons or other explosives but also identifying the drivers and matching the results with the updated database (I suppose NADRA is having it). They should only stop ambiguous ones. but again many of the people do not have even their ID cards. And the terrorists are experts to use authentic data for their evil plans. But honestly 'can we stop the suicide bomber?' 'can we stop the person who comes out with the aim to kill and to be killed?' 'Can any scanner scan the mind and heart of anyone?'

Then how can we stop it? Well we know very well how we can stop it. Govt knows how it can put a full stop to all of it. Give the due rights to the people of deprived regions and have peace and prosperity in the whole country. It's a give and take game. Run the country according to our priorities and objectives not the ones set by the others. But i dont understand what the policy of the government is. There are big questions on its performance. And i dont know what i want to say.........ahhhhh...........so put a full stop to all yap .

May there be peace everywhere. Ameen

Snatch a view

Damn! I couldn't get any pic of Imran Khan, the great Leader ;p

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

Are we going to experience another Martial Law?

Two weeks back, in a meeting, we had a renowned PPP’s leader who was the Ex president of Punjab People’s Party also. He was considered a close friend of Bibi also. He was very active when Bibi was alive but Zardari has put them on thudday line or they might have spared themselves from the newly formed PPP. He is also the former President of our Org. We have a nice hello-hi. I never heard him saying any thing against PPP even after Bibi. He used to defend his party everywhere.

He was sitting next to me. Informal discussion started after the meeting. An old lady came from the back and sat near that PPP figure. They seemed good friends. They started talking with a very lower volume. I naturally tried to hear what they were talking about. Nahi nai mai dusrun ki batein chori se nai sunn rahi thi he knew that I was listening him.

The Lady: How is the politics of Pakistan going?
He: devastating
I was shocked
She: what about your party?
He: what party your are talking about? There is no PPP on the scene. It’s a new party now.
She: you are right. I was not expecting what zardari is doing.
He: You can’t imagine how much worse the situation is. Las night I dreamed that Army took over the country. I am still frightened. You never know what would come in very near future.

He said many things about PPP’s new leadership and the rapidly devastating condition of Pakistan. I couldn’t bear much.

I am really disappointed. It seems that we do not deserve democracy. Our democratically elected leaders cannot run the country. Why we always need Army to handle the bad situation? Why? I don’t want another Martial Law. No no…….

Whether it’s democratic government or a Martial Law, each time our country had to suffer and still suffering. Can anyone save the democracy?

Disqualifying a disqaulified person

Just a simple question; who's qualified enough to contest in the election in Pakistan?
Are those people qualified who are currently running the country?

Yesterday a guy on BBC was telling that the decision is highly politicized and the detail of the verdict has not been releases yet. They had doubt regarding the decisions.

Despite all the charges which Sharif brothers have been faced in this case, where are their other corruption charges? No one has ever faced the complete sentence in corruption charges. One party comes in power and starts on the other party on corruption allegations. Then other party comes and repeats the practice. What the hell they are doing? When will we have the free judiciary to get us rid from all these culprits?

Sri Lankans! We are sorry.

The day was started with very sad and heartbreaking news that some terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team with automatic weapons, rocket launcher and hand grenades. It is learnt that some players got injured too. I can tell you how much I remained disturbed the whole day. I couldn’t even take my lunch, remained praying to Allah that the injured players would survive.

I myself feel embarrassed on this incident. Sri Lankan cricket team is the only team who took the chance to come in Pakistan. Everyone had refused to come over there. But they came second time also to play with us. Cricket lovers were very happy. But unfortunately, some terrorists have destroyed already damaged image of Pakistan.

Sri Lankans! We are very sorry and embarrassed on what have happened today. I know the word sorry cannot cure the terror and pain which you people have faced today. But think that the wound which we have gotten is more severe and deep and it could hardly be filled. I think we have lost every thing in this incident.

May Allah bless you and make things be right in Pakistan too. Ameen.

Geo: The Breaking News!!

Since yesterday morning, one news that remained 'Breaking News' and then be highlighted the whole weekend was the wedding news of Yasin Malik. Renowned Kashmiri freedom fighter and Chairman of JKLF tied knot with Mishaal Malik, daughter of Rehana Hussain, chief of the Muslim League (women’s wing). In each bulletin, interviews of groom and bride were aired with their family backgrounds and with their future promises.


I tried hard but failed to remember any Event of Kashmiris' that had gotton such publicity by GEO. Their hunger strikes, their black days, their rallies, the increasing number of their martyrs, miseries of their widows and orphans could not make eough space in Geo news. I think, after Sana's wedding, it was the most publicized pakistani wedding by GEO.

Can money compensate a human loss?

A question remains unanswered whenever I hear the amount of compensation money, which the Govt. announces as the after match of any bomb blast.

The Govt. announced that Rs. 5 lacs would be given to the people killed in the D.G. Khan Bomb Blast and Rs. 75,000/- for all injured. Can this money do any thing for the families of deceased people? Can this tiny amount cure the injured people?

The country which is heading a severe economic crisis, where value of money is at its lowest level and inflation at its highest level, what type of miracle would this compensation money bring in the lives of effectees? Can an economy that is already running on borrowed money afford such amounts?

I am not against the compensation money, the effected families surely need money to face this unexpected calamity at that moment. But giving compensation money and then forget them for the rest of their live are certainly heinous. Keep in mind; most of the injured people lost their limbs in such bomb blasts (due to the special ingredients of home made bombs). They have to die with every single day.

In a country where bomb blasts occur like earthquakes (like in Turkey), keeping in view the uncertainty and uncontrollability of both, there would have been established a Special Task Force to rehabilitate the effected people and their families. Govt should start establishing special centres where effected people should be treated helpfully.

Govt. should start Special Education and Employment Programs for bomb blast effectees. There should be Special Quotas in the schools/colleges and in jobs for their children. I heard that many govt. departments offer jobs to the kids of effected people. The practice should be further extended to the non-government employees also. Giving compensation money would not gonna work, Govt. should adopt constructive measures to combat this growing phenomenon. Most importantly, there should be a transparent system for the funds disbursement in this context.

Am I proposing another department for the Govt. where it can easily and directly suck more blood of public? Ahhh……..

I think I should stop day dreaming now.

Mind it! I am Prime Minister's sister

"I am the sister of PM of Pakistan and I share some authority with him which is actually meant for sharing my dear bro's burden of handling a big country".
I am sure with this thought, Mrs Nargis Makhdoom have printed her letterheads which states "Sister of the Prime Minister and wife of the Additional Secretary of National Assembly". She is sympathetic enough to write a letter to HEC favouring one of its employees.
I have no right to point out the poor english of this letter as I am not beyond. But I am speechless on the creativity of this lady and her team as they did come with this excellent idea.

"I have a dream"

Finally, Martin Luther King's dream has come true. It took 45 years from 1963 to 2008 but the struggle has gained its fruit. The story had a bloody beginning but a happy end.

This time, I tried to follow up the US Elections 2008 very closely. I wasn't sure that Barrak H. Obama who has an Islamic background would win. But he has made it.

The most remarkable and impressive thing was the party based elections in USA. It was truely remarkable to note how parties had selected their cadidates for presidential election. Incredible democracy I must say. I wish my country may have such democratic culture.

Here are three amazing speeches by three outstanding personalities. I read them many times. Not only the words, their delivery styles are also captivating.

-"I have a dream" speech by Martin King on August 28, 1963. Washington, D.C:
http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html



-"Change has come", Victory speech By Obama on November 4, 2008:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7710038.stm



-McCain's last speech on November 4, 2008:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7599478.stm

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

The Punjab Govt. took over 400 flourmills

To ensure smooth supply of flour at government approved rates during Ramazan, the Punjab Govt. has taken over 400 flourmills deploying Food Department officials and Police to monitor operations of the mills.

The action has been taken by Mr. CM on the request of district government and the Punjab Food Department to resolve the flour issue. The government has to take the decisive action when owners of flourmills refused to issue atta on govt.’s subsidized rates even in Ramazan. Now flour is available at subsidized rate of Rs 300/20 kg. The mills’ representatives declared this as an ‘occupation’ of private businesses and alleged that district government officials had harassed them through the police. They have created artificial shortage of flour to increase its prices. They deserve such an action.

It is shocking to learn that they have refused to supply flour at subsidized rate in this holy month. It is the tradition around the world that merchants put up things of daily use on sale when any religious or national event arrives, but the situation is totally different in Pakistan. They take this holy month as a month of making profits for the whole year. Not only flourmills, other consumer items also need CM’s attention.

Oil Prices drop down to US$ 103 per barrel as Gustav dissipates

Previously, demand for oil was drastically decreased due to the rise in the prices of crude oil. After the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression, oil market traders quickly turned their attention to slowing global economic growth. It is speculating that demand for crude oil will be dampened even in rapidly expanding economies of China and India, which traders surely do not want.

How this scenario would influence Pakistan’s economy?

-It would affect Pakistan’s economy only if the situation would persist for two weeks. It is expected that oil-producing countries are going to adopt some measures for price stabilization.

-If prices remain at this level or decrease further, Govt. would be able to fulfill its deficits by taking back the oil subsidy.

-If Govt. decides to transfer this relief to public, the prices of oil and its products would definitely decrease and its trickledown effect would leave a healthy impact on Pakistan’s economy.

-Prices of electricity would come down.

-Prices of chemical fertilizers would fall which in turn would decrease the prices of agro-based products.

Oil is the axis of whole economy. Lets see what would be the scenario in coming days.

Ramzan kay rang........ Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain kay sang

With noorani chehra,
With stylish jerky vocal,
With trendy beard which keeps on changing and
With chic kurtas,

This is the Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain, the doctor (dont know in which discipline), the scholar and the expert in all affairs of life who is used to hijack GEO during Ramazan.

Democracy Within Our Reach by Mr. Asif Ali Zoordari, a grieved man :(

"My children and I are still mourning our beloved leader, wife and mother, Benazir Bhutto."
"I spent nine years in prison as a hostage to my wife's career and to my party's future.....I wish I could do it at my wife's side. Now I must do it in my wife's place".

"I want to help complete this process. I owe it to my party and my country but above all to my wife, who lost her life striving to make Pakistan free, pluralist and democratic".

"If I am elected president, one of my highest priorities will be to support the prime minister, the National Assembly and the Senate to amend the constitution to bring back into balance the powers of the presidency and thereby reduce its ability to bring down democratic governance".

"I will work to defeat the domestic Taliban insurgency and to ensure that Pakistani territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on our neighbors or on NATO forces in Afghanistan".
"stand with the United States, Britain, Spain and others who have been attacked".

"I hope that my own democratic election Saturday will seal the victory of democracy over dictatorship and, at long last, allow our country to defeat the terrorist threat and address the people's needs".

Who has drafted this article?

Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303131.html

A hypocrite or a double-faced man

Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan is a very learned lawyer, a great orator and an impressive activist. I really like his spontaneous and blunt way of talking. His stanch struggle shook the nation and created a soft corner in their hearts. His determination is truly remarkable.

His struggle is against the government who is not willing to restore the previous judiciary. He is strongly criticizing the government’s recent act of reappointing the judges of their own choice.
But “Zardari is still his leader and he would like to die instead of leaving the PPP”.

And “his commitment to the lawyers’ movement would continue till his last breath. He says that his struggle is against the government not against his party. As far as my knowledge is concerned, his own party is in power. Then with whom he is fighting against?

The contradiction of his views is confusing me. I am not convinced by any of his argument. I have no other choice except calling one of my favourite personality a ‘hypocrite and a double-faced man’.

Dr Shahid Masood PTV Chairman Pay Package Announced by PPP

The Establishment Division on Monday issued an ambiguous notification explaining the package and remunerations of the newly-appointed chairman-cum-managing director of the state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).

The salary and perks goes as:

• Salary: Rs. 700,000 per month (with annual raise of Rs. 50,000)
• House Rent: Rs. 150,000 per month
• Utility Allowances: Rs. 25,000 per month
• Free mobile phone, two residence telephones and one fax
• Business class tickets for national and international travels.
• Recreational allowance, according to the situation.
  

He will be paid Rs 50,000 extra to that of the package of the previous MD as he would also hold the office of the PTV chairman.

Read more:

http://www.daily.pk/national/nationalnews/5106.html?task=view
http://www.chowrangi.com/package-of-dr-shahid-masood-as-chairman-and-md-ptv.html

Prevaiz Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, has resigned

Finally after immense pressure, Musharraf gave his resignation. What would happen next? No onw knows. But one fact is quite clear that a smaller robber has been with a bigger looter. Story is same, only characters would change. People here in Pakistan are quite happy and celebrating it. They have done same when Nawaz Sharif left in 1999. History repeates itself.