The News is reporting that Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar is likely to be appointed the chief election commissioner (CEC) after his retirement in March this year replacing the incumbent CEC, Justice (retd) Qazi Mohammad Farooq, who retires in mid-March after completing his three-year constitutionally mandated tenure. Dogar is set to retire on March 21 which is his retiring date on reaching the superannuating age of 65 year.
Qazi Farooq was appointed the CEC on March 15, 2006 by President Pervez Musharraf who had ironically replaced Justice Dogar, who worked as the acting CEC for more than a year. Its apparent that Asif Zardari still chooses to carefully appoint his ‘yes men’ in strategic designations. → [5 Comments]
Why is India behaving like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)?
Guest Blog by Azhar Aslam
India today is considered by the world to be an established state. Indians think they are on the brink of acquiring super power status. LeT on the other hand is a banned organization considered to be a terrorist non-state actor. So why is it that the belligerence and jingoism Indian state and media is what would be expected of an organization like LeT. How come Indian state is behaving like a terrorist organization?
Non-state violent actors, until recently have been called mercenaries and have been used, by different powers throughout human history. British imperialism started its life in this shape and form, the most famous being the East India Company. Sir Drake , Sir Raleigh and other such “privateers,” were all non state entrepreneurs who advanced state power. Lawless violence often preceded the rule of law.
More recently after the Second World War United States has employed several non-state forces in various parts of the world to further its foreign policy agenda, often at high human and economic cost to that country and its people. Ironically Afghanistan was one such theatre. The Indian support for Baluchistan insurgency is an open secret. There is a strength of evidence for Indian and US support for ‘Jihadist’ groups operating on Pakistani territories.
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PTA Blocks websites with Salman Taseer’s pictures ‘Harmful for the integrity of the Country’
Its being reported that PTA has recently blocked six specific URL’s in Pakistan deeming them “harmful for the integrity of the country“. These websites are blocked for carrying a certain set of pictures containing Salman Taseer, The Governor of Punjab & his family. The PTA is said to have complied upon the request from the Inter Ministerial Committee which has prefered to monitor and block anti-Pakistan, blasphemous, and pornographic web sites.
The alleged pictures had started making rounds on the Internet in early November and consequentially did find its way on a few specific websites, we too did share a couple but preferred to ignore the remaining as they were definitely too personal for public consumption.
Though on a personal level we exercised self-restraint in choosing not to publish the private pictures of his daughter, but I am shocked to see the official bureaucracy go begging at his mercy deeming these websites as harming the national integrity of Pakistan, quite definitely a far fetched lame excuse at best. I am sure there could have been other effective legal measures to bring down these pictures, which would then have been a better representative of a democratically elected government but it seems they still choose to rule by the dictatorial stick. All said, I am definitely shocked to see how easily PTA was eager to comply to this lame excuse on the whims of certain individuals and hope that they quickly revert their decision to block these websites
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Pakistani Bloggers Discussion Forum Launched
Approximately two years back in 2006 we had initially launched a discussion forum to help bloggers in Pakistan, initially it was well recieved and were able to manage for a few months but it disappeared into oblivion due to neglect and lack of interest. It was recently after the series of blogger meetups that we had in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad did many of us feel the need to revive a discussion forum where fellow Pakistani bloggers can collectively help each other to compete with the world at large and maybe place the Pakistani blogging community on the global blogosphere.
This early morning of 2009 [Happy New Year to everyone] I have finalized the preparations of the discussion form being hosted at http://bloggers.pk/forum. This flavor of the discussion board software has been deliberaly selected for its simplicty so that it is easy for everyone to be involved in any on going discussion
We hope that the community of Pakistani bloggers can now join hands together help & assist the new breed of upcoming, who might be gingerly stepping onto this platform for the very first time. While the forum will also provide a place for the advanced users to also share their experiences with everyone around.
Kashif Abbasi - Impact of talk shows in creating Political Awarness in Pakistan
Kashif Abbasi, from ARY One World was invited to an interview with ABN Chicago to discuss the role of Political Talk shows in creating Political Awareness among the Pakistani masses. It is definitely worth listening at least to the first hour of the show
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The discussion was to revolve around the following points
Israel & Palestine: Force Is Never the Solution
Guest Blog by temporal from Baithak Blog
Taking advantage of the lame duck Presidency of Bush, the deliberate distancing of President Elect there-is-only-one-president Obama, the holidays in the West and the attending low emphasis of politicians, Israeli Air Force launched a devastating attack on Gaza.
Israel is the non NPT signatory Occupier in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Golan and East Jerusalem, aided (up to 5 billion a year) and abetted by the West.
President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmood Abbas is perceived as an Palestinian Uncle Tom and he was soundly beaten in the elections by Hamas.
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An Earthquake On Top of Your Head - The Bombing of Gaza
I would like to share this heart touching narration published in Counter Punch by a practising psychologist living in the Gaza City, he has shared his family’s panic stricken reaction as the Israeli fighter jet took target practice around his neighbourbhood killing over 250 people and leaving a trail of over 700 dead
An Earthquake on top of you Head - The Bombing of Gaza by Dr. Eyad Al Serraj
The bombing went on for about 10 minutes. It was like an earthquake on top of your head. The windows were shaking and squeaking. My 10-year-old was terrified, he was jumping from one place to another trying to hide. I held him tight to my chest and tried to give him some security and reassure him. My 12-year-old was panicking and began laughing hysterically, it’s not normal. I held her hand and calmed her and told her she would be safe. My wife was panicking. She was running around the apartment looking for somewhere to hide.
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A letter from Heavens
Guest Blog by Naeem Sadiq
27 Dec 2008. Here in Heavens , it is all peace, quiet and tranquility. Today I specially requested for a copy of national newspapers and some clippings from the various talk shows to get an idea of what was going on after I left for my eternal abode. I simply wanted to know if the mission and the democratic ideals that I had struggled and sacrificed my life for, were being kept alive or had been put aside.
My first big disappointment were the national newspapers. They all carried some 16-20 half page coloured advertisements and upto 10 pages of supplements, ostensibly to pay homage to my departed soul. But it was most surprising to see that not a single person had paid homage from his own pocket. They had all used government funds (tax payer’s money) for paying this so called ‘homage’. I am no longer current with the inflation rates, but I guess the government conveniently ended up depriving the poor of some 20 million rupees, splashed over the newspapers of 27 Dec 2008. I would have preferred to see this money spent on building schools, dispensaries or drinking water plants for the rural poor. I was also sad to see that I was made the excuse for further damage to the fragile economy by declaring 27 December as a public holiday. They seem to forget that holidaying nations do not go many places.
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27th December: Mourning or Celebration for PPP / Zardari?
That fateful day last year Pakistan lost a charismatic leader in the form of the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Its ironic that despite the fact that PPP since then has come to occupy the power house of Islamabad but it has brazenly ‘refused’ investigate the perpetrators and bring the ‘criminals’ to justice. What really irked me was when I watched Asif Ali Zardaris addressing a ceremony in Naudero commemorating the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Ms Bhutto, President Zardari said: “I know who killed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and I will expose them” and asked the ‘friends’ to come forward and help him instead of putting questions as to who killed Ms Bhutto
It is with the same concerning thought that one is bemused to see the PPP opportunists shedding a tear on her death anniversary on National TV, in the absence of any real commitment to launch a serious investigation, I believe these PPP opportunists should instead be celebrating this occasion, as it has handed them all a once in a life time opportunity which they continue to cash in upon the blood of their slain leader
Shakeel Anjum of The News Investigative cell shares an very detailed write up investigating the events following the tragic death. Quite simply without naming the perpetrator, he points the finger at many of our top leaders summarizing quite simply There is enough proof which points towards those who had played a key role in the whole plot that culminated in her assassination. But nobody can dare make any demand to unveil the elements because all these players are holding powerful positions
In the lack of a proper investigation, I might ask you to read this very informative article then answer this poll, maybe public opinion can help bring expose the perpetrators
Loading ...The News, 27th Dec 2008; One year on, Benazir’s murder is still a mystery, but not so much By Shakeel Anjum
Its shocking to read of the new brutal offensive launched yet again by Israel today where they ransacked the Gaza Strip, killing at least 225 people. The western media is for the upteenth time skewing the attack in favor of Israel, listening to the Israeli Foriegn Minister when he quite blatantly justifies the attack as their right to ‘take out their enemies‘ my simple reaction — Cold blodded murderers
Its surprising how Israel enjoys a blanket protection enabling them to get away with blatant human rights violations, even to the extent of preventing UN reporters from accessing Gaza and West Bank, when on 14th December Richard Falk was denied entry into Israel from Tel Aviv airport simple beacause he was going to visit the West Bank and Gaza to report on Israel’s compliance with human rights standards and international humanitarian law. I wonder what they are trying to hide from the International scene… → [16 Comments]
2008: Blaaging to Blogging
My article published in yesterday’s The Friday Times [26th December 2008] where i shared the evolution of Blogging in 2008
There was once a time when most people in Pakistan had no clue as to what the word ‘Blogging’ actually meant, this ‘un-heard off’ word was often greeted with a confused and stunned silence, quite frequently followed with an innocent desi‘ish utterance Blaaging?. An avid blogger like me, who has been dotting the blogosphere since 2004 would instantly get those dreaded stomach binges to sum up the courage and go out on the usual two minute revolutionary spiel promoting the art and science of blogging, it was also an effort to educate the educated. In those days, back then, the two minute sales pitch would often fade into a distant whisper, leaving both parties scampering for other talking points as this geek fad discussion would not last an entire conversation.
Then came the martial law of 2007, most, if not all, Pakistanis were up in arms condemning this heinous political change, including the relatively unknown community of bloggers who too joined the outcry on the digital landscape and penned their protest, little did they know then, that this political tragedy may very well have served them with an unexpected christening right here in the ‘Islamic Republic’ of Pakistan. Whilst the Lawyers and Journalists were taking a battering on the streets, the media could not report and the press could not print, it was these previously unrecognized lone rangers of the blogosphere who stepped up to the plate and offered an unhindered and uncensored news from ‘the streets’. The media blackout had in fact catapulted the community of citizen journalists to become the ‘media’ for Pakistanis hunting for the real uncensored news about the political circus taking place within Pakistan.
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Pakistan, a Nation of Resilient People
Guest Blog by Farrah K Raja
I write this with great pride, Pakistan homeland to Muslims. I want to thank Mohammad Ali Jinnah for leading the Muslim nation and negotiating on their behalf, convincing the British as to why Pakistan is so important for Muslims living in India.
Sentiments and emotions are important; Muslims of India never lacked it, they were failing to present their case objectively to the British. Jinnah was that bridge, determination, courage and his sincere efforts, strength of character forced the British to listen to him.
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Quaid-e-Azam, M.A.Jinnah: A Man for All Seasons
Guest Blog by Asim Khan
To achieve your own dreams it takes a lifetime but to achieve the dream of millions, it’s a feat only a few can perform in the history of mankind. And Jinnah was one of them. And to achieve that one has to rise above the fear and display courage. The ability and skills which he manifested in the process of creation of Pakistan and the fight he carried in all quarters, with reason and logic to bring the dream of a lifetime for millions of souls was unsurpassable. We will always remain in debt to this man and those millions of sacrifices.
There has been a lot written about him; there is a lot that has been said of him. From Larry Collins, Dominique Lapierre to Stanley Walport- all agreed on one thing: this man, this Jinnah, this leader and founder of Pakistan had resolve of a man unbreakable even by the might of the mightiest, the British Empire, the connivance and huge presence of Hindu pressure and by all who thought that to create Pakistan was something beyond comprehension and reason. But he stood his ground against all who promised, tempted, and applied pressure from all directions and yet they could not move him, not even an inch. He was to give all, right to their end of days the question how he single handedly carried this responsibility and what were those elements that made him unique in all sense; as a leader, as a tactician, as one of the finest implementer of law, as a symbol of governance and system which we all forgot, the very citizens and leaders of Pakistan after his death.
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Peoples Resistance rally in support of Muntazer Al-Zaidi, the Iraqi shoe hurler
Peoples Resistance held a very successful Rally today in support of Muntazer Al-Zaidi at the Karachi Press Club today at 3pm. Where we demanded his release and an end to US occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Peoples Resistance expressed solidarity with the victims of all these wars.
About 30 to 40 people participated in the protest which was also attended by a large media presence as well. Thanks to Labour Party Pakistan and friends from Roots, we had colorful placards, tens of shoes, and catchy naaras. We even made a jooton ka haar for Bush with a phone wire.
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ISI, a freelance protector of national security of Pakistan
Guest post by Amjad Malik
ISI is protecting the national security of Pakistan and combating any viable threat to its borders from outside and since 1971 from within. It is not different to the work of the CIA, KGB, RAW, Mossad, and MI5 & MI6 who work day in day out to avert any threat to the security of their own respective countries. The passionate work of this institution though is hardly in the public domain but is paramount when the threat is looming from its neighboring country on its borders, heavy presence of a foreign force on its western borders, and the presence of groups like ‘Makti bahni’ which are promoted, financed and cultured inside Pakistani bordering areas by its enemy. The need of their passionate work become more imperative when the corrupt elite of the country wish to derail the sovereignty of the country and endanger the security of the state by forging an alliance with super power in lust for power putting aside national interest.
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