- A small mention on TechCrunch during Twitter Blocking:→ TechCrunch author Ingrid Lunden while covering the Twitter Censorship in Pakistan writes Sure, Draw Some thing, Just not The Prophet [pbuh] – at least one Pakistani blogger/activist (and, yes, dentist) Awab Alvi has raised the point that there may be no direct blasphemy accusation involved today at all… linking to portions of the post Twitter Blocked in Pakistan – Permanently or Weekend Testing? → [Discuss]
Twitter Blocked in Pakistan – Permanently or Weekend Testing?
As of 1:00pm Sunday Twitter.com has become inaccessible to all users in Pakistan. Practically all ISP’s have reports of users complaining of twitter.com being inaccessible. Ever since the reports emerged we have asked affected users to help test the site from their ISP connections and within minutes we had hundreds of reports The traceroute shows a very interesting fact, the block is at the DNS level, the url is not resolving right from the get go
traceroute twitter.com
traceroute: unknown host twitter.com
When you do a simple traceroute for yahoo.com
traceroute yahoo.com
traceroute: Warning: yahoo.com has multiple addresses; using 72.30.38.140
traceroute to yahoo.com (72.30.38.140), 64 hops max, 52 byte packets
1 192.168.0.10 (192.168.0.10) 2260.190 ms 0.864 ms 0.705 ms
2 203.99.169.18 (203.99.169.18) 24.729 ms 24.442 ms 21.330 ms
3 10.0.2.6 (10.0.2.6) 43.865 ms 43.745 ms 43.108 ms
4 203.99.170.234 (203.99.170.234) 46.673 ms 46.131 ms 45.280 ms
5 rwp44.pie.net.pk (221.120.253.1) 45.757 ms 46.353 ms 43.939 ms
6 rwp44.pie.net.pk (221.120.254.38) 43.749 ms 44.675 ms 44.910 ms
7 static-khi-ni01-swa.pie.net.pk (202.125.128.162) 44.823 ms 44.716 ms 45.713 ms
8 khi77.ptcl.net.pk (202.125.129.110) 181.540 ms 179.108 ms 180.835 ms
9 ge-1-3-0.pat1.ams.yahoo.com (195.69.145.110) 175.123 ms 176.314 ms 176.563 ms
Shows that the pings head to PIE [Pakistan Internet Exchange] in Rawalpindi then to the Karachi PIE server before heading out to Yahoo. Twitter does not even get beyond the first hop
My gutt feeling is that PTA is just testing their URL Filtering system, we had reports of them testing some image servers on facebook last week, and it disappeared by the evening. PTA choose Sunday to avoid any legal backlash exploiting the courts day off. I also dont buy into the argument of Express News that the access to Twitter was blocked due to an ongoing “competition” of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) caricatures. As no one knew about this “in Pakistan” and it was an unknown issue on twitter to target this portal on Sunday afternoon, there seems to be no evidence to come to that conclusion and feel Tribune should be careful in making such sweeping statements on such a sensitive issue can spark an outlash. I definitely believe they are testing their system. Though the civil society has to its credit a stay order on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority preventing them from blocking websites obtained on 19th April 2012 which can be used against them.
Once they get through these testing days I am sure it can be later used as and when needed. Though the argument presented by PTA is that it needs this technology to crack down on Terrorism related issue, but one may never know when it can be used for political censorship
- So Imran Khan’s the target of your Goebbels’s Vendetta!:→ Zain Umar penned a very passionate article on his blog So Imran Khan’s the target of your Goebbels’s Vendetta! criticizing bloggers and writers at Express Tribune on going virulent against Imran Khan, I think this paragraph sums up my passion and the passion of thousands of PTI supporters
Imran Khan has his faults; he has had his share of indiscretions, oversights, omissions and faux paus; but which mortal is above such foibles and weaknesses? He who has never committed a sin, should hurl the first stone! He who lays claims to infallibility be our savior and I am ready to swore his allegiance
→ [Discuss]
Genie Diesel caricature irks Maulana Diesel
A cartoon caricature of Mualana Fazal ur Rehman was forcibly removed from an art exhibition at Nishtar Hall Gallery as it was being displayed in the 10-day exhibition Face Off. The image created by Nida and Saima from the Department of Fine Arts, University of Peshawar said it was an artistic attempt and everyone should have at least some guts to accept it.
News reports also suggested that another artist by the name of Syed Saifuddin also had his portrait removed a day earlier on the smiliar grounds.
It seems Maulana Fazl Ur Rehman is even offended by being displayed as a genie which as per legend you can rub either way and the genie shall perform as you beckon. With Maualana Sb’s typical to and fro political swaying, I believe this cartoon is a true representation of his political incompetence. So hence forth I believe Pakistanis now have another joke to tease Maulana sb with, the acronym Genie Diesel perfectly embodies this inept politician
Support a Pakistan & India Peace Film
Ali Kapadia, a filmmaker has recently embarked upon a film which talks about Peace between Pakistan and India – he aims to raise $75,000 through Kickstarter campaign – if you believe in promting peace between Pakistan and India read the story line of this movie it might compel you to support this cause.
- What resuming NATO supply means to me:→ Rana Usman in his blog I Believe writes What resuming NATO supply means to me – he wraps up his article with these touching words
Each day, I die morally, each day when I see my ruling class prostrating to the people who are killing my land. Eventually this nation will die morally, there will be 180 million bodies walking around but dead! yes Morally Dead. Thank you America, Thank you Leaders.
→ [Discuss]
- Why does the Pakistani Gov allows the US to kill its citizens?:→ The question asked by the Foundation for Fundamental Rights (FFR) in its litigation filed in Peshawar last week – is Why does the Pakistan government allows the US to kill its citizens? – Clive Stafford Smith a director in the British Charity Reprieve ask this in his Op-ed in The Tribune titled Shoot the Drones As a Britisher he tries to answer this for Pakistanis, but can we the Pakistani nation answer this for ourselves? → [Discuss]
Urdu translation of Benazir & Nawaz Sharif’s Corruption in Raymond Baker’s book on Dirty Money
Courtesy of the team working with columnist Hassan Nisar has translated the Pakistan relevant pages 76-88 which Expose the Massive Corruption of Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif [PDF]
For the English version of the relevant pages check out the following links Benazir Bhutto & Nawaz Sharif Please keep in mind this is the research from an independent unbiased person (Raymond Baker) living out side of Pakistan who in his book tracks all forms of international corruption and we are blessed [?] to have two Prime Ministers deeply involved in the corruption trail leading in and out of Pakistan
Read the rest of this entry »
- Google’s head of news: Newspapers are the new Yahoo:→ An interesting read for New and Old media pundits – Google News head analyzes the new media struggle forward → [Discuss]
- The PTI Argument by Adiah Afraz:→ A must read article by Adiah Afraz published in The News “The PTI Argument” a good read for all the perpetual drawing room critics, specially as she pens the BEFORE and AFTER (the Tsunami) arguments from various PTI critics → [Discuss]
Gilani’s CNN Interview ripped apart by Faisal Qureshi
Id like to store this interview for posterity – Faisal Qureshi has brilliantly ripped apart the CNN Interview with Con-Air Gilani – read my earlier response – “Con-Air” Gilani Goofs up at CNN our our discussion on Out of Bounds – Shutup Clinton & Gilani the Goof
Shutup Clinton & Gilani the Goof – Out of Bounds
Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act in US Congress – to fine Pakistan $2.2 Billion
US Congress presented the Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Bill 2012 – which aims to block all aid to Pakistan – it is as per the new US rhetoric asking Pakistan to “do more” in terms of the War on Terror – It actually means to push the Pakistani Government & the Military to allow for more access to our soil for NATO, drones and US military action.
As a sovregin nation I personally would tell the US to shove it … but with goofs like Zardari … we will most likely be acceding to all their demands and be back at the behest as to how the US wants to trample over us all over again.
FIRSTPOST: A Legislation has been introduced in the US Congress that would deduct $50 million from the aid to Islamabad for every American killed by terrorists operating from the safe havens in Pakistan with the ”support” of ISI.
“Pakistan has for decades leveraged radical terrorist groups to carry out attacks in India and Afghanistan,” Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said introducing the ‘Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act of 2012′.
The Pakistan Terrorism Accountability Act asks the US government to pay the family of each US soldier killed in Pakistan $50 million/soldier for a grand total of $2.2 Billion from the promised aid being given to Pakistan to the soldiers that were killed in Pakistan.
H.R.5734- To provide compensation for the deadly acts by elements of the Pakistani military and intelligence services against United States citizens.
“Con-Air” Gilani Goofs up at CNN
Watch this last minute of this CNN Interview (4:34) with Prime Minister “Con-Air” Gilani and pray tell me how on earth do we have an idiot like him as our Prime Minister
Pay close attention to the very last question - When Gilani was asked that one out of third Pakistanis want to leave the country due to rampant corruption, injustice and other issues to which he replies “Why don’t they leave then. Who is stopping them.”
At hearing PM’s response quite literally the anchors jaw drops in bewilderment – then I think moments later Gilani realized his goof-up and his constipated facial expression almost wishes he could rewind and plead the fifth.
WORST – Our level of International respect is at such a low that when the CNN interviewer tells PM “Con-Air” Gilani to look her in the eyes & respond (3:09)- DAWGIE does exactly as told – WOOF – WOOF
Another sad moment from the Democracy is the best revenge horror series
Dear PM, While You Were Away!
Yousaf Raza Gillani
Prime Minister of Pakistan
Presidential Suite
Churchill Hotel
London
Sub: While You Were Away
Dear Yousaf
I pray this finds you in greatest of health and highest of spirits.
It felt really good that although your trip must have been packed with various activities, meetings, etc., purely in our national interest, you decided to take along 90 most deserving individuals who have worked so very hard for long. Indeed the development which has taken place during your tenor is exemplary and those individuals must have needed a break.
While you are away, we, here, are also having a wonderful time and I thought it would only be fair to keep you abreast so that there is not a moment during your trip that you think about what is happening back home and worry about it.
As I stood waiting for a bus at the stop amidst the routine hustle and bustle of life while the heat was killing me, a bus came to an almost stop and the damn driver decided to press the accelerator. Not his fault! Another bus of the same route had pulled up and you know very well that situation becomes a life and death situation for both the drivers. As a result, three poor women fell while a few, while trying to get out of the way, tripped over the fallen women and got injured. Can you imagine, right then, as I watched, a couple of young men came and pretended to help the women get up while they both had guns and conveniently decided to rob these women off of the very few currency bills they had. You know me well! I just couldn’t just stand and watch. I tried to stop these men so one of them turned around and hit me on the head with his gun. I bled a little and some good souls took me to the hospital. Just a few stitched and I was up and about. But you know what, as I was being treated in the hospital, I felt immediate peace as I thought of you. I could just feel the pleasure you must have felt flying in that very special airplane and then being received in London in about 25 to 30 odd most expensive fleet of cars. I am sure they were air-conditioned! Were they? I have heard the roads are also like carpet and you hardly feel the car being driven. I could just feel you and the 90 people who went with you, and I tell you, all my pain went away. I just thought to myself, those who work hard for me and my nation and serve the country in the manner you and those 90 people have, deserve to be treated like kings. The feeling took over me and I almost forgot all the pain I had gone through.
