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Posts tagged with: Imran Khan

Musharraf: I Command You to Praise Me

I COMMAND YOU
Mush in your face
TO PRAISE ME

Well my fears continue to be realized with time and yet again we were not surprised when the President of Pakistan, the so-called upholder of the free press, went ahead to ink the new PEMRA ordinance which gives President Pervez Musharraf more authority in controlling the electronic media. Quite simply Musharraf was a supporter of the open dialog so long as they don’t question his authority, since March 9th the media has repeatedly asked him tough questions and he continues to fail in terms of Public perception and hence now Musharraf feels that the media must be brought under control to the extend of forcible shutting down media outlets if they do not follow the editorial policy to positively portray the image of Musharraf

Musharraf’s dictatorship upon the people of Pakistan has now becoming more threatening to say

I Command you to Praise me or elseoff to the gallows


The free press bubble which was hailed as a breathtakingly new & bold initiative ever to have been undertaken by any previous Army General in the history of Pakistan, he proclaimed this feat as an important chain-link for his holistic concept sweetly termed as Enlightened Moderation. It was without doubt the free press / Enlightened Moderation (Anti-Taliban / Anti-Madrassah) concept fooled top leaders like George Bush into accepting his military dictatorship and continued to offer an extension to his stay in power. For the past seven years Musharraf has used the Free Media trump card against all critics who have dared question his rule on Pakistan quite simply staring down the individual with a simple response ‘has the press become freer like never before?’. I must admit the Press was free, it was allowed to blossom into a beautifully lily, the discussion and dialog was considered a democratic right of any individual, but how fickle were the foundations of this Enlightened Moderation & free press that the moment the media raised a finger to question the President of Pakistan in the same democratic manner, he rebounds with a clamp down on the media with a number of restrictions, in effect censoring the media forcing it to adopt a pro-government attitude.

The free media has without doubt glorified its creator [Musharraf] for over seven years…. When he showed them his candor during his interview, the media clapped…. When he showed them sparkling GDP and economic numbers, the media clapped…. When he showed them his finesse at handling the 9/11 crisis, the media applauded…. When showed them how to handle Jon Stewart on Comedy Channel, the media raved.

But when he showed them the assassination of Bugti, the media stood silent…. When he showed them that he was above the Law by trying to unseat the CJP, the media cried foul…. but what really pulled the string was when he deliberately left an entire city of Karachi at the hands of ruthless killers entrusted to foil the grand reception for the CJP, the media yelled ‘enough is enough’. The free media could not keep quite any more and considered it their journalistic duty to report the truth, they could not live with the guilt of having watched the assassination of more then 40 people on May 12th and smile to say ‘Shabash Mushy… Well Done’

Had if, Musharraf gotten his way on the fateful day of May 12th the massacre would never had made it onto TV and later that evening cowering behind inch thick bullet proof screens in Islamabad, he would have placed the blame of the ‘entire‘ massacre on the hands of the CJP and Judicial body rallying in his support, but that was not so, the people pf Pakistan had witnessed a shocking day and were not to be fooled any further, sadly the media spoiled his picture perfect plan.

Hence in an attempt to stop such incidents from ever happening again, the PEMRA ordinance has been strengthened to clamp down on such LIVE telecasts ever in the future the red-tape increased enough that the media outlets would unwillingly be forced to adopt the propagandistic policies enforced by the government, no more hot interviews, no more anti-government / anti-Musharraf debates, propaganda will be the easiest story to make the hourly headlines and breaking news will be limited a boring old PTV Khabarnama.

Adil Najam of Pakistaniat in his weekly column titled Respecting the military and the media in The News quite rightly says

I have never been impressed by General Musharraf’s chest-thumping assertions about how he ‘gave’ freedom to the press. Freedom is not something that anyone can ‘give’ to anyone else. It is a desire that is inherent, intrinsic and ingrained within individuals as well as institutions. The credit for the expression of freedom by the Pakistani media can, therefore, go to no one except the Pakistani media itself. Having said that, it is also true that while freedom cannot be ‘given’ it can be ‘taken away.’ While freedom cannot be bestowed by government, it can — and often is curtailed by government. For much of his tenure, General Musharraf does deserve credit for having chosen not to limit or attack the freedom of the media. He cannot be credited with ‘giving’ the media new freedoms, but he should certainly be commended for not ‘taking it away’ — that is, until now.

Unfortunately, he seems to be losing his patience; and his cool. Like many before him, he now finds it convenient to blame the media for problems — such as the judicial crisis and the increasing anger against the military– that are essentially of his own making. He seems ready to undo one more positive aspect of his political legacy. Indeed, he may already have.

While Ahmed Rashid for writing for Washington Post / Newsweek writes in his article titled Musharraf = Military Rule, Cannot Survive (credit The Glasshouse)

Musharraf cannot survive the year. His actions over the past few months have pitted the armed forces against the Pakistani public and a section of the establishment that includes the judiciary and civil society. If Musharraf continues along this present path in defiance of public and judicial demands, he may plunge the country into civil war.

Yes I feel its a defining moment for Pakistan and very soon we shall see who and what remains after the dust settles, but this is for sure Musharraf has his head on the chopping block, any takers?


Geo Tv Blackballed because of Imran Khan

Last night GEO.tv was scheduled to re-broadcast the Jawab Deh where Iktikhar (also known as ‘Fitna’) the show host was interviewing Imran Khan and his tell-all attack on MQM. Reports of the blocked channel came first from Gulshan and it was soon verified by GEO where a number of areas across the country were blocked. My own World Call connection at home had swapped the GEO News channel and had started showing TCM (Classic Movies) instead.

The show had a disclaimer in the beginning that Geo does not subscribe to Imran’s views. In the end Fitna offered Farooq Sattar a show to reply to Imran’s accusations.

Watch the interview distributed in four parts uploaded on YouTube as follows. Link share these videos so that many more can defy the censorship enforced by the government.
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Q & A with Salman Ahmad

Here is a Question and Answer response by Salman Ahmad in light of his recent email where he shared his ongoing problems with the MQM reign of terror

Q1: You recently stated in the press that MQM leader Altaf Hussain has threatened you on a number of occasions. Have you ever taken a legal action against him? If not, why? If yes, what happened?

Salman Ahmad: Altaf Hussain is not courageous enough to threaten me directly…he gets his goons to do the dirty work.The first time I was threatened by the MQM was in the early 1990’s when their armed activists told me to go on stage and welcome their then local leader Azeem Tariq at the KMC sports complex. When i refused they threatened to abduct my wife and children. Then they called my house repeatedly and told my father and wife that they will shoot me if I continue to perform in Karachi. I took the threat very seriously and called the Sindh police who sent officers to protect my family residence. I didn’t make it a public issue then because the media was also intimidated by the MQM unlike the Pakistani media now which is strong and independent.

I discussed the matter with legal counsel and everyone told me that no court would be strong enough to stand up to the MQM’s fascist tactics. My friends told me that since I’m a nationally known figure these thugs would be taking a huge chance at attacking me or my family for such a stupid reason.

They did however disrupt many Junoon concerts at (REX) Hashoo auditorium when armed members of their student wing APMSO gate crashed,fought with private security guards and terrorized women, children and families by firing shots in the air and shouting party slogans.

Unfortunately these threats have always been there and most artists have given into these terror tactics because of fear just like all the other citizens of Karachi all through the 1990’s right upto the present bloodbath of May 12.

Another time I got a call from nine zero was from a guy called “Khalid bin Walid” who said that his “quaid” Altaf Hussain had personally demanded me to appear with Junoon at his “ghyabana walima” in Karachi followed by the one in London.When I refused to comply he told me that “aap nay iss shehr mein rehna hai ya nahin, yeh merey quaid ka Order hai” I refused and had no choice but to contact the federal govt. which provided Junoon with security at our Karachi concert. My security officer Hasnain and even my sound engineer, Ishtiaq, were told to convince me to perform at the walima where other artists were also hustled into going because of MQM’s reputation of terror.

Junaid Jamshed and Sajid Hassan told me that these people are dangerous and not to be taken lightly. My response to them was that If I gave into these threats then all the songs that I have composed like “JAZBA-E-JUNOON, TALASH, EHTESAAB, MERI AWAZ SUNO, NO MORE, AZADI,MEIN KAUN HOON ETC would all be blatant lies…

Q2: Do you acknowledge the fact that MQM is a major party in Sindh?

Salman Ahmad: My mother’s family also came from Patiala, India in 1947. Some of my relatives lost their lives and all their possessions during partition. They shed blood for a Pakistan which they hoped would give them human rights, protection and a home for their children to grow up in Peace and prosperity. Its for this reason that initially I supported the MQM, but when I saw their politics of terror, violence and coercion, I was disillusioned by them. After seeing the blood bath of MAY 12, Muslims killing Muslims, I’m forced to ask these questions: For how long will these parties continue to threaten the new generation of Pakistanis who are Pakistanis first and Sindhi, Punjabi, Mohajirs, Pathan, Baloch second. For how long will they arm young students with T.T. pistols and other weapons and teach them to kill rather than educate them. Is this the Pakistan they want for their children to grow up in? My appeal to the MQM and all the other political parties who believe in terror and violence is to listen to the voice of change: LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS and let us all help build a new Pakistan, a Pakistan of Peace,Justice and prosperity… A Pakistan which openly celebrates its beautiful and diverse people.

Q3:You have also stated that, “I think the time has come for all Pakistanis to stand up and be counted.” Are you planning to take any action other than the statement you have sent out?

Salman Ahmad: I’m an artist first and my work speaks louder than my words: From DIL DIL PAKISTAN to GHOOM TANA I have always had strong political views which have been reflected through my music and films… Whomsoever helps Pakistan become a strong,just and Peaceful country will always get my support.As a U.N. goodwill ambassador I have an added responsibility to promote HIV. Aids awareness and a global vision of peace, tolerance and coexistence. Pakistan is an integral part of this vision.

Q4: You are friends with Imran Khan. Are you unbiased or are you working in support of Tehrik-e-Insaf?

Salman Ahmad: Like I said I’ll support anyone who serves Pakistan’s interests and not their own.

Q5: You have always been a strong supporter of President Pervez Musharraf. What is your view of his behavior regarding MQM and what happened on May 12 in Karachi?

Salman Ahmad: President Musharraf will be judged by the legacy he leaves behind, Its in his interest and Pakistan’s that he keeps the will of the people his highest priority. There should be a strong independent commission which should look into the causes of the tragedy of May 12th. Pakistani blood is not cheap…. each one of the killers should be brought to justice and May 12th, “Bloody Saturday” should be a reminder to all, that, Pakistanis will NEVER surrender to terror and violence.

Q6:All over the world, musicians often get involved in politics. You have made a political statement. Do you think Pakistani musicians should get involved in politics?

Salman Ahmad: Its not for me to say what other artists should do,but this is a time for all Pakistanis to stand up and be counted.You have to ask yourself: will I always live in fear and be a slave in someone’s fiefdom…OR will I express my true “Khudi” and fly like Iqbal’s “Shahine” to discover my highest potential.

Q7:Are you planning on making a song about this May 12 carnage?

Salman Ahmad: Music, poetry and a guitar are far more powerful than guns, bombs and bullets. Sabir Zafar and I wrote the song “Junoon sey aur Ishq sey miltee hai Azaadi, Qurbani ki bahon mein miltee hai Azadi” for the movie, Jinnah. In this, Pakistan’s 60th anniversary of independence,

I’d like to dedicate those words to the Martyrs of May 12 who shed their blood for the sake of Jinnah’s dream…


Salman Ahmed speaks out against MQM

220px-salman_ahmad.jpg

An open letter by Salman Ahmed, a famous Pakistani singer, to all Pakistanis

Altaf Hussain and his murdering accomplices deserve to be tried for their crimes against Pakistan. I’ve been threatened by them on many occasions in the past 15 years. One particular time was when I refused to perform at Altaf’s marriage function in Karachi and London where all the other artists, including Ali Azmat, were browbeaten to go and perform for his “Majesty’s” pleasure. The man who threatened me was called “Khalid bin Walid” who was a known terrorist and a murderer. He told me that Altaf Hussain, “his Quaid” had especially demanded me to appear with Junoon to perform at their ceremony function.

When I refused to comply he called up my staff and my sound company guy, Ishtiaq Ahmed,and threatened them with dire consequences if I didn’t go. Ishtiaq pleaded with me to go and perform or risk being killed,and all this OVER REFUSING TO PLAY AT A MARRIAGE FUNCTION!
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A wolf among donkeys will always be the KING

Analyzing the method
behind the madness in Karachi

Guest Blog by Munib

Part – 1

Whether or not the final score goes against Musharraf or CJP, The possible clash tomorrow & if continued in coming weeks will make sure the President stays in power forever fooling all players,including lawyers, MQM, opposition & definitely the civil society. The Sindh government & the MQM especially are, in their lust for power & show of loyalty,they are being trapped expertly by Musharraf. You will come to know how surely i say this.

This is part-1 which gives a broader perspective & the method behind the apparent madness by different parties. When the CJP issued started everyone said, in this game there is no winner but being the smartest & all praises to Arbab & MQM , Mr. Musharraf is smartly turning this into come-what-may,  I-shall-be-the-winner situation for him. Also praises to our enlightened educated who keep on approving his EVILS because they are too blind to see & sincere with country to find alternatives.

Part-2 is basically an advice to MQM on how they can benefit from this crisis if they use their heads properly. It will also elaborate why I believe Musharraf is one of the most intelligent & evilest of dictators Pakistan will ever see in centuries. But before we continue lets separate facts from analysis first.

A Fast Rewind:

– Well before 9 March, the CJP was invited by Karachi Bar to celebrate its 50 years celebrations. Later events, as known by all, result in delaying this to 12 May.
Opposition after failing to get any response from public, previously, due to their shaandar record (except Imran Khan, untested yet) decides to use the CJ issue for their evil designs.
– Sindh CM flies to Islamabad to provide proof against CJP. The man he mentions as proof saying the CJP forced him comes LIVE on TV (ARY ONE WORLD) and thrashes his statement all corners.

MQM, after initial neutral posture realizes that continuing to do so means Arbab being the blue eyed boy for Mush & that also no Mush means any gov for them in Karachi thus decides to flex their muscles.
– MQM announces that it will organize a rally too against this. Unfortunately it goes too far in showing their loyalty to GHQ & chooses the same date.


The Action Starts here . . .

Within 24 hours following events occur in Karachi.

MQM announces the route may possibly clash with the one lawyers want to use.

Sindh gov advises lawyers ironically, & not the MQM to cancel the plan, the lawyers reject this.

Next step by Sindh gov.? Someone orders from KBCA to seal prominent lawyer Munir A Maliks house in Karachi.

SHC intervenes &summons KBCA officer, mission failed but its just beginning.

Some unidentified (who will remain so forever) fire at Munir A Malik house early morning, Thursday, he escapes, awakened, sitting watching AAJ TV (as per his statement). The lawyers get angry & decided to go on with the rally.

Sindh gov announces that a big terror activity may be possible. A gang is arrested that was supposed to organize a terror incident on Saturday

Altaf urges party men to show in big number & while his men grab every corner to organize their rally, Sindh gov orders the removal of arrangements setup by lawyers meant to be used to greet the Chief Justice.

So who is actually benefiting from this game basically?. Possibly Opposition, Musharraf & MQM are throwing many arrows at one time. Here is how:

The Main Opposition  (PPP, PML-N)

If anything goes wrong on Saturday the opposition will have never a better chance to cash something against gov & try to act more sympathetic to CJP. With media acting like a catalyst they may well be benefiting a great deal if not winning. But if all goes smoothly they will again be benefiting in organizing a successful CJP greeting in Karachi & vetting out their anger in front of already anxious-to-capture-moments channels.

MQM or Sindh Gov.
While Sindh gov & MQM may be fighting a common enemy, inside they are ready for a battle within.Arbab has been quite vocal against CJP recently. If anything goes wrong on Saturday, MQM may try to throw everything on Arbab. Also, because Arbab himself cannot arrange a big rally for Mush, if MQMs own rally goes well it will send a signal from MQMs side to Mr Musharraf , to retreat from his trust on Arbab & think about a more powerful MQM all over Sindh with ISI always ready to help out in elections.

Additionally their dunda may well keep the media away from bringing out truth during clashes. Its also easy for media to throw everything on Sindh gov & Arbab rather MQM.

President Musharraf

I sincerely admire his wolf-style thinking. Divide & rule may be thousand old methods but it still works no wonder. If Sindh gov + MQM rally goes well, his spoons aka Durrani,Wasi Zafar will shout on TV later on about civil society supporting them.

If it goes a bit bad, they will be the most beneficiary. Because in our gov style just informing someone absolves it of all sins therefore they will come up with statements like the CJP was already informed about terror threat.

If it goes too bad, welcome, let it come.
May be CJP & Mush are working hard behind the scene for this drama.This could well be a perfect script. The PM has already thrown a balloon tagged EMERGENCY coming   . . . . in air. What else could be the best pretext to declare an emergency than this? Later he can surely cancel the elections too on the wardi issue. Hurray, he wont believe his luck coming so good.

All the people who are infected with the Mush’s Fake enlightenment philosophy & are blind to see the real designs behind will be responsible in Pakistan for this, if this happens.

But what about the CJP issue if that happened?. Well, hell with it, the gov will attack media more severely & after fundamental rights disappearing no where we shall find ourselves back in 80s in ZIAs regime. Being a true ally, the WEST is happy with dictatorship that suits its designs.

What about the MQM?  Well, if they support newly renovated dictator fine. Else it may well be that the firing at Munir A Malik, clash on Saturday be thrown into their lap & all their previous evil doings shown to them & their party back onto its knees with a “Kia hokum meray aaqa murmuring obediently.

MMA- The B Team

Anyone remember the Islamic-Brotherhood  viruses spread by ISI & ARMY in 80’s. Anyone remember who created, funded & approved the Taliban?. Anyone know why the Jamia Hafsa drama started, the two terrorist being included in dialog & discussion while fist & humiliation awaited the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Yes ladies an gentlemen. We should be thankful to USA for being near us at our border, else on any given day we should see Pakistan bring turned into Next Taliban, Next Saudia or UAE or a mix of these. Rest assure our Army is only as much enlightened as any interior haari or kisaan, in its roots.

So what about the B team of ARMY? Well Musharraf may need them in case he ever finds the WESTERN love fading. Its handy to give them one province you know. Both the MMA & WEST will keep each other busy while president write his next “In the line of victory & among donkeys.

What about the rest?  the PTI, the PML(Q) etc. Well, does anyone even bothers about them? This is Karachi, only MUSH, MQM & MMA matter here.


Nasim Ashraf & his Resignation Bull Shit

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ME THE BULL SHIT ABOUT NASIM ASHRAF RESIGNING!!

Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan: Nasim Ashraf offered to resign, trying to follow the footsteps of Inzamam-ul-Haq who can be considered valiant enough to have accepted responsibility for the World Cup disaster. Nasim Ashraf, the supposed leader of the Pakistan Cricket Board literally ran from the media hovering someplace at an undisclosed location in the interior of Sindh, when on the other hand he should have been manning the fort, and ready to stand to take the heat, front and center. After all it was on his watch that things were going haywire, leading to the culmination of a first round exit.

Immediately a few days after the fateful loss to Ireland followed by the disastrous news of Bob Woolmers death Geo.Tv was able to locate this whimpering Son-of-a-bitch roasting his sorry ass at some feudal lord harem in Sindh. When Geo.Tv talked to him live in a telephonic conversation Ashraf had not much to say to defend the PCB organization but very soon indicated in a casual off-the-cuff remark in a last ditch attempt to save his sanity in front of millions watching Geo.Tv, that he had already tendered his resignation to the President of Pakistan.

There is a must watch video on Nasim Ashraf later in the post
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Pakistan ‘Should sue Hair’ – Imran Khan

Imran Khan

In an exclusive interview with Stick Cricket, Imran Khan has made some interesting observations of which the loudest statment was “Unless Darrell Hair can supply concrete proof of ball-tampering, then I think the Pakistan management should seriously consider suing him,”

“When a ball is 55 overs old, it is absolutely impossible to tell if a scratch on the ball has been made by a player’s nail, or from the pitch – which is scuffed up by the fourth day – or from hitting an advertising board. Hair needs to present concrete proof that a Pakistan player has wilfully damaged the ball. Pakistan have been unhappy with Hair’s umpiring before: it’s his manner, as if he wants to stamp his authority on the game. These kind of umpires do so much damage to the game. If he thought the ball had been tampered with, Hair should have given Inzamam a warning – instead of immediately jumping in and suggesting that ball tampering had occurred.

“Inzamam made a big mistake: he should have taken a stand on the spot when the ball was changed. Not coming out after tea was the wrong kind of protest. The captain’s job is to focus on winning the game. The manner of the protest has lost Pakistan valuable time in a game they looked like winning. Inzamam should have called in the team management as soon as Hair decided to change the match ball. Apart from anything else, changing the ball disadvantaged Pakistan – the new ball didn’t swing.”

“If Inzamam had decided not to come out after tea as a protest – why then did he eventually come out with the team? Everything looked chaotic. There were all sorts of PCB officials in the dressing room. Every team gets the ball to swing after 50 overs. By Hair’s logic, England shouldn’t have won the Ashes last summer – they only beat Australia thanks to reverse swing. – SPIN magazine/stickcricket.com


The Path of Khan

Imran Khan

I would recommend you to read the interview of Imran Khan taken by Tim Adams of The Observer.

I personally remain a big fan of Imran Khan for his in-your-face honest truth, whether you like it or not he speaks straight from the heart. Its sad to see professional liars only make it big in our political system, but I give him due credit for raising his voice on all issues.

Link: The Observer – The Path of Khan


Pakistan Googled by a Texan

Bush Googly

George W. Bush’s two-day trip to Pakistan can now sadly be looked back upon more as a state sponsored relaxation trip for the President after his hectic schedule in India. Little do the Pakistanis have anything to show for this visit by the most powerful dictator of the world. In 2000, we were literally on our knees begging for Clinton to stop by to say Hi, but in contrast, in 2006, when the US President willfully offers to come, we fail miserably to perform.

It was no secret that Pakistan was unlikely to get any crumbs from the nuclear grants when India worked hard to create a mutual understanding. Delhi has been after Washington for a long time and Pakistan can’t expect to get a deal just for the heck of being a critical neighbour with India. For Pakistan, the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) should have been the hot deal to be inked during the two-day trip. The BIT has been in the works for a good time, but sadly, Islamabad was caught napping till the nth hour and any last minute efforts only left objections making it unreasonable to be finalized in March.

When dealing with the most powerful country of the world it should not be difficult for us to come up with alternative memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to cover up and potentially replace the BIT. Other MOUs could then have served a face-saving for the embarrassed government and it would have been a benefit for Pakistan even at a microscopic level. Instead, the two days were spent playing cricket and munching dinners at state expense.

The Texan did make news (the only news to make headlines around the world), not on a political level but instead while playing cricket – he was hit by a bouncer and spun a googly in the process. It goes to say what a waste of time it is, trying to teach a baseball fan to hold the oddly shaped cricket bat let alone trying to teach him to bowl over-arm without the sling shot pitching style he’s more used to.

Making matters worse, Mushy and his cronies went all out to cordon Islamabad off from the world. The airport and all incoming roads were effectively closed for all making it more like a prison and, simultaneously, all sorts of political activity was addressed by issuing house arrests for the loudest of all critics namely Qazi and Imran Khan. I applaud Imran Khan to have taken the limelight from the visit with some very interesting TV interviews he gave leading to the trip. Qazi Saheb, what can I say?

Bottom line – Musharraf and his team have terribly mismanaged this trip, only to be remembered for the wrong’un delivery that Bush faced during his practice session at the nets.


Imran Khan speaks out

Recently Imran Khan wrote an article which was published on SA Tribune. I quote you a very interesting point that he mentioned amongst other notable items also discussed.

…rather than trying to understand why 9/11 had happened, Bush and his colleagues took refuge in such inane expressions as “they hate our freedom, our way of life, our democracy” and, even more ridiculously, “they love killing”. The main stakeholders used 9/11 to pursue their own agendas for which it was convenient to conflate Islam and terrorism.

Read the entire article on SA Tribune to really feel how perfectly he has conveyed the feelings of Muslims and especially Pakistanis. How do you percieve this article?