Mush can stand with his Uniform On.....
With 2/3 majority, Supreme Court of Pakistan has decreed that Musharaf's uniform does not bar him from running for president. Even lame-duck parliament could not bestow such "heavy manadate" on "His Enlightened Moderation"! Let's see if opposition lives up to its promise of "mass resignations" or Mush to his promise of post-election civilian presidency - or may be we are asking for moon in both cases. Whatever be the case, stay tune for more chaos ahead !!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Bomb Blast in Rawalpindi
This time they struck right under the nose of Gallant Armed Forces of "Land of the Pure".
Chickens are coming home to roost - and are roosting with great heat. Alas, they are not likely to calm down anytime soon - even if "Go Mushareff Go" movement carries the day. No pleasant moments ahead !!
Monday, August 20, 2007
In the Name of God (Khuda Kay Liyay)
Finally watched the movie today. It's s just awesome. One of the masterpieces produced by Lollywood to date. Definitely worth watching.
Finally watched the movie today. It's s just awesome. One of the masterpieces produced by Lollywood to date. Definitely worth watching.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Blasphemy And "People are on streets"
Here is an ex-liberal member of treasury presenting resolution against Rudhie.
Pakistan's parliamentary affairs minister Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, who proposed the resolution, said the knighthood would "encourage people to commit blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammad".
Government is in dire straits because of Chief Justice crisis and seems to play "holier than thou" to diffuse anger directed to itself, but it not likely to work.
Modernity, Generals and Ayatollahs
Finally a silver lining about political culture of Pakistan! Not sure how long it will last though. Sigh.
Pakistan’s saving grace lies in the democratic strain of its political culture which has made it possible for a work like Siddiqa’s to be published, marketed and debated at a scale never before seen in Pakistan before. This is a far cry from Iran, where it is inconceivable that a book exposing the economic empire of the ayatollahs could be published and circulated like Siddiqa’s book in Pakistan.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
New controls on media in Pakistan
Finally the emperor sheds his mask and roles back on his own boastings.
President Pervez Musharraf has signed into immediate effect measures to increase control over the media. Current regulations related to television have been extended to the internet and mobile phones. Some regulations on who is allowed to be licensed to broadcast in Pakistan have been extended to cover "any foreign non-governmental organisation".
Finally the emperor sheds his mask and roles back on his own boastings.
President Pervez Musharraf has signed into immediate effect measures to increase control over the media. Current regulations related to television have been extended to the internet and mobile phones. Some regulations on who is allowed to be licensed to broadcast in Pakistan have been extended to cover "any foreign non-governmental organisation".
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Let's not Politicize the Lethal Issues
Commando Sahib seems unwilling to "politicize" these lethal issues:
The current phase of Muslim thought is nihilistic, of tearing down without building, of creating disorder to oppose the order we don’t like because we think it is West-ordained. The tribal areas and increasingly parts of the NWFP are in the grip of this anarchy of our minds. The tragedy is that the state doesn’t know how to deal with this situation.
Commando Sahib seems unwilling to "politicize" these lethal issues:
The current phase of Muslim thought is nihilistic, of tearing down without building, of creating disorder to oppose the order we don’t like because we think it is West-ordained. The tribal areas and increasingly parts of the NWFP are in the grip of this anarchy of our minds. The tragedy is that the state doesn’t know how to deal with this situation.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Pakistan: 'Bastion of freedom'
Laughable or lamentable: a perceptive account of the "laissez faire" in "Brave New World" of Pakistan.
Laughable or lamentable: a perceptive account of the "laissez faire" in "Brave New World" of Pakistan.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Understanding the jihadi mindset
Dr Tariq Rahman reviews Sohail Abbas's book ‘Probing the Jihadi Mindset’ (2007). As many authors has pointed out, these are educated urban youths rather than illiterate rural masses who are more susceptible to the appeals of jihadism. Feeling detached from their physical surroundings, they seek refuge in meta-physical connections. It is pretty obvious from the dominance of Pathans, Punjabis and Mohajirs - and virtual absence of Seraikis, Baloch and Sindhis in the rank and file of jihadis. Some interesting excerpts from the article:
The jihadis were not completely uneducated. Whereas the illiterate population of Pakistan is 45.19 per cent, among the jihadis 44.3 per cent were illiterate. In the Haripur sample, however, only 23.2 per cent were illiterate.
Even more interesting is the fact that, contrary to common perception, most jihadis had not been educated in madressahs. While 35.5 per cent did attend madressahs they stayed there mostly less than six months (indeed merely 14 per cent stayed beyond that period). In the Haripur sample, 54.5 per cent had received no religious education while 45.5 per cent had — but again, even those who did receive religious education received very little of it. In short, as Dr Sohail Abbas concludes: ‘They were recruited largely from the mainstream of the Pakistan population. Their literacy level is above the average of the general population’.
This, indeed, is what reports on 9/11 tell us. Those who join radical Islamic groups are predominantly educated in technology and science. They do not necessarily belong to madressahs though, considering that the proportion of these religious seminaries to state educational institutions is so small, there is a proportionately large number of madressah students in radical Islamic circles in Pakistan.
According to the survey, 48.5 per cent of jihadis said that their families were more religious than those around them. However, they were not motivated for jihad by the family. In most cases (59.6 per cent in Haripur and 39.7 in Peshawar), they were motivated by religious leaders.
The peer group also had a strong influence and, of course, there was self-motivation. Indeed, not surprisingly, the jihadis saw themselves as the most religious member of the family. Some tried to change the family’s religious orientation stopping others from going to the tombs of saints because they believed it was forbidden.
Another interesting aspect of the jihadis’ attitude towards their families is that they did not bother about hurting or worrying their families. Nor, in the case of married men, did they think as to who would look after them. In short, ideology was so strong in their minds so as to break family bonds which are otherwise powerful in Pakistan.
These people also appeared to be less sociable than other Pakistanis. About 49 per cent reported limited social contacts. Maybe, in the absence of places for socialisation, the mosque filled in that gap in their lives. In any case, according to the survey, they were more emotionally unstable (29 per cent) than ordinary men (only nine per cent). Villagers, it appears, are more stable than the inhabitants of urban slums possibly because the villages are still rooted in a strong kinship network and tradition. In the city one is living in a void and feels rootless.
Dr Tariq Rahman reviews Sohail Abbas's book ‘Probing the Jihadi Mindset’ (2007). As many authors has pointed out, these are educated urban youths rather than illiterate rural masses who are more susceptible to the appeals of jihadism. Feeling detached from their physical surroundings, they seek refuge in meta-physical connections. It is pretty obvious from the dominance of Pathans, Punjabis and Mohajirs - and virtual absence of Seraikis, Baloch and Sindhis in the rank and file of jihadis. Some interesting excerpts from the article:
The jihadis were not completely uneducated. Whereas the illiterate population of Pakistan is 45.19 per cent, among the jihadis 44.3 per cent were illiterate. In the Haripur sample, however, only 23.2 per cent were illiterate.
Even more interesting is the fact that, contrary to common perception, most jihadis had not been educated in madressahs. While 35.5 per cent did attend madressahs they stayed there mostly less than six months (indeed merely 14 per cent stayed beyond that period). In the Haripur sample, 54.5 per cent had received no religious education while 45.5 per cent had — but again, even those who did receive religious education received very little of it. In short, as Dr Sohail Abbas concludes: ‘They were recruited largely from the mainstream of the Pakistan population. Their literacy level is above the average of the general population’.
This, indeed, is what reports on 9/11 tell us. Those who join radical Islamic groups are predominantly educated in technology and science. They do not necessarily belong to madressahs though, considering that the proportion of these religious seminaries to state educational institutions is so small, there is a proportionately large number of madressah students in radical Islamic circles in Pakistan.
According to the survey, 48.5 per cent of jihadis said that their families were more religious than those around them. However, they were not motivated for jihad by the family. In most cases (59.6 per cent in Haripur and 39.7 in Peshawar), they were motivated by religious leaders.
The peer group also had a strong influence and, of course, there was self-motivation. Indeed, not surprisingly, the jihadis saw themselves as the most religious member of the family. Some tried to change the family’s religious orientation stopping others from going to the tombs of saints because they believed it was forbidden.
Another interesting aspect of the jihadis’ attitude towards their families is that they did not bother about hurting or worrying their families. Nor, in the case of married men, did they think as to who would look after them. In short, ideology was so strong in their minds so as to break family bonds which are otherwise powerful in Pakistan.
These people also appeared to be less sociable than other Pakistanis. About 49 per cent reported limited social contacts. Maybe, in the absence of places for socialisation, the mosque filled in that gap in their lives. In any case, according to the survey, they were more emotionally unstable (29 per cent) than ordinary men (only nine per cent). Villagers, it appears, are more stable than the inhabitants of urban slums possibly because the villages are still rooted in a strong kinship network and tradition. In the city one is living in a void and feels rootless.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Women in Black
Here is one of the best articles I have come across in the wake of viglantism of Hafsa femme fetalls in the capital of "land of pure" - right under the nose of "His Enlightenend Moderation". The current vigiliantism on part of Beard & Burka brigade is just one of the symptoms of contradictions that run deep into the very foundation of Pakistan.
... while the Islamists have got their martyrs and are always ready to commit more cadres to die in the cause, the liberals work on Russell’s formula: “I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong”.
Neither would I. But this formula works in civilised environments. In a place where some are prepared to die for an absolutism, however misplaced their concreteness might be, some others also need to stand up and commit to defending the right of many to not die for beliefs because they might be wrong. This is a contest between the absolutism of the absolutist and the absolutism of the relativist.
The relativist has to fight to retain the absolute right to his relativism.
Here is one of the best articles I have come across in the wake of viglantism of Hafsa femme fetalls in the capital of "land of pure" - right under the nose of "His Enlightenend Moderation". The current vigiliantism on part of Beard & Burka brigade is just one of the symptoms of contradictions that run deep into the very foundation of Pakistan.
... while the Islamists have got their martyrs and are always ready to commit more cadres to die in the cause, the liberals work on Russell’s formula: “I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong”.
Neither would I. But this formula works in civilised environments. In a place where some are prepared to die for an absolutism, however misplaced their concreteness might be, some others also need to stand up and commit to defending the right of many to not die for beliefs because they might be wrong. This is a contest between the absolutism of the absolutist and the absolutism of the relativist.
The relativist has to fight to retain the absolute right to his relativism.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Colonial confluence
Jasanoff's book seems worth a read! An approach different from both "White Man's Burden" and "Orientalism".
Pakistanis need to consider this fluidity of colonial exchanges if we are to effectively reconcile with our past and move forward constructively. As Jasanoff aptly states: “Empires are a fact of world history. The important question for this book is not whether they are good or bad but what they do, whom they affect, and how.”
Jasanoff's book seems worth a read! An approach different from both "White Man's Burden" and "Orientalism".
Pakistanis need to consider this fluidity of colonial exchanges if we are to effectively reconcile with our past and move forward constructively. As Jasanoff aptly states: “Empires are a fact of world history. The important question for this book is not whether they are good or bad but what they do, whom they affect, and how.”
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Charlie's Angels Strike Again
Charlie's Angels of the "land of pure" are back in action. Good luck with their "noble" mission!! Let's see how His Enlightened Moderation restores "writ of the state" right under his nose.
The women who led Tuesday night's raid near the city centre included teachers and students incensed, the school says, by reports the house was being used for immoral purposes.
They were later joined by male colleagues from the men's section of the madrassa.
When the alleged brothel's owner refused to shut the building, the raiding party forcibly shut it themselves and took the woman, her daughter and daughter-in-law back to the madrassa where they are still being held.
Initially the police were reluctant to step in to rescue the woman, but later registered a case and arrested two female teachers of the school.
But students then kidnapped two policemen from a nearby patrol. They too are being held in the madrassa and were allowed to speak to reporters.
Meanwhile, cities in further north have started bearing the fruits of so-called "peace deals" with Taliban, as this report seems to suggest:
Hundreds of heavily-armed militants have attacked security forces in north-west Pakistan, officials say. Up to 25 militants died, police said, along with a soldier and a civilian in the town of Tank near South Waziristan in the troubled Afghan border area. Security posts and property were said to have been attacked by militants with rockets in a seven-hour onslaught. Armed men also seized the headmaster of a school, where two people died when police and militants clashed on Monday.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Not to be tossed aside lightly .......
Can't say about the novel under review here but couldn't resist enjoying Dorothy Parker's wit. :)
It reminds me of Dorothy Parker’s comment on Mussolini’s The Cardinal’s Mistress: “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”
Can't say about the novel under review here but couldn't resist enjoying Dorothy Parker's wit. :)
It reminds me of Dorothy Parker’s comment on Mussolini’s The Cardinal’s Mistress: “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Witty Wishy
Diverse personalities - all joined by their share of wit. Some witty quotations from this aritcle:
The best often came from Winston Churchill. He had a style of saying things none of us can improve on. Consider this as a way of putting someone down: “He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” Or, better still: “A modest little person with much to be modest about.”
Equally pithy and apposite was Oscar Wilde. Of an acquaintance he did not regard highly, he said: “He has no enemies but is intensely disliked by his friends.” Of himself, he’s alleged to have commented: “Falling in love with oneself is the start of a life long romance.” Of those he disliked: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”
By and large, it’s the British who have this wonderful knack for tongue-in-cheek humour. George Bernard Shaw once sent Churchill two tickets for the opening night of a new play with a note which read: “For you and a friend — if you have one.” Churchill replied: “I can’t make the first night but I’ll be there for the second — if there is one.”
It may surprise you to discover that Americans can be equally clever with their wit. Amongst the best is Mark Twain. Consider this: “I didn’t attend the funeral but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” Or, “Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without an address on it?” But my favourite is this description of a friend by Forrest Tucker: “He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.”
Now here are a few you could bandy about at a party or cast in the direction of those you want to snub. Believe it or not, they were dreamt up by politicians. Talleyrand, Napoleon’s foreign minister, once said of a woman: “In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yields easily.” Paul Keating, who was Prime Minister of Australia in the 1990s, said of an opponent: “He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.”
Diverse personalities - all joined by their share of wit. Some witty quotations from this aritcle:
The best often came from Winston Churchill. He had a style of saying things none of us can improve on. Consider this as a way of putting someone down: “He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” Or, better still: “A modest little person with much to be modest about.”
Equally pithy and apposite was Oscar Wilde. Of an acquaintance he did not regard highly, he said: “He has no enemies but is intensely disliked by his friends.” Of himself, he’s alleged to have commented: “Falling in love with oneself is the start of a life long romance.” Of those he disliked: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”
By and large, it’s the British who have this wonderful knack for tongue-in-cheek humour. George Bernard Shaw once sent Churchill two tickets for the opening night of a new play with a note which read: “For you and a friend — if you have one.” Churchill replied: “I can’t make the first night but I’ll be there for the second — if there is one.”
It may surprise you to discover that Americans can be equally clever with their wit. Amongst the best is Mark Twain. Consider this: “I didn’t attend the funeral but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” Or, “Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without an address on it?” But my favourite is this description of a friend by Forrest Tucker: “He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.”
Now here are a few you could bandy about at a party or cast in the direction of those you want to snub. Believe it or not, they were dreamt up by politicians. Talleyrand, Napoleon’s foreign minister, once said of a woman: “In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yields easily.” Paul Keating, who was Prime Minister of Australia in the 1990s, said of an opponent: “He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.”
Thursday, March 22, 2007
With Friends Like These ...
With "friends" like these, who needs enemies. Fits rightly on the "advisors" of His Enlightened Moderation. Ayesha Siddiqa rightly points out the perils of throwing one's lot with sychophants.
Unfortunately, the problem with sycophancy is that it completely blurs the vision and does not allow a person to visualise the emerging threats. Past dictators were equally intelligent. But they also missed out on numerous warning signs once they gathered sycophants around themselves. The private admiration club takes away the ability of a leader to see which direction the wind is blowing.
With "friends" like these, who needs enemies. Fits rightly on the "advisors" of His Enlightened Moderation. Ayesha Siddiqa rightly points out the perils of throwing one's lot with sychophants.
Unfortunately, the problem with sycophancy is that it completely blurs the vision and does not allow a person to visualise the emerging threats. Past dictators were equally intelligent. But they also missed out on numerous warning signs once they gathered sycophants around themselves. The private admiration club takes away the ability of a leader to see which direction the wind is blowing.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Mush's survival tips
Hoodbhoy describs it accurately here :
Musharraf is not taking chances. He knows that the real threat to his power comes from within his constituency, the military. As a result, he has become obsessed with micromanaging everything from troop movements and special events to postings and promotions.
However, the looming crisis in the wake of Chief Justice's suspension will be a real test for Mush's survival skills.
Hoodbhoy describs it accurately here :
Musharraf is not taking chances. He knows that the real threat to his power comes from within his constituency, the military. As a result, he has become obsessed with micromanaging everything from troop movements and special events to postings and promotions.
However, the looming crisis in the wake of Chief Justice's suspension will be a real test for Mush's survival skills.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Commando's latest shot
His Enlightened Moderation has never been averse to test his commando skills where they are least needed (i.e. outside the battefield). That seems to be his way of establishing "writ of the state". This time the target happens to be the Chief justice of Supreme Court of "the land of the pure". Pakistani polity is in hot waters - but nothing unusual or unexpected in a country where institutions have ceased to be functional except "A Few Good Men" of the "gallant and the glorious" Pakistan Army. However, I seriously doubt if this incident turns out to be the last nail in Mush's coffin - inspite of what the doomsayers say. To me, it does not seem to be "the beginning of the end"; just "business as usual". Consider. Benazir and Nawaz Sharif persona non grata on one hand, and mullahs alive and kicking across the country, on the other. 27 years jail for Javed Hashmi, and "temporary house arrests" for likes of Hafiz Saeed and Masud Azhar. "Peace deals" with Taliban, while " hitting from where you won't even know" for Bugti. And that's just tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for more wonders ahead!
His Enlightened Moderation has never been averse to test his commando skills where they are least needed (i.e. outside the battefield). That seems to be his way of establishing "writ of the state". This time the target happens to be the Chief justice of Supreme Court of "the land of the pure". Pakistani polity is in hot waters - but nothing unusual or unexpected in a country where institutions have ceased to be functional except "A Few Good Men" of the "gallant and the glorious" Pakistan Army. However, I seriously doubt if this incident turns out to be the last nail in Mush's coffin - inspite of what the doomsayers say. To me, it does not seem to be "the beginning of the end"; just "business as usual". Consider. Benazir and Nawaz Sharif persona non grata on one hand, and mullahs alive and kicking across the country, on the other. 27 years jail for Javed Hashmi, and "temporary house arrests" for likes of Hafiz Saeed and Masud Azhar. "Peace deals" with Taliban, while " hitting from where you won't even know" for Bugti. And that's just tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for more wonders ahead!
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