FROM PAKISTAN WITH LOVE: SEE YOU ON 26TH OCT, IN SHARJA (UAE), DEAR KIWIS!

To

Her Excellency, 
Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern
Prime Minister of New Zealand

Excellency!

As I am writing you these lines, your (all 33 members) Cricket Team squad is on board to Dubai from Islamabad (safe and sound).

As you are well aware of the fact that your Cricket Board's unilateral and sudden decision well backed by your highness to call off the Pakistan tour over an ambiguous "security alert" appears to be a hasty decision to tarnish the peace-loving country's image of Pakistan around the globe. It also gives an impression that your decisions are not your own. It would seem unfair and unsporting not to engage with the host nation in such matters, to say nothing of ignoring the head-of-state level security accorded to the visitors.

Excellency, all this, mind you, occurred after they (your board officials & team players) publicly expressed satisfaction at the security arrangements and praised facilities and hospitality spending well over a week time.

Pakistani fans are understandably, distraught at the 11th hour cancelation, especially given how Pakistan supported New Zealand politically, and New Zealand Cricket on the ground, twice in the last two years by going ahead with a tour despite the horrific terrorist attack in the Christchurch in which more than 50 people were killed, and then, in a challenging Covid-19 induced bio secure bubble environment.

But while fans can be emotional anywhere, what's intriguing is why New Zealand did not bother to be more forthcoming on the proclaimed alert to the host government. It is likely to create bad blood in bilateral ties beyond cricket and for once, it seems not even YOU could read the pitch. Sad!

Pakistan have been supporting you through thick and thin, but your ‘cold’ and “ambiguous’ response to our Prime Minister was- “there was no issue of a threat but the New Zealand government had received intelligence that the team could be attacked when it steps out to go to the stadium” was nothing but an indication how much your Cricket Board and your government is influenced by others. Your heart and brain is not in the right place- in this regard the less said the better.

Excellency, As our Prime Minister Imran Khan informed you that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team, let me allow to speak further, “We do not have the best intelligence agencies but we have the best cricket team too”.

Ms Prime Minister, since your action is based upon malafide intentions (for not giving the valid reasons of forfeiting the scheduled matches), I am to convey you, these days all teams are sick and tired of the bio secure bubble (which is why some players are opting out every now and then). So do we stop playing altogether, then? Of course, not. Look at how the game is evolving since Covid-19 started to dictate terms.

Excellency, for this, let's also sometimes spare a thought for the injustice being meted out to Pakistan on the pretext of "security" issues. Can you imagine NZ daring to abandon, say, a tour to India like this? 

In the 2010 IPL season bombs went off around the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore with 40,000 spectators inside, but the fixture still went ahead. No series was cancelled even during the bomb attack in London. Pakistan itself played and completed its tour to NZ after the mosque terror attack there that killed more than 50 Muslims not far from where the Bangladesh team was present. We must call out such contradictions and discrimination for what it is!

Your Cricket Team back departure has not made us failed, in anyway. But you tried to desert us. My hunch is it may have something to do with international geopolitics. Don't forget that AUKUS (The US, UK and Australia have formed a new bloc to counter China but obviously their interests converge on Afghanistan also, and which are contrary to Pakistan's) was formed days ago. England is also likely to pull out. NZ will want to lean on their side. Australia and England are two parts of the Big Three at the ICC dominated by India. We all know where this is going, don't we? May be, you do as well.

Pakistani fan reactions tend to be emotional but I'm not worried about that. However, I'd rather we also look out after our interests and adopt a clear policy of reciprocity in the future.

Am not looking out for something to validate a non-cricketing reason, just expressing a possibility of one, and this is entirely based on the failure of NZ to substantiate the "proclaimed security alert" to Islamabad and their unwillingness to share intel if that indeed was the case. It's not as if Pakistan would have forced them to tour had they shared it.

Excellency, we will find out ‘the gloved hands’ behind this conspiracy as your team’s tour cancellation was an attempt to damage Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region.

Last but indeed not the least, we will vent out our frustration through our performance in the cricket arenas, as this is the only solution to cope with the pull out (of your team). It was an unfortunate scenario, but it is not the first that such an incident has happened. Pakistan's cricket has always moved forward because we are resilient - and it is the fans who enable us.

May the Almighty help New Zealand when people like you with weak decision-making and dubious credentials are at such important positions.

See you on October 26th, in Sharja, UAE.

Thanking you for your time, efforts and patience.

MAHTAB BASHIR
A Pakistani Cricket Fanatic
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
+92 333 53 63 248

ISLAMABAD

PAKISTAN

SEMI-NUDE PHOTO-SHOOT OVERSHADOWS QUAID’S PORTRAIT OF UNITY, FAITH & DISCIPLINE?

A MONOLOGUE FROM A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Janu, you know, this Pakistani Qaom is so finicky, ... har bat main worms nikalty hain. Oho, ab dekho na, everyone has the right of expression, be it of boasting with the tongue or flaunting with the dressing. You know, everyone loves Quaid-e-Azam as being the founder of this nation. Aor han... wo do bachy- haa haay, they are semi nude and look at their posture and dressing, uff... Wo to ... when I came from States just few days back, you know ... to ... I  logged in to twitter … to … I found their “bold photo shoot” and string of comments like … everybody was cursing them. Waisy, mery khayal main to… is highway par Qauid kay portrait ko itna zyada pehly kabhi nahi dekha gia tha, what you say, Janu? Ye to, you know, bhala ho is bold couple ka … that they have forced us ALL to closely watch this portrait of Quaid and his immortal message of Faith, Unity, and Discipline. Janu, dekho to sahi, look at the photo shoot bhala… kaisy aik ‘Faith’ ky sath dono shameless larki larka United’ ho kar ‘Discipline’ ki dhajian ura rahy hain, Oh my Gosh!!!

But you know Janu, still, I believe, this photo shoot is not a big deal, I mean not a breaking story. I mean, … I mean the couple, who appears to be fashion models are not so attractive but, you know, models ka to yahi kam hota hy na. Chalo, leave this fuss. But Janu, you know, it is Pakistan, even I have changed my attire from wearing tights (jeans) to Shalwar Kamees. Bhai, kuch to sharam haya hona chahiy na. 

To tell you the truth, aisa to I’ve not seen in States, either. Janu, waisy mujhy to inki dressing bhi pasand nahi ayi, huh… or look at the tongue of Larki… huh…. Or han, larkay ki dressing to... it’s totally weird, he seems like a close relative of Gandhi ji- half naked... chi chi. Aor mujhay to ye shakal sy hi Pakistan nahi lagty. Janu, first, I was indecisive, and now I’m not too sure, but I think so … is photo shoot kay phichay bharti hath hay, you know conspiracy stuff. This RAW thing never gonna out of connection, what you say? But, Janu, seriously, we should ponder (solemnly) and we should put our acts together, to eradicate such vulgarity within us. After all, yar… we are a Muslim Country. We have that do qaumi Nazria. And you know… for this, we will have to meliorate ourselves, first. Phir, gradually, sab kuch better hota jay ga, I promise. Nothing is in this vulgar shoot. 

Or han janu, whoever says this, yes, you got it right, Thomas Carlyle said, “Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one rascal less in the world”. Bhai, if, everyone does like this… to … Life aik dum sy comfort zone main chali jay. What you say, Janu, hain…?

The writer is a senior journalist working for Dunya News and is an Independent blogger based in Islamabad. He can be accessed at mahtabbashir@gmail.com and 0333 53 63 248

NOOR MUKADDAM MURDER: MISOGYNY, PSYCHOSIS, ILLICIT AFFAIR, OR UNINVOLVED PARENTING?

* US embassy distances itself from Noor Mukaddam murder
* Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed says “had he the powers, he would have killed the suspect of Noor Mukadam”

There is a very strong and very urgent need for the state to finally put its foot down and deal with such matters with an iron fist. There are clearly far too many sick degenerates roaming among us and the days when they could kill, rape and/or maim at will need to come to an end right now. Let us hope that the government understands that it needs to go the extra mile to deal with this issue, and that it will not be found wanting in its efforts.

The murder of Noor Mukaddam in Islamabad (on July 20, 2021) did not capture the attention of the public because of the prominence of the parents (her father was a former ambassador, the accused is the scion of a well-known business family), or the brutality of the killing (which included a beheading), but the garish light it threw on a society where a toxic misogyny combined with a social penchant to violence is not so much condoned as expected. A new factor in the mixture is the sense of entitlement of the accused, who loudly proclaimed at his initial magisterial appearance that he was a US citizen, as if that made any difference. Another problem is that the accused’s mental problems have been highlighted.

Some problems have been inadvertently highlighted. First is the role of social media in bringing such cases to the fore. It is almost as if the police has decided not to respond until the social media galvanizes it. Secondly there is the distinct impression that Islamabad is not a safe city. This is not the first incident involving an ambassador’s daughter. Only recently the disappearance of the Afghhna mbassador’s daughter caused a major diplomatic row. Interior Minister Sh Rashid Ahmad tried to deflect attention by claiming that it had been an Indian conspiracy, but has so far not made any claims trying to dismiss the present incident. Perhaps someone has told him that his efforts harm the police more than they help. Earlier, there had been the weird case of Usman Mirza and his entrapment ring. Things are happening in the federal capital because a loose governmental grip has meant that Islamabad is becoming a place to try it on. Criminals are pushing limits and are being left alone.

TIMELINE TILL THE MURDER

July 7 — Zahir books ticket to US
Zahir Jaffer had planned to leave the country.
Zahir had booked a one-way flight for New York on July 7.
The flight was scheduled for 3:50am on July 19.

July 18 — Zahir arranges taxi to go to airport later that night, Noor arrives at house
1:00pm
On the afternoon of July 18, Zahir made arrangements for a taxi service to take him to the airport the following night, when his flight was scheduled for departure.
The booking was made at 12:59pm. He was told he would be charged Rs2,000 for the trip.

9:05pm
Later that day, while Noor was at her home in Naval Anchorage, Islamabad, she received a call from Zahir. Phone records show he was in the surroundings of the Ali Plaza in Islamabad’s Blue Area at the time. Noor left her home at around 9:05pm for Zakir's house. She sent him two text messages enquiring about his whereabouts while she was crossing Abbas Plaza in Islamabad at 9:45pm.

10:00pm
Noor arrived at Jaffer House, situated in Sector F-7/4, Islamabad, at around 10pm on July 18, 2021.
Investigation team sources reveal that around or after her arrival, Zahir made multiple contacts with the travel agency which had booked his ticket. The sources quoted Zahir as asking the agent: "What will happen if I don't travel on the booking date?" Zahir was told that his ticket will be "wasted". At this, Zahir asked: "I am informing you three hours in advance. Why would it be wasted?"The travel agent responded saying that three hours ahead of the flight, "all control goes to the airport", but he will "try to get it cancelled". Zahir then asked how his booking would be impacted if he were to travel 10 days later. "With your ticket cancelled, you will have to pay the difference in rates that are sure to occur by then," the agent replied. Upon being told this, Zahir told the agent he would get back to them in a while. Zahir contacted the travel agent a further five times, the sources said, and later sent an SMS saying that he has decided to travel to the US.

11:00pm
The taxi for the airport arrived at 11pm, July 18, and the driver subsequently called Zahir at 11:15pm, upon which he was told to wait. The driver called Zahir again at 11:36pm and was once more told to wait a bit.

July 19 — Zahir leaves for airport with 'barefooted' Noor, only to return home shortly
12:07am
Zahir told the taxi driver to return as he no longer plans on going to the airport.
He also paid Rs1,000 to the taxi driver through his gatekeeper.

1:40am
The driver called Zahir again at 1:40am saying that since he had been paid Rs1,000, he can come pick him up later in case he changes his mind. Zahir told him he may come, the sources said. They said that the taxi returned at 2am to take Zahir to the airport.

2:15am
Zahir came out of his house with Noor, who was barefooted.
According to the sources, both got into the taxi and the vehicle left at 2:20am.
It was headed for the airport when, all of a sudden, at the Kulsoom underpass, Zahir instructed the driver to turn back home. When the driver asked what the matter was, Zahir said that they are "late" and "will not be able to reach on time".

2:35am
Sources said that the taxi driver turned the car around and dropped them both back home at around 2:35am. The driver said he saw Zahir taking Noor inside the house, along with his luggage, the sources added. The sources said that the driver had noticed that Noor was silent throughout the entire trip while Zahir continued to speak to her.

3:58am
Zahir made another call at 3:58am to his travel agent, which was not received, the sources said.

11:00pm
Nearly 17 hours later, there were signs of trouble at Jaffer House around 11pm on the night of July 19. Police’s preliminary findings suggest Zahir had a fight with Noor soon after she received a series of texts from her parents.

July 20 — The day Noor was murdered and Zahir was arrested
Retired ambassador Shaukat Mukadam, Noor's father, sent her three text messages past midnight asking her her "whereabouts and wellbeing". Noor never responded to these texts. Police believe Zahir had withheld the phone from Noor and she was not allowed to use the device. Her mother sent her a text after 1am, to which she did not respond either. The father sent her two texts again but Noor never replied to her parents' texts the whole night.

5:48am
Noor's mother tried to contact her through voice/text messages. Meanwhile, two of her family friends tried to call her but received no response till 5:48am in the morning.

10:43am
Noor managed to send a voice message to her mother from Zahir's house at 10:43am. This was to be the last message she sent before her murder. The contents of this message have not been revealed yet.

10:56am
Soon after she managed to send the message, Zahir reportedly snatched her phone and called her mother three times at around 10:56am using his own phone. Zahir reportedly spoke to Noor's mother for some 20 minutes, telling her that "Noor is not here at my house".

11:00am
From 11am to 7:30pm on July 20, Noor was held in captivity.

1:44pm
Zahir spoke to his father at 1:44pm for around 30 minutes.

2:14pm
He once more called his father at 2:14pm, only to speak for nine seconds this time.
He did not make any more calls, until 6:35pm.

6:35pm
Zahir again called his father for roughly two minutes.

6:37pm
He once more called his father, this time speaking to him for around a minute-and-a-half.

6:42pm
Zahir spoke to his father for a third time that evening, for just over four minutes.

6:53pm
A few minutes later, at 6:53pm, he called a friend and spoke to him for just over a minute.

7:09pm
He called his friend again at 7:09pm and spoke to him for just under a minute.
He did not make any other calls until 7:29pm.

7:10pm – 7:35pm
Noor Mukadam jumped off a balcony on the first floor and rushed towards the main gate. Meanwhile, Zahir Jaffer also came out from the house and locked her in the guard's cabin, snatched her mobile phone and dragged her inside the bungalow.

It is believed by police investigators that Noor was murdered after this encounter, between 7:10 and 7:30pm. What is known is that she was brutally tortured and finally beheaded.

It is not just a matter of obtaining justice for the dead woman. It is no longer a matter of punishing the perpetrator. The killer must be tried and punished to prove that society can handle such events. More than any consciousness-raising events, it must be made clear that punishment is inevitable, no matter whose son one is, and no matter which country one is a citizen of.

Timeline courtesy: Ayaz Akbar Yousufzai (Geo News)

THE SPY WHO (NEVER) LOVED ME

Pakistan seeks U.N. probe of India's use of Pegasus spyware

Digital espionage has become the stuff of modern conspiracy theories for many reasons. Just as scientific progress turned society around completely, it has also revolutionized the old game of international spying. And it turns out, quite interestingly, that those with the biggest military muscle are not necessarily the best equipped when it comes to cyber warfare.

News that the Indian government used an Israeli software to spy on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan by hacking his phone is disturbing and paints New Delhi in a bad light, but it’s also an established and accepted fact that all countries have intelligence agencies that are expected to do whatever they need to do to conduct effective espionage in other countries. And since we’ve hardly been best friends with India practically since forever, there’s no reason for us to throw our toys around just because this time the Indians got their hands caught in the cookie jar. We should, instead, find out all the reasons that one unfriendly country was able to leverage another unfriendly country’s technology to bypass or security systems and make sure that such a thing never happens again.

NSO standing for Niv, Shalev and Omri, the names of the company's founders- is an Israeli technology firm whose spyware called Pegasus enables the remote surveillance of smartphones. The NSO maintains that the Pegasus is only intended for use against criminals and terrorists.

The Pegasus also violates peoples’ privacy, making it easy to blackmail important individuals who can be forced to act upon directives that are illegal or against national interest.

As such the close partnership between Delhi and Tel Aviv should ring loud alarm bells in Islamabad. It seems that while our military has been as good as any in not just conventional but also guerrilla warfare, our security apparatus as a whole might need to take a bigger leap into the digital realm. The future, which is going to be very different from the past, is almost already upon us. Hopefully this episode about India and Israel colluding against our interests will trigger the change that is needed to make our physical and digital boundaries completely impenetrable.

The PTI government is reportedly meditating to develop a new software for the federal ministers as a firewall against the Pegasus. This is a costly enterprise with doubtful outcome. It needs to be accompanied by raising the issue at world forums with like-minded countries for a global moratorium on the international spyware trade.