INTELLECTUAL LUNACY

Muhammad Mahtab Bashir
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
Islamabad
People call me insane. They may be right because a person who tries to cling to the virtues of good and detests evil is not welcome in any society especially in ours. People call me moron may be because I cannot speak anything but the truth. I don’t feel twinge. I don’t feel isolated as long as I keep my ‘insanity’ intact.

When you follow the path laid out ahead of you by your conscience you can never stop. The path may be unpaved and ruthless but you have to go through. Thorns and bushes threaten to go along with you to the extreme, but slowly and surely the journey gets easier, exciting and colorful. You feel satisfied no matter what the world thinks of you. And there comes an ultimate moment when you start thinking ‘majority means all fools on the same side’ instead of ‘majority is authority’. It needs a strong willpower, as to me, the only discipline that really works in one’s life is ‘self-discipline’.

I know what to expect and what is going to happen next, I am neither an expert in making prophecies nor a fortune-teller but because I have learnt the rules of nature that make me strong. 

Many moons ago, an old sage advised me saying, “Listen my Kid! You can not be broken by nature, if you are a part of it”. And being a quick learner, I start exploring the basics of life. Thereafter, I've learnt that if I plant flowers I will get flowers in return but if I sow thorns and anticipate aroma of flower out of it, it is a plain stupidity. Is it the reason people call me insane? No it is not. I have something more to say.

Is it sanity to kill people? Is it sanity to destroy this beautiful world with weapons of mass destruction? Can you call a person sane who dropped the nuclear bomb to Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Can you adjudge person a sensible who creates havoc with explosives from 9/11 to 20/11? Is it sanity to kill innocent people? Is it a coherent society where rich is getting rich and poor is on the verge of extinction? Is it all fair to exploit poor masses?

Stop it all! Now tell me frankly but truly, do we have the courage to make this all odium? I don’t know about others’. But yes I have that valor to raise my voice against all such evil forces. I will go ahead on the path of virtue. People like me may be called brainless but I am happy to be called insane as it inserts my name in those privileged members list of Aristotle, Mansoor Hallaj, Confucius or Carl Marx to name few.

People have their reasons and I have my own. The world goes on like this. Lets see whose’ gonna win.

Bus YADEIN'... YADEIN' reh jati hain, kuch chotti chotti batein reh jati hain...

By Muhammad Mahtab Bashir
Islamabad
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

Today is the most lamentable day of my living as I lost one of the bequests of my dear late brother- his motor bike(Honda CD-70), bearing registration No. IDD-8284, was brought to our home at F.6/4, Islamabad by Moazzam Bhai (my eldest bro) in 1984, when I was a minor and given away by smallest brother (myself) after a span of two and half decades.

I have had very blessed memories with that two-wheeler started of from my early schooling. Those were supposedly the chilliest mornings of my life when I used to stood up early hours with a rucksack (school bag) over my feeble shoulders and whispered timidly besides the bed of Moazzam Bhai to please get up, I’m getting late (from school). And Since than I have grown with that black coloured magic machine with a lot of activities.

From my early schooling to my relatively maturity till its deliverance, my happy belonging to this bike never get reduced. I went riding over it to places.

It (bike) remained intact with Moazzam Bhai after few years of his marriage (in 1992) and later on when he was posted to Karachi back in early 90’s, he transformed his life on four-wheeler (Or may be he was in Islamabad as an Assistant Commissioner Income Tax, I am not sure here) Anyways, Moazzam Bhai became the owner of Charade-turbo that sprinted on petrol. I remember its colour was shocking scarlet and now that little appliance (bike) was shared by Moody (my another brother) in late 90’s. Soon after, Moazzam Bhai sold out Charade and got Suzuki-Margalla that is still a part of his family. Meanwhile, Suzuki Potohar & few other official green plated vehicles were also used by Bhai.

It is pertinent to mention here both Moazzam Bahi and Moody survived for quite a number of times while riding this. Both of them met severe accidents and narrowly escaped. In early 2000, Moody bought Suzuki Mehran and hence I became the proprietor of that black bike. Later, Masood Bhai gifted me brand new Motor bike HN-106 ICT model 2006.

Now I hardly used that old bike of Moazzam Bhai and it was parked in the porch of house. In the meantime, Moazzam Bhai transferred to Gujranwala as Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala Region from Ministry of Commerce, where he worked as Deputy Secretary. After sometime, I tried to get his signature on a ‘Transfer Latter- power of attorny’ as an approval to give that bike away but suddenly he got ill and my mind never turned back again on that matter of reassign his bike to my name.

Time passed away briskly as it refused to allow both of us to communicate on such matter because of Moazzam Bhai’s awful health. I visited him quite a number of times after his first surgery, and he seemed quite energetic. However, his health drastically started deteriorating and after battling valiantly against deadly disease, he left us for heavenly abode in early 2008.

Teri Qurbat Kay Lamhay Phool Jaisay
Magar Phoolo’ Ki Umrain’ Mukhtasar Hain

Shortly, I started embracing number of offers from friends, relatives and acquaintances to sell this bike to them and I always refused them with minor excuses, knowing that they don’t evaluate the value of my emotional attachment to this bike.

Now .... although that bike refused to role on, Mobil-oil leaked out on the floor of porch and engine seemed ceased, and Ammi Abbu also started showing annoyed attitude over such situation. Ultimately, a moment came when I succumbed against my strength of will and I planned to sold out that ‘precious gift’ to one of my old friend.

Suraj Kay Sath Doob Gaya Mera Dil Bhi Aaj
Itna Udaas Shaam Ka Manzar Kabhi Na Tha

I sold out that because of the fact that it was not the ONLY ‘souvenir’ of my dear late brother to me. I have spend my whole life accumulating things from him as he was the most generous and big hearted person on this planet, I've ever identified. He presented me a number of colognes, branded shirts, t-shirts, trousers, sweaters, neck-ties, watches, cufflinks, shoes, and the list never ends. He made me aware of all the electronic revolutionary devices ranging from mobile to digital diary, Handi-Cam to VCD, or I-pod to digital camera when none of these articles were widely known as they are now. The system (computer- CPU) through I am conversing you guys- is my beloved brother’s memento, introduced to me in mid 90’s.

My brother was a gem of a person. I miss him a lot and I continue to do so until I join him.
I am sorry my brother! I know heaven becomes a sunny spot with your arrival there. I want to share with you my feelings bro... and u know - When I think of you I dream a dream & I hope I never wake up, but ...

Dear readers! Allow me to quote here some excerpts from one of my favorite book authored by Mukhtar Masood titled ‘Awaz-e-Dost’. It seems very much attacking to my 'sanctity' over the very issue :(

He said, “kisi khandan may aik guldaan ko buzurgon’ ki nishani samajh kar dil-o-jaan say hifazat ki jati thi. Phir halaat nay pansa palta, ‘farsooda daor’ ‘taraqqi yafta daor may taghiyyur-pazeer hua to aik din betay nay guldaan tor dia. Boorha baap bistar par leta sab kuch deikh raha tha. Guldaan kay toot-tay hi baitay ko apnay paas bulaya aur kaha, Beta! Hifazat ka daor khatam hua aur ab nadamat ka daor shuru ho ga, jo shaied kabhi khatam na ho.”

Let me affirm you here, I am not at all against the facilities, conveniences or amenities of this science & technology era but quite bravely speaking one must not prioritize these windfalls over the laborious lives and experiences of seniors.

Log Bazaar Mein Baich Aay Hain Shamsheer-o-Kalam
Ghar May Rakhtay Bhi Buzurgo’ Ki Nishani Kab Tak.

p.s: With the time drsatically changed (for me), after the untimely death of Moazzam Bhai, Rehana Bhabhi decided to sold out his Suzuki (Mragalla) and got Suzuki (Cultus), lasy year. Moody got Toyota (VITZ) in 2009 saling Suzuki (Mehran). Mukarram Bhai (CMH, Rawalpindi) is enjoying his life with Toyota (Corolla) & Suzuki (Mehran), Masood bhai (posted in Myanmar) has Toyota Coraolla (model unknown), and Aftab has a bike (Honda- red coloured) while I'm happy with my own Sawari- (Honda CD 70- again black).

MAHTAB BASHIR
ISLAMABAD
mahtabbashir@yahoo.com
Cell: 0300 52 56 875

PRICE SPIRAL DURING RAMADAN

By Muhammad Mahtab Bashir
Islamabad
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

Price hike and the sacred month of Ramadan are synonymous on this land of pure. Irrational rise in edible prices have become a recurrent phenomenon on the eve of this month. Shopkeepers and market mafias are involved in black-marketing in total disregard for the religion that urges for maintaining its sanctity and austerity.

Half way through to this month of fasting, the measures so far taken to check the price spiral by government does not seem to be adequate. The commerce ministry that is responsible for maintenance of price, virtually does not have any control over the market. Practically the commerce ministry is always found unenthusiastic to impose any strong and effective steps to control market. The ministry usually holds formal meetings with the trader groups urging them to keep prices of essentials constant during the holy month of fasting and the ground reality is that traders always turn a deaf ear to such advices.

Extra charging almost on each food and other essential items tells you that the moon of Ramadan has been sighted. Each trader in the market raced ahead of the other in ignoring the price list issued by concerned government authorities and fleecing the skin of consumers without fear of any check on him. They say it "Haaza Min Fazli Rabbi."

At the start of this holy month, the federal government had announced a relief package of Rs 1.75 billion for retail consumers, ensuring the availability of kitchen items across the country at unified subsidised rates. According to this package the essential items would be provided to the masses by a network of 5500 utility stores for which the government will bear the subsidy up to Rs. 2000 million. Question arises here why the government has restricted this facility at utility stores only and why does it not extend to open market for easy reach of the common man? There are many ares in different cities of the country or so many cities where no utility store exists. Instances has also revealed the quantity and quality of items sold at utility stores are usually found unsatisfactory and below standard due to careless supervision and misconduct.

Government has formed some price checking committees to protect the common men from the profiteering of the shop keepers, but that is proving useless. First because, rarely any government is seen at the marketplace, and if somebody comes he is thoroughly ignored by the shopkeepers, because they know that they have already taken care of that officials and his bosses.

The holy month of Ramazan has been welcomed with traditional zeal and zest and the prices of all the things have been raised from 50% to 80%. The prices of fruits and vegetable remained all time high and shortage of flour prevailed and the prices of oil, pulses, milk, and other edibles have gone through the roof.

The reason the government could not act on time is because it does not have mechanism to monitor the market and to get up-dated information about demand and supply of various items, day-to-day retail, whole sale market prices, market prices in the country from where good are being imported, transportation costs, approximate time period for transport and other related issues, so that it can work out on a reasonable price policy and then bargain with business enterprenuer.

On a broader scale, when we closely inspect the ways retail or wholesale business works it is clear that they simply do not have much control of the market. It is only the importers who have the means and scope to manipulate the market, because they set the price of any item at the first place. Sometime before they finished a particular challan the prices go up from where the goods were imported. They immediately raise the prices though they are actually selling from the same challan. Sometime they intentionally play delaying tactics in placing orders or keep stocks for longer periods to create an artificial crisis. Sometimes they exploit their own engineered crisis to force the government to withdraw taxes on imported goods to multiply their profit.

Flour, edible oil, gram pulse, gram flour, tea, dates and sugar are the main items that are consumed in larger amount during Ramazan. Can we cut out on these items as much as possible during this Ramadan?

The market mafia has started hoarding various products commonly required during ramadan that indicate their wayward intentions of black-marketing but our governmental machinery at federal, provincial and district levels is a silent spectator. Half of the month of ramadan is over and government has not yet announced any policy or strategy to control price-hike.

Keeping in view the past experiences of traditional black-marketing during ramadan, government should fix selling prices, binding on wholesale and retail merchants and depute officials to ensure the sale of these items at controlled price in open market to facilitate all citizens durinf this holy month and not allow anyone to indulge in black-marketing and hoarding and to punish violators publicly without discrimination. It can only be possible if concerned authorities shun rhetoric and act tangibly.

Muhammad Mahtab Bashir is a freelance contributor from Islamabad

MUHAMMAD MAHTAB BASHIR
House # 2026, Street # 32,
I-10/2, ISLAMABAD.
Cell: 0300 52 56 875

LETS RISE with 'THE RISE' www.RiseTheMag.com

'Don't just SPECTATE, PARTICIPATE'

BACKGROUND:
After the debacle of 9/11, the wind of change blows across seas challenging the Muslim youth with enlarge manifolds. These challenges pose the responsibility with diversity on various views that world has come up with, including the widespread belief of ‘Islamophobia’ and Clash of Civilization. Unfortunately, the global media is an important agent in accentuating the negative notion against the Muslims using their soft power. With internal weaknesses, divisions on multiple lines Muslims has became easy prey to this newly waged war. This approach deepens the division between the Muslims and the Western world and invariably leads to a clash of civilization. To counter these damaging effects, there is a need to impress upon the world that the cause of peace in the world is achievable through interfaith harmony. Pakistani youth in particular and Muslim youth of the world in general, face the task to revert much enchanted glory lost by Muslim Ummah. Intellectual lethargy and slamming the doors shut to logical inquiry has become the order of the Muslim world of today with indulgence of the youth in fruitless activities. Muslim youth may easily get on with violence and agitation without realizing its repercussion and hence their naivety has lead to further obscurity.

Regaining lost glory would depend on overcoming the impediments faced by us all from the shore of River Nile to Sands of Kashgher. Muslims would not be able to counter the growing challenges with use of force, suicidal attacks, violence, and agitation but with inculcation and sharing of new ideas and scholarship. It must be kept in mind that knowledge is true spirit of Islam—a religion that supports critical thinking and we can revert back the splendor by implanting critical analytical skills and reasoning rather than aping various norms of the west. The image of Muslims projected by the media is often distorted, fragmented and clouded by fast changing global events. A selective and unfamiliar aspect of a particular Muslim Country's social behavior often being projected negatively. To defy the propaganda, we have to focus our energies in proving that Muslims are primarily peace loving and tolerant souls. Along with this we have to increase our specialization of societal institutions like political system, law and order, economic management, and education.

To encounter with modernity, the Muslim Ummah has shun its doors but with torch bearers of our glorious past, we as Pakistani and Muslim youth are standing hand in hand with the rest of the world. With these objectives and using the technological means launching of THE RISE would provide us a platform where we can all express our inside out not only with each other but with the world at large.

Vision:
Using cutting-edge Internet technology for the world to obtain information about Pakistan and to dissuade what they think about us

Mission Statement:
To empower the youth of Pakistan with a capacity to comprehend the significance of their role to project Pakistan as a modern and progressive nation all over the world

Objectives:
· To reflect the true soft image of a progressive, enlightened and affluent Pakistan by its inhabitants across the world as envisaged by its founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
· To promote country's art and culture and to educate the world about the rich and diversified Muslim history and culture
· To underline a pragmatic approach and to create a democratic culture in Pakistan that will undo all the accusations of being labeled as a Rogue State or The Most Dangerous Place on Earth claimed by international media
· To explain and project Pakistan in all its dimensions of thought and action, dream and materialization of the dream without raising controversy or complex issues
· To project our standpoint on contemporary subjects such as Socio-cultural issues on which country is facing severe censure
· To inculcate a sense of responsibility among the youth of Pakistan to make Pakistan more thriving State
· To address and explain all misrepresentation regarding Pakistani society and to explain our point of view in a positive way
· To elucidate in world eyes the major development and economic targets and achievements Pakistan met within recent years
· To endorse nationalism among the masses that can evolve into Muslim unity

WHEN MY SIM WAS BLOCKED.......

By Mahtab Bashir

mahtabbashir@yahoo.com

It was the most embarrassing moments of my life while standing at Sales & Customer Center of one of the leading mobile phone connection provider of the country. My cell phone was mute during the whole day as it never was since half decade ago when I got this connection. Since then, I have never changed my cell Number no matter it is available on dirt-cheap rates from different connection provider companies displayed on different places from shops to carts.

Being a shy off boy- especially against the girls, I felt in hot water, when I told customer center representative that I didn't receive even a single miss-call from last 2 days. She enquired the Number of my cell phone, she was told confidently and her prompt reply was, "sorry sir! Your number is blocked on indictment of miss-use and making obnoxious calls." She said to me with eyeball-to-eyeball contact in intermingle words of Urdu-English with a strange smile on her face. I wanted to leave that place as soon as I heard that… as the word "obnoxious" means more then death to me. Misuse? Obnoxious calls? Are you sure you entered the right No? I wanted to repeat the digits of my cell number, I asked her in faint voice. Yes sir, I'm sure, she replied hurriedly. Please tell me how can you help me in unblocking my number, now? I wanted to make the last question with innocence at my extreme. She told me, "sorry sir, I can not help u here, u will have to visit our main office". Is it at Blue area, I asked, yes absolutely. Ok thank you very much. And I left that place with perspiration flowing down to my temple even in the presence of split air conditioner running on 15 C'.

Within a few seconds, I was on my way to blue area office with the feelings that I will have to repeat the same sorry story to persons there.. Oh my Lord!
As I pierced through the doors, an attractive lady greeted me, I told her precisely why I'm here for before she provided me a ticket No of my turn. My brain however never stopped thinking, what should I say to customer services representative? I peeped around on different counters of the outlet with prayers on my lips, "O Lord, please make my turn on any male representative's counter". It was not because I admitted my boo-boo because I am afraid of girls but I know well, I won't felt comfortable expressing my 'gloomy tale'. My prayer was not heard. "Ticket No. 164, please come at the counter No.5" a lady's voice broke the silence. Before I moved forward, I glanced who is on the counter, male or female? It's female again.

I started of speaking well ahead of that lady before she asked me the reason of my visit. "Well… before telling you this, I want to share a back ground of my story, madam", I said. Sure, sir, please, she stared at me and said. "A couple of days before, one of my intimate friend requested me to give him my sim card to use a package with the name of Ladies first starting from 11 pm with the rate of Rs. 5/ hour. I generously gave him as I was engaged at night in making my official assignments. And he went away with massive thanks. Next morning, I inserted my sim card back to my hand set. After few minutes, I received an sms from you people to avoid blocking my No as it is caught with making obnoxious calls. I was stunned over it for a few minutes. Later, at evening time, I met up to the same friend and asked him whether he misused my number with the firm believe that he spend time on making calls to wrong persons especially to some of girls. He replied plainly, No I never used your No. on any girl. Are you sure, I asked. Yes, trust on me dear, he replied to convince me. Alright, then how this SMS came my way? I don't know, he said. Ok it doesn't matter. Next night again, same friend of mine requested for the same cause and I repeated my act. And the next morning, I was happy not to receive any SMS of same nature with NOT TO GIVE MY SIM even to this friend for the third time. And I did not get any SMS neither any call since evening. AT evening time, I went to one of my other close friend's house to accompany him for a regular walk. Before we stated our long walk, he asked me, I tried to contact you thousands time but every time I got the answer, "the No you have dialed is not responding at the moment, please try later". Why it is off? I swiftly put my hand to my pocket and get my cell phone out of it. NO dear, its On. Then why I got the same reply time and again? Wait wait.. let me check… I put OFF my mobile phone and again put that ON. Now try again… Nahi yar mahtab… it's the same answer. Give me, let me check, now I took his phone and made the call with my cell phone in my other hand. Now I'm confirmed, there's something wrong. My SIM is blocked? O God. I covered all the walking period with the same question in my mind, Ab kia ho ga? Kaisay unblock ho gi? Mainay to kisi ko uskay kehnay kay bawjood kabhi call nahi ki, log to mujhay kanjoosi ka tana denay lagay thay, because I hardly made any calls even to my dear ones'. Phie how it can be possible kay may obnoxious call karoon? Anywayz…

The girl representative told me, "sir, you have been warned through SMS already. I know she is right as I got SMS but I want to hide my mortification and I lied, No madam, ..... I didn't get any. "Its YOUR RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO GIVE YOUR SIM CARD TO ANY PERSON. Now u will have to submit a hand written application and it may take 24 hours in process." Now I feel she was in bad mood as she thought im the real culprit. OK maim, thank you. I submitted the application on the same counter to the same girl with sheer degradation.

On the very same night, I came across with the same friend of mine. Before I shared him the whole story, he said… "yar mahtab… thank you so much… mainay jazz No. ki nai sim apnay paiso say lay li hay. Thanx again". I said to him, oh… to yar pehlay hi lay leni thi. Bus yar mainay kaha jin paisao say SIM leni thi ..kion na un paison say easyload karwa kay 5 Rupay may ghanta bat hi kar li jay, came his reply. I said ok dear, enjoy. He said… Oye mahtab …100 Rupay may li hay mainay. And I said, hmm ok……….., SIM to 100-150 may a jati hay, but can you pay the price of one's honour, sanctity, ego, or integrity? Can you? And he was smiling.

P.S: it's over 24 hours but my same beloved No. not yet being restored, but I hope it would be restored earlier then Iftikhar Muhammad Choudhry, the CJP.

-mahtab
Islamabad-
cell No. 0321-5048975

Masood Bhai from Yangon, Mayanmar comments':
Jun 30, 2008 2:32 PM
Dear Mahtab,
AOA
Hope everything is fine and OK at your end. We are well here.
I am receiving your articles regularly and after reading and marking the minor grammatical / typing mistakes, I keep them in my draw, but today's article has compelled me to write something.
It is beyond my senses that how you gave your SIM to your INTIMATE friend. This incident, as you said, was not of money but was of credibility, sanctity, ego etc. but it is now my considered opinion that in Pakistan, nobody cares about these things, even your own relatives or close friends. Your "intimate" friend and "Heera" are the recent examples.
Anyway… I cannot imagine that a reasonable person like you can handover the SIM to others and think that it will not be misused, repeating the same second time even after receiving the SMS. I feel that the punishment you got was very little, they should refuse to open the SIM. Don't you know "Pakistanis" what they do with others whether in Pakistan or abroad.
I must request you to be careful, rather avoid such intimate friends. Don't repeat the same in future as
"Momin" Aik sorakh say do bar nahi dasa jata
Baqi all Ok here. How are the news at your end.

MOVE YOUR BODY!

O GOD!
Give me strength & capacity to pay Income Tax, VAT, GST, Service Tax, Excise Duty, Octroi, TDS, ESI, FBT, Prop.Tax, Stamp Duty, CGT, Water Tax, Prof. Tax, Road Tax, Congestion Levy & many more. Besides this don't forget Gunda Hafta, Bribes, Donations, Chanda, and Beggar. And if I have some time & money left after that, I would like to do some business. Cheers to Booming Pakistan Economy!
Move your body, every every body, you won’t find a better time then this to sway…
Sanu nehr walay pull tay bula kay……….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf-gVHOQtQA

MUHAMMAD MAHTAB BASHIR
House # 2026, Street # 32,
I-10/2, ISLAMABAD.
Cell: 0300 52 56 875
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

Published in daily The Frontier Post on 14th June, 2008, daily The Statesman & daily The Post

Lalarukh Farooq from Islamabad Emails':
Jun 12, 2008 11:49 AM
Lols . maza aya mahtab. good staire dear. acha post me ur comments abt budget ASAP. me waiting. few lines. otherwise i'll become lioness.hurry up man good piece of writting
Lala
Hafsa Mohsin from Texas, USA Emails':
Jun 12, 2008 9:16 PM
OMG i don't believe this man is dancing like a professional! lol! When ppl are dying with no electricity and inflation..it seems like they'r dancing over their dead bodies...I'ma kill them all dude! sure he's son of a bitch! and btw nice title :).

NOTHING CHANGES WITH OBAMA

By: MUHAMMAD MAHTAB BASHIR
ISLAMABAD
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

The Americans has made their decision by rebuffing the policies of The Republicans in favor of The Democrats. The recipe of defeat for Republicans was made possible by President Bush using the word “crusade” and “war against terror” victimizing the Muslims all over the world labeling them radical cluster on earth. He himself divulged the defeat with an excuse of fretfulness amongst the masses over his foreign policy especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. The then defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s exit to his office was the valid indication of Bush administration’s strategic letdown.

The debate who is pro-Pakistan and who is anti-Pakistan to me is totally absurd as both parties work on a specific agenda manifested in their election campaigns. The past scenario of political flux in US reflected no massive change in interior of Pakistan.

However, it is a common believe on a firm grounds by political pundits that Republicans are better for Pakistan’s establishment and democrats are not. The fact is, Republican Party is preferential in support of Military regime whereas Democrats always used their right to disparage dictatorship. Thus it is not so early to say that President Musharruf’s days are numbered.

One of the specialties of Democrats’ strategy in the inner Pakistan is an articulation in support of democracy in every possible way. It also agitates against nuclear proliferation. In such regard, Dr. A Q Khan issue will raise up more controversy, besides that Dr publicly admits he is innocent. The Democratic Party shall definitely slash the foreign policy of Bush administration and will have to juggle around with its strategic campaigns in countering terror with the use of terror.
It is not a win for Obama but a defeat for Bush establishment courtesy of its biased foreign policy by the name of salvation of Muslims all over the world. Although, there’s not a drastic distinction in Democratic rule and Republican reign, a common mass of Pakistan has ever viewed. However, on a larger extent, the foreign policy of US in both parties rule remained the same.

Obama has already threatened attacks on Pakistan’s tribal areas against alleged Al-Qaeda basis, which incensed the people of Pakistan.

The last week address before AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) of Barack Hossein Obama, the first African-American presumptive President of USA unmistakably has given the idea to the Muslims all over that he is a true friend of Israel but a true foe to Iran. He remarked at AIPAC policy conference, “Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. That starts with ensuring Israel’s qualitative military advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat - from Gaza to Tehran. Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success, and must be deepened.”
“As president, I will implement a memorandum of Understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade- investment to Israel’s security that will not be tied to any other nation.”

His concluding words were, “But just as we are clear-eyed about the threat, we must be clear about the failure of today’s policy. We knew, in 2002, that Iran supported terrorism. We knew Iran posed a grave threat to Israel. But instead of pursuing a strategy to address this threat, we ignore it and instead invaded and occupied Iraq. When I opposed the war, I warned that it would fan the flames of extremism in the Middle East. That is precisely what happened in Iran- the hardliners tightened their grip, and Mahmoud Ahamadinejad was elected President in 2005. And the United States and Israel are less secure.”

The problem in Pakistan is that over the years, all foreign policy issues are hostage to US policies. While it is true that the make-up of a regime determines its world view and shapes its foreign policy outlook, there are broad contours of that policy on which there must be a national consensus. Yet in Pakistan, the opposition plays politics with even sensitive issues like nuclear policy or the ongoing alliance with the US. While the government itself has failed to carry the opposition along, the opposition has not come up to the broad approach expected of it in the realm of foreign policy. What is in the state’s interest can not be sacrificed at the altar of partisan politics. But one thing is for certain; Washington never accepted the foreign policy of Pakistan made by ourselves and keeps on over ruling it.

Before I conclude this commentary, allow me to reprimand Pakistani nation again that, “American love is just like a date-palm tree, when you are hungry its fruit is well out off your reach, and when you feel sizzling heat, it refuse to give you its shade.” My words may not be as powerful to aware my nation-fellows and rulers in particular. So let me share the words what Henry Kissinger once said, “It is dangerous enough to be America’s enemy, but it is disastrous to be its friend.”

The Islamabad-based writer is a freelance columnist & a political analyst

MUHAMMAD MAHTAB BASHIR
House # 2026, Street # 32,
I-10/2, ISLAMABAD.
Cell: 0300 52 56 875
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

Bilal from unknown place comments':
June 24, 2008 10:19 PM
Brother if the role models are Rumi, Iqbal and Michealangelo than I think the sex oriented discription of life and work at the top is not required. To be a better person you need to be a better human.. You have a good vision and are actually going to make it high, but believe me brother try to be a humble and sublime person.