BITTER TRUTH

Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza is a loose cannon and, if rubbed the wrong way, will fire away. At the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Dr Mirza was hit by a barrage of complaints by the city’s industrialists and traders for failing to give them adequate protection. Obviously stung by the criticism, he said that “people cast votes for extortionists; they should now talk to their elected representatives for law and order”.

Dr Mirza pinned the blame for the deteriorating law and order situation mostly on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). “Dr Imran Farooq was murdered in London, but buses of Pakhtuns were torched in Karachi. Did Asfandyar Wali kill Dr Imran Farooq?” asked Dr Mirza. He went on to allege that when “they [the MQM] want to kill any Pakhtun, Sindhi, Punjabi or Baloch in Karachi, they go about executing their plan methodically”.

What Dr Mirza said is politically inappropriate given that the MQM is a coalition partner of the PPP government both at the Centre and in Sindh, but nevertheless is a well known truth. The timing may be wrong, his method of delivery may be unsuitable, but these charges against the MQM are neither new nor something that many can deny. The MQM is notorious for spreading violence in Karachi. In recent months, the security situation in the city has deteriorated and the heat is definitely on Dr Mirza since he is the province’s home minister. However, Dr Mirza did injustice to the businessmen by saying that they were complicit in this regard because they pay extortion money to such parties. If truth be told, since the government has so far failed to protect the business community from the bhatta (extortion money) mafia, they are forced to pay ‘protection money’. The victims and the terrorisers should not be lumped in the same basket. The businessmen pay the money for their survival. It is the responsibility of the Sindh government to bring the culprits to book so that the people can breathe a sigh of relief. Dr Mirza was also wrong on another count when he tried to provoke the situation by stating that “the situation in Karachi will worsen and a large number of Urdu-speaking people will lose their lives if these ethnic groups [Baloch, Pakhtun, Sindhis and Punjabis] come forward and make an alliance”.

This was not just irresponsible of the provincial home minister but could also lead to a political fallout. The PPP’s coalition partner, the JUI-F, pulled out of the coalition yesterday. The PPP is already facing a tough time getting the RGST bill through parliament and with this sort of provocation from Dr Mirza, the MQM may well threaten to pull out as well. On a number of occasions, the MQM has threatened to leave the coalition government but they always retreat from the brink, which suggests more pressure tactics than intent.

The MQM has decided that a delegation would meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani after Muharram and protest at Dr Mirza’s provocative speech.Karachi’s situation is already fraught with tension. The city has many armed groups present on its soil. The MQM is the largest political party in Karachi. How the MQM wins the elections and continues to terrorise the citizens, especially the Pakhtuns, is no secret either. Given the party’s penchant for violence, the PPP will have to tread more carefully in the future.

SPEED THRILLS - BUT KILLS

Love of sports and thrills is not bad in itself but some sports like drag races could prove hazardous if all humanly possible precautionary measures are not taken to prevent injury and loss of life. With no developed institutional mechanism for holding such races in Pakistan, youths belonging to the rich and influential class, in their hunger for thrills and excitement, often indulge in this roadside fun illegally.

In one such incident in Islamabad on December 5, five spectators lost their lives when a racing car went out of control and rammed into spectators. It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court (SC) had to take suo motu notice to get those responsible for this illegal activity apprehended. Initially, the city administration and police denied giving permission for this race, which was held in Phase VIII of Bahria Town. The presence of sponsors and a large number of spectators suggests that it was properly publicised well in advance. How could such an activity take place without prior permission from the local administration?

At the SC hearing on Monday (December 13), it transpired that the city chief police officer (CCPO) of Rawalpindi gave a green signal to the organisers of this race and even issued a security plan, despite the fact that the district coordination officer (DCO) of Rawalpindi had denied permission to the organisers. The nominees in the FIR include the son of a real estate tycoon, who is reported to have fled the country with the help of his father after the incident.

In a society where wealth and influence hold more importance than the lives of innocent citizens, it is not surprising that police declared this incident an ‘accident’ and tried to close the case. Another reason for this haste was that an impartial inquiry would have established the local administration and police department’s culpability. Had the SC not intervened, the case would have been forgotten by now.

Now that the SC has taken notice, it is incumbent upon the police department to hold an unbiased investigation and bring those responsible to book. This would serve the ends of justice, give some relief to the victims’ families, and help in preventing such misadventures in future.

GOODBYE TAYA GEE NOOR!

A page of my diary

'He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man'.

Mahtab Bashir

mahtabbashir@gmail.com

0333 53 56 248 

Islamabad

There’s an old saying: "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." This truth struck me on the midnight of December 13-14, as I was preparing for a new day when a call from my sister in Lahore delivered the heartbreaking news of Taya Gee's passing.

My father, in particular, was taken aback, as Taya Noor Hussain, was a vibrant, healthy man with a steadfast love for walking. At nearly 80 years old, he was lean but sharp-witted, often sharing his blunt yet insightful thoughts with those around him.

With the iron in my hand, I had been planning my day, which included a final review of my notes for my first exam of M.Sc. Mass Communication the following day and others. However, that brief phone call shattered my plans and altered a lot.

Noor Hussain, Taya Gee, or Bau Noor as we call him, a chronic bachelor, was a true storyteller, brimming with historical anecdotes. His tales of Islamic and political history, along with his personal experiences, created unforgettable moments.

As I grow up in F-6/4, Islamabad—where I was born—I could almost see Taya Gee wandering through the house. He loved to spend time in the inner courtyard or the outer garden, the very places where we played as children. He had a disdain for cricket, not because it distracted schoolboys from their studies, but because it damaged the plants he had nurtured in those spaces. I recall a time when one of our cousin Ishtiaq from Lahore come along and while playing cricket in courtyard, Taya Noor’s patience was truly tested, and in a fit of anger, he brandished a long dagger, sending us young cricket enthusiasts fleeing in terror. The guest cousin sought shelter by hiding on the balcony of a connected annexe.

Taya Gee had a strong fondness for shopping, especially at the Landa Bazaar in Islamabad. I recall, as a young man, feeling a bit intimidated by the journey from F-6/4 to G-6 CDA Bazaar, but Taya Gee, being older, would swiftly make the trip. He enjoyed visiting that weekly bazaar so much that if we needed something like coriander or green chilies, he would choose to walk there to get it.

His favorite purchases included T-shirts during the summer and warm clothing in the fall. When we relocated from Sector F-6/4 to I-10/2 in 2000, it was a difficult experience for me to leave the serene and upscale environment of F-6/4 for the underdeveloped area of I-10/2, where the residents were not as refined as those in F-6. However, for Taya Gee, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as he found joy in exploring the nearby Sabzi Mandi, just a few steps from our home.

A passionate fan of WWF wrestling, Taya Noor was also heavily involved in the country's political scene. A strong supporter of the Muslim League (N), he would express his frustration immediately upon seeing a picture of Asif Zardari in the newspaper or on television news.

I fondly recall a time when Taya Gee underwent eye surgery in a local Lahore hospital, and I had the privilege of being his attendant for two nights. After the operation, he would often sleep on the side of the eye that had been treated. I anxiously monitored his movements throughout the night, and when he got up to use the restroom, I seized the opportunity to advise him to sleep on the opposite side. He never took my advice until I warned him, “Taya Gee, the doctor said if you sleep on that side, you won’t be able to see after the bandage is removed.” He was so frightened that he never dared to sleep the wrong way again.

Over the years, Taya Gee chose to live in Lahore, believing it to be a city full of life, while he referred to Islamabad as a place for "Pahari" people—his term for the more reserved residents.

During my college days, I distinctly remember asking Taya Gee to show me some historical sites in Lahore. We spent an entire day visiting Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan, and Shahi Qila, walking from our home to each location. By the time I returned to bed that night, my feet were blistered and sore, yet Taya Gee, despite his age, showed no signs of fatigue. It was a wonderful day, and I am grateful to him for that experience.

In our last meeting at Lahore, he gifted me several T-shirts for undergarments. Although I rarely wore them, I never declined to take them with me. He would always send his regards to my father, saying, “Give my salam to Haji and tell him I’m not feeling well; I’ll be a guest for a few days.” I had taken this message lightly for years, but this time, Taya Gee’s words carried a weight I hadn’t anticipated—he was saying goodbye. He was laid to rest on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, in Lahore.

With the wisdom of the saying, “If you refuse to take an elder's advice, you will walk the whole day,” Taya Noor Husain left us to navigate this long journey without him.

Rest in Peace Taya Gee!

WHEN LOVE & HATE COLLIDE

Thoughts&AfterThoughts …
A month after ....... !

You could have a change of heart if you would only change your mind/ Instead of slamming down the phone girl for the hundredth time/ I got your number on my wall but I ain't gonna make that call/ When divided we stand baby united we fall- Got the time got a chance gonna make it, got my hands/ On your heart gonna take it all I know, I can't fight this flame/ You could have a change of heart if you would only change your mind'Cause I'm crazy 'bout you baby time after time- Without you, one night alone/ Is like a year without you baby do you have a heart of stone?/ Without you/ Can't stop the hurt inside when love and hate collide - Def Leppard

By MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
ISLAMABAD

I will wrangle for my love, fight for it, die for it, write for it, anything but live for it. A young beau met out of the blue with his inveterate lass. Wow! Some girls have all the luck. Where have you been? I have been searching you high and low since ages. I will not let you off. I regard you a paragon of a true blue soulmate. You are my heart’s frill. You tune up my out of tune life’s rhythm as I see your divine face. The harder I try, the further you get away from me. I am mad about you. This is not a slip of tongue. Where did I go wrong?

He recounted his wrenching plight and said, I was dragooned in le miseries and lost in the labyrinths of love and hate.

Loving you brought countless grief in my flowery life. Strangers first hurling threats at me. Last month they took me blindfold at the dead end. They hoodwinked me into marriage for someone they thought a better option than you. As I reached at the unknown destination, they beat me from head to toe- not physically but mentally. Appallingly scared, terrified, forlorn, bloodbath beau said to himself if this is a best possible worlds, what then are the rest?

Do you believe, said beau, that mankind have always cutting one another’s throats, that they were always liars, knaves, treacherous and ungrateful; always thieves, mean highwaymen, lazy, envious, and gluttons, always misers, ambitious yet blood-thirsty, always backbiters, debauchees, fanatics, hypocrites, and yet fools. Do you not believe, said lass, ‘that hawks have always preyed upon pigeons, when they could light up them? Certainly, said beau, ‘If the hawks have always had the same nature, what reason can you give- why mankind should have changed theirs? There is a great deal of difference, because of a free will …, said lass. I believe the day of my death is preordained, so why fret about - when that time will come?

RGST HURDLES

Despite its best efforts and the urgency of the matter, the government has still not been able to resolve the conflict of opinion over the proposed Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST). There are differences among the Centre and provinces over the collection of some taxes on services while several political parties have expressed reservations on this tax for its potential to burden the public. In this regard, the statement of the PML-N leader, Mian Nawaz Sharif, while addressing a public gathering in Samundri, needs to be looked at carefully. He said that the government can raise up to Rs 1,000 billion if it stops leakages in the Federal Board of Revenue, saves the cost of sustaining loss-making state-owned entities and cuts down luxury expenses, in which case there will be no need to impose a new tax. His contention that to achieve this target, the government will have to check corruption is worth taking note of.

One may have issues with Nawaz Sharif offering these suggestions, whose party itself has a reputation for legalising corruption and benefiting the personal businesses of its leaders by using political clout. Nevertheless, this should not prevent us from listening to his message. If indeed Rs 500-600 billion could be raised by checking corruption in the Federal Board of Revenue by making all people pay their due taxes, why should the government balk at this suggestion? Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Railways, among others, are two of the biggest entities that have been depending on doles from the federal government for the last many years to fill the gap between their revenues and expenditures. The government hands out something to the tune of Rs 300 billion to such loss-making institutions to keep them afloat instead of improving their management, which has gone down the drain due to politicisation of the appointments procedure and decision-making. In the same vein, a lot of money could be saved if the government reduced the size of the cabinet and implemented austerity measures at all levels. Plundering of public funds in the name of the perks and privileges of high officials is one of the biggest causes of the bleeding from the treasury. If indeed after taking all these measures, the government still feels the need to impose RGST, it will at least have the high moral ground and an example for the public to emulate.

While conceding that the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan is crucial for meeting the immediate financial needs of the country and the imposition of RGST, part of the IMF conditions for granting this loan package, is essential for receiving this money, this issue has become highly controversial and must be reviewed objectively. The finance ministry’s hope that the IMF executive board will approve the release of the sixth instalment of the loan by end of January 2011, because by that time the RGST will be imposed, could prove to be wishful thinking. The differences among political parties, the Centre and the provinces have grown to the extent that it would take the PPP a lot of wheeling and dealing to gather the required number of votes in the National Assembly. The rushing through of the RGST bill in the lower house of parliament will tarnish the government’s image and if inflation increases, as the bill’s opponents are predicting, after its imposition, it will have further negative political fallout. Therefore, it would be advisable for the PPP to take a wiser course and put its own house in order before it could expect the public to support it on a controversial measure.

When WIKI Leaks FOR WEST .......

WikiLeaks founder and editor-in-chief, Julian Assange, surrendered himself to UK police on Tuesday, after which he was arrested formally for alleged sex crimes. Mr Assange was denied bail and will remain in custody until a fresh hearing on December 14. According to the London Metropolitan Police, Assange “is accused by the Swedish authorities of one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation, and one count of rape, all alleged to have been committed in August 2010”. Mr Assange’s lawyer called these charges a “political stunt” and many believe that he is being persecuted because of the sensitive documents his website has been releasing in recent months. More recently, WikiLeaks published US diplomatic cables that have rattled a lot of countries besides the US government. The timing of the charges against Assange and Interpol’s Red Notice for two cases of consensual sex that allegedly turned into abuse are highly suspicious. What is interesting is that the rape and molestation charges were dismissed by Sweden back in August but the case was reopened again in September after an appeal. Julian Assange denied the allegations and said it was a “smear campaign” against him and WikiLeaks. Rape and molestation are definitely serious crimes and one cannot condone them but those supporting WikiLeaks founder are of the same view as Mr Assange — that the sole superpower as well as other countries are not too happy with the work of his whistleblower website and may well be influencing the course of events in the case against him.

It is pertinent to mention here that as long as WikiLeaks was only exposing authoritarian regimes in Asia and elsewhere, the west did not have any issues with it. As soon as WikiLeaks started exposing the US and other western governments, the equation changed. Now its work is being called unethical. On the contrary, we believe that WikiLeaks has revolutionised the medium of information. Mr Assange is only the messenger while the real message behind these leaked documents is being ignored. Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said that Assange, an Australian, was not responsible for the “unauthorised release of 250,000 documents from the US diplomatic communications network; the Americans are”. Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard said that any journalist in Assange’s position would have done the same thing if he/she got hold of confidential information. Thus it is highly disconcerting to see that not only has the WikiLeaks website been shut down across the globe, its finances are also being blocked. The pressure is obviously from the US, the ‘champion’ of freedom of speech. Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the freedoms of the internet. She said, “Even in authoritarian countries, information networks are helping people discover new facts and making governments more accountable...[the US] stand[s] for a single internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas.”

When Facebook was banned in Pakistan following the creation of the ‘Everybody Draw Mohammed [PBUH] Day!’ page on the social networking website, we were called a backward, retrogressive state that was clamping down on freedom of expression. We did not support the ban on Facebook back then and similarly, we condemn the attack against WikiLeaks now. It seems that the ‘backwardness’ of underdeveloped countries like Pakistan has now spread to the developed world. Governments in the west claim that the WikiLeaks expose has endangered the lives of foreign troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but these sound more and more like self-serving arguments of governments that like to cloak themselves in a veil of secrecy. The internet has democratised access to information beyond the imagination and it must be preserved. In this time and age, internet censorship itself is a crime against humanity.

SACH TO YE HAY, KASOOR APNA HAY ...

By Mahtab Bashir

Islamabad

... you said forever we'd cherish all our dreams together

Seems like forever, forever since I felt the pleasure !!!

The breakup of an important love relationship is the most traumatic of human experiences and we have all suffered through at least once- I am sure. In many ways we can more easily cope with the death of a loved one. Although we don't understand death, at least we understand its finality.

Likewise, with the breakup of a love relationship, days and weeks of lingering and haunting "ifs" often follow. The pain can penetrate every fiber of our being. In the days following the breakup we think of little else than the one we loved and trusted, the one we had so much invested in time, values, to name few.

Everywhere we go we are reminded of them - a face in a crowd, the flash of a familiar dressing, a distant voice, a song, a road most traveled, a place frequently visited. We struggle daily to force them from our thoughts only to find we are spending all of our time doing so!

Main Jahaan Rahoon
Main Kahin Bhi Hoon
Teri Yaad Saath Hay ...

Javed Akhtar:
Jaany kiski talaash unki aankhon mein thi
Aarzoo kay musaafir bhatkatay rahay
Jitanay bhi woh chalay
Utanay hi bichh gaay raah may faasalay
Kawaab mazil thay, aor manzilein khawaab theen
Raaston sy nikaltay rahay raastay
Jany kis wastay- Aarzoo ky musaafir bhataktay rahay

Main jahaan rahoon
Main kaheen bhi hoon
Teri yaad saath hai
Kisi sy kahoon
Ky nahi kahoon
Yeh jo dil ki baat hai

Kehny ko saath apnay ik duniya chalti hay
Per chhupkay iss dil may tanhaayi palti hay
Bas yaad saath hay
Teri yaad saath hai ...

Main jahaan rahoon
Main kahin bhi hoon
Teri yaad saath hay ...

Javed Akhtar:
Koyi puraani yaad mera rasta rokay mujhsay kehti hay
Itani jalti dhoop mein yuun kabtak ghumo gay
Aao, chalkar beetay dino ki chhaon mein baithain
Us lamhay ki baat karain
Jismay koyi phool khila tha
Us lamhay ki baat karain kay
Jismay kisi aawaaz ki chaandi khanak uthi thi
Us lamhay ki baat karain kay
Jismay kisi nazron kay moti barsay thay
Koi puraani yaad mera rasta rokay mujhsay kehti hay
Itani jalti dhoop may yun kab tak ghumo gay

Kaheen to dil may yaadon ki
Ik suli gad jaati hai
Kaheen har ik tasveer bahot hi dhondhali par jaati hay
Koi nayee duniya kay na-ay rango may khush rehta hay
Koi sab kuch paakay bhi yeh mann hi mann kehta hay

Kehnay ko saath apanay ik duniya chalti hay
Per chhupkay is dil may tanhaaee palti hai

Bas yaad saath hay
Teri yaad saath hay ...

Javed Akhtar:
Sach to ye hay kasoor apna hay
Chaand ko choonay ki tamanna ki
Aasamaan ko zameen par maanga
Phool chahaa ky paththaron py khilay
Kaanton may ki talaash khoshboo ki
Aarzoo ki ky aag thandak day
Barf may dhundtay rahay garmi
Khawaab jo dekha chaaha sach ho ja-ay
Isaki humko sazaa to milni thi
Sach to ye hay kasoor apana hay

Kaheen to beetay kal ki jarain
Dil may hi utar jaati hain
Kaheen jo dhaagay tutain to malaayen bhikar jaati hain
Koi dil may jagah nayi, baaton kay liay rakhta hay
Koi apni palko par yaadon kay diaay rakhta hay
Kehnay ko saath apnay ik duniya chalti hay
Per chhupkay is dil may tanhaai palti hay

Bas yaad saath hay
Teri yaad saath hay …….

'Love happens only once- The rest is just Life'.