Writer's Block - Need I say more - by Bushra Hassan

For many months now, I have been writing blogs that emphasize on the essential goodness that is inside us Pakistanis. It is difficult to see some times, it is easy to take for granted... it is even easier to forget as we strive for sanity. This time my blog entry will not be my words, but that of a fellow Pakistani... I read him in DAWN yesterday... Letters to the Editor. I urge you to take a minute and read this:

Incident that changed my approach to life

IF we look around us, we will find a lot of goodness in our people. I saw this on Dec 28 when my confidence in our fellow beings and in the kindness of Almighty Allah was reinforced. That morning my wife was returning to Karachi from Faisalabad by Millat train accompanied by our two daughters, aged three and five years. I went to the station to receive my family but couldn’t find them. After a while I was shocked to see my elder girl standing by herself in a train compartment without her mother. There were some fellow passengers and a responsible policeman, Abdul Razzak, waiting with her. They broke the horrible news to me that my younger daughter accidentally fell off the train near Dhabeji station. My wife along with 20 to 25 fellow passengers managed to have the train stopped a kilometre or two from the spot where the child had fallen. They disembarked there to search for the missing child. In her panic, my wife forgot to carry her cellphone with her and so couldn’t contact me. The local people also joined the search party. My wife later recounted that the people — all strangers — were extremely sympathetic, helpful and concerned while searching for the child who had wandered off four kilometres into the woodland. It was after four hours that a young Pakhtun boy (could not obtain his details — May Allah reward him for his goodness) spotted Zainab and fetched her unhurt. When I met my little girl after these hours of high drama, she simply uttered these words: “Papa I was alone.” I just have no words to thank these men and women — strangers to me before this event brought us together — who shared those tense moments with us. By actively assisting in the search for our child, these noble souls displayed that spirit of humanity that holds mankind together. May Allah bless them and also my family — my father, brothers and my wife — who stood behind me giving me immense moral support in those testing hours. People have the capacity to organise themselves on the spur of the moment when faced with an emergency and respond positively. Take the case of Mr Jamil who disembarked with my wife, leaving his own family behind on the train, to take the responsibility of organising the search. There was Mr Asif who took the responsibility of communicating with the railway authorities, the Edhi Centre and the police. Generally, we tend to take for granted our family and our fellow beings. But we should learn to appreciate the goodness of the human heart that prompts people to respond to others in distress. Such is the spirit that can, if mobilised, help steer the country out of its troubles. The more I see of it, the more I feel vindicated in my decision to stay back in Pakistan and serve it as a part of the SIUT team that is doing such good work by holding up a candle of hope for people who are so desperately ill.
DR NASIR HASAN LUCK
Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation Karachi

Courtesy: DAWN.com; 3rd Jan 2010; Letters to the Editor
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/letters-to-the-editor/incident-that-changed-my-approach-to-life-310

Writer's Block - How are you spending your Eid? By Bushra Hassan

How are you spending your Eid?
Going to see your parents, or are guests coming to your place?
Is it a bakra or a gaye?
Are you hosting a BBQ? Are you the chef?
Will you be enjoying the lovely autumn weather as you munch on the tikkas?
Where will you heart be?

Is your heart in Waziristan where blood is being shed?
Is your heart with our jawans, young men, who are risking their lives for our freedom?
Who are fighting not one, but a consortium of enemies?

This Eid, will you be thinking of them?

or will you sit in your dining rooms, complain about the inflation, wearing beautiful clothes and munch on some dry fruit?

And why not! It is for our Eid, our freedom, our right to live that they are risking their lives. Why should we not embrace life more, in honour of them? Why shouldn’t we enjoy our Eid, remembering them, praying for them and their families?

That is definitely my plan. I intend to enjoy my freedom because much blood has been shed to protect it. I fully intend to dress up and eat plenty of meat because many young men have died for my right to dress and participate socially. Mostly, I intend to express my gratitude to my Allah, who sent us these angels.

"I intend to enjoy my freedom because much blood has been
shed to protect it. I fully intend to dress up and eat plenty of meat because many young men have died for my right to dress and participate
socially."

A group of young group of people, got together in Islamabad one night to express their gratitude for the army, the pain that has been felt over the past year, the fear that now surrounds us, and the resilience that makes us Pakistani. Wearing green ribbons, there were small performances…. not more than five minutes each, that took you through an emotional roller coaster. In one hour a multitude of emotions we have felt in the past one year were all rolled into one smashing bag of performances. The performers did not belittle or insult anyone. It was an expression of our gratitude for our right to speak, and our passion to use that right for the good. We all stood up for the armed forces, the police, the IDPs, the victims of bomb attacks and for the citizens of this country. We all stood up with pride and showed that we are alive, strong and united, and we will not let the enemy win.
One hour! One hour that changed me forever.

One hour that reminded me that we are indeed a country at War. That many have died, and continue to die, for a war we did not start. We realize that as a nation we must stand together, and stand strong, and stand by our jawans who fight for us. We must give them strength as they fight for our freedom. One hour that changed me, moved me…. and all those who were in attendance.

I have not laughed, cried, been shocked, moved, scared, raised with hope – and so much more- in one hour.

"We all stood up for the armed forces, the police, the
IDPs, the victims of bomb attacks and for the citizens of this country. We all stood up with pride and showed that we are alive, strong and united, and we will not let the enemy win."

And the next day, the same group got together and did more.

The young lot took time out one evening and wrote Eid cards for the troops with messages inside. My friends, many of them well versed in English, thought of urdu verses and words, poetry and songs ….in the language of our nation … to communicate with our heroes. We told them we loved them. That on this Eid we were thinking of them and were filled with gratitude. They are today’s Tipu Sultans, Qasim and Ayyubi. They are our sons and our brothers, and they are the pride of this nation.

Then there are those who are sending the troops sweaters and socks, and jackets…. Not because the troops need them but because we need to do something for them. To tell them we remember them and love them and that we are worth fighting for!

Yes, we are worth fighting for. Our freedom is worth fighting for!

No matter what the foreign policy or political status of this country, no matter how much we dislike the generals in their big fancy cars, we love our jawans and we stand by them. And this Eid, we are with them. Our hearts are with them. We will pray for their victory, as their victory is ours. We pray for their lives as they protect ours. We pray for their families, for they are our family. Our Eid is with them. As we munch on BBQ-ed meat and dress beautifully, and get together with our families, these jawans fight the enemy in bitter cold, admist barren and lifeless mountains that protect and show mercy to no one. As we spend our day watching TV lazily or sending meat to our friends, they will be hoisting the national flag on another mountain, and another…. and another.

So tell me now, how are you spending your Eid?

Writer's Block - The Burning Candle by Bushra Hassan

Let my burning heart
Dry away my tears
Let my tormenting mind
Create new fears

Let the time of my life
Run faster than the world’s
Let world’s lashing tongue
snatch away my words

Let my mountains and my people
Be set on fire, crushed piece by piece
The angel of death will bow down
the burden of lives he has to seize

Let the schools burn
Or the children return
Safe or badly scarred
In nights of darkness and days of gloom
My home is lit by stars

Young heroes lay down their lives
Another orphan is born
Widows raise their heads with pride
The only way to mourn

Let them force their will
the fear may return
but they can’t blow my life away
the candle will always burn

May Ramadan bring Peace to all... Eds.

Sun is Shining in my Valley Again: The Diary of a Pakistani

by: Zulfiqar Gul (gul.zulfiqar@gmail.com )

On the 17th of February 2009, I left Swat after militants had established their base close to our place in Barikot , Swat. Before that, Barikot used to be a peaceful area in the valley. I still remember at that time the role of our security force was very dubious. While coming back from Mingora to my hometown in cloudy and drizzling evening, I saw them patrolling Barikots markets and then got vanished in no time.

Just after few hours at night, the militants pouring in Barikot for the first time. They were less bother to take decisive action against the militants who were spreading their wings at will. Maybe, our soldiers did not have the clear-cut order from Islamabad where judiciary issue was still overshadowing the looming threat exploding in Swat. While traveling to Mingora , my eyes caught the debris of Qambar High School blown up by the fanatics recently, leaving hundreds students without education. Even before going outside, my mom used to tell me forcefully not to speak up my mind against those fanatics in public places as my head would be without body next morning. Such was a brutality there that every morning we had to bear that vicious news that somebody was slaughtered last night and the body laying on Mingora's Nishat Chowk. And, the Mullah would proudly announce on FM radio that how many people they have slaughtered today. And while watching TV up stirs, I had to slow down the TV volume just to avoid being caught by fanatics spreading so-called vulgarity.

At nights, before hitting the bed, I used to think that our policy of 1980s and 90s of installing proxy government in Afghanistan and bleeding India in Kashmir using private groups with the religious ideology overdosing, has got backfired quite badly and now the same have begun putting their sharp sword on our naked heads.

Finally I had to say enough is enough and left Swat for Islamabad on 16th of February. With 20,000 Rupees in my pocket, I started a persistent search for the job and found myself visiting every office in Islamabad. After few days effort, I got myself a job in a British Call Center. Everyday I had to get newspaper to hear something positive about Swat, all in vein.

In March, the controversial act of Shariah in Malakand Division was passed by the national assembly and also justice Iftikhar Chuodary was restored. That action of Government for peace was considered a weakness by the militants and they moved into adjacent Bunner District that got West Media panicked , spreading propaganda that Taliban now just 60 miles away from occupying Islamabad to have their hands on the Nuclear Weapons .

Then in month of April , we had that video hitting the airwaves of different TV channels where teenage girl somewhere in Swat being flogged by fanatics for going out with father in law. I watched that bone-chilling video during lunch break and left me so broken that after I finished , I decided to have a walk from Rawalpindi double road to Faizabad so that I could whip with my heart out. While crying going to my place, I was pleading to Allah to send a messiha so it could get us free from those brutal butchers who were ripping us off.

In second week of April , I went back to Swat to spend my holidays there. During my brief stay there, I found that entire valley was being taken over by the militants, hitting the roads and streets at their will with heavy weapons in their hands. CDs shops were being blown up and Dish TV being kept hidden by the locals from wrarth of militants. Seeing the valley being pushed into Stone Age and inaction form the government's side, got us boiling big time.

After coming back from Swat, I got myself busy again working in call center. I was not making enough sales and that was something bothering me everyday. In the call center, the role is simple, when on does not hit the sales often that means the person will be penalized by the management soon. I was fortunate enough that my floor manager was not tough and always guided me how to go about this whole thing.

Meanwhile, in the third week of April operation against militants was launched in Buner with main concentration on getting the militants uprooted from the area using massive airpower. In no time people from Buner started migrating to safer places around Mardan and Swabi. Fighter jets and Gunship Helicopters also shelled the mountains of Karakar which separate Swat from Buner . The mountains are just 11 KMs away from our place. My family used to inform me on phone that they could smell the operation being extended to Swat valley as well since militants had taken over the Mingora city.

In the first week of May the militants openly begun challenging the government rite by occupying government's offices in Mingora. That action got Islamabad woke up from slumber of having fake peace in Swat after they conceded so much to them with a so-called peace accord.
While here, I moved to another British call center located in F-11/2. I had to make that move since I was not getting paid on time. On my first day in this call center , I hit a sale and received a clap of appreciation from entire floor. But since then, it's been tough going.

In the first week of May, the operation was extended to Swat, Mingora was pounded heavily by the fighter jets and gunship choppers, leaving many people trapped there. During few days pause, the locals started fleeing the area for Mardan district. Due to lack of transport, the locals had to covers miles on foot. Barikot , my hometown, was still safe from this conflict, came under fire for the first time when gunship helicopters sudden started shelling militants hideouts that made my family move to uncle's place in Peshawar. Only my two elder brothers: Sajjad Gul and Iftikhar Gul opted to stay in Barikot to make sure our place is not occupied by the militants that would result in security forces hitting our only shelter, leaving us homeless forever.

In the third week of May, our family moved to a flat rented by me and my brother Tahir Gul who is English Teacher at FG School Sihala Marzian Islamabad. While being here, I used to argue with shopkeepers about everything is so expensive here but soon I realized that stuffs sound to me expensive since I am not earning enough.

In that intense conflict, one night, the militants blew up Fazaldad Colony Primary School where my brother Iftikhar Gul was teaching. The accident had deep impact on our minds thinking that all doors of learning in swat being shut down rapidly.

One morning , Army convey came under ambush at 5am at Fazaldad Coloney, outskirts of Barikot's Bazar, injuring four soldiers. The fight lasted for five hours. Even my two brothers, who were running for safety, came under fire from FC soldiers positioning themselves on the mountain top over looking our house in Shahi Nagar, Buner Road. Luckily they escaped that fire. That accident forced my elder brother Sajjad Gul to say goodbye to Shahi Nagar, Barikot. He tried his level best to convince Iftikhar that there is not point in saving our house with sudden death looming on our head 24/7 and even had a tough argument with him but Iftikhar stuck to his point and opted to stay home,In that big house, the only source of being connected with world for Iftikhar was Radio On Buner's dangerous route, Sajjad made it to Islamabad on 27 the May.

In last week of May, this flat became jam-packed with 12 people accommodating themselves by sleeping on the floor. Soon my family found too hard to get themselves going in hell of a expensive Islamabad and they started missing the economical rates of Swat. The only sources of income for my family during that crunch time of our life was my dad' pension and Iftikhar 's salary being paid at national bank of Pakistan Mardan Branch.

Swat had been without electricity, telephone and mobile service for almost one and half month, so we were clueless about my brother's well being staying in Barikot. All my salary was being eaten away by daily expenses. Everyday while going to my workplace, I used to cry seeing Swat burning. There was that deserted place in street 20 F/11, just close to my office, where I used to weap my heart out at our agonies and frustration.

Meanwhile in Last week of May. security forces launched a decisive ground operation against militants occupying the Mingora City which is a heart of Swat. It took security forces few days to get the area cleared of militants but not before that bloody urban warfare saw few of our soldiers accepted shadad. They next target was Koza Bandai (down town) , Bara Bandai (uptown) and their strong hold Charbagh across the river. Before launching operation n those areas, the security forces used massive air power, making the way cleared for grounds troops to move in but still security forces had to bear few casualties. The reports were suggesting the 80% of militants were grinded by meat grinder of our armed forces but still possessing a fair amount of threat due to guerilla warfare friendly terrain of Swat.

On 21 the of June around 10.35pm, we received a called from Swat, with Jubilant Iftikhar sharing his moments of joy with us that Pakistan has won the twenty20 world cup which brought tears in our eyes. I heard his voice after one and half month. This victory worked as a tonic for IDPs who had finally something to cheer for. On 15th of July our family left for Swat after government had deemed the Valley safe and secured. When I came back from work, I found, this flat giving me a painful deserted look and blaming myself that I was not earning enough to help my parents and others in this crunch who have done so much for me.

On the 13th of August, around 4.45pm , I reached Landake, entering point of Swat, the security forces thoroughly checked us and let us go The gunship helicopters were hovering over our heads. At 5.20pm I reached my hometown Barikot, after four months……it was peacefully calm but lost its innocence having seen so much bloodshed in recent times.

On 14th of August , the valley is celebrating the independence day with full vigor , security forces are patrolling the markets to make us assure that butchers have been eliminated . 300 soldiers have lost their precious lives and 900 injured in this 4 months' long conflict so far. They have sacrificed their today for our better tomorrow. May my Allah rest their souls in peace, Amin!. I would like to thank my friends and office collogues who were there heeling my wounds during that moment of test. There are hopes in the air of having that old peaceful Swat again. Business being started again, markets being seen full of shoppers However these isolated incidents here and there, are establishing that the war is far from over and we need to be persist and remain agile. Right, now, I am meeting my old friends in Barikot bazaar, Yes, I can see that Sun is back in the valley...

-----------------

This article comes highly recommended by the Ed Panel.

Our Unity - Our Survival

Everyday, a new story, new horrific images, new declarations by the government, new "strategies" to fight the "Taliban"!

Our survival rests in only one strategy, that is, our unity. If that weakens, the nation will not be able to withstand insurgency or extremism, or for that matter any other force willing to destroy what this country stands for.

I thought i'd share two video with you, which I watched on YouTube. A very unique and interesting way to portray the situation in NWFP using animation, without using any gory images or powerful words. But the end message still remains powerful.

You'll find the short video clips at www.youtube.com/thepeacefulpakistan.

---------

Blog Admin Highly Recommends this link contributed by a 'TCT Reader'. We request the contributor to send us their name, so due credit can be given along with the article. Thank you.

ALDO opens its Doors to Shoe Lovers in Lahore

The first ALDO store has opened up in Lahore. For all of those who love ALDO shoes, handbags, and accessories; because you know you look ridiculously good in anything you buy from ALDO.

ALDO specializes in the creation of high-quality fashion footwear, leather goods and accessories. This sought-after brand pays close attention to detail and to fine craftsmanship. ALDO is dedicated to bringing you both quality and cutting-edge trends at affordable prices, season after season. What's more, ALDO's dedicated team of buyers and stylists constantly travel the globe to keep you on the pulse of fashion. Whether the latest footwear trends are breaking in London, Milan, Paris, New York or Tokyo, ALDO will have them on your feet first!

The Aldo Lahore store is located in: XX Block, DHA.

A Summer of Movie Watching

Movie Lovers Across Pakistan, Brace yourself for Transformers 2, The Revent of the Fallen. Releasing all over Pakistan from Friday, 3rd July 2009.

Other Upcoming Titles include:
Kambakht Ishq, Kameeny, Jashn, Land of the Lost, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra, 3 Idiots, Love AajKal, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

All releasing between Now and August!!
For more information: www.cinepax.com

Stand Up for the Champions

Pakistan Zindabad!!!

Cricket beats Terrorism!

May the best team win the Match,But Cricket has already won this one!!

Pakistan unites against Taliban!

Moderate Madrassa Students protest against Taliban Extremism.
Photo Courtesy: The Daily Times, Pakistan. 20.06.09

Writer's Block: We fight to win! - Bushra Hassan

Rozan in Islamabad, needs helpers. It needs volunteers who will help them do whatever they aim to do for the IDPs. Rozan needs people like you and me, who have an hour or so free, to lend a hand in their work for the IDPs.

I’m sure Rozan is not the only organization that needs more support. The task at hand is enormous. From shelter, to rehabilitation, food and health issues. More than everything else, they need some one to just spend time with IDPs and care. The IDPs are like us, no different. Had Talibans actually reached Islamabad, as the media tried to portray, then we would be like them too. Forced to leave our jobs surviving on what little we have of savings, moving in with relatives we don’t necessarily get along with. It’s a test of human sacrifice, of patience, of resilience. But resilience we have plenty of.

“Forced to leave our jobs surviving on what little we have of savings, moving in with relatives we don’t necessarily get along with. It’s a test of human sacrifice, of patience, of resilience. But resilience we have plenty of.”




We’re a country that’s fought three wars, lost a significant part of it, undergone martial laws, civil rights violations, bans of various kinds, massive earthquakes and nation wide floods nearly every other year, and all this while living in an environment of poverty, corruption and political chaos. However, here we are standing firm and standing tall. Half the women survive legalized rape, domestic violence and lack of basic human rights, while the other half work in corporate offices, wear unisex clothes, speak their minds and outperform men in all walks of life.

Women strive for empowerment, the youth for liberty, and men for respect. Most importantly we strive therefore we understand, how we’re all the same, why our cause is the same.

The IDPs issues hit our very hearts because it latches onto our vulnerability of existence, and the IDPs remind us of our fight, of our courage and our daily misfortunes.

“The IDPs issues hit our very hearts because it latches onto our vulnerability of existence, and the IDPs remind us of our fight, of our courage and our daily misfortunes.”

Mostly they remind us of how blessed we are, better off, just plain lucky. As a result we can feel for them more, because we were spared this ordeal, and therefore, we wish to do more. We, the nation, are in this together. We’ve realized this through our survival over the decades. We’re all one, one nation, standing under one flag, reciting one kalma, and bowing our head to the same anthem.

“This is Pakistan, these are our people. From the shelter camps to the Oval Cricket ground, this is us, and we do not play to lose!”

This was never more obvious than last night, when the entire nation stayed awake till early morning to pray for and rejoice in the semi-final victory of the young men of our cricket team, who fought a heavier, mature, more accomplished adversary, not bowing out of fear or resolution to fate.



This is Pakistan, these are our people. From the shelter camps to the Oval Cricket ground, this is us, and we do not play to lose!

To Volunteer for IDPs: Call Zeest @ Rozan at 051-2890506-7 and 0345-8507181
Images courtesy: http://bariisiyobasto.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/images-of-the-idp-in-pakistans-swat-valley-region/
and http://cricket.yahoo.com/photos/Semi-finals-South-Africa-Vs-Pakistan_12453498364794#10

The Tell Tale Heart: Soul Jam - Mehreena Aziz Khan

In the last few days, many of my fellow countrymen have been posting videos from Coke Studios second season airing this month on Pakistani television channels. Sitting in my apartment unit in Sydney, Australia, the status updates and YouTube posts keep me well updated on what is happening back home, whether it’s the bewailing of another deadly bomb attack, jubilation over restoration of the judiciary, or the laments and joy over cricketing performances.

For one accustomed to chilling reportage of the Swat operation, shedding tears over fallen martyrs in the war against the Taliban or cringing at videos of young girls being flogged in public, the Coke Studio videos were a veritable breath, nay gust of fresh air.

For one accustomed to chilling reportage of the Swat operation, shedding tears over fallen martyrs in the war against the Taliban or cringing at videos of young girls being flogged in public, the Coke Studio videos were a veritable breath, nay gust of fresh air.

This is the Pakistan I know and the one I grew up in. Rich with talent both folk and pop, both classical and modern. Where talented music and video producers have the skill to conduct creative experiments and come up with top-notch productions despite meager resources and training. Knowing a lot of the people behind the project personally, I know for a fact that most never attended a musical academy or formally studied production. They just have raw talent and determination, while their skills are self-taught. Whether it was learning to strum the guitar or the keyboard keys through books, or learning the ropes of music and video production from the internet.

One by one, the performances began and ended with aplomb, with every performer putting their soul into it, and the jam sessions began to feel like a balm for the embittered Pakistani soul - a soul wounded by violence and internal strife. This is the Pakistan that easily married the glory and timelessness of traditional folklore with modern pop. Where globalization and modernization enjoyed a peaceful and respectful camaradie with the historical and classical.

When two girls from Peshawar sang timeless quatrains of Omer Khayyam at the melodious strumming of the rabab, they evoked nostalgia for the beautiful heritage of the war-torn mess Afghanistan and parts of NWFP have become. Before the time where girls had their faces burnt with acid, their schools shut down and their teachers shot. Before CD shops were burnt, before ancient statues were ruthlessly bombed and before classical musicians were issued death threats and boycotted into oblivion. If only we could manage modernization and progress while preserving our culture as smoothly as the adept synchronization of western percussion instruments with the classic rabab by Rohail Hyatt's team.

All the performances were marked with the same characteristic. Saieen Zahoor's melodious rendition of verses of ancient wisdom reminded one of the Sufi poetry and mindset that once helped spread Islam in the Subcontinent. A time when love, poetry, tolerance and a deep respect for human values was the mode for propagation of religious sentiments. How the scene has changed since then. And as Saieen's voice died down, a fashionably bearded Ali Noor and his brother Ali Hamza took up the tune… both dressed in western attire, both ably carrying the tune forward and representing the modern face of Pakistani music with a sensibility and respect for their musical heritage.

The performance evoked memories of Zia-era PTV when Muhammad Ali Sheikhi and Allan Fakir's "Allah Allah kar bhayya" became hugely popular as the original pop-meets-folk ditty. A time when the likes of Nazia and Zoheb were banned from television. The triumphant re-emergence of pop music after the end of the Zia era, when youthful raw talent like Vital Signs and Jupiters sang jubilant and hope-filled anthems on the eve of Benazir's promised era of liberalization.

When I had returned to Pakistan in 2004 after spending a number of years in Germany, I found a vastly changed media landscape in the wake of the satellite television revolution. But a stark dichotomy was visible in television content as one click would take you from devout rant of Aalim Online or bearded mullahs talking about the intricacies of performing ablution, to the tantalizing gyrations of the likes of Nimra or scantily clad local models at a glitzy fashion show. The neutral majority found itself feeling alienated by both.

When I had returned to Pakistan in 2004 after spending a number of years in Germany, I found a vastly changed media landscape in the wake of the satellite television revolution. But a stark dichotomy was visible in television content as one click would take you from devout rant of Aalim Online or bearded mullahs talking about the intricacies of performing ablution, to the tantalizing gyrations of the likes of Nimra or scantily clad local models at a glitzy fashion show. The neutral majority found itself feeling alienated by both. The Coke Studio performances on the other hand seem to symbolize a balanced middle ground between the two extremes. At the same time they are a quantum leap from the pre-millenium PTV era of uninspired performance clips featuring rubab, tabla and other folk instruments that would dot the broadcast back then.

So hats off to all involved with the production and that, along with the welcome news of Pakistan's victories in the Twenty20 World Cup at the moment, is what I want my news of Pakistan to keep on being filled of: feats in arts and sports rather than deadly bombings and floggings.

Until next time its cheers from Aussie mate!

------

http://www.cokestudio.com.pk/ for more on Coke Studio

Pakistan Youth Alliance

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Citizens Trust Blog, takes immense pride in presenting to you... Pakistan Youth Alliance.
What follows is a compilation of material from various sources. We urge you to read, review and watch everything... If this doesn't wake you up... Nothing will!





An Interview with the Founding Force of Pakistan Youth Alliance.
By Khadija Ranjha on January 23, 2009

Source: The Viewspaper

Mr. Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi is a 22 year old man, who lives in Islamabad, Pakistan. Very recently, he, along with his friends, started a youth movement, that by the looks of it is all set to change the course of our country. With planned and organized rallies being held throughout the country, the Pakistan Youth Alliance is serving its purpose well by providing a platform for the youth of today.

The PYA, although only initiated a few months back, has already shown its potential, and will hopefully lead Pakistan forward! I got a chance to talk to Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi about the PYA, the difficulties he had to face, and his achievements and the future of Pakistan, and his commitment to his cause is a force to reckon with.

VP- Tell me about your movement, the Pakistan Youth Alliance. What is it about?

PYA- PYA is silent revolution; it is by no means a rebellious initiative. We don’t like to point, we aim to change! We don’t mean to burn, we aim to spark! PYA is a youth motivated, youth run, and youth centered non-political/ indigenous movement which aims to wake the youth of Pakistan from the sleep of apathy. We have had it with the flaws, we have had it with injustice and we have had it being quiet. The anger in us all boils our inside so much that we wish to scream, but if we come out on streets in an unorganized manner, no one would listen.

We are educated, we are enlightened and we wish to change the mindsets! We start from self-accountability and self realization (Khudi - Iqbal) and then wish to spread the vibes in our schools, universities and neighborhoods. We want to realize the dream of Iqbal and make it Quaid’s Pakistan. We want to change the attitude “this is Pakistan, everything works!”. We want to make the kids realize that they would have to lead this country, in whatever capacity they would be, so they must be mentally prepared to put their country’s interest before personal gains and lusts. We wish to nourish their souls, so that 160 million souls coincide to form such a strong bond, that it won’t be broken and no one would dare challenge our sovereignty and eye our land!

We started as three people, we are getting hundreds of e-mails and calls every day of youth wanting to join us. From Bajaur (non-Talibanized youth) to Toronto, Pakistan, the youth yearns to be noticed and we will provide a stable platform for them, so that they are heard! And they have the courage to challenge what is wrong, even if it is a small matter in their vicinities. From individual to a collective level – that is how we aim to live the change we want to see in this country

VP- What motivated or inspired you to start this?

PYA- I was like everyone else. I was sitting at Hotspot with some friends, who were here from Harvard and some who were just angry at what drama had unfolded in the country, I am talking about the time of emergency, when the only emergency seemed to be in President’s House. The moment emergency was announced, we started roaming around in the capital to see where the emergency was at, but we couldn’t find it anywhere.

When some people thought that keeping us in the dark and blocking media and outside world contact might help us absorb what they were doing, we had this sudden revelation that we have to stand up. If we won’t, who will? This anger in us, when channelized properly, gave us the strength and courage to stand up and make ourselves heard, and by the grace of God, we are at least trying.

VP- What difficulties have you had to/still face with regard to the development of the PYA?

PYA- Difficulties! The more precious the thing is, the harder it is to get. Nature teaches us that. The more the struggle, the greater the rift and the in the end, the greater the prize! We are facing pressures from everyone, families to intelligence to big shot political parties, this has never happened in the history of this country. We are being stopped in every step. They try to malign what is so needed, you can’t ignore it! You have to fight and remain true, like a soldier in war, we won’t give up, even if it takes everything away from us.

VP- What would you call your success milestones over the years?

PYA- I got a call from Bajaur agency, a young passionate Pakistani who loved Pakistan to the core, his village was bombed, 42 members of his family died and he still had the purity to love his country! He called and wanted to join us, I met him and he melted my heart.

I did an event that got postponed to another date due to weather conditions, a woman in green Vitz with a Pakistan flag souring high from her window came with her little kids, I stood there and it melted my heart.

I get e-mails and calls daily from America to Japan, passionate Pakistani youth wanting to join us. That is my milestone, and that is what gives me hope and instills in me, greater faith! We are good people, Pakistanis, we just need to learn from our past and wake up. Like Iqbal says, “God hasn’t changed the state of that nation, that which in itself does not want to change!” We need to understand Iqbal; his words are enough to guide us and show us light.

VP- What reaction did you get from your family and peers when you told them your plans regarding the PYA?

PYA- Initially, my family didn’t support me. They had issues with me being a “kid” and “trying to be a hero” but with time they realized that a person has to do what he has to do. They realized that if they, the educated lot would stop me from trying to wake people up, imagine what would happen to the rest 70 % of the uneducated?

I request every parent/guardian/teacher reading this, that it is your responsibility more than mine to try and change the mind sets of the strayed youth of this country. We are 60% of the total population. We are the future of this country, you did a terrible job and brought us here, at least realize it now and prepare little soldiers in your houses. If you would discourage them, we would cease to be. The whole world is after us!

VP- To what extent is the media influential in enhancing the mental development of the youth?

PYA- Media can play the role of the catalyst to reform our society, it needs to be more responsible and create the right “hype “. All this negativity won’t help! How many programs have you seen on these 30 odd TV channels with good looking women being the newscasters and reporting that Shahrukh Khan’s new movie has been released? They need to set their priorities straight and play the role of a catalyst rather than making fuss all the time!

VP-Can the PYA ever serve as a foundation for a political career in the future for you?

PYA- I am already being contacted by big shot political personalities asking to join them. But the seeds that I have sown will take time to grow, let it grow and if this dream transforms into reality, you will see us running this country.

VP- What does the youth of today mean to you?

PYA- Youth of today is a dark house. Youth of today is the light at the end of the tunnel. Youth of today would define who we would be in 2020. Youth of today can lead us. They are the ONLY HOPE!

Very few people at such a young age actually take the initiative to work towards such causes, and I, like many other people my age, was thoroughly impressed with what the PYA has planned in the near future. Such movements have potential, and will hopefully, go a long way!

---------

Everyone who wants to be a part of this unprecedented movement can
E-mail at pakistanyouthalliance@gmail.com
Phone: +92.333.4532030
Facebook Group “Pakistan Youth Alliance”
Web Portal: http://www.pya.org.pk/

Mobilink Camp becomes operational - First Families Move In!

In just one week since Mobilink announced its formal commitment to establish a relief camp for 1,000 displaced families and has committed $ 1 million to it, it is an honour to share that the first families have begun to move into the camp, with approx. 200 families expected to be inhabited by end of week.

Mobilink camp, situated at Kund Park near Nowshera, is located on the confluence of the Indus and Kabul rivers where NWFP meets Punjab province. This park is a tourist destination with greenery and lush vegetation providing plenty of shade. Children’s recreational areas are also available on site such as swings.

With the dedicated efforts of our various teams including Procurement, Security and Marketing, in consultation with the implementing partners, the camp establishment has been divided into phases to ensure that the IDPs are accommodated at the earliest. In the first phase, approx. 200 tents have already been pitched. Latrines and sanitation areas as well as water tanks have also been installed on-site to ensure adequate access to basic amenities. Upon registration, each family is provided with the following items:

· Tent
· Bedding
· Water buckets & Jerry cans
· Chatai (floor mat)
· Kitchen utensils including cooking pots, cutlery and crockery
· Food rations
· Personal Hygiene kits including towel, washing and laundry soaps, tooth paste and toothbrush, combs
· Water cooler
· Mosquito nets

Incoming families will be provided with cooked food for the first couple of days as they settle in. Planning to set up a Basic Health Unit as well as primary and secondary schools is underway.

Procurement of items has been personally conducted and supervised by a team of Mobilink employees to ensure that quality standards are maintained.

----

The blog admin urges you to make hearty donations. Donations can be made at Mobilink offices at Special Donations Camps set on site.

Taliban feel Pakistani wrath after mosque blast

Source: Yahoo News

Library Image: Local Jirga Tribemen, You don't mess with them!!

Source: www.samsearth.com

By ASIF SHAHZAD, Associated Press Writer Asif Shahzad, Associated Press Writer – Sun Jun 7, 10:56 am ET

ISLAMABAD – Hundreds of Pakistani tribesmen furious over a deadly suicide bombing at a mosque laid siege to several Taliban strongholds in their troubled northwestern region, killing at least 11 militants, officials said Sunday.

The weekend clashes appeared to be the latest evidence of growing anti-Taliban sentiment in U.S.-allied Pakistan, a shift that comes as suicide attacks have surged and the military wages an offensive in the nearby Swat Valley.

attack on the mosque left 33 worshippers dead and wounded dozens more during Friday prayers, angering residents of the Haya Gai area of Upper Dir district who have had tensions and minor clashes with local militants for months.
Some 400 villagers banded together to attack five villages in the nearby Dhok Darra area that were known militant strongholds, said Atif-ur-Rehman, the district coordination officer.

The citizens' militia has occupied three of the villages since Saturday and was trying to push the Taliban out of the other two Sunday. Some 20 houses suspected of harboring Taliban were destroyed, he said.
At least 11 militants had died as of Sunday afternoon, district police Chief Ejaz Ahmad said. He said around 200 militants were putting up a tough fight but were surrounded by the villagers.
The government has encouraged local citizens to set up militias, known as lashkars, to oust Taliban fighters, especially in the regions that border Afghanistan where al-Qaida and the Taliban have hide-outs. But villagers' willingness to do so has often hinged on confidence that authorities will back them up if necessary.
With the army reporting advances against the Taliban in Swat — an operation that also reaches into Lower Dir district and has broad public support — that confidence appears to be growing.
Already, military officials say that as they've proceeded with the operation in Swat, local residents who have remained in the region have grown increasingly cooperative, providing tips on militants' hide-outs and more. "It is something very positive that tribesmen are standing against the militants. It will discourage the miscreants," Rehman said.

Ahmad, the police chief, added, "We will send security forces, maybe artillery too, if the villagers ask for a reinforcement."

Najmuddin Malik, a lawmaker from Upper Dir, said the militants fighting with villagers were from all over Pakistan, including Swat, but that most were foreigners. He said there was no need for army intervention yet.
"People there have arms, small and big, and they are fighting on their own," Malik said. The month-old Swat offensive, the latest round in a valley that has experienced fighting for two years, is seen as a test of Pakistan's resolve to take on al-Qaida and Taliban fighters on its soil.

The U.S. hopes the offensive will eliminate a potential sanctuary for militants implicated in attacks on Western forces across the border in Afghanistan.

More than 1,300 militants and 105 soldiers have died so far in the offensive, the military says.
The offensive has generally broad public support, thanks in part to Pakistani anger over a video showing militants flogging a young woman and a speech by a pro-Taliban cleric that condemned the notions of democracy and elections.

Taliban infiltration into a district just 60 miles (95 kilometers) from the capital also rattled Pakistanis who had long considered the militancy a distant problem easily blamed on the U.S. presence in Afghanistan.

The Taliban have threatened to stage suicide attacks in major Pakistani cities in revenge for the Swat operation.

One attack that seemed to fit with the threat came late Saturday in Islamabad, when a man wearing an explosives-laden jacket attacked a police compound but was shot before he could enter the main building. Two officers died and six were wounded in the explosion, police said.
Also Sunday, police in the southern city of Karachi said they arrested a would-be bomber allegedly linked to Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud. Explosives and bomb-laden jackets were found during the morning raid, senior police official Javed Bukhari said, "He was planning to carry out large attacks in Karachi with other accomplices, but we have averted the attempt," Bukhari said.

___

Associated Press writers Habib Khan in Khar and Ashraf Khan in Islamabad contributed to this report.

I SPY: The Light with a Voice - Sadaf Zarrar

Islamabad: As the sun set on Islamabad on 3rd June 2009, all wasn’t dark. Candle by Candle, over a hundred bearers of light got together in front of the constitution avenue and brought radiance to what could have been a dark night.

The event aptly titled ‘The Green Ribbon Vigil’ was organized by a group of local citizens who in their words ‘felt the need to mobilize the citizens of this country, show all our security forces including the Armed Forces, the Police and the paramilitary forces that we are with them and remember all those innocent victims who had lost their lives in various terror attacks’.

The gathering consisted of an array of people from various walks of life, and while some of them had relatives in the forces, most were there only owing to deep rooted patriotism. What started around 7pm as a nervous gathering of 20 odd people ended at around 9.30pm with over 120 euphoric citizens who chanted slogans of patriotism and sang patriotic songs.

The gathering consisted of an array of people from various walks of life, and while some of them had relatives in the forces, most were there only owing to deep rooted patriotism.

The highlight of the event however remained participation of Lt Omer who is a veteran of war against terror and extremism in Swat and Tribal areas. The Lieutenant who was supported by crutches owing to his war wounds spoke in a personal capacity and said that gatherings such as these would raise the morale of the troops and that it is time for the country to stand together and fight against this menace together… the Soldiers with guns and The citizens in spirit.

It is time for the country to stand together and fight against this menace together… the Soldiers with guns and The citizens in spirit.

Father of Captain Jonaid Shaheed from SSG was also present at this gathering and was given an honorary salute by all participants of the gathering for the great sacrifice his son had given.

Speeches by Capt Jonaid Shaheed’s father, Lt Omer and a family friend of Capt Waqqas Zamir Shaheed brought the whole crowd to an emotional silence and the teary eyed participants remained in awe of the great sacrifices the sons of this soil are giving for the safety and protection of this country and its people from foreign funded barbarians.

A moment of silence and prayer was observed towards the end of the peaceful gathering in remembrance of the Martyrs and the innocent victims of terror attacks and slogans were chanted towards the end to show solidarity with the Military and paramilitary forces.

‘We were 20 the last time we got together and today we’re over 120 in this gathering we will be even more next time, the youth is waking up… Pakistan is Rising… again’

The participants of the gathering vowed to not bow to terrorism. ‘We were 20 the last time we got together and today we’re over 120 in this gathering we will be even more next time, the youth is waking up… Pakistan is Rising… again’ said one of the volunteers organizing this gathering.



Share on Facebook

New Era for Pakistan by Bushra Hassan

Yesterday my husband took a cab to get home. When they reached out of the dozens road blocks around Islamabad, the pathan, uneducated cab driver saluted the policeman checking his car. My husband laughed, and asked him why he did that? His reply was simple: “If some one was to give me Rs. 20 million, I still would not do this police man’s job, not even for an hour.”

There is a new found wave of appreciation for the police going around Pakistan these days. We have spent decades complaining about the police, our notorious Pakistan police. However, now we see smiling police men, guarding us, saving us, fighting for us. Most Pakistanis have come to appreciate their jobs, their dedication, and stopped complaining. Period!

This is a new era for Pakistan. One of mutual trust, responsibility and respect. This is new for us. We’re done complaining. It’s about individual actions and collective purpose.

I have made a habit of saluting the police officials every time I take my car near them. They always salute back, they always smile. Have you ever heard of a police official smiling at you, without reason? Now they have a reason, and so do we. It’s called Solidarity.

"Have you ever heard of a police official smiling at you, without reason?Now they have a reason, and so do we. It’s called Solidarity.”

I no longer listen to Indian or English music in my car. The radio’s been turned off and all I have ears for these days are patriotic songs, from Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan, to Yeh Tera Pakistan hai, to the ever green Watan ki mitti gawah rehna etc. I roll down my car windows and sing along. As I drive on the roads of my country, safe and sound, feeling protected and blessed, I come to appreciate even more those fighting for me. As they say in the song: “meri sarhad per pehra hay eemaan ka; mere shehron peh saaya hay Quraan kaa”, I am wrapped in patriotism, and I know I’m not the only one. My friends are feeling the same emotions as I do, dying to get their hands dirty and help out, one way or another. The people from the privileged classes are yearning to help those in need. The people in privileged classes want to serve the poor. When was the last time that happened? Anywhere?

“As they say in the song: “meri sarhad per pehra hay eemaan ka; mere shehron peh saaya hay Quraan kaa”, I am wrapped in patriotism, and I know I’m not the only one. My friends are feeling the same emotions as I do, dying to get their hands dirty and help out, one way or another.”

This is a new era for Pakistan. We come together in times of difficulty, we stand united. We are One, We stand as One, We fight as One.

Long Live Pakistan

Share on Facebook

Green Ribbon Vigil, Wed - 3rd June 09, 8pm Consititution Ave Islamabad

Daring Rescue of a Family from the Taliban