Please help spread this message. My contact is umer.mumtaz@gmail.com
August 2, 2010
Once again Allah Subhanah has put to test the people of this country in the form of floods. Beyond asking for Allah's forgiveness we need to help our fellow beings in their hour of need and try to pass this test.
Alhamdolillah, as of today we were able to collect enough funds to prepare 200 packets of rations. Tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd August 2010, two of our friends Najam-us-Sehr (300-5000975) and Faiz Ali Khan (0302-8054104) will InshaAllah reach Mingora (Swat) and try to deliver these rations to areas which are hard to access. We will update all with the results when they get back.
We are also trying to investigate the feasibility of restoration of drinking water supply in the affected areas. One possibility is the provision of truck mounted generators which may be able to provide electricity on a turn-by-turn basis to workable tube wells.
Since the geographical extent of this calamity is so vast we can only start with one location where we have local help. All are requested to send us first-hand information about other areas so that we may co-ordinate our efforts with those working there.
All of us have great faith in the resolve of the Pakistani Nation as seen in the successful recovery from the Kashmir earthquake and the IDP exodus.
August 6, 2010
Alhamdolillah on 3rd August 200 packs of rations weighing 19kg and costing Rs. 1,430/- each were distributed among the devastated in Mingora region. Movement beyond Mingora was restricted due to various reasons.
Today the team has again reached Mingora and is arranging for logistics of a further 200 packs beyond Madyan. The road bridge at Madyan has been damaged and all movement beyond has to be done by foot. Our team has prepared 11kg packs this time so that they can be carried onward by porters/volunteers. The ration packs consist of:
Rice 6kg
Moong 1kg
Lobia 1kg
Ghee 1kg
Sugar 1kg
Salt 250g
Tea 250g
Lighter 1pc
We ask all concerned to pray for the well-being of the people affected by the floods and those trying to provide relief to them. We also request everybody to spread the word and urge them to go out and help human beings in crisis. And with Allah lies the final reward.
August 9, 2010
Following five persons visited Swat valley from 6th till 8th August and Alhamdolillah a further total of 165 packs of rations worth Rs. 135,500/- were delivered in the hands of the needy.
Faiz Ali Khan
Najam us Sahar
Sajid Mehmood
Dr. Inayat
Shahid Khan
These people were the first outsiders to reach Madyan and Bahrain to assess the situation on ground. Travel included 3 hours by foot one way from Jaray village where the first road damage is located. Jaray village is one and a half hours by road from Mingoara. Porters were used to carry the ration packs where needed. The people at both these places were very happy to see help arriving. Sixty families in Madyan were also given vouchers to come and collect their ration packs at Jaray village and they are expected to make the journey by today or tomorrow.
Besides distributing the ration the team was able to establish links with local volunteers at both the locations to streamline further distribution. 200 families have been identified till date in Bahrain and following rations are being prepared for distribution there:
Rice 10kg
Ghee 2.50kg
Sugar 3kg
Lobia 3kg
Daal Channa 1kg
Nido powder milk 1kg
Tea 0.5kg
Salt 0.25kg
Mixed Masala 0.25kg
Bath Soap 3pc
Laundry Soap 3pc
Total weight of one pack: 23kg
Cost of one pack: Rs. 2,190/-
Total cost of rations: Rs. 438,000/-
The team has spent Rs. 1,052,000/- till date, all on rations, and has nearly depleted the donation pool.
All are requested to donate more as Insha’Allah we expect the logistics to Bahrain and beyond till Kalam to improve in the near future and a lot of aid will be required in those areas.
A project of fresh water supply in Mingoara city has been accomplished by transporting two generators of 125KVA from Islamabad. These generators have been connected to four tube wells at the moment, and water is being supplied on 4-hour basis. It is expected that this water supply will serve 30,000 to 60,000 persons daily who had no water since the last ten days. Cost of this project was undertaken by a single donor and we expect an expenditure of Rs.300,000/- for the first week.
We feel that with the opening of land route up to Kalam coupled with the advent of Ramazan more relief work will be required by the end of this week. We request all to come forward and contribute in this effort.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Citizen's Speak: THALI.
THE THALI CLAN:
Thali became almost a house hold name in Islamabad during the IDP crisis. Once again, during flood relief they have risen to the occassion as launched a mission to feed the displaced countrymen. They are collecting donations in both Cash and Kind and are surely a movement that requires your encouragement and support.
You can make your drops at the point convenient to you:
House no 44. Luqman Hakeem Road. G-6/3 Islamabad
or House 60 C Satellite town Murree road.
Please however call on the following numbers before doing so, or you may even refer to these numbers for any details and queries: 03335600082, 03458562843, 03345110013
If you want to volunteer- contact: sabeen.ihsan@gmail.com
Thali became almost a house hold name in Islamabad during the IDP crisis. Once again, during flood relief they have risen to the occassion as launched a mission to feed the displaced countrymen. They are collecting donations in both Cash and Kind and are surely a movement that requires your encouragement and support.
You can make your drops at the point convenient to you:
House no 44. Luqman Hakeem Road. G-6/3 Islamabad
or House 60 C Satellite town Murree road.
Please however call on the following numbers before doing so, or you may even refer to these numbers for any details and queries: 03335600082, 03458562843, 03345110013
If you want to volunteer- contact: sabeen.ihsan@gmail.com
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Citizen's Speak: Flood Relief for the Lazy Souls
Mobilink users can contribute Rs. 10 (plus tax) by texting “Flood” to 616
Deposit donations to Mobilink Foundation account (account # 0401-0028266-0001) by visiting any NIB Bank branch
Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 5, 2010
The United States has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan’s call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that started on July 29. Our response has been consistent with our humanitarian values and our deep commitment to Pakistan. Support to Pakistan includes financial assistance and the immediate provision of urgently needed supplies and services drawing on unique U.S. capabilities.
Latest Developments:
Six U.S. Army helicopters have begun humanitarian assistance operations. The four CH-47 Chinook helicopters and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters are operating in partnership with the Pakistan Government throughout the flood-impacted areas to deliver much-needed relief supplies and provide transport to people who urgently need emergency assistance. Today, they evacuated more than 800 people from Kalam to Khwazakhela and transported 66,000 pounds of relief supplies.
The United States is making commitments of $25 million in assistance to flood-affected populations, bringing the total to date to more than $35 million. These commitments consist of $10 million from US Agency for International Development (USAID) to address emergency needs identified by the Government of Pakistan, and $15 million from USAID for the U.N. World Food Program for emergency food aid, including the local and regional procurement of food.
U.S. Contributions To Date:
U.S. helicopters assigned to the Pakistani Ministry of Interior’s 50th Squadron are continuing their operations and have rescued 983 people and airlifted 30,973 pounds of supplies.
More than 436,000 halal meals from U.S. stocks in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region have been delivered to civilian and military officials in Pakistan, a contribution of $3.25 million dollars.
Twelve pre-fabricated steel bridges have been made available as temporary replacements for highway bridges damaged by flooding in Peshawar and Kurram Agency.
Four Zodiac inflatable rescue boats with power motors and two water filtration units—which provide pumping, purification, and distribution of potable water for up to 10,000 persons daily—are being provided for use in the affected area.
A second consignment containing four additional water treatment units, 14 Zodiac boats with motors, 10 water storage bladders with distribution systems for drinking water and 30 concrete-cutting saws has been shipped to Peshawar for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
A 25kw generator was provided to the Frontier Scouts-KPk to support their flood relief efforts.
The U.S. and its international and national partners are continuing ongoing humanitarian programs in the flood-affected areas and are working to identify assistance gaps to be addressed through an expansion of existing programs as well as new grants.
Private Sector Response:
The Coca-Cola Corporation for Pakistan and Afghanistan announced on August 5 a $500,000 donation.
Working with mGive, Americans are contributing to Pakistan flood relief by texting the word “SWAT” to 50555. The text will result in a donation of $10 to the UNHCR Pakistan Flood Relief Effort. Every $10 helps provide tents and emergency aid to displaced families.
The Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan cellular phone industry are inviting Pakistanis to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Fund for Flood Relief beginning August 5 by texting the amount of their donation to 1234.
For relief photos click here: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/pix/sca/pak/145730.htm
Citizen's Speak: Pakistan Floods, International Donations
Islamic Relief:
http://www.islamicreliefusa.org/pakistan-floods
Muslim Hands:
http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/
Muslim Aid:
www.muslimaid.org/
Islamic Help:
http://www.islamichelp.org.uk/
PLAN International:
http://plan-international.org/
Trocaire Ireland:
http://www.trocaire.org/
http://www.islamicreliefusa.org/pakistan-floods
Muslim Hands:
http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/
Muslim Aid:
www.muslimaid.org/
Islamic Help:
http://www.islamichelp.org.uk/
PLAN International:
http://plan-international.org/
Trocaire Ireland:
http://www.trocaire.org/
Citizen's Speak - Flood Relief Donations Drive, Pakistan Charities.
Al-Khidmat Foundation:
Al-Khidmat Foundation Pakistan is working as an independent, non-governmental, non-profit and charitable organization. It works under its own Memorandum of Articles of Association and leadership. It has no affiliation with any regional ethnic or political organization of Pakistan or any where in the world. Al-Khidmat is exclusively engaged and supports charitable activities and programs. It neither seeks political positions nor does it supports, it provides to any other organization at home or abroad it is purely for charitable purposes, particularly supporting education, health-care and other related relief services. Al-Khidmat Foundation is dedicated to the services of humanity all parts of the world without any discrimination of creed, religion and political association
More info on Flood Relief: http://al-khidmatfoundation.org/flood_relief.php
Donate here: http://al-khidmatfoundation.org/donate-here.php
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Edhi Foundation:
Edhi foundation is the most trusted name in Pakistan when it comes to relief work within distressed areas in Pakistan and the rest of the world. Edhi foundation is a NON Profit organization that has been in the business of providing social services like medical care, emergency services, air ambulances, burial services, mental habitats, old homes, child welfare services, abused women safe houses and training facilities for the disadvantaged..
Edhi's founder is Abdul Sattar Edhi who established the first clinic in 1951.
Donate here: http://www.edhifoundation.com/contact.asp
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Sarhad Rural Support Programme:
Concerned citizens based in Lahore are collecting relief items for the Sarhad Rural Support Programme, the largest NGO in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. SRSP's experience and size make it the most suitable choice for donations at this time. They are a part of the Rural Support Programmes Network (rspn.org), founded by Shoaib Sultan Khan, who was nominated for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize (along with President Obama and others).
People may make donations directly to SRSP, write crossed cheques to us in favor of SRSP or donate relief goods directly to them (which will then be loaded on to trucks headed for SRSP warehouses in Peshawar. People are also welcome to join in the effort of loading the trucks and actually making the trip to the affected areas to see the profound difference their generosity makes in the lives of so many.
The link to their Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120053684708340
Contact: Umar Agha. Cell: 0321 842-2425 and email: ua2121@columbia.edu
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Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
Established in 1999, Omar Asghar Khan Foundation strives for a democratic and peaceful society based on the values of equity, tolerance and justice in which all people are assured a life of quality. It works with citizens, particularly the poor and the vulnerable, to achieve human and livelihood security. The Foundation organizes citizens, assists them in engaging with the state on policy and institutional reform, and supports their livelihood strategies through skill-building, credit provision, and community infrastructure development. The Foundation is a national organization with its field base in NWFP. The Foundation has a staff of 60 and offices in Islamabad and Abbottabad.
See: http://www.oakdf.org.pk/
Donate here:
Title of Account: Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
Account #: 0030445261000455
Name of Bank: MCB Bank (1028), Super Market, Islamabad-Pakistan
Swift Code: MUCBPKKAMCC
Tax Exemption: 6043/ATD/2008-09
Sungi:
Donate here: http://sungi.org/emergency_donations_contact_information.html
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Pakistan Red Crescent Society:
Pakistan Red Crescent Society was founded on December 20, 1947 by the order ‘The Pakistan Red Cross Order’ courtesy Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Governor General of Pakistan and Founder President of the Society. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) recognized PRCS on July 21, 1948. Later it was admitted as a member of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Now called International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies-IFRC) on August 18, 1948. Pakistan Red Cross Society was renamed as Pakistan Red Crescent Society in 1973.
PRCS has offices in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffarabad.
Please see: http://www.prcs.org.pk/
Donate here: http://www.prcs.org.pk/help.asp
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Prem Chand, A Pakistani
http://pakistaniat.com/2010/08/01/prem-chand-coffin-kafir/
Amongst the 152 who died in last Wednesday’s tragic crash of Air Blue flight were six members of the Youth Parliament. All death in this tragedy were sad. The death of these talented youth with aspirations of building a better Pakistan was no exception. Maybe it was tragedy compounded. But the story of one of them is sadder even than the others – and because of what happened to him after he died!
This is the story of Prem Chand, a bright young social worker from Sanghar (Sindh), one of the members of Youth Parliament, and one of those who died on the ill-fated AirBlue flight 202. His death – like the death of everyone on that flight – was a matter of national tragedy; the treatment of his dead body a matter of national disgrace.
According to news reports in The News and The Express Tribune young Prem Chand’s coffin was marked “Kafir” – a word that literally means ‘infidel’ or ‘non-believer’ but is mostly used as a serious slur in Pakistan. Literally labeling someone’s coffin as “Kafir” and not even giving them the respect to list their religion by its proper name, is a shameful and disgusting way to disrespect the last remains of anyone. All the more so the last remains of a patriotic Pakistani who was on that plane solely to represent Pakistan and to seek to be a better Pakistani – he was on his way to the ‘session’ of the Youth Parliament!
According to The News:
The members of Youth parliament [on the day following the crash] protested against the marking of the coffin of one of their colleague Prem Chand as ‘Kafir.’ “It was shocking. He could have been marked as Hindu or non-Muslim, but using the word ‘Kafir’ is the worst example of intolerance,” said MYP Muneeb Afzal.
The Express Tribune writes:
Ehsan Naveed Irfan is a member of the youth parliament and he is the one who identified Prem Chand’s body. He told me that his coffin was marked as “Kafir” first with black and then outlined with red to make it more prominent. He told me that he and his friends removed it with a marker and wrote “We love you – from the youth parliament” instead.
A friend of Prem Chand made this comment on Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi’s blog:
I am Muneeb Afzal, a Member of Youth parliament of Pakistan and a Colleague and Friend of Late Prem Chand. An extremely hard-working person he was a symbol of tolerance. My last communication with him was on night before the Air Crash, he gave his greetings to me on occasion of 15th of Shabaan.
At PIMS fortunately another friend of ours was there when Prem’s Cousin Nanik Das came to search for his body, he quickly hid the tag ‘kafir’ by putting marker lines on it, so that Prem’s family which is already suffering from great grief does not have to bear more hurt. Although later at a memorial session where media was present I criticized the inhumanity and intolerance of those who did this shameful act. I felt this was my duty to my late friend Prem Chand that I make it clear to the world that we condemn this act of intolerance and narrow mindedness. But a lot of my other colleagues have since objected to my speaking out, believing that my saying this and this news spreading in media would add to hurt of Prem’s family, and in a way they are right too. I would like you all to also keep this in mind as well…
This was probably not an official act or some state sponsored standard procedure. It is much more likely that this was an act of some sick minded individual. But it is still important for the authorities to investigate and punish those responsible, and set an example for future. Intolerance must not be tolerated. To tolerate it, or justify it, is to accept it. The authorities need to take responsibility for this incident and why it happened at all; no matter who did it. After all, it is the state of Pakistan – and we as a society – which creates the conditions in which the persecution of minorities thrives at various levels, directly and indirectly; and that is what gives individuals license to go even further – including such shameful acts.
Author’s Note: My deepest apologies to friends and family members of Prem Chand and my fellow Pakistanis from others faiths (Pakistani Hindus in particular), specially those who may not have heard of this yet and for whom this incident will no doubt be deeply painful. But we must raise our voice and condemn such acts. The one lesson that Pakistan’s history teaches us is that discrimination and intolerance must never be tolerated.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Pakistan does not deserve David Cameron's insults
by Con CoughlinCon Coughlin, the Telegraph's executive foreign editor, is a world-renowned expert on the Middle East and Islamic terrorism. He is the author of several critically acclaimed books. His new book, Khomeini's Ghost, is published by Macmillan.
By Con Coughlin World Last updated: July 29th, 2010
An army helicopter overflies Pakistani soldiers in the upper Swat Valley last year (Photo: AP) What is this? Open season on Pakistan? Ok, so the Pakistanis can be immensely frustrating to deal with, and have not always, as the recent Wikileaks documents have shown, been the most reliable of allies. But that was then, when the country languished under the dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf, who was reluctant to act against the Taliban. But following the country’s return to democracy, Pakistan has become a valued and effective ally in the war on terror, and has suffered immeasurably more casualties than Nato as its military has gone head-to-head with the Taliban in the lawless tribal territory to the north of the country. For this reason David Cameron should be praising Pakistan’s contribution, rather than castigating Islamabad as he has done during his visit to neighbouring India. Mr Cameron might revel in his “Cameron direct” approach, but he risks alienating a great many of this country’s important allies unless he learns to balance his plain speaking with some good old-fashioned common sense. It is a long time since a serving British prime minister has managed to cause two major diplomatic incidents during an overseas jaunt, but Mr Cameron has managed precisely that during this week’s visit to Turkey and India. His comment about the Gaza “prison” provoked an outraged response from the Israeli Embassy in London, while his patronising treatment of Pakistan has now elicited a similar response from the Pakistani High Commission. No doubt Mr Cameron and his advisors think that this policy will pay dividends because, at the very least, it is generating lots of headlines and helping to raise Mr Cameron’s international profile. But at what price? This country’s overwhelming national security issue to resolve the Afghan conflict, and I fail to see how our prospects in the war will be improved by causing serious offence to one of our major allies in the war. |
Monday, 26 July 2010
FAKE DEGREES
by Pervez Hoodbhoy
Sunday, 25 July, 2010
Currently on a short visit to the University of Maryland, I am taking this opportunity to inform readers about the impression created overseas by the fake degree scandal in Pakistan. Major newspapers here, including the New York Times, have carried stories of the scores of counterfeit degrees possessed by Pakistani parliamentarians. The US media has underscored the unwillingness of the government and society to punish this scandalous behavior. Also reported is that the Sindh government has attempted to intimidate and threaten the chairman of the Higher Education Commission, who had been charged with verifying the degrees.
With outright cheaters and crooks sitting in parliament under government protection, it is no surprise that most people here - Pakistanis, Americans, and Indians - feel that Pakistan is headed nowhere. Expatriate Pakistanis, who live in a society that places a premium on personal honesty, are hanging their heads in shame. They have no explanation for why their country has fallen so low. If a state cannot enforce even minimal ethical rules, and if it can live in equanimity with corruption that is starkly visible, then it rightly deserves to be called a failed state. No foreigner is going to think of Pakistan as anything other than a Somalia or Nigeria, lawless and corrupt nations with which we seem to be competing with.
Fortunately, there do seem to be people of conscience in Pakistan who will not let the scandal die and the country sink yet further. It is also fortunate that the HEC, with which I have had strong differences in the past, is apparently holding up against political pressures. One wishes that these forces for good could prevail. I am sad, however, to see some well-respected columnists argue that the fake degree issue is being used to derail democracy and prepare the ground for army rule. This is a specious argument that, carried to its logical conclusion, will allow the grossest and ugliest of crimes to go unpunished.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
ELECTRICITY GAME BY OUR LEADERS IN PAKISTAN
| Taken from Source | ||
|
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
To everyone that uses the road
Hello everybody,
Yesterday the 5th of july a youngster in a 7 series BMW almost killed himself and me in my car! I tried to pull him over to put some sense in his head, but he would not budge, to cut a long story short I finally got him in a spot where he had no choice but to stop and listen, he was young under 18 I suspect had no license on him, said it was at home, said his father is Sardar Asif (??!!)
But I read him the riot act he could only keep repeating the word sorry! I made him listen to what he had not been taught at home, that his life and those other road users lives were very valuable and that it was because of individuals like him that people died or were maimed each day of the year on our roads! Please make sure you do not neglect your responsibility to your children, your fellow road users and to yourself.
Yu know what each of us MUST do to put things right and the hard work starts at home.
This needs to be watched by everyone who has the keys to a vehicle ....and to young people BEFORE they get their drivers
license. This is perhaps one of the most INTENSE commercials that I've ever seen and well made.
I think Australia should be complemented on having the guts to "tell it like it is" and get this campaign out to
all of its licensed drivers and to air it on TV...it is very moving and very life like…it has a very strong impact.
Not easy to watch...but necessary to watch.
Just press on the DUI !!! link below
DUI !!!
Thanks ,
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Citizen's Speak: Confrontation by Hamza Shafqaat
For the past decade, I have felt like a helpless spectator watching my country slowly begin to disintegrate. As much as those around me try to ignore the reality of Pakistan’s current environment, I refuse to conform to the unethical practices that run rampant in this country. Hypocrisy and lies know absolutely no limits, whether in the alley behind my house or in the corridors of power. The truth is that Pakistan is more divided than ever, and this time it is an entirely different game.
It’s easy to be misled by the rhetoric presented on the mainstream media, and on the pages of newspapers. Headlines scream chaos, while the man on the street yearns for closure. Two years have passed since the present government took charge, and Pakistanis are beginning to wonder if they placed their thumbs on the right symbol. Pakistan has been fighting the war on terrorism for almost a decade now, and from the very first day President Musharraf stated that this was Pakistan’s war. Unfortunately, that realization has only begun to creep in recently. It took the cries of a young woman being helplessly tortured for Pakistanis to change and wake up. Even then, our success is limited. Dear reader, allow me to be blunt: We have not won this war. In fact, the most crucial aspect of the war is just starting. As the residents of Swat return to their homes, the real test starts. Will the Taliban regain control of the area? If they do, then what is the next step for the government? Another war? Or will they wait once again, for the cries of a helpless woman? I fear the brutality on both sides will be far worse this time around.
Pakistanis are conflicted and torn between two ideas. They want their country to prosper, but wonder if highways and housing colonies built only in cities such as Lahore is prosperity, since those in rural areas suffer from more than 12 hours of load shedding each day.
They try to convince themselves, as have I, that this crisis like all others will soon pass. We try to desperately convince ourselves that there lies a better future ahead, that we are leaving to posterity a sound and vibrant nation.
But as the events unfold, we find ourselves increasingly at odds with our dreams and the reality.
The public is yearning for a messiah, and their choices reveal their desperation. Take, for example, Zaid Hamid. On the surface he seems to be a patriotic, albeit emotional, Pakistani, but listen to his lectures and you will find them laced with hate and discrimination towards other ideologies and other religions. Even though his speeches are prejudiced one wonders why Pakistanis are so quick to assume that since he discriminates against other religions and despises India, he’s on the pay-roll of intelligence agencies?
Before him, they had turned to our beloved cricket hero and philanthropist Imran Khan, chairman of the Tehreek I Insaaf. He mustered up support among young students and received an encouraging response from all over the country. However, his failure to condemn the Taliban proved to be his down-fall. Even as his faithful party workers scrambled to salvage their reputation through ‘clarifications’ it was too late. The operation was about to end, and Imran Khan was still un-decided.
Let us not be fooled by recent campaigns to promote Indo-Pak unity. We have fought three wars since Partition, and are fighting a proxy war constantly. Siachen has been our battleground for decades, and too much blood has been shed to forget the atrocities committed by both sides. If one still believes that friendship between Indians and Pakistanis is possible, then that person need look no further than the Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza fiasco. If we look at it dispassionately then this is a prime case for the thawing of relations between the two countries.
A Pakistani cricket hero marrying an Indian sport heroine is stuff written about in fairy tales. We should be celebrating this incredibly bold step that the couple is willing take, but instead we encroach upon their personal lives, and strive to catch a glimpse of them closing a door, or talking on the phone. The media has been uncaged and they are attacking Shoaib Malik ferociously. The domestic dispute between Shoaib Malik and Ayesha Siddiqui is just that: A domestic dispute between Shoaib Malik and Ayesha Siddiqui. As long as his dispute does not affect his performance on the playing field while he represents Pakistan, who are we to judge?
On December 2 4th 1940, Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah stated:
It’s easy to be misled by the rhetoric presented on the mainstream media, and on the pages of newspapers. Headlines scream chaos, while the man on the street yearns for closure. Two years have passed since the present government took charge, and Pakistanis are beginning to wonder if they placed their thumbs on the right symbol. Pakistan has been fighting the war on terrorism for almost a decade now, and from the very first day President Musharraf stated that this was Pakistan’s war. Unfortunately, that realization has only begun to creep in recently. It took the cries of a young woman being helplessly tortured for Pakistanis to change and wake up. Even then, our success is limited. Dear reader, allow me to be blunt: We have not won this war. In fact, the most crucial aspect of the war is just starting. As the residents of Swat return to their homes, the real test starts. Will the Taliban regain control of the area? If they do, then what is the next step for the government? Another war? Or will they wait once again, for the cries of a helpless woman? I fear the brutality on both sides will be far worse this time around.
Pakistanis are conflicted and torn between two ideas. They want their country to prosper, but wonder if highways and housing colonies built only in cities such as Lahore is prosperity, since those in rural areas suffer from more than 12 hours of load shedding each day.
They try to convince themselves, as have I, that this crisis like all others will soon pass. We try to desperately convince ourselves that there lies a better future ahead, that we are leaving to posterity a sound and vibrant nation.
But as the events unfold, we find ourselves increasingly at odds with our dreams and the reality.
The public is yearning for a messiah, and their choices reveal their desperation. Take, for example, Zaid Hamid. On the surface he seems to be a patriotic, albeit emotional, Pakistani, but listen to his lectures and you will find them laced with hate and discrimination towards other ideologies and other religions. Even though his speeches are prejudiced one wonders why Pakistanis are so quick to assume that since he discriminates against other religions and despises India, he’s on the pay-roll of intelligence agencies?
Before him, they had turned to our beloved cricket hero and philanthropist Imran Khan, chairman of the Tehreek I Insaaf. He mustered up support among young students and received an encouraging response from all over the country. However, his failure to condemn the Taliban proved to be his down-fall. Even as his faithful party workers scrambled to salvage their reputation through ‘clarifications’ it was too late. The operation was about to end, and Imran Khan was still un-decided.
Let us not be fooled by recent campaigns to promote Indo-Pak unity. We have fought three wars since Partition, and are fighting a proxy war constantly. Siachen has been our battleground for decades, and too much blood has been shed to forget the atrocities committed by both sides. If one still believes that friendship between Indians and Pakistanis is possible, then that person need look no further than the Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza fiasco. If we look at it dispassionately then this is a prime case for the thawing of relations between the two countries.
A Pakistani cricket hero marrying an Indian sport heroine is stuff written about in fairy tales. We should be celebrating this incredibly bold step that the couple is willing take, but instead we encroach upon their personal lives, and strive to catch a glimpse of them closing a door, or talking on the phone. The media has been uncaged and they are attacking Shoaib Malik ferociously. The domestic dispute between Shoaib Malik and Ayesha Siddiqui is just that: A domestic dispute between Shoaib Malik and Ayesha Siddiqui. As long as his dispute does not affect his performance on the playing field while he represents Pakistan, who are we to judge?On December 2 4th 1940, Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah stated:
‘The prosperity and advancement of a nation depends upon its intelligentsia…’ The threats before us are limitless. There are some institutions of Pakistan that no longer govern by the consent of the governed. As citizens of society we must not support a government that suppresses any faith, nor should we support any individual who sanctions the taking of an innocent life. As responsible citizens of Pakistan there lies upon us a heavy duty. We owe our allegiance to the Pakistani flag, and we owe our lives to those who sacrificed theirs for our future. Let us together refuse to acquiesce to tyranny. Let us be indolent no longer. Being a Muslim alone isn’t enough to grant you an identity but being a Pakistani does. Let us vow to uphold the ideals and principles upon which every great citizen of Pakistan stands: That of hard work, honesty and equality. Let us be each other’s strength and not weakness. Let us stand together not as Muslims but as concerned Pakistanis. God willing, we shall prosper.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
A pledge to unite
— Ayesha Sohail, DAWN Young World
Saturday, 20 Mar, 2010
On the morning of March 23 — Pakistan Resolution Day — it’s important to think about who we are and what we want to be. We should think about the whole journey before March 23, 1940, and after that till August 14, 1947, during which our freedom fighters suffered a lot and gave many sacrifices to get a free homeland.
But today, March 23rd — the day when our brave fighters reached an important milestone in the journey of their struggle — is of no importance for the present day young generation. It is just another holiday for them. It is shameful to acknowledge that today we have lost our identity and culture — in fact we feel ashamed in accepting who we are — and we proudly follow other cultures and traditions. We, instead of following the footprints of our forefathers, are ruining the image of our homeland which was obtained after lots of sacrifices.
Pakistan Day reminds us of the fact that all Muslims are equal and they can’t be discriminated due to any factor such as race, colour and ethnicity. But today we are Sindhis, Punjabis, Balochis, Pathans, Muhajirs; today we are the elite class, middle and lower class; today we are Karachiites, Lahories and what not. We have lost that identity which was the founding stone for this country and have indulged in all sorts of discriminations.
God has made all of us equal and we are blessed with an independent homeland which, despite all internal and external threats, has been surviving for years so now is the time to get up and realise our responsibilities towards our country — let’s become united! Unity is the real strength and being united means being successful. If we remain divided on the basis of colour, language or socio-economic factors, we can never be a successful nation.
We have to become united for prosperity and a better future. We have to change the world we live in. As educated citizens of our country, we have to shape the future of Pakistan. Let us stop blaming each other and pledge that we will try to be better people by keeping aside our differences.
We have gained much — one of the best cricket teams in the world, one of the most profitable music industries in Asia and the strongest military power in the Muslim world. So on this 23rd March, be proud a Pakistani and discard all discriminating factors.
As Quaid-e-Azam said: “If you change your past and work together in a spirit that everyone of you, no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges, and obligations, there will be no end to the progress you will make.”
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Pakistan Day special: Creative celebrations
By Saira Owais Adil
Saturday, 20 Mar, 2010 DAWN Young World
Monotonous, routine celebrations are held all over the country to mark the Pakistan Resolution Day on March 23. The schools, media and government organisations all follow strictly unchanged programmes. School children are dressed up in neat uniforms, polished shoes and appear tidy to perform on the same national songs as they have been doing for years.
March 23 is actually the day when the meaning of independence for the Muslims of the Subcontinent was clearly laid out to the world. Now after 70 years of the event, we, the young generation, today need our elders’ help in comprehending the ‘national’ thought that led to the whole process of independence! Children can only be expected to be ‘patriotic’ when they understand the meaning of ‘patriotism’.
Let’s make a different start this time and instead of performing at the school half-heartedly or bunking the functions altogether, try to give your school authorities some exciting suggestions. Ask your school head or teacher to organise different activities with the objective of creating a better understanding of the term “independence”.
Do something creative. Paint your own Pakistan – the way you think a perfect Pakistan would look like. Draw and paint what you like about your country and how you would like things to be. If you are better at words than the brush, write how you want things to be, portraying a ‘better Pakistan’ in your own way!
How about making a huge map of Pakistan for your class or to be displayed anywhere else in the school, and decorate it with smiles, colours and gestures of love – all that we are losing fast with each passing day.
And just mounting the national flag and placing the small flags on strings round the classroom is not enough. A flag drawing competition would be more exciting and full of fun. Rather than just painting and colouring the flag on a paper, you can try making it with different materials. Of course you can’t change its colour or design, just use various textures and materials, coloured green and white, to lend a beautiful touch to our national flag.
Instead of merely reciting the toughest of the national songs, request your teacher to make you understand what the poet is actually trying to say. In a casual set up, not that of the typical classroom teaching style, lectures given to make students become aware of the meaning of the different national songs, some information about the poet and the occasion when it was first written would go a long way in making everyone realise the significance of the words and remember it for a long time to come. By becoming aware of the true meaning of the words that are being sung, it will bring out feelings of national pride and patriotism and make any performance more powerful.
A competition of short poems and national songs can also be held where participants would have to write national songs or poems. This can also be done as a class exercise where everyone just pens down what is in their hearts about their beloved country.
Make posters, badges and cards in which you present your own idea of what being a citizen of a free nation means to you and share it with your friends and teachers. If you are going out somewhere with your friends or family to on this national holiday, order a combination of pistachio and vanilla flavours in ice cream. Now that’s a pretty patriotic combination!
This is our country and we all feel proud of it. So why not fuel up your passion and come up with imaginative ways to celebrate this day and pledge to do what we can to make it a better place to live.
Citizens Speak: Salute the Men and Women at Arms.
Some inspiring images found floating around facebook courtesy Mindworks Media and ISPR
Citizens Speak: Three Heroines of Pakistan
By Imran H Khan
http://imranhkhan.com/2010/02/27/three-heroines-of-pakistan/
Pakistan has been blessed with many amazing women whose stories have been largely untold. Shahla Haeri wrote about some of them involved in the social sphere in her book “No Shame for the Sun“. OPEN’s chapters have also held conferences and forums highlighting the role of Pakistani American women in the US. In the recent years three Pakistani women have defied all odds and achieved remarkable success in achieving some of the highest goals typically associated with men. These achievements are specially significant taking into account their economic and geographic origins.
Maria Toor: Pakistani Woman Squash champion from South Waziristan
Maria is the Pakistan Woman Squash champion and Seventy Second in the World. What is remarkable is that she comes from WANA South Waziristan, the home of Pakistani Taleban. Her parents are from a poor background and she did not even pick up a squash racket till the age of twelve. Her meteoric rise in squash is amazing as she has achieved this with little to no resources. In listening to her in the attached video you can get a sense of her passion for the game and the hurdles she had to overcome in order to get there. The other thing that struck me was her confidence in achieving pretty much what she put her mind to, including appearing in a Hollywood movie. With little to no education she has still found the time to learn English and appears comfortable in front of the camera.
Saira Amin: First female Sword of Honor Winner and Fighter Pilot from Peshawer. Saira not only graduated from one of the most rigorous air force academies in 2006, but also won the most coveted Sword of Honor. To achieve this you need to be the most outstanding cadet in all of the three areas of flying, academics and general military training. She belonged to only the second group of females to be inducted into the PAF. She had to outclass all her male colleagues in physically grueling training that included para jumping.
She has established that in a extremely male dominated domain of jet fighter pilots of one of the most demanding of air forces, a female can not only participate but even dominate.
The video below shows female fighter pilots converting into flying fighters of PAF.
Naseem Akhter: Fastest Woman in South Asia from Korangi.
Naseem Akhter caught the fancy of all of Pakistan when she beat Pramila Priyadarshan, the Sri Lankan favorite to win the gold medal in South Asian games in 2010. She hails from a poor family from Korangi area of Karachi. Her dedication to achieve her goal was captured in her statement that she gave after the event.
“I had forgotten the world for six months and trained really very, very hard under my coach Maqsood Ahmed to achieve this. It is a great moment for me to have brought glory to the country in my event.”
To grasp the real significance of her story you have to watch the video below and see and hear the pride of her family.
What really struck me in the photo below is that she was wearing loose clothes and yet was only a second and half behind the fastest woman on the planet, Florence Griffith-Joyner. I can only wonder that with some training and more streamlined clothes what she can possibly achieve.
The theme that runs common in all the three stories is that none of these ladies let any excuse come between them and their goals. They managed the challenges with a supportive family structure. They exhibit all the same qualities that are needed to be a successful entrepreneur. They had to raise money, market their talents, fight the naysayers and excel in what they did with single minded focus.
To all these women, “Afreen” .
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