Pak Tea House’s criticism of LUBP
Related articles:
Much more than a petition: A critical view on the PTH-LUBP differences – by Qudsia Siddiqui
The (misplaced) wrath of the LUBP hardliners – by Yasser Latif Hamdani
On 4 November, Pak Tea House posted an article in condemnation of the PPP workers who allegedly attacked Sherry Rehman’s house.
A number of commentators at the PTH condemned the current leadership and culture of the PPP. Some of them also criticized the LUBP blog. The most vocal criticism came from Yasser Latif Hamdani, an editor of the PTH blog.
According to Yasser:
Well I am glad Raza bhai posted this here.
We support the democratically elected government but not unquestioningly.
Our friends at CriticalPPP blog – the neo-jiyalas- ironically are in the habit of accusing anyone who criticises something of the present government or Mr. Zardari of being Pseudo-liberal and ISI supporters.
A recent abusive article against Dr. Adil Najam is a case in point. PPP seems to have found new blood to act as storm troopers.
The issue of neo-jiyalas condemning the civil society’s condemnation of this incident is central to the issue of Sherry Rahman.
PS I am a two-times PPP voter whose family has voted PPP since 1970.
Several posters in that thread condemned the PPP and suggested that it has been hijacked by Asif Ali Zardari. This discussion can be read at the above referred post on PTH.
There was an internal discussion in the LUBP group on this incident, which we are making public for the sake of reflection, transparency and open debate:
Ali Arqam:
The post about Sherry Rehman has been published on PTH too. PTH editor YLH has criticized LUBP for writing an abusive article on Adil Najam, and calling party foundres, voters and die hard workers as pro-ISI and pseudo-liberals.
He called LUBP a group of Neo-jiyalas, who cant bear criticism on PPP, its leadership and the Govt. He called us, a new form of storm troopers. Though we have PTH owner and founder as LUBP team member, but YLH though pose himself as PPP voter, but he is an admirer of Imran Khan, and was the one who wrote on De-Bhuttofication of PPP and suggested Aitzaz to lead or make another progressive party, which can posses the likes of Mian brothers, Imran Khan and Co.Anyhow he should be offered to write a detail post on his differences with LUBP, we will publish it. This should be told to him by a team member on the same thread.
Abdul:
One may wish to ask Raza Rumi / YLH:
The PTH is a party to the statement. The ‘civil society’ statement signed by none other than Raza Rumi says:
“On October 22, 2010, about 300-350 armed goons, front-lined by women, protested outside her gates while local police stood and watched them block roads as well as lay siege to her house.”
May I ask did Raza Rumi read this statement before signing it? Did he have knowledge or evidence of 300-350 goons? I would like Raza to clarify his position.
Saad:
Come on, Ali. I don’t find anything wrong with the argument. This is a genuine question that opposition will use to its advantage whenever it sees fit. Whether you like it or not Aitzaz, Safdar Abbasi, Naheed Khan, Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rehman and others are the face of PPP particularly in the middle class of Pakistan. So these questions will be asked by others unless PPP answers them itself.
I suggest write an article how the current leadership has failed to utilize these PPP member to gain goodwill and for a much needed PR job. An article that should be critical of the current leadership in its failure to enhance its image in eyes of the general public rather than critical of the respective members.
For the record, I think the likes of Aitzaz are being sidelined on purpose as he can hand PPP an NA seat from Lahore on a platter which PPP would not be able to win otherwise. If there were such differences as media would have us believe his wife would not be the new head of PCB women’s wing. Same goes for Raza Rabbani.
Abdul:
Personally, I would love to see LUBP posts critical of the PPP and its current policies.
While I have some differences with Saad’s (as well as Ali Wahab’s)
arguments (as I am sure they have with mine), I think all dissenting voices must boldly publish their arguments by using the LUBP platform.Let us not sweep these discussions under the carpet.
Humza:
Personally , me too would love see post critical of PPP and goverment. for instance how from no where people like Salman taseer took the control of ppp punjab . His presence has badly affected ppp punjab provincial office bearer .
Secondly , I don’t think we should compare case of sherry and other. Sherry presented her case in parliament and asked explanation from party . on the other hand Safdar Abbasi doesn’t present his case infront of party / senate. I have never seen him criticizing govt in senate ( which is his right ) . Just bashing Rehman Malik / Zardari on television is no bravery. Safdar Abbasi hardly attends senate sessions ; and calls present govt is not serious makes no sense .
Ahmed:
No one stops you from writing a critical article. But the criticism needs to be objective with solutions. There is alot of information and data available which can be used to make it critical reading. Remember, we are not tv or a newspaper. We can write anything which is logical as well as backed my data.
Coming to the sherry incident, what happened shouldnt have happened and also what happened wasnt the one that has been portrayed in media. If the party walas are not united, then we are divided. A few days back the pm announced 50 mn for sherry’s jinnah institute. The kind of think tank we are trying to become, will anyone even give us 5 mn?
pejamistri:
@Abdul
“Personally, I would love to see LUBP posts critical of the PPP and its current policies.”
There are 20+ channels, 100’s of blogs , 100’s of newspapers in Pakistan and numerous people criticizing PPP for good and bad reasons. 🙂
LUBP can focus on defending some of that criticism particularly the criticism which is unfounded and illogical. There is a subtle difference in defending the process of democracy and the government of PPP, LUBP should be more on defending the democratic process.
I personally think that PPP need to be more active in their defense. It is not the job of PPP sympathizers to come and defend the government it is the job of ministers and political officials to come and provide a solid defense of the actions of their government.
Apologies I always avoid sermons and advices :)…. Keep up the good work…
Ali Raja:
I have been in touch with both LUBP and PTH, PTh doubtlessly has right way tilt so what to say about it’s love for PPP. In this recent incident of Sherry Rehman there is one thing that I cannot understand. The people who portray them selves as the most die hard supporters of Sherry Rehman were the ones who used to issue bellow the belt, malicious and derogatory statements about her when she was the Information Minister. There understanding and inference is beyond my head. They supposrt the clause of the U.N report which involves Rehman Malik and Babar Awan in the matter but rejects the clause which gives Asif Ali Zardari a clean chit. Their by standards are beyond limits of intellect.
Awais:
I think it was right to protest in front of Sherry Rehman house. as i understand Sherry is MNA because of PPP not the vice verse. regarding Sadfer abbasi Naheed Khan and Aitzaz my opinion is simple and straightforward if you don’t agree with party’s line [be that wrong or right] you show descend in closed doors rather than sitting on TV channels and effectively sayings “i am a nice guy in PPP rest of all are cheap and corrupt bastards”.
I would have loved to rebute YLH for his false accusations as he claimed that LUBP has called Asma and other respected names as pro-ISI and Pseudoliberals, as in the whole post by Sarah, it was not mentioned, but I have some personal scores to settle with YLH and it will be dishonest to use LUBP platform for this.
Actually, the problem is not the post, but everyone knows, any post having PPP mentioned in it will gather comments mostly abusive, biased and lacking objectivity.
In comments by another dearest friends like Raza Habib Raja and D. Asghar, they repeat the same things about PPP and its leadership.
-Legacy Politics
-Incompetency
-AAZ, a liability
– making Aitzaz Ahsan, the torch bearer of the party.
-Avoiding Amin Faheem & CO.
-Internal democracy
-Rehman Malik/Babar Awan/Salman Taseer trio.
Here is a link to Sarah Khan’s post which was criticized by the PTH’s editor:
Adil Najam and his pseudo-liberals’ outpouring of sympathy for Sherry Rehman – by Sarah Khan
http://criticalppp.com/archives/28084
Broadly speaking, the following post represents the LUBP’s stance on the ‘civil society’s criticism of the PPP and Asif Ali Zardari:
The Civil Society Bulletin – by Abbas Baloch
http://criticalppp.com/archives/28303
Interestingly, Raza Rumi does not mention the 350 armed goons / terrorists of the PPP in his article whereas he eagerly endorsed this allegation in the civil society’s statement he signed:
Who’s afraid of Sherry Rehman?
Raza Rumi
The writer is consulting editor, The Friday Times
It has been rather disturbing to witness the way Sherry Rehman has been the latest target of the purists within the ruling PPP. For years, Sherry has represented the intellectual vigour within her party. From drafting of manifestoes to holding the important portfolios, she has been an articulate defender of the PPP and its government. Her decision to resign in the wake of the judges’ saga and media handling of the 2009 Lahore-Gujranwala Long March was a matter of democratic choice.
After her resignation, she did not defame her party leadership and continued to demonstrate her loyalty. She is now a victim of an unwise ban on PPP leaders and legislators preventing them from appearing on a particular television channel. Worse, she has been lumped with the other dissenters — Naheed Khan and Safdar Abbasi — whose politics is altogether different.
The Naheed-Safdar duo has acted like a wounded couple since the time Benazir Bhutto was assassinated and Asif Zardari took over the party. It is a separate matter that sections of the electronic media have been using them as the righteous voice of the PPP in complete disregard of the fact that Ms Khan is neither elected, nor does she hold an official post in the party. Such is the intellectual dishonesty here that Ms Bhutto’s decision of not awarding a women’s seat ticket to Naheed Khan has never been discussed. Similarly, Mr Abbasi who was one of the interlocutors in the NRO deal has overnight become the biggest critic of the ordinance.
On the other hand, Sherry Rehman has no covert agenda and does not allow herself to be used as a pawn in the usual game played by anti-democracy forces. If there was a ‘ban’ on appearing on any particular television channel, the PPP should have taken its leaders and cadres in confidence, instead of issuing a decree via press conferences.
A democratically-elected party, gagging its own senior leaders is worrying to say the least. The issuance of a show-cause notice was followed by a siege of Ms Rehman’s house in Karachi by a mob, while the police stood by and did nothing. Her ailing mother and daughter were in the house and remained hostage for hours.
Since then, the PPP leadership has neither explained nor apologised for the unruly behaviour of the mob that circled her house. Sherry Rehman has served the cause of her party far better than many of its powerful stalwarts of today. Above all, she is not just a politician as she mediates multiple identities: as a legislator, a civil society activist, head of a think-tank and a voice of reason and fine intellect.
By pushing people like her to the wall, the party is only harming itself — because the party needs competent people like her.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2010.
Let’s approach this highly mystified issue candidly, which has been perplexed by so-called neutralists because of their inability to perceive the things with some clear and conspicuous standpoint.
While referring to a labyrinthine society like Pakistan, there are many exceptions which have to be considered, being the inhabitant. At first, take into account the political culture of our homeland which is eminently unsophisticated on these initial stages of it’s evolution, reflection of normative values of society. By looking into the particular issue with some nice and delicate anti-harassment and anti-intimidation resolutions would take us no-where but a deep state of confusion and ultimately ruthless bashing of an imaginary “blood-thirsty King”, who’s allegedly responsible for all this fuss, ultimately incorporating the weakening of this democratic process which is already not less than doleful.
With all due respect for Sherry Rehman, who chose to relinquish her services on the very same night when whole of the world seemed united on a same front against her party. Personally, that was most shocking news for me and like-minded people who were expecting her to be more courageous to take the pressure. That was her personal decision and everyone accepted it, without a word. Nonetheless, after the turmoil receded, it was her “moral obligation”(very same term which is used by neutralists or so-called party sympathizers) to resign from the party membership and quit her seat. On the contrary, she preferred to sit back and develop an expression to be counted among forsaken true stalwarts of party, in other words to be “neutral”, which is most commendable activity for most of us. Though, her service and commitment to party and democracy is highly applaudable, but at this stage if she considers herself out of sync with party policies then she can join her like minded colleagues from civil society, instead of clinging with the same party. As they say,“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
My comments on the PTH Post
@Dear YLH
I am sorry for your misunderstanding, you can see the number of posts, LUBP has published on the victory of Asma Jehangir in SCBA Elections.
You have smelled a bad Rat but it is not ANP, as it is irrelevant here, the bad Rat is a corporate media group and its affiliated journalists. Hope your next op-ed soon will appear on the newspaper, they own.
@Raza, Ailia and Asghar
I think PPP needs improvement, it is undeniable fact. AAZ is a Co-chairman of the Party, he is chosen for the post by none other than BiBi sahiba, but it was just for two or three daws, then the CEC has unanimously agreed upon Bilawal as Chairman and AAZ as Co-chairman. The decision was endorsed by the people in the general elections and then the party elected representatives in the presidential elections.
Now whether we like or dislike, he is the elected President.
The political parties are judged by its ideals and the step taken to achieve these ideals.
The party has succeeded in various aspects, and failed in a few, but why it failed, the reasons are evident. The failure belongs to the state not Govt. With a little space to perform, too many elephants in the room and the disasters brought upon us by the War on Terror and the recent flood have contributed to this failure.
The failure of the party is due the degeneration of political culture in Pakistan. If there was uninterrupted political process here, the PPP and the other parties might have been in more better shape than the present.
What we need is the continuity in the political process, it will rectify the political mistakes gradually.
The most important form is the revival of student unions, labour unions, replacing argument with the barrel of the gun.
Political parties evolve with the political system, expecting political parties to evolve and democratised in a society where sane people choose the way to be politically non aligned can be called “Is sadgi pe kon na mar jay A! Khuda….
As in the previous comments we have discussed political culture and internal democracy in the parties.
Student politics in the educational institutions is for the very purpose of their training to be a part of democratic norms and culture. To learn to react in the domain of democratic system. Where we are confusing is the very nature of Pakistani Society.
As for as Aitzaz Ahsan is concerned, apart from the love for him in civila society, even the right wing blogs praised him and he paid it back with his activities, As in the general elections, he refrained to be a part of active politics, and when his support was needed, he did not come in Asma’s support and chose to fly away. Political parties can not be led by people like him. I can bet, if he is opposed in Lahore by a PML candidate, he cant win the elections.
And Amin Fahim, he was treated in the same way after 93 elections by Benazir Bhutto herself. When the same minus one formula was in the making, Amin Fahim won bothe provincial and National assembly elections, BiBi kept him out from the National Assembly, and was sent to be a part of Sindh assembly, when she took the oath, then he joined them in the national assembly.
@Asghar
I like the way you express your opinions and disagreements, and I respect it.
But here in Pakistan, there is a selective amnesia regarding political personalities and leaderships.
Sherry house attack incident is unfortunate one . Sherry is one of few legislators ;who raises issues in parliament which most of legislators hesitate to raise. I remember once late Nawab Akbar Bugti said ” sherry is only man in parliament “.
Problem with sherry explanation that she was not aware of party decision of boycotting Jang group is hard to digest.She remained ppp info sectary and Federal information minister till Kiyani sahib phone call to Aitizaz sahib . She knew it too well how ppp workers feels about Jang group.
I have personally seen many workers calling party official to stop sitting in Geo talk show , i can’t see how sherry was not aware of sentiment of party workers.
Secondly ,i feel neutral avoid giving credit which political class deserves . its not because effort of individual within PPP which made NFC, article 58-2B (presidential power) , Federal legislative list and other constitutional /legislative improvement ,restructuring of National economic council, its credit of whole party led by Asif Zardari.
Thirdly , those who pose as neutral alwats tries to convince jiyalas that AAZ is no Benazir in a very sympathetic way. Ofcourse he is not but that doesn’t mean we should avoid giving him credit for political/legislative/constitutional/administrative achievement of present regime.
Almost a year ago (Nov 2009), when LUBP was attacked and intimidated by Hamid Mir and Ansar Abbasi in Geo TV’s Capital Talk, where were Yasser Latif Hamdani, Raza Rumi and Adil Najam?
Only very few bloggers were bold enough to extend support to LUBP. The civil society type munafiqs (neutrals) were in paralysis. One of the most prominent voices of support came from Shaheryar Ali who wrote (extracts provided below but the whole article is worth reading):
…………………………………….
@Suleman, I agree with you. If Sherry feels that she is out of synch with the current leadership of the PPP, well she is welcome to leave. This is not MQM!
Similarly, this habit of sitting in martyred resignation and showing the rest of the anti-PPP forces that the PPP has been hijacked by Zardari and things would be different otherwise is such a dishonest attitude! It is commendable to stand up for women’s rights; however to then be USED by those whose misogynist, sectarian and bigotted views stand completely contrary to one’s stand is akin to hypocracy! If Sherry wants to pretend that appearing on GEO equates to freedom of expression, then she is either very stupid or very dishonest. Yes, the protestors should not have scribbled on her Clifton estate and Zardari should pay the Rs. 4,733/- that it would cost to clean up Sherry’s mansion’s walls. He should then also ask for her resignation from the party.
Dear all, if you think PTH is going to support LUBP, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. PTH is the epitome of the chattering class and while the Raza’s are generally pretty decent guys, thats pretty much where the buck ends. Two of our LUBP team members have posting rights on PTH; however, those rights are irrelevant.
This site has allowed the storm trooper of Tehrik Insaf, Yasir Latif Hamdani, to run amock! His mean-spirited comments and his bully nature represents the very chauvinistic approach that should have no place in the hearts of PPP supporters. His romantisized approach to Imran Khan is a true indication of his political beliefs.
Anyone who supported the lawyer’s movement after July 2007 seriously needs to think on their core political beliefs. Some of us including NFP, Kaiser Bengali and Sherry X had expressed a clear understanding about this fake, counter revolutionary movement. PTH has slowly distanced itself from this movement and Yasir, who was trashing Bengali (his forward to Bengali’s prescient article on March 16, 2009 was longer than the article itself) now claims that he is no longer part of this.
Really!!! This petition against the PPP that has been signed by all those who claim to support is the very epitome of their hypocracy! Wake up and smell the coffee LUBP!!!
While these guys from PTH and others are busy dividing you over a non-issue, Karachi is once again being held hostage by the MQM!
Now I understand why YLH and other civil society types are so pro-PPP but so anti-Zardari.
Nazir Naji writes in today’s Jang:
حکومتیں بنے چند ہی روز گزرے تھے کہ ن لیگ نے صدر زرداری کو گھیر کے ایک معاہدہ ان پر تھوپ دیا اور پھر مطالبہ کرنے لگے کہ اسے پورا کرو‘ ورنہ ہم وزارتیں چھوڑ دیں گے۔ مطالبہ دلچسپ تھا کہ 18ویں ترمیم پاس کر کے آئین سازی کا وہ کام کر دکھاؤ‘ جو قومیں برسوں میں کرتی ہیں۔ نوازشریف کسی قیمت پر انہیں مہلت دینے کو تیار نہیں تھے۔ جبکہ حکومت کو بہرحال کچھ وقت درکار تھا۔ آئینی ترامیم کے لئے صرف اسمبلیوں کی اکثریت کافی نہیں ہوتی دیگر سٹیک ہولڈرز کو بھی اعتماد میں لینا پڑتا ہے۔ صدر زرداری اسی کام میں لگے تھے۔ جیسے ہی وقت آیا‘ انہوں نے ایک لمحے کی تاخیر کے بغیر 18ویں ترمیم پاس کرا کے آمریت کے دور میں چھینے گئے پارلیمنٹ کے سارے اختیارات اسے واپس کر دیئے۔ مگر اس پر ان کی تحسین کرنے کے بجائے سیاسی دباؤ جاری رکھا گیا۔ صدر آصف زرداری کو نشانہ بنا کر میثاق جمہوریت سے انحراف کی راہیں نکالی گئیں اور کچھ اس طرح کا منظر بنایا گیا کہ باقی حکومت تو ٹھیک ہے‘ صرف آصف زرداری ناقابل برداشت ہیں۔
وفاقی حکومت کے ساتھ اس طرز کے معاصرین کا ایک اور طریقہ واردات یہ ہوتا ہے کہ وہ صدر یا وزیراعظم میں سے جو بھی بااختیار ہو‘ اس کی تعریف اور ستائش کرتے ہوئے لکھنا شروع کر دیتے ہیں کہ اصل حکمران تو بڑا اچھا ہے مگر مشیر بڑے گندے ہیں۔ اس حربے کو صدر زرداری کے ساتھ الٹا کے اختیار کیا گیا۔ وزیراعظم کے بارے میں کہا جانے لگا کہ وہ تو بڑے اچھے اور قابل شخص ہیں لیکن صدر زرداری کا ماضی بڑا خراب ہے۔
مقصد یہ تھا کہ جس طرح 1996ء میں پیپلزپارٹی کے اندر سے صدر فاروق لغاری کو ڈھونڈا گیا تھا‘ اسی طرح یوسف رضا گیلانی کے اندر سے ایک فاروق لغاری برآمد کیا جائے۔ مگر یہ کوشش کامیاب نہیں ہو سکی۔ یوسف رضا گیلانی پہلے ہی دن سے چوکس تھے اور انہیں پوری طرح علم تھا کہ انہیں فاروق لغاری بنانے کی کوشش ضرور کی جائے گی۔ ہو سکتا ہے کسی کمزور لمحے میں وہ متزلزل بھی ہوئے ہوں لیکن آخر کار خوب سوچ سمجھ کر انہوں نے حتمی فیصلہ یہی کیا کہ کچھ بھی ہو جائے وہ عزت سادات پر حرف نہیں آنے دیں گے۔ یہاں پر اپوزیشن کے حوصلے جواب دینے لگے ۔ معاہدہ یہ تھا کہ ایک دوسرے کو چھیڑا نہیں جائے گا۔ مگرسیاستدان چھیڑے بغیر رہ نہیں سکتے۔ اپوزیشن کے لئے حالات بھی زیادہ سازگار نہیں رہے۔
صدر زرداری کے خلاف جو پتہ کھیلنے کی کوشش کی گئی وہ الٹی پڑ گئی۔ میڈیا کے چند جوتشی پیش گوئیاں کرتے کرتے تھک گئے اور جنہوں نے یہ پیش گوئی کی تھی کہ صدر زرداری ایوان صدر سے ایمبولینس میں باہر جائیں گے‘ وہ خود بیمار پڑ گئے۔ منتخب حکومت کو اڑھائی سال کا عرصہ دینے کی جو روایت 90ء کے عشرے میں بنائی گئی تھی‘ پیپلزپارٹی کی حکومت اس سے آگے نکل گئی۔یہ سب سے زیادہ تکلیف دینے والی بات ہے۔
http://search.jang.com.pk/details.asp?nid=481418
Some articles for Zardari haters:
Asif Zardari ki kaun si baat samajh naheen aaye? – by Athar Masood
http://criticalppp.com/archives/16651
Cranky nobility: On PPP’s boycott of Geo TV – by Nadeem F Paracha
http://criticalppp.com/archives/26723
Same old formula – Divide the Party and Win the Elections – by Ahmed Iqbalabadi
http://criticalppp.com/archives/21998
Defending Politicians- by Mubashir Lucman
http://criticalppp.com/archives/19911
Asif Zardari and ‘concerned’ journalism – by Nadeem Paracha
http://criticalppp.com/archives/10276
“Mr Ten Percent” has in fact given “One-Hundred-and-Ten Percent” back to the country – by Tarek Fatah
http://criticalppp.com/archives/9968
“Real workers of PPP can never support Zardari.” Really? – by Khalid Wasti
http://criticalppp.com/archives/9376
Aik Zardari, Sab Per Bhari – by Abdul Qadir Hassan
http://criticalppp.com/archives/9366
No more advice, please
http://criticalppp.com/archives/9359
Asif Zardari: The sudden hero – By Nadeem Paracha
http://criticalppp.com/archives/9297
Pakhtoon will always remember President Asif Ali Zardari
http://criticalppp.com/archives/9044
The End of the Zardari Government is Near
http://criticalppp.com/archives/7013
A poem on Asif Ali Zardari – by Zufli
http://criticalppp.com/archives/6590
President Zardari, Sindh Saga and the tele-scholars – by Ali Arqam
http://criticalppp.com/archives/4170
Has Zardari done anything which comes close to unbeatable follies of our military dictators? – by Ayaz Amir
http://criticalppp.com/archives/4075
Why Zardari? – by Ali Arqam
http://criticalppp.com/archives/4052
Some more articles on Zardari phobia and the ‘real sympthisers’ of PPP:
Pakistan’s media piling on president – Washington Post
http://criticalppp.com/archives/26642
Generation Axe – by Nadeem Farooq Paracha
http://criticalppp.com/archives/20972
Rage of the virtue brigade – by Ayaz Amir
http://criticalppp.com/archives/19748
On opinion survey and President Zardari’s popularity – by Abbas Ather
http://criticalppp.com/archives/16084
Career Opportunities – by Hukam Singh Siasi
http://criticalppp.com/archives/12147
Sleeping with the enemy: Naheed Khan and Safdar Abbasi fulfilling the ISI’s designs – by Ahsan Abbas Shah
http://criticalppp.com/archives/10160
Zardari bashing reaches ABC News blog – by Sarah Khan
http://criticalppp.com/archives/5667
Asif Zardari, Establishment and the Supreme Court : by Bahadar Ali Khan
http://criticalppp.com/archives/4844
The SMS war against Zardari – by Kaleem Butt
http://criticalppp.com/archives/4404
The New Media Jihadis – by Ayaz Amir
http://criticalppp.com/archives/3938
It’s not the 17th amendment, stupid! It’s the man.
http://criticalppp.com/archives/2210
The most heinous crime of Asif Zardari – by Abbas Ather
http://criticalppp.com/archives/2099
Hamid Akhtar’s analysis of the anti-Zardari campaign by the establishment
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1723
Zardari responsible for corruption in Pakistan?
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1702
‘Goebbels Eleven’, minus-one brigade and Nawaz Sharif
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1701
“Plus Talibanization” in the Guise of “Minus Zardari”
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1595
Defending the NRO – An extensive analysis by Abbas Ather
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1550
“Go Get Zardari” campaign in the guise of the NRO frenzy
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1496
Zardari versus Siapa Group and “zananion ki bad-duayen”
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1452
Zardari phobia, ‘the minus one’ formula and a lesson from history
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1417
The minus one formula or the minus Pakistan formula?
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1342
In defence of President Zardari
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1336
Sticks, stones and President Zardari
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1332
The Zardari phobia and the minus-one formula
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1331
Go Zardari Go!
http://criticalppp.com/archives/1309
“Friends” of democracy in Pakistan and the “well-wishers” of PPP – Asadullah Ghalib
http://criticalppp.com/archives/847
Now, Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law asks Zardari to resign
http://criticalppp.com/archives/745
The newly born well-wishers of the PPP… By Khurshid Nadeem and Asadullah Ghalib
http://criticalppp.com/archives/722
Imran Khan, mental hospital and Zardari-phobia – By Abbas Ather
http://criticalppp.com/archives/220
Zardar’s achievments: The PPP haters are blind – Disinformation Cell by Democracy Haters in Pakistan – By Nazir Naji
http://criticalppp.com/archives/112
Junooni media, retired Generals, and Zardari phobia – Abbas Ather
http://criticalppp.com/archives/70
President Zardari and media obsessions
http://criticalppp.com/archives/52
A non-defence of Zardari – by Dr Meekal Aziz Ahmed
http://criticalppp.com/archives/50
I have been following ATP and PTH for the last two years. Both of these blogs have a visible right-wing tilt.
While ATP tows a clear cut pro-establishment line, PTH is a choon choon ka murabba tasked to divide and confuse Pakistan’s left.
Its editor YLH has a visible right-wing slant. I found him an abusive and racist person who suffers from Pakthun phobia, Sindhi phobia, Baloch phobia, homophobia and other similar diseases.
Of course, YLH can’t do all this on PTH without the blessings and support of Raza Rumi whose own credentials are less than transparent, to say the least.
I commend LUBP for calling a spade a spade.
YLH’s article in support of Imran Khan the great:
Imran’s Pakistan: An Alternative View
By Yasser Latif Hamdani
MARCH 10, 2009…7:24 PM
http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/imrans-pakistan-my-view/
Let us first get a few things clear. I don’t concur with Imran Khan’s views on Darwin, importance of religion, Brown sahibs, Taliban, war on terror, Jirga justice, Liberal “fascists” etc etc. His views are frankly an embarrassment considering that the great man went to Oxford and is as well exposed to modernity as anyone else.
However the two articles – one by Bilal Qureshi here on PakTeaHouse and the editorial by Daily Times- are in my opinion simply strawman fallacies against the great man. Make no mistake: Imran Khan was absolutely wrong when he singled out the “liberals” for his vitriolic attack. Clearly this was motivated by the self proclaimed bastion of liberalism that is Mr. Salman Taseer. It is the inability of some liberals – the former “zubaan daraz” kind- to come out and condemn Mr. Taseer’s actions in Punjab which makes Imran Khan’s allegedly anti-liberal message resonate with the masses. But perhaps Imran Khan would be well advised to remember that the undisputed leader of the Lawyers’ Movement, Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan, has a greater claim to liberalism than any of this motley crew of Zardaris and Taseers around.
What does Imran Khan ask for? Forget for a second what his views on religion, evolution etc is and let us answer this question. He asks for :
1. Judiciary
2. Rule of Law
3. Free and independent election commission
4. Social and Economic Justice
How is this programme illiberal? Whatever Imran Khan’s personal views are on any of the issues outlined by the editorial in Daily Times and Mr. Bilal Qureshi in his ill-thought out article, are these four points not worth fighting for especially from a liberal point of view?
Bilal Qureshi’s personal attacks on Imran Khan are rather narrow-sighted. He writes: ” Imran Khan, a failed politician, a failed husband, a failed father, and a failed moral cop who never even lifted a finger to protest Zia’s brutal Martial Law. “ Imran Khan was a cricketer in the 1980s not a politician. He did not have a position on Zia’s martial law, though as the Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team he is said to have addressed General Zia as “Hello General” and not “Mr. President”. Bilal Qureshi’s comments about Imran’s personal life (failed husband, failed father etc) are not worthy of being addressed. Suffice to say similar things have been said about Jinnah, Ataturk, Gandhi and Nehru but we would digress.
The issue of Imran Khan’s “anti-western” views is exaggerated. Imran has always been of the view that other than name, all western countries are truly Islamic in deed. This to me shows a willingness to see substance over form. It does not show an irrational close-minded Islamic fanatic. If anything it shows Imran Khan to be in the tradition of Dr. Iqbal who is willing to see good in the western society. Dr. Iqbal had once described the British Empire as the greatest Mohammaden Empire in the world based on Islamic principles.
Imran Khan is absolutely wrong in allying himself with Qazi Hussain Ahmed and his extremist Jamaat-e-Islami especially after the student wing of this extremist organization had had him kidnapped from Punjab University a few years ago. However to try and lump him together with Qazi is ridiculous. Qazi is hoping for revolution to establish some sort of Islamic totalitarian state. Imran on the other hand – whatever his views on religion- does not believe in a totalitarian state but rather in a democratic state run on constitution and rule of law.
Personally Imran Khan reminds me of a well known American political figure: William Jennings Bryan, a presidential candidate who stood for elections on the Democrat ticket several times without winning. He is also notorious for being the anti-evolution lawyer in the famous “Monkey Trial” where his dialogue with the great Clarence Darrow is one for the history books. However, William Jennings Bryan was probably the greatest American politician of his age. Despite being a devout Christian, Bryan fought for social equality for all Americans regardless of their color. He viewed the idea of evolution with suspicion not just because of his religious beliefs but because he found the idea of evolution pregnant with the idea of racial superiority and inferiority. While he was clearly wrong on the evolution issue just like our own Imran Khan, one cannot deny the contribution that Jennings made to American society and politics as the leading Democrat of his time.
Ultimately it is the system that William Jennings Bryan helped preserve that has allowed for freedom of thought, rational ideas and scientific discovery. What Imran Khan stands for is also the system. If Pakistan is allowed a democratic system based on constitution and rule of law, the logic of things suggests that liberalism will flow from it.
STOP PRESS: Anwar Beg of the PPPP has resigned on principle and in protest against Zardari’s policies. This my friends is true liberalism.
Comments on the article:
Smokenfog
March 10, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I think i am more in agreement with Bilal Qureshi’s writeup on Imran Khan …
The first paragraph of your writeup can be used as enough evidence about his political immaturity and i dont know how someone after accepting such BIG blunders of him can call him “Great man” … If by “Great man” you are refering to his social work and Cricketing skills … i completely agree he was a great cricketer and he is a great social worker. Politician he is the most incapable politician Pakistan ever produced.
You said you are aligned with his views about Free Judiciary, Rule of Law and Independent election commission … Now here is my problem with him, This person talks a lot, he will criticize everything Government ll do, with all strange expressions he talks about freedom of judiciary and rule of law and whatnot. Did he ever gave any plan of action for it? the points you said you are in complete agreement with him are the same points every political party talks about, only difference is when you are in Government, and you need to deliver, its hard to implement things and policies because of so many ground realities. The reason why Imran can present all his optimist imaginative and feel good ideas about so many things is that he is sitting there, doing nothing and he knows that there is no way his party can come in power in by vote of Pakistani nation, that was the reason why he supported Mushraff in 1999, that was his plan to get some power by using back door shortcut in politics.
I was looking at JUI F, when they were bargaining for seat of deputy chairman for senate and bringing “Abdul Ghafor Haidri’s” name forward … even such “Maulana” parties are grooming new leaders within their parties … whereas 14 years before Imran started PTI as his party … after 14 years the party is still standing where it was 14 years before … How many members of PTI u know by their names? How many PTI or Imran Khan Branded politicians PTI produced in those 14 years? Not a single one … except off course Kashmala Tariq who ditched Imran Khan by saying his party is One Man show and there is no one who can make his career from his party coz of Imran’s dictatorial approach …
I do wish him all the best for the future, i do know he got potential to do a lot for Pakistan, all he needs to do is to sit down and think why he is not successful, what he needs to change and how he can make an impact in Pakistan’s political arena.
takhalus
March 10, 2009 at 11:08 pm
One can fault Imran Khan and his party in many ways..all of which have been mentioned by YLH in a fair maner however some of the IK bashers bring up the following which i find bizzare:
1)His party has been here for 14 years: Pakistan’s political parties are divided into 3 broad categories
a) Pre partition parties (JI, ANP/NAP, JUI) (b)pro-establishment parties (PML-A-minus N to Z)(c) post 47 party’s Awami League, PPP and PML-N
Now IK/PTI could never be a, could have been b but chose not too and to become c he’d have to become a polarising figure like ZAB or NS
However he hasnt taken any of those approaches..does that make him a failure? probably ..but in comparison to who?
2) He is a rich member of the elite: Again trueish..but compared to who? NS with declared income tax returns of a few thousand or poor Zardari?
3) The perpetual critic: Again we have no way of knowing what his future politically is..but opposition politics by it’s nature in Pakistan is populist
4) He maybe a great sportsman and social worker but he is a failed politician: True depending on the context..factually greatness has various ways of measurement..but the core question you judge a man’s greatness (not their goodness per se) is “has this man or woman changed or inspired many others by their life and words ” you can possibly for IK and probably not.. for much of pakistans top political leadership today.
rashid
March 10, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Imran Khan in a private gathering in Manhattan, couple of years ago, said, “it was wrong to declare Ahmadis as non-Muslims; it should be reversed, but no single politician can raise against it as it will be his political death; for 2nd ammendment to reverse all politicians will need to work togther”.
Although, Imrah Khan seems to understand what is wrong and what needs to be redressed, but given reality on ground does not find enough strength to say it publically.
Rabia
March 11, 2009 at 12:25 am
“Qazi is hoping for revolution to establish some sort of Islamic totalitarian state”
Yeah, and Imran Khan has publicly called for Shariah in the whole country not to mention his touring of IDP camps promising Shariah in Swat and FATA and his vocal support of the Swat peace deal
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4345829189462841860&hl=en
http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=162637
rashid
March 11, 2009 at 1:00 am
Please pay attention to Holy Quran Sura Namal; Part XX (Chapter 27; Verse 82;); judge yourself, doesn’t this ayah fits on Pakistan nation/ and its current political condition?
82. And when the judgment becomes due against them (-the unjust) We shall bring forth for them a (grossly) materialistic person which will rule over them (and also an insect which shall wound them to cause plague). That is because the people did not have firm faith in Our Messages.
Note please:
Materialistic Person= materialistic ruler= Zardari
Ref:
Holy Quran Translation by Allam Noor Ud Din:
http://www.islamusa.org/OnlineTrans/chap20.htm
rashid
March 11, 2009 at 1:01 am
Please pay attention to Holy Quran Sura Namal; Part XX (Chapter 27; Verse 82;); judge yourself, doesn’t this ayah fits on Pakistan nation/ and its current political condition?
82. And when the judgment becomes due against them (-the unjust) We shall bring forth for them a (grossly) materialistic person which will rule over them (and also an insect which shall wound them to cause plague). That is because the people did not have firm faith in Our Messages.
Note please:
Materialistic Person= materialistic ruler= Zardari
Ref:
Holy Quran Translation by Allam Noor Ud Din:
http://www.islamusa.org/OnlineTrans/chap20.htm
Tazeen
March 11, 2009 at 3:24 am
^^^^
Rashid,
I am pleasantly surprised that Imran Khan thinks that way but what is a man without conviction and moral courage. A two bit blogger like me can get up and write it on my blog and a man like Imran Khan cannot say it. Some may argue that I have nothing to lose but I am afraid IK also does not have much political currency which he is afraid to lose.
yasserlatifhamdani
March 11, 2009 at 5:22 am
So Rabia let me get this straight… “secular nationalist” ANP can enter into a deal with Swat Taliban…. and “Liberal mainstream” PPP’s “secular” president can sign the nizam-e-adl thing… but it is Imran Khan – who in any event thinks Sharia is compatible with democracy- becomes an extremist for supporting them?
Rashid/Tazeen,
The last politician to publicly take a strong stance in favor of Ahmadis was Jinnah who rubbished any such attempt as a conspiracy to divide the Muslims. The Quaid-e-Azam’s choice of Sir Zafrulla came under attack but he stood steadfast against such bigotry.
Ironically Bhutto ridiculed Jamaat-e-Islami in one of his speeches during the election campaign of 1970 for calling for the ex-communication of the Ahmaddiya community.
The fact that Imran Khan did say it (and I have other independent corroboration of this as well) is enough to show that Imran Khan is a man of integrity. Furthermore he is giving a perfectly reasonable way of undoing it.
Now I ask you Tazeen… do you think there is a greater chance of our “liberal” President Zardari, chairman of the very party that wrote and passed the 2nd Amendment, of undoing the Ahmadi amendment… or do we have a better chance by fighting for an independent judiciary under Imran Khan and then hoping that one day they will become evolved enough to undo this travesty?
I’d opt for the latter.
Rabia
March 11, 2009 at 8:34 am
“So Rabia let me get this straight… “secular nationalist” ANP can enter into a deal with Swat Taliban…. and “Liberal mainstream” PPP’s “secular” president can sign the nizam-e-adl thing…”
YLH,
In the Kal Tak video, Imran Khan called for Shariah in the whole country, not just in Swat.
It goes without saying that I am against the ANP/PPP involvement in the Swat deal and the nizam-e-adl regulation as I believe you are. But you must admit that there is a significant difference between a political bargain in a difficult situation (however despicable and counter-productive as it was) and open calls for Shariah in the whole country while not even in power as Imran Khan is doing.
yasserlatifhamdani
March 11, 2009 at 8:41 am
Dear Rabia,
Since I am unable to see the video here, could you please write down the exact quote.
Bear in mind ofcourse that the “constitution” given by PPP in 1973 made “Islamization” of the legal system amongst other things a principle of policy for the republic.
Given this context, we need to review for Mr. Khan said because Sharia can mean a lot of different things.
Rabia
March 11, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I am at work as well but will type up what he said when I get home.
Rabia
March 11, 2009 at 11:55 pm
OK, I typed up 3 good quotes from three different shows.
Sorry for any typos.
1. Kal Tak with Javed Chaudhry 21/1/2009. 0:00 – 3:00
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4345829189462841860&hl=en
[This is his answer to the first question in which he talks about shariah in general terms, and not specific to Swat (although I suppose it’s open to interpretation)]
IK: dekhiyay, sharamnaak baat yeh hai keh hum kehtay hain… hum musalman hain aur shariat say dar jaatay hain. Shariat kya hai? Shariat nabi (SAW) ka rasta hai. Yeh aap ki… agar aap musalman hain tau aap shariat pay chalna chahtay hain.
humain khauf hai shariat ka naam laytay huay dartay hain. yeh jo badkismatay hai kay jo mulk kay parhay likhay laug hain, woh kamaskam batayain tau sahi keh shariat kya hai. main aap ko batata hoon keh meri nazar main shariat kya hai. Shariat khilafat-e-rashidum hai. Uss ki kya bunyaad thi? Adal aur insaaf; aur falahi rryasaat, aur aik khuddar ryaasat jo kisi aur power kay saamnay na jhukay. yeh shariat nizam ki bunyaad hai. hum kyun dartay hain shariat ka naam laytay huay?
—————————————————–
2. Jawab Deh with Iftikhar Ahmed, 1/2/2009 (great interview btw)
http://www.insaf.pk/Media/Videos/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1753/Default.aspx
[this had nothing to do with Swat .. 23:00 into the video]
Iftikhar Ahmed: aap shariat kay haami hain?
IK:main bilkul samajhta hoon kay shariath honi chahiyay. Aur shariat jo mainay study ki hay woh khilafat-e-rashidan main jo shari nizam hai woh jo aap nai shuru main tehrik e insaaf ka manshoor bataya tha: khuddari, insaniyat, aur insaaf. yeh teen. yeh shariat ki yeh bunyaad hai
Iftikhar Ahmed: is mulk main kis fiqah ki shariat par amal kiya jayay ga?
IK: main to nahin jaanta, main to apni ki [shariah] define kar raha hoon. main to yeh keh raha hoon jo main … study kiya hai, aik islami ma’ashray main insaniyat honi chahiyay aik falahi ryaasat honi chahiyay, udhar adal aur insaaf hona chahiyay.
after this there is a great section in which he rationalizes suicide bombing, etc.
————————————————–
3. Meray mutabiq with Shahid Masood 2/22/2009
http://www.friendskorner.com/forum/f179/meray-mutabiq-22nd-february-2009-imran-khan-96003/index4.html
IK: …aik hamari so called liberal class hai, woh dar gayi hai keh shariat aagayi hai, ab pata nahin shariat aagayi hai to kya honay wala hai, haath kaT jayain gay. Shariah to adal aur insaaf hai, insaan ko insaan banati hai aqalmand jaanwar say insaan banta hai. Shariat to aik ma’ashray kay andar adal aur insaaf, aur insaniyat, falahi ryaasat ka naam hai
Shahid Masood: yeh kaam acha kiya phir hukumut nain?
IK: main yeh keh raha hoon, in logon nain to pressure main kiya…
SM: Laikin kaam acha kya, na?
SM: aik aisa kaam karti hai jo unke manifesto main nahin tha. yeh ajeeb si baat nahin hoee?
IK: yeh jo laug lay kay aayay thay iss hukumut ko woh liberal alliance bananay aayay thay, main bataadoon, woh Negroponte aur Boucher nain jo liberal alliance banayi thi, Musharraf ki aur PPP ki, ab Allah ki shaan dekhain kay liberal Shariah lay aayi hai (laughs) yeh bhi Allah ki shaan dekhain (laughs again). Udhar ANP bhi liberal thay. Ab dekhain na, Holbrooke ki statement kitni ghalat hai keh yeh jo shari nizam hai yeh baRa bura ho ga. Kya ab woh hamain yeh bhi bataiN gay keh hamain kaunsa Islam laana hai?
Rabia
March 11, 2009 at 11:59 pm
OK, I typed up 3 quotes from three different shows.
Sorry for any typos.
1. Kal Tak with Javed Chaudhry 21/1/2009. 0:00 – 3:00
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4345829189462841860&hl=en
[This is his answer to the first question in which he talks about shariah in general terms, and not specific to Swat (although I suppose it’s open to interpretation)]
IK: dekhiyay, sharamnaak baat yeh hai keh hum kehtay hain… hum musalman hain aur shariat say dar jaatay hain. Shariat kya hai? Shariat nabi (SAW) ka rasta hai. Yeh aap ki… agar aap musalman hain tau aap shariat pay chalna chahtay hain.
humain khauf hai shariat ka naam laytay huay dartay hain. yeh jo badkismatay hai kay jo mulk kay parhay likhay laug hain, woh kamaskam batayain tau sahi keh shariat kya hai. main aap ko batata hoon keh meri nazar main shariat kya hai. Shariat khilafat-e-rashidum hai. Uss ki kya bunyaad thi? Adal aur insaaf; aur falahi rryasaat, aur aik khuddar ryaasat jo kisi aur power kay saamnay na jhukay. yeh shariat nizam ki bunyaad hai. hum kyun dartay hain shariat ka naam laytay huay?
—————————————————–
2. Jawab Deh with Iftikhar Ahmed, 1/2/2009 (great interview btw)
http://www.insaf.pk/Media/Videos/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1753/Default.aspx
[this had nothing to do with Swat .. 23:00 into the video]
Iftikhar Ahmed: aap shariat kay haami hain?
IK:main bilkul samajhta hoon kay shariath honi chahiyay. Aur shariat jo mainay study ki hay woh khilafat-e-rashidan main jo shari nizam hai woh jo aap nai shuru main tehrik e insaaf ka manshoor bataya tha: khuddari, insaniyat, aur insaaf. yeh teen. yeh shariat ki yeh bunyaad hai
Iftikhar Ahmed: is mulk main kis fiqah ki shariat par amal kiya jayay ga?
IK: main to nahin jaanta, main to apni ki [shariah] define kar raha hoon. main to yeh keh raha hoon jo main … study kiya hai, aik islami ma’ashray main insaniyat honi chahiyay aik falahi ryaasat honi chahiyay, udhar adal aur insaaf hona chahiyay.
after this there is a great section in which he rationalizes suicide bombing, etc.
————————————————–
3. Meray mutabiq with Shahid Masood 2/22/2009
http://www.friendskorner.com/forum/f179/meray-mutabiq-22nd-february-2009-imran-khan-96003/index4.html
IK: …aik hamari so called liberal class hai, woh dar gayi hai keh shariat aagayi hai, ab pata nahin shariat aagayi hai to kya honay wala hai, haath kaT jayain gay. Shariah to adal aur insaaf hai, insaan ko insaan banati hai aqalmand jaanwar say insaan banta hai. Shariat to aik ma’ashray kay andar adal aur insaaf, aur insaniyat, falahi ryaasat ka naam hai
Shahid Masood: yeh kaam acha kiya phir hukumut nain?
IK: main yeh keh raha hoon, in logon nain to pressure main kiya…
SM: Laikin kaam acha kya, na?
SM: aik aisa kaam karti hai jo unke manifesto main nahin tha. yeh ajeeb si baat nahin hoee?
IK: yeh jo laug lay kay aayay thay iss hukumut ko woh liberal alliance bananay aayay thay, main bataadoon, woh Negroponte aur Boucher nain jo liberal alliance banayi thi, Musharraf ki aur PPP ki, ab Allah ki shaan dekhain kay liberal Shariah lay aayi hai (laughs) yeh bhi Allah ki shaan dekhain (laughs again). Udhar ANP bhi liberal thay. Ab dekhain na, Holbrooke ki statement kitni ghalat hai keh yeh jo shari nizam hai yeh baRa bura ho ga. Kya ab woh hamain yeh bhi bataiN gay keh hamain kaunsa Islam laana hai?
YLHh
March 12, 2009 at 6:57 am
@Hamdani
What does Imran Khan ask for? Forget for a second what his views on religion, evolution etc is and let us answer this question. He asks for :
1. Judiciary
2. Rule of Law
3. Free and independent election commission
4. Social and Economic Justice
Let us first get a few things clear.
I don’t concur with Imran Khan’s views
on Darwin,
importance of religion,
Brown sahibs, Taliban,
war on terror,
Jirga justice,
Liberal “fascists” etc etc.
His views are frankly an embarrassment considering that the great man went to Oxford and is as well exposed to modernity as anyone else…..
What a great contradiction……….
Hamdani…..U are great
Jo Chahey Aap Ka Husn Karishma Saaz Karey
YLHh
March 12, 2009 at 7:01 am
Imran’s Judiciary=Fazlullah type or through Jirga
Rule Of Law = By Hook or By Crook like Taliban
Free & Independent Election Comission=??????
Social & Economic Justice=How????
Majumdar
March 12, 2009 at 8:27 am
This article has been written by an impostor, there is no reference to Mr. J or Mr. G or the 8/11 speech.
Regards
yasserlatifhamdani
March 12, 2009 at 8:43 am
Rabia,
Thanks… putting aside my own views on religion and sharia, may I suggest that other than the last bit on Shahid Masood’s show which is just indicative of his own biases… Imran Khan’s comments are not saying anything different.
The sharia Imran is talking about is based on “khuddari, insaniyat, aur insaaf. yeh teen. yeh shariat ki yeh bunyaad hai”…. i.e. Self reliance, Humanity and Justice. What is wrong with that?
Then he says:
“Shariat khilafat-e-rashidum hai. Uss ki kya bunyaad thi? ?Adal aur insaaf; aur falahi rryasaat, aur aik khuddar ryaasat jo kisi aur power kay saamnay na jhukay. yeh shariat nizam ki bunyaad hai. hum kyun dartay hain shariat ka naam laytay huay?”
Justice, Welfare State, self reliant state
Again I don’t see what the problem is here. I am a secularist but I don’t have a problem with Imran Khan’s Shariat as expressed above.
And this part is especially interesting:
Iftikhar Ahmed: is mulk main kis fiqah ki shariat par amal kiya jayay ga?
IK: main to nahin jaanta, main to apni ki [shariah] define kar raha hoon. main to yeh keh raha hoon jo main … study kiya hai, aik islami ma’ashray main insaniyat honi chahiyay aik falahi ryaasat honi chahiyay, udhar adal aur insaaf hona chahiyay.
Translation
I am defining my own Sharia…. Islamic society has to be based on humanity, it should be a welfare state where there is justice.
I think Imran Khan is worthy of emulation by everyone really if he truly believes in this sharia.
yasserlatifhamdani
March 12, 2009 at 8:44 am
Majumdar,
Maybe you didn’t read closely enough.
Rabia
March 12, 2009 at 11:16 am
YLH, I completely disagree. Not even the most hard-line of rightwingers, would say that their Shariah is based on the cutting off of hands and the punishment of women. Every muslim believes that Islamic law is based on humanity, welfare, justice, etc. I am sure that if you asked Baitullah Mehsud, that’s what his answer would be too.
And despite what IK’s “personal” Shariah is (which, by the way, given his admiration of the Afghani Taliban is probably not exactly the most liberal) the Shariah that would be imposed as a result of his efforts would most likely not be IK’s personal Shariah, but the Shariah that we have seen in places like Afghanistan, Northern Nigeria or Iran.
yasserlatifhamdani
March 12, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Dear Rabia,
I am afraid that is neither here nor there… we must consider what Imran Khan’s specific views are… And that brings me to original point.
In any event, I don’t concur with your view as you’ve just confirmed what I wrote above. Imran Khan’s appeal to Sharia is largely a positive reinforcer.
Ayesha
December 3, 2009 at 8:39 am
I must say that I agree very much with Rabia and the first comment that was made after this post. Although I am generally greatly impressed by the writing and reasoning that YLH presents, I am really surprised by his overboard defense and deference to Imran Khan.
Rabia is absolutely right that IK’s own version of Sharia is certainly not one that is emancipating for women. I have one question for YLH which Rabia perhaps forgot to bring up: why did IK not support the Women Protection Bill? I trust that you are not going to be one of those people who starts criticizing the Bill rather than IK.
Also, I have met IK three times and discussed his position on women, suffice it to say it is absolutely atrocious what his views on this subject are. He has publicly and privately supported jirgas and panchayat decisions knowing full well how damaging they are for women. Even when in the heart of the lawyers’ movement, he still supported jirgas and panchayats.
There is simply no comparison between a man like Aitzaz Ahsan who has thought things through and come to a principled stand on issues and as one writer put it “the unlearning obdurate Imran Khan”.
Milind Kher
December 3, 2009 at 9:55 am
People’s actions are the best indications of their philosophy. IK’s abandonment of Sita White and his subsequent divorce from Jemima are a sufficient indication of how much he values women.
His virtues on that score are not being extolled. We only praised essentially his gesture in opening a cancer hospital, which indeed was praiseworthy.
http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/imrans-pakistan-my-view/
Another pro-Imran propaganda on PTH by YLH:
PTI Chief Imran Khan In Response To A Question On The Second Amendment
Atleast the great Khan has ‘integrity’ and ‘honesty’.
http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/pti-chief-imran-khan-in-response-to-a-question-on-the-second-amendment/
YLH / PTH’s love for Sherry Rehman or hatred for PPP?
Sherry Rahman’s principled stance
MARCH 14, 2009…6:01 PM
Sherry Rahman has proved to be a principled politician cut from a different cloth. First Raza Rabbani quit after he realized that Zardari was incapable of doing the right thing. Sherry Rahman, who Zardari had allegedly called a “witch” once, quit after she was unable to prevail on the president after GEO was suddenly taken off. Ms. Rahman had promised that she would quit if media was ever harmed. Here is a politician who has stood by what she promised. We at PTH salute her. She is a true foot soldier of Benazir Bhutto.
http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/sherry-rahman/
PTH’s criticism of Kaiser Bengali:
http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/what-does-kaiser-bengali-and-other-nay-sayers-want/
What do Kaiser Bengali and other nay-sayers want?
MARCH 30, 2009…5:15 PM
YLH
The well written and well argued but sadly misdirected piece by Mr. Kaiser Bengali in Dawn today is exactly what is wrong with us in Pakistan in my view. The Lawyers’ Movement has won a victory which is bigger than ideology- it is about independence of judiciary. The logic of a nation state based on institutions ultimately leads to constitutionalism which in turn – no matter how diluted – results in a polity aware of its rights. It is true that the Lawyers’ Movement had elements from all sections and ideologies including the right wing but to try and make it into some sort of a “quasi-theocratic right wing movement” is an insult to a truly people’s movement on a purely secular issue. The writer takes great pains to point out that some of the people distantly associated with the movement, the Hamid Guls etc, were part of the intelligence effort to install General Zia in power but he forgets that the movement itself was led by a liberal democrat and a true PPP wallah (unlike the false ones making a mockery of the party right now).
The writer also conveniently forgets that ANP and Maulana Fazlurrahman’s JUI-F formed part of the 9 star PNA Coalition against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the PPP. Very conveniently that he forgets that the Chaudhries of the PML-Q, who have lost out the most as a result of CJP’s restoration and a reconciliation between PPP and PML-N, were the leading lights of the PNA movement in 1977. No one is denying Nawaz Sharif’s past. His past is indeed very ugly starting from his role as the quisling of Zia-ul-Haq, his pandering to the religious parties in form of death penalty for Blasphemy Law, his notorious 15th Amendment or the “Ameerulmomineen” push etc. However what Nawaz Sharif did on 15th of March washed away many of his sins.
But I wonder what it is that people like Kaiser Bengali want? Instead of lauding the movement for restoration of chief justice as the secular movement for civil rights that it was, Mr. Bengali wants to give it a “quasi-theocratic” cloak. Sadly party politics seems to have blinded otherwise reasonable and sane academics to the considerations that are most important. We at PTH believe in presenting all points of view. Hence we reproduce this here courtesy Dawn Newspaper but in so far as I am concerned, this is precisely the kind of stuff that needs to be avoided at this great turning point in our history. -YLH
………….
Lawyers’ struggle: another view
By Kaiser Bengali
Monday, 30 Mar, 2009 | 07:54 AM PST |
THE successful movement for the reinstatement of Iftikhar Chaudhry is being billed as a historic watershed event that has redefined the politics of the country and, in particular, the relationship between citizen and state.
Whether this conclusion turns out to be an illusion or reality will be tested in due course of time. In the meantime, however, an examination of the composition of the movement raises some disturbing questions.
The movement was started in March 2007 by the lawyers’ community and emerged as a rallying point for democratic forces opposed to Gen Musharraf’s military-backed regime. In the process, it attracted support from a broad spectrum of society — political parties of all shades, civil society and even retired military and intelligence officers. The latter formally organised themselves under the banner of the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society.
Following last year’s national polls and Gen Musharraf’s subsequent departure, a section of this coalition lost its enthusiasm for Iftikhar Chaudhry’s reinstatement. The vast majority of dismissed judges also agreed to be reinstated after taking a fresh oath of office under the constitution. However, a core — largely centred in Punjab — remained committed to the original objectives of the movement and continued the campaign. By early 2009, PML-N — the majority party in Punjab — took control of the movement and led it to a successful conclusion.
The movement’s advocates saw themselves on a pedestal as ‘crusaders’ for justice and rule of law and couched their rhetoric in highly moralistic terms. Undoubtedly, the movement comprised eminent individuals of impeccable integrity, who have devoted their careers uncompromisingly to the cause of rule of law and democracy. Due credit in this respect has to be accorded ungrudgingly.
However, a perusal of the roster of the ‘crusaders’ does not inspire unqualified confidence, as many have their past to answer for. There are questions with respect to their commitment to democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law — and their political orientation; with implications for the direction of politics in the country.
It cannot be comforting to note that some of the advocates of the movement were active members, collaborators or supporters of military regimes. Among leaders of the lawyers’ movement, one was a provincial minister under Gen Musharraf’s military regime and another a prosecutor for Gen Musharraf’s National Accountability Bureau. They also included many in the legal fraternity, political parties, civil society and media who were ardent supporters of Gen Musharraf when he subverted the constitution and turned into his bitter critics when he dismissed Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Some of them tried to make their contribution through print and electronic media and others through marching on the streets. That the subversion of the constitution did not stir the conscience of all of the above, but the cause of a PCO judge did is a sad commentary on their credentials with respect to their principled commitment to the rule of law and democracy.
The record of political parties in this coalition also merits close scrutiny. In this respect, the role of Jamaat-i-Islami is particularly murky. It collaborated with the Yahya Khan regime in the massacre in erstwhile East Pakistan, served as the B-team to the violently repressive Ziaul Haq regime, and supported the Musharraf regime in imposing the 17th Amendment — which it now opposes! Under the circumstances, it appears to be a strange voice for judicial, civil rights and democratic causes.
The PML-N has struggled against the Musharraf dictatorship; as such, its leadership’s collaboration with Ziaul Haq’s military dictatorship can perhaps be condoned and their credentials as champions of democracy and constitutionalism accepted. However, they cannot escape responsibility for the terrible mess the country is in today in terms of institutional breakdown and internal terrorism. Notably, their then comrades-in-arms included many military and intelligence officers, some of whom are now their comrades-in-arms in the current movement.
The ex-servicemen are mostly those who served in the armed forces and its intelligence wings during the Zia dictatorship. One of them is a 1977 coup leader, another an intelligence officer who publicly claimed the right to destabilise democratic governments in the name of protecting ‘national interests’, and yet another an intelligence officer who publicly confessed to using state funds to ‘manufacture’ a political party that included the present PML-N leadership.
Some of the officers were integrally involved in the so-called Afghan jihad and in creating the jihadi infrastructure in Pakistan. Allegedly, the core of this jihadi network is located in Punjab, to the extent that the then ruling Taliban cadres in Afghanistan in the late 1990s referred to many of their commanders generically as ‘Punjabis’. Even recently, many of the terrorist perpetrators in the country have been traced to Punjab towns like Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan and Faridkot. The southern Punjab-centricity of all the above ‘crusaders’ is striking.
The questions that arise are: can the emergence of the above coalition be a mere coincidence? Or has the cover of the issue of Chaudhry Iftikhar’s reinstatement been used to attempt to band together Ziaist rightwing elements, denominated by the military’s national security agenda, religious parties’ theocratic agenda and the business community’s neo-liberal economic agenda? And what does this development portend for the conflict vis-à-vis democracy and federalism in the country and religious extremism in the region?
After all, there is a history of an integral nexus between PML-N leaders, now retired military and intelligence officers and Jamaat-i-Islami under the Ziaul Haq dictatorship. Of course, PML-N has attempted to cast itself in a liberal mould, but two facts militate against an unqualified acceptance of their liberal credentials. One is the fact that many of the important PML-N leaders have a background of association with religious parties, particularly Jamaat-i-Islami. And the other is the fact that it made an abortive attempt in 1998 to introduce the Sharia through the 15th Amendment to the constitution. At the least, these factors raise likely suspicions about its lack of committed opposition to a theocratic agenda.
It appears that ideological battle lines are being drawn. One side appears to coalesce with the largely Punjab-based, PML-N-led rightwing neo-conservative remnants of the Ziaist establishment, committed to a centralised state with a quasi-theocratic national security agenda. The other side appears to comprise nationally based forces, disparately comprising the PPP, ANP, MQM and Baloch parties, seeking a society sans religious bigotry and a polity that is federal and pluralistic. The choices for the people are stark and clear.
The writer was formerly national coordinator of the Benazir Income Support Programme
Pak Tea House: On Rebuttals , Ironies and Facts
Posted by sherryx
Shaheryar Ali
July 15, 2009
It was a fine evening when Raza Rumi told me about the idea of the new blog-zine Pak Tea House which he was launching. He wanted me to write for it. I had never written anything before for the public but his encouragement led me to join Pak Tea House. My article was one of the first published in Pak Tea House. Raza Rumi knew perfectly well that i was an opinionated young lad. I was experimenting with new rhetorical strategies to de- stabilize the dominant discourse emerging from the the Islamic world and Pakistan.
Things went well till Raza Rumi handed over the blog to Mr Yasser Latif Hamdani. A dogmatic Pakistani nationalist with obsessive hatred of Gandhi, Bacha Khan, Karl Marx and any thing Left. His highly dishonest interpretation of progressive writers and his outright bigoted attacks on freedom fighters led to the initial disagreement but i continued writing.
Things got worse when Raza Rumi’s “progressive blog” became outright McCarthiest . It has the great honour of “reviving” the McCarthy era’s terminologies like “Pinkos”. All these titles like “communist”, “pinko”, etc etc are used on dissenting voices. Any one who dares to disagree with the great temple of Jinnah now built at Pak Tea House becomes a traitor.
I dont find Mr Hamdani worthy of a response since i dont engage myself with bigots. My earlier letter of protest to Raza Rumi can be reached here and will explain the back ground to my readers. The rebuttal has actually made me laugh. I can understand the pain and the frustration. The secular elite of Pakistan always had a strange dogmatic remedy for troubles of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It was to blame it on “India”. Curse Gandhi, Nehru, Congress, the Soviet Union, the “commies” etc etc
The failure of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the success of India have made our patriotic elites delusional. Jinnah’s Pakistan is one of the greatest mythological retreats these people have. The facts unfortunately dont change. The cancerous patriotism which wants us to love the cancers we have because its our own has already destroyed this country. The drum beating of partition histories, or highly selected versions of it, does not change the reality. It doesn’t. India is a functioning secular democracy with a really independent and and pro- rights judiciary. Pakistan on the other hand is the text book case of failed or failing state. Ruled by military dictators, the neo fascist state has committed genocides in East Pakistan and Balochistan.
I can understand the frustration, when Pakistan’s president, its Prime minister, its Chief Justice all sit in line and are taught governance by Ambassador Hoolbroke. Begging money around the globe, the state and its politics has always been micro managed by United States of America. With Obama’s new policy of bracketing Pakistan with Afghanistan, i can understand the pain and frustration. Patriotism is not covering all these hideous facts; rather it is to highlight these so that change can come. The Jinnah’s Pakistan where editors of Pak Tea House live is so shining and perfect that it doesn’t need any change.
Late Eqbal Ahmad once commented on the Neo-Fascism, one of the defining characters of Neo fascist states was their obsession with the cold war and its rhetoric. These people still live in the time of cold war. The mantra of Pinko, commies, Marx all represents the same case! The articles on which the gentleman has commented had nothing to do with Marx, Marxism, and its theory or practice. How much Marxism do these people know is evident from the quality of articles on Marx which they publish. All this is identity paradox of these people; want to be Lefti for romantic reasons but have hatred for the left. This man even once declared Faiz Ahmad Faiz as “military collaborator” repeating the notorious charges brought up by Liaqat Ali Khan’s government which brought about one of the bloodiest read scares. Champions of secularism maintain Afghan Jihad as “one of the most glorious Jihad” of 21 century. One is surprised to hear this especially looking at what Pakistan is going through today that any self styled patriot could say any thing like that. But its fact, not only this, the creation of Islamic fascist monsters and mercenaries to infiltrate Afghanistan is also appreciated. The only objection he has to it is that Pakistani state couldn’t control it. These democratic and secular values I fail to understand, I abhor them and will continue to do so.
Why my writing is so objectionable to these clowns because I highlight the ironies and fallacies of the grand propaganda mechanism at work in Pakistan in name of history, political science, nationalism etc etc. Its not very far back when this man was cursing India after Mumbai attacks. He denied the existence of Ajmal Kasab. He even went as far as denying existence of Faridkot in Pakistan. I even than wrote that politics of denials will not work. The whole world than saw the shame and humiliation which these hawks brought to the nation when press in United Kingdom and later Daily Dawn exposed Ajmal Kasab and FaridKot . Not only this but ironically they had written that the place was indeed liked a “Jihadi factory” and a recruiting ground for LeT. Writing dogmatically in grip of passion result in irrational swings , Asif Ali Zardari was his hero, he was foolishly writing qaseedas of him all for the wrong reasons, now he is on his hit list again for all the wrong reasons.
Facts speak for themselves, that’s why I understand the frustration, the resultant abuses and witch hunts, when I was writing on administrative failure of Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab, I was writing on how due to his policies and his government’s continuous support to religious fanatics will push Southern Punjab to calamity. Today whole world is crying about Southern Punjab. My continuous warnings on Southern Punjab becoming the hub of religious extremism are now haunting the whole country as a specter. He was than busy writing qaseedas of Shahbaz Sharif as champion of progressive cause. Later it was discovered that his government was sponsoring violently bigoted anti ahmedi and jihadi organization Tehriq e khatam e nabuat. Now he once again had to swing back on his position. Ahmadi children are being incarcerated in Punjab on his orders, no court has intervened. His administrative skills, even Ayaz Amir , who is the sitting MNA of PML-N has now written 4 times on governance and administrative style of Shahbaz Sharif criticizing it as highly centralized, populist and leading to administrative disaster. But these clowns who pose as secular and do politics in laps on Jamate Islami and PML-N like the scoundrel Aitzaz Ahsan have lost all insight in their delusional dogmatism.
When history slaps I know it stings a lot so I can understand the frustration, the judicial movement, I had long maintained that nothing will change and its all a right wing political agenda with a constitutional rhetoric. I had pointed out in the start of the movement that the slogans of restoration of constitution and restoration of judiciary are reactionary slogans; one should speak of “reformation of constitution” and “reformation of judiciary”. I was writing that the constitution of Pakistan itself is cause of these problems. At that time we are also abused by these clown, now they understand that Chief Justice has to work within the constraints of constitution given by PPP. We were saying that all along that instead of sitting in the laps of Jamate Islami and PML-N and General Hamid Gul these secular clowns should protest for a greater cause! To bring about a new social contract. The right wing was defeated and would have easily come on table but they brought them back to position of strength. When Aitzaz Ahsan and his cronies were singing the songs of this constitution on tv 24./7didn’t this fact crossed their mind? The proud “constitutional movement” didn’t realized which constitution it is following? Other day I heard one such clown on TV saying our movement has made 73 constitution so popular that now even the street people know its clauses! Now suck on these clauses!!
I can understand the frustration, history has slapped them on their faces, the ISI managed Black Revolution, couldn’t live for even few days!. The extra judicial murders of Baloch leaders exposed the character of restored higher judiciary once again. What change did it brought when still FIR of the martyred leaders could not be registered? According to the Asian Human Rights Commission’s report, Pakistan Army is holding Baloch women in torture cells and using them as sex slaves. The commission has published numerous reports of such nature and they have widely been read in legal circles in Pakistan. The case of Zarrina Marri , have specially been highlighted again and again by the commission as well as the progressive political workers. According to the commission Miss Marri is being held in a torture cell run by Pakistan Army and being used as “sexual slave”. Why Supreme Court of Pakistan is blind to this sort of state terrorism?
I can understand the frustration of these thugs very well. The failure of judicial revolution has become so obvious that its embarrassing. If any one is not delusional and not living in “Jinnah’s Pakistan” its evident to him like July’s sun. Not only it’s the failure of mythological rhetoric of non existent Pakistani nationalism, it is turning into a crisis which could destroy the whole democratic transition. Take the example of Mr Ayaz Amir, famous intellectual and MNA of PML-N, one of the most active supporter of Judicial movement, his latest column is a lament of all what’s going wrong in the Supreme Court. The intervention by Supreme Court in matters of executive especially in taxation resulted in even him reprimanding the judges! I had already pointed out in my writing this trend of ignoring “Trias Politica” by Supreme Court. The honourable judges are not at fault, they have been continuously pushed towards politics by these clowns who have these disastrous theories about “Jinnah’s Pakistan”. Their agenda is now a civil Martial law of a kind, non democratic government of technocrats [these clowns themselves]: An experiment which had already failed in Bangladesh.
His most honourable lordship the Chief Justice of Pakistan whose Soumoto notices have now acquired legendary status. His lordship takes interests even in minute of issues and resolves them. One latest example of judicial activism after restoration is “protecting the chicken of Islamic Republic of Pakistan from eating pork”. The great reward his lordship will have in court of All mighty Allah for this great deed. Chicken have now been saved from eating pork the most evil animal, by eating pork perhaps chicken of the Islamic republic underwent some organic change [reminds me of the great theoretical debates on nature of Transubstantiation in Europe in heyday of Church of Rome] and these pork-eating-chicken when consumed by the pious men of land of pure could destroy the Islamic credentials and abilities.
The secular clowns rejoice on triumph of Jinnah’s Pakistan and black revolution, I am in midst of spiritual ecstasy, our nation has found the Momin of Iqbal , rejoice Tahirah Abdullah and Aitzaz Ahsan and Pak Tea House, his lordship said: “Pakistan is an Islamic nation. In an Islamic country, we cannot grant the permission to feed haram meat to people. It brings disgrace to the nation.’’ Lets us all curse Gandhi, Congress, Bacha Khan and Communists, Pinkos faggots, who were feeding nation pork. I am sure now that Aitzaz Ahsan and other secular clown can sit in Jinnah’s Pakistan drinking Whiskey and eating Halal [?] chicken, we are closer to [?] our secular utopia
I am condemnable, indeed should be hanged because I dare to ask these elitist thugs high on wine of Jinnah’s non existent Pakistan and in grip of violent anti communism of cold war and McCarthy eara, that the Blochs women who are being treated as sex slaves and the Ahmedi children in dungeons of SS’s Punjab police worth even less than Chickens of the Islamic Republic??? My only fault is this.
Mein zeher e hilahul ku kabhi keh na saka Kand!
Asian Human Rights Commission has identified 52 torture cells in Pakistan maintained by ISI , Pakistan Army, FIA and other state agencies where political workers and activists are continued being tortured, those in these torture cells are unlucky , the chicken of Islamic Republic have more rights than these poor people. This is my crime to raise the non convenient facts, to ask bitter question for which I am labeled commie, Pinko, traitor. But I will keep asking this question. I abhor these cancers I will never accept these evils in name of patriotism. They say patriotism is a scoundrel’s last resort. They killed Hasan Nasir because according to them he was not patriot. Faiz and Fraz were also traitors in their eyes. These witch hunts are not new for us. We will keep fighting.
Bala se hum ne na dekha tu or dekhen ge
Faorough e gulshan o soat e hazar ka mosam
Last but not the least, today when Prime minister of Pakistan is about to have a crucial meeting with his Indian counter parts, the hero of these scoundrels Mian Shahbaz Sharif’s government has dissociated itself from the appear against the release Hafiz Saeed, the monster of Muridkey [whose agent Ajmal Kasab was defended by these thugs who couldn’t find Faridkot on Pakistani map] in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This clearly is to sabotage the meeting and keep Saeed out of jails. One more act of patriotism perhaps!!
Finally to my friend Raza Rumi, since after publicly protesting against the editorial policy of PTH I had stopped writing for PTH. There were exceptions to it because I contributed occasionally on his insistence. He knew all the back ground; he knew perfectly well that I am not the only writer who has suffered at PTH witch hunt. Despite my numerous pleadings, he didn’t remove my name from PTH list of contributors. I kept doors open tried to maintain a courteous relationship but my friend didn’t showed the grace worthy of his stature. He let his blog repeatedly being used by those who have a personal agenda against me. He could have taken his agenda on his personal blog. I was Part of the PTH team and being one of its co editors for a long time, he failed to protect my interests. The failing standards of editorial borad can be seen from the fact the rebuttals are being published without giving links to the articles I wrote. What is ironic is that lies and distortions are being allowed, one such statement is PM Gilani being one of the largest land owners of Southern Punjab. He is not even a modest land owner of Multan. They were earning their lively hood by running beauty parlors, schools n stuff in Multan. The largest land owners of Southern Punjab are Gardezis, Qureshies, Khakwanis, Makhdooms of Rahim Yar Khan etc. Association with Pak Tea House has now become one of the bitterest experiences of life. I had an idea about that, in post modern conditions the modern tendencies have become reactionary. When I wrote my first article for Pak Tea House[it was one of the first articles to be published in PTH] I predicted it. But I had no idea it will become so dirty. Thans Raza for every thing. I hope now you will remove my name from PTH
Pak Tea House: A Coropreal Being No More. November 7, 2007.
“Hello “world!”. A very simple line it appears to be but it haunts me. What is the world? World was understood either as “A totality of Objects” or “A totality of Facts”. There was a world, where we use to have a “Pak Tea House”, which enjoyed a corporeal being.
A solid real object that was alive, living and healthy. Objects float in time and time is condensed in epochs which determine the spirit of objects. The epoch we entered had a peculiar spirit. It enchants and bewitches . The objects are reduced to their use value, loosing their corporeal being and solidity to a mere exchange value, becoming ghosts”
The De-Realiztion is Complete!!
Dear All
I only saw this. Noted that there is grand bashing of PTH going on. Having said that I believe democratic right of free speech is inviolable. And, this is equally applicable to those who write on PTH.
I have defended Sherry Rehman in public and will continue to do so. Even if she has violated the party discipline (as has been argued above) there are ways to handle that. Threatening banners, graffiti and effigy-burning amounts to intimidation.
Sherry Rehman has continued to defend her party and has not said a single word against its leadership unlike other opportunists. If anything PPP needs it is sanguine advice from its supporters such as yourselves and not a ‘blind’ following of every decision. This monumental folly in the 1970s led to the great disaster of 1977. We have to learn from history.
My op-ed today – http://tribune.com.pk/story/72971/whos-afraid-of-sherry-rehman/ -has been quoted here and I am glad that someone noted here that this was my actual position.
Finally about PTH: it is an interactive platform without a centralised, politburo type ideology. It had 5 editors excluding me and no it is NOT right wing as has been alleged. We have been arguing for a secular Pakistan and cleansing it of Ziaist ideologies and Mullahism. Please do not cite individual articles (e.g. the one on Imran Khan) and I think YLH’s point of view was not to condemn criticalppp as a whole but a particular post.
Let’s be democratic and open to divergent views. This is the only way we will develop a healthy culture in Pakistan. If you guys want to bash PTH (which is actually a part of the large secular, democratic stream) then you are only shrinking the already threatened space here.
Lastly, such fragmentation is another historic mistake of Pakistani Left and secular, progressive forces. We are faced with the marching Taliban who will (as most analyses testify) be in power next year after US exit and they (as well as their patrons) will not be content with that. KP is at risk and so is the rest of Pakistan.
In these dire times, name calling and bashing (including some PTH writers) those who are on the same page makes me sad for our future. We need to stand together and not split into groups and subgroups when the adversary is gaining strength after strength..
Yours truly, the ‘derealized’ (whatever that means)
Dear Raza
It seems you took it personally. I am amazed a person like you used the words “PTH bashing” and as always came very soft on YLH.If you have read the post, the discussion on the LUBP group forum,there is no PTH bashing though,we have the right to respond.
It was not the first time you have failed to respond and played for the galleries in Sherry Rehman episode. Reacting to the news reports and writing op-ed are two different things. First check the facts then retreat to such incidents, as it was a moral obligation as well as professional requirement too.
You were posting or writing about an issue about PPP, the feud and bias toward it is known to everyone except Her excellency, the party stalwart Sherry Rehman, the civil society giants and none other than Raza Rumi, the secular, progressive writer, founder of PTH, a forum which deemed to see a secular Pakistan free from Ziaist elements.
Sherry Rehman was personally calling many people, media persons and journalist to sign the petition in support of her, Is it a step without agenda?
I think these civil society wallahs types as Razas, Yasssers etc etc are another types of mafia like our proactive judiciary, reacting like Gangs without contemplation. Their response for Sherry was just because she was a part of their community.
Why not they sign a petition in support of Karachi people who were made hostages for the whole day on the occasion of Dr. Imran Farooq burial.
Some Gems form PTH on the much discussed Post about Sherry Rehman
Midfield Dynamo
November 4, 2010 at 6:15 pm
PPP is organized on the principle of fascism, this incident should be an eye-opener for all who fool themselves in believing it to be a democratic party.
Talha
November 4, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Didn’t Bhutto kill his opponents and backstabbed many of his own.
Well the legacy lives on in his party.
D. Asghar
November 5, 2010 at 12:28 am
The party under the amateurish leadership of Mr. Zardari has now become “Pakistan Paagal’s Party.” Point to be noted, that I still believe that political parties and democracy are the real answer. But these childish pranks displayed by Mr. Zardari and his cronies are deplorable.
Ali K.Chishti
November 5, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Interestingly I mentioned the attack on Sherry Rehman with Sharmila Farooqi at a television program just yesterday and dumb-stuck reply was, “has anyone filed an FIR?” – let’s not go into FIR’s…
Sherry called me last week telling me how Uzair Baloch & Co. of Lyari Gangwar and Lyari Amn Committee fame in direct supervision of Interior Minister, Sindh came out with a mob threatening her…..Its just sad….
Finally we need to understand the intra politics of PPP, Sindh where there’s two camp now,
I. Nisar Khuro, Mazhar Camp
II. Zulfiqar Mirza, Agha Siraj Durrani Camp
Raza Raja
November 5, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Dear ali arqam, I have appreciated PPP’s role in 18th amendment and improved NFP award in many articles. But at the same time I think that PPP would be much better off without
1) Zardari
ii) Rehman Malik
iii) Salman Taseer
iv) Babar Awan
v) Fouzia Wahab
Please lets get rid of these scounderals
Raza Raja
November 5, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Ali arqam the problem is that these people are at the forefront…THEY ARE
These people are a liability to the PARTY… Sorry I will call spade a spade…
PPP whatever its shortcomings was built around left wing ideals…Such a sorry state to watch it defend croony politicians like Zardari, Baber Awan and salman Taseer..
Come on!!!! the party of brilliant people like ZAB,BB and J Rahim is reduced to this!!!
Raza Raja
November 5, 2010 at 9:23 pm
You see in our effort to be branded as liberal we do not say what needs to be said…….Zardari led PPP is a joke and insult to PPP’s great tradition…Sorry but lets admit a problem when it exists….
fightingchance71
November 6, 2010 at 7:02 pm
ZAB slapped in public his mentor and most influential supporter in Sindh, the Makhdoom of Hala. Blackmailed his party cronies into coercive guaranteed loyalty through sexually compromising video tapes. All of his party stalwarts came up with a fresh crop of young, beautiful and cultured (an aspect they lacked themselves) wives to humor ZAB socially and hoped for the best results, Hakim did so too, which eventually led to the royal BB, AAZ wedding. Talking of BB she killed her own brother, so people don’t fool yourself and sing praises for PPP, WE MUST CLEAN THE SLATE.
AND AM ASTONISHED WHAT YOUR IDIOT EDITOR “ALI ARQAM” MEANT BY SAYING THIS
Ali Arqam
November 5, 2010 at 6:48 pm
@Raza
Love to see a genius person and objective writer like you as critical PPP supporter…
MAN!! he is bashing your party and you are conciliating to him
Thanks a Lot for all this! I am actually honored
@Raza Rumi
Personally I really appreciate your sentiments. Thank you!
As an author of the present post, let me assure you that the intention of the post was not PTH bashing. Quite the opposite, I wanted folks from PTH, civil society and from within our own team to bash LUBP.
Thus, I will welcome YLH and others to criticize LUBP, its editors and articles as much as they wish in this thread or as a separate post which we will be pleased to publish.
Indeed, how can LUBP improve if we are not receptive to critical ideas and comments?
Abdul: Many thanks for the comment and I am in no way think that LUBP as a matter of policy is indulging PTH bashing. But there are many comments here which are portraying PTH what it is NOT. However, I respect all the opinions expressed here and welcome criticism which is essential to a healthy debate.
Ali Arqam: I am not sure what are you trying to say about me not ‘responding’… to what? I saw the TV footage and also the graffiti and the effigy being burnt. Typical to denial culture here, I also heard some PPP leader saying that these were not PPP activists. This is like the lawyers saying that those who resort to unlawful activities are not lawyers! We must have a rational discourse.
You are accusing me of not checking the facts and then you end your comment with an unsubstantiated remark that Sherry R was calling people to sign the petition!! I can tell you that she did not call me or many people who signed it.
If a protest had to be made then it should have happened outside the Parliament (as Asma Jahangir said it last night on TV) or some other official place not outside her Karachi home where she was not present in the first place!!
I think you are reducing the larger point I made in my comment to individuals by saying that I am soft on YLH. The point is simple that such minor issues must not detract us from the larger right wing threat. That should be our real focus. Also we have to respect the democratic values of dissent and freedom of speech.
We cannot condemn Sherry R before we know her position (like the mob did at the behest of local PPP cadres) through the response to the show cause notice. In that case what would you say about the Prime Minister’s statement that he was not aware of GEO ban!!! Is he not violating the party policy announced by Mr Badar through a press conference? Or Nabeel Gabol who also appeared on GEO as well!!!!
Shall we ask PPP cadres to protest outside their homes too?
No. Instead we should ask for such party policies to be framed through consultation and at proper fora such as the CEC or such other mechanism.
P.S. Even the detractors of PPP think that GEO has crossed the limits of responsible journalism. But then the legal methods are not being used. For instance no complaint has been filed with PEMRA – they have a complaints commission. A boycott only makes them sell their victim hood and enhance their nuisance value.
thank you RRumi.
… and if we want to further reduce the power of crooks like geo to set the agenda, then closing our ranks within the party and across the liberal spectrum is the best way to do it, not boycotting a tv channel (esp when the ppp is the party in govt).
can the likes of hamid mir and ansar abbasi – the lot of them – withstand the united and diverse might of raza rabbani, sherry rehman, fauzia wahab, taseer, kaira and many of those commenting above, and their friends over at PTH?
ATP may be right of centre. so what? where is the wisdom of lining them up alongside dishonest crooks like ansar abbasi, irfan siddiqui and the lilly-livered lot?
if LUBP itself has no problem with criticising the choice of site and some of the methods and acts of the protest against sherry rehman, why such insecurity about anyone else making similar criticism? why assume and insist that everyone other than LUBP feeling similarly critical is automatically the enemy?
we are much stronger if we would only trust our democratic principles more bravely and often. deciding to take so a narrow a view as to be positively mistaken and misleading of YLH’s articles on Imran Khan, is one more extreme example of how we are failing to trust our democratic spirit in trying to understand someone who is not a clone of us as far as our political views are concerned. YLH has been clear about his humungous reservations about Imran. he has lambasted him on his apologia for the taliban. he may or may not see him at some sort of implausible hope, somehow turning viable through some miracle in the future. but really, have the people accusing YLH read him in full over the past two years, for example? including the disappointments and errors in judgement he has conceded in relation to the lawyers’ movement? PTH, btw, severely criticised the NRO judgment.
liberals of most shades in pakistan have far less reason to have insecurities than the lot who have it in for us. let us stick to more fundamental principles rather than this or that political person or party or even view. the former can never be compromised on. the latter don’t matter given the battles and war we face (as RR has pointed out for us). otherwise, what’s the point calling ourselves ‘critical’ ppp?
… let us trust our democratic instincts… and embrace not only a larger audience but circle of friends and fellow travelers.
(note for general readers: i’m a fan but of course no part – formal or informal – of LUBP/critical ppp.)
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