Monthly Archive:: February 2011
A revolution hijacked by the military in Egypt: Related article: Let’s have a revolution in Pakistan: Yeh, Yeh, Yeh! – by Razzak Memon A Pakistani “civil society” activist recently tweeted that “people [are] dancing on tank with soldiers” to celebrate the revolution in Egypt. This (dancing on
The cries of religious minorities of Pakistan are crossing the border – by Nasir Saeed: The issue of the blasphemy law is still making headlines in the national and international media and it seems that it is no more simply a local issue but has crossed over our borders and into the consciousness of
Taliban suicide bomber dressed as schoolboy kills 31 army cadets – by Andrew Buncombe: Related article: Online factories of suicide bombers: An ISI production Pakistan’s army suffered a damaging blow after a suicide bomber believed to be in his teens and dressed in school uniform slipped into a military base yesterday and set
The Case of Cholistan’s Stolen Land – by Ayesha Siddiqa: Anyone passing through lower Cholistan, especially if they happen to be participating in the famous Cholistan jeep rally, will not fail to notice the prominent Lashkare Tayyaba (LeT) and Jamat-ud-Daawa (JuD) wall-chalkings. One of the slogans decries India for
Islamic liberalism vs. digital fundamentalism – by Farman Nawaz: It is not a difficult task for any Muslim or non-Muslim to understand the true spirit of Islam. Though it is very difficult even for educated Muslim to study in detail the first 50 years of Islam or to
Defeating the “Forces of Paganism”: Former ISI Chief Hamid Gul blends Pakistani nationalism and Islamic revolution – by Andrew McGregor: The retired former chief of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), Lieutenant General Hamid Gul, is one of the most controversial political figures in Pakistan. Despite his once extremely close ties with the American Central Intelligence Agency during the Soviet
Pakistan’s fatal revolution viral – by Hafsa Khawaja: Cross-posted from: HK’s Blog Having been dragged by the horses ridden by politicians and military despots through the mud for 63 years, the notion of a revolution has not failed to enter the mind of Pakistanis as a saw to cut and
Choosing sovereignty over servitude — by C. Christine Fair: Pakistanis are outraged by US Ambassador Munter’s reported assertion that the US government is entitled to influence Pakistan’s internal affairs in exchange for US assistance. The US is Pakistan’s largest source of economic support either directly or through international
Where Ansar Abbasi and Mosharraf Zaidi converge: “PPP killed Sherry Rehman’s bill”: Related articles: Three musketeers and the “PPP abandoned Salmaan Taseer” narrative A plan well executed Charter of irresponsible journalism in Pakistan in 2011 It is always entertaining to witness the little asset talk of the FCS eleven on Twitter
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t – Azad Media Zindabad: The Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani in the farewell meeting of the outgoing cabinet appreciated the efforts of his cabinet members in the last 3 years. He said “Today’s meeting is going to be the last meeting of the
A cautious celebration of the Shia-Sunni agreement in Kurram Agency: Celebration I know many Pakistanis particularly those belonging to Kurram Agency are celebrating the recent peace agreement between the Shia and Sunni factions of Kurram Agency which guarantees safe passage of Shias on the Thall-Parachinar Road lifting almost 4
Fake Civil Society demands Raymond Davis’s execution and Aafia Siddiqui’s release: Related article: The Taliban feel insulted when our officials say that the CIA is funding them to kill innocent Pakistanis The following are two news items from daily Jang and daily The News (Chief Executive: Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, Chief Advisor:
Injustices in Pakistan: Startling Disclosures of Federal Employment Figures – by Aziz Narejo: Sindhis and Baloch have been complaining about injustices to them since the inception of Pakistan. Be it the distribution of resources, apportionment in budget, provincial autonomy, water rights, share in economic development, expenditure in social sectors, education, health and
Video of General Tariq’s abducted son-in-law emerges – by Amir Mir: Related article: General Tariq Majid’s son-in-law kidnapped by extremist Deobandis Here is a rude reminder to Generals Kayani, Pasha, Tariq Majeed and others who still believe in the Good Taliban theory and the Strategic Depth theory. Investing in jihadi
Why is PML-N geared up to push for snap polls? – by Irfan Shigri: According to a recent report, PML-N has decided to initiate a push for dislodging the PPP government and to seek fresh parliamentary elections ahead of the Senate polls in March 2012. (It may be noted that this date coincides
Military establishment’s new plan against Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif – by Nazir Naji: کوشش پھر سے شروع ہے …سویرے سویرے…نذیر ناجی چند روز پہلے سابق رکن پارلیمنٹ اور اسمبلی (پنجاب اسمبلی) میاں آصف کے ساتھ ایک نئے دوست سے ملاقات ہوئی‘ ان کے سیاسی نظریات سے اندازہ ہوا کہ وہ اسوقت مختلف
Whose ideology is it anyway? – by Nadeem F. Paracha: The following is what Sindhi nationalist leader and scholar, G.M. Syed, said about Pakistan’s future – and mind you, he said this way back in the summer of 1953: “In the years to come, Pakistan will not only become
The pipe dreams of General Musharraf – by D. Asghar: Our “saviour and moderately enlightened leader”, none other than former President and General Musharraf is facing a shoe in London. Some disgruntled person at the meeting of newly originated party, “All Pakistan Muslim League, dislodged the footwear. It never
“Pakistan’s problems are in Pakistan’s DNA”: An interview with MJ Akbar – by Rahul Pandita: Veteran journalist MJ Akbar’s latest book is Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan, a title rendered even more relevant by the recent assassination of Salman Taseer, governor of the province of Punjab in Pakistan. The man, Akbar tells Open, would
On Hamid Mir, Jonah Goldberg and Liberal Fascists: The new face of moderate Pakistanis, renowned columnist and talk show host, Hamid Mir along with his other counterparts like Javed Chauhdry have coined an oxymoron term “Liberal Fascists”. He referred to Jonah Goldberg’s book with the same title.
Curious case of Raymond Davis – by Sindhyar Talpur: Related articles: In Pakistan, everybody hates Raymond? – by Brandon Wallace Lahore shooting by a US national and “the legal issues to settle”: Some questions for Ejaz Haider Almost everyone following news in Pakistan would be aware of the
“I’ve been in a rickshaw”: Some critical reflections on the Karachi Literature Festival 2011: Related post: Comparing Karachi Literature Festival 2012 with Difa-e-Pakistan Conference Was the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) a gathering of the urban elite and their middle class flatterers (aka Fake Civil Society) and their foreign donors to (mis)appropriate Pakistani culture
Javed Chauhdry, a moderate and Mosharraf Zaidi, a liberal?: Governor Salmaan Taseer’s assassination by a “religious fanatic robot” and varying stances regarding this barbaric act have resulted in a new debate. Now those who are asking for Qadri’s execution via judicial process are titled as “Liberal Fascists”. Those
In Pakistan, everybody hates Raymond? – by Brandon Wallace: Related articles: Lahore shooting by a US national and “the legal issues to settle”: Some questions for Ejaz Haider Raymond Davis – by Shoaib Adil Curious case of Raymond Davis – by Sindhyar Talpur Civil society demands Raymond Davis’s
Blasphemy Law: Mullahs fighting each other for political gains: It seems that Tuhahaffaz Namoos Rasalat (TNR) has become a source of political power for the Mullahs. As expected, where ever there is power, there are contenders. So, intense completion between Mullahs is on where Maulana Fazalur Rehaman (FR)
In search of the Jews of Karachi – by Huma Imtiaz: In the heart of Karachi, amidst the sounds of traffic and the ever-present smog, one can hear shouts of bus conductors calling out “Tower, Tower!” The object of their affection is the 19th century Merewether Tower on II Chundrigar
Religious persecution threat high in Punjab: Analysts and officials said Punjab’s extreme poverty, as well as lack of education, makes people in the region more vulnerable to the lure of militancy. The militants in Punjab had a good infrastructure on the ground, with many organizations
Pumpkin (kadoo) worth more than human life: A must-watch video on mullah’s brand of Islam: Related articles: Yes, they have ruined us – by Sehar Tauqeer The Taliban’s war on Pakistan and the role of our religio-political leaders Rid Pakistan of the fasaadi (mischievous) mullahs and their mentors and affiliates, and everything will be
Peasants for Democracy (PFD): Related article: ‘Peasants for Democracy’ demand Aitzaz Ahsan to be a prosecutor in the Taseer murder case Cross-posted from Pakistan Blogzine It is a fact that voices of urban elite and urban middle class (known as Fake Civil Society
On Hamid Mir’s definition of liberal-fascist – by Khaled Ahmed: Desperately seeking ‘liberal-fascist’ According to Hamid Mir in Jang (Jan 20, 2011), a “liberal-fascist is he who supports the US drone attacks on Pakistani territory, opposes the Islamic articles of the 1973 Constitution, supports Musharraf in his rule and is
Public prosecutor in Taseer murder case and the CFD’s stance – by Barrister Waseem Ijaz: Related articles: LUBP Archive on Peasants for Democracy (PFD) LUBP Archive on Fake Civil Society (FCS) ‘Peasants for Democracy’ demand Aitzaz Ahsan to be a prosecutor in the Taseer murder case A newly found alliance of civil society individuals
I envy Ansar Abbasi: I seriously am overawed with the capabilities of Jang Group journalists. They are all seeing, all knowing and the areas under their command are just supernatural. Look at the case of Ansar Abbasi. According to blogger Kala Kawaa “isn’t
Thank you, General Kayani and Shahbaz Sharif, for Hafiz Saeed’s speech on Kashmir Day: Related articles: LUBP Archive on Hafiz Saeed Hafiz Saeed makes public appearance, alongside an ex-PM, in Islamabad after over 2 years The ISI-judiciary alliance and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa Online factories of suicide bombers: An ISI production JD chief, religious leaders
Extremists have easy time infiltrating Pakistan security services – by Alex Rodriguez: Security agencies lack money and manpower to carry out psychological evaluations of applicants, experts say. And the law enforcement community doesn’t have a national computerized criminal database. Zahid Manzoor Bajwa wasn’t exactly cop material. When police in the city
Who is this elite? – by Ayesha Siddiqa: We are pleased to cross-post an excellent article by Dr Ayesha Siddiq on a topic of particular relevance to the LUBP’s policy and agenda. The LUBP represents aspirations and voices of moderate Pakistanis who are as weary of right-wing
Contradiction between ICC’s and Justice Kashif Abbasi’s verdict on Pakistani cricketers – by Zalaan: جناب جسٹس کاشف عباسی جناب جسٹس طلعت حسین اور ائی سی سی کے فیصلے میں تضاد کیوں ؟ قطر کے دارالحکومت دوحہ میں تین پاکستانی کرکٹرز کے خلاف سپاٹ فکسنگ کے حوالے سے آئی سی سی نے محمد عامر
The Kurram conundrum — by Farhat Taj: Kurram Agency has been in turmoil since the violent sectarian clashes of 2007. Since then thousands of Sunni and Shia families have been displaced, hundreds killed and the Parachinar-Tal road is unsafe for Shia travel. Shia travellers on the
10 points agenda ka jawab 19 points agenda say – PML-N in a fix; Majority of Media chooses to ignore: In a surprising turn of events, the PPP in Punjab have handed over a list of 19 points to be implemented by the PML-N led government in Punjab. It seemed till now that the PPP was only ever going