The best of times....

Once again; time has brought Pakistani nation at cross roads, where fate awaits their consent. The game of politics is on. Tried and tested politicians, after floor crossing and all, are being packed and redistributed, with different party labels.  Selfish people with selfish interests, feasting on national interests. Elections, just around the corner and people remain indecisive, whom to vote, whom not to vote.

And their confusion is justified. They have lost their trust in their political leaders. They have lost confidence in the power of their vote. And most serious of all, they have lost their faith in democracy.

Peoples party was always believed to be the only party, with a true vision of democracy. Boasting a promise of food, shelter, work and security for every citizen of Pakistan. During Benazir Bhutto's premiership, the party shook off, these responsibilities by blaming the untimely dismissal of their  government.

Same was the case with Muslim (Noon) league. People looked up towards them as rescuers. Cherished their take over, when Benazir government was sent home. But they returned with a vengeance. To chew off, whatever was ever done by PPP government and flag it as their own. Selfishly focusing on Lahore and upper Punjab. Nothing for the South Punjab. And totally ignored Balocistan, Sind and NWFP.

As far as declaration of Pakistan, a nuclear state is concerned. It was done as a reaction to India's nuclear tests. It was the need of the time and any government would have taken the step. If Mian Nawaz Sharif or his government claim the credit, they should honor India more, for providing them this opportunity. It was not his government, which had developed these arsenals. But a hard working team of scientists, which spent decades on developing that technology. Nawaz Sharif and his brother, mainly remained occupied in self projection and self promotion.

 This provided, a dictator like General Pervez a chance to take over. With him, came the war on terror. Which is still terrorizing our country. General Musharaf, proved another pathetic case of self gratification and self assertion.

The destruction, done to our country by this man, is irreparable. He had eight long years. If he wanted, he could get dams constructed to meet the energy challenge, but he went on for another idiotic option, the use of CNG in vehicles. Inviting another energy crisis, another great inconvenience; shortage of gas for household purposes. Not to forget, the same brought down the industrial life of our country, close to closure.

 Remember folks! Modernity or enlightening of minds occur with education and by improving the standard of living of the natives of a country. Not by encouraging them to take off their clothes and go dancing to earn a living or by legalizing prostitution. What he did was, of the similar kind. He remained engrossed, projecting to the world, he was a modern man. The president of Islamic republic of Pakistan kept us well entertained by his dancing, displaying his affection for dogs. And we seriously loved it, believing it to be his humility. Not realizing, the example that he set before us will be followed by the illiterate, ignorant masses in the worst possible, vulgar ways.

What kind of liberalism, modernity or enlightenment, it brought to womanhood in Pakistan? The image of an Islamic state was tarnished, by the stage dancers, who took over the roles of striptease. Many impoverished women were openly found roaming around streets, working as prostitutes. Youtube, dailymotion and similar video sites are replete with Pakistani-semi porn. As gift of liberalism and modernism by this visionary leader. And we lament that 'porn' is the most widely searched topic in our country. With the launch of characters like Veena Malik, we proved it to the world, given the opportunity, Pakistan can be the biggest supplier of porn too.

And now, we come to the biggest political supporters of Musharraf's government. Nothing could be more ironic than 'Jamaat-e-Islami' being a part of it. The massacre of Red mosque, took right under their noses. And all the hypocrites, who claim to be called 'maulanas', went into hibernation, till the victims of that massacre were disposed off. It was few days later, that they came out on streets to protest. When everything was over and they had no fears against being sinned against sinning.

The most disturbing element there was the fact, how an Islamic/educational institute was well supplied with arms and weapons? Why the government was sleeping and what were the intelligence agencies doing while the piles of weapons were being stocked at such a primary location. Whatever, the answers maybe, but more than the unworthiness of Musharaf, the incident proved the hypocrisy of the so called maulanas.

The latest five years of PPP government, were only continuation of the miseries imposed on the ordinary citizen. Load shedding, of gas and electricity, destroyed industrial life and life of an ordinary citizen of Pakistan. First time in our lives, we witnessed civil dictators, who told their starving nation to eat cakes.

The only good that we saw of this government was the development work in Multan. A historic city, which was ignored recognition and rights, under all the previous government. But the credit for the improvement of infra-structure of this city, goes to former Prime minister Mr.Yusuf Raza Gillani, only. The unfortunate part is that he was accused of favoritism for his native city. If Shahbaz Sharif, does the same for Lahore, it is justified but people of South Punjab are declared corrupt for doing the same for their own land.

Today, it gets frustrating to see, all such political parties and people, lined up for elections again. All the looters, apathetic, heartless rulers, who remained detached from the welfare of common man in their governance. How can they even dare to show their face again?

Zardari, who has already ousted the real Bhutto family, is bringing in his sisters and rest of family, sidelining his own son. Only using him, as legacy of Benazir to earn votes to strengthen his family. Nawaz Shari, Shahbaz Sharif, still cannot have enough of the government. The enlightened, the liberal, Musharaf is back, ready to play in the name of Islam this time. What a bright political future awaits us.

The only new thing, half of the country is excited about is Imran Khan and PTI. The excitement is only there, because, this man has yet, not been tried in the world of politics. Those who know him, know it well that he is too full of himself. His head is already full of his cricket victories. His arrogance is evident from the very fact that he considered it below him, to marry any ordinary Pakistani girl, but a British girl from aristocratic family. This proves, there sit somewhere in his head a king, like all our previous rulers.

After reading this, you may feel surprised that I, the writer of this blog always voted for his party, since its inception. But it always ended up in realization that my vote was lost. I have grown more skeptical  now. What guarantees are there, he can repair the damages done to our nation or to our country? He has found supporters among people like Javed Hashmi and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who left their parties, because they were not being properly honored, there. They did not see room for their personal political growth in their own parties but discovered great space for their famous faces in PTI.

And all that I see in Imran Khan is, his ambition to become Prime Minister. Nothing else. He has remained an achiever and this is just another of his goals. I seriously wish, he may win and provide a change to Pakistan. But, what is beyond that? It is not a cricket match, that he leads his team to victory, bags the trophy of premiership and the game is over. The story of politics, starts after winning. It is Pakistan that he has to run, not Shaukat Khanam charity hospital. If  charity work is the criteria, than Mr. Abul Sattar Edhi, stands taller and boasts a  bigger stature than him. And what's more, the gentleman has never even claimed his right to rule, like Imran Khan does.

The political scene of Pakistan, could never get more confusing than it is now. It just makes me wonder. Is our country, ever going to see some good times in future, or should I get it inscribed on a truck, with a picture of General Zia-ul-Haq, and a quote 'those were the best of times'?

Frailty, thy name is woman

East or West, from the times unknown, for some unknown reasons, women have been perceived as weaker sex. This concept provided the opposite sex a chance to manipulate them, more than conserving their securities.

Shirley Chisholm, the first female of African origin to become a member of American congress, once said: ''The emotional, sexual and psychological stereotyping of females, begins when the doctor says, it's a girl''.

Imagine, the cultures and civilizations, which followed the heartless, practice of female infanticide. It is not a thing of the past, but something still prevalent. Where, technology is providing humans, better chances to live; there are few parts of the world, where it is helping people to violate female child's right of even breathing in the air, in shape of fetocide.

According to a report by 'Rupee news'; Indians kill ten million girls right after birth.

What other rights, must have been granted to females of such countries, where they are denied the right to arrive in this world. The ancient custom of 'satti', where the widow of the deceased was forcibly placed on the burning pyre of her dead husband and was burnt alive, is still encouraged as a religious obligation.

 Histories of  the third world countries, including Pakistan are replete with stories of violence against women. Although, Pakistan is a Muslim country, follower of Islam; a religion which openly declared 'infanticide', a punishable crime and granted women, equal rights and respect, 1500 years ago. But the tragic thing is; the piece of sub-continent, now called Pakistan, was once a part of Hindu civilization. Therefore, many traditions of Hinduism have seeped into this land, along with brutal rituals of tribal ways of life.

These cultural influences, mixed with lack of education, extreme poverty, social frustrations and taboos give birth to situations, which contribute towards violence against women.

The unfortunate fact about Pakistan is; women are generally victimised by their own loved ones. Husbands, fathers, brothers, lovers, or in some cases, their own children. Who find ways to physically abuse, torture or torment them, by beating, burning, throwing acid and sometimes by honour killing. Women also have to suffer, sexual harassment at work and in society, along with domestic violence.

It is again unfortunate, that our country has brought out, legendary victims of violence, like Mukhtaran maaee, Malala yusufzai, etc. The pride of our country, the first female prime minister of the Muslim world, Benazir Bhutto, was killed in act of violence and hatred. The First Oscar award, our country received was due to a documentary, highlighting  the abuse of throwing acid at women.

Generally, when such issues are being brought out into light in our country. Many of our patriotic Pakistanis, start speaking against the people, who draw the attention of the world towards such problems. At such a time, we need to understand, if we are not stopping this violence from spreading, it means, we are among its perpetrators too.

We are fortunate, our media projects such issues and is extremely helpful in making people aware of their rights. Then, why are we afraid of the exposure? Simply search at Google about violence against women and you will be surprised by the results. The ratio of violence against women is much more higher in the Western countries than in Pakistan. If they are brave enough to accept and acknowledge it, why should we act as cowards and eschew the reality.

It requires a change of the mindset. We have to make women, more aware of their rights as human beings. We need to make men aware of their rights too. If they remain oblivious of these, how are they going to respect women around them. This can only be done, by educating the masses. Spreading, moral, social and religious knowledge. Our entire country is in want of a psychological therapy in this regard, along with proper provision of work possibilities for men and women alike.

We cannot deny the fact that violence against women exists in our society. All this is happening around us. Better, accept the facts and make an effort to eradicate all this. Stop violence against women, if you see it happening around you. Many nations have passed laws against gender violation. As educated, responsible sensitive citizens, we must ensure, the laws which our country has against gender violation are implemented.

Accept that all the women in your lives are gifts of God, cherish their presence, love and respect them. Allow them to make their choices in life. Value them. Treat your girl child, equally well as your boys, if not better. Do not think, they are frail, rather make sure they become your strength.

And as Mathew Prior said, ''Be to her virtue, very kind. Be to her faults, a little blind'.

Malala.

Every time, I look at the picture of Malala, I seriously feel 'grief stricken' and fail to stop my tears. Probably, this girl was destined to be named so, to fill our hearts with 'malaal'. In Urdu language, this word means; a deep regret, profound sadness or grief stricken. Is it not what we feel today? For being unable to protect a girl child, who only dared to speak for her right of being educated. A right, her religion has encouraged her to pursue. A right, her parents have gladly permitted her to enjoy. A right which her country has granted her as a free citizen.

Then, who are those, trying to bar her from achieving her dreams and what right they have to do so? 

My heart does not allow me to believe, any Muslim can perpetrate such a heinous crime. Not that Muslims are some super humans, incapable of doing something wrong. But only because, if somebody endorses the teachings of Islam; is sure to know, the first order Muhammed (peace be upon him) received as a prophet of Islam from Almighty Allah, was 'IQRA', a word in Arabic which means, 'learn or study'. So, how the followers of a religion, which considers 'learning or educating oneself', as the basic foundation of all the teachings, can ever stop people from acquiring education? Forget the fact that they can actually try to take the life of a girl child, who only expressed to the world, a desire of being educated, a purely Islamic wish, which an ideal Muslim is supposed to have.

As revealed till now, Taalibaan took responsibility of this atrocious act. It is a point to ponder, are they Muslims at all? They go attacking our mosques, symbols of our religion, our Islamic leaders. Are these deeds, by any means Islamic? They take responsibility of every act of destruction, but have they ever declared they are Muslims too?

They are simple, plain terrorists, creating havoc in the name of our religion. They are not Muslims. I wish all the Islamic clerics, declare it openly, Taalibaan are not Muslims. So that, all the horrendous activities, they commit must not be used to malign the name of Islam. 

Also, where the whole world is praying for Malala, admiring her bravery and justification of her cause. There are some of our own Pakistanis, disturbed by the attention this little girl has drawn. It seems more of a jealous situation than other reasons. We all condemn drone attacks on our soil,  which are definitely against the sovereignty of our country. But Malala is not responsible for that. She is a Muslim, Pakistani child, living on our soil.

Why do we think; our countryfellows, specially women are not worthy of gaining any prominence or respect at the international level? With all the respect and sympathies for Dr. Aafia Siddique; why a Pakistani woman has to suffer like her to produce compassion in the hearts of her native citizens?

Malala has brought the entire nation at single platform. All the sane, wise Pakistanis are praying for her prompt recovery. If Madonna has dedicated a song for her or had her name inscribed on her body, it shows the sensitivity of the artist who has done so. But it does not make Malala any less of a Pakistani or a Muslim. Malala is a daughter of our nation and we all love her, like our own children.

We condemn drone attacks on our soil. We want Dr. Aafia Siddique to be freed. We want Malala to recover. We want 'taalibaan' to be declared non-Muslims.