Had 2012 been fortunate enough today, this 29th January would’ve been the obscure 86th birthday of an maligned national hero, and so on this day, I defy the custom to remind many of a genius, a Pakistani who was and is conveniently, blatantly pushed back into the dusty corners of their minds by this nation; far from acknowledgement – rendering him irrelevant because of his beliefs and making him seem to be a petty figure who merely piddled around in this country’s name thus, unworthy of remembering.

Pakistan’s first and only Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam.

Years have gone by, yet the fact remains, that he was and has been denied the recognition and regard on all levels in Pakistan; of the state and the society.

Many have their minds clogged with abomination for him, not only is their aversion towards such a figure, condemnable but their baseless opinion on the Nobel and ignorance relating to Dr. Salam’s efforts for Pakistan, lamentable.

While his achievements in the field of science are ones that people around the world are fairly familiar with, his endeavors for the progress of his own country are ones that the Pakistani nation itself, is hardly conversant with.

Before his careful campaign for its promotion in Pakistan, science was considered nothing less than a negligible subject by the government.

The country’s first national space agency, SUPARCO, was the brainchild of Dr. Salam, he had also signed an agreement with NASA for whose fulfillment  the organization trained and educated Pakistan’s scientists and engineers, that were to later work for SUPARCO.

A work of his, that ensured that those who work for the organization are given the best of schooling and instruction, that they could later channel for Pakistan’s benefit.

It was under his guidance and influence that ‘research in physics reached its maximum point that prompted the worldwide recognition of Pakistani physicists...he expanded the web of physics research and development in Pakistan by sending more than 500 scientists abroad.’

‘In 1964, Salam was made head of Pakistan’s IAEA delegation and represented Pakistan for a decade. With an agreement signed with IAEA, the International Centre for Theoretical Physics was set up with Salam as its first director. At IAEA, Salam had tirelessly advocated the importance of nuclear power plants in his country.’

The year 1965 is witness to some prime examples of Dr. Salam’s mental, intellectual and physical exertions that resulted into considerable gains for Pakistan. As Science Advisor to President Ayub Khan, he traveled to USA where an accord came into being that was followed by the provision of Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant in Karachi.

He also closed an agreement with the Government of the United States for a research reactor in Rawalpindi.

The same year, the plutonium Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor went critical under him.

Along with the Canada-Pakistan nuclear energy cooperation deal, Edward Durrell Stone’s designing and leadership of the construction of a nuclear research institute in Nilore, the realization of Dr. Salam’s longing for the establishment of research centers around the country, were also the fruits of his labours in that year.

Dr. Salam moved Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Headquarters for situating laboratories and research centers all over Pakistan. It was on his advice, that the dedicated Ishrat Hussain Usmani set up plutonium and uranium exploration committees in Pakistan.

In the average Pakistani swank and jingoistic bluster, the mention of Pakistan’s position as the first and only ‘Muslim Nuclear Power’ is invariably permanent and essential.

But, as much as it comes as a jolt to one’s sensibilities, Dr. Salam’s  role and contributions in making this status a possibility for Pakistan, is as discounted as was his entire life, known solely as the recipient of the Nobel.

The esteemed nuclear engineer, late Munir Khan, who is also known as ‘the father of Pakistan’s atomic bomb project’, in a tribute [ That is compiled in a list of three wonderful articles on Dr. Abdus Salam ] that he penned for Dr. Salam wrote:

‘He became the mentor of the PAEC since its very inception. He helped select the site for PINSTECH and support the acquisition of KANUPP.

He encouraged the government to train scientists abroad and helped them obtain placement in key universities and laboratories through his personal contacts. He was responsible for the establishment of Suparco. He advised Ayub Khan to seek US help for water logging and salinity problems in Pakistan which led to the Revelle Mission.’

It is reported that an office was set up for Salam in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat by order of Bhutto, under whose reign he visited the USA and brought back information relating to the Manhattan Project.

‘Salam immediately started to motivate and gravitate scientists to begin work with PAEC in the development of fission weapons.’

Many in Pakistan, then question that indeed, if he did love Pakistan then why did he ‘abandon’ it?

Abdus Salam left Pakistan for Europe as an act of protest against and after being completely disheartened and heartbroken by changes in the country’s constitution, that declared all Ahmedis, people of his sect, to be Non-Muslim and barred them from ‘behaving’ like Muslims or calling themselves one.

Another reason that may serve as elucidation for the background behind him residing abroad in the last years of his life may be, that his second wife, Dame Louise Johnson was a Professor in Oxford, who bore him a son and a daughter children there, and as his illness aggravated, he wished to stay with them.

Yet even after he dwelled in the West, he did not bid adieu to Pakistan. Despite the humiliating disregard he received from his own nation, Dr. Salam continued inviting Pakistan’s scientists to ICTP, and maintained a research programme for the Pakistani scientists.

‘Many prominent scientists, including Ghulam Murtaza, Riazuddin, Kamaluddin Ahmed, Faheem Hussain, Raziuddin Siddiqui, Munir Ahmad Khan, Ishfaq Ahmad, and I. H. Usmani, considered him as their mentor and a teacher.’

In his must-read ‘Abdus Salam – Past and Present’, published in 1996, Pervez Hoodbhoy makes some ‘startling revelations’ for a nation that mistreated its best:

‘More importantly, for over a decade, Salam has quietly been supporting needy science students throughout Pakistan with his Nobel Prize money. The money has also been used to purchase scientific equipment for half a dozen Pakistani colleges, and to support an annually awarded prize for scientific research.’

But apparently, all that he did and all the honour that he bestowed upon Pakistan with his success and abilities, weigh not much more than a mote, in comparison to his faith.

Faith; one’s sacred relationship with God.

Where most speak and behave in a manner that evinces as if God himself has delegated His tasks to them; to judge who is a Muslim, how good a Muslim, who is a ‘Shaheed’ and who a ‘Kafir’ and who gets to go where after death; to attempt to interfere and try to do what is the Creator’s business, I wonder why that isn’t blasphemy.

Dr. Salam was never known as an Ahmedi Nobel Winner, but he was always called and is still remembered as a Pakistani Nobel Winner.

This country and nation ought to have ‘owned’ him, because he may not have been a State-Certified Muslim like most of us, but he was still, one of us, he was a Pakistani. And quite a peerless and patriotic one.

The once sad prejudice, narrow-mindedness, discrimination, senseless hatred clothed in the garb of religious ‘righteousness’ – that simmered without a word of objection from anyone, when it came to Dr. Salam, now disgorges a steady deluge of extremism that aims to drown every Pakistani in its murderous rush – through the ideology of hate itself. From the 40,000 innocent civilians that have perished in it to the brave like Shahbaz Bhatti, it has now developed into a monsterous termite that is eating away at Pakistan’s very core.

I am reminded on this day, once again of the quote I read a time back on a Sri Lankan site bearing tribute to their soldiers:

‘Poor are the nations that do not have heroes, but beggared are those who forget them’.

 In hope of a Pakistan, where sanity and tolerance will flourish and that will someday, recognize, openly accept you with respect and pride, on the basis of your relation to it rather than your beliefs, with the veneration that you deserved – I say not to the Ahmedi, not the Nobel Laureate, not to the scientist but, to the man who loved his homeland immensely, I say rest in peace Dr. Salam.

‘While the world clamored in his praise,

In his own home and by his own people, he was treated with nothing but shameless disdain,

Longing to be ‘owned’ by his land, yet in vain,

Even today, this nation stands ashamed,

Blinded by ignorance and bigotry’s blaze,

But there will come a time, when surely sanity will prevail and this son of the soil will be proudly proclaimed!’

~ Hafsa Khawaja

They are a group that trace their ethnic descent from Afro-Arabs or Black Africans, with many claiming their lineage from Hazrat Bilal.

Owing to interesting yet conflicting accounts of the linguistic background to the formation and origin of what they are actually called, the Sheedis are also addressed as Sidi, Habshi or Makraani.
[ Although, the use of the word Makrani may be wrong, it must also not be confused with the Baloch living at Makran. Sheedis and Baloch are two different people]

Reports and accounts related to their arrival in the region vary. Most say that they were brought here as soldiers by the several Arab invaders. The lesser validated view is what Amy Catlin, an ethno-musicologist from the University of California who specially studied Siddi culture, states:

‘The Siddis are descendants of African slaves, sailors and servants, and merchants who remained in India after arriving through the sea trade with East Africa and the Gulf, that was a process which began in the 12th century or before, and lasted until the late 19th century.”

Others refer to two historical happenings of the 17th Century [ The first is doubtful ], Omani Arabs ruled Balochistan and often used to practice the trading and buying of African slaves. The second referal is towards the reported arrival of the Portugese slave traders in the Indian Subcontinent, who sold a number of them to princes.

It may be deduced from all this, without generalization – that majority of Sheedis set their foot on this soil, as slaves. A conclusion affirmed by history: the origins and beginnings of Malik Andeel , Malik Ambar and Sidi Badr before their accession to power in ‘united India’.

An anthropologic report on the community reveals:

‘There are two types of Sheedis in Pakistan: Arab-originated (Makranis), who speak the Balochi language and live in Southern Balochistan. And the others are Africa-originated living in Sindh speak Sindhi language and are called as “Ghar Java”.

A wholly enlightening and engrossing site ‘The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World’ writes:

‘It has been estimated  that at least a quarter of the total population of the Makran coast  is of African ancestry – that is, at least 250,000 people there.’

Sheedis are exceptionally capable of holding quite a set of skills and much flair, especially in sports. Those settled in the town of Lyari, which is noted to be the centre of this community and ever heated criminal activity along with being the favourite battleground of different gangs, are famed for their incredible yet unpolished potential in boxing, football and other sports.

‘Lyari is known as a football hotbed in Pakistan. Many of the nation’s top players come from the area. Football is so popular that crime levels dip significantly during the FIFA World Cup season.’

Ali Ahsan mentions in his excellent compilation of the history of football in Pakistan:

‘The African-origin Sheedi community of the Makran coast and areas that now make up Karachi also, took up this sport with a love and passion that burns across Lyari.”

The most prominent of their events is the the annual Sheedi Mela, the vortex and the crescendo of the commemoration of the diversity that they represent, held in the rural area of Manghopir which is named after the Sufi Pir, Sakhi Sultan.

At the heart of the four-day festival are the crocodiles in the famed Manghopir pond, who are regarded as the disciples of Sakhi Sultan, particularly ‘Mor Sahib’; the eldest or the chief of the crocodiles.

With the very commencement of the festival, a vivacioulsy contagious spell of energy, enthusiam and a dynamic deluge of cultural celebration is unleased.

The ’Dhamaal’ and dance to the music and beating of the Congo Drums, and the practice of jumping over fire, are a clear homage to their rich African heritage and roots.

A central ritual in the Sheedi Mela, is the act of garlanding the ‘Mor Sahib‘, to which many pray to also.

Express Tribune writes on the occasion :

‘The festival, which bears religious and cultural significance for the Sheedi community, is organised by members of the community who make offerings of sweets and meat to the sacred crocodile. According to the devotees of the Mor Sahib, people from the Sheedi community must offer the Mor Sahib a goat’s head, along with the sweets and meat, to ensure that the sacred crocodile continues to bless them all year round’.

The Mela basically, serves as an evidence of the fact that the Sheedi people in Pakistan have unitedly maintained – that although, a lapse of centuries has occurred since their ancestors first settled or came here, they have admirably and firmly preserved their own distinct and vibrant culture, customs, mores, social values thus, every element that constitutes one’s identity.

~ Hafsa Khawaja

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* Chagatai Khan’s post on the Sheedis of Pakistan is thoroughly knowledgeable, for those who wish to read more.

A paragon of probity, uprightness, sagacity and pure brilliance; qualities that shone through each stride of his throughout his life; Air Marshal Nur Khan passed away on the 15th of December, at the age of 88.

Nur Khan assumed the command of Pakistan Air Force in July 1965. During the Indo-Pak war of that year,  he set a personal example by flying several operational missions that played a major role in PAF achieving parallelism over the three-times-greater Indian Air Force.
For his courage and distinguished leadership during the war, he was conferred upon the gallantry award of Hilal-e-Juraat.

Before the war, he was the Managing Director of the sagging Pakistan International Airlines from 1959 to 1965. His outstanding managerial capabilities and vision led to the success of re-establishing PIA as a dynamic organization; ‘becoming one of the leading airlines of the world, the first Asian airline to operate jet aircraft. The airline inducted modern Boeing 720B jet in its fleet. PIA started flying to China and flights to Europe via Moscow were also launched during this period.

He kept PIA out of Pakistan’s turbulent political arena and returned it to a sound commercial basis.’

During the Six Day War, he was part of the Pakistani contingent that clashed with the Israeli Air Force.

Air Marshal Nur Khan at the centre.

It is reported that the President of Israel, Ezer Weizman, who was also the Commander of the Israeli Air Force and the Minister of Defense of Israel, wrote in his autobiography that: “He was a formidable fellow and I was glad that he was Pakistani and not Egyptian”.

Nur Khan did not only have a profound effect on the success and survival of PIA through his managerial eminence, but is also responsible for the construction of a firm infrastructural base and a dedicated, matchless promotion of the two most popular sports of Pakistan, which is to say the least about his contributions regarding this.

He headed the Pakistan Hockey Federation under which Pakistan Hockey scaled the greatest of heights in its history; possessing all the top titles from the Olympics, World Cup, Champions Trophy and to the Asia Cup at the same time.

In cricket, the arrival and introduction of the World Cup to the sub-continent in 1987 is also ascribed to him and his tenure as the Chairman of the PCB.

Courtesy Doc Kazi on Flickr.

A man of absolute integrity, humility, tenacity, honour, mettle and spirit and exceptional administrative attributes; Air Marshal Nur Khan redefined the domain of administration and excellence in Pakistan.

A true son of the soil, he was and always will be an inspiration and a legendary figure.

May he fly high in this Final Flight of his.

~ Hafsa Khawaja

The operators named BBC News as one of the channels to be closed down, citing their documentary “Secret Pakistan” as one of the reasons for the decision.

The documentary series which aired in Pakistan explored accusations by CIA officials and western diplomats that Pakistan was failing to live up to its alliances in the war on terror.”

Pakistan is currently in paucity of electricity, gas, political stability, peace and most palpably; sanity and rationale.

As a nation gladly reigned over by emotionalism and sentimentality, thus possessing a wild tendency to act unnecessarily foolishly and thoughtlessly; such a decision by the APCOA is just another testament to the times Pakistan is in today, where absurdity is the order of the day.

With the term ‘Anti-Pakistan’ being of an entirely ambiguous and vague  nature, with no definite meaning or criterion to adumbrate the exact content that comes within its scope – the interpretation of what precisely is ’Anti-Pakistan’ ( which is something that will vary for people to people based on their own perception and opinion), has been left completely to the APCOA, who shall be deciding it by their own choice and judgement and taking off channels in response.

Exactly what and how will this ban achieve anything is a question that seems to have been lent not even slight deliberation by them.

Why are channels that brazenly embrace prejudiced approaches, wrongly act as Moral Entrepreneurs, air hate-inducing reports against other countries, people and groups within Pakistan itself, broadcast misleading programmes, false and exagerrated stories, stir up otiose ruckuses, flagrantly stomp upon and away on all media responsibility, treat sensitive issues with sensationalisation, further the bedlam that has become ever-existent in the country – neither shut down nor disciplined by the tight rope of castigation?

Just a day back, a private TV channel demonstrated its disgusting temerity by inviting the vile Ludhianvi of Sipah-e-Sahaba at the very start of Muharram, for whom a platform to propogate his views is the last thing needed, who spewed his usual hostility for the Shias, inciting malice, murder through his expression of sordid animosity.

PEMRA’s inaction despite these situations persisting and dominating the media, is certainly deplorable.

Closing down any international or national medium of information will, if anything, help in one sole way; help deepen Pakistan’s isolation from the world.

As Pakistan Media Watch writes:

‘Regardless of Khalid Arain’s desire to protect the national sentiments, he can’t turn off BBC’s satellite. The rest of the world is still tuned in.

Blacking out BBC will not make the offending documentary disappear. Neither will it convince anyone that the information contained in it is incorrect. Actually, it may make people more curious by suggesting that there is something to hide. This is why censorship never works – even when it’s self-censorship. If we don’t like a programme, we can turn off our sets ourselves. We don’t need the government deciding what we can and cannot watch, and we don’t need the military deciding what we can and cannot watch, and we don’t need All Pakistan Cable Operators Association deciding either.’

This decision is ridiculous at its best, and a classic case of the Ostrich or ‘Aal Iz Well’ Syndrome; at variance with all logic and reason.

~ Hafsa Khawaja

Led by the heads of PML-N and PTI respectively, the rally and Jalsa contained mediocre speeches and may seem to be just pre-2013 election jockeying but their implications yield greater implications and establish substantial modifications in Pakistan‘s national, political and social landscape, especially the latter’s.

(Regardless of the drastically differing views and opinions the nation holds when it comes to Khan Sb)

With estimations of the number of those who attended varying from 150,000 to 500,00, PTI’s Jalsa was undeniably a befitting announcement of its entrance into mainstream politics and to put it aptly, the birth of Imran Khan, the politician.

Imran Khan’s Jalsa succeeded in mobilizing the middle class, upper middle class and the youth to come out of their comfort zones, drawing rooms and into the field, with sheer zeal and discipline, to take part in the political process of the country; something which is imperative for the democratic structuring of Pakistan thus, for the development and advance of the democratic environment too.

Nadeem F. Paracha writes in his article:

‘Becoming a political participant through the democratic process edges out the fanciful Utopianism that usually overtakes and muddles the thinking of those who want to remain outside this process in the name of revolution or whatever. The result of such a disposition is mere frustration and eventual isolation from ground realities turning the person into a mindless, babbling conspiracy theorist or a blob of reactionary emotions.’

One may attribute the pleasantly surprising turnout of these people to their complete and utter disillusionment and disenchantment with the two main tried-and-tested parties, PML-N and PPP against whom they view Imran Khan and his party, as the only alternative to rule and take Pakistan forward.

While overuse of the word ‘Inquilab’ (revolution) and ‘Tabdeeli’ (change) does not actualize them, a spark has already been lit by the populist event which evoked a fresh sense among all, those who attended it and those who watched through the media, of being active participants in the next elections and using their votes as the channel for a change.

The day right after the Jalsa, groups thronged to the Office of Election Commission in Lahore and around Pakistan, to register themselves and their families to verify themselves, many of whom have never voted or deemed voting to be an act of significance, as voters or to get registered as ones.

Outside the Lahore Office of ECP, the diverse range of parked vehicles, each associated with a different class, attested to the scope of influence emanating from the event.

This particular surge in the rush of voter-registration is also the result of statements from political parties (which comes after their practice of dismissing PTI as an important or worthy party to be even discussed by stating its followers are all ensconced in their air-conditioned rooms in front of their laptops or computers; ’Facebook warriors/supporters’) questioning PTI’s ability to translate the number of supporters at their Jalsa into votes in the next elections. To prove wrong their delectable skepticism of the capacity of PTI Supporters to vote for their party, the supporters of other parties who were a part of this rush and the PTI supporters abandoned their apathy in pursuit of making their voice and choice count through their votes in the forthcoming elections.

The ECP Officials in Punjab had also been increasingly disobliging after the Jalsa, which might be ascribed to the instructions given under intense insecurity by the Provincial Government.

A revival of this activity is a betoken of the restored faith in people related to the system of democracy and their vigor to strengthen it; a manifestation of the hope the event has permeated people with.

In the political arena, PTI’s Jalsa which surpassed PML-N’s two-days-earlier held rally in attendance of genuine supporters, luster and in magnitude of all that mattered- sent jolts of shock to them by conducting an entirely triumphant event at what is, the core of their power.

The Jalsa clearly denoted, increased and accentuated the cracks of division in PML-N’s urban vote bank in Punjab; evincing a snap or a fracture in their prepotency and dominance with its origins in Lahore, auguring well for both PTI and PPP.

Although, PTI’s stupendous Jalsa should push all parties in Government or in Pakistan to a rouse from complacency

PML-N’s apprehensions connected with the rise of PTI are well-grounded if the reported registration of 3 crore new voters, of the chunk of which comprise much youth – generally, which is a quarter of the population amongst which Imran Khan has an immeasurable clout, is taken into consideration.

While it is certainly debatable whether PTI can sweep the next elections or even bag enough seats to form the provincial government in Punjab in 2013, as seen in retrospect; late Benazir Bhutto’s Jalsa in Lahore in 1986 was the biggest in the city’s history yet the 1988 Elections resulted in PML-N being the recipient of a notable slice of the seats in Punjab, and the country after PPP, (They were supported by the Establishment as part of the IJI  to counter PPP, which also makes that comparable to the state of affairs currently involving PTI and PML-N).

Not to mention, PTI’s vote bank centers around urban areas and has not, yet, reached rural areas (where around 60% to 70% of Pakistanis live) where support for PML-N is concentrated. PTI will have to toil to break through the entrenched voter loyalties and political demographics of Punjab and Pakistan.

Nonetheless, PTI has now self-validated and elevated its position to of a party, that can not be deemed nickel and dime or bundled into oblivion, and in all that followed on at the Jalsa, the victor was no party but the cultivation of the democracy and the democratic culture in Pakistan.

~ Hafsa Khawaja

Although she was mainly known as the wife of popularly-elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was dubiously hanged by the Military Regime in 1979, and as the leader of his Pakistan Peoples’ Party after his execution; there was much more to this figure than this aspect.

Stanley Wolpert writes in ‘Zulfi Bhutto of Pakistan’:

‘Nusrat Isphani was one of Karachi’s most beautiful debutantes. Her Kurdish-Iranian parents had migrated to Bombay, where she was born on 23 March 1929. Her father had founded Bombay’s Isphani Soap Factory, which soon exported large quantities of soap to Iraq that he later changed its name to Baghdad Soap Factory.’

‘Nusrat joined the Pakistan Women’s National Guard, was good at martial drill, and soon learned to drive trucks and ambulances. A tall, slender, dark beauty, she was soon promoted to captain, with silver pips on her shoulders.’

With her efforts even praised by Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, she is widely acknowledged for her exemplary role as part of the Women’s National Guard at the time of the Refugee Crisis.

It was at Bhutto’s sister’s wedding, where they were first introduced to each other and just after a few meetings, he proposed to her. Even persuading her to elope with him when parents on both sides objected to the match, but after her refusal to undertake such an initiative, much drama ensued leading to Zulfi and his Nusratam (My Nusrat, as he used to call her) becoming man and wife within a week.

As the First Lady of Pakistan, Nusrat Bhutto was unparalleled. A paragon of style, class, refinement and sophistication along with being a fashion icon of that time, she dressed with flair and carried herself with natural poise as she stood side by side and hobnobbed with Heads of States and their wives.

At this position, she splendidly represented and promoted Pakistan at international forums. As the head of the Red Crescent Society, she worked tirelessly for the poor, women and children of Pakistan.

In 1975, she led the Pakistani Delegation to the United Nation’s International Women’s Summit and was also elected the Vice President of the Conference.

Since her marriage, not only was she the emotional and mental anchor for her ambitious husband in all his endeavors and decisions but soon became a political backbone for him when she assumed charge on his orders of PPP’s leadership (Coming to be the first female chairman of any party in Pakistan‘s history), when he was incarcerated after being deposed through a Coup.

During Zia’s authoritarian rule, she was kept under detentions, possibly in Class-C cells with no running water, bedding or air, hit with batons while attending a cricket match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, when the crowd began to raise pro Bhutto slogans (It is said, that this clubbing was the origin of complete health deterioration that affected her later and the cause of Alzheimer)

Before Bhutto’s execution, both Nusrat and Benazir were whisked away suddenly, without previous notice, to his cell and were allowed only a half an hour with him instead of the full one hour entitled to the family on the prisoner’s ‘last day’. And that too, they could ‘meet’ only through the bars.

It was then that Bhutto gave permission to her to take the children and leave Pakistan if they wished to, but instead Nusrat Bhutto chose to take the dicatorship head-on.

Diagnosed of lung cancer during her battle against the cruelest of dictatorships, Zia ridiculously constituted a Federal Medical Board to decide whether her condition was serious enough to allow her to travel abroad for treatment which expectedly decreed that she was perfectly fine while recommending her tests that could have aggravated her malignancy. After much international lobbying, she was allowed to travel abroad.

With the founder killed, deserting members on the rise and the Zia regime leaving no stone unturned in trying to isolate PPP and throttle any legacy of Bhutto, she not only kept the party together but astutely organized it in the fight against the autocratic military regime but was one of the most prominent spearheads of the Movement To Restore Democracy, a movement for the revival of democracy and all the freedoms and rights it entails.

A lean woman who felt no hesitance in defying the dicatator and standing up to oppose his afflicted oppression on the nation , she was considered a threat by him and unsettling for the whole system he had organized to his advantage thus, arrested and placed under detentions numerous times as the MRD spread its activities throughout the country and gained support.

Throngs would come to hear her speeches or to her rallies.

Nusrat Bhutto endured a life, that is best-described as a struggle of suffering with a tragedy at each turn; From the Coup of 1977, Nusrat Bhutto’s life took a plunge into tumult and tragedy which continued till her demise. A plunge that took away her husband, both sons and a daughter from her. All murdered. Since the last few years, Begum Sahiba had even lost the ability to recognize her own two daughters, grandchildren or remember anything.

In all her 82 years, Begum Bhutto proved to be an epitome of strength, valor, resilience, elegance, resolution and extraordinary prowess; giving weight to her family’s tracing of their ancestry to the legendary Salahuddin Ayubi. She was and will remain a symbol of resistance and unflinching conviction against tyranny and suppression.  Something that even those with political dislike for PPP and the Bhuttos, would find hard to deny.

Her fortitude and story will inspire generations to come.

May she rest in what was never granted to her in this world; peace.

~ Hafsa Khawaja

The Pakistan of today has found itself to be nothing but a wreckage of a country, a carcass of a state and an international outcast.

A tragedy brought upon itself by both; the sharp functioning muscle of the unofficial institutional dictatorship that aggrandized itself under four decades of military authoritarians and the Pakistani nation’s obscene obsession with easy acceptance of the exacerbation, denialism, dogmatism and preposterousness.

The very characteristics have been manifest in wake of the recent unleashing of organized and systematic bloodletting of the peaceful, educated and civilized community of Shia Hazaras in Balochistan by the associates of the Establishment’s ‘Assets’.

Carrying a history replete with persecution and torment, the Shia Hazaras have found little relief and difference between their past in Afghanistan and present in Pakistan; where they are the victims of various sectarian militant groups such as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, that deem and decry Shi’ites as Non-Muslims. ‘Impure’ creatures that they are determined to completely exterminate from ‘The Land of Pure.’

A question might arise, why is it that blame for this bloodshed is ascribed as such to them.

Amir Mir writes in one excellent article of his on the predicament the Hazara Shia have been placed in and the militant sectarian groups:

‘The SSP and the LeJ, which is considered to be the military wing of the SSP, were once the strategic assets of the state of Pakistan and have linked with al-Qaeda as its ancillary warriors, killing Pakistani citizens and targeting the security forces to dissuade Pakistan from fighting the “war against terror” as a United States ally.

The LeJ today has deep links with al-Qaeda and the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban and is considered to be the most violent terrorist organization operating in Pakistan, with the help of its suicide squad. As with most Sunni Deobandi sectarian and militant groups, almost the entire LeJ leadership is made up of people who have fought in Afghanistan with the backing of the Pakistani security establishment and most of its cadre are drawn from the numerous Sunni madrassas (seminaries) in Pakistan.’

The fact that these terrorist organizations are the ‘ancillary warriors’ of the ‘elements’ that the Establishment cherishes and avails in pursuit of its detrimental ‘Strategic Depth’ policy in Afghanistan (The Policy, to put it simply, is constructed on the Establishment’s compulsive obsession with the theme and idea of India as the arch enemy of Pakistan and envisages a Pro-Pakistan Government in Post-Troop-Withdrawal Afghanistan that counters the Indian influence there and protects ‘Pakistani interests’.) naturally transforms their position to being ‘untouchable’, considering they are part and parcel of the deal – thus the ‘failure of intelligence and the forces’ when it comes to sectarian killings similar to that happening in Balochistan of the Hazaras.

While much has been excellently chosen, written about and posted about the grave issue on LUBP and a few other sites that have proven to challenge the distortions of the mainstream media and welcoming to topics that they either ignore or willingly twist and feed to the people with their vulpine cunning – this post aims to focus on the collective, institutional and national conspiracy of silence that was concocted after the slayings of the Hazara Shias based solely on a sectarian footing.

One can only wonder where the conveniently-free-media is when fatwas, pamphlets and declarations of hate and instigation of murders are circulated around in different parts of the country?

Where does their self-proclaimed ‘patriotism’ and professional magnificence vanish to when it comes to the intentional misrepresentation of the massacres that only helps to reinforce, what those under whose patronage the groups act, want the people to believe?

Why is it that only outrageuously sparse coverage is provided to the victims and their plight but hours of talk shows are wasted on futile discussions?

And the ever-eager-to-take-suo-moto judges? Are the Shia Hazaras Children of a Lesser God in the eyes of a so-called judiciary that is anything but independent, rather just another instrument of the Establishment for furthering their goals and ambitions?

Afterall, what can be expected of judiciary that releases butchers like Malik Ishaq on grounds of ‘lack of evidence’

The Government too, brazenly watches over the the whole community being pulled down into pools of blood of their own while the Punjab Government gives the very butcher, a montly stipend and their Law Minister proudly courts extremists to garner votes for elections.

Hundreds from amongst the ordinary came marching on the streets and roads against Raymond Davis gunning down two Pakistani citizens and for a dubious ‘Daughter of the Motherland’ but as corpses over corpses pile of the Hazaras, none speak up nor the ‘activists’ hold their famed vigils.

Is the nation only moved and it’s compassion and anger only evoked when America is the proposed guilty party?

It must be made public knowledge to the citizens of Pakistan that these incidents of carnage aimed at the Shia Hazaras are not sporadic as they seem but part of an entire crusade (Note: The Shia Tooris of Parachinar, often slaughtered by the Haqqani Network members and other ‘Assets’ given refuge there) waged by sectarian militant outfits that are best-described as the subsidiaries of major terrorist organizations (in whose name and due to whom, the entire country has been struck by sheer devastation) and are under the auspices of the Establishment.

Which other nation should hold the importance of the lives, security, liberty and interests of the minorities highly than that of a country whose history bears witness that the threats to the interests and protection of the Muslim minority of Pre-Partition India was a central factor in fostering the struggle for its creation?

And today when the generations of that minority are a majority of the country – other minorities: the Shias, Christians, Hindus and Ahmedis are fraught with peril.

It is about time, that the proponents of Jinnah’s vision in this country, if any, come forward against the Establishment on all fronts and also fight for the rights of those whose only crime is being guilty of being a minority.

- Hafsa Khawaja

*Ironically, much of the non-controversial content in this post that concentrated on the lack of attention that the Shia Hazara murders deserved, was sent as three separate letters to the ‘News Post’ of ‘The News’ which they decided not to publish. So much for a free media.

Posting the unedited version here:

Often things become such a commonality in countries that their implications and meanings, no matter what they hold, are simply reduced to being nugatory. Such is the case in Pakistan; questionable sayings, practices and customs that should usually arouse attention have become so imbedded in our society through repetition that they’ve developed into being a component of the declining environment.

Just a few months back, when the Parliament deplorably resounded with boorish bellows of ‘protest’ and other actions by the Opposition (that evidently consigned and littered all democratic and parliamentary norms, ethics and etiquettes to the trash bin) till the session’s end as Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh presented the annual budget – PML (N) MNA Tehmina Daultana came storming and flung her bangles at him in an entirely misogynist vein.

This, for some, might plainly have been a sign of rightful ‘condemnation’ or just another entertaining event in the history of parliamentary donnybrooks of Pakistan. But what it was an indication of, was left absolutely unheeded.

‘Hum nay choorian nahi pheni hui!’ (We are not wearing bangles) has assumed form of a very popular phrase amongst the tub-thumping and empty rhetoric of the demagogues in Pakistan.

This expression clearly and solely suggests masculine pride and male bravado along with an endorsement of the opinion (and a much-denoted one to the mores and beliefs of the Arabia of the Age of Ignorance) that women were universally inferior creatures in comparison to men.

By roaring that one does not wear bangles, he intends to put the message across that he is neither weak, a simpleton nor woundable or anything perceived to be of the other sex through the lens of condescension; thus completely depreciating womanhood and making it the subject of derogation.

And this is ignored and even met by cheers from throngs listening to speeches that contain the sentence.

But in the United Kingdom in April, Prime Minister David Cameron was entangled in a controversy while resisting demands for apology after he told a female shadow cabinet minister to “Calm down, dear” during an argument over proposed reforms in the House of Commons. Cameron had  mimicked a famous car insurance advert starring popular chauvinist Michael Winner.

Cath Elliot of Guardian wrote:

“Calm down, dear” is neither humorous nor edgy; it is instead a classic sexist put-down, designed to shut women up and put them back “in their place”.

“Calm down, dear” is what women hear when we’re allegedly being “hysterical” or “overemotional”. It’s that tired old gender stereotyping, the sort that implies that if we can’t even keep our emotions in check, then we obviously aren’t cut out for the more serious male world of politics and debate.’’

While Cameron did not apologise and his aides downplayed the whole affair, it may be rationale to deem that in view of all the media scrutiny and obloquy it drew out, he will be measuring his words and their significance in the future.

Harriet Stowe once said; Women are the real architects of society. How, one might ask.

Women, by divine nature have been bestowed upon with this sole authority and capacity. It is a woman, who nutures a child in her womb and then brings him up, instills values in him while grooming him that directly affect his behaviour, ethos and mentality.

Future doctors, politicans, leaders, journalists etcetra – all constitute a people and are indispensable to the system of the society and world, and each one of them owes his existence to a woman.

The role of a woman  is instrumental in everything. Even a female who is neither schooled,  not married nor a mother, naturally yeilds strength and inspires admiration leave alone one that is given her right to education, choice, freedom, equality and life itself . To remind one of Fatima Jinnah’s role in Quaid-e-Azam’s life would suffice here also.

Thus a woman is the real architect, an irreplaceable pillar of the society.

It was not only to highlight sexism but to illuminate the difference in the wider picture, the juxtaposition of the two incidents in Pakistan’s Parliament and the UK’s House of Commons in this article. What distinguishes the separate countries of the two events from one another, was culture. A culture and society that shuns torpor, prompts introspection and welcomes a discourse; something we are clearly devoid of and replace by impassivity, disinterest about such little things, denialism and nothingness.

It is of paramount importance for Pakistani to realize that it is not a revolution they need but a collective, national socio-cultural evolution.

This verbal male chauvinism, pellucid in the aforementioned Urdu remark, is part of the labyrinth of a mindset and culture in Pakistan that eventually translates and actualizes into the web of repugnant traditions of Vani, Sawara, Karo-Kari etcetra. It is all inter-connected and must be clipped from the roots that are strengthened by how each individual in Pakistan waters them; through silence at the and by ignoring the smallest of its elements (phrases such as the aforementioned).

With the backing and espousing of generations of people of different thoughts and time, cultures flourish and characterize traditons and norms that later all of new eras dare not abandon even if logic dismisses them (traditions). Traditions and beliefs such as, assigning women a position in the community of a lowly figure with not much purpose in life and even little ability. (Due to which’s perception, such sayings and disgusting activities are born)

It is about time as Pakistan totters from crossroads to the brink of a now-or-never stage, that  we cultivate a new culture – for which each indvidual must cast his efforts; question doubtful and wrongly established practises, convention and mores. Adopt better ones, encourage others to.

As individuals come together to become a people, people make a society bound by a culture constructed by them, that society is the base of a nation and nations form countries thus it is dervied that if the people change, the country will inevitably similarly.

To redefine Pakistan in front of the world, Pakistanis must refine themselves and their institutions; the culture and society.

- Hafsa Khawaja

While Americans suggest scourges for Pakistan’s perfidy with Congressman Ted Poe introducing the “Pakistan Accountability Act” and Senator Lindsey Graham calling for ‘all options’ to be considered for the ‘deceitful country’ (and clearly, what one extracts from his statements by reading between the lines is that he desires for an attack on Pakistan) – the Pakistani Government and Army have been unapologetic and dismissive of the accusations.

Reminding the world that Haqqani was once the blue-eyed boy of the US, as is the case with most of the fighters in Afghanistan of the Soviet War that the US had ’abandoned’ and left to and for the use of Pakistan’s Establishment.

(USA hasn’t placed the Haqqani Network under the list of terrorist organizations)

The entire situation seems precarious and what it holds and will evince at the end is left to speculations that can only be made on the basis of facts; the most significant of which is that both the United States and Pakistan are, as of yet, mutually dependent upon each other. Albeit, not equally.

Both have a set of choices to select from.

If Pakistan refuses to shun its links with the Haqqani Network as part of its Strategic Depth Policy (that seeks to ensure an Afghanistan with a Pro-Pakistan Government for various reasons that are part of an entirely new subject) or if US-Pak relations further degenerate in the future – America can:

1. Reduce or cut the aid it channels to it.

2. Increase drone attacks.

3. With the All-American raid in Abbottabad for Osama, the potentiality of other unilateral strikes and actions inside Pakistan can not be ruled out.

4. Economically assail; The United States has become Pakistan’s largest trading partner (To reward Pakistan for being an ally?) and can reduce this position by closing its markets for Pakistani goods.

5. Expand and apply other pressure tactics.

In case of Option.3 being carried out, one might predict that a decisive decision will be taken by Pakistan which may be a turning-point for the entire relation.

Why may that be, the reasons being that the Pakistani Army and Intelligence came under great censure after the May Raid, losing credibility in the eyes of many. A newspaper editor aptly remarked that what they hadn’t faced in the past 64 years (due to their ‘Holy Cow‘ status‘), the faced after that single raid.

Thus it is derived that they can not afford to come under that fire once again, it would be a great blow to their institution and all that it claims to stand for.

Secondly, the current climate of Anti-Americanism (that has bloated since the country joined the ‘War On Terror’ which many believe is solely ‘America’s war’ and blame for their country’s national, economic and political nosedive that occured after Pakistan’s engagement in the WoT) brimming with bellicosity in the wake of the charges hurled will force those in power in Pakistan to either retaliate or finish all connections with the ‘Great Satan’.

In face of which, USA might impose sanctions on Pakistan.

Coming back, Pakistan’s position presently and the factors that can determine its course of action lest the USA takes an unfavourable step, are excellently described and elucidated by Ex-CIA Officer Bruce Riedel in his new article :

‘Reality is less important than image in this war. The Army leadership also feels it can weather any blowback from Washington. The generals assume U.S. military aid will be cut or eliminated by Congress sooner rather than later, and they are confident that the Saudis and Chinese will fill the gap.

They also know NATO’s logistical supply line to Kabul runs through Karachi (more than half of everything NATO eats, drinks, and shoots arrives via Karachi despite intense efforts to find alternatives). They have leverage and they know it. And of course, they have the fastest-growing nuclear arsenal in the world with a developing tactical nuclear capability. They feel they hold a lot of aces, maybe more than they should. Cocky poker players are dangerous.’

Pakistan has also been extending its hand of friendship to Russia and especially Iran, which has manifestly irked the USA.

The importance of the NATO Supply Route that runs through Pakistan can be gauged from this:

“Shifting supply lines elsewhere would substantially increase the cost of the war and make the United States more dependent on authoritarian countries in Central Asia,” reports Craig Whitlock for the Washington Post.

“With landlocked Afghanistan lacking seaports, and hostile Iran blocking access from the west, Pentagon logisticians have limited alternatives.” While Pakistan has not threatened closure, the shift in routes reflects deteriorating US-Pakistani relations: In 2009, about 90 percent of surface cargo passed through Pakistan; about half that has since been diverted through other countries to the north including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

 Ammunition or weapons are prohibited; shipping by air costs 10 times more than using roads through Pakistan. For the US, the new routes through multiple nations present new complications in logistics, diplomacy and its human rights objectives.‘

The conclusion is, the relationship between both countries is uncomfortable at its best but hard to wriggle out from, particularly for America due to the necessity and indispensability it (the relation)commands today in view of the leverage Pakistan has that Riedel mentioned and as Admiral Mullen pointed out:

‘A flawed and difficult relationship [with Pakistan] is better than no relationship at all.’

Will USA grant Pakistan a seat at the negotiating table in Kabul so that it is given a share of its stake and influence in Post-war Afghanistan for the purpose of which its Establishment pursues dubious strategies? Will Pakistan go after the Haqqani Network?

Or will some other deal between the two be sought? Only time can tell as relations between the two are wrought taut.

- Hafsa Khawaja

The most important political office is indeed, that of the private citizen and I add, his authority lies with the power of his vote.

The Election Commission of Pakistan recently its campaign for the door-to-door verification of voter-lists.

It began on the 22nd of August and will end on the 30th of September 2011.

Many wish to vote in the next elections but either do not have themselves included/verified in the voter lists or haven’t registered for them yet.

To sort this out, I’ve Googled and gathered the instructions from here to get one’s vote registered:

REGISTRATION PROCESS :

Go to your nearest Office of Assistant Election Commissioner / Registration Officer located in your area.
If you do NOT know where your closest office is located, you can find out by contacting the Election Commission of Pakistan at  (051) 920 1975  or  (051) 920 6062  and asking them the address and phone number of the closest office to you.

You can also contact 1217 to get the same information or log onto http://www.ecp.gov.pk/Contactus.aspx.

Once at the office, collect a “Voter Registration Form” and fill it out in full.
Basic information will be required as well as a Photocopy of National Identity Card as well as Proof of Residence – this includes any kind of utility bill (electricity, gas, water or telephone).

Once complete, submit the form and you’re DONE!

PLEASE NOTE: Your vote will be registered to the address written on the National Identity Card.
For example if you are registering in Karachi and your home address is in Lahore, you will have to vote in Lahore.

For Overseas Pakistanis :

Overseas Pakistanis are allowed to be registered by their family, friends or relatives who live in the area of your residence in Pakistan. The process is simple roughly the same however please note! Any Citizen of Pakistan can get registered as voter anywhere in Pakistan and can cast their vote if he or she is in Pakistan during the time of elections. You must be IN PAKISTAN to cast your vote!

AFTER REGISTRATION :

After you have submitted your registration form, in a few days confirm to make sure YOU ARE ON THE VOTER LIST!
This can be confirmed;

You can obtain the “Voter List” from the Assistant Election Commissioner/Registration Officer. Check to see whether your name is on the list.

You will also be able to see the “Voter List” on the Election Commission’s website, but it’s currently unavailable.

Once you have confirmed you are registered, you will be able to vote in the Federal and Provincial Elections.

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As far as the Voter-Verification Drive is – I, although am someone who is vehemently Anti-Imran Khan lend my full appreciation and admiration to the PTI-Supporters and workers for their efforts in trying to help people register and mobilize them to vote.
The following is from their site page:

The Verification Process:

The ECP representative will bring the Electorol Lists with them. If your name is present in the list and the address and information is correct, you will just verify it and will not be required to fill a new form.

If your name is missing in the list, or you are registering your vote for the first time, then you will FILL THIS FORM.

Which Documents Are Required? 

1. Copy of Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).

2. If your current address is different than your CNIC address, you will be required to provide a proof of residence in the form of a Utility bill (Electricity, Gas, Water or Telephone) or rental agreement.

Who is eligible to register as a voter? 

As per ECP: I am entitled to be registered as a voter, if:

1. I am a Pakistani citizen
2. I am not less than eighteen (18) years of age
3. I have not been convicted by any court of law
4. I am a resident of the area/ owner of, or in possession of immovable property in Pakistan.

Election Commission did not visit my house, my vote is still not registered!

In case no representative from ECP visits your house till 30th sept, you must contact ECP or your local PTI organizer.

Contacting Election Commission Contact:

Address:      

ECP Secretariat, Election House,

Constitution Avenue G-5/2 ,

Islamabad.

Secretary Office Telephone:    (+92)(51)(9201975) (+92)(51) (9206062)

For ECP Provincial Offices: CLICK HERE:

How Can I Help In This Campaign:

Help out to register the vote:

1. You can take a printout of this FORM (A) 

2. Make as many photocopies as you can and distribute it among your family and friends.

3. Make sure you encourage and help to register.

Spread the Word:

1. Discuss the importance of registration of votes at your educational institutions.

2. Start youth mobilization campaigns at your educational institutions.

3. Write about it in newspapers, magazines, notice boards.

4. Make awareness on social media – Twitter, Facebook, Forums, Youtube etc.

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For a nation that seems to have a natural propensity to whine about the situations in the country and is defined by inaction, voting should be the start for them in contributing for a change in Pakistan.

One who does NOT bother to fulfill his duty to vote does NOT have the right to cry and crib about the state of Pakistan, what is happening in the country or call himself a concerned and responsible citizen.

Better to make an effort than whining for the rest of the 1825 days after the elections.

So spread the word. Get all those eligible in your family to verify their information in the voter lists by co-operating with the ECP Officials and taking them to register their names for it if they haven’t before. Engage people in discussions relating to this matter and spur them into action.

Convince and help them to get enrolled as voters. Prompt the people in your educational institutions, area, among friends, relatives. Make posters, prinoutouts with catchy slogans. Propogate the significance of voting. Use internet activism. Print out the registeration forms and hand them out.

Democracy can only function properly in Pakistan if its people have a democratic mindset and wish it to work by availing what it involves and believing in its effectiveness; voting, protesting etc.

If one by one, the individuals in Pakistan come to make almost 200 Million people. Vote by vote, change can come to Pakistan.

You owe your vote to your country.

So please, Get Yourself Registered. Vote Your Voice For The Revolution of The Polling Station. Create the Change!

~ Hafsa Khawaja