Pause, and be proud.

Let us take a moment to celebrate Pakistan.

I feel as though I am scaling K2, and while I still have a long way to go, I look back and see I have come a long, long way. I can feel the closeness. It is with than pride that I write this, it is with a sense of validation with the Pakistani spirit.

Recent events – the Strategic Dialogues with the Americans, the Nuclear Summit with 47 other nations, and the passage of the 18th amendment – have been spectacular successes. The US and Pakistan renewed their vows of friendship and made gains on every topic during the Dialogues. The success of Prime Minister GIlani during the Summit was demonstrated for the entire world to see. But the real key is where we are at home, and to that end, the reasons to celebrate the 18th amendment’s passing cannot be exaggerated.
We have ended future possibility of dictatorship. No power-hungry, corrupt individual can take the reins of Pakistan, slam the Supreme Court, infringe upon the public’s civil liberties. That person will never have the respect of the multiple political parties currently hotly debating the key issues of the day. The PML-N, Q, PPP, etc are all in agreement: the time has come to allow democracy to be sustained.

That, reader, is why we should celebrate.

Congrats to the President for wisely steering the country to a better status in the world, congrats to the PPP government for understanding the legislative battles to fight and which to let go. Many thanks to all our Ambassadors and media folk alike, who pressed on for the changes we are now witnessing.

I am a realist. I focus on the work that needs to be done, I see that we are far from c

omplete. However, I would hardly grudge anyone a moment to be proud…and Pakistan has lots to be proud of!

Slowly, we inch towards the Quaid’s vision. Surely, we will get there. Pakistan Zindabad.

FIRST RADIO EPISODE!

Thanks for all your feedback! Yesterday, I along with two others, Kamran and Haider, decided to hold a show and talk about the issues of the day.

Check it out here, click “Play” on Episode 1!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/s4dp

So I have an idea…

I think it’s important for young Pakistanis to participate in the political process. So much goes on in and regarding to Pakistan, and it’s essential that we, as the next leaders of the nation, to demonstrate we have opinions and concerns.

It is for that reason I am launching an online talk show.

I would be talking about the issues and topics of the day and people would be free to call in and share their views. What do you guys think?

Send me your email addresses if you’re interested…I will keep you posted!

Shahbaz Sharif and the “Spare Punjab” Doctrine

Not all lives are worth the same to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

In a shocking display of callousness, Mr. Sharif publicly requested the Taliban cease targeting the Punjab province…but to carry on business as usual elsewhere in the country. This “Spare Punjab Doctrine” gives extremists a free pass to extremists and essentially justifies their actions throughout Pakistan!

There aren’t many words that can capture the CM’s utter lack of humanity or its shocking implications? Has he turned a blind eye to the people the Taliban have massacred in Lahore’s sister cities of Karachi and Islamabad? Does he not consider the grief and anguish of residents in Peshawar and the NWFP to be genuine? Is he accepting of the blood of Pakistanis – so long as they are not in his province?

All Pakistanis are equal. The Taliban and other extremist groups do not discriminate; their purpose is strike fear into the hearts of all Pakistanis and to destroy our culture and spirit. In a previous post, we wrote about the pain suffered by the people of Lahore. We understood the extremists’ desire to attack large cities and called for a spirit of unity.

Yet with his comments, CM Shahbaz offers up all Pakistanis as sacrifice so that Punjab may be safe from harm. Sindh and Peshawar, areas hit with attack after attack, perhaps do not matter to him and his party.

Pakistanis need to move beyond regionalism and religion. Pakistanis are first and foremost Pakistanis. The country boasts of diversity – there are many different ethnicities and languages spoken by our people – and none is less sacred than any other. Our fight against the Taliban is a fight to keep all our people safe and prosperous.

The CM’s remarks have been roundly denounced by other officials. Perhaps the harshest criticism comes from the Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. The Army Chief called for a one-on-one meeting with CM Sharif, in which the reprehensible comments were the main topic. The CM was told that his remarks could potentially undermine the entire military operation in which over 2,000 army personnel, countless Pakistani civilians and scores of foreign aid workers had lost their lives.

His words have caused a firestorm, as they absolutely ought to and now he stands in defense. To be sure, his people will commence a strong campaign of damage control but can anyone ever forget the reprehensible sentiment expressed so breezily? There is no doubt the public will be told that the words were taken out of context, that the media has twisted the CM’s message, etc et al.

But Pakistanis cannot be made fools of by a shoddy political tactic; we cannot stand by and allow a man of power to attempt divisions within our nation. We cannot allow anyone, of any party, to exploit the dire situation caused by religious extremists.

Extremists are happy to accept the CM’s offer, as evidenced by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman has said that the organization would stop targeting public and government places in Punjab if the provincial government gave an assurance that the Taliban would be spared from any action. As Punjabis make up a solid number of the Pakistani Army that request is essentially impossible. Our Army will NOT stop its fight, our people will not bow to the ideology of hatred and our cultures will not be divided.

What Chief Minister Sharif has said is unreservedly heartless and the public is correct in its furious reaction. We will not tolerate this attitude in anyone who claims to be a proud Pakistani.

Pakistan Zindabad.

Lahore: The Targeted Paradise

Lahore is vivacious. It is the shining capital of the entire Punjab province, the heart and soul of Pakistani culture. The second-largest city (after Karachi) in Pakistan is known for its spirit and a certain zeal for vibrancy. Though the modernity is evident – in the bazaars, architecture and of course the people – Lahore’s ancient majesty can never be overlooked. There is a saying Lahoris like to say “Lahore, Lahore hain”… “Lahore is Lahore.”

The extremists know Lahore is special. They are after this city. For them, the culture exhibited in every street and smile in Lahore is disgusting. They oppose the personal choices and freedoms. For them Lahore is a city that needs to be “taught a lesson.” That is why recently Lahore has been the chosen city for some of the most horrendous terrorist attacks to date. The week of March 12 saw twin suicide attacks and a spate of bombings. The entire country is reeling, thrown off balance by the sheer number and magnitude of recent Lahore attacks, even though bombings have become something of an ugly commonplace.

Indeed Pakistanis living abroad have greeted each other with “Salaam” followed quickly by “Lahore mein kya hora hain?” or “What is happening in Lahore?”

We must acknowledge what is happening here: there is a full-on attack on Pakistani culture. Targeting the Pakistani cultural capital is a direct assault on all the wonderful things about Pakistan. Extremists hope to instill fear and paranoia in the people of Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, etc. “No one is safe” is their message.

In the midst of national mourning, the real test is what we do now. We can either play into their hands and become paranoid  (and blame India for the Lahore attacks, even though FM Qureshi says there is no evidence of that) or we can stand with our allies and focus on stopping future attacks in Pakistan (as Sec. Clinton promised to do).

Pakistanis will not allow a hateful ideology to overtake the brilliant history and culture of the nation. It is simply not an option. We must pray for strength and never look away from the goal: a peaceful, prosperous nation, inshallah.

Honoring Beloved Shaheed Motarma Benazir Bhutto

Pakistani political history has shining stars. They came onto the scene ready to defend our country’s promise, even give their lives for this very cause.

I am thinking of one person in particular.

In defending the principles Pakistan was founded upon, she had a brilliant career, and an untimely death.

But in following her dreams, she changed the course of our country and the world.

I am thinking of Benazir Bhutto.

Yesterday was the anniversary of her assassination, something so ugly and vile as to have rocked the nation. Friend and foe alike walked under a cloud of sadness in the days after her death, knowing that something spectacular was gone.

There are many pictures, speeches, anecdotes one can find to get a better idea of her perspective. But her true legacy is how all her words and actions impacted others. As a young girl, I would often hear wonderful stories about the distinctively named Benazir, a woman who stood by the ideals of her father and travelled the world to learn. She wanted to apply proper democracy to her country. My mother told me the people rejoiced when she became Prime Minister of Pakistan. For me, a natural feminist, this woman was really a superhero.

She was a feminist, a progressive, a staunch supporter of equality and democracy. She had a way of connecting with people few will ever understand; today, her closest friends in awe of her intelligence and her compassion – a truly wonderful combination. That is what we seek in our leaders, is it not? Judgment and heart.

Benazir Bhutto was a force of a woman. She worked steadily but always vigorously for democracy. There is a democratic government in Pakistan today, it is trying to sustain itself against an onslaught of ignorance, violence and the ever-constant threat of extremism.

Yet we must remember that we are fighting for a better tomorrow. We must remember that many have come before us and we stand on their shoulders, reaching for that better tomorrow.

Two years have passed since the death of Benazir. We remember her struggle, honor her efforts and work for democracy, so all she did will never be in vain. Democracy WILL be upheld. So it must be.

انّا للہ و انّا الیہ راجعون

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un

Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return

Are we doomed to repeat history?

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

There can be no doubt Pakistan faces huge challenges ahead. The economy is unsteady, the government faces a myriad of domestic issues and concerns, and the ever-present threat of extremism hangs over the nation.

It is therefore tempting to see a major shake-up, even some sort of a revolution, as an answer to the current situation.

But this is where we must be careful, and look to the past for guidance.

Thirty years ago, Iran was in a similar situation. The way that country responded then leads us directly to where it is now: a claustrophobic theocracy, depriving its people of civil rights, freedom of expression, and in the last presidential elections, the right to vote. Is that what Pakistan wants to be? Absolutely not. We must avoid the pitfalls, especially when they are so predictable.

We must learn from history. We must learn that falling under the umbrella of hardliners to deal with the problems is never the answer. Going from a bad situation to a worse situation…well, that is unacceptable.

In the world we live in, journalists rant and rail against the government. While a free media is valued and respected in any democracy, one cannot ignore the fact that it is a profession that comes with much responsibility.

The Hamid Mirs and the Shaheen Sehbais must understand that to rip apart our fledgling democracy is to give power to the opponents of democracy. We have the makings of a solid democracy, we must stick by those principles.

Our system of checks and balances exists to solve our problems in a clear, rational manner. The recent NRO decision by the Supreme Court highlights the staying power of our democratic institutions. The President has remained impartial and respectful of the Court’s power, and now we will see the results play out. But again, all this must be done in the framework of democracy.

Any alternative option will be catastrophic for our future. Just look at Iran.

Mullen: Kashmir issue must be resolved!

Addressing foreign correspondents, US Admiral Mike Mullen called for progress in settling the Kashmir issue. He highlighted the importance of a peaceful resolution in Kashmir in bringing out peace and stability to the entire region.

“In the long run, resolution of the border in the east in Kashmir is a very important outcome. Obviously, that is a principal concern to India and Pakistan. But there is a concern to many others in terms of stability of the region,” he said.

Admiral Mullen welcomed the recent declaration by India that it would soon withdraw its troops from Kashmir.

Though he conceded much had to be done, it was an optimistic and hopeful military admiral that spoke at length about the future of the South Asia region.

He also emphasized his commitment to Pakistan’s war against the insurgency along the Pak-Afghan border.

We can interpret the words of Admiral Mullen as continued American efforts to bring out stability in Pakistan.

Media Watching!

In the “Opinion” section of “The News International” one will find an absolutely baffling piece entitled “Rawalpindi carnage.”

Though I truly believe the author, Mir Jamilur Rahman, did a great job of emphasizing the vast amounts of work that needs to be done for national security, the baffling points he makes regarding fatwas beg to be addressed.

Mr. Rahman writes, “Interior Minister Rehman Malik has urged the ulema for the umpteenth time to issue a fatwa against suicide attacks, who have always obliged proclaiming that terrorists cannot be Muslims because they are murdering the same. Malik calls them kafirs but such statements have becoming hollow and reflect growing frustration on his part…It is illogical to think that a fatwa can restrain suicide bombers from killing those of the same faith as them. Many murders, kidnappings, rapes and highway robberies take place every day in Pakistan, all committed by Muslims against Muslims. If terrorism can be stopped with the power of the fatwa, then the interior minister should also try issuing fatwas against just about any criminal in the country, thus bringing about peace in the society. Malik will agree that this is wishful thinking because human nature never changes. Muslims have been killing Muslims since the early days of Islam and will probably continue to do so till the end of time.”

Therein lies the confusion! I would hope that Mr. Rahman understands that although Muslims have been killing their fellow Muslims since the early days of Islam, they do so under a false interpretation. They have been told by so-called religious teachers and scholars that the intricate concept of jihad is actually simple and all it demands is that we kill kafirs and Muslims that are not behaving properly. This is something that needs to be addressed by intelligent, well-educated Islamic scholars, who MUST issue fatwas against suicide bombings and attacks.

We must, as a society, separate terrorist acts from our previous Islam. For the misguided and emotionally torn, perhaps seeing another religious figure declare suicide attacks “UNislamic” will make all the difference. We must inject this debate of Islam into our society, and promote discussion.

Rehman Malik is correct in his urging of the ulema; we need to see the ulema step up and rise to this challenge that Islam is facing. The whole world is watching us, and we must allow true Islam to prevail in this crisis.

Enough talk!

Five cities in as many days, 100 people killed in total. Countless injured, wounded, traumatized, and afraid.

Are there still people who will be Taliban sympathizers? Is anyone still willing to be an apologist for these mass murderers? Let us not forget they are bombing our universities, our mosques, our court houses! They are attacking everything we hold dear, and they are ripping apart our culture and society. Half of this mad nation-wide surge of violence has taken place in Punjab. They are attacking our economic points, and getting results. Pakistan’s key stock index fell 1.7 percent to its lowest in almost a month.

There should be no more debate as to what is the biggest threat facing Pakistan. Our way of life is at stake here. No more words, there must only be resolve. Let us all stand united, support our government, our institutions and the dream of the Quaid and take our country back.