Iftikhar Choudhary – Individual still or Institution

Heralding the release of Choudhary Iftikhar; one is prone to think whether the current corruption-riddled society and system would digest him, when its convoluted state couldn’t handle the birth pangs of justice and had to throw up on November 9th? Wary does it sound and it is. But the quandary is to be shared with all and sundry. The maximum risk one could envisage is the Political camps; the army has decided to call it off, after grueling 8 years though sparsely productive financially in remittances and American aid to keep the inflated balloon intact and braving dissent in the recent years, the hegemony at the top are thinking wisely; the army knows the exit route to save face.

What if politicians don’t deliver again this time? Odds are high though; and the political past is nothing to be proud of. Media matured, public even more. Politicians have started to feel the heat. Fluke or fumble and public outpour is not going to spare anyone. 8 years of tremendous patience and paltry values in the foreign representation and stature, public is hurt and wounded. Adding insult to injury with rising and spiralling inflation and unemployment with imposed ‘terrorism’ from which the whole world seems innocuous and unprepared and unheard about but Pakistan is the focal and favourite spot for the ‘terrorists’ to play and practice with not-for-children-below-3-years-of-age toys.

Alas, the public has been given a voice to speak and delinquently they are vehemently using it, irking the Government every now and then. The very voice rung the highest walls of conspiracies that Richard Boucher seems to be going empty handed whilst trying to convince Nawaz Sharif to aid the American cause in Afghanistan.

Does this mean, the story of Afghanistan is nearing an end. Karzai is to meet Shaukat in London and play golf and their wives sip tea? Too early to say.

While Musharraf seems to be going the brave way of seeing things happening not his way, though, but accepting it is commendable equally. With the king’s party counting its lost card and gritting by sitting in opposition, the game is far from over. Unapparent is still the policy the new political facade is to follow. Pakistani Nation is prone to short memory, a 5 year plan and target should be memorized and spoon fed. Current years plans? Economic recovery, educational reforms, Judiciary and what not. The whole field lays bare but inundated by wild fires and mushrooms. Tread cautiously, ravines on either sides don’t allow faltering feet a second chance.

Punjab University – From the Clutches of Jamaat to Insaaf, Iranian or Islamic Revolution Reborn?

As expected, brawl invites brawl; after Imran’s forced and tortured exit, students of the Punjab University have taken it seriously. Violent protests have been reported in the galleys of the University. This was natural; Jamaat e Islami has been maintaining an aura of unease for all these years. The very mindset of the students has been arrested under the so-called holy garb of the Jamaat e Islami which was never implementable on the implementers. Particular primitive mindset. The enforces roams free while the common unindulgent has to abide under the shadows of the stick and gun.

In Lahore, UET which was popularly then pronounced as University of Error and Terror in the pre-administration of Shahbaz Sharif. After which, just like Naseer Ullah Babar Vs. MQM in Karachi, it was Sharif Vs. Jamiat e Tuleba.

How could a mature party like Jamaat E Islami, resolve its intent to rule Pakistan when one of its faction was operating with impunity and without check and that which left grudge and mistrust in its folds. Such mismanagement cannot produce results save hatred and bigotry. The very uprising is the vent and catharsis of the people of Pakistan against the very religion Jamaat E Islami wants to propagate with a stick. Intolerable. Simple.

Though, the protests have been fresh from the shell, nothing can be said about it later. Perhaps, it could subside or could gain momentum. Either way, Jamiat has learnt a lesson and more to come. Moreover, the very strength of the Jamiat has been unfolded and lays bare and revealed in the galleys of the beautiful University. The Jamiat would have less now to growl about. More freedom. But Pakistanis and the icons should have a check.

Jamiat can be commended for keep immorality out of the campus. Nonetheless, this is imperative nowadays. Imperialism brought in its fruits of vice to the subcontinent and one of which was considering immorality and promiscuity (although restricted) as a standard of the West. While this is street life and Hollywood’s inflated yet untrue niche of the West but not evidenced in their corporate culture. Broad mindedness doesn’t depend on immorality to flourish. Its the difference of the mindset that needs culturing. And Pakistan has taken the other route.

For this, Jamiat has a feather in their hat to have contained the social negativity to creep in. At the moment, it seems, if seen through their periscope, unseen hands (lobbies) are at work to disband the influence of the Jamiat. Jamaat E Islami now should take the administration and the student’s federation in their confidence and devise a council which includes their part and some of the students to pacify their emotions, for the moment. Diplomacy has to play in here and quick, otherwise the picture is grim. Many hands might have exchanged notes and currencies to formulate the conspiracy to oust the Jamiat. This also suggests that the first and following people to assault Imran were not from the Jamiat. Although, Qazi Hussain should step in reconciliate and bring the very students who started it, if they were indeed students, to punitive measures and discourse with the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf.

The Jamiat shouldn’t be yielding to the foreign pressure completely but should roll back the fashion of terror they have maintained. Ethics should be reestablised within their ranks and this is not difficult. Jamiat is known to have maintained torture cells in the University previously and in the UET armed conflicts too have been reported but that was yesteryears. Nothing is lost. Negotiations should be done and fast. Both sides should give up their gruesome activities and attitudes over that.

If the foreign hands are allowed to rein, that would weaken the students and their purposes; but not from the facefront but instrinsically.

Imran has fared quite well here but he should be in control of the situation here. He could condemn the protests and postpone the same until he is released. Not only would this expedite his exit from the captivity, Imran would have proved another fact that he is a leader which most are not ready to accept. All the parties should see the silver lining or it goes unnoticed, again.

The Jamiat should step out of their norms of terrorising and fear and amalgamate with the inhabitants of the University. They should wake up to the norms of the street and to the beats of the wishes of the common public lest some areas might develop into No-Go areas again if the situation is not controlled now.

Apparently, for no fault of theirs, PTI and Jamat e Islami are on a collision course.

Emergency-Benazir’s U-Turn, Imran Khan’s Bashing

With a gallop Benazir who was on Musharraf’s bandwagon, has shifted gears, shifted intent. But this doesn’t come before deliberate discourse with the West on the hotline and spoonfeeding. Now she is one of the staunch opponents adding more to the feathers of hatred the West is bent upon to collect as evidence and pressure to mount against the Dictator who, till now, stands firm and solid. With the support of the army, which has the Swat valley dilemma under its fist now, the cleanup is going to be swift and unheard.

And with the Emergency on hold and Pakistanis now seemingly awaking to the sounds of mistrust embedded in the global protest, whereby recently, global warming was an issue which is nowhere, vanished and Pakistan is in the firing range; Maleeha Lodhi responded quite swiftly and smartly with the much awaited and appropriate response to the Commonwealth; of course, this is Pakistan’s internal policy matter. Pakistanis are not allowed to speak and observe the electoral process of the West. Not one example.

Now, with Benazir horse trading her political priorities, the ability she proved in the past, emergency has favoured the Government and allowed time to do homework, homework to avert the elections to their favour and keep Bibi jee as her presence is all very dangerous for the nukes of Pakistan, the extremists as they would expound their activities in rage to get even with her in Islamabad. Bibi’s slogan for secularism would be a blank cheque for her in Spain, she could take refuge there if there happens to be a civil uprising. But what about the commons? No respite, so keep her away.

More so, Imran’s benevolent figure and upright profile didn’t bring him glory today either. The national hero who brought in the World Cup for Pakistan, which is now a hoped beacon, a distant mysterious wish which is always done away with betting when the likes of Wasim Akram surround the arena.

Imran Khan was brutally received, which was unexpected from Punjab and her University. If the foreign deportation of Nawaz Sharif can be ruled out, saying “No Pakistani can be barred from his entering his Motheland”, then why was Imran denied entry. Particularly the mindset of University can be brought to question. But, another perspective could be to repel the alliance of Imran and Qazi which was very evident and expectedly formidable and under review and discourse upon this future possibility; so to avert this possibility from further cementing, some unseen but present forces broke through the rows of Studen’t faction of the Jamiat and blotched the Jamiat and threw the stone from Qazi’s shoulders. Who knows the people who kicked and dragged Imran were indeed from Jamiat. Police force in civilian dress also surfaced at the Supreme Court previously to drive off the lawyers. So why not the Schooling Uniform?

Normal life in Pakistan stayed at its best. Its the 100 and 150 people, who are in focus on every international media. I don’t remember, out of curiosity any T.V anchor stepped from the mainstream to portray Pakistan through another spectrum of People, culture, history, daily life and people again; as its the norm, the topic, ideology, area, country, sport under discussion, the backdrop surrounding it or making it happen too are covered for better for the inquisitive and unbiased collection of news. It seems, everyone is placing their share of anomaly to be instilled into the status quo of Pakistan, to portray the negative side ‘always’ to the every ignorant and media-believing masses.

An advice, for Imran, he is still premature to assess the political scenario. Well he is improving. Serving the public through ‘perfect’ application of funds and supervision of public welfare is but one aspect of politics, which although is unprecedented still in the politics of Pakistan and Imran has proved himself rising above the rest in this aspect, but manipulative politics is what is he is still groping in. He lacks the politics of manipulation, the politics of now, the now of seconds. He needs good advisors.  Moreover, Musharraf is trying to save Pakistan through his less-understood coy tactics. He still needs to exercise patience and political analysis; General Hameed Gul could be a good partner.

Lawyer’s Day or Media’s?

Every day in Pakistan is a tourism attractive day, without exaggeration. At least for the journalists if not the tourists. Yesterday it was Supreme Court which saw disrespect from the Civilian side, exposing its weaker point against the necessity of the Uniform and today it was the Election Commission. What would be tomorrow? Minister’s mansion? Utility stores? University? Shahra e Dastoor (yet again)?

Name any place, which needs attention from the authorities for various reasons; sanitation, upkeep, maintenance. Call the opposition, throw a regale, pay through the foreign bank accounts, a little promises, nasty last minute meetings and within minutes the place would be the hot spot, springing to action, much talked about. Due to unemployment, manpower is abundant. Opposition at least can, in the upcoming elections, boast of amassing unemployed people for the past 5 years and providing quality entertainment at the expense of ill-treatment, ill-repute, traffic blocks, disinvestment, etc and swaying away their daily tension doses through such vast and unyielding arrangements. But what about the Opposition’s Balance Sheets? Leave it to the NAB for another time.

Just for the day, today was yet another extra ordinary day. Pakistan had nothing so to show today, neither Jinnah remembered it nor Iqbal. But the lawyers and media people swarmed in around the Election Commission which passed the nominations of Musharraf and other of his opposing en troupe.

Without notice and invitation, Police started baton charging the lawyers, in the first episode, then the media people were taken by surprise. Shelling and then Baton Charge. A battlefield had erupted right before the Supreme Court and the Election Commission in the Capital of Pakistan. Where in the world such dynamism is evident. Stone age? Not necessarily but Stone aged mentalities of the sheep which fail to understand, Black Sheep (sponsored by political parties and their leadership, which were altogether absent today, financed ) which are present thinly, among the deceived and unsuspecting crowd, but loaded with stones and with yesterday’s arena even tomatoes and eggs were the ammunition to start off the ruckus; to bring both the parties at a point of physical conflict and Pakistani nation never hesitates to jump into one. Result? International media, which in some cases sponsors such acts of humiliation for Pakistan under the dictation of hidden lobbies working underhand to destabilise her, leaves no stone unturned to project Pakistan as a failed ‘Nuclear State’.

Working hands and minds in the assemblies are gearing up for yet another episode. It could be tomorrow or now. No one knows; but its apparent someone and something has to benefit from this unrest. Musharraf? Perhaps. Opposition? It was never sincere. Ruling parties? They too have to have an honourable and financially sustaining retired life. Foreign lobbies? They can’t stand the nuclear capability. Rajiv Gandhi, was not the most sly of all the Gandhis, but clever enough to deal with Khalistan issue through Benazir Bhutto who deftly gave in the lists and captured the premiership. Wanted is rule’s court’s ownership, no matter at what cost.

Nothing seems stable in Pakistan. Prices to Politics. Eyes watching her. With October the 6th approaching fast, with today’s perspective, arrangements are getting underway to humiliate and blotch the uniform again and in a more worse manner. Today’s saga could be a trailer. Who knows.

Supreme Court Tailors the Uniform

Awaited verdict, arriving winters through September and it brings in faltering hopes of the political parties which lost no chance to criticise the same Supreme Court and the Chief Justice, for which they rallied and braved the heat of Punjab in June and July, when the Uniform was declared as legal today around at 15.00 (PST, +500 GMT).

Political parties, which had all preparations in place, had the President and the commander been stripped off. The bets lay lose and naked. The same anticipation was in the air when the Big B (Nawaz Sharif) was expected to be around and sent back to his old refuge, old barracks yet again. The anticipation was blown to pieces. Alas, Pakistan public yet again fails to realise what good differs from bad and how. Goats and sheep all get crowded when its time to get slaughtered, amassed doesn’t entitle celebration.

The Government, has been sly, cautiously accepting criticism but knowingly peeking into other’s cards but keeping low on it’s. Government yet again gets a breath of life, though this time it doesn’t look so short. The present Government now can envisage a confirmed victory in the upcoming elections when, at the critical and sensitive moment, Supreme Court rallies in to shove and show its support for the Army.

Sharifs and Bhuttos, who saw convenient death of their so-called ‘Charter of Democracy’. Rumours are around that Benazir engineered the slip of Nawaz Sharif this time. Once a rival, always a rival; in between a relationship of convenience, relationship of Brothers and Sisters. Raakhi Bandhan gets sour. Dirty savage politics.

Be it the uniform or else, the poor public stays numbed and sidelined as ever. Inflation spiralling smoothly, coffers being filled, bridges are falling. No not the London Bridge but the Mayor’s Bridge. Friends and relatives enjoying protocols and services. Uniform does come in with compromises, much work too has been done. Political parties even now after the passage of 5 years, didn’t prove themselves deserving.

Not a single university, hospital, energy sector regulation, industrialisation, unified support against inflation sprouted from the Province of NWFP, where MMA enjoys its monopoly. Undoubtedly, the present Government would have been on its toes had the MMA delivered its promise. Had there been a single percent improvement in education in NWFP, the Madrassahs would never have been in the news. MMA stands failed here. Totally flop.

How could then Political parties come out in protest. What blank cheque have they delivered to the public? How come can they imagine support in the upcoming election? How can Election Commission expect free and fair election? With paltry situation and ground facts lying bare like this, where exquisite airports are constructed around slums, how would the public even care to use their right which is financed from their taxes and nominates Wolves of the jungle roaming around?

All thing aside, the lawyers, who joined the procession and breathed life in the independence of Courts, reduced down to savage usage of language right after the verdict. Anticipating sunny day and down came the rain. What to do? Run but they slander the Judges who were quite indiscriminate and professional with 6-3 difference. Even the Golden Goal, if applied, Uniform wins. Respect the law. Whatsoever. Period.

Before the international Media, the better half of thoughts should be exercised. A little respect is expected. Whatever comes down their way, its good. What goes around the block, they get personal. How justified is this?  Everyday is not a Sunday.