Security Breach!!!

FBI’s most wanted terrorist was killed in a covert raid by the US forces on Pakistan soil with no information or assistance from the Pakistani Military or Intelligence. Though the US vehemently claims that it had received no backing from the Pakistani authorities to conduct its raid there lacks credible evidence in support of it. The mere merchants of governance in the already fluttering regime of Pakistan have seconded their claim possibly to avoid any sort of backlash from the militants, which does seem as imminent as ever, and to void any connection in aiding Osama’s hiding or even knowing his whereabouts.

It is rather difficult to fathom how any operation on a foreign soil could have been conducted without any or little involvement of its authorities, especially in the mysterious region of Pakhtunkhuwa whose thick long mountainous belt has eluded everyone. Even the widely controversial and criticized Drone Attacks over the North Waziristan area have been possible only with the intel and support of Pakistan Military. It has been a long established fact that the US has always been weary and skeptical of the Pakistani Intelligence and its alliances with the Afghan Taleban especially after the 1998 incident when US intended to bomb and kill Osama and his elites in one the Al Qaeda Training camps in Afghanistan and miserably failed after, supposedly, being tipped off by Pakistani authorities as they had been notified of the cruise missiles flying over their airspace. Though, again, there has been lack of material evidence supporting this notion.

If one reasons it out, there is less to blame the Pakistani intelligence for its dual personality. The ingrained bond with the Afghan Taleban was seeded by the CIA during the Soviet Invasion. However, over the years it has strengthened primarily to secure much of Pakistan’s own sovereignty at home and importantly also to maintain a higher degree of influence in Afghanistan than from India. However, the duality had its price. Allying with the US in the war on terror and allowing its soil to be used against the Afghan Taleban shredded its sovereignty into pieces and shifted the balance of influence over to India.

The US has on countless times threatened, and many a times even harmed, Pakistan’s sovereignty. However, with this secretive raid in Abbottabad has the US breached Pakistan’s security? It has done so a million times, does this one make it any especial? It does only if the claimants are true. A cross border raid using stealth technology at a town not far from the capital is a dithering sight for Pakistan security and its intelligence. It is a direct assault and shame on the Pakistan Military and Intelligence whom we savior for our protection. Furthermore it is an embarrassment to our leaders who have gone so much into the lucrative US aid that they have foregone their country’s sovereignty and security for its sake.

Broken, not Shattered

PAKISTAN LOST, yet again. Yes it is not something new, not very fascinating and certainly not surprising. What it is, it is DISAPPOINTING!

The entire match can rightly be summarized with that one delivery from Wahab Riaz to Dhoni which found its outside edge and flew very comfortably to the right of our ONLY wicketkeeper (in a nation of 170 million people, having more than 45 official domestic cricket teams besides the regional teams and dozens cricketing clubs) Kamran Akmal who had to stretch, not only his arms (which were actually glued to his underarms), his legs (which were burried well deep in the ground) but his overweight and rigid body itself. Now, that is just too much of an asking from Kamran, who actually defied all odds and did manage to dive in and get his spongy slippery fingers to the ball yet barely leaving the comfort the ground and eventually DROPPING IT. It is not something new, not very fascinating and certainly not surprising. But indeed, very DISAPPOINTING.

Pakistan were certainly not the favorites entering into Mohali, it was India right from the point when they thrashed Australia in the quarters and Ponting commenting that "India will beat Pakistan in the semi finals". However, the Pakistan team had managed to instill a glimmer of hope within themselves and the overly supportive nation by their unified performances that they might actually pull this one off. But that glimmer was quickly squashed when the two of  their most experienced players (Younus and Misbah) succumbed to pressure and spilled out regulation catches of the highest run scorer in the world (which probably Mr. Gilani would have caught easily even if he was trying to run away from them).

That precisely was the difference between the two sides. India, a batting superpower, and Pakistan, a lordship of bowling, showcased their talents and strengths exuberantly and efficiently. What was going to count was not the dew factor rather the fielding. And unfortunately, it was Pakistan that displayed a poor show in that department. Certainly the Indian fielding was not very estatic and inspiring, it was the Pakistani fielders that could not really cling on to the occassion.

The last time Pakistan dropped two catches of a single batsmen early in the innings, they ended up chasing 302 (vs. Newzeland in WC 2011). Similarly, the way Mohali wicket started to absorb the bounce and grip the ball, chasing 261 was no less than chasing 300.

There have been many people critising Misbah's innings (56 runs off 76 balls) and that his slow approach early in the innings led to the eventual doom. Rather, it was his sloppy fielding that cost us the match. And to pile on the agony, Younus did nothing even close to Misbah's attempt to the least. Giving a chance to Sachin to go on and make his 100th 100, he did little to make anything of the Pakistan's chase

With everything said and all the fingers pointed and the guilty accused, we should not take any credit away from this distrauted team for rising through the ranks admist the ruins and the conspiracies. They have done sufficiently well, efficiently too, to play a WC semi final losing their two main strike bowlers (Asif and Aamir) and an openning batsmen (Salman Butt - though he's more of a BUTT(ocks)) and the possibility of playing that very semi final in Lahore. Our team has given us a reason to believe in them. They had not only the world's greatest batsmen fall four times in a single innings with ease but also the possible man-of-the-tournamnet (Yuvraj) bowled out on a GOLDEN DUCK infornt of his home crowd. That was sufficient for them to make a significant and quintessentail statement that we should never be ruled out of any competition even if we are stripped off of our spears and shields. This is Pakistan Cricket and lets believe in them.

Pakistan's Moment

Mr. Shahid Burki (KT Opinion “Pakistan’s Egypt Moment”) paints a very dismal yet quite realistic picture of Pakistan’s prevailing socio-economic crisis. The sordid and self-centered rulers of Pakistan since its creations and their inept governance today have pushed the country to the precipice of complete meltdown. Definitely a revolution seems imminent and could not be timed more perfectly. It has become more of a necessity than a mere possibility.

However, unlike the Egyptians or Tunisians, Pakistanis are much more diverse and divided when it comes to political ideology and democratic views. Much of this is credited to the ominous success of the various political parties, a dominant feudal system and poignantly regional and provincial differences. Differences are so strong that when it comes to safeguarding their identities and ideologies they leave no barrier broken and no limits crossed even disregarding humanity and sensibility. Also, unlike Egypt and Tunisia, a revolt against a military dictator seems much more plausible than against a complete political and democratic regime.

Nevertheless, UNITY was the core and essential element that drove a whole country to abrogate their decades of misery. Likewise, the only practical and possible element that could unify and combine the tragically diverse mindset of the people of Pakistan is ‘Religion’ and Faith. It is by far the only conjugational element left within each Pakistani that somehow links and bonds them together. This is no way a suggestion that an Islamic votary and his followers take up arms and start upon a killing spree. Nor is this to be confused or even fused with the idea of Islamic Militancy. These actions are in no way related to the basics of our religion. Those that do indulge in them are a mere manifestation of any other terrorist.

Though the experts do not predict such a revolt, however Pakistan being an Islamic Republic does have the will and history to rise with their religion and change the course of the waves.

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This blog featured in KT Letters to the Editor, 22nd Feb, 2011

Stalled Mid East Talks

The Middle East peace talks have stalled, yet again. The Obama administration has blatantly accepted its failure in continuing the peace efforts it started twenty months back. It does not surprise since it was only a matter of time that another deadlock to the peace efforts came into place.

The Israeli government is hell bent on colonizing the shrinking patches of land left to the Palestinians, paying no heed to the international calls, and uses its military brute force to contain any resistance.

The US has been unable to counter it, either willingly or unwillingly. Will the US be able to crack the nut and restart a fresh series of talks? Will it be able to drag both parties to agree on common ground? The answers to such questions remain skeptical.
The Obama administration’s inability to contain the Israeli demographic clock - that had been waiting to start ticking - is yet another glimpse of ingrained bias in US politics, which remains the prime factor in discontinuing the peace process. The unwarranted political support towards Israel and US media that tends to be more pro-Israeli than pro-Arab makes it highly unlikely that US will ever be seen as an even-handed peace broker. Moreover, the plights of the 1.3 million Palestinians who are left in a virtual prison in the Gaza strip have been ignored in every aspect making matters even worse. Their refusal to negotiate with a democratically elected Palestinian government (Hamas - which was elected in the 2006 elections prompted by the US but later rejected it when it did not like the results) makes the peace efforts look half-hearted and half dealt. Though it is not hard to estimate the difficulty of the task Obama has in hand, one feels the US is trying to merely tackle the issue for the moment. Whether they succeed in developing yet another temporary solution or a lasting one remains to be seen. However, the current motives do not predict any changes in the Middle East peace process.

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The above blog appeared in Khaleej Times Letters to the Editor on 18th Dec, 2010

Leak-gate an Eye-opener

The latest documentation dump by Wikileaks representing the massive sampling of the daily traffic between the US State Department and some 270 embassies and consulates, truly serve as an eye-opener for a common man deluded by the mainstram events around the globe. It is true that many of the revealed secrets do not reveal BIG secrets.

Many of these might already be lingering in the back of our minds; however they shed palpable light on the nature of the US foreign policy and its imperial intrigue. It should be not be surpriseing that the US State Department has turned into a vast net of spies, collection information not only on personnel but also important miliatry locations. This turns to depict how the US seeks to safegaurd its influence in other countries.

It may make the world dislike the US a little bit more. Authentic evidence substantiating the cover aims of the US administration have been disclosed and laid bare for the common man to contemplate and ponder.

The US, ostensibly fumed over the exposure of these ominous leaks and weighing up the inherent damage, has issued statements opposing the act of illegally obtaining the cables and publishing them with no regard to the threat it would pose to it's international relations and operations.

Though, in principle, the very act of stealing secrets and confidential documents is wrong, the US has been involved in criminal activities in Iraq and Afghanistan on a massive scale. It thus becomes equally essential for organisations (such as Wikileaks) to present to the world a clear and vivid understanding of these operations.

It is also shameful that the mainstream media did not bring these to forefront. The US administration has already initiated the recovery program and this time around it is making efforts to ascertain the halting and derailing of any such 'leaks' in the future.

The US foreign policy, which is in the limelight for the past few days' courtesy Wikileaks, will not deter much in wake othese events. The administration and policies are intrinsically well entrenched to be shaken off easily.

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The above post also features in Khaleej Times 'Open Space' on 3rd Dec, 2010 

Self-Realization - The Need of the hour

A beholder may only develop a palpable perspective; but to establish the true judgment he needs to ponder.

There have been quite a few theories floating around regarding the devastating floods that have razed and ravaged more than a quarter of the nation. A horde of environmentalists’ have blatantly, and rightly, accused the expansive of use of fossil fuel by every individual all over the world in degenerating the global climate thus resulting in global warming. One of the aftermaths of this global warming, they suggest, is “high frequency of heavy precipitation events over most land areas”. The according judgment that firmly binds the above statement as a measurable argument is a simple principle. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air thus there is more suspended moisture during warmer seasons (and as the earth gets warmer, there is a higher content of moisture in the air) and periodically falls to the ground.

Although a scathing review of our lifestyle, yet undeniably true. The finger points directly to each one of us and our mundane course of life that is accustomed to the heavy use of locomotives and an even heavier use of lower grade gasoline. However, this is just an aspect of our daily lives that has directly constituted towards such a reckoning. In the last decade draughts, earthquakes and floods have razed havoc across Pakistan, yet each time we successfully deduce an inane reasoning to justify natures work and forget to judge the innate reason behind.

A wider perspective of all such tragedies that have befallen us is to scrutinize our entire daily lives and not just one aspect of it. We all collectively believe, without any recourse that any such calamity is from the Almighty alone. No denying that. It is with His Command alone that any great fortune be bestowed on us or a great calamity befalls on us, and all such elements traverse to form a chain leading to the event. What have we done that sparked such a staunch warning from Allah?

Allah had blessed us and our forefathers with pride, honor, dignity and freedom in form of Pakistan. With great scarifies was a land created in the name of Islam, where Muslims would practice Islam in light of the Divine Law (Quran) and spread the message forward without any hindrances. Groom and nurture our generations under an Islamic dominance, cultivate the social and moral practices of Islam into our lives. Pakistan became the only nation created on the basis of religion and not any racial decorum.

Unfortunately we have exuberantly failed in accomplishing any of that. The land of Muslims has been transformed into a war-waging land of terrorists and religious fanatics. Our social and moral values have degenerated to such as extent that in no way do we depict an Islamic society, let alone a human society. Social intolerance and crimes like theft, robbery, and extortion are at an all time high. Moral dignities and values are long lost and forgotten such that domestic violence and disturbance has become a norm. We have disfigured the actual image of Islam moved far away from its teaching and molded them to befit our needs. We, as a nation, have failed collectively. It is not just a handful of individual who are to be held accountable, we are in it altogether. Each one of us has his/her own share in bringing such calamities upon us. The finger points directly to each one of us and our mundane course of life.

The first and foremost thing is ‘self-realization’. A man can starve from self-realization as much as from bread. We all are guilty of our own share for the present condition, and we must realize it. We all contribute, knowingly or unknowingly, in conniving to the entire plot. We need to realize and set ourselves straight. Just as we would walk shorter distances to avoid the unnecessary burning of gasoline and filling the atmosphere with more carbon dioxide or car-pool with friends. Similarly, we need to rectify our individual acts. Turn towards our intrinsic values, be more inclined towards our religious duties, and be mindful of right and wrong. Repent, seek forgiveness and learn from such incidents.

Credit Card Mayhem

I boastful claim of my achievement that I have quite successfully hindered myself from the tempting attractions of the single great menace that has swept the entire financial community into deep damaging crunches and meltdown. CREDIT CARDS. So severe were its repercussion that the resurgence was often seen next to the birth of Jesus.

I DO NOT OWN ONE!

However, the times have changed. And with ‘Change’ comes ‘Great Change’. Often so great, that if one precludes understanding its significance and neglects molding in time in its accordance; he is left far outside the arena of social advancement.

‘Adaptability’ has becomes the prime characteristic of the modern age men and women. Mixed along with a few random elements of ‘Understanding’ & ‘Durability’ – you have yourself a perfect recipe to engage the 22nd Century.

After a long sabbatical from the ‘Credit Card World’ I have finally given in. The change was so great and compelling that my obstinate mentality finally yielded. The harrowing experience of having a credit card in US during my undergraduate studies has haunted me ever since. Though I had made myself a valiant pact and never to return or covet for it. The current circumstances have slightly softened the iron – red enough to mold it.

After long and poignant debates I finally abet the crime. I agreed on getting myself a Credit Card. However, I put forth a few stringent rules that need to be abide in order to suffice the craving.

Rule # 1 – NO INTEREST. It strikes to me as the first and foremost duty as a Muslim to keep my earning away from Interest. Though I am not a financial expert – and I am thankful to Allah about it – I am very much convinced regarding the operations of Islamic Banks. The difference is subtle and fine. It’s the same difference that exists between a belief of a Muslim in Allah and of a Christian in God.

I would like to quote the Quranic verse here regarding Interest:

“Those who spend their wealth secretly and openly by day and night, will have their reward with their Lord, and they have nothing to fear nor grieve. But those who devour interest become like the one whom Satan has bewitched and maddened by his touch They have been condemned to this condition because they say, "Trade is just like interest”, whereas Allah has made trade lawful and interest unlawful Henceforth, if one abstains from taking interest after receiving this admonition from his Lord, no legal action will be taken against him regarding the interest he had devoured before; his case shall ultimately go to Allah. But if one repeats the same crime after this, he shall go to Hell, where he shall abide forever. Allah deprives interest of all blessing and develops charity; and Allah does not like an ungrateful, sinful person”

(Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 274-276)

Rule # 2 – USE THE CARD ONLY WHERE A CARD NEEDS TO BE USED. People usually feel might strong (financially) when they possess credit cards. They transform into ‘Money-Spending-Superman’ sprouting their credits cards at the first sniff of expense. Collecting reward points, airway miles and cashing in on inane discounted offers (5% off on every purchase of 5000. I never really understood how could one ever fall for such deals?). Sliding the colorful card up and down the machine, signing off receipts living in a vaunting air of superiority of the priceless spending power they had always yearned for.

Not soon they are struck with the reality of life. After a month of lavish spending they realize that they still have not collected enough airway miles to fly them from their house to their office, nor are the reward points sufficient enough to redeem them, so they still have to pay for their groceries. On top of that, they stand aghast when they are told by their banks that they need to pay additional 3.999999% (not 4% - wow what a relief!) on their entire spending since you cannot repay all of it this time. They wake up only to find themselves completely submerged in the pool of de(a)bt(h).

Rule # 3 – NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IS THE CUSTODY TO BE GIVEN TO YOUR WIFE. The less it is spoken about, the better and clearer it is!!!

With these three rules up and standing I assent to yet another charm of our socially advanced society. As one of my friend says: “Dude, today the years are so advance that you say 20 before 10”