Pakistan Fashion Week & What it brought forth!

Pakistan kicked off Fashion Week, a four day event in Karachi, just two hours by plane from primary nesting places for Al Qaeda and the Taliban, last week. The event signified the Nihilism, Opulence and assertion of modernity of Pakistan,
Though loudly applauded and largely acknowledged, Pakistan Fashion Week is a hard and fierce some sting to our social ideology, moreover it more greatly notions an act of insolence against the Islamic teaching which are the founding stone of Pakistan.
In principle Islam has ordained a very specific and vastly responsible role for its women in society. Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most scared and essential one. Neither maids nor babysitters can possibly take the mothers place as the educator of upright, complex-free and carefully reared children. Such a noble and vital role, which largely shapes the future of nations, cannot be regarded as “idleness”.
What the Pakistan Fashion Week brings forth into the eyes of the world is a distorted and rather confused and dismal image of Pakistan’s current society. With a large number of female participants viciously dressed in designer-wear, spiked jewelry, exposing tattoos, navels and shoulders the event substantially donates Pakistan’s progress towards a more modernized and western-influenced society and farther from ideal Islamic one. The designer dresses (such as Sonya Battla) represented a mockery of our culture and society values and an emulation of the western civilization.
History testifies that when a community shakes off barbarism and advances towards civilization, its women follow its men as maids and bondwomen. And during their advancement they bestow undue freedom upon the fair sex with the result that latter’s excessive freedom deals a fatal blow at the family life which is the very basis of civilization. More than that it brings in its wake a flood of obscenity, licentiousness and sexual perversion, which ruin the morals of the whole community.
It is not aimed to degrade the thorough and thought out efforts of the designers, however it is intended to pragmatically and prudently denounces the western influence that has raved our minds. These efforts should more coherently be focused on promoting and depicting Pakistan and its society in its most intrinsic and rightfully judged manner.

Obama's Challenge

It certainly is worthy of praise the efforts that President Obama has set forth for the reconciliation of the Middle East peace process. Though at one point in time the efforts were meagerly comprised of words and promises, it is commendable that those words have taken shape given the hefty Pro-Jewish American ideology. President Obama is to be applauded for identifying the Israeli-Palestinian dispute as a key foreign policy priority and his stepped up efforts.

Nonetheless, as rightly identified, the mammoth task of comprising and settling the debate for ‘settlement freeze’ is the first and the primary head stone in the peace reviving efforts. Both, Netenyahu and Abbas, have concreted a stern stance on their objectives and persuading the men to sit in the same room constitutes a kind of breakthrough.
It is evident that this time round President Obama has sided with the Palestinians; favoring their stance on settlement freeze, and views it essential for the peace process to advance. This is where the challenge steps in. He has already made glimpses for his support towards the Palestinians and promised to ‘… make right the wrongs’ and issued blunt warnings to Jerusalem to halt its illegal settlement activity in the occupied West Bank (land designated for the Palestinians by the UN Charter) saying “…(it) undermines efforts to achieve peace”. Provided the strong and fortified Israeli lobby within the US administration, his going might get tougher as he might not only receive criticism from within but also from the European allies of Israel.

The question for Obama is how long he can go without having something tangible to show for his engagement. Arab states have balked at making gestures of normalisation towards Israel as long as there is no movement on the settlement front - an issue of enormous symbolic significance that is seen as a test of Israel's good intentions.

Become Pakistan, once again

It was on this auspicious occasion when the First Governor General of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, on the 15th Aug, 1947 sent his flavoring emotional greetings of independence to the nation all over. It was all those words that had been an insinuation, inspiration and the guiding force behind the creation of a Muslim nation. 62 years later, we emulate the same passion and zeal that our fore fathers exhibited and celebrate the most honorable day of our not-so-pleasant past. In these times of scarce electricity and a sharp rise in street violence, we still have lit our houses with flashing colored lights, decorated the streets with waving flags, we are chanting slogans of nationhood, signing patriotic songs all in the name of valor, dignity, pride and prosperity of Pakistan.

All along the way and in the midst of these flamboyant celebrations, not many foresee brighten en route for the future. A nation crippled with economic frustration and living amidst constant fear of terrorist, plummeting administrative, legislative and political statures, Pakistan has in all its might, lost its sole cause of existence. A land foresighted for a cohesive Muslim brotherhood and a nation that would thrive on Islamic principles and regulations.

Had Pakistan been a name of an entity or individual, would he be a Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi or Pathan? Had Pakistan been a name of a creed, would it be Islamic, secular or, as the newly devised terminology, Moderate?

62 years of dust and rubble blown into the face, meticulously enduring against political, economical and administrative blocs both internal and external, the nerve breaking legacy of the Muslim Brotherhood as a nation has, somehow, still been preserved. We have tumbled and fallen, yet we are not dejected. We have been beaten and bruised, yet we are still strong and faithful. Let us unite once again, let us strive once again, and let us become Pakistan once again.

Swat Operation & The Lahore Blast

Three weeks into the conflict and the devastating aftermath of the Swat Operations are on the forefront. The Lahore blast can easily be documented as a Prime Beginning into the retaliation by the Talibans.
Pakistan government had marshaled 15,000 troops into the swat valley to eliminate and annihilate the “existential threat” consuming the US war in Afghanistan.

Apparently, and for all reasons logically perceived, Pakistan had never been a part of the ongoing War on Terror, though there had been claim of Pakistan being a close ally of the US on the war, its actual participation had yet to be compromised. The Bush administration had tried its utmost tactics to indulge Pakistan with itself, yet their threatening attitude brought them no gain. On the contrary, the recent Obama administration, realizing the fact that Pakistan’s involvement is the certain key to its triumph in Afghanistan, sought to boisterously aid Pakistan and buys them into the bargain.

The onslaught by the Pakistan army in the Swat Valley is a prime war tactic profoundly utilized by large armies battling out insurgencies. The fleeing Afghan Talibans sought refuge in the North Frontier Province of Pakistan in the homes of their Pakhtun brothers who would help and aid them in their resurgence. The clan-brotherhood of the Pakhtuns is one of a kind in the world. Thus these lands were converted into rendezvous points and it was through these lands that the recent uprising of Taliban began.

The US having little access to these lands had no other option but to pile up pressure on the Pakistan government and force them into launching an assault

The end to the Swat Operation is as uncertain as its success or failure. Yet, the repercussions have started its toll. Pakistan risks greater backlash and further destabilization in the country. The Pakistan army may make short-term gains, but it risks increase terror-like attacks on more stable areas of eastern Pakistan. The very indiscriminate nature of military response may well be storing up resentment elsewhere and ability of Taliban-like-groups to quickly inflate in other areas as they are squeezed in Swat is of particular concern.

The Taliban and its allies will resort to increase terrorist attacks elsewhere in Pakistan and then there will be two questions left with Pakistan. One is whether the army and police can hold the territories it has conquered, and secondly – more questionably, will they go on to reconquer other areas on the Afghan Frontier (rendezvous points) as the US would like.

The only, materialistically viable solution for a long-term stability in Pakistan is dependant on the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and not merely reinforcing Pakistan army and police and pumping in aid to undercut insurgency. It is the US presence in Afghanistan that is feeding the insurgency in Pakistan and eventually in Afghanistan.

Mukhtar Mai Weds Nasir Gabool

"He says he madly fell in love with me", Mrs. Mukhtar Mai Gabool, as we would now know her, said with a big laugh when asked what finally persuaded her to say yes. She finally put it out for everyone adding a little tinge of romance.

There have been several stories and even more opinions floating around with the recent marriage of Mukhtar Mai with her Guardian Constable Nasir Gabool highlighting several facts and intriguing stories (or rumors). Nevertheless, she again, has stood tall and against all odds proved wrong the prevalent stigma of narrow-minded Pakistani society.

I happen to watch her farewell (rukhsati) ceremony on Geo and was rather startled with the aura of her personality presence within the crowd. Though, a lot of credit is owed to her awe-inspiring heroism of her sadden tale, rather she is more shrewd than predicted. She was confident in her words, very much comfortable with the situation (given the fact that she is the second wife of Constable Gabool) and high in command of not only herself but also everything that surrounded her, inclusive of Constable Gabool and his first wife.

She made clear and definite statements on why and how she agreed to the persistent request from Gabool and his family. She made her future plans crystal clear identifying Gabool’s involvement and limitations on her decisions. Her comments were not to be questioned twice, if she’s made a statement that’s pretty much it. She certainly holds good command on her thoughts and has them very well defined and laid out. Regardless of the sympathies, I had always been fond of her audacious and undying will to fight-back and now I admire her strong personality trait.

With her strong and vehement personality, I wonder how competent Nasir Gabool would be in order to cope with her. In terms of a healthy relationship, it is believed that the husbands’ personality should be a touch higher such to empower his female counterpart in order to remain dominant in a relationship, not to torment and enslave her wife, but rather to achieve a balanced-married-life. However, it does not seem the likely case with Mr. Gabool’s second marriage. Evidently his counterpart is a much stronger personality comparatively and apparently already very dominant.

Having said that, she does attract global attention and I, again, praise her the way she has posed herself not only as a strong defiant woman of today fighting for her rights and justice, but a Pakistani women. Though her ordeal has struck some massive blows to the dysfunctional Pakistan society, globally, but it also has pulled a few strings and tarnished great awareness among the not-so-civilized parts of Pakistan.

How Recession came in Gawal Mandi?

Lately, after recovering from being completely drenched in work, I spared some time out to find my(LOST)self. I gathered with some old friends and spent an evening commemorating our old begotten times

It was only during that time, one of my, self claiming, financial expert friend happen to explain us the steps that led to recession in Pakistan. Given the mood of the evening was light and the company (mostly engineers) were alien to the finance subject, he put forth a hilarious and very much comprehendible scenario that led to recession in Gawal Mandi:

"Pajja is the proprietor of a Siri-Paya and Nehari Shop in Lahore's Gawal Mandi . Sales are low and, in order to increase them, he comes up with a plan to allow his customers to eat now and pay later. He keeps track of the meals consumed on a ledger.Word gets around and as a result increasing numbers of customers flock to Pajja’s shop. Pajja’s suppliers are delighted and are very willing to sell more and more raw materials for the meals he prepares. Pajja shows them his ledger of receivables and they extend him credit.A young and dynamic customer service consultant at the local bank recognizes these customer debts as valuable future assets and gives Pajja a credit line and then increases Pajja’s borrowing limit.Taking advantage of his customers' freedom from immediate payment constraints, Pajja jacks up the prices of his Nehari and Siri-Paye. Customers dont mind as they are not required to pay on the spot. Sales volume increases massively; Banks and suppliers lend more; Pajja opens more outlets. He sees no reason for undue concern since he has the debts of the customers as collateral.At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert bankers recognize Pajja's customer loans as assets and transform these customer assets into BONDS. These negotiable instruments are given exotic names such as SIRIBOND, PAYABOND, MAGHAZBOND AND BONGBOND. These securities are then listed on the Stock Exchange and traded on markets worldwide. No one really understands what the names mean and how the securities are guaranteed but, nevertheless, as their prices continuously climb, the securities become top-selling items.One day, although the prices are still climbing, a credit risk manager of the bank decides that the time has come to demand payment of one of the debts incurred by Pajja. Pajja in turn asks his clients to pay up. One by one they refuse; the clients cannot pay back the debts. Pajja refuses to serve them any more. The clients stop coming.Pajja is really screwed now. He cannot fulfill his loan obligations and therefore claims bankruptcy. All Bonds drop in price by between 80 to 95%.The suppliers of Pajja, having granted generous payment due dates and having invested in the securities are faced with similar problems. The meat supplier defaults on payment to the sheep and cattle supplier and claims bankruptcy. The atta supplier is taken over by a competitor; Pajja lays off the cook and staff. Bankruptcies soar, unemployment mushrooms.The bank that lent the money in the first place is set to collapse. It is saved by the Government following dramatic round-the-clock consultations by leaders from the governing political parties with Pajja commuting back and forth in his Executive jet and Mercedes 500SEL, brokering the deal.The funds required to save the economic collapse are obtained by a tax levied on the citizens, most of whom do not eat Nehari or Siri-paye."

Gaza Carnage and why Israel attacked Gaza

As I sat on my lazy-chair, straight resting crossed legs, I could only frown my eye brows in discomfort, squinted my eyes in disgust and wept in agony when I saw the grotesque images of the savagery unleashed on Gaza.
Cease-fire agreements fail to be reached consistently under the notion “…Israel has the right to defend itself”
A narrow strip, measuring 10 km by 45 km, has been locked out from all sides and turned virtually into a prison.
As the images of racing ambulances, crying children, screaming women, blood-drenched corpses flashed on the TV, I was coincidently struck with the question: WHY?
If one was to answer that question quoting Tzipi Livni, ”we want to liquate Hamas and its rocket attacks”, it would advisable for to remain silent and be thought a fool then to speak out and remove all doubt.
Or if one accords with the GW Bush, “I understand Israel’s desire to protect itself. The situation now taking place in Gaza was caused by Hamas”, it would be surprising how every fool finds a better one to admire them.
Out of the many genuine reasons, the one that promptly adheres to mind is the nearing election season in Israel and the dampening poll rating of the ruling Labor Party. It is surprisingly evident, that though the Israelites are not very much content with the present government body, the best way for Mr. Ehud Olmert to regain their support was to eliminate the single greatest threat to the country and erase Palestine!
Another thoughtful reason is the timing. The new US government has sought to bring about ‘Change’, effectively in the US policies in Middle East. Israel, while still time and US permitting them, waged the greatest onslaught on Gaza in history.
Lastly, and the most defining reason, is the continued hind-sightedness and ignorance of the current Middle East leaders to the illegal occupation of Israel on the Palestinian land. Had there been a collective and positive effort in the past, the US would not have been able to create Israel into such a monster that is currently haunting the entire region. And it is a fact very much acknowledges by these leaders, yet they refuse to indulge themselves into cooperative society that could avert such crisis.
Now, at best, all we could do is remorse within ourselves and sympathize with our fellow brothers and sisters there. May God Help them.