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.

The Gaza Tragedy - Time to Speak Up!!

Mr. Ehud Barak’s address to the parliament affirmed Israel’s intention for the Invasion of Gaza strip as the continued air strikes drew a horrible blood-bath leaving the International Community in tears and zipped mouths. . In wake of hitting critical Hamas targets, Israel has flattened schools and government buildings, refugee camps, University Buildings killing women and children remorselessly to salvage and protect their territory from Hamas rockets. Almost the entire Arab & Muslim world seems as silent as the grave and have turned away their eyes from the terrorizing onslaught and massacre of the innocent Palestinians.
The tally of the death nearing 400 and almost 1500 injured requiring immediate medical attention in hospitals that are almost incapable of functioning and those facilities are now bleeding every resource available owing to the Israeli sanctions. Israel have taken up a strategy what the world refers to as ‘Terrorism’ – instilling fear for an ideological goal and deliberately targeting, and disregarding the safety, of non combatants. This is as much an act of terror as a suicide bomber rips apart a market place.
It is the sole responsibility of our Arab and Muslim leaders to join hands and voice as one a common stand against such carnage. These concerns can no better be addressed to the world powers, who blindly support not only the Israeli occupation but also approve of the onslaught by stating that: "Israel has the right to defend itself", by our current Muslim leaders, especially the Arab League as they hold with them the Key to driving their economies. Not as a threat rather a stern warning.
It is also vital for the Muslim world to realized that if Israel could hamper the UN resolutions and care less about the International Criminal Laws and deem the Invasion of Gaza as its right, it could very well breach their borders to further secure itself from potential threats; since Israel has vividly indicated that "... it is in continuous threat from its neighbors"
This is the time for the Muslim Leaders to set side their differences and stand united against a common cause, for their fellow brothers and sisters, for humanity and for themselves. Help yourself, Help your brothers and sister, Help Gaza - if is after all a part of us.

Taking Science on Faith

Science – the most reliable form of knowledge about the world because it is based on testable hypothesis. Faith, on the other hand, is a belief in the trustworthiness of an idea. Many regard science as the only authentic source of dependable, immutable, absolute, universal, mathematical laws of an unspecified origin that governs the universe. However, others rest their faith on a set of beliefs derived from religious precepts. There has always been a constant debate between those who believe in having faith is sufficient and those who need scientific evidence that could proof the assumption that nature is ordered in a rational and intelligible way. In science, a healthy skepticism is a professional necessity, whereas in religion, having belief without evidence is regarded as a virtue.
Below is a small excerpt from one of the reading material I was brushing through. Though the source and authenticity of this passage is dubious, it justifies the clean-connection between science and faith:

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the Problem Science has With GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New Christian Students to stand and…
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent )

Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young Fella. Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer)

Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who Created them ?

(Student had no answer)

Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD , Tasted your GOD , Smelt your GOD ? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't..

(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events )

Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.

(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )

Student : What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light . . . But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going )

Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavor, Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?

(The Class was in Uproar)

Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain?

(The Class broke out into Laughter)

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . .. . No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that You have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir?

(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)

Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir . .. . Exactly ! The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.

NB:
That student was Albert Einstein.

Though the story is a little dramatized, it does assert the notion that science has its own faith-based belief system that suffices merely to strength the Link between Man & God!!!