Pak Tea House » Archive
French Burqah Ban and the Secular Dilemma
Raza Habib Raja The recent ban imposed by France on Burqah (Full Veil) is generating a lot of reaction. The orthodox Muslims are expected to oppose it but their opposition is not what interests me. They are one hypocritical bunch of spineless people who are ready to cry foul when something happens in France while being supportive of Taliban oppression in our side of the world. They are more concerned about less than two thousand women who by the way have a choice to leave France and yet hypocritically silent over treatment which Muslim women receive in Muslim countries. A French law is hurting them more and yet far more oppressive and discriminatory laws against women in Muslim countries do not make them move an inch. However at the same time the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Islamism
Politicians and Media: Fostering McCarthyism
By Saad Hafiz There are a lot of lessons to be drawn from the political and media experiences of the United States, but the most relevant one is this: there can be a dangerous alliance between politicians and media using the same pulpit to promote hatred and intolerance with lasting effects. In the early 1950′s, Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anticommunist crusades, aided by a pliant media, destroyed lives and fostered a climate of fear and hostility in American Society. The Governing Class’ use of the media to spread fear is prevalent in American history, most recently in the run up to the war in Iraq. The “Red Menace” and “WMD” bogies trumpeted by Senator McCarthy and the Bush administration assisted by a section of the media confirmed that: “the great masses of the … Read entire article »
Reflections on Jantar Mantar revolution
By Jehangir Ali The Drama So we had an insouciant, television revolution in Lutyen’s Delhi. How peaceful it was! It took just four days and no bloodshed! No Gaddafis here, no bombing of ‘revolutionaries’, no martyrs, a pure pep talk on corruption and its ‘harmful effects’ and lo, our moment has come, “India has shown on TimesNow tonight that enough is enough! It is a people’s movement and we have won”, thunders a brutally honest Arnab Goswami. A wild dog suddenly starts barking in our street. There were more journalists and onlookers at Jantar Mantar than the actual number of protestors on more than one occasion over the last four days! The Meeting I had the pleasure of meeting a “philanthropic” (that is what his visiting card says) on Wednesday night, one Mr P Rajdeep, … Read entire article »
Filed under: India
State of Human Rights in Pakistan
“The elected government’s authority remains notional in several areas – particularly those concerning the intelligence agencies –Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan Representative, Human Rights Watch Three years into its term of office, the government faces unprecedented criticism. Given complaints about the elected government’s performance, do you think Pakistan was more stable and better governed under Musharraf? ADH: The past three years have shown us that even a dysfunctional, transitional democracy is preferable to military rule and dictatorship. The government’s legitimacy stems from the constitution and hence it has been bound to uphold the rule of law – even in areas where it may not have suited the interests of the ruling party. Musharraf, in contrast, held power through the barrel of a gun and the difference is quite apparent. Of course, elected … Read entire article »
Filed under: human rights, Pakistan
Pakistani media does not report on the brutal realities of Balochistan
Ali Dayan Hasan — Pakistan representative, Human Rights Watch The News on Sunday (TNS) How does HRW view the current state of human rights in Balochistan? Ali Dayan Hasan (ADH) The toxic mix of armed nationalist, sectarian and Taliban actors on the one hand and the trigger-happy military authorities on the other, makes Balochistan one of the most dangerous places in the world today. Illegal detention. torture, disappearances and targeted killings by the military are commonplace. Abuses by nationalist militants are also on the rise. It is an appalling situation and the great losers in this are the long-suffering people of the province. TNS: Your report on attacks on education in Balochistan was criticised by the nationalists as focusing too much on the issues of settlers. What was the reason for highlighting that? … Read entire article »
Filed under: baluchistan, Media
Late into a balmy April night
By Usman Ahmed Late into a balmy April night, a brilliant six by Captain Mohindra Singh Dhoni powered India to a dramatic victory over Sri Lanka in the cricket World Cup final. It was a fitting climax to what has been a wonderful tournament. Many commentators have suggested that this has been the best World Cup since 1992 and with so many recent flops it would be hard to disagree. An out of sorts England team, visibly tired after their ashes exploits, provided the drama in the group stages with a series of tense and absorbing matches including defeats to minnows Ireland and Bangladesh, a pulsating draw with the hosts and nervy victories over South Africa and West Indies that eventually saw them reach the knock-out stages. But, once there, their resistance … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cricket
The Ghost of Bhutto
By Fay Willey with Loren Jenkins from the April 16, 1979, issue. Thirty-two years ago, Gen. Zia ul Haq hanged then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Here’s this week’s flashback: From the April 4‚ 2011‚ issue The hangman’s fee was Rs. 25, about $2.50. On the scaffold, a magistrate read out the black-bordered execution order while prison officials bound the condemned man’s feet, placed a black hood over his head and put a manila rope around his neck. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Liberal Democratic Pakistan, Politics
Balochistan: Pushed to the wall
By Raza Rumi There must be something terribly wrong with the state of Pakistan that in its largest province, state schools no longer recite the national anthem and are giving up on the Pakistani flag. Tragic, that such alarming reports flashed in the national newspapers and on the internet are a subject of little debate and introspection across the country. Either that nobody really cares as to what happens to the tribals in the southwest of Pakistan, or that there is soft censorship at play. Such is the level of self-censorship on the issue of Balochistan that the ongoing insurgency finds scant mention in the otherwise, hysterical electronic media of Pakistan. True, there are brave exceptions in the public arena, but the eerie silence on Balochistan is disturbing for any Pakistani … Read entire article »
Filed under: baluchistan
Intellectualism In Islam
By Feroz Khan This article/post is in reply to the question if there ever was learning in Islam. Even more interesting than the fact that there was learning, knowledge and thought in the Islamic world, this question raises some very interesting questions and insights into the nature of the very debate itself that questions an existence of an intellectual tradition in Islam. The interesting aspect of this debate is that it is a misinformed discourse that instead of understanding the issue, assumes the veracity of its own conclusions as an informed judgment. From a historic point of view, this debate offers an amusing preview into the intellectual and cultural consensus within the thought process of the Islamic world and the thought patterns of the non-Islamic world upon the very nature and idea of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Islam
Tracing Bhutto’s impact on the Pakistani Political, Social and Economic Landscape
Raza Habib Raja This article does not try to tread the familiar theme of praising or lamenting Bhutto, but tries to evaluate his impact whether positive of negative( depending how positives or negatives are interpreted by the reader) on the course of history in Pakistan. Impact, can be intended or unintended and can be in line with the objective of a particular policy or can at times lead to completely different outcomes. Impact by no means is the sole contributor or the sole causal factor. Impact is the influence of a particular person, policy or action over subsequent events. So how do we evaluate his influence and impact? First, Bhutto can rightly be credited with actually creating a mass oriented populist politics in Pakistan. Most important contribution was arousing a collective feeling in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Liberal Democratic Pakistan
Z A Bhutto- A Rose was put to sleep.
By Riaz Ali Toori Grubby boots, imbecile minds, Broken promises, lidless eyes, Women beating their breasts, Chains have no ends. Death in the gallows, A Rose is put to sleep. Bhutto was a rose, crushed by a dictator, yet its fragrance has enraptured villages, cities, towns, streets and hearts of the people of Pakistan. Even death mourns the last of legends like Bhutto. As many as thirty one years have passed but the scent of that rose is still lingering in the air defying all attempts to suppress it. The charisma of Bhutto’s personality can still be felt throughout length and breadth of Pakistan. Time is meaningless, dust is helpless and opponents are powerless to erase Bhutto’s memories. His voice still echoes in the minds, his ideology still guides leaders and his philosophy still gives hope to live. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Liberal Democratic Pakistan
Long Live Bhutto, For Ever And Ever
By D. Asghar Even those who did hate him with a passion, cannot discard his genius. A man with remarkably unparalleled intelligence and unmatched spontaneity, the one and only Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. His passion in front of the crowd was one of a kind. Who ever met with him once, called him unforgettable. From the mystic land of Sindh, came this gem, who made his share of blunders, but gave Pakistan and Pakistanis a new vision. Who uplifted the souls of many, and left with a vacuum, which remains unfilled, even after 32 long years. The bold and often brash Bhutto, who was revered by many and envied by a whole lot for his guts. No matter where your political leaning may have been, you could just not ignore him. Undoubtedly, a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Liberal Democratic Pakistan
Killing the Helpers: Reaction to Burning of Quran
Raza Habib Raja After months of uncertainty an irresponsible pastor did what he had long wanted to do: burn the Holy Quran in USA. About six months ago also, he had threatened to do the same but then had backed down after repeated pleas from the American President and various celebrities. In USA, the first amendment protects certain acts and since US constitution reigns supreme due to strict adherence to rule of law. At that time the maximum the US authorities could do was to try to convince the pastor of showing some sort of responsibility. And they tried their level best. However, after a hiatus of few months, Terry Jones and his small group of followers burnt the Quran. The act in my opinion reeks of religious bigotry and is thoroughly … Read entire article »
PTH biweekly Cartoon
Picture of the Week
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Sunrise at the Arabian Sea, Charna Island
24 Dec 2011
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