Pak Tea House » Northern Areas
Setting Immi Khan Right
Courtesy Enlightened Pakistan By Lila Thadani The British parliament remains a lively place as it has many interesting mavericks. Unlike them, our eccentric parliamentarians are self righteous, lack a sense of humor and are sadly very shallow. You guessed it, they are the two Khans: Asghar and Imran. Asghar can be forgiven for his good deed of having sired the late Omar Asghar Khan. He, though, hasn’t been punished enough for inviting the army to overthrow Bhutto and inflicting Zia on this country, which only a mighty mango crate could push aside. The curse of that dictator lives on in the form of the Talibs and the Fascists in Sindh’s urban areas. The unwise Asghar ought to have stuck to his F-104s, rather than satisfying his urge for power through politics. Thankfully age … Read entire article »
Filed under: Northern Areas, Pakistan, Taliban, Terrorism
America Creating 'Talibanization' in Pakistan, Say Arab Media
New America Media, News Analysis, Jalal Ghazi Editor’s Note: Arab media are disappointed with Pres. Barack Obama’s Pakistan-Afghanistan strategy. The U.S. focus on the Taliban’s assault on women’s rights ignores the fact that the military attacks are actually helping to unite Pashtun tribal groups under the Taliban banner, says NAM contributor Jalal Ghazi. The specter of a Taliban takeover of Pakistan has been haunting Western media. As the fighting between Pakistani forces and the Taliban intensifies, Arab media are pointing the finger at the United States. The Obama Administration does not understand Pashtun cultural traditions, say the media. It is using force first, just as the Bush administration had done. In fact, the air strikes killing many civilians are actually creating more “Talibanization,” say Arab media. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Al Qaeda, Islamism, Media, Northern Areas, Pakistan, Taliban, Terrorism, USA
Pakistan's displacement camps: A study in contrasts
The government’s large Jalala camp pales in comparison to privately run Hazrat Usman. Analysts warn that could turn huge numbers of Pakistanis against the military crackdown on the Taliban. By Mark Magnier Reporting from Takht Bhai, Pakistan — At the entrance to the Hazrat Usman camp just south of the Swat Valley, a welcoming committee greets those fleeing violence between the government and militants with a cool glass of water, a meal and a place to … Read entire article »
Filed under: North-West Frontier Province, Northern Areas, Pakistan, war
IDPs’ lot holds key to winning hearts and minds
By Zahid Hussain The latest military offensive against militants in Swat appears to be more effective than the previous ones, which had ended inconclusively and after massive destruction and significant civilian deaths. A major difference this time around is greater public backing for the military action against the insurgents responsible for breaching the peace accord. A consensus is finally emerging among major political parties on the militant threat to national security. But all that could be lost if the government does not take emergency steps to deal with the rising humanitarian crisis caused by displacement of more than a million people because of escalation in fighting. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Northern Areas, Pakistan, war
In Pakistan, Mardan anxiously awaits the Taliban
By Mark Magnier The town on the Islamabad-Peshawar highway is at a crossroads of a different kind: Many residents worry Mardan will be next to fall to the militants, even as others deny it could happen there. … Read entire article »
Filed under: North-West Frontier Province, Northern Areas, Pakistan, Taliban, Terrorism
Silence of the Lambs
Silence of the Lambs By Samad Khurram Back in 2002, I was returning from Friday prayers when I saw an unusual gathering of singing and quasi-dancing Mullahs. Unusual because I had always assumed Mullahs to be against all types of Kuffar (Art). The amused crowd were listening to chants of “Taliban aa gayay, Taliban aa gayay”. I smirked. As if! Pakistan is a nuclear country with the seventh largest army. We’re safe. The Mullahs’ songs have been answered … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism, Army, Citizens, Democracy, FATA, India, Islam, Jinnah, lawyers movement, North-West Frontier Province, Northern Areas, Pakistan, Parliament, Religion, Rights, Taliban, Terrorism, youth
The music of Baltistan is dying
By Aoun Sahi (for the NEWS) Wazir Himayat Hussain hails from the family of Wazirs of Khaplu, a district of northern areas of Pakistan. He has served in Radio Pakistan for 27 long years. These days he lives in Skardu, headquarter of Baltistan region. He remained associated with Balti language programmes much of the time during his service with Radio. His love for Balti music, started in 1976 when he visited his home city Khaplu as radio producer and recorded classical Balti music during a musical event. In 1980s he got an opportunity to work with renowned German researcher Dr Renate Sohenen on Balti Music. Later he also worked with some Japanese music researchers who visited the area to study Batli music. These days he is writing a book on classical … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts and Crafts, Music, Northern Areas
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