Muammar Gaddafi: In Memoriam
By Fawzia Afzal Khan Was he a “mad dog” as Ronald Reagan dubbed him, or “the King of Kings” as some leaders of African nations crowned him, or “Brotherly Leader and Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,” as he named himself in 1972? Whichever title describes him best, the fact is he was different things to different people, and the murkiness surrounding his character and contributions to Libya or lack thereof remain murky in these days following his assassination. That too , remains murky: did a young Libyan “rebel” shoot him, or was he killed by a Nato airstrike? “Facts” around the achievements of his socialist policies remain similarly debatable, though reports of the Human Development Index as recently as 2009 gave Libya … Read entire article »
Death Sentence in Slaying of Pakistani Governor
From the New York Times: “Today’s judgment is a positive development whereby norms of justice have prevailed. Pakistan cannot be allowed to become a vigilante society and the state — its judges and prosecutors — need to uphold the law,” said Raza Rumi, a political analyst and columnist in the eastern city of Lahore. “However, the saga is far from over due to the various appeals that will be filed and the political mobilization that may be undertaken by right wing parties who support Qadri”, Mr. Rumi said. “Local media’s muted coverage of the sentence is reflective of the fear factor and the polarization within the society which includes media personnel.” The killing of Mr. Taseer highlighted the deep and dangerous polarization that exists in Pakistani society. Read the full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/world/asia/guard-sentenced-to-death-in-slaying-of-pakistani-governor.html?_r=1&src=tp … Read entire article »
No more escape routes
Pakistan’s military should review the Taliban rule in Afghanistan and how they were not always the kind of partners and proxies we had envisioned By Raza Rumi Our Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, has warned the United States that if the accusations against Pakistan continue, the US might lose an ally. This statement comes in the wake of US statements that Pakistan-based Haqqani network has allegedly been involved in recent acts of terrorism in Afghanistan, directly threatening and sabotaging the NATO and US interests. The US blames the Haqqanis for attacks on the US Embassy and NATO Headquarters in Kabul; for attacks on US troops in Wardak province earlier in September. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen has used unprecedented and strong language against Pakistan’s premier spy agency … Read entire article »
Hoping for Shahbaz Taseer’s early Recovery
By Raza Rumi; I fervently hope that Shahbaz Taseer is back by the time these lines are published. However, the past few days have been distressing to see the Taseer family facing yet another trying phase. The young Taseer was abducted on a busy Lahore road on August 26. His case is not uncommon in a country where kidnapping is becoming a popularstrategy with the state, criminal gangs and militant outfits. Hundreds of Pakistanis are missing across the country … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism
No more glory, izzat da tukkar please!
By Raza Rumi Pakistan’s only viable and efficient institution has been attacked. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accepted the responsibility for intruding into well guarded naval and air force bases; and managed to destroy state of the art equipment – two PC3 Orion aircraft costing millions of dollars – in a long drawn out operation. The nightmare is over now. At least 10 security officials have been martyred in line of their duty and according to the Interior Minister … Read entire article »
Are We Ready For A Prolonged Middle Eastern Conflict ?
By D. Asghar Life is ever changing, and this is its real beauty. Who would have known, hardly a few months back, that Egyptian and Tunisian regimes would lose their iconic dictatorial leaders. Morocco, Oman and Ye men would head for some major changes. Till these lines are being written, Libya is the battleground central. If Qaddafi thinks that crushing the rebellion will be the end of his woes, then he is sadly mistaken. The spark of change, will ignite again and Qaddafi will depart or meet his fate as a “martyr”, as he said so, in one of his passionate addresses. The change is only thing that remains constant. On the same note, where it all began was Iran. The country which brutally silenced its dissent, a couple of years back. … Read entire article »
Two Faiz celebrations in Lahore
Ammar Aziz has sent this exclusive piece for Pak Tea House on the recent centennial celebrations held for the great poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz. We are posting this without prejudice as debate on such important public concerns is vital. However, the views expressed here are not necessarily those of the PTH team. We would welcome rebuttals on this space. Admn Lahore’s Mall road was as crowded as always. Behind the modern age vehicles – coming violently from the both sides of the road- and amongst the old silent trees, I saw him, walking very slowly on a footpath. The old man was holding a little red flag. Those ragged dusty clothes, lengthy gray hair, wrinkled mystic face and small piece of scarlet; there … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Literature, Pakistan, poetry, Urdu
Raymond Davis-Immune or not?
By Dr. Niaz Murtaza The Vienna conventions (VC) suggest that he is immune while Pakistan’s own laws suggest that he is not immune as a technical and administrative staff. So which of these laws should apply in this case? As a signatory to the Vienna convention, the answer for Pakistan is clear—once you sign an international treaty, you have to bring your local laws in line with it. So, even if there is a difference between the international law and the local law, then the international law will prevail and we better adhere to international law if we want to remain a member in good standing within the international community. So does this mean that he should be freed? A closer look at the Vienna conventions is necessary (which is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism, Islam, Pakistan, Society, Terrorism, USA
Judicial activism and Pakistan’s economy
Economic justice Courts involvement in economic matters has once again triggered a debate over judicial activism versus judicial restraint http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2011-weekly/nos-30-01-2011/dia.htm#6 By Shahzada Irfan Ahmed The recent orders by the Supreme Court for removal of former National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president Ali Raza and the return of mobilisation advances to the government by the RPPs (Rental Power Projects) have once again triggered the debate over judicial activism versus judicial restraint. There are quarters who laud the apex court’s role in purely economic matters, which they believe are being ruined due to state favouritism and corruption. However, there are those who believe the damage was bigger than the correction intended at. They cite the matters pertaining to fixing of sugar prices, cancellation of Pakistan Steel Mills’ privatisation and so on. … Read entire article »
Mixed emotions complicate Punjab governor’s assassination
Salman Masood [NATION] ISLAMABAD // Analysts said yesterday that the assassination of Salman Taseer shows the extent of extremism in a deeply divided society where tolerance is fast vanishing and leaders face mounting risks. The 66-year-old governor of Punjab, who was a close friend of the president, Asif Ali Zardari, was buried in Lahore yesterday in a funeral attended by thousands of supporters and workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The liberal politician was killed in Islamabad on Tuesday by one of his security guards because of his campaign to repeal the country’s blasphemy law. A top aide to Mr Zardari said the bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri, 26, had been labelled a security risk months before by the police department he worked for. Faisal Raza … Read entire article »
Salman Taseer: No justification for murder
Please read Fatwa of Shaykh-ul-Islam Mufti Muhammad Idris Usmani about Mumtaz Qadri and his supporters here By: Sana Saleem On January 6, around 150 members of civil society gathered at the Karachi Press Club for a vigil in memory of the late Governor. It was a fairly decent turn out, especially considering the security risks involved. We took to the streets and went around the Press Club with candles in our hands, demanding an end to this state … Read entire article »
Another blow to Pakistan: Salmaan Taseer killed by extremism
Raza Rumi Salmaan Taseer’s brutal murder at the hands of a security personnel is a cruel reminder of where we have landed ourselves: in a dark morass of irrationality lorded over by pernicious ideologies. He was a brave man and stood for a liberal, tolerant and progressive Pakistan where economic and political freedoms could be upheld. He has paid for his life for his bold stance on the blasphemy law and countering Talibanisation. He was our hope … Read entire article »
An Open letter to Sharmila Farooqui and Irresponsible Media (GEO)
By: Sana Saleem For those who are unaware, here is a little background on the case, from the Tribune: “Twenty-something K and her acquaintance S, in her mid-30s, were driving in a blue Suzuki Alto on Khayaban-e-Qasim in DHA when three to four men in a car rammed into them from the back. The small car dived into a ditch, the women were dragged from the car, abducted and K was gang raped while S was beaten. They … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism
Asma Jahangir – a formidable fighter
Raza Rumi Fearless and a formidable fighter, Asma Jahangir personifies the struggles Pakistanis have initiated against shameful cultural practices, discriminatory legislation and executive excess. A frail woman has kept the torch of public liberties, freedom and democracy alive for decades. Born on January 27, 1952, in Karachi, Asma Jahangir during the last forty years has become a champion of women, child and minority rights and in many ways the conscience of Pakistan. A leading Pakistani lawyer and an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Jahangir is most renowned for her role as a human rights activist, a role which has made her confront military dictatorships of General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf and the civilian autocrats. In 1972, Asma Jahangir was only 18 when she filed her first petition to have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism
Asma Jahangir's victory is a cause for celebration
Raza Rumi Asma Jahangir’s victory in the Supreme Court Bar Association elections is a major development in the legal and judicial history of Pakistan. She is the first woman to hold this office, and a progressive rights activist as well. Her struggles against injustice, discrimination and oppression have spanned over nearly forty years and are globally acclaimed. PTH wishes her all success and hopes that she is able to fulfil the mandate for which she has … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activism, Judiciary, Justice, Lahore, Law, lawyers movement, Liberal Democratic Pakistan, movements, Pakistan, Rights
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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