Mumbai Massacre Part 2
By D. Asghar As these lines are being written, over 20 precious lives are no more in Mumbai. 100 plus people are injured and as reports trickle in, sadly the number of impacted physically, keeps on rising. People of Mumbai have barely recovered from the 2008 terrorist attacks and now this. Many speculations and opinions came to fore almost instantaneously, thanks to electronic media and twitteriti. Some were just down right stupid as usual and some were worth paying attention to. The electronic media reported just yesterday that, India has given a list of most wanted criminals to Pakistan. Mostly people related to terrorism and related senseless acts. Its a pity that we have (supposedly) within our boundaries, responsible for such heinous acts. It is equally damning to hear rebuttals, which are proven … Read entire article »
Filed under: India, Pakistan, Pakistan-India Peace Process, Terrorism, violence, war
Mukhtar mai Media and Misogyny
By Raza Rumi As if the showering of rose petals on Mumtaz Qadri and the release of a new Urdu book ‘Parwana-i-Shama-i-Risalat’ extolling him were not enough, Mukhtar Mai’s plight in today’s Pakistan is simply depressing. Within hours after the Supreme Court’s split verdict on her was announced, Pakistan once again appeared as a divided polity. The medieval minds in media and intelligentsia were quick to harp on the soundness of the Court’s verdict while those who were … Read entire article »
Filed under: human rights, violence
Things More Important than Sovereignty and Honor
Zia Ahmad Two days ago, a motley crew of a handful militants raided and occupied a highly sensitive and supposedly heavily fortified Naval air base in Karachi. The ensuing battle lasted for sixteen plus hours at the cost of ten military personnel, fourteen injuries and two surveillance planes. Bear in mind, these are the official numbers. We can’t really blame the people if they find the official toll of damages suspect and assume a higher count of casualties. It is also said that a contingent of a hundred commandos was deployed to reclaim the naval base. Let’s run the numbers again: … Read entire article »
Filed under: Al Qaeda, Army, Karachi, Taliban, Terrorism, violence, Yusuf Raza Gillani
Sexual Harrassment of Women in the Workforce
Uzma Anwar The harassment of female students by a teacher in one of the premier teaching institutes in the country makes headlines, not only because this is one of the first examples of this being a punishable offence, but because females have dared to come out in public against the questionable behavior of a senior and a teacher at that. Anyone who is a part of the workforce or students in Pakistan is familiar with the treatment meated out to women, their tribulations and hardships a routine matter. In a country, where women traditionally, barring urban areas, are discouraged from any meaningful pursuit of livelihood despite having the education and skills except in extreme situations, it is no surprise that the few who do engage in it are still looked down upon by … Read entire article »
Filed under: human rights, violence, Women
The Pro Rape Society
Raza Habib Raja Today the Supreme Court acquitted the rape suspects in the internationally famous case of Mukhtaran Bibi. For the last many years the case had captured the imagination of the country and had also propelled Pakistan in the international spotlight and as usual for all the wrong reasons. The brave stance by an illiterate woman highlighted several deeply controversial aspects of Pakistani patriarchal society and its disgusting treatment to women. The case highlighted the deeply flawed tribal “justice” system which in its essence is based on eye for an eye doctrine and is therefore completely divorced from modern day notions of human rights. The case also underlined the complete lack of understanding on the part of the society which women who are unfortunately raped in Pakistan face. Instead of … Read entire article »
Filed under: human rights, Judiciary, violence
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 »
Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder: Capitulation, once again
By Raza Rumi Shahbaz Bhatti’s brutal assassination indicates that Pakistani state has to battle with a compounding existentialist crisis. As if Bhatti’s murder was not a shameful indictment of the state of security for a sitting minister, the muted response of the country’s civilian leadership reminds us of the near impossibility of governing a dysfunctional state and a fractured polity. The federal cabinet meeting, which late Shahbaz Bhatti (SB) was supposed to attend on the fateful morning of March 2, continued on schedule, which came as a surprise given the gruesome murder of a fellow colleague, a federal minister in the heart of a barricaded capital. Furthermore, a mere two minutes of silence were observed in parliament as a mark of respect for SB during which time, 3 representatives of the JUI-F … Read entire article »
Bahrain:The Pakistani Connection (a letter)
Today, I received an email from a Bahrain resident whose identity will remain anonymous. I thought this voice needs to be given space on PTH. RR By A moderate Bahraini Bahrain is a special case. With a major Shia population that feels like it is oppressed compared to the minor Sunni population, having a hardliner SUnni ruler. Most of its National Guard/Police force are Pakistani. The police use live rounds against unarmed protesters. Many deaths by hands of the police so far. Anger, chaos, resentment towards government and police force. Clashes caused death of some police, being pakistani and even more Bahrainis. The pictures of dead Pakistani’s are circulating as if protesters have resentment against expats or Pakistani civilians, to … Read entire article »
Filed under: violence
Pakistan: Not quite a ‘deathly silence’
We are posting Beena Sarwar’s Email to Gwynne Dyer, dated March 10, 2011: Dear Mr Dyer: Regarding your article ‘Deathly Silence Prevails in Pakistan’ published in several newspapers and reproduced by NewAgeIslam website (http://bit.ly/h3QzeT) where I saw it – you make some valid comments but to say that there is a deathly silence is untrue and unfair. Many people in Pakistan have been raising a voice, fighting for their rights and against vigilante violence and unjust laws even before the murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. The murder of Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti was a huge blow, but they are still speaking out. Here are some instances: Please visit the Citizens for Democracy (CFD) blog http://www.citizensfordemocracy.wordpress.com to get an idea of some of the public statements and rallies that have been made over the last two … Read entire article »
Those who dare to speak out become a shooting target
By Andrew Buncombe Rarely have Pakistan’s religious minorities and liberals felt more beleaguered. Less than two months after the killing of Salmaan Taseer, a government minister has been assassinated in another hail of bullets. On this occasion, the killers were Taliban militants rather than a bodyguard. There are many questions after the killing of Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of the cabinet. … Read entire article »
Filed under: violence
In The Name Of National Sovereignty
By Raza Habib Raja One of the most hyped up slogans on the media and the rightwing nationalist circles is of “National Sovereignty”. This slogan is so powerful that Pakistani leadership particularly that of PPP is always on the defensive. According to this “National Sovereignty” school of thought, Pakistan has sold its soul to the foreign powers due to personal greed of the ruler class and has compromised the autonomy by facilitating the drone attacks. Currently the drone attacks are in full swing and almost daily we hear news regarding militants being killed. At the same time and not surprisingly these attacks, despite killing militants are continuously being cited as a “proof” of the great treachery. But then in the past, everything ranging from Nazam-i-Adl in Swat to Military action against Militants … Read entire article »
Denialistan: DAWN's romance with jihadis exposed
Nasima Zehra Awan laments the media romances with sectarian Islamists while the country drowns The August 21st editorial by DAWN is a good example of what is wrong with the media in Pakistan. “Hardliners and Flood Relief” is precisely the kind of vacillating apologia for extremists that is the bane of the local media.A media that has anointed itself as “Independent” for hounding out elected politicians at the behest of a powerful establishment, has failed in informing the public about the various Islamist militant groups and their agendas. In this regard, it is baffling that DAWN’s editorial prefers to maintain an Ostrich-like approach to the exponentially growing existential threat from these sectarian bigots. President Zardari is absolutely correct in pointing out this threat. The exclusive bashing of elected PPP leaders is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Al Qaeda, Democracy, Islamism, Jinnah, minorities, Taliban, Terrorism, violence
Pakistan's disaster could lead to a systemic collapse
Raza Rumi The colossal humanitarian tragedy and the imminent economic meltdown, will now shape a new Pakistan or rather, exacerbate its predicament in the months and years to come. Pakistan’s chronic political instability, structural economic constraints and a warped national security policy are all going to be affected by the unfolding drama of the national disaster, perhaps the severest, in the country’s history. Whilst the challenges have snowballed within a short duration of ten days, the … Read entire article »
Filed under: baluchistan, Pakistan, strategy, Terrorism, violence, Zardari
What Constitutes a Stable Society?
By Adnan Syed Pakistan is passing through a vicious negative feedback loop that is beginning to gather momentum. The vicious circle is a result of country’s inability to provide for the basic individual rights of its citizens. Combine that with a burgeoning population, and the rampant nationalist tensions within the society that have been suppressed in the name of religious identity, Pakistan is staring at a nightmarish scenario in the coming decade. Pakistan needs to realize that the existential threat is coming from the failure of its society and not due to the external influences that consume majority of the resources of our nation. Unless we start spending on providing for the four basic rights to our citizens, the chaos will just feed on itself in the years to come. This is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Democracy, human rights, Identity, India, Islamabad, Islamism, musings, Pak Tea House, Pakistan, Religion, Rights, violence
Good luck, General Kayani
Raza Rumi http://tribune.com.pk/story/30713/good-luck-general-kayani/ In a hurried non-speech, the prime minister has confirmed that the incumbent army chief will stay on for three years. Unprecedented as the decision might be, it is perhaps the best option under the current circumstances. Pakistan is battling against domestic and external terrorism. Given how the army works, it is clear that the military establishment wants a continuation of national security policy. Lack of policy continuity has been the hallmark of Pakistan’s governance. At least with General Kayani’s extension, the military operations in the northwest and approach to the Afghanistan imbroglio will also remain unchanged. This is good for Pakistan for three reasons. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Afghanistan, Islamabad, Islamism, Pakistan, Politics, public policy, secular Pakistan, Taliban, Terrorism, USA, violence, war
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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