No Change depite Changed Faces- Javed Chaudry on Pakistan

Came across this excellent article by Javed Chaudry who used to write the Zeropoint column in the Daily Jang. It sums up my fears based on the events of the last few days. Apologies to those friends who only read English as the article is in Urdu. Well worth reading so do take a look here.

 

Pakistan: A Timely Reminder from Shahab Sahib.

Given the current situation in Pakistan I thought this article by Hz Qudratullah Shahab (ra) would be worth reviewing. It seems we have still not learnt the lesson.

Pakistan: From Concept to Reality

How has the Pakistan that was born in the vision of Allama Iqbal developed into reality? This self-evaluation is even more necessary than the display of flags and other celebrations that take place on every Independence Day.

That strong and matchless machine known as the Pakistan movement that came into motion from 1940 to 1947 was rooted in the aspirations of the vast majority of Indian muslims. The dynamo that drove this machine towards the creation of Pakistan were the individual and collective aspirations, will and strength of these people. However these aspirations had many forms. For the vast majority they centered around the preservation of their faith and religious identity but there was a small group that had its own vision. Amongst this group some had the vision of stacks of newly found wealth, some political elements began to see ministries in place of membership of local councils. The civil and military beaurocracy also began dreaming of a tremendous expansion in their influence and role. By the grace of God Pakistan was created and the desires of these groups were realized beyond their expectations. However collective aspirations were lost and each group retreated into its shell from where it began to eat at the being of their country from inside.

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Despite these warning bells we have spent the past 39 years ripping our constitution to shreds. The supremacy of the law and the sanctity of the constitution is like the garment of chastity which if torn once is impossible to sow together again. One transgression leads to another and unless it is punished on first occurrence it becomes a habit. Then gradually the difference between governance and lack of it, social order and anarchy, law and lawlessness and constitutional government and dictatorship is lost to people. With the loss of constitutional constraints justice and fairplay are also lost. When this befalls the constitution of the country all other good traditions also lose their validity and the political process either stops or is stopped. In such a condition patriotism and patriotic feeling grows weak and ideals lose value. Doubt and suspicion give rise to pessimism which leads to militancy and disruption of the order.

The ONLY alternative to constitutional government IS constitutional government. All claims apart from this are false and usually a cover for furthering the vested interests of the established elites. We are in a shameful situation and must take heed.

(extract from article published in the Daily Pukar 6 Sept 1986.)

 

Support Black Flag Week

Its Black Flag Week in Pakistan and we should all support it. The message is simple: Restore the judiciary! If the Rule of Law is not established Pakistan will always remain what its current President calls it, a “failed state”.

 

Lest We Forget Palestine

A chilling documentary on the present state of affairs in Gaza. When people are forced to live in inhuman conditions will their humanity not suffer? If it does ( and it surely does) then they are not the only ones to suffer the consequences. See it for yourself here.

 

Daughter of the West

This excellent article by Tariq Ali on Bhutto and Pakistan is well worth reading in full. Robert Fisk called it “one of the most remarkable (but typically unrecognised) scoops of the year” in his recent piece in the Independent which can be found here. Tariq Ali writes:

Arranged marriages can be a messy business. Designed principally as a means of accumulating wealth, circumventing undesirable flirtations or transcending clandestine love affairs, they often don’t work. Where both parties are known to loathe each other, only a rash parent, desensitised by the thought of short-term gain, will continue with the process knowing full well that it will end in misery and possibly violence. That this is equally true in political life became clear in the recent attempt by Washington to tie Benazir Bhutto to Pervez Musharraf.

The rest is here.

 

Bhutto and Pakistan in Perspective

Somebody once remarked that the unconditional devotion of PP workers to Benazir is due to a guilt-complex stemming from their failure to come out in support of Zulfiqar Bhutto when he was hanged by Gen. Zia ul-Haq. The non-stop and extremely unbalanced coverage by the Pakistani media of Benazir’s assassination and funeral makes one wonder if there is some hidden complex at play here too. It is good to honour the dead by remembering their positive traits but honour is one thing and hypocrisy quite another. Truth obliges us to remain sympathetic and objective always and especially where national leaders are concerned for their legacy determines the shape of things to come. To put Benazir’s legacy in perspective here are a few articles which set the record straight. Tariq Ali’s piece is particularly worth reading.

Pakistan’s Flawed and Feudal Princess- William Dalrymple

Only Real Understanding is Cure- Kamila Shamsie

My Heart Bleeds for Pakistan- Tariq Ali

 

Bhutto Assassinated

Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated in Pakistan. I have never been a fan of Ms Bhutto but am saddened by the manner of her death. This is sad day for all Pakistanis hoping for a more stable and democratic set-up in the country. Koonj has summed up my feelings in her post here.

 

Aaj Bazaar Mein- Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Here is Faiz reading his famous poem Aaj Bazaar Mein( Stride through the bazaar today despite shackled feet) followed by a beautiful rendition by a singer. Faiz’s reading contains English subtitles which are useful for non-Urdu speakers. I don’t know who the singer is yet (probably Nayyara Noor) but its very moving indeed.

 

Paxman and Tariq Azeem (pakistani minister)

Just for the benefit of those that missed it here is Jeremy Paxman giving Pakistani minister Tariq Azeem a treatment of his stiff upper lip. Quite funny how the minister offers childish replies and expects to be taken seriously.

 

All Quiet on the Pakistani Front?

Not quite. Despite the regime’s brutal attempts to silence the voices of protest and the political parties greedy machinations to secure some crumbs for themselves the protest continues. In the coming days it is imperative that everyone that wants a stable and free society to develop in Pakistan keeps up the pressure on the government to restore the Judiciary. The regime is banking on the issue being drowned in the fanfare of the stage-managed elections. Let us do something to ensure they do not succeed.

Apart from the excellent Democracy and Freedom blog which has updates on what’s going on there is also The Emergency Times and the Rise of Pakistan, both of which are doing a commendable job of keeping the spirit alive. Do check them out to keep up to date with events.

Just in case you’re wondering why a sufi-oriented person like me is getting involved in these “political” issues, please remember what my “shaykh” has said:

goraiz kashmakash e zindaghi se mardon ki

shikast nahein hai to phir aur kaya hai shikast?

( If withdrawal from the struggles of life on the part of men

is not a failure, then what indeed is failure?)