A country of gods

Pakistani society is plagued with corruption at all levels be it moral, ethical, religious, financial or anything – it has become the basic ingredient of the society’s fabric. It runs in our blood. Country is plagued with so many crises on different levels, but there is one section of populace which is completely insulated from any untoward happening. There is another section which runs on making crises, and there is a list of sections who all hold distinctive positions in this complex polygonal structure of Pakistani state and social fabric.

I have always been told that Pakistan came into being in Aug, 1947 but if we take the current geographical boundaries, our history does extend back to December, 1970 at least. Since the amputation of East Pakistan, we’ve been relatively more or less with same geography leaving aside some adventures that we did on our western borders.

However, recently historians have come up with a new date i.e. 9^th of March, 2007 – the day when a member of corrupt ‘ruling elite’ embraced Islam and stood by the constitution by being defiant to a military dictator (the same guy who elevated converted to highest pedestal and showered his all blessings on the individual in return for giving him the legal cover to be the army chief and president at the same time) . On the following days, the prestigious institution of press, started pressing and impressing on our minds the wonders Iftikhar Chaudry did during his term as Chief Justice that started in 2005. All of a sudden, he became a Mujahid against aamriyat! He took his oath on PCO and not Pakistani constitution which was okay, he got his son special favors in civil service, misuse public money – but that was okay because he said no to Musharraf.

Media started pumping air in the balloon, earning millions and billions of rupees by making it the most discussed topics in drawing rooms, verandas, tea stalls, public transports and even among the segment of population who didn’t know even why was it wrong to move a reference against chief justice in a perfectly legal way. Thanks to our prestigious, honest, intellectual journalists, Iftikhar Chaudry was given a ticket to the ‘House of gods’.

The reason I am calling this special group ‘House of gods’ is because they never make a mistake. They are the only custodians of civil rights, law, Pakistan’s sovereignty and principles of morality. People who already were in the ‘House of gods’ of Pakistan are Chiefs of Armed forces, and yes most importantly chief of army staff, Pakistani patriotic generals, media. Since the judicial movement, there has been an addition of two new classes to the ‘House of gods’ which are higher judiciary and lawyers. Whatever they do, we’ve to know that it is in the national interest. Only these people know law. They are mini-gods. We needed these gods because it adds value. And yes, how can I forget – Pakistani nuclear scientists are also now making a back-door entry into this group. They seriously deserve our appreciation on Made In China defense technologies, and now one of them is testing his luck with Thar Coal using a technology which is not suitable according to the poor scientists, but who knows – it’s the pir of Pakistani atomic bomb who is trying his luck so a couple of hundred million dollars here and there is not a big gamble keeping in view the fact that it’s the god himself who is doing it. We got to give god a chance with Thar coal even without his knowledge in minerals, because its his country, not ours – you know?

There is a hierarchy of this very auspicious house I am talking about. On top is our sipah salaar i.e. Saladin of our times – oh yes, I am talking of Army Chief – god of national sovereignty. He is the god of another god, who is the god of justice commonly known as chief justice. Then there are mini-gods or deities. They are in different sizes, shapes and colors. They have to be in favor with the top two gods to enjoy the perks. Islamabad is the Athens of modern times. Those rocky, stony gods of Greeks have now been improvised upon and a new 'House of gods' is ready.

Therefore, my fellow countrymen, if you want to lead a good, peaceful, conscience-less life – please follow ‘House of gods’ in Pakistan.

Story of capitalism

Koi Deewana Kehta Hai

Koi Deewana Kehta Hai Koi Pagal Samajhta Hai
Magar Dharti Ki Bechani Ko Bus Badal Samajhta Hai
Mein Tujhse Door Kaisa Hoon, Tu Mujhse Door Kaisi Hai
Ye Tera Dil Samajhta Hai Ya Mera Dil Samajhta Hai


K Mohhabat Ek Ehsason Ki Pavan Si Kahani Hai
Kabhi Kabira Deewana Tha Kabhi Meera Deewani Hai
Yahan Sab Log Kehte Hain Meri Aakhon Mein Aansu Hai
Jo Tu Samjhe To Moti Hai Jo Na Samjhe To Pani Hai


Samander Peer Ka Aander Hai Lekin Ro Nahi Sakta
Ye Aansu Pyar Ka Moti Hai Isko Kho Nahi Sakta
Meri Chahata Ko Dulhan Tu Bana Lena Magar Sun Le
Jo Mera Ho Nahi Paya Wo Tera Ho Nahi Sakta


Bharar Koi Kumudani Par Machal Baitha To Hungama
Hamare Dil Mein Koi Khawab Pal Baitha To Hungama
Aabhi Tak Doob Kar Sunte The Sab Kissa Mohhabat Ka
Mein Kisse Ko Hakikat Mein Badal Baitha To Hungama


Source: Copied from here

Gold Tree

Pakistan - A demo-dictocracy

I am a staunch supporter of democracy as it is about giving role to everybody and making everyone responsible in a society. Democracy is not about going to electorate and making passionate speeches calling for insaaf or playing victim and making pledges which any sane mind would rubbish. It is about bringing everybody to a common ground and letting everyone play a role, share responsibility and be accountable for it. Briefly, its about involving the masses in decision making, and leading from the front by being sensitive to the needs of society.

Democracy and progress become inter-related when the system becomes efficient enough to give everyone the room to march forward, not just select few. When individuals are held accountable for their actions, culture of self-correction in the system reigns, only then do we call it a 'Positive Democracy'.

To define a not so positive democracy is far more easier. A democracy which is to consolidate power, to create obstacles for the sake of being populist. When actors, and the people who are to keep a check are no more responsible in delivering, that is called a not so positive democracy.

I believe it was important to explain my ideas so that the readers to be cognizant of my faith in jamhooriat.

As I've laid down my barometer for making a judgement about the system, lets test our own country's politics first.

• Is the democracy practised in our country enabling the civil society to come forward and take ownership and be responsible for their actions? Is it about delegating or consolidating the powers?
• Are the political actors in our country democratic themselves?
• Do the political actors have any vision to educate, and make the masses aware of our problems?
• Are the political actors not part of the government, but in parliament doing anything positive or contributing positively to make the system efficient other than delivering fiery speeches and make hue and cry over same old corruption, bad governance, mud-slinging etcetra ?
• Is the media acting responsibly as it is now a pillar of the state? Is it educating people or it is busy earning revenue by sensationalism? Is it playing any role in integrating the country or disintegrating the country? Is it telling us the facts?

I leave it to your judgement to decide whether we're living in a positive democracy. Another way that I put not so positive democracy is demo-dictocracy. However, in the end I'd say that best dictatorship is worse than worst democracy.

We want democracy, not demo-dictocracy!

To k na waqif-e-Adab-e-gulami hai abhee

To k na waqif-e-Adab-e-gulami hai abhee
raqs zanjeer pahin kar bhee kia jata hai

Aaj qatil ki yeh marzi hai k sirkash larki
sir-e-qatil tujhay koroon se nachaya jay
maut ka raqs zamanay ko dikhaya jay
is tarahan zulm ko zazarana dia ja sakta hai
raqs zanjeer pahin kar bhee kia ja sakta hai

daikh friad na kar ,sir na jhoka paoon utha
kal k Jo loog karain gay to abhee se kar ja
nachtay nachtay aazadi ki khatir mar ja
manzil-e-ishq main mar mar k jiya jata hai
raqs zanjeer pahin kar bhee kia jata hai

Karachi and Broken Windows Theory

Karachi, once the capital, and still perhaps THE most important city in Pakistan because of the economic activity it generates followed by Lahore. Most of the tax in country comes from this mega-city owing to its two ports and being the business hub. I don't know if we subtract Karachi from Pakistan, or somehow try to eliminate it from the picture, how things will be. Too difficult to imagine.

It has over 15 million residents, making it 3rd most populous city on planet after Shanghai and Mumbai. One may define mega-city in anyway, and Karachi would fit the definition easily. Being a mega-city, it has mega problems!

Being the hub of economic activity and a major population center with a relatively lower cost of living, it is still a major attraction for many of the countrymen living in rural areas for migration.

But there is one sad fact, it hardly ever gets a positive news coverage. For most of people, Karachi is a dangerous place to live. They view it as an threat to their lives, families, properties etc everything.

Recently, I came across 'Broken Windows Theory'. It was proposed by criminologists and has been successfully applied in past for similar problems in other mega cities around the world. Let's first look at what Broken Windows Theory is.

Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.
Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.

Now, if you've ever had the experience of coming out of Jinnah Terminal and then the moment, you get on to Shahra-e-Faisal, it is like a moment of truth. I remember, after having seen coverage of US invasion in Iraq and then into Baghdad, the images I used to watch on tely were pretty similar what you get to see on roads. Everything seems broken, out of shape, out of vogue, as if nobody has bothered about spending money on roads, lights, it is as if walking in a battle-torn city. Of course, I am not feeling good while writing this, but believe me, this is how it feels.

If you're not that lucky, you might have witnessed a couple of incidents with shootings, firings; everyone running around chaotically to save one's life. Its just amazing.

What is most striking is that dynamics of every neighborhood is unique depending on its geography, where it is situated, how large is it, its demography as the kind of people who inhabit it. Since I moved here, every now and then when something happens, for a moment or two, I do give it a thought as how things can be solved. Above all, from where to start!

We've had military operations in Karachi, more than once but to no avail. I believe its time to try something new. De-politicization of metropolis better be looked at as not an option as that gives rise to another problem, victimization.

I think Broken Windows Theory gives us an opportunity to think and look at the problem from a very very different perspective. By taking care of things, which generally mean nothing or hardly carry any value, maybe it'll be fruitful.

My appeal to masses! and civil society leadership is to seriously consider this theory, and start a new 'I love Karachi' campaign with youth actively participating and making it it a better place to live.

It's tough for me to give this post a better closing, but I believe anyone who reads has got the message.