My uncle was afraid of changing his clothes because the legitimacy of the new suit that he got tailored for himself had been questioned and under hearing at the apex court. He got sick of the whole thing and imposed emergency wearing his old suit. So now, there arent any opposing judges, the opposing politicians are either hiding, under house arrest or exported to Saudi Arabia. He's got nothing to fear now. He can now put on his new suit and put his old suit away forever, but he isnt. He's saying that he's waiting for the supreme court decision. OK, let me get this straight. First you blamed the emergency on prolonging of the hearing, saying how you wanted a quick decision. Now you want to prolong it yourself. Twisted! Chachoo diyan chalakiyan!
He's announced parliamentary elections. The opposition politicians, are where I already mentioned they are. Aunti gee for some reason has official protocol. She arrived in Lahore with police, fire brigade and ambulances in tow. His favorite people are in advertisements on the state owned TV. There's no other TV on air. When will anyone else campaign? Who's gonna win? It's anyone's guess. Oh, I remember now. Chachoo says, we are not ready for democracy yet. We're not mature enough to decide yet, so he'll just decide for us. Thanks Uncle, I cant imagine what it would be without you. I cant imagine it, because you just dont seem like going away, ever.
Monday, November 12, 2007
New fronts of protest are opening up every day......
"If they thought that a week into emergency rule they'd be able to silence dissent, they haven't, However weak or fledgling, new fronts of protest are opening up every day." Aasim Sajjad, Professor of colonial history and political economy at LUMS, associated with the People's Rights Movement and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, as reported by bloomberg.com on 11th November.
The picture is of Asim Sajjad's arrest on 04th November, from the office of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, within 24 hours of declaration of the state of emergency(read Martial Law). He was put to jail but released a few days later.
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aiV.DbtKKSUw&refer=home
Reported by: Naween A. Mangi in Karachi, Pakistan on nmangi1@bloomberg.net
The picture is of Asim Sajjad's arrest on 04th November, from the office of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, within 24 hours of declaration of the state of emergency(read Martial Law). He was put to jail but released a few days later.Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aiV.DbtKKSUw&refer=home
Reported by: Naween A. Mangi in Karachi, Pakistan on nmangi1@bloomberg.net
LUMS VC summoned by Governor Punjab?
Irritated over the student protests especially by LUMS students it's the buzz that Governor Punjab has summoned V.C. of LUMS over the matter. It is still unconfirmed news, can anyone confirm it?
Personally, I would say hats off to LUMS administration and faculty for resisting government's pressure and allowing students their right to gather and record their protest. I hope it continues the same way.
We the students of LUMS really enjoy the freedom of speech, freedom to choose, freedom to gather and organise in LUMS. Freedom to do so is one of the values that LUMS was built upon. A state-of-Emergency or Martial Law denies all this. naturally the students have risen to the occassion to protest against it, as they know what a blessing it really is!
Personally, I would say hats off to LUMS administration and faculty for resisting government's pressure and allowing students their right to gather and record their protest. I hope it continues the same way.
We the students of LUMS really enjoy the freedom of speech, freedom to choose, freedom to gather and organise in LUMS. Freedom to do so is one of the values that LUMS was built upon. A state-of-Emergency or Martial Law denies all this. naturally the students have risen to the occassion to protest against it, as they know what a blessing it really is!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Bradford University Students announced to Protest
We the students of University of Bradford, Shefield, Leeds Metro., Huudersfield has organised a PROTEST AGAINST EMERGENCY infront of PAKISTAN CONSULATE BRADFORD at TUESDAY 13 NOV 2007 12PM - 1PM....
So its requested if any of the members here lives in WEST YORKSHIRE or any where near BRADFORD to come and join us in this protest....
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Imran vows to launch struggle against unconstitutional step
LAHORE: Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said Sunday that any unconstitutional step against people being taken up in the name of emergency would stand in gross confrontation of the requirements of justice.
According to a statement issued from here, Imran said only the people are entitled to rule on a state that has been obtained through a public struggle.
PTI chief said full-fledged struggle would be launched against the government unconstitutional step and the youth would be mobilized in this connection.
Imran Khan said he came into contact with Qazi Hussein Ahmed and Mian Nawaz Sharif, who assured him of their complete cooperation for the cause.
He vowed that he would lead a rally of 25000 students at Punjab University New Campus in protest against the emergency on November 14.
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bound to touch your hearts............
..and bring tears to you eyes, give yourself a few seconds after that, and think whats happenning to our country............whats happenning to us.
http://pkpolitics.com/2007/11/10/lub-pe-aati-hai-dua/
http://pkpolitics.com/2007/11/10/lub-pe-aati-hai-dua/
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A brief history of military interventions in Pakistani Politics.
Just after two years of introduction of first formal constitution of 1956, Gen. Ayub Khan( ironically the first Pakistan borned commander of the Army), took over government in a military coup in 1958, citing reasons of destability erupting from student protests in Dhaka for "Bengali as National Language" and religious riots against "Ahmadi's".
He ramianed in power from 1958 till 1969. A constitution in 1962 was implemented which introduced a basic democracy(BD) framework where elected representatives vote for president. This was supposed to help military control a few hundred of elected represetatives to vote for President. Ayub Nealy Lost to Fatima Jinnah, but managed to stay in power, both as President & Army Chief.
In 1969 massive civil society activism and especially student protests forced Gen. Ayub to step down, handing over power to Gen. Yahya Khan. Gen. Yahya remained in power till 17 Dec. 1971.
Gifts of this erra were "Operation Searchlight", a crack down by West Pakistan Army on East Pakistan's Police, Paramilitary forces, Civil Society workers, politicians and students, which was one of the dominant reasons for dividing the country.
General Zia took over in late 1977 & suspended the constituion and basic rights, on the pretext of a destabilised central government. Also with a promise of an Islamic Constitution. He remained both as Chief of Army Staff and President through out till 1988. Sufferrings of this erra include:
Gen. Musharraf got the extension of terms earlier 3 years by Supreme Court verdict, then for 5 years via referendum, then for complete presidential term as a result of 17th amendment, now via another presidential election, which was under litigation in Supreme Court.
It has already resulted in break-up of country, 17 permanent amendments in constitution (primarily in military rule), rubber stamp legislative bodies, arrests of 1000's of workers, executions of those against military governments, suspension of basic rights, killings of 1000's of people to make cold war and terrorism erra American Govt's happy.
He ramianed in power from 1958 till 1969. A constitution in 1962 was implemented which introduced a basic democracy(BD) framework where elected representatives vote for president. This was supposed to help military control a few hundred of elected represetatives to vote for President. Ayub Nealy Lost to Fatima Jinnah, but managed to stay in power, both as President & Army Chief.
In 1969 massive civil society activism and especially student protests forced Gen. Ayub to step down, handing over power to Gen. Yahya Khan. Gen. Yahya remained in power till 17 Dec. 1971.
Gifts of this erra were "Operation Searchlight", a crack down by West Pakistan Army on East Pakistan's Police, Paramilitary forces, Civil Society workers, politicians and students, which was one of the dominant reasons for dividing the country.
General Zia took over in late 1977 & suspended the constituion and basic rights, on the pretext of a destabilised central government. Also with a promise of an Islamic Constitution. He remained both as Chief of Army Staff and President through out till 1988. Sufferrings of this erra include:
- Suspension of Constitution and basic rights for almost 7 years.
- Pre-censorship on press.
- An un-elected legislative body, Majlis-e-Shura
- Public executions
- Public punishments in the name of Islam, primarily exercised on the journalists and civil society workers raising voice against Martial Law.
- A non-party form of elections, enhancing the "briadrism"(tribalism?,clanism?)
- A proxy war against USSR in Afghanistan, which resulted in influx of terrorist attacks, Gun Culture and Drugs
- Millions of Afghan refugees with no plan and resources for their re-habilitation.
- Amendments in Constitution making possible for a President to dismiss elected assemblies.
Gen. Musharraf got the extension of terms earlier 3 years by Supreme Court verdict, then for 5 years via referendum, then for complete presidential term as a result of 17th amendment, now via another presidential election, which was under litigation in Supreme Court.
- Military operations in Tribal Areas(FATA), NWFP & Balochistan and even in Islamabad in the name of war against extremism, resulted in killing of hundreds of people.
- NAB ordinance to pave way for a dictated set of politicians to form a govt.
- Exile of major political figures.
- Efforts to subdue a defiant Judiciary
- Declaration of State of Emergency and Suspension of all basic rights
- Curbs on electronic and print Media, Suspension of Constituion, Curbs on civil society , Human Rights, Legal and Political workers
It has already resulted in break-up of country, 17 permanent amendments in constitution (primarily in military rule), rubber stamp legislative bodies, arrests of 1000's of workers, executions of those against military governments, suspension of basic rights, killings of 1000's of people to make cold war and terrorism erra American Govt's happy.
LUMS Student Protests in Pkistan - News Eye Dawan News
Friday, 09 November was the 5th day of LUMS students' continuous protest. I wish that the public university sutdents do the same, ASAP, in an organized and coordinated way.
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