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Note please!
… By sheer mistake, last night I deleted a number of posts from the blog: http://NotesFromPakistan.blogspot.com
That’s why many a link may not work; I am in the process of posting them again.
A new category emerges: Very Bad Taliban
Today’s tweet:
Despite shifts in security policy, there are Good Taliban, and Bad Taliban; friend Raza says, a new category has emerged, Very Bad Taliban
Alcohol, drugs and call girls in the Parliament Lodges in Islamabad – What’s the issue?
The talk of alcohol, drugs and call girls in the parliament lodges, Islamabad, is not new; Jamshed Dasti only repeated it.
Everybody knows the moral standing of these parliamentarians, these law-makers, who are the worst law-breakers also.
But the hullabaloo is just misplaced. No one seems to addressing the issue: that, there are ordinary citizens who are subjected to such laws from which the parliamentarians and Ashrafiya are practically immune.
So the question is: Rule of law for everyone, or only for the ordinary citizens?
Asad Umar’s poor economics – a friend’s blog
Here is one post from Shahid Mehmood’s blog: http://shershahsuree.blogspot.com
I was recently forwarded Asad Umar’s two part article on the subject of privatization (which appeared in the NEWS) of public sector enterprises (PSE’s). It is a continuation of the debate that has been generated in lieu of the government’s decision to privatize a specific percentage of these bleeders. Aside from a few positive suggestions over the methodology and how the intended sale should be carried out, the article was a reflection of the author’s poor understanding of factors that affect the economy and its working, especially in the context of Pakistan. In short, Asad Umar showed a poor grasp of basic economics.
Let’s start with his question that why are profit making enterprises like OGDCL being sold? But before raising this question, he should have asked himself why are they making profits in the first place? The simple answer is
My new Urdu book, “پاکستانی کشاکش” published, released
My new Urdu book, “پاکستانی کشاکش” (Pakistani Armageddon) published, and released today by the Alternate Solutions Institute.
… Copied below is the Media Release:
New Urdu Book, “پاکستانی کشاکش” Published
Lahore, February 22, 2014: Alternate Solutions Institute today released Dr. Khalil Ahmad’s latest Urdu book, Pakistani Kashakash: Tehlee-O-Taadeel aur Aagay Barhnay ka Raasta (Pakistani Armageddon: Analysis, Resolution and the Way Forward).
The book attempts an analysis of the present predicament of the Pakistani state and society with reference to their response to the barbaric threat to the life and liberty of ordinary citizens. The analysis also focuses on the dubious role of politicians and political parties in allowing the criminal entities to encroach upon the constitutional rights of the citizens.
The book concludes that both the state and the political parties have failed to protect the
A State that took over society
You can bring the rich to the level of the poor overnight but it takes a lifetime to lift the poor to the level of the rich. [Irish proverb]
During the 1970s, Pakistan went in for wholesale nationalization of its private enterprises, taking even educational institutions into the state’s hands. This was a move laden with far-reaching and unforeseeable consequences. Some are still being unveiled today. It changed not only the economic and political, but also the social, intellectual and moral landscape of the country for generations to come.
The story began in 1968, with a political movement basing itself purely on totalitarian economic agenda. Its slogans were reminiscent of an ancient collective tribal life where everything belonged to everyone. Two of these were: ‘socialism is our economy’ and ‘all power to the people’. The movement was built on the myth of 22 wealthy families: it was argued that the
General Musharraf and the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology – a tweet
General Musharraf and the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology – a tweet:
… Is General Musharraf Julian Assange and Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Venezuelan Embassy located in London where has has taken refuge!
Flora – My Photography
…
A Pakistan views a Pakistan
See how a Pakistan views a Pakistan:
… 
[Dawn, December 24, 2013]
A question mark on the face of Pakistan!
See this picture, and see the question mark on the face of Pakistan!
… [The News, December 25, 2013]
India-Pakistan-Bangladesh triangle
India-Pakistan-Bangladesh triangle – a revolving triangle!
… Today’s tweet on this triangle:
India views Pakistan the way Pakistan views Bangladesh; and Bangladesh views Pakistan the way Pakistan views India!
Asif Ali Zardari – General Zia Incarnate
One man can do wonders, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court proved that. His 8 years in the Supreme Court shook the foundations of the un-challengeable rule of Riyasati Ashrafiya in Pakistan.
Starting from March 9, 2007 and till his second restoration, and even after that I wrote many an article on various aspects of political and constitutional crisis facing Pakistan, and as the Honorable Chief Jistice retires this December 12, I will be posting / sharing some of the writings I penned during this period.
Here is one incomplete piece which I wrote on July 13, 2008.
Asif Ali Zardari – General Zia Incarnate
How keen was the observation of Senator Mushahid Husain Secretary General of PML (Q), when he likened Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of PPP, to General Zia-ul-Haq, a military dictator who ruled over Pakistan from 1977 to 1988 till his death in
The last temptation of Asif Ali Zardari
“The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities (child soldiers), or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in propaganda.”
[Wikipedia]
Which category Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s or Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s political use by Pakistan Peoples Party or Asif Ali Zardari falls in?
The last temptation of Asif Ali Zardari
When good government prevails men of little worth submit to men of great worth. When bad government prevails men of little power submit to men of great power.
[Mencius, c. 300 BC]
A good government produces citizens distinguished for courage, love of justice, and every other good quality; a bad government makes them cowardly, rapacious, and the slave of every foul desire.
[Dionysius of Halicarnassus, c. 20 BC]
In rivers and bad governments
Tweets on Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
November 29, 2013:
Is Shah Mehmood Qureshi behind PTI, taking revenge from US for his ouster from the gov in Raymond Davis case: US diplomat met him yesterday!
November 24, 2013:
Re PTI blocks NATO supply: Imran Khan, instead of focusing on governance in K-P, is wasting his Party’s first ever stint in a province!
November 22, 2013:
In Pakistan, opposition is usually meaner than the government! See the present opposition . . .
September 28, 2013:
Is Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf playing the political wing of the Taliban? Or what is it up to!
September 20, 2013:
With Imran Khan (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) the quality of Pakistani politics, which was already at its lowest, has gone down the drain!
November 8, 2011:
No good news! Sort of liberal fascism is on the rise in Pakistan . . . hand in glove with the establishment! Debuted on Oct 30 in Lahore!
Sectarianism and Pakistan Muslim League-N’s misdirection
Why to focus on social media that it incited sectarian violence; whereas sectarian outfits and their comfortable fund-raising and publishing ventures may be causing the sectarian violence, as the following cartoon shows:
… 
[The Express Tribune, November 22, 2013]
The Drone cricketer
On November 23, Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) blocked the NATO supply route; the PTI was protesting against the Drone attacks on Taliban terrorists. What’s the issue? What is Imran Khan up to?
… Instead of focusing on governance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa province where his party is in power, Imran Khan is wasting his PTI’s first ever stint in power by indulging in non-sense politics.
The following cartoon by Sabir Nazar explains well the politics of Drone cricketer:
[The Express Tribune, November 24, 2013]
The General out of his labyrinth
One of the lawyers from government side while commenting on the Supreme Court’s judgment restoring the Chief Justice of Pakistan and quashing of the presidential reference against him in a talk-show first said: one side has to lose and the other to win. Then, in the same breath he said: it’s a win-win situation. He said: it’s a victory for justice, a victory for the rule of law, and a victory for General Musharraf also. He explained that it’s during the regime of a dictator that such a historic ruling was made. Probably, he meant that the judgment might have been influenced in favor of the government. Regardless of what would have been this lawyer’s stance had government won the case, it’s worth-pondering where the government stands now.
The reactions from the government after the verdict show that its thinking is not much different from that of the lawyer’s. It
Fire or ceasefire: understanding the Taliban
See this cartoon and try to understand the stance of pro-negotiation lobby:
… 
[Dawn, November 20, 2013]
Some recent tweets
See some recent tweets:
November 19:
General Musharraf treason trial: government playing the dice to see he goes abroad first or finds himself landed in the special court first
November 22:
Sectarian clashes no conspiracy; the culprits are politicians and the government which feed the bigots and use them, . . .
November 17:
Every gathering, political, religious or otherwise, must be held inside the four walls, not on roads and public places; State must act . . .
November 17:
The last two days, almost whole Pakistan was closed, social and public life was at a standstill, telecom services were suspended – Moharram!