Nine African boxers embraced Islam couple of days back in Pakistan. The newspapers say that they were moved by the warm hospitality of their Pakistani hosts. It came as a surprise to an optimistic Pakistani like me. Though they were planning to convert for quiet some time but luckily they converted in Pakistan. After a long time we heard something great that actually brought tears in my eyes. May Allah bless them.
PPP government is proudly announcing the National Finance Commission Award as its success. There was something new and good this year and provinces were distributed national resources on the basis of poverty, revenue generation and inverse population diversity. And this new formula made Balochistan get more share than it previously used to get. This was due to the sense of sacrifice that was found in the other provinces. And as Balochistan received more share, all the three provinces received less.
Prime Minister Gillani and four Chief Ministers gathered in Gawadar to sign the NFC Awards and it cost 5 million to our poverty stricken nation. Where is all rona dhona of our government and their promise of kafayat shuari? Guests were served a six course meal, when the cabinet approved that one dish would be served at lunch and dinner.
I would like to paste something from Dawn Editorial, where he explains that this kind of behavior by PPP government is making it non-popular.
ONE reason why the government lacks credibility and fails to mobilise the people to cooperate with it is its inability to implement its own policies. It announces one measure and does the opposite.
The latest example of this duplicitous exercise was the cabinet meeting – described as a ‘picnic’ by some – on PNS Babar in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gwadar. Held just 10 days after an austerity package was announced, the meeting, said to have cost Rs5m, was a slap in the face of the impoverished masses of the country, especially those living in Balochistan.
Its not just PPP, we did not hear anything against this fazool kharchi from any other political party, either from government or from opposition. This makes clear that resources of Pakistan are only for the rich and powerful people and nothing is for poor common man.
Pakistan is a strange country. Where Chief Justice went to court to seek justice. Army generals like to occupy President’s office. Where government, instead of taking care of country’s resources, is busy in looting them. Media is playing the part of government by indicating the criminals inside the regime. Govt. is busy in saving the looters in country’s highest courts, rather than doing anything significant to save people from the constant suicide attacks and bomb blasts. Govt. do not care much that two out of our four provinces are going through the crucial time in their history, which if not handled wisely, can cost a damage to the country’s survival. Another country’s armed diplomats roam around the streets of our capital till midnight.
Now it’s not surprising if people of the republic like to play their part too. Instead of going to court and wait for justice, people are ready to punish criminals on-the-spot. One of the two bus looters was shot dead by an angry mob. This is not the first time; last year witnessed the burning of a dacoit in Karachi. This shows that people are following the footsteps of Punjab police, who is infamous for shooting criminals in fake encounters. This is the solution comes to mind of most of the people who believe that police and judiciary does not provide them quick justice.
I pray that everyone in the country start playing their OWN role. God bless Pakistan.
Today I felt proud of the restored judges, they finally rejected NRO and claimed it as unconstitutional and as one of the newspaper wrote, ‘threw it in the history’s dustbin’. This gives a message that it isn’t easy to go away with your corruption.
NRO beneficiaries are on ECL and their accounts are frozen and this gives us a hope that they will not escape this time. There is less chance of these big fishes to be sent to jail but still we can hope that looted money can be brought back to the country.
Another step by the SC which made me happy today a show cause notice is sent to Interior Minister Rehman Malik for December 24 for interfering in the judicial direction of the Court for probing Rs22 billion loss reported by Pakistan Steel Mills. This is regarding the dismay of Tariq Khosa, DIG FIA, who was busy in investigating corruption cases, involving few BIG names. And as the things go this way, it is obvious that Mr. Khosa will be back to his position and will carry on his investigations.
May be this was the day that Pakistani awam struggled and came out of their houses to restore judges.
Only 34 politicians are among the beneficiaries of NRO, according to the list provided by the government the other day. NRO came out after a deal between Former President, Gen. (retd) Musharaff and Benazir Bhutto, and as a result, the politically-motivated cases were withdrawn. Now the total number of beneficiaries is 8000, which includes only 34 politicians (according to government) and what about the rest of 7966?
MQM and PPP came up as the two biggest beneficiaries of NRO, 4 names from PML-N are among the beneficiaries as well. The beneficiaries include Asif Ali Zardari (President), Altaf Hussain (MQM chief), Dr Farooq Sattar (MQM’s parliamentary leader), Shoaib Bukhar (Provincial Minister, MQM), Babar Ghouri (Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping), Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, Rehman Malik (Interior Minister), Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Nusrat Bhutto (PPP), Haji Nawaz Khokhar (former deputy speaker of National Assembly), Malik Mushtaq Awan (PPP), Mian Mohammad Rasheed, Tariq Anees, Anwar Saifullah Khan (MNA), Sardar Mansoor Leghari (ex-MNA), Aftab Sherpao (MNA), Habibullah Kundi (former NWFP minister), Ahmed Sadiq (ex-principal secretary to PM), Salman Farooqi (Secretary-General to the President, famous for his cases of Pakistan Steel Mill), Pakistan’s Ambassador in Washington Hussain Haqqani and Wajid Shamsul Hasan, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Interestingly, most of the beneficiaries are denying the fact that they had taken any relief under NRO and it makes it obvious that how ‘badnaam’ this ordinance has become.
ANP and MQM suggested to change the official name of the country from Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Peoples Republic of Pakistan and this news reminded me of what I read once in ‘Shahab Nama’ by Qudrat-ullah-Shahab. This suggestion was on the desk of then President Ayub Khan, but was later given up. That was the time when Pakistanis were much less-religious than what are they now (apparently) but still it was not easy for government to remove ‘Islamic’ from the country’s name. The few arguments given in the favor of Islamic Republic of Pakistan are:
Though, we don’t see the real Islam in the lives of Pakistanis, but still I had always realized that we Pakistanis are more inclined towards the religion than others and may be that’s why we are more hypocrites. We always thought our selves the custodians of Islam. Islamic Brotherhood is dominant in the minds of Pakistanis, and as a matter of fact, that’s why we always welcomed Arabs, Uzbiks and other nationals to Pakistan for Jihad in the name of religion.
Whether we like it or not but Pakistan is nothing without Islam, he wrote and I fully agree, Pakistan has no escape from Islam.
“Battle for Pakistan” by Sophie McNeill is worth watching.
Remembering so many good people in one video is very rare, but hats off to String, they took us back to the people, we are proud of. Starting from Faiz Ahmad Faiz and ending with Waheed Murad, I doubt if they missed someone.
‘Nanha’ from ‘Alif Noon’, Mehboob Alam, whose name clicked our minds with PTV’s golden play ‘Waris’.
Ahhh…Rani, what a beauty she was and left so early, like Nazia Hassan and Parveen Shakir.
Graceful Khalida Riasat, who reminded me of ‘Aroosa’, Yasmeen Ismael, Jamshaid Ansari (chakoo hai meray pas), Shafi Muhammad, Sultan Rahi, Salim Nasir who ruled the golden era of PTV in 80’s.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Alam Lohar, Malka Pukhraj, Iqbal Bano, Salamat Ali, Amanat Ali and Allan Fakir and Ghulam Farid Sabri Qawal, everyone is there.
Ashaf Ahmad, Guljee, Sadiqain, Ahmad Faraz….
Iqbal’s poetry is the first inspiration of every Pakistani, and it has deep meaning inside, which we need to understand. Today we are in a dire need of learning the meaning of ‘Khudi’, and this was his message which leads to the creation of Pakistan. Iqbal says,
I have observed the kingly majesty on the
faces of the slaves.
Mahmud’s splendour is visible in the dust of
Ayaz.
Abhi Ishq k Imtihan Aur Bhi Hain
sitaaron se aage jahaan aur bhii hain
abhii ishq ke imtihaa.N aur bhii hain
kanaa’at na kar aalam-e-rang-o-bu par
chaman aur bhii, aashiyaa.N aur bhii hai.n
agar kho gayaa ek nasheman to kyaa Gam
maqaamaat-e-aah-o-fugaan aur bhii hain
tuu shahii.n hai parwaaz hai kaam teraa
tere saamane aasmaan aur bhii hain
Our Ishq Pakistan is facing imtihan, and Iqbal’s above poetry gave a clear vision that there is no need to be disappointed, we will bounce back as a nation and this is one thing I am sure of.
Pakistan Zindabad
One of the greatest mystic poet of Punjab, his poems have always been an inspiration for me. Here are few of my favorites.
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
نہ میں مومن وچ مسیت آں
نہ میں وچ کفر دی ریت آں
نہ میں پاکاں وچ پلیت آں
نہ میں موسی نہ فرعون
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
نہ میں اندر بید کتاباں
نہ وچ بھنگاں،نہ شراباں
نہ وچ رنداں مست خراباں
نہ وچ جاگن ، نہ سون
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
نہ وچ شادی نہ غمناکی
نہ میں وچ پلیتی پاکی
نہ میں آبی نہ میں خاکی
نہ میں آتش نہ میں پَون
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
نہ میں عربی ، نہ لاہوری
نہ میں ہندی شہر نگوری
نہ ہندو نہ ترک پشوری
نہ میں رہندا وچ ندون
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
نہ میں بھیت مذہب دا پایا
نہ میں آدم حوا جایا
نہ میں اپنا نام دھرایا
نہ وچ بیٹھن ، نہ وچ بھون
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
اول آخر آپ نوں جاناں
نہ کوئی دوجا ہور پچھاناں
میتھوں ہور نہ کوئی سیانا
اوہ کھڑا ہے کون ! بُلھا
بلھا کیہ جاناں میں کون
— — — — —
پیا پیا کرتے ہمیں پیا ہوئے، اب پیا کس نوں کہیے
ہجر وصل ہم دونوں چھوڑے، اب کس کے ہو رہیے
مجنوں لال دیوانے وانگوں، اب لیلی ہو رہیے
بلھا شوہ گھر میرے آئے، اب کیوں طعنے سہیے
پیا پیا کرتے ہمیں پیا ہوئے،اب پیا کس نوں کہیے
— — — — —
پتیاں لکھاں میں شام نوں، پیا مینوں نظر نہ آوے
آنگن بنا ڈراونا، کت بدھ رین وہا وے
پاندھے پنڈت جگت کے پوچھ رہی آں سارے
بید پوتھی کیا دوس ہے، اُلٹے بھاگ ہمارے
نیند گئی کت دیس نوں، اوہ بھی ویرن میری
مت سفنے میں آ ملے، اوہ نیندن میری
رورو جیوولاندیاں غم کرنی آں دونا
نینوں نیر نہ چلن، کسے کیتا ٹونا
ساجن تمری پیت سے، مجھ کو ہاتھ کیہ آیا
چھتر سُولاں سِر جھالیا، پر تیرا پنتھ نہ پایا
پریم نگر چل وسیے، جتھے کنت ہمارا
بلھا شوہ توں منگنی ہاں، جے دئے نظارا
پتیاں لکھاں میں شام نوں ، پیا مینوں نظر نہ آوے
آنگن بنا ڈراونا، کت بدھ رین وہا وے
— — — — —
بلھے نوں سمجھاون آئیاں، بھیناں تے بھرجائیاں
بلھے نوں سمجھاون آئیاں، بھیناں تے بھرجائیاں
من لے بلھیا ساڈا کہنا، چھڈ دے پلا رائیاں
آل ِ نبی اولاد نبی نوں، توں کیوں لیکاں لائیاں
جیہڑا سانوں سید سدے، دوزخ ملن سزائیاں
جو کوئی سانوں رائیں آکھے، بہشتیں پینگھاں پائیاں
رائیں سائیں سبھنیں تھائیں، رب دیاںبے پروائیاں
سوہنیاں پرے ہٹیائیاں نیں تے، کوجھیاں لے گل لائیاں
جے توں لوڑیں باغ بہاراں، چاکر ہوجا رائیاں
بلھے شوہ دی ذات کیہ پچھنا یں، شاکر ہو رضائیاں
— — — — —
Courtesy: http://www.folkpunjab.com/bulleh-shah/kalam/
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