Middle Ground

Few Interesting Pictures III

Mariam Rehman — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:51:46 +0000

Piracy vs Theft

Addiction

All men need to see it carefully.

Young Military Widows

Mariam Rehman — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:12:48 +0000

She was sitting in front of me, holding back her tears, composed and calm, looking at her six months old daughter. Her life changed all of a sudden when she was told that her husband is martyred in the north-west of the country. She is no more a wife of a soldier but a widow of a martyred.
It was not an unusual day or any unusual news, when I heard few soldiers were martyred in Bannu but what made it unexpected for me, was to learn that one of them was the guy I used to know once, a cousin of one of my friends and a husband of another. Young deaths are always hard for me to handle, and this made me sad because I have known the family for a long time and that girl for more than twenty years.
The ongoing war on terror is costing our countrymen more than they deserve. The rising numbers of civilian and military deaths, disappeared people and a shattered economy is adding to the lives’ miseries. Apart from civilian deaths, more than 2000 Pakistani soldiers are martyred or injured till now, which shows that more than 2000 families suffered. Pak army is often criticized over their involvement in politics or taking maximum advantages of all resources in the country but we miss the point they are the ones who are always in the danger of being targeted by the terrorists.
Their widows and children need more than monetary help to deal with these emotional loses. It is important for the women to communicate with other women who are going through the same struggles and need long time to grieve. None of them had thought to become a military widow in their twenties or thirties but not many people understand this. It would be good if these women try to be together and spend time with the ones who are familiar with this distress.

Distorting Quran

Mariam Rehman — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Diplomatic Immunity to a Non-Diplomat

Mariam Rehman — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:47:04 +0000

Raymond Davis, a staff member of the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore killed two young Pakistani nationals on Mazang Chowk in Lahore. The incident was witnessed by many people and the accused was later handed over to police. The U.S. citizen opened fire on two motorcyclists and anther man was crushed by a U.S Consulate car, which came to rescue him.

The diplomats are provided immunity under the umbrella of Vienna Convention all over the world but there are cases when they were convicted. One of these incidents happened in U.S.A. in January 1997, when an Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia, Gueorgui Makharadze met an accident, which resulted in the killing of a sixteen-year-old girl in Washington. Alcohol was found in his blood while driving and U.S. government asked Georgian government to waive his immunity, which they did and he was convicted with the murder charges in U.S. courts and was sentenced seven to twenty-one years in prison.

It is obvious that the detained person in Lahore incident is not a diplomat but a staff member, who was armed and killed two men.

Police is giving different statements, first it was stated that the U.S. Citizen opened fire in self-defense, but the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Muhammad Aslam Tarin confirmed that all three deceased had no previous criminal records, adding that none of them had robbed or fired at the diplomat.

The U.S. Embassy seemed eager to cooperate in the beginning, because this incident resulted in the loss of three lives but today, in a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy, demanded the release of their citizen, and said that he is unlawfully held by the police.

According to the press release issued by U.S. Embassy after the incident, Raymond Davis was said to be a staff member.

Embassy Statement Regarding Lahore Incident

January 28, 2011

Islamabad – A staff member of the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore was involved in an incident yesterday that regrettably resulted in the loss of life. The U.S. Embassy is working with Pakistani authorities to determine the facts and work toward a resolution.

But another statement released today writes him a diplomat, who must not be detained as per Vienna Convention.

U.S. Embassy Calls for Release of American Diplomat

January 29, 2011

Islamabad – The United States Embassy in Pakistan calls for the immediate release of a U.S. diplomat unlawfully detained by authorities in Lahore.

The diplomat, assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, has a U.S. diplomatic passport and Pakistani visa valid until June 2012.

What has made the U.S. Embassy change its tone in the second press release? According to the Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Raymond Davis cannot be given immunity because he is not an official of U.S.Foreign Office but a part of technical and administrative staff of U.S. Embassy Islamabad.

The embassy was ready to hand over the driver and car yesterday, which was involved in the killing of the third man, but still it has not happen. Davis appeared before a judge in Lahore on Friday, January 28^th and it seems that the Pakistani government is getting tough over this issue, which they should be. If Davis shot two men and is not a diplomat, then he should not be given immunity only because he is a U.S. citizen.

Disgracing Religion

Mariam Rehman — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:53:25 +0000

Being a prominent member of Zardari Tola, Salman Taseer was never a favorite personality for me. Like others, he was a corrupt politician who used to defend NRO and said that it is a medal, which he unfortunately was not listed in. A smart man, who used to give tough time to PML-N leadership and was controversial most of the times of his governorship, was a close ally of President Zardari. His two and half years in Governor House were full of controversies, whether its his family photographs being displayed on Internet or the stories of his son, Aatish Tasser, or the last one, his meeting with Aasia and condemning Blasphemy Laws. He said,

This is a disgraceful case, it is a disgraceful law. It has to be repealed.

I disliked him as a governor, but I agreed with him at this point. And he expressed his opinion about the law and never committed blasphemy, and don’t know why on earth people took this statement as blasphemy. The way a particular group of like-minded souls are celebrating this death by sending text messages and creating facebook groups, tells us that how unimportant is the loss of an innocent life, for them. Claiming themselves Aashiq-e-Rasool (S.A.W), they are ready to kill innocents on Prophet’s name but are not ready to follow His examples of forgiveness and kindness.

Few Good Movies

Mariam Rehman — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:54:01 +0000

Watching movies is the best available activity I have. For me, it is not only an entertainment but also works as an antidepressant. Below are few movies which I watched in recent months and found worth recommending.

The Hours:

Do I need to write anymore? Three women, living in different eras, but somehow, are going through same psychological conditions, which any one of us may find ourselves at some part of life. Stunning performances, terrific script, great editing and the way in which lives and ideas are woven together renders it what for me is one of the ‘best films’ I ever watched.

Notes on a Scandal

Another of my favorite, based on a novel, though did not read the novel but the movie is incredibly great. ‘One woman’s mistake is another’s opportunity’, and the tagline describes the movie. A ‘psychological thriller’ and a must watch, moves from friendship to obsession, to love, and finally destruction.

Veronika Decides to Die:

Suggested by Abida, and based on my one of the favorite novels. Though they missed few things which made the novel worth reading but still the movie makes you stay there till it ends.

Up in the Air:

George Clooney, a man whose job is to fire people, spends most part of the year traveling across the country and finally wins Special Privilage Award by an airline after flying a million miles. A must watch movie for anti-socials and escapists.

Angels and Demons:

Again, based on a novel by Dan Brown is an interesting thriller though with an exception of few scenes of violence, which I found difficult to stand.

Definitely, May Be:

A comedy drama, and I liked it a lot, due to few reasons.

My Sassy Girl and Walk to Remember:

If you want to go for a romantic drama, the best recommended movies are the given above. Though one of them with a happy ending and the other makes you sad, but worth watching movies.

Straight:

From Indian Parallel Cinema, it makes you laugh even if you are in a bad mood.

Miss Pettigrew:

An old-fashioned musical, romantic and comedy, which is a story of a jobless and homeless woman, who dramatically enters in the world of glamour for a day, by playing the role of a personal secretary to a beautiful actress and singer Delysia. The movie ends well with Delysia sailing to New York with her penniless pianist lover.

Clueless:

My teenage favorite movie, which I watched several times and still I enjoyed watching it. Much better than most of the high school movies we have. If you were a regular reader of Sweet Valleys, Freshman Dorm and Love Stories in your school days, then it will never disappoint you.

Violation of Democracy

Mariam Rehman — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 06:16:30 +0000

The present government is the best example of the worst violation of democracy in the country. The government was formed after the people of Pakistan voted for them based on their manifestos. The nation was craving for democracy after being ruled by a dictator for almost a decade, though the dictator rule was much better in many ways than a democratic government, but hail to democracy, which took us back into the corrupt politics of 90’s. Things are funny in Pakistan’s politic these days. All the political pundits are tired of announcing dates for the departure of the present government but government is still there, shining with its full glory. There is no way (apparently) that we can see the government going anywhere before completing its tenure.

No matter if the whole country is crying for their miseries, no matter if Zardari has reached new heights of unpopularity, and it makes no difference if there is nothing done so far to fulfill the orders made by Supreme Court, government has not paid attention to the suggestion given by the Finance Minister, asking to cut down the number of ministries. And also government is not worried about the Law and Order situation in the biggest city and business hub of Pakistan, and it does not seem to care that the common man is crying over the new sugar prices, reached more than Rs.100/kg, government has again increased the petrol prices, without giving any solid reason.

Difference between the ruling elite and common Pakistanis.

Prime Minister Gillani has no problem with the issue that an average Pakistani is spending his 25% income on utility bills. Food, including lentils and vegetables, is turning into a luxury. It is not just the government, opposition parties, army and judiciary is equally responsible for this. They are all trying hard to save the DEMOCRACY, no matter if people are committing suicides or selling their children, acting like silent spectators. PML-N, the biggest opposition party is not playing its part positively, including ANP and MQM. No one is ready to break their alliance with government and give up their share in looting.

The comfort level of the government is surprisingly high and the reason behind this is the assurance given to them by Army and U.S. Both active players of Pakistani politics are not in a position to bring any big change in the political set-up of the country. The Obama administration is very much busy in saving their own position in their country, after mid-term elections. Pak army is not in a position to come in front in the political stage and thus concentrating more on fighting the militants rather than going after the politicians. So the only power that can make the government fall is the parliament, and it can only take place when the opposition parties get together. The political parties, PML-N and MQM has started voicing up against the government, but still it is too early to say that they may come together to make government fall. COAS, General Pervaiz Kayani will be starting his new term in November, so, there could be some change in the political scenario of the country.

MML

Mariam Rehman — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:28:36 +0000

Pir Pagara is heading a new party, Muttahida (United) Muslim League, which, so far, includes PML (F), PML (Q) (Likeminded group), PML (Z), headed by Aijaz-ul-Haq and Awami League. This is nothing unpredictable; the echoes of CHANGE were being heard since the last few months, when Altaf Hussain asked the patriotic generals to bring change in the country by putting an end to the corrupt government of feudals.
Pir Pagara is the president of MML and a steering committee was announced, which includes Ex-Premier Mir Zafar-u-Allah Khan Jamali. Hamid Nasir Chattha, Salim Saifuullah Khan, Pir Saddaruddin Shah Rashdi, Ijaz-ul-Haq, Makhdoom Ahmed Makhdoom, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, Humayon Akhtar Khan and Jahangir Tareen.
This new alliance cannot be ignored and there is a possibility that this alliance can become the reason for mid-term elections. It is an alliance against PPP and their bad governance. According to the president of the newly founded alliance, every party, including MQM should come forward to pull the country out of crisis. These kinds of alliances are not new in Pakistani politics, and they emerge now and then and usually, when establishment wants to bring CHANGE with the help of opposition parties.

Nawaz Sharif is unlikely to join the alliance.

At present, it does not include any mainstream opposition party. PML –N does not want to join, and PML – Q is still not clear whether they will be a part of it or no. Though few hamkhayal members were present at the meeting but the chaudrys were still missing.
Our ex-President General (R) Pervaiz Musharaf has announced his new party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), in the beginning of this month and there could be a chance that he would join the alliance.
The steering committee has yet to come up with the policy and programs of MML and it is responsible for communicating with the other political parties. The next few days will make the position of the alliance clear, as it mainly depends on the inclusion of PML – N and PML – Q because these two political parties hold 143 seats in the parliament. The government will be in trouble if these two political parties and MQM joins the group as it is already touching new heights of unpopularity. Life has become miserable for a common Pakistani, who is combating price hiking, electricity bills, terrorism, load shedding, corruption and is aware of the rising debts. And it is likely that PPP will not be able to come in power if mid-term elections take place in the next few months.

Few Interesting Pictures II

Mariam Rehman — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 17:48:47 +0000

The Real Pakistanis

Mariam Rehman — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:49:39 +0000

Finally Pak Army woke up. NATO forces crossed the boundaries of Pakistan for the third time in the last few days and it was OK when they were killing civilians, either terrorists or innocent. But as soon as NATO aircraft attacked military checkpoint and killed THREE military men, our government and army woke up from their long sleep and reacted like a true gheratmand nation. They blocked the supply routes for NATO containers which is surely a dilemma for ISAF.
Like every Pakistani, I felt happy for this decision by our government that finally they stood up and did something against these attacks. But I came across the fact that it is only the army men who are real Pakistanis. Civilians were killed earlier, even last week, NATO forces killed 30 civilians and today a drone attack resulted in the killing of 18 people, but they are represented as figures that appear on our television screens and newspapers and we forget it very next day. Nothing happens; neither the government nor the army retaliates. Now the government (or army) took action only because the target was FC men.
The number of drone attacks is growing by each year and resulted in the killing of more than 2000 people. Most of the people killed in these attacks are innocent, including women and children. The foreign office and ISPR protests over these attacks but nothing like this was witnessed before. It is not just about the innocent killings, but also the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan is attacked. First it was US drones that violated our sovereignty, now its NATO aircrafts. It is the western side of the border which is attacked; we should do something before it starts from our eastern border