Argh.

Image Courtesy: Jang

An explosives-laden vehicle blew up an anti-terrorist squad building and injured at least four people on Thursday in a heavily guarded police complex in Pakistan’s capital, officials and a witness said.
‘It seems to be a suicide attack,’ said Islamabad police official Mohammed Sadiq.
The incident occurred as lawmakers gathered for a security briefing. Islamabad has been under tight security because of the private session.
Ambulances streamed into the smoke-filled Police Lines neighborhood after the blast.
The front section of the three-story, red-brick building was destroyed and a staircase had collapsed. Shoes were strewn among the rubble. Police officer Suhail Iqbal said the building housed an anti-terror squad. It stood fairly deep inside the complex.
Police commando Gulshan Iqbal told The Associated Press he was sitting at a nearby barrack when a ‘Suzuki car hit the anti-terror squad barrack and exploded with a big bang.’
He said because many officers were guarding the parliament building and other areas of Islamabad, the main building was largely empty. ‘About 10 people were inside at the time, and we saw six or seven injured,’ he said.
Concrete barriers and barbed wire ringed a wide perimeter around Parliament. Members of the media were not allowed in.

Courtesy: Dawn

Now that’s something I call reporting. Sensationalizing the whole experience.

Sleepy nights of  Isloo turns into coma.

Haa!

Courtesy: Khabrain

So the Ruyete Halal Committee at last announce that the Shawaal moon’s been sighted and It’s eid here in Pakistan, all over Pakistan, on 1st October. The announcement came at around 11 PM.

The possibilities of moon sighting were near to zero. Saudi Arabia announced the moon sighting yesterday and it was Eid in middle east. A minister in Frontier announced that there are 15 witnesses of moon sighting with him and he announced Eid without Ruyete Halal Committee’s consent. In my opinion, to erase the conflict the Committe decided to have Eid in Pakistan unanimously. Hence it’s tomorrow.

Eid Mubarak!

May the day brings lots of happiness for Pakistan and us all!

Just yesterday I went to a market and got the chance to take some quick snaps. For all those who are missing the glitz of Eid and Ramadhan away from Pakistan. And all those colors. Dont forget to pray for Pakistan.

A quick excerpt from Daily Times:

Glass bangles and Hena are the first things women, old or young, look for at roadside stalls or Eid Bazaars. The more variety of bangles and latest patterns of Hena you have, the more chances you have of attracting large crowds. In this time of cutthroat competition, lights and music are the new attractions for female Eid shoppers. Mostly, young boys run these stalls and women don’t mind getting served by them. However, some stalls offer services of women.

Perhaps, it’s the best thing of Chand Raat.

tea break, originally uploaded by fezaizm.

A change from the disastrous posts :-)

Thankfully it was a Saturday eve otherwise the causalities in ETC may have gone exponentially high. Even now … around 6-10 deaths and 20+ injured are reported in ETC. The fate is still undecided. temporarily offices are being shifted but they can’t work from home for months to come. Cold assumptions are … without regarding structural miscarriages the building authorities will give OK to move back in. A social dilemma. We condemn the sad demises later on but value them NOT when they are alive.

Here’s a pictorial overview of what Marriott and ETC has faced.

An aerial view taken from an army helicopter shows the devastated Marriott Hotel two days after a suicide truck bombing in Islamabad on September 22, 2008.  Courtesy: AFP PHOTO/Aamir QURESHI

Please share your views? What steps should be taken NOW? How to fight this evil of terrorism?

Also how this continuous economical attacks can be fought? If you were a victim of this 9/20 attack, in any way, what steps your company has taken to ensure your safety?

Please refrain from personal attacks … Share the positive energy … that’s what we need right now.

More Reads and PicS:

• Another aerial view of Marriott … the double road in front of it is .. GONE !
• Assessment of battered Marriott.
• Marriott’s owner, Sadar ud Din Hashwani, has said that the hotel will be up and running in three month’s time … in the meanwhile, employees WILL get their salaries.
• For victims of terror a Citizens trust is up. Please follow the link to read more about them. You can find more on it through this Facebook group.

Well actually its all normal, isn’t it? When things happen daily … it comes in normal range, No? Be it Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Bajaur, Anguur Ada or any place else. … after yet again few promises of we are with you sir in YOUR War Against Terrorism. Even if we’ll have to risk Pakistan (and that we’re doing) … we won’t stray away from our promises. Though promises are not hadith or quran. But a promise with Uncle Sam can’t be compromised on. We’ll sacrifice our kids, our men, our women. Let’s make the whole world a 9/11 … to fight thy war of terrorism.

The president who claims, during his fumbled up speech, god-knows-what … must be happily flying in a plane right now. He couldn’t bother paying the site a visit or sympathizing with the poor - common Pakistanis suffering in hospitals. And for our dear Prime Minister … attending a iftaar party in Lahore was much much important.

We are a proud nation! We bicker a lot and we blame each other. We can’t even think straight … act is a totally different story.

Isn’t it high time, govt show some steel in their necks? Take some stern decisions and ACT. Fight the war … but protect your own territories. If I and You can tell who did this … why can’t the govt? FGS. Take your own people into confidence. Stop war on your own people. Start digging for facts please … and Seriously … act before its too late. Though I’m not too sure if its already late or not.

But then these are my opinions … you are free to share your own. Your own theories … and some plan of action if you can suggest would be highly welcome.

I DID whine here … but I know whining would yield nothing. Its time to act.

ps: In case you haven’t watched the CCTV footage earlier released … clickety. Seemingly there was lot of time … but nothing could be done to save this huge terrorist attack.

A second blast in Marriott in an years time.

Its a “High Security” area.

Update 1: 10-15 killed and many injured.

Gas pipeline exploded as well causing more damage.

Gulshan e Jinnah (living flats for federal govt employees) is affected badly as well. Its just at the back of mariott (almost).

According to TV reports, a hug explosion at Marriott (F-5) Islamabad is heard and seen. Causing fatalities and injuries.

Ironically, its a “High Security” area.

Update 2:

The entire front section of the Marriott Hotel has been blown out and wreckage is everywhere.

Reports are that it could be the biggest explosion - terrorist attack - in Pakistan’s history. Among dead,  drivers out in parking area and the security guards mostly included (Geo and Aaj tv reports).

Update 3:

Blood needed in hospitals.

Image Courtesy: Aaj TV

For more videos and Pictures, also visit All Things Pakistan.

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Hoping to have a great flight with the aspirants for job :-)

Image Credits: Ahsan Rashid