There was a deathly silence in the air yesterday morning when I set out to buy some groceries and vegetables. The veggies were almost all sold out, leaving me to choose from an unsavory assortment of rotten little onions and tomatoes hidden in a heap of onion peel. The people sure were in a shopping mood yesterday morn, some of them even pushing themselves in front of the line at the shopping store to get their stuff checked out quickly. I met a policeman who lives in our street, and he told me that I hate to do what we have been told to do, but it’s our job. Poor guys. I feel sorry for them sometimes… as much as I occasionally hate them.

This event, this long march, will certainly go down in history as the time when the people of Pakistan rose up and pushed their way through all blockages and hurdles and raised their voice against injustice and oppression. In a time when we wonder what the future would hold for our children, and our children’s children, we now have something that we can feel proud telling them about. We can tell them how the revolution began, how the fire that once burned in the hearts of the Muslims of the sub-continent burned in the past few days of every single person in the country, and we can tell them to be strong, to be brave, and to work hard to make things right.

But let us all remember one important thing. Even though the future events would not turn out as expected, or something else happens, something worse, we should not consider ourselves failures. We should not think that our efforts were all in vain. What we did was for the world to see and hear. We proved ourselves that we will not cower in the face of oppression, and we will not suffer for something which is not our fault. We have showed all international powers that we are a peace loving nation, that we stand united to make all things right, and that we have hearts which cherish freedom, love, peace and happiness immensely, the fundamental characteristics that define who we are… the indestructible and powerful people of Pakistan.

What’s coming up. Announcing a successful negotiation with the long march flag-bearer?

Let’s wait and see…

Interestingly – Aitezaz and Arthur both start with A.

Anyhow – we shall see…

I read in the news some days ago that the Sharif brothers said that the decisions will now be taken on street in the long march on 16th of March. PPP officially said that they will not make alliance with PML-N against the governor rule. Zardari sahab appointed Mr. Qamar as the new Air Chief (bypassing three of his seniors). It almost sounds like a repetition of Musharraf’s case.

Anyhow – that’s not the point.

The point is that they say that cats are more loyal to places and dogs are more loyal to people. From that, I can safely conclude that most politicians of Pakistan are dogs.

I don’t know what will happen on the sixteenth of March and how much bloodshed will happen in my beloved Islamabad.

But there was this movie Payback which had the following sequence of dialogues.

Porter: Who makes the decisions?
Carter: Well, a committee would make the decision in this case…
Porter: One man… you go high enough you always come to one man… who?

The real matter of worry is not that who is the man who is at the top. Concern is that where does the loyalty of that man(read: person) lie.

And in case of Pakistan, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out where his loyalties lie, lie, lie…

God bless Pakistan!

Banner on the Ground

The Black Side Banner

The Hunger Strike Banner

Canopy For the Protesters

And all this happened in front of the OGDCL building, standing tall on Jinnah Avenue.

OGDCL Building on Jinnah Avenue

I hope that the demands of the employees of OGDC are met. Privatization is not the solution to every problem and our government should realize this.

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.

News are Musharaf will address nation at 1 PM today and MAY announce his resignation. End of 9 years reign. Before the impeachment process begins.

Do you think he should step down? But then does his presence makes any difference? or his absence for that matter?

Who would YOU prefer as your next president? Zardari, nawaz Sharif? or some other newly transformed hunk (sigh).

Please tell why you say Musharraf should resign and why not.

ps: For some weird reason the poll i created is not getting embed in.

Mind blowing songs. Impressive lyrics. Songs like Lage raho, qismat apnay haath may, Quaid e azam, Zindagi Feat Abida Parveen, Baro chal are the ones you may want to listen to again and again.

The title song starts like:

(A girl in oh-I-Be-So-Attitude says):
Main mulk se bahar parhne jana chahti hoon
takay wapis akay ghareeb logon ki..
You know jo ghareeb hotay hain..
You know jo thoray say woh hotay hain..
You know ghareeb say?
You know what I mean?
Unki madad karna chahti hoon

Shehzad Roy:
*cough cough*

Girl:
What happened?

SR:
I am allergic to bullshit

The video of Lagga Rahay is already screening. Watch it here.

In today’s political chaos … this is a perfect treat. Time when we are left of past glories and mistakes … wary of the tomorrow. Pakistan ka kiya hoggga. The statements we make on and off and well…. forget everything in little luxuries available to us. Time for some waking up to do~

Ahh the words.

The uniqueness of this album is its release ceremony too. Karachi’s Juvenile jail was the opening venue. ATP reports on the album too.

The message works? In your opinion? At least I’m listening to a song that voices my doubts and worries.

GO HURRY …. grab your cassette/CD now :)

Anyone??

Almost there – yes rename some famous place in honour of that Martyred (by no means I’m trying to ridicule someone who is dead but Get Some Life, No?). Here the Govt is hers truly too … I wonder why they waited for 21st june (Pinky’s bday to do this mass-scale renamings).

So to date the order of lord is to rename Islamabad Airport, Rawalpindi general Hospital (RGH)  and the-oh-so-famous-and-pindi’s Murree road after Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto.

You may be thinking why am I having problems on this decision. To me its kind of obscene to change the decades old names to suddenly a new name. Well, we are in the process of building new roads and avenues … why not name them after her or anyone of your choice?? Huh? You say what?

I wonder how long it’d take the next govt to take these orders back….!

Read more on BBC and DT.

We are out to save the judiciary. We are out to save the country.

Lawyers country-wide are approaching Islamabad, alongwith political leaders like Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, to stage anti-Musharaf protests and reinstating of CJ and SC judges.

Musharaf’s entrapment is increasing day-by-day BUT don’t you think the judiciary is going political too. In present circumstances what do you think is good for Pakistan?

• Musharaf leaving his seat?
• CJ and other judges reinstated.
• Zardari’s CO-PM status.
• Nawaz Sharif coming in Parliament and a to-be PM.
• “Azaaad Adliya” or Free Judiciary.

Do you think like shedding of uniform … Musharaf’s leaving the seat will bing any good to the nation and country?

Do you think reinstatement of judiciary is a bigger problem for awaam of Pakistan (a common Pakistani) or is it price hikes in daily commodities, Fuel, loadsheddings, etc.?

Who do you see as the perfect leader from the present clan of leaders?

The freedom of judiciary will ever be able to bring us free and fast judiciary too? Dowe have men of faith and just in abundance now?

I hope the answers to all these queries are not just rants of me and you. I hope that they be heard. In present circumstances I’m not very hopeful.

Pictures after the jump.

Woman lawyer distributing pamphlets.

Barb wires to restrict movement of Long march participants.

Hum Mulk Bachanay Niklay Hain .

Stage preparations.

Melay shelay =))

Images Courtesy: Khabrain & BBC Urdu

Aye Kash …!