Yesterday night I was taking olives out of the olive jar from my fridge when this short story came to my mind.

A monkey-trap.

Trapper puts hazelnuts in a jar with a top just big enough for the monkey to slip a hand into. The monkey puts his hand in it and gets a big handful. But now his hand is too big to get out of the jar. He can get away anytime he is willing to leave the nuts, but he cannot bring himself to let go. He will stay stuck there, chattering and shouting, and the trapper can pick him up at his leisure.

Then I thought of the current political situation of Pakistan, and then thought that maybe we - the citizens of Pakistan - have been playing the monkey at the hands of a very few while being in the delusion of being a Pure Patriotic Protagonist (pun intended).

I hope - I just hope that I am wrong…

Pakistan Paindabad (Perhaps) !!!

Day started with killings.

The state is not very different from the one we witnessed last year. Into 62nd year yet so fragile.

Happy Independence Day.

Though I feel bad for even saying so. We are not Free yet.

As Pakistan enters into the 62nd year, I pray in words of Faiz for my beloved home.

A (proper) Pakistani Flag!, originally uploaded by ~FurSid [XO8] - Busy & Away.

While Flickring, I cane across this picture post and I knew it that I’ve to cross post it on Islamabad metblogs. Last year I even saw Pakistani flags with MICKEY MOUSE drawn instead of the crescent and star.

It’s amazingly awful to see so many different versions of the Pakistani flag that it makes me sick! Sick to the core of my soul that why we do not respect the very flag!??

I have seen many funny versions of different variations like

Various shades of green (even pink and blue! - for god’s sake!).
Slogans and other text with/around the crescent and star.
Different dimensions
Varied versions of crescent and star

I think there should only be one version that we should be using wherever we use!

Here’s what a PROPER Pakistani flag should be (technically):

“A dark green rectangular flag in the proportion of length and width 3:2 with a white vertical bar at the mast, the green portion bearing a white crescent in the centre and a five-pointed white heraldic star. The size of the white portion being one-fourth the size of the flag, nearest the mast, the remainder three-fourths being dark green. The dimensions of the crescent and star are obtained as follows:

“Draw the diagonal from the top right hand corner to the bottom left corner of the green portion. On this diagonal establish two points ‘A’ and ‘B’. Point ‘A’ at a distance equidistant from top right and bottom left hand corners of the green portion, i.e. the centre of the green portion. Point ‘B’ at a distance from the top right hand corner equal to 13/20th the width of the flag. With centre point ‘A’ and radius 1.1/4th the width of the flag describe a second arc. The enclosures made by these two arcs form the crescent. The dimensions of the five-pointed white heraldic star are determined by drawing a circle 1/10th the width of the flag. The circle surrounds the five points of the heraldic star. The star lies with one point on the diagonal at a point where the larger arc of the crescent, if completed, cuts the diagonal.”

The Interior Ministry of Pakistan provides dimensions for flags in different circumstances:

* For ceremonial occasions. 21′ x 14′, 18′ x 12′, 10′ x 6-2/3′ or 9′ x 6 1/4.
* For use over buildings. 6′ x 4′ or 3′ x 2′.
* For cars 12″ x 8″.
* For tables 10 1/4″ x 8 1/4″.

Source: Wikipedia

It was the decisive day of March 23, 1940, when Pakistan Resolution (Lahore Resolution originally) was passed in general session of Muslim League at Iqbal Park (Manto Park originally), Lahore. It was this day that provided a direction to thousands of Muslims of sub-continent to move into. And it was this resolution that translated into creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.

Keeping the current state of affairs in our beloved country in view, the day happens to be a saddening one. What it was meant to be, and what we have got it into?

*sigh*