Category: Notes from Pakistan

That there is no sense of direction in what is happening or cooking to happen is not far from the truth. An 18th Amendment, a 7th NFC Award, autonomous status for Gilgit-Baltistan, or the Reconciliation mantra appear like in-connectible jots on a maze of unattended urgencies.

This is an attempt to refresh memories of us all, especially the politicians and the Armymen, with the sense of direction reached in 1973.

A constitution is never a political document. It is not

The two noblest professions are teaching and politics. [Aristotle]

Back in 2002 when the 35^th Annual Session of Pakistan Philosophical Congress held in the Bukhari Auditorium, Government College (now G. C. University), Lahore. Dr. Naeem Ahmad was Secretary of the PPC (Dr. Naeem had been Chairman Department of Philosophy, University of the Punjab, Lahore),  and well before the start of the proceedings I had time and time again requested him to allow me to present a Resolution in its General Body meeting. He was positive. On March 16, while the proceedings ended, late in the evening meeting of the General Body of the Congress was in progress. When all the items on the agenda, such as issues relating to the next Congress, elections of the office-bearers, stood settled, Dr. Naeem announced the closing of the Congress.

I was dumbstruck; yet in a second I decided: it’s now or never.

The talk of alcohol, drugs and call girls in the parliament lodges, Islamabad, is not new; Jamshed Dasti only repeated it.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-139500-Dasti-claims-to-recover-bag-full-of-liquor-bottles-from-parliament-lodges- 

Everybody knows the moral standing of these parliamentarians, these law-makers, who are the worst law-breakers also.

But the hullabaloo is just misplaced. No one seems to addressing the issue: that, there are ordinary citizens who are subjected to such laws from which the parliamentarians and Ashrafiya are practically immune.

So the question is: Rule of law for everyone, or only for the ordinary citizens?

Here is one post from Shahid Mehmood’s blog: http://shershahsuree.blogspot.com

Lahore, February 22, 2014: Alternate Solutions Institute today released Dr. Khalil Ahmad’s latest Urdu book, Pakistani Kashakash: Tehlee-O-Taadeel aur Aagay Barhnay ka Raasta (Pakistani Armageddon: Analysis, Resolution and the Way Forward).

The book attempts an analysis of the present predicament of the Pakistani state and society with reference to their response to the barbaric threat to the life and liberty of ordinary citizens. The analysis also focuses on the dubious role of politicians and political parties in allowing the criminal entities to encroach upon the constitutional rights of the citizens.

The book concludes that both the state and the political parties have failed to protect the

You can bring the rich to the level of the poor overnight but it takes a lifetime to lift the poor to the level of the rich.  [Irish proverb]

During the 1970s, Pakistan went in for wholesale nationalization of its private enterprises, taking even educational institutions into the state’s hands. This was a move laden with far-reaching and unforeseeable consequences. Some are still being unveiled today. It changed not only the economic and political, but also the social, intellectual and moral landscape of the country for generations to come.

The story began in 1968, with a political movement basing itself purely on totalitarian economic agenda. Its slogans were reminiscent of an ancient collective tribal life where everything belonged to everyone. Two of these were: ‘socialism is our economy’ and ‘all power to the people’. The movement was built on the myth of 22 wealthy families: it was argued that the

Flora – My Photography Blog:

Capturing a painting

[Dawn, December 24, 2013]

[The News, December 25, 2013]

http://twitter.com/khalilkf 

India views Pakistan the way Pakistan views Bangladesh; and Bangladesh views Pakistan the way Pakistan views India!

One man can do wonders, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court proved that. His 8 years in the Supreme Court shook the foundations of the un-challengeable rule of Riyasati Ashrafiya in Pakistan.

Starting from March 9, 2007 and till his second restoration, and even after that I wrote many an article on various aspects of political and constitutional crisis facing Pakistan, and as the Honorable Chief Jistice retires this December 12, I will be posting / sharing some of the writings I penned during this period.

Here is one incomplete piece which I wrote on July 13, 2008.

How keen was the observation of Senator Mushahid Husain Secretary General of PML (Q), when he likened Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of PPP, to General Zia-ul-Haq, a military dictator who ruled over Pakistan from 1977 to 1988 till his death in

“The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities (child soldiers), or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in propaganda.”

 [Wikipedia]

Which category Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s or Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s political use by Pakistan Peoples Party or Asif Ali Zardari falls in?

[Mencius, c. 300 BC]

[Dionysius of Halicarnassus, c. 20 BC]

November 29, 2013:

Is Shah Mehmood Qureshi behind PTI, taking revenge from US for his ouster from the gov in Raymond Davis case: US diplomat met him yesterday!

November 24, 2013:

Re PTI blocks NATO supply: Imran Khan, instead of focusing on governance in K-P, is wasting his Party’s first ever stint in a province!

November 22, 2013:

In Pakistan, opposition is usually meaner than the government! See the present opposition . . .

September 28, 2013:

Is Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf playing the political wing of the Taliban? Or what is it up to!

September 20, 2013:

With Imran Khan (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) the quality of Pakistani politics, which was already at its lowest, has gone down the drain!

November 8, 2011:

No good news! Sort of liberal fascism is on the rise in Pakistan . . . hand in glove with the establishment! Debuted on Oct 30 in Lahore!