Army supports democracy

Nadir Mir

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa made an excellent statement that the military supports free, fair and timely elections in the country. In the same vein, COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has categorically stated: “The army supports democracy.” Indeed, this is the need of the hour and it should lay to rest all speculations about the delay in elections or military coup.

It is a fact that despite bad governance by the federal and provincial governments about to complete their five-year terms, the army has supported the democratic process. Undoubtedly, reforms are needed for a better Pakistan and it will be the next government’s responsibility to plan for it.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif is right in his demand for timely elections. The people must decide their future. With the army, government and main opposition party on the same page, democracy should proceed ahead. But there is more than that. A secure and prosperous national environment also contributes to democracy. For this, all elements of national power need to be employed and there are some key issues that Pakistan has to deal with before this happens:

US-Nato exit from Afghanistan: The withdrawal of the occupation forces from Afghanistan will be a positive development for Pakistan. So, it is in our interest to facilitate their exit strategy that should be accompanied by a negotiated settlement.

The USA’s major concern is that Afghanistan may be used against it after the troops’ exit. Hence, Islamabad must ensure that anti-US and anti-Pakistan forces do not find solace there. Pakistan has suffered enough during the Afghan war; it must not suffer more, once it ends.

The US-Nato exit will be good for America, Pakistan and, of course, Afghanistan. Misgivings between Washington and Islamabad should be removed and friendly relations should prevail. President Barack Obama’s new team, especially with Secretary of State John Kerry, should help strengthen the Pak-US relationship.

Gwadar and China: The management of Gwadar Port has rightly been handed over to a Chinese firm. Indeed, it will change Pakistan’s destiny. Connectivity with China from Gwadar, in the form of road, rail, pipelines and later to Central Asia, will bring great wealth to the state. Also, it will bind Pakistan geoeconomically and geo-politically with China, Central Asia and West Asia. It is a multi-regional state and not merely a South Asian state.

Despite the fact that Gwadar is a force multiplier of economics and security for Pakistan, yet a word of caution is necessary. Balochistan needs to be stabilised and made peaceful, so that the Gwadar concept reaches full potential. China’s presence at Gwadar has deterred India. It is because it will bring Pakistan and China more closer.

Besides, China through the port will have access to the Indian Ocean. With this, India’s hegemonic dreams stand challenged.

Moreover, Gwadar will make Pakistan prosperous and secure that the Indians dislike. So, the terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Gwadar may have Indian linkage. The latest attack at Pasni is a case in point. Pakistan, therefore, should respond accordingly.

President Valdimir Putin, while denouncing terrorism in Quetta, had termed it an effort to destabilise Pakistan. Obviously, he was not referring to local extremists, but an international game plan. Gwadar has to be built, but it also needs to be guarded against foreign funded and backed terrorists.

Similarly, Iran’s gas flowing into Pakistan will somewhat reduce the latter’s energy woes. The IP gas pipeline, like Gwadar, will have to be protected from the country’s enemies.

The army is non-political and professional: By distancing itself from politics and supporting timely polls, the military is maintaining a non-political stance. The ISI under its dynamic leadership has contributed a lot to maintaining peace in Afghanistan and consequently in Pakistan.

Our military must plan for the future. That should include peacemaking with the Taliban and Baloch dissidents for peace in Pakistan in particular and South Asia in general.

Further, after US-Nato’s exit, the army should shift its focus to the eastern frontier and resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan’s clash with India may extend to Afghanistan (due to Indian ambitions) and Gwadar-Balochistan (due to Indian interference). All things considered, Pak-India relations will not improve; cold peace is the most optimistic view.

Needless to say, Pak Army by supporting democracy is also freeing itself to concentrate on its basic task, i.e. to defend the country’s borders. Not only is martial law as a concept obsolete, but it also diverts the military from its primary duty. Already with patience, vision and courage, the army’s Afghan policy is paying dividends. Pakistan is poised as the winner in Afghanistan; and a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest.

A peaceful and prosperous Pakistan is the wish of all Pakistanis. The entire nation must work to that end.

The writer is a retired brigadier and has authored a book titled Gwadar on the Global Chessboard. Email: nadirmir13@gmail.com Blog: wwwpakistangeopolitics.blogspot.com

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Be Warned: Top Three Baits Used To Lure Victims For Human Trafficking

By: Erik Lawrence

Human trafficking is one of the more solemn issues being experienced around the world these days. Human trafficking is not just a simple crime because it is a terrible crime against humanity. The sad news is that it is being committed even in first-world countries wherein human rights should be respected.

Even in this modern age where the concept of democracy should be ringing across the world, human trafficking is still widespread. Men, women and even children are being forced to do unspeakable acts just for monetary gain. They are being abused and maltreated and they are not earning anything from what they have been suffering. Human trafficking can be considered as modern-day slavery.

So how do human traffickers get their victims? The following are the top three baits that these criminals use to lure their victims.

• High-earning job – In this world today where the economy in general is failing, it is not a surprise why people are very desperate when it comes to employment. Any job that promises a high income can be very tempting. In third world countries, human traffickers take advantage of the less educated individuals. Because some people have not achieved enough education, they are very willing to bite into any job offer. The need for employment is the main cause why human traffickers easily get a lot of victims.

• Scholarship – Education is very important for a lot of people. It is so sad to realize that a lot of talented individuals are easily recruited by human traffickers. Who would not want to get a scholarship these days? People who really know how to act, dance, and sing are being offered scholarships to prestigious schools around the world. The Hollywood life is what a lot of people really dream of. That is why a scholarship (especially an Arts one) offer to a talented person is very irresistible.

• Travel – To travel around the world is a very common dream that a lot of people share. This fact is very true especially in third world countries. It is not a surprise why, for instance, a South African lady easily goes with someone who promises that she will be able to live in the United States or another European country. Human traffickers easily convince their victims to come with them by giving irresistible offers such as easy visa application or even a job opportunity waiting in another country.

While the factors above are considered as baits for those human traffickers who use deceit, there are still other methods that are being used to get human trafficking victims. The following are some of them.

• Forced abduction

• Fraudulent adoption

• Blackmail

• Fraudulent marriage

It is really sad to know that a lot of people are being exploited these days. Lack of ant-illegal recruitment laws, corruption, and unemployment – these are just some of the major causes while human trafficking is still widespread. Fortunately, human rights groups and other institutions are making their stand against this horrible crime. It is through their efforts that human trafficking will one day be stopped!

Author Resource:->  Let us all learn how to prevent human trafficking today. Visit this site now!

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US Soldiers Bludgeoning A Sheep To Death: The Next Military Video Scandal

Days after the US Marine Corps faced critics over an alleged video showing Marines urinating on Taliban corpses, the US Army is facing some tough questions following the release of a video that seems to show soldiers beating a sheep.

The video has been posted on LiveLeak since November, and it's truly appalling — too graphic to post here.

Read more: Business Insider

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The Memo of Treachery

By Nadir Mir

The ‘Memo of Treachery’ has been considerably unveiled. Actually it is no great mystery. This is in fact the corruption, transfer wealth abroad – get foreign support – stay in power or acquire more power – money complex in action. Pakistani liberals (puppets) living abroad, posing as the ‘face of Pakistan’ the linchpin for this Faustian bargain. (Between Pakistani traitors and alien supporters).

It is certainly not about civilian control over the military establishment (which is a good thing). It is about corrupt, self serving elite, who seek foreign support to keep robbing the people of Pakistan. (Betraying Pakistanis is not an issue, but part of the agenda).

Without confusing the issue, the ‘Memo’ sent by some Pakistanis (with bank accounts, assets and residence abroad) sought foreign (Uncle Sam’s) support which by simple connotation meant:

§  Weaken Pakistan’s National Security by cutting ISI – Army down to size.

§  Invite US military forces in Pakistan for partial occupation (as if drones were not enough)

§  Exposing, denuding and ultimately compromising Pakistan’s nuclear projects. (Depriving Pakistan of its deterrent)

§  Handing over Pakistanis demanded by India. (Today militants, tomorrow hijab wearing women! Any one Delhi considers not friendly or not in love with Indian’s inequality based Brahman Order)

§  Practically advocating steps leading to Pakistani Nation’s eventual and complete enslavement to US Geopolitical diktat and Indian over lordship plus much worse. . . . 

 All that was asked by the authors of the treacherous memo was to be in power in Pakistan. (Along with their foreign based stolen wealth and to continue duping the innocent people of Pakistan forever).

Now even Admiral Mike Mullen (recipient of the memo) has recollected, after initial denial (a memory loss, apparently from too much work!) And confirmed the memo was sent by Pakistanis (friends of USA)

Hussain Haqqani the Pakistan Ambassador has obviously rejected Ijaz Mansoor, a Pakistani businessman, making this claim about the ‘Memo’. In any event Hussain Haqqani is better known as ‘America’s Ambassador for Pakistan in Washington’.

Reportedly and predictably Hussain Haqqani initially refused to return to Pakistan (gaining time to lobby in USA) and threatened to seek asylum in USA but later retraced. With an Ambassador like this who needs enemies!

In essence the ‘Memo’ is a clear case of treachery to the state of Pakistan. Articles in The News by Shaheen Sehbai and Muhammad Malick -- ‘The Treasonous Memo’ and from Ansar Abbasi – HH resignation alone will not be enough’ are timely, eye opening and riveting.

A complete, impartial inquiry by the Supreme Court would be in order. Hussain Haqqani’s resignation is not enough. He should be tried for treason in a fair trial. If found guilty he should be dealt under the law. (It was Hussain Haqqani who reportedly told the Americans, Pakistanis were like carpet merchants on price haggling issues!)

Not carpet merchants but Pakistanis are a proud, patriotic, peace loving, independence minded nation. (Except for a tiny, mini minority of self serving, thieving, foreign supported elite).

The nefarious characters involved in the plot to weaken ISI, dilute the army, invite American troops into Pakistani homes, compromise nuclear arsenal, accept every Indian demand and the long list of crimes of infamy are traitors of the worst order.

 If they are not traitors then what is treachery to Pakistan? This is not about a clash between liberal puppets, pro western in outlook or radical extremists, fundamentalists. (That narrative is old – obsolete and boring). It is about the right of Pakistani Nation to live in peace and freedom, with security, prosperity and honour. An unfettered Nation – master of its own destiny!

Without being sold to the first bidder, invaded by America, threatened by India and betrayed by its own corrupt and treacherous elite. The time has come to squeeze the space on traitors of all hues. If Islamabad – Rawalpindi cannot deal with a ‘Rogue Ambassador’, what can it do?

A fair trial but heads must roll (literally). If those who betray Pakistan are not dealt today, it would be tragic.

But they will inevitably face justice tomorrow by the Pakistan Revolution!

Author: Nadir Mir, a retired brigadier and Author of the book “Gwadar on the Global Chessboard” and blogger of Pakistan and Geopolitics  

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Women use more Antidepressants than Men [Study]

Full Story: Huffington Post  [via Imposing Headlines]

When talking of general health of both the genders, a recent study finds one in four women on antidepressants - a rate more than men.

The study finds:

"Antidepressant use especially is high among women, up 29 percent since 2001, the report showed, and anti-anxiety meds are used by women at almost twice the rate seen among men. In 2010, 11 percent of middle-aged women were on an anti-anxiety medication, while only 5.7 percent of men that age were."

Read full story - a must read for both men and women for improving general and mental health disorders and find answers to questions like:

Why Women are using anti‐anxiety medication at more than twice the rate of men?
Is there any relationship between the increase in female antidepressant use and the increase in anti-anxiety use?
Typically we think of boys being more affected by ADHD, but there's gender shift in the use of ADHD medications in adulthood. What's going on there?
How about the data on women's use of atypical antipsychotics? Why have these numbers grown so much?
What do you think these numbers indicate about our overall relationship with psychiatric medications in this country?
What should doctors and patients take away from this report?
Is there any evidence that these medications are helping women?

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Estrogen in drinking water is likely LINKED to incidence of Prostate Cancer in Men

Full Story: Huffington Post 15 Nov

A new study links the estrogen in drinking water to incidence of prostate cancer related deaths in men. The study had been carried out by researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, who by analyzing the percentage of women using the pill, intrauterine devices, condoms and vaginal barrier contraceptives in 87 countries, then examined the incidence and deaths from prostate cancer.

A finding of the study concludes that estrogen in birth-control pills is excreted in the urine and gets into the environment, particularly into water, and scientific evidence suggests that low levels may cause cancer, including prostate cancer.

Estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals are found in all manner of commercial and cosmetic products, among them pesticides. Studies have shown that male farmers exposed to pesticides that contain high doses have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with the general population.

Read full story for this revealing new findings for the sake of your health.

[via Imposing Headlines]

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Confusion or Containment for Pakistan

Shared from Pakistan and Geopolitics by Nadir Mir

Mr. Bruce Riedel’s (ex CIA, advisor to US President) recent article was titled ‘Containment of Pakistan’. It would be more appropriate to title it as ‘Confusion or Containment for Pakistan’.

Mr. Riedel had accused Pakistani Generals of Neo blasphemy – ‘not believing in an American victory in Afghanistan!’  The fact is that the majority of people in Afghanistan itself and neighbouring Pakistan, Iran, Central Asian states, China, Russia, besides the cultured people in Europe and rest of the world do not believe in an American victory. Smart Americans mercifully now in majority realize the Afghan War is lost. Thinkers and writers like Eric Margolis, Michael Scheuer and others have been saying it for years. Ironically the definition of US victory in Kabul keeps changing.

The aim and end of war (primary principal of war) itself seems to be more slippery than an eel. So to use American parlance – ‘Mission Creep’. Since the war in Afghanistan is not won (nor can be won) blame the Haqqanis, Taliban, Pakistan and anybody else in the neighbourhood. Gore Vidal, a great American writer had aptly titled his book ‘Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace’.

For ten years Pakistan was a non NATO Ally (rather not wanted Ally). Then it was graded as FreEnemy (friend – enemy) and now Mr. Bruce Riedel suggests containment of Pakistan (which is a policy option of dealing with enemies). To put the record straight, out of the trillion dollars war effort Pakistan received under $20 billion, while suffering $70 billion losses. Of course the pain, anguish, bereavement of nearly 40,000 casualties suffered by Pakistan cannot be measured in tangible term. Certainly they don’t matter to war mongers and their ilk. (Mouth pieces of the military – industrial – financial complex).

Patriotic and smart Americans would not worry about ‘Waziristan’ but about ‘Wall Street, considering the economic malaise at home.  Conversely, the globalists want a new war with Pakistan and Iran (may be with Turkey, Saudi Arabia) followed by China and Russia. A strategy of deflection, to divert attention from problems at home. The capitalist cabal system is under attack! So when are these low paid, deprived, lower middle class, but good Americans going to be termed as anarchists, miscreants and terrorists? (May be inspired by OBL from his watery grave – if the American account was true!)

Washington can try ‘Containment of Pakistan’ (with all the consequences) but containment of its military is simply absurd. The Pakistan military is a part of the nation like US military is a part of America. Obviously Washington – Delhi propaganda tries to drive a wedge between the Pakistani people and their soldiers. Civilian supremacy remains a supreme concept. The problem is that the corrupt elite in Pakistan which the Americans and the Indians want to pamper, don’t represent the nation. They are perceived as puppets. The American quest for a pliant Pakistan subservient to India (turning hostile to China) is rejected by the same civilians and common Pakistanis Mr. Riedel claims to be supporting.

Furthermore, the notion that Pakistan Army is ambitious in terms of Afghanistan is preposterous! America led NATO has waged a decade long horrific war. Before US exit, hostile Indians want to entrench themselves in Kabul. (Even as a number of Indian Strike Corps mass on Pakistan’s borders under the garb of Winter Exercise 2011). Millions of Afghan refugees are sheltering in Pakistan. Kabul refuses to rectify the Durand Line agreement (not even fence it for security reasons). US / NATO troops concentrate on Waziristan borders, escalating drone strikes, threatening special operations, massing hardware for a mini ‘Shock and Awe’, posturing for an air campaign and the works! What is the Pakistan Army expected to do? It can’t be ‘contained and cooperative’ at the same time!

Finally Mr. Riedel’s obsession with Pakistani nukes (or is he voicing some sinister agenda). Even if Mr. Riedel’s view of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal becoming 4th or 5th largest in the world is true, so what is the problem? The Pakistani population by some estimates may be also 4th – 5th largest in the world. What’s wrong with the 4th – 5th largest country having that big a nuclear arsenal?

Containment of Pakistan may retard Pakistan but also forsake the geopolitics of peace. A cornered, bullied and threatened Pakistan will turn more nationalistic or militant. It will not become the dove which some misguided Americans funded by neo rich Indians desire. A geopolitical realignment may follow. Squeezed by Americans and Indians on two fronts, Pakistan will seek new allies – China, Iran, Saudi Arabia even Russia, while fraternizing with Turkey.

A contained Pakistan on two fronts will lead to conflict. The Afghan War may extend to Pakistan, Iran and India. A vast war region, with peace prospects diminishing by the day. An all out war can spiral out of control, go nuclear, destroying the region and affecting the globe.  In case of a limited conflict, even if the Pakistan Military is bruised, beaten or humiliated in battle with American – Indian forces, (unlikely in a short span) the change in Pakistan will not be what Mr. Riedel had hoped for. In an emotionally charged, nationally hysterical public mood, pliant – puppets will not come to power. Radical minded revanchists could usurp power.

Another possibility is a revolution sweeping Pakistan. If the Arab brothers can have a spring, good people of USA can ‘Occupy Wall Street’ and Ayatollahs in neighbouring Iran bring a revolution (1979), why not Pakistan?  A revolution would be the best thing for Pakistan. But the revolutionaries don’t take diktat from foreign powers – the historical legacy so far.

The cause of peace can be best served, not by ‘Pakistan’s containment’ but by US Exit from Afghanistan through a ‘Negotiated, Peace Yielding Settlement’. This is the advice expected from sages, and geopoliticians who seek a peaceful and prosperous world for tomorrow.

(Geopolitics of Peace is an endeavor by Nadir Mir)

About the Author - Brigadier Nadir Mir (R) SI (M): For his school and college education, he attended the prestigious Karachi and Quetta Grammar Schools, St. Anthony’s High School, Aitchison College and FC College Lahore. In his Military Education, he is a graduate of Armour School, Fort Knox USA, Army Staff College Quetta, Turkish War Academy Istanbul, War College and National Defence College Islamabad, Pakistan. Nadir Mir knows Urdu, English and Turkish languages. He is widely traveled and a globe trotter. After “Farewell to Arms” Brigadier Nadir Mir aspires to contribute for the national cause – Pakistan. He is now settled in Lahore.

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Apple iCon Steve Jobs remembered

Full Story: PC Magazine

The digital world in particular and the analogue world in general mourns the death of Apple icon Steve Jobs who died after suffering from pancreatic cancer he was suffering from since years. He had only recently resigned from the post of CEO Apple due to his fragile health and ailment. He was not only a tech icon, man behind the iPhones, he was a shrewd and seasoned businessman who took Apple to heights of profitability and reliability. 

His death has made headlines on all major newspapers of the world - something which he really deserved. PC Magazine has compiled a slide show from the fronta pages of these newspapers who displayed his death news on their front page. Read the full story and see how this great inventor is being remembered around the globe.

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Dengue treatment

Dengue has plagued us for the last few months and many people have come up with herbal and local treatment for this killer virus. Apropos to my previous post "Dengue - Symptoms and Treatment", herein under is one such treatment which I have taken from Facebook as it is to be spread for the cure of the affected people.

The above treatment by Dr Nadeem Ali of Quad-e-Azam University suggests adding a few drops of lemon juice into the apple juice and be administered to the affected patients. This will boost their blood platelets and is very likely to cure the disease.

Related: 

Dengue - Symptoms and Treatment

Dengue Fever (Wikipedia)

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The Saabs and the Mame Saabs of the British empire

Contributed by Pervaiz Munir Alvi

IN MODERN Britain, it is bad form to speak too highly of the British empire. Yet beneath such squeamishness, an undercurrent of relative pride still pulses, defiantly. Of course, today’s educated Briton murmurs, the empire was wrong. But at least the British learned the languages, schooled the sons of native chiefs and tried to do some good, didn't they? Surely, other imperialists were worse, the British tell themselves: those savage Germans or outright villains such as King Leopold II, running the Congo not as a Belgian colony but his own private property, unaccountable to any parliament back home?

But was the British empire a good or a bad thing? What is the world view of the men (and a sprinkling of fearless, extraordinary women) who shaped and ran the empire. What are the imperial roots of some of today’s thornier geopolitical problems, from Kashmir to Myanmar or Sudan? Who were the empire’s ruling elites and what are their modern-day legacies? Who were the Saabs and the Mame Saabs of the British empire?

A close examination of the British empire reveals ghostly ranks of imperial warriors, administrators and diplomats who stand exposed and damned by their own memoirs and memoranda to London, and by their carefully minuted actions. Time and again, these “men on the spot” are observed taking decisions for reasons of caprice, snobbery, cynicism or—in the case of the British police chief obsessed with photographing the exact moment a bullet punctured the skin of Burmese rebels sentenced to death—something bordering insanity.

Still more damningly, the arbitrary, individualistic nature of so much imperial decision-making was not a weakness of the system, but the system itself. There was no “master plan” since a policy could be reversed by the appointment of a single colonial governor, or even by the lobbying of energetic mavericks, such as Gertrude Bell, an Arabist caught exulting “We've got our King crowned” in a letter home after planting a Hashemite prince, Faisal, on the newly invented throne of Iraq. If Congo was a personal fief of the wicked King Leopold, the British empire was a scarcely more representative oligarchy, organised on avowedly “aristocratic” lines by a clique of white men on the make. In theory, Whitehall officials and ministers back in London oversaw the empire. In practice, professional imperialists ruled through a caste system alien to anything seen at home.

In Sudan, a notably snobbish spot, one-third of all colonial political officers were the sons of clergymen and half of those recruited between 1902 and 1914 had a “Blue” (a sporting distinction) from Oxford or Cambridge, leading to the quip that Sudan was a land of “Blacks ruled by Blues”. In the 1930s, only officials able to play polo could hope for advancement in the Sudanese province of Darfur: in the same period, Darfur had just one primary school. In 1916, David Lloyd George, the humble son of a Welsh Baptist minister, could become Britain’s prime minister, but would have stood no chance of being governor of colonial Nigeria.

Men from the same narrow, middle-class band of society crafted oligarchies with the British crown at the top and, at the bottom, a tier of native chiefs, maharajahs and princelings granted wide and autocratic powers over their own peoples. They then inserted themselves in between as viceroys, governors and pith-helmeted district commissioners: raised to a form of quasi-aristocracy by their race and education. The same colonial officials who liked sporting, Harrow-educated native princes actively disliked educated Africans and Asians, above all those shifty, resentful urban “examination passers” who made it to British universities or law schools. I suppose we felt the local intellectuals were aiming to take our place, Sir James Robertson, a former Sudan official candidly reflected, years later.

And finally when the British scrambled for the exits, lingering chaos was often the result of this hearty ad-hocery. Was the British empire a good or a bad thing? It all depends on what spot one stood within the Empire.

About Pervaiz Munir Alvi: Pervaiz Munir Alvi was born and raised in Pakistan. After graduating from Government College, Lahore (now Government College University) with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree Mr. Alvi proceeded to the United States  of America for further studies where he received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Civil Engineering and Master of Science (M.S.) in Geo Technical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Alvi resides and works in the USA as a consulting GeoTechnical Engineer.

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Guide to ensure food safety

More Health and Fitness News & Tips at Greatist.

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Cat Stevens of Pakistan

In early 70s there rose a sweet voice that captured countless hearts of music lovers. The most melodious and heart touching song broke not only the morning, but the entire world to this great singer. Yes I am talking of Cat Stevens and his ever fresh song “Morning has broken.” Besides being a singer, he was a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator and philanthropist. And while his songs were hitting the charts all over the world, one day he announced his conversion to Islam and renamed him Yusaf Islam. From 1977 onward  he was a changed man. He sold of his famous guitar, left his music career and devoted himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. His services have been recognized for promoting peace and has been honoured with 2003’s World Award, Man for Peace Award (2004) and 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace.

Although already Muslims, a few singers in Pakistan also left pop singing at the height of their popularity and became fairly religious. The first one was Junaid Jamshed, the jeans clad youth from Islamabad, who came to limelight when he as part of a four young men’s band sang the famous “Dil Dil Pakistan.” 

The group Vital Signs released many albums and was hitting the charts everywhere. Then the group disintegrated but the lead vocalist Junaid continued to sin solo thereafter for a long time. And then one day he too left singing, grew a beard and started reciting religious readings like “Hamd and Naats”. Junaid also contributes to religious programmes academically.

The second pop singer to leave singing and start to recite religious readings is Ali Haider. Ali Haider started his music career with his famous song “Qarar” which instantly hit the charts. He too released many a album, which all sold like hot cakes. His smart appearance attracted large crowds everywhere he went. His famous “Purani Jeans” is still hummed and sung with the same popularity till date.

I do not know much about Najam Shiraz as to whether he has too followed the suit or not. But he has taken on the religious singing too and his narration has been liked by his countless fans. 

Although the three above are not convertees as Cat Stevens, but their change over greatly resembles that of present Yusuf Islam.

Originally posted in JahoJalal

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Who might be wrongfully accusing ISI of killing journalist?

Writing in The National Interest, John R. Schmidt expresses some much-needed scepticism regarding the allegations that Pakistan’s military intelligence service was responsible for the murder of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad:

If ISI was responsible for murdering Shahzad, it may well have been a first. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that fifteen journalists have lost their lives in intentionally targeted killings in Pakistan since the murder of Daniel Pearl in early 2002, all of them Pakistani. Almost all were killed by radical Islamists affiliated with al-Qaeda or the Pakistani Taliban. The remainder were murdered for investigating regional ethnic conflicts or local corruption. None of the fifteen fit a plausible ISI scenario. But why would ISI choose Shahzad as its first victim? He was not a big-name journalist, nor was he among those who raised embarrassing questions about ISI and the army over the Abbottabad raid on bin Laden. His Karachi-naval-base story did not accuse ISI of improper conduct, and it is not clear why it would have killed him over a story that, if it embarrassed anyone, would have embarrassed the Pakistani Navy, a relatively minor player in the nation’s military firmament. ISI was well aware that some of its senior officers had recently “had a word” with Shahzad and should have realized that if he suddenly turned up murdered ISI might be blamed for it, further sullying its already battered reputation. And that, of course, is exactly what happened.

It probably deserves mentioning that others might have had a motive for killing Shahzad, including officers of the Pakistani Navy and members of al-Qaeda and its various Pakistani affiliates, although none have claimed responsibility. But the fact remains that senior U.S. officials told the New York Times they had “reliable and conclusive” intelligence that ISI was responsible.

Schmidt might have asked who those “senior U.S. officials” are, and whether they might also have a motive for discrediting the ISI. As Justin Raimondo pointed out in a recent Antiwar.com piece,

While keeping the heat on for a direct attack on Iran, the powerful pro-Israel lobby — the driving force behind the anti-Iran crowd — is biding its time, confident they’ll win in the end. In the meantime, they are carefully building up momentum for the final push toward war, and a key part of that is agitating for a complete break in US-Pakistan relations.

The Lobby’s fingerprints are all over the latest anti-Pakistani agitprop. It was one Simon Henderson, described as the resident “expert” on Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), who recently released an alleged letter from a top official of the North Korean regime “proving” Pakistan supplied Pyongyang with nuclear technology. WINEP was founded by Martin Indyk, former research director of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), as an “academic” adjunct to AIPAC, the primary conduit of pro-Israel propaganda in the US.

Considering such efforts by the Israel lobby to undermine US-Pakistan relations, isn’t it highly probable that the senior U.S. officials attempting to discredit the ISI also have close ties to Israel? It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that the New York Times has served as a conduit for “reliable and conclusive” intelligence from American officials with questionable loyalties that turned out to be false. If Pakistan is to avoid the fate of Iraq, it had better identify clearly the source of its rapidly deteriorating relationship with a United States that has proven itself prone to self-destructive deception from that same source — and take action accordingly.

Source: The Passionate Attachment

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Antidote of load shedding

I saw an interesting video shared on the facebook, which very pertinent to our present environment, "darkened" by excessive load shedding. If this "technology" is made available in the country, it will be an effective antidote for the menace of load shedding. 

Watch for yourself:

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Chronology of Internet

Life without internet to day seems impossible. This innovative technology that entered into our lives bit by bit, has overtaken all our other interests for good. Hobbies of all kinds have just gone away. Now it is a laptop, a wi-fi connection and internet. That is what our life is today.

Herein under is the chronology of this technology that have so much affected our lives.

[Source: OnlineMBA.com]


Related: Life without internet

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Reaching Everest without oxygen - a dream comes true

When I wrote a post about two Pakistanis’ desire to scale the Mt Everest or the Mt Chomolungma as the Chinese call it, I was rather skeptical. And then when as days went by and there was no news, I thought my fears to be right. But that was not to be so. On 11^th May, the dream of one of the two Pakistanis came true when he finally stood at the top of the world.

Hassan Sidhpara had his dream of reaching at the top of the world. What makes his climb special and unique is that he did it without oxygen – something that requires extreme guts and very high standard of physical fitness as oxygen is so thin at Mt Everest that is is extremely difficult to breathe. He became the second Pakistani to have achieved this honour, Nazir Sabir being the first who scaled Everest on 17^th May 2000.

The expedition was sponsored by the Alpine Club of Pakistan and had the patronage of the president of Pakistan. The team comprising of three climbers left for Nepal in the last week of March earlier this year and established their base camp III at 7,200 metres overlooked by the gigantic Everest.

The other two members of the team, Mohammad Sadiq and Ghulam Muhammad Faisal could not materialize their dream of scaling Everest. But a determined Hassan from Baltistan province of Pakistan continued despite all odds against him and finally scaled the highest peak of the world at stood at 8,848 metre. Standing by the Pakistani national flag he hoisted atop the peak, Hassan Sidhpara had created a world record for not using oxygen for his climb to the top of the world.

Related:

Hassan conquers Mount Everest with no oxygen kit

Conquering Everest – dream of two Pakistani brothers 

Originally posted at JahoJalal

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23rd March – Pakistan Day

23^rd March 1940 is a day of special importance in the history of Pakistan as it was the day when a memorable gathering of the All India Muslim League, a political party representing all Muslims of British India took place at the Minto Park, Lahore and the resolution for an independent Muslim homeland for the Muslims of the British India was passed, known as the Lahore Resolution which later came to be known as the Pakistan Resolution. The place where the resolution was passed now stands a beautiful minaret known as the Minar-e-Pakistan, minaret of Pakistan, to remind the future generations of the importance of this historic place.

On this historic day, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and known as the Quaid-e-Azam, made this historic speech, “Muslims are a nation according to any definition of nation. We wish our people to develop to the fullest spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life in a way that we think best and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people”.

Due to the efforts of the leaders of the All India Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, that the British conceded to the legitimate demands of the Muslims and allowed partition of the British India into two independent countries of Pakistan and India on 14^thAugust 1947.

23^rd March 1956 is also another day in the history of Pakistan and the entire Muslim world when on this day Pakistan became the first Muslim republic of the world. Thus the day combines two important events in the history of Pakistan and is celebrated with national pride and commitment. The day is observed as a public holiday and a military parade is held on the occasion in Islamabad. However due to the commitment of the Pakistan Army in the War on Terror, the parade has been suspended for the time being.

The day commences with a 21 gun salute as a salute and tribute to all those who worked for the independence of Pakistan and those who died and laid their lives to acquire this country and preserving its integrity. On this day, let every Pakistani make a resolve to work towards making Pakistan as one of the greatest nations of the world, as pledged by Jinnah and make an all out endeavour to make this country peaceful, progressive, tolerant and accommodative for all people of Pakistan, irrespective of their religion, caste and creed. We must also make a resolve today to rid this country of the menace of militancy and extremism, which has plagued this country for the last so many years.

Related Reading:

Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistanpaedia)

Struggle for Pakistan (Pakistanpaedia)

10 ideas to commemorate 23 March

Originally posted at: Jahojalal

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