Media under siege in Pakistan

Re: # 106

{Because the name of this Army is Pakistan Army. You`re the one ranting about Punjabi army, Punjabi soldiers, and Punjabi generals so keep you lectures on Pakistaniat to yourself}

Since Punjab is 65% of Pak population and forms 70%-80% of the army the obvious and logical conclusion wud be its a Punjabi army. Now, if the same army protected the citizens of Bengal in contrast to their acts of barbaric aggression then the impression wud have changed to pakistani army. Similiarly, attacking Baloch nationalists in 1973, Sindhi (PPP) leaders in 1983 and Mohajir nationalists in 1993/94, 1996/97 did not improve their image as Pakistani army.

Re: # 107

{During Gulf War `91, US troops were led by black (Colin Powell) and German-American (Norman Schwarzkopf) generals. By your twisted logic, can we then conclude that only blacks and Germans killed Iraqis... and no Italian-Americans or Jewish-Americans were involved? }

When Germany lost the war, it was the Generals who paid the ultimate price, Hitler committed suicide while his generals were tried, found guilty and hanged. Rest of the German army was disbanded because they were simply following orders. Same principle applies in all other cases where army generals exceed their limits and are found guilty of crimes against humanity. But then again, u cannot see it from that prism cause it hurts your jaundiced view of life. Pak army generals at the time 1971 were never tried or punished for reasons known to all.

Re: # 108

{ don`t see why any patriotic Pakistan will take exception to these words. Freedom of movement is one of the key rights enshrined in the consitution. Imagine telling a New Yorker he can`t step foot in California without Gov. Schwarzenegger`s permission. }

Give this sermon to your Taliban, Pukhtoon, Baloch and Sindhi friends. If they let u live after that and welcome your divine message then, Mqm will have no choice but to support your message of peace and tranquility.

Re: # 102

HE

{Now that`s a more responsible statement. Instead of parroting anti-Punjabi fairy tales, it is high time educated Urdu-speaking citizens of Pakistan realized how Altaf is tarnishing their image and hurting their interests. The issue of CJ`s dismissal has evoked an unprecedented response from the masses all over Pakistan. In this moment of crisis, we ceased to be Pathans, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Baluchis or Punjabis... and became Pakistanis.}

Condescending, dismissive and opinionated. Please pass your message to the ANP (Pukhtoon), BNP (Baloch) and PPP (Sindhi) allies since they have always chosen their ethnic identity over national issues. Even in this CJ issue, all political opposition parties and many interactors on this forum have played the Mohajir/Punjabi angle to score points, mind u well b4 the Karachi episode.

{What was so wrong about that? What was so wrong about protesting the CJ`s dismissal? Why couldn`t the MQM join the protest especially since independence of judiciary is on its manifesto as well? Why did it send policemen unarmed? Why did Altaf exhort the MQM activists to violence over the loudspeakers?}

If people can protest in favor of the CJ then they can also protest against the CJ, that is the basic law of free speech and democracy which u have completly missed in chest thumping chauvinism.

Why did the opposition parties choose violence over peaceful protests? Why was Liaqat Baloch and Hafiz Salman Butt know goons of JI from Lahore university sent to Karachi?

I would only like to comment on the title of this article since I don`t have the time to read the details. I think it is slightly naive to believe that it`s only the media under seige in Pakistan. The appropriate title would have been, Pakistani masses under seige in Pakistan.

Inclusive, apt and reflective of the current state of affairs.

re: #109 khurram

PML(Q) is the largest party in Lahore and MMA swept Peshawer. But these parties didn`t fire on opposition rally. Not a day passes without Altaf taking jabs at MMA, yet the mullahs proved that they were more civilized than the so-called secular muhajirs running Karachi.

The gross over-reaction on May 12 just confirms that MQM is losing grip over Karachi and fears any successful public rally in that city will weaken MQM`s position. Moral high ground belongs to PPP now, and if it plays its cards correctly, it can sweep Sindh as well as Punjab in the October 2007 elections.

If PPP manages to attract some of the other voters in Karachi, it can close the gap between MQM and itself... and remove MQM appointees from Karachi metropolitan departments and Sindh govt. This will spell doom for MQM, because it cannot survive in opposition for 5 years. MQM has been running Karachi for most of the last two decades, during which it filled various Karachi metro jobs with MQM appointees. These people provide the core of MQM support. Deprived of Karachi`s city govt, the MQM will alienate its core constituency and lose the ability to terrorize the city with its militant cadres.

That`s the only hope for Karachi... A clear cut PPP victory at the polls!

2002 National Assembly Election Results from Karachi

Total votes cast: 1,746,813

MQM: 712,310 (40.78%)
MMA: 471,337 (26.98%)
PPP: 211,269 (12.09%)
Others: 351,897 (20.15%)

re: #104

I don`t see why any patriotic Pakistan will take exception to these words. Freedom of movement is one of the key rights enshrined in the consitution. Imagine telling a New Yorker he can`t step foot in California without Gov. Schwarzenegger`s permission.

Your leader Altaf behaves like Idi Amin but expects the world to respect him like a Mandela. :))

re: #103

{{Yahya Khan, Tikka and Niazi were......}}

During Gulf War `91, US troops were led by black (Colin Powell) and German-American (Norman Schwarzkopf) generals. By your twisted logic, can we then conclude that only blacks and Germans killed Iraqis... and no Italian-Americans or Jewish-Americans were involved?

re:#103

{{Mohajir military officers right up there with their fellow Pakistani faujis.....why is it so difficult to utter the word Punjabi and Pukhtoon soldiers}}

Because the name of this Army is Pakistan Army. You`re the one ranting about Punjabi army, Punjabi soldiers, and Punjabi generals so keep you lectures on Pakistaniat to yourself.

re: #75 dost-mittar

It`s sad to see a good leader fall from grace like this. Many Pakistanis including myself admired him for turning the economy around, opening up public discourse, challenging the Mullahs & mending Pakistan`s relations with U.S.

Eight years ago, people supported him because he was unable to uphold the constitution and mend the economy simultaneously.

Now things are different. He is capable but unwilling to uphold the constitution & sustain economic growth. CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry rarely defied Musharraf. In fact he was one of the judges who legitimized the military coup of `99. But even this docile man is being shunted out because he could block Musharraf`s ``re-election`` as President-General this year. Musharraf`s systemless system is now directed at self-preservation, not at Pakistan`s betterment.

Re: # 100

This is what u said:
{MQM only governs Karachi. It doesn not own Karachi. What makes Altaf think we need his permission for entering Karachi or holding political rallies in this city? The same goes for any part of the country. Freedom of movement is every Pakistan`s right. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY ``NO GO`` AREAS IN PAKISTAN. PERIOD. THIS IS A PRINCIPLE THAT WE ARE WILLING TO UNDERSCORE EVEN WITH BULLETS IF NECESSARY!!!}

That sums it up.

Re: # 99

{That`s a fairy tale that Mohajir elders tell their children just to wash their own guilt. Mohajir military officers were right up there with their fellow Pakistani faujis in East Pakistan. Musharraf, Moinuddin Haider, Khalid Mehmud Arif, Aslam Baig and Usmani didn`t join the army after `71}

Mohajir military officers right up there with their fellow Pakistani faujis.....why is it so difficult to utter the word Punjabi and Pukhtoon soldiers whereas Mohajirs are Mohajirs. Speaks volumes of your Pakistaniath that was reflected in 1971 when Bengali Pak soldiers were Bingos and the rest were honorable soldiers.

Yahya Khan, Tikka and Niazi the pussy tiger were......??? Real culprits who have never been punished or bought to justice simply because they belong to the army leadership plus their son of the soil pedigrees. You need to get your facts straight.

re: rf786

{{Altaf Hussein has probably made his biggest political mistake and the same goes for Musharraf.}}

Now that`s a more responsible statement. Instead of parroting anti-Punjabi fairy tales, it is high time educated Urdu-speaking citizens of Pakistan realized how Altaf is tarnishing their image and hurting their interests. The issue of CJ`s dismissal has evoked an unprecedented response from the masses all over Pakistan. In this moment of crisis, we ceased to be Pathans, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Baluchis or Punjabis... and became Pakistanis.

What was so wrong about that? What was so wrong about protesting the CJ`s dismissal? Why couldn`t the MQM join the protest especially since independence of judiciary is on its manifesto as well? Why did it send policemen unarmed? Why did Altaf exhort the MQM activists to violence over the loudspeakers?

#98 in which case, permit me to suggest to you, there is a better way to live.

re: rf786

{{Karachi, Sindh and now Balochistan is home to migrating popoluations from Punjab and Frontier for economic reasons. These populations have now reached critical mass, large enough to help the economy yet create ethnic tensions.}}

The May 12 rally was not a Punjabi rally, unless of course you`re a MQM Mohajir in which case every national cause is a Punjabi cause. And besides there was no firing in Peshawer or Quetta. Sindh lawyers have boycotted SHC and SC proceedings too in solidarity with CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry.

I think your response sums it all. MQM is an anti-Pakistan party that depends on ethnic divisions, hatred of non-Mohajirs and denial of freedom of movement for survival. Those who support this party can only turn into sociopaths like Milosevic. They will never integrate into Pakistan society.