Where's the news?

Re: # 18 Today history is happening and all worlds eyes on arrival of Mrs. Bhutto.
Almost 90 years ago similar thing happened in Russia. Mr. Vladimar Lenin arrived from europe after exile of several years to lead russian revolution. He was self exiled homself to save himself from Tsarist military regime. Then he changed and affected russia and world.
Today after 90 years same scene is repeating only place will be Karachi than Petrograd.
Lots of people will come out to greet around million people just to be part of history. Just like lenin Mrs Bhutto is going to change Pakistan for ever for good and bad only history will decide. I hope is for betterment of country. So all people should welcome daughter of Quaid E Awam and wish her best luck and hope for best and prepare for worst is prudent welcome way.

Comparing the mass movement politics of the 1970's and 1960's today with present day activism is comparing apples and oranges. The old concepts of static borders, deep ideological divides and a monolithic state no longer apply.

A modern day movement may be smaller but that does not mean one should diminish it's effect. The state apparatus is also far weaker and requires less force to provoke a collapse. This applies universally rather than specific to Pakistan.

With reference to Imran Khan, the writer seems to have a deep personal dislike for the man, so whenever I read his name mentoned by NFP I expect the following bits to be quite negative.

Very interesting take, good read.

Well I'd rather throw a simple plain common sense , masses did'nt come out against Presidential Elections because it was Ramadaan! and they still wont come out against benazir because they are all off on eid holidays.

elephant-

For all those who are hailing BB's return remind me of those goons who would never learn. This so called land of pure is full of people who would always be blind in support of their leader in spite of whatever has been done by her so far.

In any democratic country the party members question their leaders and pile up pressure on the leaders if they compromise on principles. This pressure acts like a feedback and governs the actions of the party leaders. Sadly this is not the case in Pakistan. PPP remains a party formed around Bhutto cult and workers keep on worshipping the daughter of their dead leader in spite of whatever her role has been so far.

If the cases against her are fraudulent, then why insist on withdrawing them. If Pakstani courts are "kangroo" courts then surely foreign courts are going to acquit our genuine leader. Every one knows she insisted far more on withdrawal of those cases.

Tomorrow I know Karachi will turn into "mini Pakistan" and compared to 1986, this time her return is also facilitated by USA as well as the military strongman.

Well done my fellow jiyalas, you truly deserve her and keep this blind support up so that there is no pressure on her when she comes back into power. And keep on calling all those who are daring to question her majesty's actions as armchair political theorists who are unable to comprehend the long term wisdom behind BB's shrewed moves.

PPP of 2000s is so different from that of late 60s. It is full of feudal lords and pirs. All the idealist element is long gone. However BB has a very powerful weapon in her hand- the political legacy of her far far better father whom people worshipped and support of jiyalas who think that she truly emulates her father who despite shortcomings was far better than her.

And yes she is shrewed, as she is able to understand that goons will always support her no matter what. Thats is why she has skillfully done a shady deal. And yet despite the fact that even the most banal individuals outside PPP know that her only objective was to get those strong cases withdrawn, she has people writing in Daily times about how well she understands the problems of our country.

Re: # 13


http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\10\17\story_17-10-2007_pg 3_5

NFP,

As always, great article.

People have no idea who and what these lawyers represent, ask their clientele and then it will be no surprise why this concocted movement fizzled out.

PPP is making some progress, lets see how this story unravels.

Once again, many thanks for sharing your ideas.

For Khuda Bux (or KB) & Friends who have gone from

the USA to greet Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in Karachi....


"Jab Tak Sooraj Chand Rahay Ga

Bhutto Tera Naam Rahay Ga"


NFP, you once again have gone against the grain

and shared much wisdom. Write on!

Nadeem,
Thanks for this write-up. It is one of the better articles in chowk that I have read for a long time. While people like me have been hailing the role of the media, you have correctly pointed out the other angle of 'the great tamasha'.

A pro-democracy movement cannot be sustained by the "professional classes" and the media alone. Nor can it be sustained by students alone, as we saw during the Tiananmen Square movement, the Naxalbari movement and those in Pakistan (of which I do not know much about). But a 'movement' for democracy is a prolonged affair. A great case study is that of Britain. But let us not go into it right now. Suffice to say that at some point in time the unwashed have to get involved. And they will get involved only when they get to see a CREDIBLE direct connection between democracy and "roti". That day will come in Pakistan. However, before signing off I would like to mention a crollary to what you have written and it has to deal with the media and street protest.

Let me start by agreeing that the press is not out there to usher in "democracy". It's primary objective is ratings and profit. Nevertheless, in doing so they do play an important role in "protests" and it depends on "chance". Consider, for the moment, that people in Pakistan really want to take to the streets to protest. However, a large section would go out to protest if and only if they see sufficient numbers on the street (i.e. the probability of success is high). Another section is indifferent between protesting and not protesting. A few go out and protest. The crucial section is the second group. Indifference leads to random turn-out. AND THE MEDIA IS NECESSARY TO INFORM THE THIRD GROUP ABOUT THE ACTUAL TURNOUT. This is what happened in Berlin, the random turn-out was high. Unfortunately, in Pakistan the turnout was low. But it could have gone in either direction. But mobilization should continue. And who knows the next time around you may be lucky. In that case do not be surprised. The number of less-apathetic people would not have necessarily increased. It would just mean that you had a better draw from amongst the second group.

I hope another call for a protest is given before the dictator is sworn in again. No problem if it fails again whatever be the spin.

Sorry for the long post.

#2 Posted by Love2love
Its just a lot of billboards and shit not all that many people. But if I ever have to hear that horrible jeeay bhutta song again I'm gonna kill somebody.

Maybe the people have really wisen Up.

...they did came out on the CJ issue, and paid for 44 Lives in Karachi, because that for them was a geneuine Issue

...All Other Hulla Boo, and Lok Tamashas, don't interest them any more.

...Elections just round the corner, it would be really interesting to see, How really much have they wisened UP.

News for pakistanis
From jang of today

Fourth — relief for absconders. The NRO Ordinance has a soft corner for absconders. It states that any ‘order or judgment passed by a NAB court in absentia against an accused is void ab initio and shall not be acted upon.’ Therefore, if a holder of public office or any person has managed to evade the legal process and a NAB court proceeded against him and convicted him in absentia, such conviction will be void ab initio — as if it does not exist. Those who surrendered themselves to the due process of the law will find no recompense in the ordinance.

From dawn opinion piece of today
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P.S. For those who weren’t around at the time of Zia’s monstrous martial law, a microphone used to be attached to the rack upon which the person being lashed was spread-eagled so that the assemblage could hear amplified sounds of the man screaming in agony as whip after whip landed on his body.

///////////////////////

those good old days are not far of for the islamic republic of pakistan

Then what happened to the judicial activism that ylh and tahmed were expecting. Take it from me, there can be no movement towards a civil society as we know it in pakistan, it will be an islamic republic as enshrined in the pak constitution and it will evolve from now onwards steadily. The glory days of Zia with the public beheading and lashing is only a few years away.

see my next post from dawn

Yes , I agree with skeptical, it's only the Government who created the good and bad picture.
First in the history of pakistan , absconder and criminals are allowed to come and loot again .Peoples are not interested in any figure.

Most of the people go to political gatherings and receptions for "tamasha" or for fun only ( like the same tamasha which is again being repeated on the arrival of the saviour Benazir)..

People of Pakistan are not organized..privileged ruling class and establishment has divided them to the core...there is no middle class to bring or sustain any revolution...majority of masses stays busy in dollar a day survival struggle and those who have some ability to do some thing for the country..their teeth are sunk in newly found chicken roasts...so night will get even more darker..and plunderers will find it more easy to plunder in the dark hours of night...and this engineered chaos will entangle confused masses further in its web..

Mr Paracha is right in saying that "thundering clouds" of TV shows don't have ability to do any thing practical or sincere for the country..