Student Politics in Pakistan: A Profile

Its good to read something about the commies of Pakistan even though it relates to somebodies ill fate. These facts need to be highlighted, repeated again and again in a society that has become extremely monolithic in all aspects.

If only we could have had some commies to provide that intellectual discourse absent from our national debate where everthing is Islamicized, things could have been very different. Take India for example, they have their fair share of ultra right wing saffrons, yet they have political and intellectual diversity through their communist parties.

#112
You are right HP. Just recieved an e-mail from a former DSF member. He writes: "Hassan Nasir, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP), was tortured to death in a decrepit Pakistani prison in 1959, his mangled body hastily buried."

#112
You are right HP. Just recieved an e-mail from a former DSF member. He writes: "Hassan Nasir, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP), was tortured to death in a decrepit Pakistani prison in 1959, his mangled body hastily buried."

#110 Posted by pavocavalry

Hey Agha,
Take my word for it! it was 1958-59!

Hassan Nasir was definitely murdered by the dubious and notorious law enforcement agencies of pakistan.this incident is discussed in Tariq Ali's famous book Pakistan-Peoples Rule or Military Power-1970

I am not sure about the year though.

Zeemax,

Going by the math you proposed, 4% becoming poorer does not mean their lives will be miserable. I do not know if your model takes substitution of goods onto account. The size (quantity and quality) of the basket might have increased when the rural economic growth was good and when the economic growth hits a flat curve, the size of the baskets will remain constant. OTOH when the economic growth falters, it will obviously reflect in the size of the baskets and result in substitution of goods. Yes, a guy who has had rice for the past 5 years would feel bad when he has to switch over to millets, which he used to eat 5 years back.

This can be construed as rural people becoming relatively poor wrt to the rest of the population, but that does not mean they are going to wallow in poverty. It will result in a change in spending patterns and life style and yes, they will look at the rest of the population gawk eyed.

I am yet to arrive at the authenticity of the data we have in our hands. I came across an article that tries to dispel some myths about the rural economy. It primarily says that all of the rural population do not depend on agri and there is a increasing percentage of population, which is into manufacturing and services and also a huge population % that migrates every year towards urban centers. The article says that the rural economic growth is bigger than the urban one. Let me know if you need the link.

I just did a ball park analysis on the IT employees background. I can confidently say that more than 50% of the employees come from rural areas. For egs, at times I cross subsidize our horti spendings from my salary. Most of the guys, every month, send a major % of the salary to their parents. Money ploughed in rural areas, will be ultimately spent there. The money is used to buy new farm lands, build houses, vehicles and other comforts. This indirectly causes job creation, isn't it? I assume, You should have lot more knowledge than I have and proly not comparable at all.

To be frank it has become an uphill task to find/retain labourers these days and this has resulted in mechanizing most of our farm activities (we are not too huge). My dad says that migration of labours from poorer states need to be encouraged.

Afterall this, I still believe India has a huge percentage of people whose lives are miserable and are poverty stricken. For us, the future looks optimistic; you should also remember that we are fatalists.

And once, I get all the data myself, I intend to continue this discussion (also I have to learn more on this subject). Anyways thanks for making me realise the importance of knowledge in economics :-).

nedian
Before BBQ, Khaliq started a video rental business with a University friend of his in Karachi called Satr Video. Did a great job, enough to start BBQ.
Recently, however, he got into a tussle with the city government for some reason. BBQ was shut down for a few days.

Re: # 92

No disagreement there. Boro, his sidekick, Shireen, ... all are dead.

I can remember that day very vividly.

Re: # 93

Sardar Khaliq started the BBQ place.

HaaN! khatm hui barish-e-sang is the one that Faiz wrote for Nasir, according to a later collection of his poems/ghazals. Thank you for reminding me. :)

I also wanted to note that while some people are wondering why certain groups were left out, this is still interesting for those of us who are clueless as to student participation in politics. I know that my late uncle was rather active in the '50's when he was at FC College.

This was Faiz on Hassan Nasir.

This was Faiz on Hassan Nasir.

Dosto qafla-i-dard ka ab kya hoga
Ab koi aur karey parvarishe gulshan-i-gham
Dosto khatm hoee dida-i-tar ki shabnam
Tham geya shor-i-junoon khatm hoee barishe sang

#98
"Faiz and Nazish Amrohvi wrote a poem "

I met Nazish Amrohvi couple of times. His real name was Imam Ali Nazish amrohvi. He had famous first cousins. Rais Amrohvi, John Elia(sp) Syed Mohd. Taqi of Jang! Never read his poetry though!

Nadeem,

It was in the Lahore Fort where Hassan Nasir was tortured and executed.

I don't think I have come across that poem. Or it is not coming to mind at this time. Naz'm ka title kya hai?

Ana

"Hassan Nasir is the one Faiz dedicated a poem to"

Possibly yes! both were communist party members though Hasan Nasir was senior! He was originally from Hyderabad Deccan.


Nadeem,
No Hasan Nasir was killed in 1958-59 in Lahore fort. Zahid Hussain, now a famous journalist and TV host may have more accurate info on Hassan Nasir!