Stairway To Heaven

Iran`s advice to India and Pakistan.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=4/8/01&Cat=4&Num=030

Tehran Times

Vajpayee`s Visit to Iran Will Bring Peace, Stability to Region, Analysts Believe

By Irfan Parviz

TEHRAN Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will make a historic visit to Iran on April 10 at the invitation of President Seyed Mohammad Khatami.

Political pundits believe that Vajpayee`s visit will pave the way for better Tehran-New Delhi relations in all known areas of cooperation.

Iran`s prominent journalist Hassan Rassouli voiced his optimism about the outcome of Vajpayee`s visit, saying, ``It (the visit) will herald a new era in Indo-Iranian ties in political, economic and social areas.``

The TEHRAN TIMES Editorial Board Coordinator, Rassouli, added, ``Mr. Vajpayee`s visit will cultivate a healthy political and economic atmosphere in the region based on mutual understanding.``

Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, an analyst Ms. Tahera Sultan said, ``Iran and India have an ancient history of bilateral relations in political, social, cultural and economic areas.

``There is no doubt that Iran and India, through bilateral or multilateral cooperation, can bring peace, stability and prosperity to the entire region,`` she stressed.

Referring to a gas pipeline project that is expected to transfer Iranian gas to India via Pakistan, she noted, ``It will not only provide the cheapest and cleanest source of energy to the regional countries, but it will also serve as a major source of national income.``

She brushed aside the doubt cast over the future of the pipeline by some who describe it as risky, and who argue that Pakistan and India are archenemies.

Like Ms. Sultan, Rassouli also believes that the gas pipeline will help to bring India and Pakistan, the so-called ``archenemies``, closer together.

``I don`t believe that India and Pakistan are archenemies, as both have a lot to exchange in terms of economy, politics and culture, but not bullets,`` Rassouli noted.

``If both India and Pakistan prioritize their national interests, the sky will be the limit to their cooperation and progress,`` he pointed out.

However, contrary to the Iranian analysts` belief, a Pakistani Urdu daily * * * * Nawa-e Waqt * * * * voiced its concern over growing relations between Iran and India.

The daily, in its editorial, said that the defense agreement between Iran and Pakistan`s enemy, India, is a major source of concern for all the Muslims. The daily asked the country`s Foreign Ministry to take the necessary action in this respect.

A high level Indian business delegation is to accompany the indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s visit to Iran which starts from April 10.

Secretary general of the Federation of indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Dr. Amit Mitra told IRNA today that india is looking to expand its relations with Iran beyond the oil and gas sector.

The FICCI business delegation to Iran will comprise industrialists from various sectors like heavy engineering, construction, power, cement, telecommunication and information technology (IT), entertainment and film, healthcare and tobacco, automobile, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chartered accountants and company law, ports and infrastructure, Mitra said.

Hi,

i must compliment salman on such a wonderful article, knowing specially that he has hardly ever lived in Pakistan, but he not only has a keen eye for what is happening at the home front, but also a very good and accurate analysis.

Salman, i whole heartedly agree with you, but what a predicament, that at one hand these mercenries, who are referred as religious militants, raired up and a proud produce of the Afghan Jihad, are also using their expertise in kashmir! how can you tackle the problem. No doubt the menace is too great but the government of the day must realise this and have a solid and cohesive foreign policy which draws support from all concerned quarters, so that they have a concerted and strong problem solving approach,rather than make the MFA a mere diplomatic corps` club.

Bhutto lives on in the spirit of the common man ...benazir stood for what he stood against!

He was a great leader ... Objective History will testify to this ... I dont want to get into an argument about this!

And u r wrong ... Only a Jinnah or an Ataturk is going to be a better leader than Bhutto

Pakistan Zindabad

Quaid e Azam Zindabad

Ataturk Zindabad

Jiye Bhutto

Imran Khan for PM

-Yasser Hamdani

YLH! .. Buhtto lives on ? .. In Benazir? what a load of BS .. he brought no more or no less misery to the people of Pakistan than any other Pakistani leader .. stop living with dead people .. raise your standerd a little .. we dont need angels falling from the sky .. but we can have better far better leaders than Bhutto was

Beautiful response Krashid ...

Bhutto died because he wanted to see Pakistan independent strong and sovereign ... ironically

it was the fundamentalists which played into the hands of anti-pakistan forces ....

But Bhutto Lives on ....

Pakistan Zindabad

Quaid e Azam Zindabad

Ataturk Zindabad

Jiye Bhutto

Imran Khan for PM

-Yasser Hamdani

Ras Siddiqui #37

The article by ABS Jafri is probably a propaganda in other direction.

Although, not a powerful party post election, Jamat-e-Islami was considered till election of 1970 a very powerful party, at least on paper and in big cities. And it fought election on the same slogan ``Pakistan Ka Matlab Kia``. In fact the suppression of rights of Bengali`s and other provinces was in the same name ``Geographical and ideological boundaries``. So the atmosphere was poisoned much before Zia era. In fact the common ground against Z.A. Bhutto by N.A.P.):, Tehrik-e-Istiqlal):, Jamat-e-Islami, JUI, JUP (The PNA movement) was run on same slogan, in a different form ``Nizam-e-Mustafa``.

But if you see another aspect, that our ruling elite practically abandoned the common man much before Zia era. Although Jafri Sahab is right that Pakistan was much advanced at the time of Ayub, but that development was at the expense of social disparity, with vast majority living in poor condition (or at least it was believed).

Although, the real visionary Bhutto tried to implement his philosophy with some good and some bad results, but I can tell from experience that Pakistanis (people) were in a much better position in 1977 than in say 1970. But the establishment, ruling elite and their partners from middle class particularly in cities were a vocal opponent of Bhutto.

As long as the benefits of economics and education do not reach to all and sundry and all areas of Pakistan, all the talk is drain.

You also have to see the reasons of rise of fundamentalism. Firstly, since the support of religious parties like Jamat-e-Islami has been mostly in cities, it has produced a large number of professionals in every field, from beareaucracy, to army officers to press etc and their influence is higher than their support.

2ndly, our ruling elite is responsible for the crime of rise of fundamentalism. They had found a convenient tool in defense of Islam and Nazaria Pakistan and using it as a ploy to suppress all human rights and labelling anyone demanding rights as either communist anti-Islam or traitors McCarthyism.

The rise of terrorist organizations including non-religious like Mohajir Qaumi Movement and other organizations all over the country was a direct result of policy of establishment to support any group which can put a dent in the vote bank of People`s party. Also Afghan Jihad which was fought with full support of America where the LOATHED Jihadis of today were fighters and Mujahid of Islam of yesteryears, made the establishment to keep a blind eyes to the activities of Islamic parties, which were not only a direct beneficiary in the form of Aid, but also were a great supplier of human resources for Jihad.

gymnosophist:# 33

Thank you verrrrrrry much for your manly reply.I look forward to such ``chauvinistic`` company.Nothing to beat the romance of a duel or friendship of an avowed but brave & principled `enemy`.

Bring back the glorious days o Allah and save me from the tyranny of farangi-cushioned heejra era.



Regrettably I have not been able to find time to watch ramayana or mahabharta.I have seen snippets of them and I have been so impressed(especially by the songs) that I have been planning to take a whole month off to watch the series in one sitting.I apply John Ruskins` adage to movies too--i.e some are to be chewed & digested.I never read or listen or watch anything unless it becomes a part of my psyche & I almost remember it verbatim(the worthy ones,at least).

This was my first attempt to write in hindi,and I really made sure to keep it `shuddhh` but was not entirely successful.You deserve at least half the credit.Thanks,again.

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It amazes me to see that the believers in the philosophy of Krishna got sucked into the ideology of Gandhis` non-violence mumbo jumbo.
It is time hindus discovered their true roots of religion.They might be pleasantly surprised to find themselves quite at home with Islam---the final frontier of religion .

__________________________________________________

WASSALAAM

Re: Ras #37

Thanks for posting it here. I would have missed reading it otherwise. What Mr. Jafri is talking about are well recorded/documented facts of our history. However, the ground reality is that at present religious parties have a strong stranglehold on the politics and power play in Pakistan. They are no longer a tool for the ruling elite, but equal partners in the unholy business, Mr. Jafri refers to.

If leaders of Pakistan movement were so clean, pristine, and had such a broad minded outlook, and visionary world view, then how was Pakistan lost to these gun toting, ‘Pakistan ka matlab kiya’ shouting people?

I don’t think it all started with Zia-ul-Haq. He certainly provided the most suitable environment for mullahs and their deep dark MF religious doctrine to flourish. But Pakistan was lost to the blood sucking ruling elite long before Zia-ul-Haq. The difference in pre-Zia and post-Zia era is that mullahs were only tools back then and now they are running the show.

In my view, the blame lies with the leadership of Pakistan movement who failed to deliver on their promise. Perhaps their two-nation theory was flawed or perhaps not all the people in Pakistan movement were so clean, pristine and dedicated as Mr. Ali Jinnah himself was.

But I do agree with Mr. Jafri in that the new generation of Pakistan should be made aware of what Mr. Ali Jinnah envisioned, and his followers dreamed for their Promised Land. My hopes for Pakistan are at an all time low these days. I have a feeling that it may be too late to rectify the situation in Pakistan.

From The Daily Dawn Karachi Pakistan
http://www.dawn.com/2000/06/28/op.htm

Is this our highway to heaven?

By A.B.S. Jafri

MAYBE one reason why the Pakistan movement and its raison
d`etre is being so insolently misrepresented and maligned is the disinformation
spread by the books written during the dark era of dictator Ziaul Haq. Of late
even elderly figures have started telling untruths about the essential
character of that great and unique event of modern times.
This wave smells of some calculated plot to mislead the younger generation. It
is our duty to protect our younger fellow citizens from this pernicious
indoctrination.
Those who allege that this country was created on the basis of any particular
ideology are deliberately distorting the truth about the nature of the Pakistan
movement. More likely, they are motivated to invent and spread what they
know is not the truth. Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah never so
much as made a passing reference to any ``ideology`` for Pakistan. His only
references to religion, rare as they were, related to his avowed commitment to
social justice - as envisioned in the fundamentals of Islamic governance and
statecraft. Not a word beyond that. Even in this context the term `ideology`
did not figure in any significant way. Nor was ``ideology`` ever heard from any
quarter either of the accredited leadership or the millions of dedicated
followers.
Looking back on the Pakistan movement today, one is simply elevated in
spirit to note that it was so completely bereft of any form or suggestion of
fanaticism, rigidity, insularity or excess of religious sentiment. It was a
movement inspired by one of the cleanest figures of the age. All front-rank
leaders were upright, straightforward, enlightened and no-nonsense liberals of
open hearts and high minds.
No less inspiring is it to recall the stunning fact that all parties of those days
professing to be Islamic were dead set against the very idea of Pakistan, and
deadly enemies of the leader of the Pakistan movement, Mohammad ali Jinnah,
whom they dubbed `Kafir.` On this one point most Islamic parties were
unanimous, regardless of their ferocious feuding.
Among the Islamic parties of the day notable was the Deobandi cabal. An ally
of the Congress, it fought against Pakistan movement tooth and nail. The
`Ahrars,` a hyperactive Muslim party in Punjab, also tied to the apron strings of
the Congress, was uncompromising in its opposition to the Pakistan
movement and the person of Jinnah. The Jamaat-e-Islami, still an infant, was
second to none in this anti-Pakistan compact. Also opposed to Pakistan were
the Khaksars, a Muslim fascist bunch, headed by Allama Mashriqui. One of its
stalwarts attempted to kill Jinnah. Not many Muslim parties disapproved of the
murderous attack.
It needs to be asserted with emphasis that no Islamic group, camp or party of
any note or standing supported the Pakistan movement. Most of them were
malignantly disposed to the very concept of Pakistan because they knew Jinnah
was not an obscurantist and could never be cajoled or compelled to be one.
It was well after the birth of Pakistan that the Jamaat deigned to set foot on the
soil of the country it had striven so hard to strangulate in the name of Islam. The
Jamaat came to Pakistan only because it was virtually thrown out of India. Even
after setting up home in Pakistan, the Jamaat persisted in its hostility to Pakistan
and indifference to the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people.
There is absolutely no nexus between the Pakistan movement and any
``ideology`` in the sense that lurks in the concept of theocracy. During his last
press conference in New Delhi (No 10, Aurangzeb Road), a Reuters
correspondent fired a hot question at the Quaid-i-Azam:
R: ``Will Pakistan be a theocratic state?``
J: `` What is a theocratic state?``
R: ``A state run by mullahs.``
J: ``What about a state run by Pundits?``
That was how the Quaid-i-Azam ridiculed and rejected any possible
suggestion of Pakistan ever becoming a theocratic state, or a state with a
theocratic ideology, or one run by mullahs.
These days one hears slogans like ``:Pakistan ka matlab kiya?...`` Never was
any such slogan heard during the Pakistan movement or until 30 years after this
country was born. It is an ingenuous invention bearing no relationship
whatsoever with the pristine and genuine Pakistan movement. This
was fabricated after Pakistan was overtaken and overwhelmed by the
obscurantism of dictator Zia and his soul-mates that followed him in illicit
power.
During the struggle for Pakistan and for a good three decades after its birth,
there was no unanswered question about Pakistan`s meaning - `matlab.` Every
single supporter of the Pakistan movement (from Assam to Gilgit and to the
southern tip of the subcontinent) vividly knew totally unaided by mullahs
what was the meaning (`matlab`) of Pakistan. The soldiers of the Pakistan
struggle did not need any priests to tell them what they were fighting for. They
knew it. It was in their blood and soul. That is what made Pakistan a miracle
turned into reality.It must also be said that those who fought for Pakistan also
know fully well all those who were throughout on the opposite side. It is a sick
joke that at this late moment the diehard opponents of Pakistan are trying to
spell out the `matlab` of Pakistan.
Some people have begun to say that Pakistan is an Islamic state - because its
constitution says so. Very well. At what point of time in Pakistan`s life this
blessing was conferred on it? On August 14, 1947, Pakistan was born a plain,
simple, undecorated, innocent Pakistan. For its first ten years - the
cleanest and proudest in this nation`s life - Pakistan was just Pakistan, and
proud of that fact.
Note the distinct watershed in the life of Pakistan. The first part is a
pre-ideology Pakistan, the second is the post-ideology career, the Islamic
republic. The latter is the phase in which this nation is sought to be belatedly
taught what its `matlab` is/was/should have been. Compare the two phases in
terms of the quality of the contents of this republic and the conduct generally of
its cynically ill-used citizens.
During its first ten years, Pakistan was a highly respected, trusted and admired
young nation. It was seen as a wonder, a miracle. it was self-supporting and
self-respecting. It did not have to endure wave after wave of crime; it did not
have the ignominy of being rated among the most notorious in drug and
arms smuggling; it was not suspected of promoting terrorism; it was not
designated as the most corrupt country in the world. All this came after the
republic assumed its new hallowed title.
In the first phase of its life, that is before it was converted into an `Islamic
republic`, this country went about the world with its head held high and a record
untainted by any embarrassing flaw. Pakistan led fellow Muslim countries in
many fields, helping them set up modern institutions like airlines, banks,
hospitals, newspapers, radio services, etc.
Today,the citizens of this Islamic republic are looked upon with dark
suspicions. At international airports, holders of the green passport cause
eyebrows to be raised, invite unfriendly looks and contemptuous glances from
airport authorities. If anyone has the hardihood to deny this, he is ignorant,
sightless and also insensitive. Hard facts cannot be denied simply because they
are too hard to hide or swallow.
They say Islam is not against progress. Most certainly not. But the mullahs
are. They have monopolized Islam in Pakistan. They oppose every invention,
every innovation, every new idea, every modern facility and amenity, only to
exploit it later with a vengeance. They have opposed modern education,
telephone, sound amplifiers (loudspeakers), photography, cinema, banking, fine
arts, female education, technology, and what have you.
No sensible person would care to deny that religion is noble. But it remains so
only so long as it is protected from impostors posing as pious holy men,
intimidating simple human beings with the flaming visions of hell hereafter. In
Pakistan every Muslim citizen knows his faith. The problem is not with
Islam but with the fake professional preachers for whom Islam is a profession,
a calling,bread and butter, commerce, comfort, and an instrument of blackmail.
When Pakistan was born there were perhaps two Islamic parties. Today there
are more than 80. Does it show that Islam in Pakistan today is more united and
a more powerful uniting force or the very opposite of it? In Pakistan`s early,
unspoiled days religious feuding, fighting and killing were unknown.
Now massacre in places of Islamic worship is commonplace. In those days no
Islamic organization felt the need to have armies and lashkars. Now they need
them and have them, too.
Pakistan is full of flaws, weaknesses, evils, even curses. Poverty is increasing,
literacy is in decline. Crime out of control, education a mess, health services in
disarray, public administration crumbling under inefficiency and corruption.
Inner cities are in ruin. Major cities have no sanitation, no proper
transport. Degradation of environment, deforestation, desertification and
waterlogging destroying thousands of acres of fertile land. Irrigation system
needs repair and expansion.
Not a single Islamic political party has so much as mentioned these ills that are
corroding the nation from inside. None of them is talking of the rights of the
child, of women, of the handicapped and the disabled, of the victims of slavery,
of justice so difficult to secure, of denial of redress against injustice.
So what is worrying our holy men, our guides to heaven? They call it
``Fuhashi.`` They alone know what they mean. Not worth inquiring.
There was a time when we were a vigorous Muslim people who created a
state. By degrees we went down to become an Islamic republic that would
break itself, disgrace itself to join the most criminalized and the most corrupt of
the contemporary world. Not a shred of shame on any pious forehead in our
Islamic republic.
`Pakistan ka matlab kiya...?`

News of some importance to now undemocratic Pakistan can be found at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_808000/808370.stm

Quite frankly, I`m surprised at France`s stance. Kudos to them. It is of my opinion that the best way to advance democracy is to promote it`s technocratic aspects. Democracy has a good track record as a system of governance, but promoting it as an ideal, a ``human right`` no less, will only make life more difficult for proponents of democracy in undemocratic regimes.

In any case, given America`s track record in creating,proping-up, or supplying undemocratic regimes the world over, when it suited her interests, one can only wonder why this sudden push for Democracy? Certainly France is being the more honest one in terms of support for her dictator allies.

One also wonders if America has truly found religion, secular style.

Some excerpts from the article:



`France has clashed with the United States at an international conference in Poland aimed at promoting global democracy after refusing to sign a key declaration...

However, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine earlier warned the United States and other western democracies against preaching their values to other nations...

The `Warsaw Declaration` says democracy is a universal human right and calls on all nations to govern themselves on the basis of free and fair elections...

However, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine earlier warned the United States and other western democracies against preaching their values to other nations.

``The bottom line is that the western countries think a little too much that democracy is a religion and the only thing you have to do is convert people``, he told reporters.

But US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that it was not a question of converting anyone.

We did not come to Warsaw to impose democracy, for that is a contradiction in terms. Dictators impose; democracy is chosen,`` Mrs Albright said...`



Now doesn`t that last coment just make you warm an` fuzzy all over?

Very ironic because scene one was the sort that happened in the very country whose so-called success you laud towards the end of your article. Khatami was not a natural extension of this revolution, but the desire of the majority [who were incidentally born after the Shah got his rear end kicked out] for a kinder, gentler brand of whatever-it-is-that-they-have-there.

So you want an Iranian style revolution. Okay, let`s kill the westernized middle class. Let`s harass the other muslim sects {the minorities? don`t worry about them, they`re history anyway}. Create your version of the secret police [perhaps you can save some money by importing in some of the fine alumni of the Taliban`s commitee for the propagation of virtue and the something of vice, or whatever they call it. Why not get used to journalists beaten up [the presses being burnt part is already happening right now, isn`t it?]

One more thing Mr. Haider, I`m sorry to puncture your fantasy outlined in scene 4, I don`t think any sane Indian wants India to get involved in taking over Pakistan. Who in his right mind would want to take over a piece of wreckage that would take a fortune to nurse back to health when you`ve got enough small problems in your basement and backyard?

Another reality check for all those Pakistanis who are threatened by talk of so-called unification espoused by Udayakumar--you think the BJP wants another 150 million muslims to the 150 we already have? If at all anyone would want this, it will have to be the bootlicker`s party aka congress which not only cultivated the concept of vote-banks, but was the party in power during the earlier wars [save Kargil].

As an aside, check out the cover story of the NYTimes Sunday magazine called Jihad U.

http://www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20000625mag-taliban.html

gymnosophist #30 Glad you find Pakistani women nice. That is half the population, so just focus on them and maybe we Pakistanis wont seem so bad to you after all.

Ref FARANGI_KUSH #: 32

Thank you very much. Because you chose to write it in Hindustani as opposed to Urdu, I was able to follow the Play in Four Acts quite well, despite the fact that my Hindi is mostly limited to words of abuse!

Is this due to the cultural invasion of the Land of the Pure`s airwaves by Star and Zee TV? Have you been watching Ramayan and Mahabharat a bit too often? (You have been so kind as to say pranthoo instead of magar -- from context, they appear to mean the same thing but Ramayan on TV never uses magar!) Can it really be possible that I shall in the future be able to watch PTV dramas (available on videotape from desi stores) instead of having my Delhi-born cousin translate the dialog from Urdu for me as PTV decides to broadcast dramas with dialog in Hindustani? What next? Can we expect Pakistan to officially re-name on all its maps the Hindu-Kush mountain range the Hindu-Pyaar?

Will you change your handle to Farangi-Pyaar? Will you now advocate monogamy for Muslim men? Will you become a Kemalist? Start buying razor blades? Lead burn-the-burqa rallies in Peshawar?

(I wake up with a start, screaming: ``Oh,no! What a nightmare! Matajee, matajee, I dreamed that Farangi-Kush is turning into a regular guy I may want to share a beer with! I am too frightened to go back to sleep!``

Matajee: Sojaao, betaa, sojaao! Raam ki kripa hai! Humara Farangi-Kush ek pukka Mussalman rahayngaa! Khuda Hafiz!``)

gymnosophist:#30

(This is especially dedicated to you--pure entertainment and on cue by you--Shandana won`t mind this one I`m sure).Thank you for provoking-------my funny side.

__________________________________________________

Once again you have proven very admirably someone who is true to your name,which colud mean ulti-khopri or nutt-buddhi.

Please see how.

_______________________________________.

Scene 1.(somewhere near kashmir-india border)

(it is dawn----a cot in courtyard)

gymnosophist: maata ji! maata ji! kahan ho? jaldi aao aaao naaa.

maataa:(from afar rushing to him):kya hai rey,kyoon saveray savery dund machaa rahaa hai.pooja bhee naheen krnay daita.nikhatoo.

g: maata ji buss ubb tho maira vivah racha hee doa naa.Raam ki sogund ubb tho mughh say bilkul bhee akaila naheen soya jaata.Dechkno naa kitnaa burra ho gayaa hoon main.Daikho naa maaa.dekho!

m:(looks)---naheen abhee thoo bohut chhotaa hai.

o janam jalay tujhay upnay vivah hee kee purri rehti hai.kaam ka na kaaj ka dushman anaaj ka.dekhtaa naheen abhi teri teen theen deedyan pahar see sur pu khuree hain aur phir chotee behan bhee hai.Buss tujhay upnee hee mustee lugee rehtee hai.Hain,bole zurra bole tho sahee.Abhee choon bhee kya tho yeh cheemtay say tera taintva dabaa doon gi.Nikhatoo.Zara daikh subb IIT mein ja ja kar bhurtee hoa rahai hain aur thoo yahan supnay dekhay jaavay hai.Chuul Huutt!Door hoa.

g:Prantoo Maajee zara sunnow tho----

m: main naheen suntee.AAkhir vivah bhee karoon tho kiss sey.Kaun tujhay putree dai gaa.Bole? Hai bole naa.

g:Haan maaan yeh tho such hai.koi upaiy krna hee parray gaa.

_____________________.

Scene 2:(same house--evening)

g:(afar,--running towards home) mataa jee! maata ji.Kidhar ho jaldee aao bhaag kay aao.

m:kyaa hai rey kyoon chilla rah hai.kya naukri mil gayee kya hua aakhir.

g:voh mataa ji,maata ji sunaoini aagai hai naa.

m: haee raam kaisee baat munh sey nikaal raha hai.Kiss kee sunaoni aa gaee.Raam kirpa karey.

g:kirpaa hee maata jee kirpaa hi hai.Bajrang bulee kee bhee kirpaa hai.subb kee kirpaa hai.Jai raam jee kee jai raam..

m:ubb kuchh bukay gaa bhee yaa yunheen kharra pahailyaan bujhvaigaa.budhoo naa ho tho

g:Voh maataa jee,yudh aarum ho gyaa ha....

m:YUDH! Y U D H---haaey raaaam.aur thoo bughlain bajaa rahaa hai.

g: naheen maata jee.Zaraa sunow naa.Ubb mera vivah hoa jaaey gaa.

M:Arrey nikhatoo mein ney kaha naa kay thoo hai hee ulti khopree kaa.theek naam rakhaa teray bapoo nay---buss angraijee mein nigoraa gimnokyakya boltay thay.

g:(gleefully---rubbing hands and moving about)sophist maata jee sophist.gymnosophist....tho ubb tho mera vivah ho jaaey gaaa.

m:kaisay ho jaaey gaa.Jurra mein bhee tho sunoon.

g:Jihadee mataa jee,jihadee jo aa rahey hain..... naheen naheen jaa rahai hain naa.

m:Jihadeeeeee aaaaa rahay hain. jaa rahay hain.Tera vivah krnay.

g:nahee matajee naheen voh laam pay jaa rahay hain.....kashmeer lainay.

m: tho thoo kya karay gaa.Vivah karay gaa unsay.Heejra kaheen kaa.thooo thooo chheee cheee.

g:Naheeeen maaaataa jee naheeen.Mein Pakistan jaoon ga.Unn kee maheelaon ko dekhoon gaaa,voh akailee hain naa.Busss jehadee junnat mein 72 hooron kay paas jaen gay,mein pakistanee hoor lai aanga.

m:teri khopree lagtaa hai kuchh ziada hee ghoom gai hai

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Scaene 3:(Some days later---same house,street)

Pandemonium!!! Din!!! Confusion many sounds:

Jehadee! bhaaago... jehadeeee!!! arrey koi hai hain niklo gharon say bhaaaago jihadyon say buchooo.

m:O gimno kay buchhay kahaan murr gyaaaa.jehadee aa gayei! juldeee aaa .

g: baraaat tayyaaar hai kya maan.

m: arrey janam jalay kuchh theri muth maari gaee hai kay tujhay baraaat kee puree hai.Yahaan teri deedyon kee baraat uth jaey gee,meri baraat uth jaey gee.Theri aankhon pey kay churbee charrh gaee hai janaam jalay,phitkaar ho tujh pur.Chull churee pukurr aur manushh bun kur dikhaa,bunn maanus naa ho tho.

g:Churri kahaan hai maata jee.

m: Arrey tho kyaa ubb bughul mein bhee naheen rakhtaa.

g: Shamaa krdo maata jee shamaa kr do.Mein ahimsaa charee ho gyaa hoon.

m:Chull hutt door ho meray saamnay say doooooooor.

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Scene 4:(same house--Dawn--cot in courtyard)

Screams---gurgling sounds---someone trying to get rid of something inside a chaadar.

maataajee: Aray dekhnaa, koi hai jaldee jao.Lugtaa hai gymno ko phir jehadyon kaaa supnaa aa rahaa hai...

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Salman,

Do not be disheartened by remarks the likes of RR. Your analysis of what has happened is right on the mark. The resolution

may not be as harsh as khomeni, just everyone should be tolerant muslims. And to all those mullas out there posting/reading

replies to this article: STOP killing in name of religion. If anything, you will go to HELL, all of you talibans/sipahs of

any kind(shias/sunnis)!! May Allah`s wrath be upon you!

That`s all.

Ref slink #: 22

Shandana, you said it so well! Thanks!

Everytime I read something written by a Pak woman on Chowk, I find the writing to be so full of common sense, warmth and intelligence that I must confess that I find myself falling for the writer. And everyone of them is good! I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that there may be one justification for polygamy: after all, who could resist the idea of surrounding oneself with such witty, charming, intelligent women? If women in Moghul times were half as bright as the talent I see here, I am not surprised the emperors packed their harems.

How come none of this is passed on to the male side of the family? The guys are ready to kush the faranghi, kill for Allah, and die for Khomeini. I think you girls need to send the guys on jihads so that they can fulfill their destinies and get to their 72 houris in heaven prontissimo while you girls can cross the border to the east so that we can make beautiful music together. Which, it must not be forgotten, is banned in Islam according to the Taliban.

As for the Indians babes with IT degrees, let them marry their IT husbands. Talk about geekiness: I saw this guy wearing his waistpack on the plane yesterday that still had the little tag that airport security in India makes you put on every carry-on item so that they could stamp it after they frisk the bag. His waistpack`s security tag was hanging from his back and -- get this -- for Destination, he has written Software Engineer! From his name I could see he is a golt. No, that is not a mis-spelling of dolt though it is almost synonymous. Golt is slang for Telugu-speaking. Geekimus Maximus! The IT babes deserves such geeks! They are probably geeky themselves!