Healthcare in Pakistan, Lessons from Cuba Mahvish, you write a good piece. Quite a few folks have little clue about the Cuban healthcare system and its successes. The parallel you draw in terms of where countries see priorities, even in the face of adverse conditions, is what one should take from this piece. Write on...

Salman Haider Zaidi

Interview: Imran Khan on Elections and Boycott Thank you for asking a direct question about minority rights and Imran's views on treatment meted to Ahmadis as an example. As usual he dodged the question and answered it with usual liberal sprinklings and BS about fundamental rights. Imran is known to not make any noise on sensitive issues like these, or share an open opinion...where is the TI philosphy and action when it came to Mukhtaran Mai or the rape in Baluchistan by an army officer? Seeking justice against Altaf to garner punjabi votes on anti-mohajir sentiment is easy...Imran is still far from being a leader. He deserves a seat or two in the NA where he can make noise....or more if the constitution allows 12-14 year olds to vote.

The Death of Edward Said -- A tribute

The Death of Edward Said -- A tribute MSK

Well done. A very good piece on someone I only knew from his writings and always wished I could meet...the world is surely a poorer and more wretched a place without another voice of sanity. Don`t know if the world has the capacity to produce another Said or Eqbal Ahmed, but all we can do is continue reading their work and ensure more and more people do so as well.

Salman

Suicide Bombers Reply to #24 by arjun_m on August 25, 2003 8:51pm PT

Arjun--no one can argue what happened in 71. I as a ``Paki`` (nice to see we`re all mature, broad minded adults indulging in a mature discussion!) regret that this dark chapter exists in my country`s history. It can never be forgiven and only by spending over 5 years in Dhaka did I realise that the common man does not hate Pakistan--even though my army committed a crime of unimaginable proportions there. That is the greatness of the Bengali nation. And as I said, incidents like these mar a country for a long time...Pakistan being case in point.

But I digress...on defending Sharon--let me know how many Palestinians and Lebanese people you personally know who have had their mothers and sisters raped and butchered mercilessly in front of their eyes...(think Beirut, think of the refugee camps in Palestine). This man is evil. Period. You state that the fact Pakistan army indulged in this disallows me to raise my concern on Sharon?!? You sure I`m in the sand?

Cheers

S

Suicide Bombers Waqar

Brave article--which has resulted in good pre-lim discussion. Write on...

My two cents: I know where you`re coming from--and I agree with the reasoning you resort to. Critics of this article just need to spend time understanding where this act of desparation rises from. But we can`t compare them to those who committed the mindless violence witnessed in Bombay today...simply because the latter have a sick, wretched belief system, bent on avoiding peace in the sub-cont. Paradox it may be, but the suicide bombers probably believe they fight for a better life for those they leave behind.

Furthermore, in answering yogiraj (11)...please don`t even start...a country which can boast a butcher and devil incarnate like Sharon as its democratically elected leader will always, always suffer...mate, just take a look at what this man and his colleagues have done in the past (read Fisk, Edward Said, Eqbal Ahmed, Chomsky, Roy, some press in Israel, unbiased press, etc etc ) and then reflect on why this happens...even (some) Jews blame the Jews in this fight! (and I agree, Zia did more than his fair share of ruining Pakistan.)

Well said, Urstruly 17.

S

Coming to Terms with Kargil Nazar:

Very well written...analogies with China and Germany are valid ones, however, whether we have the ability to take that route is the biggest challenge. The sentence on Nawai-waqt was painfully true and hilarious!

cheers

S

Headache and Heartburn Response to Solitude`s numerous words of wisdom:

Yaar, get real. The next person who tells me about how Muslims are doing better in India....!!

Where do you get this rubbish you spew with great verbosity? women should not be veiled? azan should not be voiced on a loudspeaker? why not? Islam is about submission...and before you roll your eyes and click further on...READ THIS. For someone who goes on and on about `loving` your fellow man, you illustrate your hatred for Muslims quite evidently.

i`m sick of your `types`; constantly beating on the same `religion segregates--all live in harmony` routine. either you`ve been around way too many fundo muslims who`ve constantly thrown abuse at you or else you have no idea what you`re talking about.

Islam can offer a lot more than what you have found. Don`t pick up the Quran, find whatever negative ammunition you can and start ranting on and on about it. Read it well, understand it and then continue on your crusade to rid the world of religions.

Lastly, for someone so concerned about fellow humans, learn to respect another`s faith. Criticise it, but with respect. Comment on it, negatively or positively, but think about your central thesis. Talk to me. I`ll discuss whatever you wish...but come to the table armed with knowledge or questions....not ambiguous, racist slurs.

Try and learn more....else there is no difference between you and a gun-toting, illiterate, mullah....you just dont carry a gun (i think).

My advice: catch the next train to the real world and come out of solitude...

His Master’s Voice well bowled waqas....lovely leg-cutters!

shabash, shabash