Surviving Musharraf\'s Exit? Musharraf's devil advocate - Mush was enthuastic - commando -some sense of humour humour - a little whisky & tamasha - basically honest but greedy - basically straight forward but a little foolish - basically anti-India & scared of US. He ran the country like running 19 Lancers - the sum total of his knowledge & experience.

His biggest weekness was that he was convinced that he had all the answers.

but finally, he ended up giving Pakistan a somewhat genuine democracy. And creating an image of Army that majority of Pakistanis had begun to hate, kasmir fizzled out as an issue & India was no more an enemy in the public perception. Islam withdrew into background.

His eventual killer was none other than the free media - 50 channels.

So all marks for his goofy performance. It is the end that counts.

nhk

The Nawaiwaqt Generation and the Power of No! HP

``So should I just call it the “Nawaiwaqt Generation,”

No. Time has gone way past Nawaiwaqt & its outdated ideologies. There have been since reasonable time many other Newspapers & TV channels that now nearing 50. There is now a flood of information now reaching an ordinary citizen.

Civil society now includes a vast array of people from different backgrounds, areas, professions & education - most of them who do not even read vernacular Press.

CJP is to be given credit for saying NO - it was a routine matter for the establishment to remove an irritants like CJP by a show of force by the plainclothes men. The lawyers & public realized that if CJP could be physically mishandled by police in this manner, so could they be. TV played the crucial role.

regards

NHK

Pakistan, a Different Country! # 335

dear Ijaz

``Dear Chowkies,
What is Zardari up to? ''

Zardari has emerged as the most astutute politicians so far. He has said all the right things & made all the right moves.

He wants to take `all along' because only then two third majority can come. He has expressed his willingness to work with Musharraf because he knows first step is to get into the parliament, built two third majority & then screw Musharraf. He does not want to alert the snake beforehand by the empty aggressive bluster.

He is for the Provincial Autonomy, restoration of 1973 Constitution & indepependence of judiciary. On the Judiciary, he is presently low key because of Musharraf factor.

His best performance was with Karan Thapar on India-Pak issue. He said leave Kashmir for next generation until everyone grows up. And trade/relations should not be kept hostage until Kasmir solution.

He speaks confidently, has a sense of humour & is not interested in becomining PM. Being head of PPP is good enough for him.

100 % marks to Zardari. So what if he has made around a billion or so. All his past misdeeds are exonerated.

regards

NHK

Pervez Musharraf and India Pakistan Rapproachment HP # 105

``Pakistan's survival depends on not having the army as the uniting force. I hope you agree with this!''

I entirely agree. This baboon must be put back into its cage. There are some good chances of doing that now.

NHK

Pervez Musharraf and India Pakistan Rapproachment Dear Dost

With respect, I do not buy that Musharaf contributed towards peace between India-Pakistan.

He came with the typical goofy Fauji mindset of India-Enemy & Kashmir-Honour. And bleeding India through low intensity conflict (Jihadis).

He thought that he was clever enough to go into history by signing a quicky Peace deal with India - Agra. He screwed up that event by refusing to add `reducing the X-border' Jihadis - something which was a well known fact. And progress on all outstanding issues simultaneously.

Only when he was himslf was attacked, some sane realization dawned on him. He PROBABLY came on Jihadis but never eliminated these so called `Strategic Assets'.

By this time, after having wasted a few years, he agreed to `resolve all issues including Kasmir simultaneously' - something he could have acceeded during the Agra.

Then during the Peace process, he was finicky over trivial issues of Trade & People-to-people contact just on the stupid premise of Quid-pro-Quo. If trade was good for us, that was a good enough reason. If India also gains in the process, so be it.

Meanwhile, he was throwing up all kinds of solutions on Kasmir on his own without even discussing the subject in the Parliament. And voluntarily, giving up the basic stance on Kashmir.

After 8 years, he has reached where the Politicians - Bhutto & Nawaz had already reached. He wasted 8 years.

The Polticians believed & belive NORMAL relations with India in all areas without giving up the basic stance on Kashmir. Kashmir solution will take time & probably will automatically evaporate in an envisaged closer Economic/Political relationship within SAARC.

NHK

Pervez Musharraf and India Pakistan Rapproachment HP # 24

``Kargil had nothing to do with India. It was as usual a Pak army ploy to bring down a political government that had just sacked the army COAS for interfering in the political affairs.''

Here you are incorrect. Army guys are not so far-sighted to plan a clever sophisticated revenge like this on a COAS firing.

India & Kashmir are two subjects in which they are regulary brain-washed. And cutting the lines of supply to Siachin was a juicy plan which has exited in the Army since long. I have myself heard Mushharaf give an excited presentation on the subject in 85.

NHK

Voting For Change As evidence continues to pour in, rigging was massively planned. Pre-poll rigging such as week Election Commisioner, biased presiding offiers etc etc had been done.

However, the alert parties, voters, NGOs, media & observers manage to reduce it considerably on the actual polling day & the results proved to be reflecting the general mood of the masses. (and of the many different opinion polls conducted earlier)

For the present, PPP & PML(N) should forget about forming the Goverments and first mutually sort out & formulate a conbined strategy to clear the mess created in Constitution, sacking of Judiciary, Provincial autonomy & Musharraf's removal.

Only then, then future will have some bright prospects.

NHK

Pakistan Elections 2008 - An analysis Dost # 5

`If the PPP forms the govt., it could be headed by Asif Zardari, with his reputation of Mr. ten percent (or is it 30 percent) intact. This would be the surest way to discredit politicians and the people will be clamouring for the army rule sooner than anyone expects.'


Zardari has been quite a surprise. 11 years in jail & having been thrown around has done him some good. He has displayed immense maturing in recent times - his handling of BB's death, his overtures towards Nawaz & Punjab, his balanced statements against the tirade towards taking Army head on etc.

He is sharp, politically mature, very impassioned, forceful, oozing out with energy & a forceful communicator. He also has the courage & spunk to take on the `Esatablishment'. In addition, he is not a saleable commodity. He is proving to be quite an asset to the PPP & Amin Fahim remains just an unintellgible mumbler like Shujaat Hussain. He is not taking part in the elections. So no imminent chance of his heading the Government.

Pakistani politics has moved much beyond Surrey Palance & 10%. All politicians have some kind of a negative label attached to them from the past - and the public does not necessarily single out Zardari.

He has developed & matured into a political force to recken with - with a massive support from Sindh masses.

He presently clearly stands out as an appropriate person to head PPP - with many advisors like Ehtizaz Ahsen behind him.

Only a rogue like him can handle the powereful entrenched `military' & `civil' establishment.

purely my personal opinion.

regards

NHK

Pakistan Elections 2008 - An analysis Feroze # 9

`Pakistan is a highly polarized nation.'

Barring PML (Q), between parties, there is much less polarization. PPP, PML(N) & ANP are quite friendly to each other. Even MQM does not go beyond a certain level of animosity towards other parties.

But polarization on two issues remain & will continue to remain unless the Consitution is significantly changed:

A- Role of religion in State.
B- Provincial Autonomy Vs Strong Centre.

Barring PML (Q), all parties agree that Army should get out of politics. If this happens, the rest is achievable.

Civil Society / Lawyers & media are anothe factor in the new positive voices.

So I am optimistic for a change towards better.

NHK

American Muslims and Presidential Elections 2008
I read parts of Obama's autobiography `Dreams of my Father'. When Obama came to New York, as a poor student, on a Scholarship to Columbia University, a Pakistani waiter, Saqib, offered him accomodation & he availed the offer.

Saqib used to chide him saying that `your degrees will be of no use. Start working'. Obama had only 3 plates & two towels.

NHK

What is Hinduism? A Personal View Salim # 294
(There is nothing wrong with the words "Allah" and "Hafiz" I used them both a lot and quite separately. But "Khuda Hafiz" was working fine and I just don't like dictators changing our language just to please their foreign masters)

Reminds me of Crown Prince of Jordan who is married to a Pakistani lady. He often travels to Pakistan.

When he heard PIA Airhostess saying `Allah Hafiz', he inquired why it has changed from `Khuda Hafiz'. She replied because it is an Arabic word.

He said that God can understand Persian as well.

Allah is a pre-islamic Arabic word for God/Ishwar.

NHK

What is Hinduism? A Personal View Laddu, Nangapir & nkg

Thanks for adding value to this discussion.

NHK

What is Hinduism? A Personal View Dear Dost

I liked it and am fascinated with the subject. I guess the belief in ancient times was considered a personal affairs & was never defined. The scietific age brought in the need to define everything.

Beauty of Hinduism is in its simplicity, universality, vagueness, acceptance of other beliefs & its total voluntary aspect. You may believe in a Diety or you may not. You may pray or you may not pray. But it provides plenty of stories & tales to emphasise the good & evil - and a guidance to coalse within a society & live a peaceful life.

Modernity has automatically killed some distateful ancient cultural or ritualistic aspects assciated with Hinduism - like sati, caste system etc.

Since ages, the ignorant & confused man looked towards the nature & tried to find an answer to all this.

Two main theories got propounded - Dharmic & Abrahamic.

Dharmic followers (Hindues, Jains, Budhists, Sihks) believed in re-incarnation. Add Karma to it.

Abrahamic followers(Judaism, Christianiy, Islam) believed in heaven & hell & day of judgement. Add Satan to it.

Rest all was local variations, reformations, additions, changes by followers as the time passed. In most cases, the
belief was made more miserable for the followers.

Though muslim by Birth, Dharmic faiths strongly appeal me. My forefathers may have been poor, uncultured or uncooth but they were not dogmatic.

regards

NHK

This Pyre Will Burn…! Ref 240

`Balkanization of Pakistan has been on the table since 9/11, I do not remember the think tank but this theory has been proposed and discusses in quite detail.''

Why `Balkhanization' strikes a fear among people. It is a perfectly normal historical process.

When the people do not feel a part of entity, they choose to separate.(Bangladesh) And when people feel a natural affinity towards an entity, they choose to coalse togather (EU).

Afghanistan & Pakistan both are under stresses of this nature.

Afghanistan's Tajiks, Pashtoons, Uzbeks, Hazaras are artificially separated from their adjoing communities through artificial borders. Same is true for the Sindhis & toalesser extent Baluchis of Pakistan.

The Pashtoons are not only well represented in Pakistan's polity but their porus borders & loosely adminstrated border areas also keep their ambitions in check. Pashtoons tribalism & Islam mix up has also confused their nationalism with pan-Islamism.

Punjab (read Pak Army) controls Pakistan & feels satisfied. Sind & Baluchistan issue remains. And if the Pakistan State does not give them a feeling of ownership in the State, they would be well justified to ask for separation.

So is there any harm if the adjoing communities of Afghanistan & Pakistan merge with their communities across the artificial border lines.

Afghanistan & Pakistan vanish & India extends right upto the present day Southern Afghanistan.

It will be a big democratic resource rich stable country (with a historic identity) and with all communities satisfied within themselves.

regards

NHK

The Press Ordinance and Its Repercussions It is sad to see that some other Channels chose to come back under the Govt DIKTAT & are now no better than the concousless PTV.

All chanells should have chosen to remain off the air in protest until all were restored. BBC is good enough to get the News.

Divide & diffuse the situation is an old ploy of the military rulers & they always manage to find enough self-centered greedy people to do so.

NHK

Do You Have a Substitute? Pakistan army does not let a strong emerging leader to stay on scene & challange it:

These were all Leaders (Good or Bad) perceived by People - Bad were eliminated or are in the process:

Zuliqat Bhutto
Nawaz Shareef
Benazir
ex-Chief Justice
Ehtizaz Ahsan
even Asma

Who are we to judge. Let the people elect whosoever they want. It is not the Army's business to select leaders. This goon Musharraf is dim wit - my personal opinion. Let him stand in an open election & see his worth.

NHK