Remembering Allama Iqbal
Iqbal was a powerful poet - a Sialkoti hookah smoking comfortabble person. also drank. a normal muslim.

forgive also his theories of `khudi` - a good doze of it caming from German philosophers.

but then he got lost somewhere - sometimes socialist, some times Al Qaida, some time nationalist.

But I do not think a person like him would have gone for theocracy or the Ummah that we now conceptualize.

his shikwa & jiwab-e-shiwa is lajawab.

His son, the retired justice, initially interprated him in radical islamic form - now he has changed his mind & says that his father was not a radical; and believed in continuous reformation of islamic ideas.

nhk

Ahmadis – The Forgotten People urstruly # 29

(Well Political agendas and propaganda aside but a fair analysis would show that the thesis of ``institutionalized discrimination`` of Quadianis by the state of Pakistan is absolutely baseless)

I am a witness to this institutionalized discrimination. Many years back, when I was in air force, some very good officers were told that since they are Ahmedis. they have no future. So they were advised to leave. Those guys left. It is another matter that they continued to do well wherever the went.

But the ahmedis should not worry too much about it. they are not alone. there are voices which say that shias are non-muslims. Qazi hussain Ahmed says Ismailis are non-muslims. Talibans say that any one who is not like the Arabs of 6th century is non-muslim.

soon, majority of Pakistanis will be non-muslims!

nhk

Apostasy and Islam Dost, hamidm2, nasah and so many other well wishers

This is just one of the ghastly laws.

people who break other`s gods, get so uptight on cartoons of the messenger.

may be I am aleady a Hindu, Jew & Bhuddist in heart but scared to admit it!

for obvious reasons.

this Afghan is a brave guy.

nhk

The Bubble Bursts
Ref Harimou`s # 42 & today`s BBC News

Is there any other faith/belief in the world where a change of faith brings a `death sentence` ? (except Mafia!)

An innocent child is born in a Muslim home. When he grows, he voluntarily converts to another faith. He is destined to be killed. Something very very wrong here.

Can someone shed light on this Islamic Law?

nhk

Rethinking Foreign Policy -- Can Pakistan and India Agree? Dost

I have been very busy & away.

This was a very balanced, unemotional and a reaslistic appraisal of the situation.

Being over patriotic, like some others, is also a form of radicalism.

Pakistanis, for most part, except for Mullas & Faujis, want to simply forget the past and just move on with life & have normal relations with India. Only a fig leaf of some verbosity & legal clauses is required to let both the Kashmirs stay where they are but in a clever arrangement. India is required to come forward on this as you suggested. Such a fig leaf will get both the Mullas & Faujis, Pakistan`s perenniel pain in the ars, deflated to a reduced position.

As for the regional PR, India has already improved on this as of 10 years back. It already has the size, militay power & economy, why not speak softly & be confidant. A little investment, what you call magnanimity, can creat a wonderful regional situation. All the smaller neighbours do feel a bit edgy. They can be lulled into a comfort zone just by little gestures of giving in a bit more - may be in bordr adjustment, trade, etc etc.

Everbody needs everybody. If US needs Pakistan, India`s many interests are also linked with Pakistan. Pakistan shouls have good relations with US, India & China OR India & China or India - in that order.

Dost , thanks

nhk

Rethinking Foreign Policy -- Can Pakistan and India Agree? Dost

I have been very busy & away.

This was a very balanced, unemotional and a reaslistic appraisal of the situation.

Being over patriotic, like some others, is also a form of radicalism.

Pakistanis, for most part, except for Mullas & Faujis, want to simply forget the past and just move on with life & have normal relations with India. Only a fig leaf of some verbosity & legal clauses is required to let both the Kashmirs stay where they are but in a clever arrangement. India is required to come forward on this as you suggested. Such a fig leaf will get both the Mullas & Faujis, Pakistan`s perenniel pain in the ars, deflated to a reduced position.

As for the regional PR, India has already improved on this as of 10 years back. It already has the size, militay power & economy, why not speak softly & be confidant. A little investment, what you call magnanimity, can creat a wonderful regional situation. All the smaller neighbours do feel a bit edgy. They can be lulled into a comfort zone just by little gestures of giving in a bit more - may be in bordr adjustment, trade, etc etc.

Everbody needs everybody. If US needs Pakistan, India`s many interests are also linked with Pakistan. Pakistan shouls have good relations with US, India & China OR India & China or India - in that order.

Dost , thanks

nhk

An Empire in the Making Waqar

Well written. You raised an interesting angle.

The possible spanners are:

(a) the new generation not necessarily motivated on religious grounds.

(b) religion as an ideology is an outdated concept.

(c) Irresponsible extreme exclusive views of present government about the Jews.

(d) majority sunni muslim states not going along.

If it picks up on the ancient Cyrus the great heritage, which is not likely, it could stand better chances.

nhk

The Leveling of America Saima Shah

I beg to disagree with you that IMF or World Bank or America are responsible for Pakistan`s plight.

Pakistan was doing just fine, in fact very well, right upto 1965 with the all those liberalized open policies.

America or IMF or World Bank did not ask its to go for 65 War which put a big stopper on our economic groeth.

Then IMF, world bank or America did not ask us to go for the 71 War which put us further into dumps.

Finally, IMF, World Bank or America did not tell Bhutto to nationalize all the previous built up industries & destroy them. Or nationalize even our good educational institutions.

Finally, IMF, World Bank or America did not ask Zia to Islamize everything - the consequences of which we are suffering till today.

So, let us not blame others. Let us blame ourselves & start doing something about it PRONTO.

I think if Nehru had not followed the socialist policies, India would have been at the present stage 30 years back.

After all, these teeny-weeny Singapore & Malaysia like states, which began with the similar poverty levels, got it all turned around in 30 or so years with open liberal policies.

nhk

The Amazing Khatris of Punjab Dost

Very informative article.

In Punjabi villages, as you noticed when you came, the elder folk almost never use the word `Hindu`. They use the generic term `Khatri` . As you said, they were treated as a professional cast - like the other Muslim casts - Darkhan, lohar, Taeli, Machee, Mirasee, Julaha etc.

And a Khatri in a village was an educated person who kept records - and gave loans to the illetrate small farmers - obviously with interest.

He was supposed to be a sharp person - good with calculations. And his interests always kept piling up. Khatri always had the money.

I have not heard the elder village folk, including my father, remember Khatris with any malice. They felt nostalgic about those times.

There is a family in Pakistan which uses Khatri as title.

nhk

The Not-so-happy Hooker Shandana

This Chowkidar has ended up in Karachi direct from some deep countryside village. His behaviour is what the society & state has so far taught him.

One solution: Is there any MBA type in the block? Let him conduct a 2-day training course for Chowkidars.

The syllabus could include subjects like security, duties & responsibilities, etiquette, personal hygiene, recording in register, reporting procedure & so on.

If he does not make the minimum standards, the Instructor should recommend the committee to fire him.

Hope you are not laughing at my taking it so seriously. It is actually that serious. Majority of the rural folks are neither educated nor trained in skills.

nhk

Diasporic Indian Jawahra `Saidullah`

Loved it.

(Jawahra & Saidullah is perlexing me!)

Yesterday. I was waiting outside my office (Colombo) for a radio cab. A car stopped. It was not the cab. I was confused. The man asked `Are you living in Malalasekara (Cinnamon gardens)`. I said `Yes`.

He said `I have seen you taking walk in evening. I live at the end your private road. Come with me`.

And so it turns out that he is from India. And Punjabi. He asked `You speak in Punjabi?` I replied `Bilkul`.

And then, suddenly we were on a big common canvass. His being so close was already a comforting feeling. We quickly exchanged notes on our lives.

We still have to begin our interactions, me being still being in the settling down phase. He is an economic & finanace beauracrat - something I know little about and there is a topic waiting out there.

nhk

Here We Go Again NFP

Absolutly in agreement.

nhk

Pakistan Rocked Ejaz

Thanks for an informative article.

Even Sargodha has a fault line - that was news to me.

nhk

Scream Romair , Kulharee

Kulharee has a valid point about the Indian aid and Musharraf screwing up this issue as well. He visibly gets confused on such common sense issues and puts on his fauji goggles.

First, we dithered for two days about the Indian aid and talked about some `sensitivity`.

Then we accepted the aid.

Then Helicopters issue came - and we said without pilots. Wasn`t this a stupid condition to embarrass the Indians to say `No`.

As Sardar Qayyum of Azad Kashmir said, what secrets would those pilots notice - `destroyed towns & homes`.

And why did Army waste 72 hours and just sent in two Divisions.

And now that a considerable amount of aid has come, we continue to create a hype for more aid. Frankly, I feel ashamed. Why all those F-16s and other useless expenditure and not using the money for these people.

Pakistan should accept all aid that pours in voluntarily but not BEG for it. We can, especially the society, can do it through our own resources. These people lived a simple minimalist life of 1 or 2 rooms.

nhk

The Ground Beneath Pakistan’s Feet I think AAJ with Talaat Hussain is promising. Talaat Hussain is good.

A day back, his programme where a woman died, on a hilltop, righ in front of the camera was heart wrenching. There was no medicine, no food, the Government had not reached there. There were only children, woman and old folks around. The people with multiple fractures can not be expected to walk down for few hours to get treatment & food.

After 7 days and probably after the impact created by his reporting, the military decided to make small teams to go the isolated locations to provide help on the spot. It is already too late for the thousands who are on their way to death. Somebody remarked that if it takes 72 hours for our army just to mobilize, what will it do in case of an attack?

TV channels are still not showing the detailed MAP of the area, the location of the relief points and contact numbers. The Government is dim enough not to give full page adds with this information daily in newspapers.

A common man is all willing to help out- he only does not know how to and has no guidance?

Dr. Shahid of ARY is busy in his grand theories - Ummah - Azaab with his specialists like Hameed Gul. But ARY itself has actually contributed a lot to the relief.

The credit of Karachi rising goes to Fakhar Alam - and correct choice of car park of PAF museum which everybody knew. This unusual hero propelled the rest of the country to emulate.

nhk

No Burial for Balakot The Govt needs to have daily press briefing on the `Progress of Relief work` for information of the general public.

It should include the Army, NGOs Rep and UN Rep briefings.

This should result in a good coordination and a unified focus.

And except for the technical help or the help that is coming voluntarily from outside, Pakistan should stop begging for outside help.

With the great public help and the good work by the media and our own resources, we can pull it off honourably. And for God`s sake, get over this hangup of not giving Visas to the NGOs from India. (let them see it for themselves that there are no training camps)

nhk