Remembering You Amber your poem has reminded me of my class fellow Farzan Mahmood Bokhari with a lot of intensity....
We were at Aitchison and in same class and section from 1989-91 in senior school....
He used to consistently top in our class during those years....
He then went to GC and I also went there though he was in the pre medical group....
One of the sweetest and best individuals I have come across...

It\'s ME on Both Sides! Asra that was sublime and brilliant...
I am out of words and short of expression to describe the piece you have written...
Women in our society are treaed like that....
wth subtle differences in all sections of the society....
in heera mandi or in that cursed middle class right wing environment...
The way you have "contrasted" the two apprently different but underneath startingly same set of affairs is astounding...
A very moving piece
simply brilliant

The Dirty Tricks Brigade Tries to Spoil a Party Gentleman this is some thing which all of you must read...........

Junta versus Janata by Shekhar Gupta, The Indian Express
Published on January 21, 2008

The Indian politician bumbles, the Pakistani general strides purposefully in his natty suits. Guess who keeps his country stable. Pakistanis surely coin more colourful political slogan than us. They are also less subtle. So, the next time you see visuals of a PPP protest rally on your TV screens following Benazir¡¦s assassination, strain your ears a bit to catch a most telling slogan: Amreeka ne kutta paala, vardi waala, vardi waala. It would lose much flavour in transliteration, but the meaning would not be lost on even a non-Hindi speaker. Now when was the last time you had the army called a dog, and that too an American poodle, on Pakistan¡¦s streets? And this is a Pakistan under an almighty (lately, former) general who has the power to declare and suspend emergency in televised speeches, the power to make 36 (or thereabouts) amendments in his ¡§constitution¡¨ at a press conference, and whose ability to take the biggest decisions on the spot is the envy, often, of the Indian politician, and has been a cause for admiration among India¡¦s chattering classes.
How many times, since he came on his first visit for the Agra summit, have we heard fellow Indians, including serious, knowledgeable people, talk of him with a sense of awe? See, how confident he looks, how well he speaks, the swagger, so impressive, knows his mind, is so fit and energetic, so much in control, so macho, can-do and so on. The sub-text was, view this is total contrast with our own political class: overweight, badly dressed, clumsy, evasive in their answers, indecisive, inarticulate and, horror of horrors, not even able to speak any English.

And then came Shaukat Aziz, on secondment from Citibank. So smart, articulate, in his smartly cut suits, blah, blah and blah. And what kind of people did we have holding the same job in India? Gowda, who slept in Parliament. Vajpayee, who never seems to answer any question. Gujral who only uttered diplomatic platitudes that meant nothing. And Narasimha Rao, who mostly pretended he had not even heard the question.

Now let me tell you a few stories. Not necessarily connected either by timing or context, but yielding an interesting conclusion, nevertheless.

¡E One of the great untold stories of the Agra summit is how challenging it was for both Vajpayee and Musharraf to deal with each other. One thought he had the answer even before a question had been asked. The other would think for ever, and often tire out his interlocutor. Apparently at one of the mid-day review sessions Musharraf shared his exasperation with his aides. He said something like, I know you guys told me he takes time responding to anything, but how do I deal with somebody who takes so long and then says nothing? A bit like John McEnroe tossing his racket in exasperation while playing Ramesh Krishnan and screaming: how do I play this guy? He serves at five miles per hour!

One of his aides tried to suggest that Vajpayee takes so long because he is processing Musharraf¡¦s question in his wise, old head. Musharraf was still irritated and somebody senior in his inner council said, with humour laced with disdain: to unka processor Pentium nahin, 286 hoga (then his processor must be a 286, not a Pentium).

¡E Now listen to the story from the other end. What exasperated Vajpayee most of all was Musharraf¡¦s cocky ¡§decisiveness¡¨. ¡§You are the prime minister, I am the president, if we agree on something, let¡¦s sign,¡¨ he would say, while at the same time making changes on the draft of a likely agreement and asking Vajpayee to okay it. He simply wouldn¡¦t buy Vajpayee¡¦s argument that he had a cabinet to go back to. ¡§Par aap prime minister hain. Aap faisla keejiye (but you are the prime minister, you decide),¡¨ Musharraf would say. So when Vajpayee briefed his aides and fellow members of the Cabinet Committee on Security (who, barring George Fernandes, were in Agra), he said about his counterpart pretty much the opposite of what he said of him: ¡§He is in such a hurry. Kuchch sochne ko taiyyar nahin hain. Sub kuch faisala abhi chahte hain, kaise samjhaoon bhai.¡¨ Or words to that effect.

¡E In the main lounge of the Congress Centre at Davos, Switzerland, where all kinds from heads of state to global corporate leaders to rock stars to ordinary journalists congregate and rub shoulders during the World Economic Forum January meeting, I found my old friend, Pakistani journalist, part-time politician, now a full-time exile, Boston University professor and also an Indian Express columnist, Husain Haqqani. As we exchanged gossip, Shaukat Aziz walked past, accompanied by a couple of minders, perfectly cut suit, pompous, smug smile and all. Just that morning he had lectured many of us senior editors over breakfast, laying down the law for India: nothing would move, the gas pipeline, even the permission to Indian private airlines to fly to Pakistan unless the ¡§core¡¨ issue was addressed. Again there was some admiration for his confidence and clarity even among the Indian contingent as he was ¡§so unlike our bumbling politicians¡¨.

Haqqani¡¦s eyes were now lit up with mischief. He pointed his finger directly at Aziz and said: ¡§You know what they say, Davos is the Disneyland of the mind. If that be so, there goes its Mickey Mouse.¡¨

How have the relative fortunes of the two competing kinds of leaderships and nations under their charge evolved over these seven years? Musharraf now looks bumbling and unconvincing, an international joke, a pitiable, forlorn figure, hated by his countrymen, distrusted by the world and mentioned dismissively even by Barack Obama. Shaukat Aziz has disappeared from the scene, even losing out to an ordinary mortal ¡X coincidentally from India ¡X for the top job in his alma mater, Citi. Their country is a mess, their own army, for the first time, is seeing its credibility, power, its pre-eminent position in Pakistan¡¦s society and power structure questioned. Its political class is decimated, its institutions fatally wounded. How do people as proud as the Pakistanis feel when their dictator offers to salvage his credibility by summoning the Scotland Yard to investigate the assassination of their most prominent political leader? Nobody believes their election commission¡¦s intentions, motives or judgment in postponing their election.

Vajpayee, on the other hand, sits at home, having lost power in an election, not in the pink of health, but satisfied at the way his country is moving. His successor, from the opposite side of the political fence, even comes to wish him on his birthday. His country has meanwhile had many more state elections and another general election within a year or so will give his successors in his own party another crack at power. Now, think, who finally won. The indecisive, inarticulate, ineffective slob who did not seem to have an answer to anything, or the macho, confident, smart, decisive, modern smartie who seemed to have an answer to everything?

There are many interesting, and important conclusions to be drawn from this complex argument. But the most significant is this: a modern nation needs democracy and so it needs its politicians, however clumsy, corrupt, effete and power-crazed they may be. Because a military dictator can also be all of these things. The difference is, the political leader draws his power from the democratic process, so he has a stake in preserving that system, howsoever cynical he may be. The general draws his power by throttling the democratic system and its institutions and you can see the results of that in Pakistan. So, in a democracy, howsoever powerful a Lalu or Mayawati, they have to shut up and listen when the Supreme Court speaks. The election commission can publicly upbraid both Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi. We, the media, can question and curse who we want. It happens because the political class has the biggest stake in the democratic process, howsoever much it may wish to manipulate it. In contrast, a military dictator owes his power to the absence of institutions, of checks and balances. That is exactly what Musharraf has done to his judiciary, the election commission and even the media. That is why he has to summon the Scotland Yard to investigate Benazir¡¦s assassination

US Conspiracy to Destablize Pakistan? No meaningful discussion can take place without this over emphasis on US responsible for everything that is happening in Pakistan...
While their involvement in our sphere is true but we have a tendency to blame just everything on US....
If US is responsible for everything...
Then there is no point even discussing things....
After all what can you do in the first place.....
You can not influence US.....
Lets be more realistic...
Things are not as one sided as some of us make them to be....
Social and political phenomenon are complicated affairs....
They orginate through interaction of a host of factors...
Some time contradicting and some time mutually reinforcing factors....

The Snow Will Melt Re: # 50
Mr Fuzair, I am not insisting that army shot it down...
That we will only know with time....
But it is a plausible explanation....
And just because some one advances it....
does not mean that he suffers from "typical" conspiracy theory mindset....
You have actually likened it with Elvis bing alive example....
Implying that you think that those who have a different viewpoint are some kind of lunatic idiots....

The Dirty Tricks Brigade Tries to Spoil a Party Re: # 12
Madam I have not critisized BB for her gender....
Kindly do not assume things on your own...
BB was the leader of PPP and she assumed her father's role.....
Let me assure you the comparion was only regarding the two's stature in that role....
If it pleases you than let me frankly admit that ZAB's both sons were not even 1/10th of BB....
Please be a little mature....
I did not refer to her gender ......
but merely to her role as PPP chairperson and Pakistan's PM....
Calling some one a pig with out even thinking that what he means is immature....and childish....
Thats all.....
if you still think that I am sexist....
Ok think whatever you want to.....
A mature person before leveling such an allegation exercises a lot of care.....
your rude language depicts your own shortcomings...And this is the last time (for that matter the first and last time) I am conversing with you....
No matter what you come up with in your next post, I am not going to answer....
I do not want to converse with people who are shamelessly immature and bring in gender issue when it was never ever the intention on my part......

The Dirty Tricks Brigade Tries to Spoil a Party It was a good article that reminded us of the grave and ground realities....
Like it or hate it....
PPP is Bhutto dynasty....
It is okay....
If masses and workers want it that way.....
Mr Zardari could not have done and gotten away with it unless supported by the workers.....
In our part dynasty politics is a reality and perhaps a neccessity....
No drawing room talk can amend it......
It is better to accept it and then find a way to force the point of view through the dynasty flag bearers....
Baqi though I had great admiration for ZAB I think his daughter was not even a shade of him......

The Snow Will Melt Re: # 34
Mr fuzair may be you were having Hunza water while that theory was being narrated to you.....
The thing is my friend just because we do not believe the "Pak" army version of the story, does that mean that we think that it was a grand conspiracy!!!!!
Why relate to obnoxious kind of anologies like
Elvis being alive......
If some one doubts army's version it does not mean that they belong to that category of people who think that 9/11 was done by USA or 18th October blast by BB herself and everything is not what it seems group....
Pak army frankly has never been credible.....

The Snow Will Melt Re: # 29
Mr fuzair, I do not know why you have made it a matter of ego here.....
If you have really lived in Northern Area for any length of time you must have come across some thing....Frankly I doubt that besides visiting there once or twice you have actually lived there.....though u know that besides c 130 and foker, normal passenger aircrafts could not land there.....
By the way, the theory was never that PAF plane shot it...
It was the air defence system and its missile...(that is why I say that I doubt that u have even been there....)
Problem is that you think that it is "typical Pakistani" mentality of linking everything with a grand conspiracy....CIA, KGB blah blah....
You make fun of Tahir thinking that he suffers from same paranoia
Frankly dear...
he has a point......
I have even talked to army personnel who at that time were posted there....and the silence was deafening......
Frankly this is no "conspiracy theory" ...
when there is smoke-there is fire.....
That is all......

The Snow Will Melt Re: # 23
I agree.....

This is no overrated conspiracy theory....
There is a lot of reality in it.....

The Snow Will Melt Dear Tahir

You dont have to answer all those stupid comments.....
People who dont know anything are making fun of you...
The truth is that it was a very moving piece...
As I have told you earlier I have worked in Norhtern Areas for a long time....
There it was an established theory that we accidently shot our own plane....
And then the gravity of this mistake had to be kept hidden....
For all those who think that this is a "conspiracy" theory like 9/11 being orchesterd by USA itself, or BB's death by Mr Zardari....
Think again.....
Mr Tahir has a point here and it is very convincing....
Please visit northeren areas and listen....
You would be surprised.....

The Snow Will Melt I have worked in Northern areas with an NGO......
All the people there are unanimous that ill fated plane owed its ill fate to Pak army....
That we accidentally shot our own plane......
Snow will never melt.....
because it is hiding a hedious crime....

Pakistan\'s Flawed and Feudal Princess It was a good article....
And showing some people that it is not necessary that those who "engage" masses really care for masses....
And not every one who criticizes a feudalist woman has to be a bourgeois bastard...
An interesting contrary article was from NFP who thinks that BB was hated because of her love for masses....
You know that BS theme of conservative middle class vs ordinary folk.....
With BB being true voice of the down trodden…..
Materialistic determinism….
History unfolding in a logical pattern where middle class has become instrument of resisting “progressive” march towards self destruction of capitalism….
Blah blah blah…..

Psychology of Men\'s Honour and Women\'s Sexuality That was an excellent analysis....
You are right that sexual morality has cultural underpinnings.... and is grounded in men's possessivenes...
bravo for writing this piece....

Mass Difference: The Bhuttos and Civil Society To Mr NFP, Fasi Zaka and all those who think that this was a "brilliant" take ( "fans" of Mr NFP and there are many who due to his controversial style think that he is some kind of a genius and a “misunderstood” icon ) , I would like to humbly direct your attention to some points....


1. While it is true that ZAB despite having actually originated from capitalist Ayub regime, and having a feudal background spoke the language of masses ( u know that mao cap, clapping above head, double meaning sentences...), nationalized industry and tried to induce equitable distribution of wealth, his daughter never had those attributes. Despite being no angel, that man stood against western capitalist interests and perhaps paid with his life for doing so.... His daughter despite having inherited the die hard political support ( which no doubt has continued because of ZAB's tragic death and people's love for him), did not even have semblance of that commonness..... she looked aristocratic and behaved aristocratic... the point is that Mr NFP you are wrong that BB could engage masses. Frankly you do not engage masses in that broken language and feudalist aristocratic behaviour and lifestyle...Moreover the policy of neo con privatization started in BB's time...
2. Mr NFP thinks that urban middle class opposes BB because she was able to engage masses... the evidence is 18th October’s reception..... Very frankly Mr NFP... that reception had the advantage of state facilitation and months of preparation.... When ZAB died, no one came out...because state did not want mass public protest and was able to stop people from coming out... the point is that in these times state can stop any one from forming a mass gathering...and allow mass gathering when it wants to….
3. So urban middle class opposed BB because she spoke for the masses... Mr NFP, Fasi Zaka (who unfortunately is too swept away by NFP's psuedo intellectualism and "cult" appeal...) kindly just look at the ticket holders of PPP... Do they belong to ordinary class... Now do not give me this bullshit that PPP had to be "pragmatic".... Frankly at least in cities, PPP could have nominated anyone...and yet it nominated upper class people even in cities....Mirza Ikthiar, Chaudary Ahmed Mukhtar are no union leaders.....they are mean industrialist...or real bourgeoisie bastards.... I would have accepted this "class" explanation from Mr NFP, had PPP nominated ordinary people in urban areas( mind u Mr NFP, I am not even raising questions about rural areas, where your favourite “mass” oriented party had actually nominated pirs and big exploitative landlords....just see the ticket holders)...
4. So far I have not pointed about corruption. I know you think that it is an anal “middle class” morality issue… But apparently it was important for BB as her only stress was on NRO during negotiations with your favourite liberalism last hope in Pakistan Mr Musharraf….
5. And yes ….. Mr NFP……You are still yet to answer my queries which I raised in my post no 6 when your article Cholesterol say Pak appeared…. I am pasting the link again for you and your “fans” benefit…..
http://www.chowk.com/interacts/12926/1/0/112#347868

6. Point by point answer will be appreciated…..
7. And please once again I request u to answer logically

Islam as a political weapon in Pakistan I think this was one of the best articles I have read in chowk which points towards an important policy which has been present in many regimes. I think it does not stop with Bhutto or Zia but has continued to this date. An important fact is that Islam despite usage as policy tool to further agendas or to insulate the government from any kind of public protest had never actually developed as a potent electable force in Pakistan. So while Governments like PPP in the past may have been using it for fending off criticism, the religon alone had never been enough to win elections.
Thus despite a low populist appeal, religon nevertheless has been used effectively to justify actions or make things like socialism acceptable.
However, surpringly Islam started to become a force both in terms of militancy as well as mass appeal when actually steps were taken to reduce its role. Musharraf regime is an ideal example which has actually increased religon's popular appeal by trying to subdue it. Religous fervour has that reactionary element in it. You take it on by force, it will react by becoming stronger.
Personally I am a strong believer that religon should be seperate from state, but that seperation has to be done thoughtfully and with care otherwise results can actually be severly counterproductive.