On Gratitude..

We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

- Acts 24.3

So, the much anticipated day has come at last. General Musharraf is now Mr Musharraf. Most people around are in a festive mood talking about how memorable a moment in time we're witnessing!

... But hold on a second, will ya?

What's really going on here? Well, besides the fact that a number of emotional mothers watched the handover ceremony today and turned to their sons with the hope that they would one day join the Army - the savior of the country. I must say I'm remarkably impressed with how forgiving this nation is! I mean, surely there's no higher level of tolerance that can be exhibited, beyond forgetting what has been happening in the country in recent time.

But alas, I know this feeling: It's identical to when you're walking down a dark alley, and someone pounces at you out of nowhere and sticks a gun into your face, takes away all your possessions.. including your cell phone, wallet, even the clothes that keep you warm, and then he starts to run.. You watch him go.. without hope. And SPONTANEOUSLY, he turns around, and puts your SIM Card on the sill of a window nearby and disappears into the night. Man, wouldn't you TRULY be grateful to him at that point? You might even think, 'oh what a great moral guy..'! I know I would!

This situation certainly isn't too far from our robber, except he is/was a General and you were walking in broad daylight, in addition to your possessions he also took your rights and freedoms, yes there was a gun involved, and he probably bruised you and held you captive for a bit too, and then just when you'd lost all hope he turns around, and strips out of his Khakhi Uniform and streaks away! And no he doesn't disappear into the night..

In an emotional speech that followed the ceremony on his last guard of honor, Mr Musharraf commended the armed forces saying that they will always work towards the constant 'Tarraqi' (Development) of Pakistan. How noble! Except, last I checked the Armed forces were supposed to defend the country, not work towards its development..! But I'm further grateful now that I have been told better!

Following that, the stock market had another great day, as rumors surfaced about the 'state of Emergency' being removed soon. Hmm.. again, I was under the impression that this state of emergency had something to do with.. well.. how safe we were.. from.. terrorism? I mean sure it just happens to coincide with Mush's election eligibility issues (why even bother, really!) being resolved by baby courts, but really, I do feel safer! I felt it all the way on my jog back home from the gym! I also felt cold though. But I'm grateful for I know that Mr President surely has a cure for the weather too! I mean, especially with it being all so extreme and everything! All the other notorious extremists have been disciplined through the emergency after all.. lawyers, civil society, media, students.. just to name a few REALLY horrific ones.

Following is an excerpt from a recent chat:

B'dona: i mean at least it is like a good thriller

Paddie: oh yea! with the blood and gore, i'm lovin it! except this time around, we do know who the killer is already!

B'dona: yeah man. that is an important technique.. giving the audience the feeling of being omniscient. adds extra enjoyment and satisfaction.

In the mean while, Nawaz Sharif has come back.. Yet Again. Our loving, grateful, forgetful, forgiving nation now deems HIM the savior. 'Charisma' personified!

At this point, I'm going to use the aid of another analogy - Cricket! :) More specifically, Pakistani Cricket. Those that follow it, know that the only thing that one can predict about this team is the fact that its completely unpredictable. What's also argued is that corruption and match-fixing are residents in the ranking. But without fail, we forget and we forgive when Afridi walks onto the pitch.. and when we turn easy wins into memorable losses! The nation's connected to the team with their hearts and souls! Their hearts are broken and their spirits are dampened! So, rule number 1 to survival in this country is to not take cricket OR politics quite so seriously - for your own benefit! I guess we're learning quickly!

Couple of weeks to National Elections following a 'smooth transition' (giggles!). The military machinery will have complete control over their outcome, especially moreso if they happen in a state of emergency, without much campaigning and in the absence of a judiciary to even be a safety net to any wrongdoing. It's a widely accepted fate here by the majority of the population. The fact that the uniform is now shed isn't going to change any policies. While Imran Khan has publicly torn off the nomination papers, most other parties are likely to not do so.

The underlying agenda for me to continue to wear that black piece of cloth on my arm every day is simple: Restore the Judiciary. Free the people. End the Martial Law. And if possible, give us back our Constitution. No one's buying the crap about how in the interest of the nation the constitution sometimes has to be overlooked. Kinda defeats the very purpose of a constitution, wouldn't you say.

Musharraf isn't scary as President.. Neither is Benny or Sharfu as PM. Cos that too shall pass. What petrifies me is the idea of how this series of events has set a horrifying precedence from which the Judicial system, being a crucial building block for the culture of transparency, a precondition to a healthy democracy might never recover if we don't do something about it right now.

Regardless, Quite the Orchestra. Quite the Maestro.

Either You're With Us, or You're in Jail!

Having stooped low enough to hold the nukes hostage in this current situation, in talks with the U.S. over the weekend, El Generale has departed to Saudi Arabia at such a crucial time. An interesting speculation that's come through is that he might be trying to link up with Nawaz Sharif there. Although, I'm skeptical to that happening, I doubt either of them is morally above something of the sort, even with their eventful history!

In the mean time, there is an estimated 25,000 people in prisons around the country including students, lawyers, politicians and civil society workers. 'Free' and 'Fair' Elections ahead, people!

On the students movement front, several LUMS students did a flash protest in Lahore today. College is on a quarter break so activities such as these will probably mark the developments of the next few weeks. In some unfortunate news though, students of Bahria University (a Navy owned university in Islamabad) have been threatened with expulsion, cancellation of degrees, and even legal action, should they participate in any protests on or OFF campus, in any manner (including wearing black armbands!). Desperate times call for desperate measures, eh Mush?

Speaking of him, Musharraf's Supreme Court, today has dismissed 5 of the 6 petitions against his Presidency. Surprise! Surprise!

"No one can support a dictatorship, without being a direct beneficiary of it..." - Minto

Some further impressions..

With the official shutting down of uplinks of GEO TV and ARY (airing from Dubai), the government has finally stabbed the heart of free speech with a poisonous dagger. I wish my other home country had more of a conscience in this matter.. Where will this lead?

Word also has it that given the increasing number of women on the streets, the police force is finding itself at shortage of female police personnel to handle them! It appears that there will soon be ads (clearly not on GEO, though) for large amounts of vacancies for that professions.

In this video below, the commentary is in Urdu, but you can see the police is manhandling a number of people. In the second half, you can see Imran Khan's sisters reportedly being pushed around by cops. What eh!



I find that I am close to seeing an entire segment of society (including myself) see the situation now crossing a certain threshold of patience on numerous counts. It might be time to do something more.. But what?

Pleasantly surprised by a decent number of events taking place at the FAST University in Lahore on their blog. I was particularly amused by a recent 'funeral ceremony of the Constitution'. Creative stuff.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Negroponte (Reminds of a Necromancer!), was in town too, and it was funny how U.S. intervention is seen is a commonly acceptable everyday thing around here! Newspapers talked about him doing his official duties including calls to Benny! Sigh..

At this very instance, I really do want to be on the streets, but I truly truly wish it wasn't due to the sad state of the governing bodies of my own country, but for something like Climate Change Awareness - a threat to our very survival as a species. (recent report by IPCC)

I find it quite appropriate to reflect on a dear friend's vision for life at this point:

"I wish to sow the seeds for a tree, under whose shadow I may not even live long enough to sit"

That's sustainability for you. To a better tomorrow..

Pakistan: Trapped Between a Pharoah and a False Prophet

I'm normally fairly selfish about my personal webspace, but the strength of the words of Salman have left me with no choice but to publish this in full-text.

By Salman Ahmad

As the world watches, Pakistan, a nation armed with nuclear weapons, descends into political chaos, much attention has been given to two leaders competing for power – the current dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, and the media-savvy Benazir Bhutto. The White House, for the moment, appears to be backing Musharraf as its best bet in the so-called "war on terror," while the world media and the western liberal elite see Bhutto as a democratic savior for a country mired in Islamic fundamentalism.

Both fail to recognize the core of the problem that plagues Pakistani politics and society.l believe that without a strong and independent judiciary,Pakistan will be forever at the mercy of power grabbing dictators and politicians.Its the lack of oversight and institutional accountability which leads to the coups and counter coups and helps perpetuate a constant state of instability in the country.

As an artist and a social activist I have worked extensively with both Musharraf and Bhutto's governments on peace initiatives and social uplift themes before, and have been disillusioned by their lack of commitment and political will to get any real work done while spending most of their time in consolidating their power bases.

On several occasions after September 11th, I was invited to General Musharraf's house in Islamabad, and was surprised to see him even join me onstage in concert to help support a united national anti-extremist front. I,like many others of my generation,initially believed and supported his commitment to introduce a new era of "enlightened moderation" in Pakistan, a nation that was hijacked by religious fanatics during the American-backed military dictatorship of General Zia ul-Haq in the 1980s.

Unfortunately General Musharraf forgot that artists like myself are not seduced by presidential palaces or official praise. We had supported him for his promise of fighting extremism,bringing accountability into politics,opening up a free and independent media and reducing the immoral gap between Pakistan's rich and poor communities.No amount of political song and dance or governmental fear-mongering can make us look the other way while he imposes emergency rule,intimidates the media, dismantles the judiciary and muzzles any form of dissent against his flawed vision of democracy which is doomed to fail without the respect for civil institutions.

And yet Benazir Bhutto is no savior. The queen of hypocrisy and media manipulation, she has managed to hypnotize Western liberal classes with her false claims to represent progressive elements in the Muslim world. Ms. Bhutto is a charlatan and a false prophet of democracy. How can she insist on being a democrat while selfishly appointing herself life chairperson of the Pakistan people's party? Her years as Pakistan's prime minister witnessed staggering levels of corruption and billion-dollar graft that left even the most cynical Pakistanis speechless. Benazir's own niece and sister in law accuse her of conspiring to murder her own brother,Murtaza,who was becoming a thorn for her government and a real challenge to her power during her second term as prime minister.She continues to see Pakistan as her personal feudal fiefdom to be pillaged and plundered at will and threatens to bring back the rule of the gangster rather than the rule of law.

During the late nineties I recorded a song called "Accountability" along with a music video that satirized Pakistani politicians like Bhutto whose corruption scandals were being reported in international publications like The New York Times and Newsweek. Her government's response was to ban the music video and threaten my life. In the years since Bhutto fled the country to escape investigation of her family's corrupt activities, her greed to regain power has blinded her from the genuine struggle being waged by Pakistanis on behalf of true democracy. One of her own party members,the lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, who won the case for the restoration of the Chief justice of the supreme court, still languishes in jail along with thousands of others while Benazir attends diplomatic receptions and makes speeches about freedom and liberty. Earlier this year,while lawyers and human rights activists faced injury and death for standing up to Musharraf's authoritarian regime, she was sipping lemonade on the sunny beaches of Dubai waiting for her go ahead from Washington.

So if neither the path of the military strongman nor the path of the feudal democrat serves the needs of Pakistan, what is an alternative model? The answer comes from within the genesis of Pakistan's freedom movement:One needs to only look at Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's struggle and sacrifice as a clear example of legal and political activism.Jinnah ,belonging to the Muslim middle class of India,was a strict constitutional lawyer,and an exellent blend of both Islamic and Western values of social justice.60 years on, the vast majority of Pakistanis still look back at him as being the best role model for Pakistani politics.Although secular in outlook he quoted his inspiration to be Prophet Muhammad,who he recalled as being the greatest law giver in history.Tenacious and uncorruptible to the core,Jinnah, sacrificed his life and property arguing the case for Pakistan and won independance from the British imperialists.The US and its allies need to unequivocally support civil society:the Pakistani supreme court judges, lawyers,journalists and human rights activists who are fighting to protect the rule of law.That in itself is the best weapon against the extremists and will also provide a safeguard against other adventurous leaders.

Shakespeare warned that the first instinct of a dictator is to "kill the lawyers." He was right. It is the lawyers and the Judiciary who are the hope and the future of Pakistan. Let's stand by their side and not surrender to the Pharoahs and the false prophets, whether they are clothed in a military uniform or a stylish Hermes scarf.


Salman Ahmad is the founder of the Pakistani rock band Junoon
and a UN goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS
www.junoon.com

The Tide's Turning, but for Whom?

It was heartening to hear that a large group of students (estimates vary between 4000 and 8000 in number) rallied at the Punjab University today telling the IJT (the group that manhandled Imran Khan) to get the f*** off their campus! I guess some nobility remains yet on those premises.

In more grim news though, 2 young boys in Karachi have been killed becoming the first to die since the de facto martial law was imposed. Also, while a Hunger Strike continues for the 4th straight day during exams at the uni, reports are coming in that some 6-8 students of LUMS have been arrested but confirmation still not received.

Despite calls to the contrary, Musharraf has just selected his 'interim government' (kinda kills the idea of an interim govt that supposed to be the independent body that acts as caretaker govt and responsible for seeing free and fair elections!) . To no surprise all the people there are close allies of his.

A real funny clip came across today of an interview of Mush with MSNBC. Quoting General Sahib (with reference to Benny): "You guys in the Western media are so easily impressed with a woman in politics! If it's a woman, oooh Very good.. If she speaks English, very Good!.. oh and if she's good looking too, EVEN better!".

HAHAH! I mean sure you have the hots for her but honestly, it must be the last living brain cell in this guy's head that sees an interview with an international correspondent as a way of passing on his affection!

An article in the NYT has issued an interesting (and encouraging) insight. It says that 'they (the U.S. Govt) don't want to encourage another military coup, but they are also beginning to understand that Musharraf has become part of the problem'! Yay to that! Surely if any of this is true, Mushy's days are numbered.

A Glimmer of Hope Appears.

On a slightly more personal note, though, I'm having a lot of difficulty with my 'Apathy' dealing capabilities i.e. how is it that one is supposed to interact with those that are not just passive in their apathy, but rather proactive about it? I am beginning to find the strategy of Ignorance is Bliss rather limiting and found myself very close to lashing out at a guy selling stationery today, as he spoke about how anyone that tries to be 'a hero' (while discussing Imran Khan) surely deserves a good beating! My friend, when the Taleban come and give you a good beating, I too, shall smile! :) [See my problem?]

Still Remember, the 3rd of November?

I got a number of off-the-blog comments about the title of my last post. Since it was a ripoff from V for Vendetta, the events of the last few days further my strength in conviction about the similarities of the movie with what we're living: A terror state, general apathy all around, access only to puppet media, a 'supreme' commander/dictator, November, and so on.. What's missing is a 'V' that would dare to challenge status quo, a 'V' that would send a white mask to every home. Perhaps, though, it isn't an individual that will actually play 'V' but a collective. However, there are a lot of mixed feelings coming out of the last few days that I haven't gotten a chance to hit blogger.

There were two extremely shameful events that took place recently. First a bunch of school kids - aged between 14 and 18 were arrested in Islamabad for .. well, nothing! I've attached the video below made by one of them. As you can see in the happenings of the second half, the students were simply taken away by riot police when they refused to confront them and obey their instructions! Let me tell you something about Islamabad - kids here are known to be the educated, self absorbed, never stepped too far from home kind - so I guess thats reason enough for the 'security' officials consider them a threat to public safety and put these heinous creatures behind bars! Well, surely this event will change the outlook these kids have of the world we live in! Splendid.


The second event is the one that I woke up to today as a dear friend of mine called me up and informed me about how a bunch of students belonging to the religious student wing (known for their 'bad activism' and terror games over the years) had held Imran Khan captive at a seminar he was supposed to address at Punjab University today - the largest uni in Pak. Not only was it shameful knowing that a bunch of hooligans, that had clearly been paid off, had forcefully restrained him and were handing him over to the authorities, they also decided to beat him to pulp while doing so! Wtf, mate!

Anyway, I'm going to keep this post short since there's a number of things on my plate, students elsewhere in the country have been continuing to show their symbolic disapproval through a program of sending flowers to the suspended judges, and more recently through Candle Light Vigils like the one below at LUMS.



In other news, Benny invited a bunch of students to her place to gain their support, but they had to clarify their stance as non-affiliated to political parties, working only for the restoration for our rights to justice, and invited her instead to come over to LUMS to share her thoughts with the students. Let's see if she makes it. I'm obviously still pretty cynical about her continued temporary 'house arrests' in different cities. More on that for another day.

In the mean time international support (or the lack thereof) from governments has been pretty depressing with both the U.S. and the EU shying away from any tangible pressure on the Govt of Pak. I guess it's always been in their interest to manage a less than democratic leader that didn't have a mandate to serve. The breath of fresh air, quite surprisingly actually, has been Switzerland, who suspended the aid for some military functions.

There has been massive support coming from a number of human rights groups worldwide that condemn the continued and unsupervised affliction of pain on the citizens of this country. Also the legal community in the U.S. has issued a statement through the Yale Law School and Harvard Law School has awarded the Medal of Freedom to the suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Finally, on a very personal note, while I have been thrilled to see the coverage on international media about bloggers trying to get the word out, and so on, I'm truly thankful to all those that have been supporting and encouraging over the past few days.. believe me each one of you is making a difference.. Thank you so much. And yea, for everyone, yes, I'm safe and still typing. Thanks for reading.


"... it's not about being pakistani or not. it's about caring or not. for the world at large. and i have decided a long time ago that i care ... there are so many factors of uncertainty and pressure: having to pretend everything's perfectly normal at work ... trying hard not to freak out my family, and last but not least ensuring my own safety when it is absolutely impossible to tell when journalism becomes a reason for expulsion, compassion turns into recklessness and cautiousness into paranoia..." - So Well Said. So Well Said, Indeed.

Remember, Remember... The 3rd of November

The martial law has now been imposed for a week in this country. Today is a national holiday in celebration of the National Poet, Iqbal, widely known to have envisioned the making of what is now Pakistan at a time when our ancestors were slaves to the Empire. We're still slaves today. Some of us are physically captive, but today our rulers are holding our minds in the shackles of slavery. Iqbal's son has commented, 'Once (Iqbal) he had told me, while looking up at a comet in the sky that one day that comet will return (in 2010) and I will see it through the eyes of my grandchildren. Today, I am certain, looking through his son's eyes, he's ashamed as he looks upon the ugliness that governs what was his vision. Today, I am certain that had he been here, along with Jinnah (who was also a barrister of law), he would be on the streets, with the lawyers, fighting the tyranny that grips us all'. On that note, Respect to the lawyers.

This state has been holding us hostage for a week today. The General and his brutality continues to crack down the whip on anyone that dares to be the voice of dissent. Little does he know that with every baton that falls on the head of someone that believes, many others begin to join that state of mind. Little does he know that when he looks at us and tells the media that we're not much of an opposition since the emergency will be lifted shortly and we'd be gone, that it really isn't merely about the emergency any more. It's about what he has done to paralyze this country. Little does he know what he faces. Someone ought to give him a lesson of history where these 'non-opponents' brought down one of his predecessors, Ayub Khan. Little does he know.

The protests are spreading at a rapid pace now. People are beginning to question the motives of this emergency and are clearly seeing the answer as an attack on the judiciary, and that alone. There are two key things that have to be mentioned in this context:

1. 'Benny Booto' (thanks for the correction on the second name of the formerly Ms Bhutto) and her party, in their demands from the government for 'restoration' of democracy, have made NO mention for the restoration of the independent judiciary. It is clear that no political party wants to see a judiciary that would hamper their endless power, should they come into government (Explains my earlier compelling question for why they're not out on the streets).
2. Legally speaking, the judges were suspended on the basis of not taking the oath under the PCO (the order that replaced the Constitution). Given that, as soon as we get out of emergency, the law would suggest that the PCO would be removed and those judges that had taken the oath under the constitution (and are now suspended) would be reinstated. Not only that, those 4 Supreme Court judges, that have taken the oath of loyalty to Musharraf would have to be removed and jailed since an earlier ruling by the Courts says that anyone taking such that oath would be held in contempt of court. Interesting. Yet not something that is likely to happen.

While Benny continues to become a 'national hero' by 'standing up to Musharraf' today, I am fairly sure that her intentions remain malicious and her final outcome is for them to rule together. There was a lot of drama on this on TV today, I'm sure, as Benny didn't get to go to lead the 'rally' that was 'disallowed' by federal govt. Also, on TV (well, through the internet), I came across this clipping from the police manhandling people in Rawalpindi today. Disgusting images. Wonder how the cops face their own families.. their kids.. when they go home after a day's dirty work. (Again, Facebook Note readers, you can see it on the original blogpost)



In other peculiar news, apparently the professors that have been 'released' didn't actually get formal bail. They were sitting at the house where they were arrested for about 3 days without charge and threatened and roughed up. Out of nowhere at some point, the cops come in, and tell them - we're leaving, you can go now - ! Obviously the captives were quite suspicious of this and thought that if they step out they would be shot for 'trying to escape'. Eventually they did get out and leave for their homes. Now, since they have all been charged with disturbance of public order, and haven't officially been bailed out, they're technically fugitives and the state could come back and screw them over at ANY point. Have you heard of ANYTHING more bizarre?!

As a short update of events happening around the world and led largely by students, LUMS students have continued to protest and rally for the fifth consecutive day. This is especially impressive since their final exams are starting. Watch out for a really effective thing coming out of LUMS real soon (It's a surprise!). Other colleges are starting black band days and organizing themselves further. Thankfully, after realizing that students will not let themselves be intimidated by their presence, riot police has been removed from a lot of institutions including LUMS. Guess they were more needed for Benny and for Rawalpindi today.



In addition to that, Flash protests are making insane amounts of headway in Karachi as a group of young people went to Seaview Beach today and did what they're good at. The positive thing was that they got extra placards and people simply joined in and they ended up as a group about 50% larger than they came. Eye witnesses say that everyone from a family with a small 2 yr old kid to the CEO of an important Pakistani company joined in to support the cause. (No pictures to post due to obvious safety reasons).

Elsewhere in the world, protests continue as a number of them are planned over the weekend, including a remarkably important one at 10 Downing Street, London (British PM's House) and one in San Fransisco, USA tomorrow. There is also one in Washington, DC and something in Chicago. NYC part II and others coming shortly. Power to you all! Also, the Pakistani students in the U.S. are beginning a drive to contact congressmen and senators that are alums of their colleges (since most of these guys are at Ivy League schools, you can imagine the impact of this one!) to put pressure on Musharraf.

Already under international pressure, he has said that elections will be had soon and the emergency will be lifted. Again, the Judiciary?!

A daily 'Emergency Telegraph' has also started circulated and can be available to you on request.

In the media update, CNN and BBC were taken off air again today and remain so. BBC has also started to try and cover this youth movement and many including myself have been in contact with them on different stories. Also trying to reach out to newer channels such as Sky News. A fun idea that's just come up (thanks SAK, this one is creative!).. Take a guess.. FOX NEWS! Haha. I'm contacting the Gods of Propaganda with footage of the happenings here. Let's see how this one turns out.


Finally, I got yet another answer to an FAQ that the 'apathetics' are asking: 'If not Musharraf, we'll end up with those other civilian leaders that are no better. So in a way its good for him to stay.'

Perhaps the point of this isn't about what the alternative leadership has to offer. Perhaps what we're fighting for is not for those people to come to power, but for the constitution of Pakistan and for the institutions of democracy. Who constitutes the pool of viable choices right now is inconsequential. After all, you need to first have the right to choose before you even see who you could choose. If that right and the institutions of democracy you're fighting for are not developed and protected, in all certainty your 'choice pool' will never improve anyway.

I can buy that!

To A Better Tomorrow. For My Grandchildren.

Day 6 - My Pakistan

After the events of yesterday where the processions were well-attended, the momentum was kept up today in Lahore through smaller more symbolic protests. An effort to coordinate the various colleges and universities across the country continues to make headway. LUMS and other institutions still experience a large police presence on their entry and exit points. Things should be shaping up and transforming for the students movement over the next few days.

In Karachi, groups of young people have begun a series of 'Flash Protests'. A brilliant strategy, where at a short notice, people come together at prominent places, engage in an out-of-the-ordinary activity (such as surround themselves in chains or have their mouths sealed with duct tape) , hold placards and give out leaflets. Within minutes and before the approach of police, the protesters disperse as quickly as they had assembled. So far results have been looking effective as they attract enough public attention to have people stop and read what they have to say. Mobilization at universities remains a challenge in the city though.

While official govt figures put arrested individuals at 2000, the Human Rights Watch has estimated actual figures to be many times higher. A large number of lawyers and civil society members are still under arrest, some by intelligence and military agencies. There was a National Security Council meeting that took place and the end of the 'emergency+' was discussed. However, no mention has been made of the fate of the illegally disposed judiciary, removal of which was clearly the primary aim of this action by the General. The Army Act is also being amended, to allow military courts to prosecute civilians - I cannot even begin to imagine the horrors this would bring the country.

CNN and BBC have come back on air, though, so some information will begin to get disseminated. Unfortunately, this looks like a rather convenient time for this to happen, since the coverage is entirely focused on Benazir, who for the benefit of all, will more correctly be referred to in a manner that correctly reflects her American agenda: Benny Bhutto. Her recent statements to the NYTimes and to BBC are portraying her as the knight in shining armor for Pakistanis. Sadly, at a time when other political parties are off the scene, in the larger immediate interest of removal of martial law, one must swallow a bitter pill and support the mass movements called by her party, as maliciously 'manufactured' as this entire scene appears to be.

I'd like to mention something that is becoming an increasingly frequent question for many Pakistanis - 'What's the use for all this protest. It will result in nothing.' It's personally a question that I've been struggling to find a response to. But an interesting thing was said today by someone I have grown to admire:

"Perhaps there isn't a result to this. Perhaps those doing this are driven not by an interest or by even an outcome. Perhaps there is a slightly less 'rational' explanation. Perhaps the only reason they continue to protest and to voice themselves is because within them speaks a feeling that what is happening is wrong. Perhaps it's really just that simple. Of course the larger picture is that if enough people just do this for this reason, the eventual outcome will of course result in numbers that will shake the very foundations of this regime". Perhaps.

Friday is a national holiday, and Benny's party has called a major rally in Rawalpindi. Security situation is likely to be a concern so if you're in Pakistan, please stay safe.

For my readers that understand Urdu, is a little parody of a national song, below. Hilarious. Translation follows for others. Not that hilarious once translated. :)

Pakistan is neither mine, Nor yours
Pakistan is his who is the President of Pakistan

The bigger the shop, the more stolen goods it sells
The one who is the most dishonest, he is the President of Pakistan

The stick defines his rule, the uniform defines his identity
The one whose bottle of spirits is the strongest, he is the President of Pakistan

Whoever is your minister, they're all without a conscience
The one that is the biggest devil, he is the President of Pakistan

Martial Law Day 5 - We're On!

Due to some blogger issues I wasn't able to make an update last night. Also, I have edited the template of this blog a bit and removed some links and pictures. While I am perfectly sure no one's going to come after little old me, my dearest friends (unnamed of course) have convinced me to just stay on the safe side. Also I have edited some recent posts to remove certain pictures and content that could single out any individuals and be a threat to them. For future reference, I will continue to posts pics and vids but try and be sensitive to this bit.

After the protest on Monday, a few things have developed. Most to the positive. I sent some footage I had to CNN through their IReports portal. I don't know yet whether that was a smart move as I've been getting calls and emails from them since. It's 2AM right now and they want to call for an interview right now, for an ireports special they will be having on Friday. Sadly, some of their interviewers sounded rather scared for me! haha! I hope any content that goes through isn't 'manufactured' by them as I'm afraid for that. I guess that's a cost that has to be borne in order to reach maximum levels of proliferation for the happenings in the country. The other scary thing was that the CNN people told me that they were in fact in serious need for content and little was coming through.

Currently, on the whole there is a general state of apathy, and it's very easy to live a normal life without even realizing that something is wrong. The fact that the media is off air results in the state especially 1) getting away with their atrocities, 2)keeping people ill informed and giving a false sense of political inactivity. But that is fast changing, which brings me to the events of today.

An important note right now to all my friends and readers is to be very careful in creating opinions based around what the media is telling you. Due to recent contact with these guys on this story, they are really trying to add as much sellable spice as possible. Please double check with someone in the country, if you can. This stems from how an event at LUMS today was misquoted in the local and international media as a 'violent protest where students pelleted security forces with stones'. Not true.

Allow me to clarify and update.

LUMS Protestors on campus

On this 5th Day of Martial Law in the country, LUMS students came together to take a small walk to the park next to the university and come back. However, at first ray of sunlight, police forces showed up at the gate and started to wander maliciously. In lieu of that, the protest was shifted to within campus and began to proceed, partly silently through the campus up to the main gate. However, given the fast massing riot police outside (with enough batons and tear gas canisters for a battle with Godzilla! Oh and did I mention the further show of brutality - Prison Van!), and reports on similar events in the country (more details below), the administration requested that the procession does not pass the main gate as the cops were literally looking for an excuse to play. In a show of intimidation, they had already 'closed' the gate using a few spare batons. Anyway, so the protest turned back, made a round of the main campus and dispersed. Live to fight another day. A few brave souls though went and sat near the gate on the sidewalk within the campus in completely silent protest giving no reason for a showdown. Of course they were joined by a few others but it concluded without event.

Silent protesters sitting at the gate

Elsewhere, LUMS played a huge leadership role by informing and inspiring universities (through various means) all over north Pakistan. This has yielded tremendous results. All over the region, universities such as FAST, Islamic International University (IIU), Hamdard University and many others have joined in. Quaid-e-Azam university in Islamabad deserves special mention for their first protest in over 25 years of history. FAST, on the other hand, has been locked down with the students inside. As of last reports, the place is sealed to prevent a situation getting out of control. Unconfirmed reports say that the police has asked them to hand over a few students that they have made a list of as being active, or they will not leave, and the university - students and admin united - are unwilling to meet this demand and are refusing to hand over any one. Nationwide students are beginning to look for ways to have their voices heard. Extreme care is required though since property right don't mean anything right now and reports say that people being arrested are now being booked under an extreme anti-terrorism act.

If you want to stay on top of the game and receive updates at a more regular interval than I offer - Please Visit the page of THE EMERGENCY TIMES - It's a blog made by LUMS student body posting updates of protests from all over. Also includes a wide range of videos and pictures from various college campuses right now (Link also on Sidebar).

Recent Photo - Police Vehicles still outside LUMS for 'Good measure'

Given these recent happenings, I am extremely proud to belong this institution of learning. While our students have and hopefully never will move away from a peaceful manner of activity, to most LUMS has always remains a symbol of a completely depoliticized bubble. But you see, When you prick a bubble, it bursts.

While Musharraf can silence a few hundred lawyers and arrest a thousand or so civil society workers and journalists, little would he have dreamed that he would end up agitating the students, because once a student begins to believe in something, seldom does he/she back off.

There is now going to be a series of organized protests in this region of the country. Some organization is also beginning to come through in Karachi, so updates on those too as and when they come.

Standing United, to fight tyranny.

Favorite Slogan: 'Only One Coup per Dictator Please!'
Fun Fact: The President of Pakistan is the Honorary Chancellor of LUMS (Guess who!)
Compelling Question: Where are all the damn political parties? (PPP did a token small scale rally today though)
Fun Fact 2: When Imran Khan was being put under house arrest, being a sportsman, and rather uncharacteristic for a politician, the man apparently scaled a fairly high wall to jump over and 'run away' on his two legs! Respect.
Fun Fact 3: Federal Ministers are trying to go to India to watch CRICKET right now! Indian authorities have denied their visas. Guess our neighbors feel the gravity of the situation more than these idiots.

Stay Tuned. Remember us in your prayers. Of course, if you can do more, it'll put us in an eternal debt to you.

EmergencyPlus - Protest at LUMS

Scheduled at a short notice, the protest at LUMS was heavily attended by students and faculty.

Among others, one of the things that were highlighted was that this 'EmergencyPlus' as it's been nicknamed is a mere euphemism for a state of marshal law - A member of the LUMS management board has been arrested and the numbers are increasing. A couple of students protesting at the High Court in Lahore were also threatened with arrest but then left to walk. Some of the faculty members were not even protesting when arrested.

One of the professors arrested, the Head of the Economics Department, Dr Ali Cheema is actually quite close to me and supervised my bachelors thesis for which we had a number of field research trips in rural areas of Pakistan. He's a well respected, cheerful, and soft spoken academic, a Rhodes scholar and has been working with the government (Ironically) on research projects in the area of Economics. He even led a team including me to deliver a lecture at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) - a civil bureaucrats academy.

Surely a man such as him 'is highly dangerous with a vast knowledge of explosive devices' and such and cannot be transported in anything but prison van.

Appears that the way it's going 'LUMS students will be getting lectures online only via blackberries from prison cells!'

Apparently under this state of the constitution, any individual may be detained for 30 days or beyond without even being charged. This is not on! We might not have civil rights, but there's a thing called basic Human Rights and among others, the state is directly abusing its power to take away our right to knowledge.

When Musharraf spoke to the US in his speech his words and apologies for Pakistan and Pakistani 'not being ready' for democracy was a slap on the face of our civilization, or according to him, the lack thereof. Amidst other things, there were rumors that subordinates within the military had staged a counter-coup and that Musharraf was being held captive. The General was quick to shun them as a "Joke of the Highest Order". Joke indeed. And a very (sic!) funny one.

I love the spin that was put on it, "For students and faculty and media and judiciary, for every Pakistani - This is our War on Terrorism - A war on State Terrorism!". Next protest scheduled for Thursday with an aim is to mobilize students across the city. In the mean time, life remains normal and the pockets of protesters on the street remain limited to outside the courts and the Press Clubs. Almost too normal actually and as written in this article describing where different stakeholders stand: "Most Pakistanis showed little reaction to the state of emergency, with no mass street protests or big displays of support for Gen Musharraf's move. There is widespread disenchantment with the failures of democracy in the country and the failures of successive military rulers to do any better."

Thank you all from across the world, all my close friends for your wishes and thoughts. I'll keep you updated. Don't fall prey to the spin doctors that you hear and see on TV. Be safe.

Download, Read and Forward to Media Contacts: LUMS Press Release on the faculty arrests.

Emergency in Pakistan

Last night, while watching the speech made by Musharraf on National TV, for the first time since he's been in power (The Coup of 1999, inclusive), I felt like I was watching a dictator address an insignificant nation. This 'state of emergency' that has been imposed, while justified through the deteriorating security situation and the 'confusion' of roles between the three branches of government, is clearly a mere cloak of protection for a ruler that is seeing growing threat to his role.

From those that have been following my blog, it might come as a surprise that while my words have earlier echoed some extent of approval of the incumbent government, largely out of appreciation for the 'economic bottom line' they have exhibited, I am now obliged to see this situation as nothing more than a gross attack on civil rights that have taken many many decades for Pakistani to get to. To be perfectly honest, I didn't think that the General would sink to this level even with the tough corner that he was in.

Earlier today, I was discussing with a group of friends, how even though we're in a state of emergency, it's still all a high level game and surely jokes about it such as 'Emergency Dinner Plans' and 'Emergency Discounts at Retail Outlets' was the only effect of this on our lives. Of course, that and the fact that the absence of TV news channels, foreign and privately owned local ones is quite an inconvenience as we're having to learn the hard way how much the state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) really sucks and the 'unbiased opinions on TV', we've learned to take for granted (courtesy the govt) are surely a great privilege.

It appears though, that unlike the insurgencies in Swat, the recent suicide bombs, this situation is not going to be so far from the everyday life for the larger population. By suspending the constitution of Pakistan, including articles that cover basic civil rights and liberties, Musharraf has now officially become more unpopular than even the man he ousted, Nawaz Sharif, was at the time of the coup.

I could probably continue to write about this for hours, so in the interest of all the readers that are looking for a nutshell view/have been watching enough TV all day, I'm going to summarize quite drastically.

Why?

Stated Reason: Security Situation, Threat to 'Democracy', 'Confusion' among branches of government leading to the govt being ineffective in operation, demoralized law enforcement authorities, lowering investor confidence.. (Read Proclamation of Emergency)

Actual Reason: Threat to Musharraf's presidency, continued judicial independence and large number of ruling against the executive and legislative branches of government, media driving a revolution.

What?

Suspension of Constitution replaced by Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), removal of a large majority of judges - Supreme Court and High Court - upon refusal to take a renewed oath of loyalty, no ruling of any cases against any official in the govt including President and Prime Minister, the Order to be only amended by the President alone, All private media and foreign media TV channels (and some radio channels) taken off air and will only be replaced once a new 'Code of Conduct' for them has been accepted, no public protests, arrests of politicians, lawyers, academics and other activists, National Elections to be delayed.

What will Happen from Here?

Scenario 1: A critical mass of people have already been put on fire by the events of the last few months, well proliferated by the media, they will take to the streets and make it impossible for the government to rule. This will then convert into an official Marshal Law which will be short lived and the Commanders of the Pakistan Armed Forces will pull their support from Musharraf and will return to the Barracks.

Scenario 2: We have yet to reached that critical mass. No 'leaders' will be able to unite and mobilize people. Small pockets of protesters will get cracked upon and we will continue like this for a few more years.

Till When?

Apparently out of our 60 year history, Pakistan has been under 'emergency rule' for about half of them. So no timeline looks to be given.

In a few closing thoughts, I'm going to want to reach out to Mr President that when you spoke to the U.S. in your speech yesterday, you quoted Abraham Lincoln and his extra-constitutional actions 150 years ago. Mr President, you're not Abraham Lincoln, we're not the U.S., and we're certainly not 150 years back in time and don't want you to send us there again.

And from the reactions in the American media, mostly on the CNN coverage (only been accessing that through the internet), it's shocking that while the move is 'condemned', the issues to do with foreign aid are labeled complicated and requiring time consuming deliberation, and it almost appears that they're empathetic for Musharraf 'having to do this' as the judiciary was becoming a hindrance in the ability to fight 'Terrorism'.

Guess it's now up to the Pakistanis, that across the world (and hopefully in the country too) are organizing their voices. This time around, there is hope.

Professor from LUMS (my uni) were arrested all over the country. The picture above Aasim Sajjad Akhtar in Islamabad. Click to see the horrific video of the arrests. Reports say that others also include Bilal Mintoo (Law Faculty) and Dr Ali Cheema (Head of Economics Department). Imran Khan was also arrested from LUMS yesterday.

"Dear all. As I write to you many members of society are actively protesting against the travesty that has plunged us once again into the dark ages. The hrcp building has been surrounded by police and peaceful protesters including some of our faculty members are about to be arrested. In islamabad and elsewhere the top judiciary of the country remains under house arrest and similar arrests are being made. The press has been completely muffled. This is the time to peacefully but unequivocally express our very strong dismay and protest against yet another martial law. Howvever as we unite in this please ensure that nothing happens that in any way undermines our institutional norms. Please introspect and gauge whether continuing silence makes sense any more. Please speak up, stand together and be counted. And be careful. Regards. Osama Siddique *** This Message Has Been Sent Using BlackBerry Internet Service from Mobilink ***" (Professor of Law at LUMS)

"The vicious cycle of charisma, corruption and coup has been broken. Earlier the roles were distributed. Now we have just one person to blame."