Global Voices » Salman Latif

Politically Divided Pakistan Rallies Around Injured Imran Khan

Salman Latif — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:48:01 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

Popular cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, whose hopeful campaign promise of a “New Pakistan” has drawn large crowds of young people and urban voters to his rallies ahead of the country's general elections, fractured three vertebrae and a rib after falling off a 15-feet high forklift just before a scheduled speech.

Khan, who was at a rally in the city of Lahore, was immediately rushed to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. Within a few hours of being hospitalized, he regained consciousness and managed to make a powerful political speech to the journalists at his bedside.

With the country's hotly contested elections on May 11, 2013 only days away, Khan's dramatic fall comes during the final campaign push. He is leading Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a newcomer that could be a strong contender for the people's representation in the upcoming elections.

But phenomenally, the incident shows signs of bridging the bitter political divides across the country, with political rivals, critics, and opponents putting aside their differences to wish Khan good health.

Imran Khan falling off the lifter.
Image courtesy PTI UK official Facebook page

The news instantly replaced all other headlines on TV channels and social media were soon abuzz with it. People from all sorts of political affiliations, from his staunch rivals, Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, to international celebrities such as Brian Lara, spoke up to wish Imran Khan a speedy recovery.

West Indies cricketer Brian Lara (@BrianLara) tweeted from his account on May 8, 2013:

@BrianLara: Imran Khan injured @ rally fell off stage… Out of danger Thank God!! Get well soon great man. Continue striving in what u believe in.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahbaz Sharif posted on his Facebook page:

Just visited Imran Khan in the hospital and conveyed best wishes of Mian Nawaz Sharif… He is Alhumdulillah fine and recovering mashaaAllah… Prayers for him and his family!!!

Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif), the daughter of PML-N's chief Nawaz Sharif, also resounded similar sentiments:

@MaryamNSharif: Got the sad news while campaigning. Our prayers and wishes for Imran Khan Sahib's early & complete recovery.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Shaukat Khanum Hospital where Imran Khan was being treated. Image by Saad Sarfraz Sheikh. Copyright Demotix (8/5/2013)

Dr. Tahirul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri), who recently led a sizable crowd to protest against the outgoing Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government, stated:

@TahirulQadri: My heartfelt sympathy goes out to PTI chairman Imran Khan on sustaining injury. I pray for his better health.

Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik), former interior minister in the outgoing PPP government, tweeted:

@SenRehmanMalik: I pray for early recovery of Imran Khan. May Allah bless him with fast recovery.

In Punjab, Khan's party is locked in a bitter political tussle with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N). Despite this, PML-N head, Nawaz Sharif, expressed his grief over the incident and decided to stall his party's election campaign for a day, as a show of solidarity with Khan.

Many have gone on to claim that Khan has united a divided nation with his fall. The incident, Hammad Siddiqui (@hammads) wrote, also hints that Pakistani politicians have matured:

@hammads: Altaf Bhai was the first one to cancel his address and prayed for Imran Khan – Followed by NS this shows political maturity #GetwellSoonIK

The incident has also triggered mass support and sympathy for Khan's political party, with many speculating that it may turn the tables in the party's favor. Hassan Belal Zaidi (@mightyobvious_), a media consultant, penned a post titled “Fall to Grace“ for Pak Votes. In his post, Zaidi wrote:

The truth is, Imran might just end up winning this one. I can smell a victory for the Cricket Bat a mile away. It may not be a massive win, it may not be a rout, but for a first time party, it will definitely be a victory. I just hope that this (excuse the pun) knock on the head will be the wake-up call many in our country need. I do not support the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, nor will I be voting for them. But I do wish their party and their leader the best of luck.

While many have criticized Imran Khan for having rightist leanings, the unfortunate fall has yet again highlighted the fact that Khan has politically stirred the nation, especially the youth. And when all is said and done, such mobilization is a very welcome change in a budding democracy.

Ahmadis Boycott Upcoming Elections in Pakistan

Salman Latif — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:51:56 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

The Ahmadi community in Pakistan, comprising of 200,000 members, has decided to boycott the upcoming elections. The decision has been taken to protest the state's discrimination towards the community. They have been boycotting the election process since 1985 when Ahmadi voters were put in the list of religious minorities.

Back in 2002, Pakistani government decided to issue separate list of voters for the Ahmadis. These lists, updated and published by the Election Commission of Pakistan for May 11 elections, contain addresses of the Ahmadi community members. In the past, a number of attacks have been launched on properties owned by Ahmadis. So the list of addresses puts the community members at a great risk.

The white in Pakistan's flag denotes minorities.
Image Courtesy: Ahmeddiya Times

Commenting on this state of affairs, a notable Pakistan blogger Kidvai wrote a post titled ‘What – Me Worry?’‘ where he wrote:

Ahmadis cannot freely vote in Pakistan due to the discriminatory processes introduced in the election related laws which climaxed during the regime of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf. He bowed to Islamists’ demands (as did Z A Bhutto!) and issued a Presidential Executive Order, effectively barring Ahmadis from participating in the election process. The Executive Order No. 15 of 2002 excluded Ahmadis from the country's joint voter roll, requiring they be registered on a supplementary voter roll, and necessitated that Ahmadis must sign a declaration to renounce their faith in Islamic tenets.

Pak Votes (@PakVotes), an elections monitoring initiative, recently kickstarted a Twitter discussion on the issue. The account posted on April 22:

@PakVotes: Some 200,000 members of Ahmadi community will boycott election in protest at their treatment by the authorities. #PakVotes via. @dawn_com

In response, one of the users launched a tirade of abusive comments towards the Ahmadi community. He (@iAtifAli) wrote in one of his tweets,

@iAtifAli: @PakVotes @dawn_com Acha Hua.. Inn par Lanat ho Khuda ki .. inkee zarurat b nahee hay (That's great. God's curse be on these people, we don't need them.)

Sadly, this behavior is reflected in a majority of Pakistan's population. Ahmadis are deemed as non-Muslims and often have to suffer violence at the hands of the general population. In the past, a number of such incidents have been highlighted by citizen journalists. However, state seems either incapable or unwilling to attend to the issues.

Imran Khan recently stated that his party, PTI, would work to safeguard the rights of the minorities and would provide equal rights to everyone. According to him, PTI stands for justice for everyone. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Khan can live up to these claims given his party's right wing leanings.

Blood on the Road to Pakistan's Elections

Salman Latif — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:58:12 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

A suicide bombing, a grenade attack and a remote-controlled explosion - all in one day.

Nineteen people were killed in three separate incidents targeting candidates of three different political parties. April 16, 2013 was a bloody day for Pakistan's election campaigners.

Samad Khurram (@SamadK), an active Twitter user from Pakistan said:

@SamadK: Ghulam Bilour (ANP), Sanaullah Zehri (PML-N) and Zulfiqar Afghani (PPP) attacked today. Can we have elections in this environment?

A suicide bomber struck the secular and largely Pashtun Awami National Party's (ANP) election rally in northwestern Peshawar, killing 15 people. Another 50 were injured, including the party's stalwart Ghulam Ahmed Bilour.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the bombing, which is the sixth attack on the secular party's leaders and candidates in the last month. Earlier this month, Taliban militants warned voters from staying away from polls and vowed to step up attacks against secular politicians.

Violence in South Waziristan: Election office of independent candidate Abdul Khaliq blown up by militants. Image courtesy Pak Votes (11/4/2013)

The ANP is one of the few political parties to have openly condemned the Taliban in Pakistan. Marvi Sirmed (@MarviSirmed), who is a prominent social activist, tweeted:

@MarviSirmed: Salute to #ANP for still standing up to terrorist of #TTP and all their supporters wherever they are #Media #politicalParties #establishment.”

Bilour's brother, another party leader was killed in a suicide bombing late last year.

Hoor F. Khan (@HooviK), a 23-year-old supporter of the political party Pakistan Tehrik-e- Insaaf (PTI) tweeted:

@HooviK: How much more pain will the #Bilours endure? vote nai dena, na dou, jan tho na lo zalmo [if you don't want to vote, don't, stop taking lives you cruel people] #ANP #PTI #PPP #PMLN

The ANP has now issued instructions for its candidates to restrict their electioneering and avoid “holding processions and public gatherings in the open.”

This is a screenshot from Pakvotesmap.pk highlighting incidents of elections-related violence. Used with permission of Pak Votes

In the same city, a grenade was thrown at a Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) candidate Zulfiqar Afghani's house, luckily no one was injured. Pak Votes, a citizen journalism initiative documenting and mapping election related violence on a Ushahidi platform tweeted:

@Pak Votes: Hand-grenade attack on Peshawar NA-1 PPP candidate Zulfiqar Afghani. No one harmed in the attack #PakVotes

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Muslim League (N) candidate Sanaullah Zehri's convoy was bombed by remote control, killing four in southwestern Khuzdar city, Balochistan province. Zehri escaped unhurt but his son, nephew and brother died in the attack.

A separatist group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Commenting on the attacks, Political analyst Adnan Rasool (@adnanrasool) stated:

@adnanrasool: First it was Sanaullah Zehri who lost family .. then it was Ghula Bilour who narrowly escaped an attack.. we need to be united against terror.

These attacks are a rather grim premonition of the elections which are still three weeks away. They also put the nature of these elections in question, with many citing that in such circumstances, free and fair elections seem virtually impossible. Pakistani journalist and columnist Huma Yusuf (@HumaYusuf) tweets:

@HumaYusuf: For those who say militancy is a fringe problem in #Pakistan; is it still fringe if it skews election results? #PakVotes #ANP #Peshawar

Pakistan's elections, the first democratic transition of power in the political history of the country, are scheduled for May 11, 2013.

Rediscovering The Bonds Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Salman Latif — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 23:35:41 +0000

During the post 9/11 era, relations between Afghanistan's new regime and Pakistan haven't been very amicable. Yet they have failed to undermine the fact that people on both sides of the border not only culturally identify with each other but are keen to collaborate and create a common future, based on mutual friendship and respect.

This was manifest in the Afghan-Pak Journalist Exchange Programme 2012, brought together by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The two-phase programme brought together 22 journalists from Pakistan and Afghanistan who were then tasked with working on join reporting projects. Most of these projects concerned issues pertaining to both countries, making them relevant to all the participants.

Participants of Afghan-Pak Programme 2012. Image courtesy Annie Zaman

In the first phase of the project, Afghan journalists came to Pakistan. For them it was a very interesting experience. Writing at the ‘Understanding the neighbor’ blog, Faisal Malik Moonjazer who is an Afghan activist and has worked in newspaper as well as TV, writes in a post titled ‘I was born to hate Pakistan’:

“Friendship, kindness, good behavior, support, humility and honesty – these were all things I found in my Pakistani counterparts. Looking at the photos and recalling the good memories – every minute reminds me of their smiles and kindness. I urge the media from both countries to let us, the people, decide who is the enemy and who is the friend. Do not feed us with enmity from the day when we are born, instead, I request them to promote a culture of peace and friendship.”

In the second phase these journalists met in Kabul. Sundus Rasheed, who is a Programming Manager at CityFM89, Karachi, relates her experience of Kabul in a post at Pak Tea House:

“Even in a city as close as Karachi, Kabul is deemed ‘exotic’ and adventurous. As a Pakistani, it is closer to home than most of us would imagine. However, Kabul is not for tourists, it is for travelers. But there is a romance in the air that is unmistakable. If you are in Kabul, explore something besides the ruins and war relics.”

She then goes on to give a brief cultural outlook of the city, exploring popular foods, marketplaces, music and the people of the city. In another post on a food blog titled ‘Yummy Mummy and Me’, Sundus goes on to give a closer view of the Kabul cuisine and the notable eat-outs in the city.

Image Courtesy Sundus Rasheed

The reflections and impressions of the Pakistani participants are recorded on the blog ‘Understanding the neighbor’ providing an eclectic mix of glimpses into Kabul's many aspects. Bari Baloch, a staff reporter for The Nation from Quetta, writes in a post titled ‘Pak-Afghan future inter-linked’:

“Officially, the trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan stands at $ 2.6 billion while informal trade is estimated at more than $ 2 billion which is creating over 3.4 million jobs in Pakistan. Afghanistan is a tremendous market for Pakistani economy as it allows Pakistani goods and products to be widely available. Political analysts on both sides of the border believe that peace is essential for the regional prosperity and Pakistan, being a developed country, as compared to Afghanistan, should play a significant role in the process of development of their Afghan brothers.”

Whereas Pakistan can certainly lend a hand to Afghanistan in helping the country attain peace and continue its journey towards education and economic progress, there still remain certain elements in Pakistan who's rhetoric continue to be derived from the establishment's doctrine that Pakistan once deployed towards all things Afghan. One such example is a recent statement given by the emerging leader in Pakistan, Imran Khan.

In a recent statement, Khan termed the war waged by Taliban in Afghanistan as Jihad (holy war), eulogizing their efforts. Naturally, this offended the regime in Afghanistan which has worked hard and long to recreate an Afghanistan which is free from the shackles of religious warriors.

In a post titled ‘Afghan govt condemns Imran's Jihad comment‘, Ayesha Hasan, a sub-editor at The Express Tribune, writes:

“The reverberations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s political gaffe are being felt across the Durand Line.”

The visit to Kabul also enabled journalists from Pakistan to get a first-hand view from notable Afghan scholars. Beenish Javed interviewed Zahid Hussain who is the author of ‘Frontline Pakistan’ and ‘The Struggle With Militant Islam.’ A video of the interview is posted below:

Pakistan: Government Suspends Mobile Services in Major Cities on Eid

Salman Latif — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 02:13:44 +0000

On Eid-ul-Fitr, the occasion that marks the end of the month of fasting for Muslims and is celebrated as a holiday, the government of Pakistan slapped a blanket cell phone service suspension on four major cities in the country – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Quetta.

Services are to remain blocked from 8pm on Sunday 19 August, 2012, till 11am Monday 20 August. According to the government, the measure has been taken to prevent terrorist attacks.

While terrorism is a very real threat in Pakistan, many have reacted critically. The chief contention is that while this may indeed serve as an effective measure to thwart possible incidents of terrorism on the occasion of Eid, this is no way to resolve the problem. A blanket ban on cell phone services essentially infringes on the very rights of citizens, some have argued.

“Well, the iPhone is no good WITHOUT SERVICE.” Image uploaded by Flicker User dbrulz123 (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Kashif Aziz tweeted:

@kashaziz: So whats the guarantee terrorists won't strike tomorrow or the day after? Why not close cell phone services, like forever?#Karachi

In the past, the Pakistani government has imposed similar bans on the pretext of security. Referring to this rather unusual and undesirable measure which is now becoming a norm, Awais Athar commented:

@awaisathar: And so it starts…http://tribune.com.pk/story/424171/eid-security-cellphone-services-may-be-suspended-in-pakistan/ … Are we moving towards curfews on holidays?”

Such a ban will surely affect mobile companies, on one of their highest revenue earning days. There are over 118 million mobile users in Pakistan, that's 68.2% of the country's total population. Pakistan also has the highest mobile penetration rate in South Asia.

But it will also make emergency communications virtually impossible. Yousaf Malik very aptly put it to the Interior Minister, who issued the orders to put the ban in place:

@YousafMalik41: #SenRehmanMalik Sir how is one supposed to make a call to police or rescue services in case of emergency from his cell phone?

Some have raised a brow to the competence of the intelligence agencies over their inability to contain the threat without taking such dire measures. Bytes For All, a Pakistani human rights organization, tweeted while addressing the Interior Minister:

@bytesforall: Sir, we shud really consider blocking all means of transport as well. No? Terrorist use them too #netfreedom @netfreedom @Liberationtech

Later, it was announced that the service will be suspended until 11 a.m. This hinted that the decision was taken to avoid any incidents during Eid prayers which are usually offered between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the morning. Ali Ibrahim chipped in with a witty remark:

@aliqizalbash: Dear world, I'm sorry you can not reach out to #Pakistan right now due to security reasons. Please try after 11am tom@SenRehmanMalik #PTA

However, there were those who agreed with the government's decision of imposing such a ban. They argued that if indeed such a measure would possibly thwart any possible incidents of terrorism, there's no reason to protest. Journalist Ayesha Tammy Haq tweeted from her profile:

@tammyhaq: @faridalvie :-) Eid tomorrow. Serious enough security threat 4 mobile cos 2 agree 2 suspend services & lose serious revenue & we're moaning”

And then there were those who saw a silver lining. Samra Muslim wrote:

@samramuslim: #Pakistan: mobile communications jam means no annoying mass ‘Eid Mubarak’ SMSes from random anonymous numbers?!#SilverLining #JustSaying

Sarah Naqvi also wrote in a similar vein:

@sarahnaq: i really don't understand whats a big deal if we can not use our cell phones for a while spend time with family n friends :) #dependents #PTA

Bolo Bhi, a policy advocacy group based in Pakistan released a press statement on a similar ban that had been enforced in the Balochistan province earlier this week on 14 August, Pakistan's Independence Day:

The State has the responsibility to maintain law and order but that shouldn’t come at the cost of citizens’ rights. To cut off communication services citing miscreants as an excuse not only violates the rights of citizens’, but is an unjust and discriminatory practice.

There's no denying that terrorism is a bitter reality in Pakistan and recently, there has been a surge in terrorist attacks by Pakistani Taliban. However, national security must not dictate the extent to which basic rights are granted to the citizens. The breakdown of such rights, for an hour, for a day, or for any other length of time, essentially spells a drastic failure.

Pakistan: Attack on Military Base in Kamra

Salman Latif — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:42:35 +0000

In the early hours of August 16, 2012, gunmen launched an attack on Minhas, a high value air force base located in Kamra, near the capital Islamabad in Pakistan. After a fierce battle that lasted five hours, Pakistan's military was able to regain control of the base.

The attack

At 2 am several militants wearing military uniforms and suicide belts stormed the base and reportedly hurled grenades and used RPGs, one of which damaged a plane. The operation by the Pakistani army pinned the terrorists to a corner of the facility, where nine attackers were killed. Later a search operation was launched in the area to apprehended any other possible suspects. The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) confirmed that one soldier was killed and the base commander who was leading the counter-attack was injured.

Tehreek-i-Taliban claim responsibility

Within hours of the attack, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella organization of multiple Islamist militant organizations accepted responsibility for the attack, stating that it was to avenge the killings of Baitullah Mehsud and Osama bin Laden.

In the recent past, Pakistan army has contemplated initiating an operation in the North Waziristan region, which is considered a stronghold of Taliban in Pakistan. Pakistan army's chief, General Kiyani, in a recent statement said that this war was our own and that ending the scourge of terrorism and militancy was absolutely essential for the country.

As if in response to the planned North Waziristan assault, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), launched this attack on Pakistan Air Force's Minhas base. The base in Kamra is considered one of the most significant and important facilities of PAF, particularly because it hosts a number of jets and a nearly Aeronautical Complex is the manufacturing site of these jets.

Faizan Lakhani tweeted:

Two days before #KamraAttack USA claimed that Pakistan will soon launch operation against militants in North Waziristan. Possible reaction?

TV channels started reporting on the attack instantly and social media was abuzz with the news and updates were actively shared.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) assembles the first Pakistani-built JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft in Kamra Airbase. Image by Sajjad Ali Qureshi. Copyright Demotix (29/6/2009)

Madeeha Syed reported:

“#Kamra Airbase (also known as Minhas Airbase after Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed) is currently under attack #Attock #Punjab #Pakistan.”

Karachi Post hinted at why the Minhas Air Base is a critically important facility:

”Base is home to Pakistan's most prized aviation asset the Saab 2000, which costs $300 Million dollars each, #PAF has 4 Saab 2000 #Kamra.”

The bigger picture

Intel reports in the past had signalled that such an attack on the Air Base in Kamra was expected. While some tried to call it an intelligence failure, a number of reports until very recently suggested that intelligence agencies were well aware of the threat. It is precisely for this reason that security, it is reported, was on high alert in the base.

Usman Zafar said:

#KamraAttack: The assault had been anticipated by intel reports before. Tribune report on Aug 10 warned of attack on 16th: http://bit.ly/NijEST

A similar attack was launched last year on the PNS Mehran Base in Karachi, another high-value facility for the Pakistan military. The base incurred significant losses, both in term of human lives and destruction of planes and equipment. That time it took the military 17 hours to regain control. It was reported by Journalist Saleem Shahzad that the attack was made possible by inside help from PNS's own officials. Shahzad was later found murdered and his death was largely blamed on Pakistan's intelligence agencies. In that vein, Umar Cheema wrote:

#KamraAttack couldn't have been carried out without cooperation from people within security forces. Those think otherwise must wait!

In a letter to the editor of the Express Tribune titled ‘Kamra attack — so who is our real enemy?', a retired Pakistani army officer writes:

The initiation of army operations in North Waziristan may not necessarily guarantee victory in the war on terror but the inability and unwillingness of the army to do this is surely a guarantee of failure/defeat. Destroying safe heavens in Fata is central to the military making any headway in the war on terror [...] Attacks like the one on Kamra are only a reminder to the armed forces, the public and their elected representatives that this war is very much our own and we will not win it unless we don’t fight it.

Additional input by Sahar Habib Ghazi.

Pakistan: Fighting Stereotypes and Celebrating with India on Independence Day

Salman Latif — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 23:37:23 +0000

Pakistan is, without a doubt, stranded in a plethora of problems. Mainstream and social media is usually fraught with issues ranging from terrorism and sectarianism to economic and power crisis.

However, there comes a day, once every year, when even the most cynical tend to let go of their skepticism and dwell in a rather romantic notion of hope. That day is August 14, the day Pakistan got its independence from British Raj.

Google doodle

On social media, the day kickstarted with a discussion of a special Google doodle that Google Pakistan rolled out on its Pakistan page.

Screen grab of Google Pakistan's Independence Day doodle on August 14, 2012.

The doodle features truck art, a popular art form that is inspired by commercial transportation in Pakistan which is adorned with colourful paintings and poetry. It has attracted international attention and acclaim over the years and it was truly heart-rendering for Pakistanis to see their cherished art featured on Google's home page.

Cross-border wishes

There was also a lot of cross-border talk in this year's Independence Day discussion in Pakistan.

Pakistan's Independence Day is August 14 whereas India's is August 15, so jubilations can go hand-in-hand. But this year's social media talk hinted that animosities between the two nations have significantly diminished.

Indian Twitter users actively congratulated their Pakistani counterparts and soon, a hastag #IfThereWasNoPartition was trending, which was coined pretty much to show how the two nations continue to be bonded, culturally as well as socially. [Note: Partition is the term used to describe the division of the Indian Subcontinent into India and Pakistan by the the British Raj in 1947.]

Journalist Omar Waraich tweeted from his profile:

#IfThereWasNoPartition South Asia could well have been nuclear-free.

Journalist Shiraz Hassan said:

#IfThereWasNoPartition then one could have breakfast in #Lahore and Lunch in #Amritsar daily

Speaking about Zaid Hamid, a popular televangelist who has a knack of basing his patriotism on anti-Indian sentiments, blogger Shahid Saeed wrote:

#IfThereWasNoPartition Zaid Hamid would've been jobless.

AM, from the other side of the border, tweeted:

#IfThereWasNoPartition folks from Lahore would party in Delhi on weekends and Delhiwallahs would drive down to Lahore for shopping & food.

Fighting stereotypes

While a few spoke about the issues plaguing Pakistan, most restrained themselves to positive aspects, motivational quotes and the hope for a better future. Mehreen Kasana, an avid blogger based in Pakistan who also runs an incredibly popular Tumblr account, decided to launch a new Tumblr, titled ‘Pakistanis Against Stereotyping’ on August 8, which now has over 1000 pictures like the one below.

From the ‘Pakistanis Against Stereotyping’ Tumblr. Image used with permission.

The description of the Tumblr page states:

We’re here to tell the world that it is virtually impossible to stereotype a population of 190,291,129 est. people into one racist, demeaning, hurtful character.

We’re diverse, we’re different, we’re humans just like you. Stop stereotyping. Stop the hate.

When I asked Mehreen Kasana what was it that persuaded her to do a collage of sorts about stereotyping towards Pakistanis, her response was:

I run a Tumblr where thousands follow me and it's always fun interacting with them but more often that I'd like to have it, I get these anonymous or even people with real IDs asking me whether Pakistan is really what the media portrays it to be, are we all terrorists, are we all angry and hopeless people, do we really kill and set things on fire all the time. It made me laugh until it got annoying. So I thought why not take folks on board with pictures and tell the world that no, we're not what the media portrays us to be. There's a lot more to us. I want to tell the world that it is virtually impossible to stereotype a population of 190,291,129 est. people into one racist, demeaning, hurtful character. Not only is it wrong, it is unfair. It is dangerous. It justifies all sorts of discrimination and bigotry against us. People need to rise above it.

I went with it on 8th August and received more than a hundred replies in the first hour. It eventually reached to more than a thousand photos that I'm trying to upload one by one. What started off as a one day project thing is now a Tumblr for everyone everyday. I just want racists to learn that people should never be typecast. Humans don't deserve that.

It is indeed true that Pakistan is in the eye of the storm and has a long way to go towards being more progressive, tolerant and economically viable. But then, none of that is possible without relentless hope. And on August 14, one gets to see a lot of flickering hope among Pakistanis.

Pakistan: Engineer Claims to Invent Water-Fuelled Engine

Salman Latif — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:58:31 +0000

A Pakistani engineer has claimed that he can run a car on water-fuelled engine. Agha Waqar Ahmad, the proud inventor is the talk of the town these days both in the mainstream as well as the social media. He was brought to limelight as soon as he was invited to a number of prime time talk shows recently.

Pakistanis are overwhelmed by the idea of such a water kit. A number of government officials have seen a live demonstration of the kit and expressed interest in it. People are talking about converting their cars from CNG-kit to Water-kit. However there are many skeptics on the social media. Responses started trickling on Twitter and Facebook, ranging from hilarious to caustic to supportive as soon as the news went mainstream. At one point, the #WaterKit hashtag was trending at the top spot in Pakistan.

Ali Abbas Zaidi, a very well-known youth activist, tweeted:

@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi: Cannot stop laughing after watching @HamidMirGEO‘s show on #WaterKit. Peeps who slurred end of times 2012 theories are welcome to comment.

@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi: Agha Waqar has bent laws of Physics with #WaterKit Uhmm is inter-galactic travel possible, can we even bend space and time too pliss?

Nadeem F. Paracha, a renowned satirist and cultural critic, responded to whole episode in the following words:

@NadeemfParacha: So now instead of oil we'll be importing barrels of Aab-e-Zamzam? #WaterKit

It was evident that many were not very amused at the funny view of things:

@Rabaail: Every twitter bio should be changed to ‘wannabe comedian’ today, since everybody’s trying to be funny about #WaterKit.

One of the problem riddling the entire situation is that so far, none of the reputed physicists from Pakistan has personally examined the engine. Cafe Pyala puts it in these words:

@cpyala: So, the “scientists” pronouncing credibility on #WaterKit car include a biologist and a centrifuge machinist. Way to go @HamidMirGEO

However, there were those who, despite the fact that the basic laws of physics stand contrary to this ‘invention', wanted to give this a shot. Majyd Aziz tweeted:

@MajydAziz: MESSAGE FOR AGHA WAQAR OF #WaterKit RT @sufisal: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”-Gandhi

Rally against unannounced power outages in Pakistan. Image by Jamal Dawood. Copyright Demotix (1/8/2012).

Pakistan's eminent nuclear scientists, Abdul Qadeer Khan directly opposed the views of the renowned Pakistani scientist Atta-ur-Rehman on a talk show on Geo TV (Capital Talk) while at the same expressing his full support for the so-called water-engine. Commenting on this, Amjad Hakrowrote:

@Amjad_Hakro: Hyper-patriot #DrAbdulQadeerKhan, has treated the #WaterKit ‘discovery’ as if it was real without examining it scientifically. #fail #LOL

While the skeptics were abundant, citing a number of other instances where people have made similar claims in the past, the supporters for the whole idea were not in small numbers either. Talha Zareef tweeted on his profile:

@TalhaZareef: My mom just told me she thinks the #WaterKit is real and that the demo can be equated to proof. I definitely think I'm adopted.

Shahid Saeed, commenting on the support of some scientists for the water-engine made the following remark:

@shahidsaeed: RIP Physics, the scientific method, rationality and basic human intelligence. Welcome WaterKit, Agha Waqar, AQ Khan, Samar Mubarikmand

It would be interesting to note here that the creator of this invention, Mr. Waqar, completely disregarded the law of conservation of energy during one of the talk shows. Majorly Profound, a particularly witty Pakistan tweep wrote:

@majorlyprofound: Thermodynamics is a Western Conspiracy spread by Liberal Fascists to keep Pakistan backward.

And that:

@majorlyprofound: The Laws of Thermodynamics have been ruled unconstitutional, against our religion and culture, and struck down. #WaterKit

Given the fact that Pakistan is going through a rather severe power crisis, it is understandable that the masses wish to believe in a ‘miracle.’ But like they say, there are no miracles. And this scam, which has been played out dozens of times in the past, seems to be gaining traction in Pakistan.

This post was written in collaboration with Qurratulain Zaman.

Pakistan: Supreme Court Disqualifies Prime Minister

Salman Latif — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:06:59 +0000

Pakistan's political environment has been rather turbulent for quite some time. The ruling party, Pakistan People's Party, had its horns locked with the highest court of law, the Supreme Court (SC), over alleged contempt of court by the Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani.

While PM was eventually convicted by the SC for being guilty of contempt and was thus sentenced to a few seconds of imprisonment, it seemed that the heat had cooled off. The Speaker of the Parliament, as per the powers vested in him, refused to deem PM as ineligible or dismissed.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with British Prime Minister. Image by Bimal Sharma. Copyright Demotix.

However, opposition parties took to SC, yet again, filing petitions against the Speaker's ruling and demanding the removal of PM. And today, the SC ruled that PM had been disqualified ever since April 26th, when SC gave the final ruling on the contempt case.

Naturally, the decision came as much of a shock to many. At one side, the popular sentiment was that of jubilation, given the fact that PPP's popularity is touching the lowest right now. However, on the other hand, social and political analysts were quick to express their concern. The chief contention was that SC has absolutely no right, under the constitution, to disqualify a standing PM and that this right remained with the Parliament.

Yasser Latif Hamdani, while writing in Pak Tea House, aptly sums it up:

“Chief Justice of Pakistan is NOT vested with the authority under the constitution to dismiss the Prime Minister or over-rule the decisions of the Speaker i.e. Presiding Officer of the National Assembly whose decisions are his or her privilege and are covered by the parliamentary privilege clause.”

He further wrote:

“Chief Justice of Pakistan/the entire Supreme Court of Pakistan has no authority to dictate to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on what to write to which foreign authority. That is an executive function and not a judicial function.”

Pakistani Twitterati was also abuzz over this new developments, ringing with sentiments ranging from sheer jubilation to bitter criticism. Cyril Almeida, an editor with a local paper, tweeted:

@cyalm: All hail the court. We're one step closer to a judicial dictatorship.

Similar responses were registered by many others on Twitter. Some termed it a ‘Judicial coup’ whereas others likened it to the court-sanctioned murder of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the founder of PPP, back in 1979 under General Zia's regime:

@shehryar_taseer: Chief Justice Pakistan has staged a Judicial Coup against the democratically elected Government of PM Gillani ‪#Pakistan‬‪#Islamabad‬‪#gillani

Pakistan Peoples Party protest in favor of Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Image by Janali Laghari. Copyright Demotix

A third opinion, apart from downright jubilation or direct opposition of the decision, was that whereas SC indeed doesn't have the constitutional right to ‘sack’ a PM, doing so to the current government is not all that bad. I tweeted:

@salmanlateef: I absolutely agree that CJ or SC has no right at all to remove a PM. But then, I have no love lost or sympathy for the PPP government.

Despite having the option of trying to oppose the decision, PPP has rather accepted it and has announced that it will be choosing a new Prime Minister within the next 24 hours. This move by the ruling party is considered by many as an attempt to avoid a direct confrontation between the government and the judiciary.

Bangladesh: Citizen's Voice, A Citizen Watchdog for Public Services

Salman Latif — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:38:59 +0000

As internet connectivity grows in developing nations, technology is coming to play vital roles in shaping the trends of social activism and awareness. Although there is still limited access to internet in countries like Bangladesh, it is very promising to witness projects that are beginning to use ICT to address social issues.

Citizen’s Voice (Nagorikkontho.org) is one such project which has been launched by Population Services and Training Center (PSTC) to empower Bangladeshi public by having their voices heard, especially regarding feedback on public services. The platform supports both Bangla and English language to make it versatile for all the users and all the technology platforms (mobile texting sill do not support Bangla font).

Bangladeshi government agencies have recently defined service deliverables in their Citizens Charter. Documenting feedback about these services is important for their quality to be assessed.

Citizens Voice – www.nagorikkontho.org/

Citizen’s Voice believe that this would help enhance the standard of these services and bridge the common man to the public authorities:

“If common people become aware of what are their inalienable rights stated in the Citizen Charter, they can understand their needs and performance of the public service agencies. Therefore, they can monitor their deserved services and raise their voice to the civil societies and respective public authorities. This monitoring will further improve their civic facilities and augment their living status.”

A stack of bricks in a parking space that shouldn't be there. From Citizen's Voice.

The portal has been built based on Ushahidi platform and it contains different reports which cite the irregularities by government institutions, and has emerged as a watchdog for such irregularities, and media outlets can use it to locate such issues. One example is a report about Panchagah Women’s College. The college was charging students a fee for entrance forms more than double as high as was sanctioned by the government.

After Citizen’s Voice published the report, the media took notice, and college authorities were ordered by the board of education to revise their fees. This is one example of how something as apparently simple as a digital report published on a website can actually be significant enough to make a practical impact on ground. To facilitate access to a common man, reports can be submitted via sms, email or through a web form.

The header on the site lists a number of questions, asking about the availability of common services – such as access to health facilities, free education, and so forth. ‘If not, please send a report,’ it says. Reports can also be submitted in the form of a video, photo or a blog post. One video listed on the website by maaDiyan on YouTube shows a busride on “the busiest highway of Bangladesh” between Dhaka and Bandarban, and how drivers skirt traffic rules to get ahead faster.

We were taking the bus back to Dhaka from Bandarban. I think it was on 10 Sep 2011. I was wondering if there were any changes to how people drive on highways in Bangladesh, after so much was going on about road safety. I got my answer. These drivers are simply crazy. There were enough traffic signs on the road, but I have a suspicion that these bus drivers think those are there for decorative purpose only.

In these ways, Citizens’ Voice offers a democratic space for interaction between service recipients and providers through technology.

Pakistan: The ‘Captain’ Makes His Presence Known

Salman Latif — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:02:11 +0000

Imran Khan, the former-cricket-star-turned-politician has sent ripples through Pakistan’s political arena with his mega-rally at Lahore, a city considered very significant to Pakistani politics. Sporting well over a crowd of 100,000 people, Khan has swept away all prior analysis of political pundits who are now forced to consider him a serious political contender.

What is most extra-ordinary about this show of power by Kaptaan (‘Captain’, Imran Khan being former captain of the cricket team) is that his rally was an event that brought the urban youth out on the streets, perhaps for the first time in well over two decades and for a political cause. No matter how one views his opinions, nearly all analysts and bloggers were unanimous in their appreciation for the fact that at least someone has finally stirred a sense of political activism among the youth.

Raza Habib Raja, wrote in Pak Tea House:

Imran Khan has been able to galvanize the students and the youth, including those who are often categorized as “Generation X”. Despite having severe disagreement with Imran’s conservative outlook, I could not resist myself from being appreciative of the sight.

And what a sight it was! I will be dishonest if I say that it was not an impressive show. Youngsters, women, children and those who had long become “cynical” were all there. Whether they are backing the right horse is a separate question but the fact is that they were participating. And yes even from the blurry video of YouTube, I could feel what the crowd was feeling in those moments: Hope.

Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman, Imran Khan addresses public gathering. By PPI Images. Copyright Demotix (21/10/11).

Whereas the rightists parties like Jamat-e-Islami seems to be fond of Imran Khan, primarily because of his anti-US rhetoric and his aim of ending the menace of terrorism by having peace talks with Taliban, the liberals have repeatedly and ardently criticized him.

What’s more interesting is that even the liberal coterie in Pakistan seems divided over Imran Khan – some, who have been against Khan so late as a few weeks ago, have shifted sides, taken in by the muscle shown by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Lahore and pinning their hopes on him for a better, more peaceful future.

Yasser Latif Hamdani, a socio-political analyst and a popular name among Pakistan’s netizens, wrote on Twitter:

@theRealYLH: “Pakistan seems like a different country today. In @ImranKhanPTIwe have a leader and an aim. #Jinnah reborn”

Sabahat Zakriya, giving a detailed narrative of the rally, shows how the very environment of the event was enough for her to ‘convert’:

Strings came on for one song to boost sagging morales. Half-way through ‘Mayn tau dekhooN ga’ (‘We shall see’) I fished for the PTI flag someone had thrust in my hand earlier and I had promptly discarded under my chair, and waved it in thumping rhythm to Strings’ lyrics; for that moment one with the crowd and just as starry-eyed and hopeful as them. For who so hard-hearted that can resist the adrenaline-pumped optimism of thousands of people singing along to ‘Woh din phir aae ga jab aisa ho ga Pakistan', ‘jab roti sasti ho gi aur mehngi ho gi jaan', ‘jo duur gae thay bhoolay se, lotayN ge phir watan ko aek sham (The day shall come again when thus shall be Pakistan, food will be cheaper and human lives precious, the ones who wandered away, shall return home once again)’ (this last one particularly makes me misty-eyed).

She concludes her note with the following lines:

I came away feeling that Imran's never-say-die philosophy seems to be paying off once again. I made yet another mental note to get my vote registered the next day. If I manage that, I will be voting in the next elections for the first time in my 33 years. And that right there is a victory for Imran Khan.

However, those who still consider Imran Khan as a significant yet ideologically confused candidate have incessantly voiced their opinions too. And the blogosphere seems more fraught with such views given the fact that most netizens leading the digital scene have retained their anti-Imran stance. The major contention is that Imran Khan has openly declared his fondness towards Jamat-e-Islami, a right-wing political party. This, the liberals argue, shows what future policies can be expected of PTI.

Kala Kawa does an excellent post detailing some things which are wrong with PTI and Imran Khan:

Let’s start with Imran Khan’s associates over his political career. General Hamid Gul was an early adopter of Imran Khan. The man incidentally still quite proudly speaks of cobbling together the IJI; so that’s great company for a politician to be in. ….While speaking of Imran Khan’s associates one must never forget the Jamaat-e-Islami. The Jamaat has stood by Imran through thick and thin.

Khan has also been criticized by media personnel and bloggers for his tacit approval of all things military. This, some say, is a glaring proof that he is simply yet another person favored and perpetuated by the military establishment/deep state. In an attempt to balance all things for and against Imran Khan in my blogpost titled “Imran Khan – to vote for or not”, I wrote while highlighting what persuades one to vote for Imran Khan:

On a neutral stand-point, Imran Khan is someone who hasn’t been tested yet. Despite all the talk about Imran Khan being the ‘suicide’ option, even worse than status quo, the fact remains that so far, Imran Khan has never been found involved in any corruption charges. And the feats he has achieved in the past, from leading Pakistan to a run for World Cup to establishing the hospital and a university, all these clearly tell that here is a man who wants a social change and who has tried to bring it as far as he could. So, after all give and take, Imran is still someone who one seeks out as a possibly better option. In short, his past record shows him a man who is honest and incorruptible.

And while presenting the counter-argument:

The worst, of all things leveled against Imran Khan, is his alleged involvement with the deep state or what we know as military establishment. There has been talk of agencies supporting his cause and Imran’s tacit approval of army’s actions since he never talked against the army or it’s exploitations in Pakistan. And this allegation gains much currency when one sees that right now, PTI is only hurting PML-N’s vote-bank, the only party in the political arena who aims to bring army to accountability. Naturally, the logical path for army is to support Kaptaan and that is understandable – but Kaptaan’s support for army is what perplexes many since corruption simply can never be eliminated from Pakistan until army, too, is brought under accountability.

Whereas there certainly are a lot of points of contention when it comes to the Captain and even the moderates may feel uncomfortable at PTI’s expected alliance with JI, the fact remains that Imran Khan has infused a new spirit into Pakistan’s politics – not only has he stirred the youth and won many big scoops in a single shot, his act at Lahore is being deemed as a re-birth of youth-led political activism in Pakistan. And that, everyone agrees, is a very welcome sign.

Pakistan: Neglected Millions of Sindh Floods

Salman Latif — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:16:34 +0000

The 2010 floods in Pakistan displaced millions and were a major setback for the national economy. They affected vast areas mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh and took a toll of hundreds of lives. Despite the repeated statements from the government, no practical steps were taken to tackle the possibility of future floods and the consequence of this gross negligence is that floods are yet again wrecking havoc this year.

Unlike last year, the eye of the storm this year is Sindh where flood waters have razed in numerous villages and displaced millions. According to Asian Human Rights Commission, the loss of crops due to floods in Sindh is estimated to have caused 5.6 billion rupees in damages. The extent of inundation can be gauged from the fact that out of 23 districts of Sindh, 22 have been directly or indirectly affected by the deluge.

Aerial view of Shahdadpur, which has been inundated by widespread flooding. Image by Rajput Yasir, copyright Demotix (18/9/2011).

Lamenting the utter lack of efficiency on the part of the government to tackle the situation, the Human Rights Commission article states:

It is only now that the government is examining the conditions of the bunds and embankments which are only just, if at all, holding the flood waters at bay. In the meantime hundreds ofthousands of people are trapped due to the flooding of the roads and it is the women and children who are suffering the most due to the lack of safe drinking water, milk and food. As was seen in the last catastrophe the response from the government was very slow due to the lack of a proper relief system and resources.

Like last year, a number of social initiatives have been launched to help out the displaced flood affectees. Among these efforts is the one launched by Faisal Kapadia and Dr Awab Alvi, two notable social activists and bloggers (and Global Voices authors).

Faisal, writing about the objectives of his relief efforts states on his blog:

Our plan is initially to provide them cooked meals for the next 15 days, in order to at least give them a chance of returning to their lives once the rain waters subside.

A man with his children under the water moving towards a safe place. Image by Rajput Yasir, copyright Demotix (16/9/2011).

Commenting on the disaster wrecked by the floods, Faisal tells:

Vast swathes of land on either side of the road were completely inundated with water. I have been working in flood relief since 2010 and I have to say that I have not seen this much water in my entire life. The flooding is so intense, that for several stretches there is no land in sight at all. In fact, I felt like I was driving in the middle of the sea – it was terrifying and saddening at the same time.

Beena Sarwar, a notable Pakistani journalist and activist, has been actively highlighting credible relief efforts on her blog. The groups she highlighted include Pakistan Medical Association, Indus Foundation Trust and IRC. A recent post on floods details upon the updates from Khairpur, a region in Sindh,

There is no proper arrangement of medical facilities neither from Government nor from the NGOs.

There has been an outbreak of skin disease, flu, gastro and malaria

People are drinking stagnant flood water, and are demanding safe drinking water

Temporary latrines have not yet been installed and school latrines are insufficient and non-functional

Protection of most vulnerable particularly women and children also seems to be one of the major issues.

Millions have been affected by floods across Pakistan with thousands forced to vacate their homes. Image by Rajput Yasir, copyright Demotix (7/9/2011).

The most unfortunate part of the entire episode is that the media and Pakistani blogosphere barely seems to care about the floods, at large. Of course there are exceptions but compared to last year’s immense response, Pakistani netizens are relatively mute.

Commenting on this apathy, Tazeen, an active Pakistani blogger, says in her post titled ‘South is flooded and the rest of Pakistan does not care”:

“This year, districts in Sindh and Balochistan are affected with yet another flood but this time netiher the media nor the citizens are taking it as seriously as they did it last year…I have not seen a single camp, either in Rawalpindi or Islamabad, receiving donations and goods for flood relief efforts in Sindh and Balochistan…I find it mind numbingly cruel that parts of Sindh and Balochistan are submerged in water and the rest of Pakistan couldn’t care less. If this does not breed discontent and dissent, I would be most surprised.”

Currently, thousands of flood victims await food and relief. Women and children lie under open sky, waiting for the concerned authorities to take notice of their plight. Sadly, though, this barely seems a primary concern of the government.

Chowrangi provides an excellent list of donor agencies which are actively working for the relief of the flood victims. The list can be found here.

Pakistan: Speaking Out the Unspoken – Gawaahi

Salman Latif — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:33:46 +0000

Information and communications technology (ICT) has long been hailed as a harbinger of a global change. Researchers have argued over the potential of ICT, specifically in promoting literacy and raising social awareness. A number of projects around the globe have made a mark while trying to utilize ICT towards such ends proving ICT could be of immense significance in our world.

Gawaahi is one such venture that aims to bring to fore underrepresented voices of Pakistani society. Coupling ICT with social activism, Gawaahi was started off by two eminent Pakistani social activists, Naveen Naqvi and Sana Saleem. It is basically an online archive of videos and digital stories that aims to promote ‘the other story’, issues that don’t usually make it to the mainstream media or are underreported.

Speaking about what Gawaahi highlights, Naveen says:

We want to share people's stories. Kids off the streets of Karachi. A peasant farmer from Qambar Shahdad Kot. A young woman who was molested at the age of eight and has survived to share the tale with us as a young woman. An acid survivor from the interior of Punjab. A woman displaced because of a landslide in the Hunza valley. These are the stories you will find on Gawaahi.

What started off as a small venture in 2011 has turned into a well-known online phenomenon in Pakistan’s online media. Not only has the project had a national impact, it has also made headlines in the international social media. Within two months of the launch, Gawaahi was nominated for the Best Social Activism Campaign and Best English Blog categories of the prestigious Deutsche Welle Blog Awards.

What can be called a truly unique aspect of the portal is its inclusion of digital stories. Digital story-telling has been around for long but is still struggling to find its way into the Pakistani blogosphere. The Gawaahi team has brought this facet of online activism to fore by narrating a number of stories digitally. To this, much has been contributed by Mehreen Kasana, an active blogger and an activist who is known for her awesome doodles. On the home page of it’s YouTube channel, a digital story narrates how a girl was molested for many years by her dad’s friend until she decided to speak up.

The presentation of the story and the aesthetics are captivating. Gawaahi’s YouTube channel also hosts dozens of videos: these are stories of abused women, tutorials on how to use cameras, as well as interviews with national and international bloggers and journalists about the significance of social activism, especially in the online world.

Today, Gawaahi is a registered NGO. The official website states that it “plans to produce video testimonies of abuse and survival for awareness and advocacy campaigns.” Talking about the possible significance of the portal, Naveen says:

We’re hoping it will be a useful resource for donor agencies, NGOs, media houses, governments including ours, donor states and philanthropist organizations.

Pakistan: Empowering Youth for a Better Tomorrow

Salman Latif — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:49:10 +0000

Institute of Peace and Secular Studies (IPSS) is a humble, community youth organization in Lahore, Pakistan which aims to empower Pakistani youth and groom them to face up to today’s challenges. Whereas most of the youth in Pakistan is unable to get a decent education, IPSS intends to reach out to as many youngsters as possible and ready them to shape their own future.

Pakistan boasts one of the largest youth population percentages around the globe, standing currently at an estimated 63%. According to British Council’s ‘The Next Generation’ report, this percentage will continue to rise until 2045, after which the percentage of adults will overtake that of youth. Through its youth, then, Pakistan has an immense opportunity to avail. The question is whether the youth population will translate to a demographic dividend or disaster. It is a window of opportunity for Pakistan to reap social and economic benefits that depends on it’s young generation.

Discussion during workshop 'Alternatives to Violence'

IPSS was founded some 15 years ago by Diep Saeeda, a lawyer and an ardent social activist, who intends to provide a platform for the youth to indulge in liberal discourse. Speaking about why their activities are mostly youth-centric, she says:

The youth in our country needs to be empowered, to be heard. It needs to come forth and speak and view both sides of the reality. This platform is meant to provide them with the alternate discourse towards different political, economic and social issues. It also lets them share their opinions with others and gain a valuable feedback.

Open Mic Night. Photo by IPSS

Overshadowed by an economic, social and humanitarian crisis in the wake of a bloody war against terrorism, Pakistan’s sole hope lies with the youth. Education and social awareness, Diep says, are key to ensuring that Pakistan’s future is not as nightmarish as the present.

IPSS regularly organizes different events specifically for youth. These include Open Mic nights every week, film screenings and lectures, and workshops for intellectual discussions.

Open Mic events enable its young participants to share their thoughts in the form of different, interactive snippets. These include essays, papers, articles, poetry, songs, music compositions and more or less anything that helps one express thoughts and creativity.

Film screenings are also held on a regular basis. The films are carefully chosen, to engage youth in a thoughtful 2-hour visual journey of culture, history and philosophy.

IPSS also engages youth in peaceful demonstrations and vigils over different socio-political issues. This encourages youth to exercise their right to have a say in these issues.

The aim of the IPSS is to empower youth, giving them a platform to raise their voice and share their thoughts with peers, in a society that would often rather see them silenced.

Pakistan: Islamic Televangelist Caught Out by Behind-the-Scenes Video

Salman Latif — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:50:26 +0000

Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain, a Pakistani Islamic televangelist and host of numerous religious shows, has become the epicenter of bloggers’ criticism lately after a behind-the-scenes video was released. The video depicted Dr. Amir, a notable religious scholar who otherwise poses as a humble, moral man, uttering abuse and profanities as well as religious blasphemy.

The footage has caused a storm among Pakistani netizens, and has been pulled from most online sources since Geo TV, a channel where Dr. Amir started his career as the host of religious program ‘Aalim Online’ (Religious Scholar Online), claimed the copyright. Nonetheless, this was not to deter the online audience from heaping bitter criticism and sarcasm on the man.

Twitter profile picture of Dr. Amir.

Cafepyala wrote a detailed post about the leaked video, the prospective culprits who accomplished this feat and a cross-analysis of the response to this video generated by Dr. Amir. Liaquat himself:

What it reveals is the utter hypocrisy of not just Mr. Jaahil Online [Ignorant Online] himself but also of those in direct charge of the ‘religious’ programming and indeed of the overall broadcaster itself.

Commenting on the video response and the way he refuted the video, declaring himself a peace-lover and pious person, Cafepyala writes:

Recall that Aamir Liaquat once condoned on his program ON Geo, a declamation that Ahmadis were wajib-ul-qatl (those whose killing can be justified), which was followed by the subsequent assassination of two Ahmadis and Aamir Liaquat’s live telecasts being suspended by Geo. “The tongue that speaks of the Prophet, Peace by upon him,” he says in his most recent program on ARY, “could never utter obscenities.” If that is not the worst form of hypocrisy in the name of religion, I don’t know what is. Has this man no shame at all?

Teeth Maestro, the blog which coined the term of ‘Jaahil Online’ (Ignorant Online) in place of the actual ‘Aalim Online’, condemned the televangelist with the following words:

The video I feel may have emerged to blackmail him somehow as some segments of the clip are from quite a few years back but even then, it’s interesting to note that under the garb of the humble religious Islamic scholar breeds a dirty mouthed person who seems to be deliberately making fun of the religion of Islam and has been known to breed hatred to an extent as to incite violence against Ahmedis as well.

The issue referred to by the two excerpts above, concerns a telecast by Dr. Liaquat which incited hatred against Ahmadis. Within days of the telecast, two Ahmadis were assassinated in Lahore. Nearly all media critics held Mr. Liaquat responsible for this tragic incident.

A post at Jazbablog notes about the leaked video:

An off the record video of Dr. Amir Liaqat’s show has been revealed the devil character of this so called Aalim, who has impressed millions of people from his versatile anchor’s skills. The video which clearly is not fake, has shown him abusing his producer, supporter staff and even the guest Molvies, who he invited in his show to speak about Islamic issues.

Dr. Liaquat, who tweets via @AamirLiaquat, has claimed the video was dubbed and heavily edited:

@AamirLiaquat: Everyone knows it is a world of technology. They have manipulated and tempered few clips and dubbed the abusive worlds in my voice

The masses were quick to respond to his tweet-replies. Samad Khurram (@SamadK) an ardent Pakistani tweeter, asked him:

@SamadK: @AamirLiaquat can you give us audio samples of abusive words in your voice so we can compare them with the dubbing?

The debate has also brought to light a number of other issues. Where should the line between public life and private life of a celebrity be drawn? Perhaps Dr. Amir’s ex-employer Geo TV is to be held far more responsible over this because it was the one who launched his career and brought him immense fame.

There has been no response from the government or the electronic media regulatory authority of Pakistan (PEMRA). And Amir Liaquat continues to host his show at ARY.