How can this

Happen in a city of this

(The attack on the police training school at Manawan in Lahore took place on the last and final day of the Mela Chiraghan)

Lahore stood firm as it saw its patience and resolve against terrorism being challenged again by a hand full of armed lunatics who attacked the unarmed Police Trainees at the Manawan Police Training School near the city.

Police celebrates after re-gaining control of the Manawan Police Training School from terrorists

Image Source: BBC News

The eight-hour operation against heavily armed militants ended in success but with several casualties and injuries, some of them critical. Today, we still survived an attack on our resolve and Lahore stands proud of its still alive spirit.

I guess it is too obvious for many to realize who really is behind all this. The fact is there is no singular element. We have had foreign sponsorships of extremist forces inside Pakistan from many countries, neighboring and non-neighboring both. And yes we have domestic problems of our own too.

The need of the hour is, however, to think how best can we respond and fight these forces. Identification of sponsors or hidden hands is important but more crucial is the need to find a remedy for this cancer.

United, we should mentally and morally prepare ourselves for a war with whoever stands, talks or acts against our country, our people and our society. We should not and will not tolerate ideologies of extremism, terrorism, inhumanity, and hatred. We are humans, and yes, proud Pakistanis; Muslims or otherwise – but sorry, we are not and will never become or aligned ourselves with terrorists.

In a striking reminder of the insecure times we are living in, about 20 heavily armed terrorists dressed in Police uniforms attacked the Police Training Centre at Manawa, Jallo area near Lahore.

Before entering, the reported gunmen hurled grenades at the security entrance of the centre instantly killing and injuring several guards. It was followed by an indiscriminate firing at the young Police trainees who were doing a parade in the grounds.

Death toll has reached about 20, while more than 50 people have been injured. Most of the dead are Police martyrs. The Manawa Training Centre has more than 800 police officials stationed as trainees, instructors or guards.

Punjab Police, Rangers and Pakistan Army are continuing a massive operation to evict unarmed hostages and to capture or kill the terrorists. The operation, started this early morning after the siege, is continued till now as TV footage shows presence of heavy contingents of security forces surrounding the centre premises.

This attack is strikingly sophisticated, well-planned with heavily armed young terrorists and bears similarity to the Liberty Carnage involving the ambush of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team.

We salute those martyrs who have lost their lives so far and pray that this crisis ends as soon as possible with all the terrorists caught or rightfully executed with as less mercy as possible.

Young Birds Show is being arranged under the auspices of the Budgerigar Society Of Pakistan at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore today, March 29th, 2009.

Connecting Nation with Nature!

Our first National Bird Show 2006 was organized on September 24, 2006 at Avari Hotel, Lahore. Large number of families and fanciers attended this show from different parts of the country including Sialkot, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur and other parts of the country.

BSP management believes that these kinds of shows which are organized on international standards & rules so it will have long term effects for improving the image of Pakistan abroad.

I so want to go but, missing a  plan, sadly enough!
Get connected? ;)

En-Lightened Lahore!

Image Source: Abid Nawaz at Daily Times

As our dear country celebrates its Resolution Day, a day when right here in Lahore, a resolution was passed for creation of a separate sovereign homeland for the Muslims of Indian Subcontinent, let’s promise that despite all odds, together we will never stop believing in Pakistan and its bright, prosperous future.

Pakistan Resolution Day '09

Wishing each and every Pakistani living anywhere in the world, a very patriotic Pakistan Resolution Day – Pakistan Zindabad!!

Flag Courtesy: Sabah Hussain

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani has just announced to restore all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhrty in a dramatic development. In his address to the nation, Mr. Gillani has promised to reinstate Mr. Chaudhry on 21st of March, the day when the current Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar retires.

The decision came along as the Long March in leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Aitezaz Ahsan was on its way to Islamabad near Gujranwala.

There is wide-spread early morning jubiliation and Pakistanis are celebrating the rise of a new Pakistan…

Pakistan Zindabad!!

Image Source: Pakistaniat.com

As Lahorites defied a virtual curfew in the city; Nawaz Sharif, his followers and the lawyers broke through all obstacles in their resolve to continue with the long march towards Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue.

Police baton-charging protestors on the Mall

The day had started with whole city celebrating the kite-flying festival of Basant while the security forces cracked down on lawyers and protestors gathering at GPO Chowk near the Lahore High Court. All prominent political activists and lawyers’ leaders including Mr.Nawaz Sharif and Barrister Aitezaz Ahsan were put under house arrest by official orders from the capital.

Nawaz Sharif addressing before leaving his Model Town residence

Nawaz Sharif after addressing his followers at his Model Town residence flouted the house-arrest and by people’s force on his side, proceeded towards Yadgar via Model Town Morr, Kalma Chowk, Muslim Town Morr, Ichhra, Mozang Chungi, and Data Darbar. Procession of lawyers followed under the leadership of Ahsan. Police after showing considerable resistance later backed off giving clear way to thousands of vehicles, motor-bikes and people on foot who continued their march in full zeal and spirit.

History has proven whenever people of this city take it to streets, change comes following. After today’s show of the people’s power, we might hear good news of political stability and reconciliation soon…

Images Courtesy: BBC News

Lahore has sadly been put under siege by the so-called saviors of democracy. All entry points to the city have been cordoned off to prevent any of the lawyers from reaching Lahore. According to its original schedule, Long March is to continue from Lahore to Islamabad on Sunday. In a ridiculous move, the current Punjab Government has officially announced Lahore’s most celebrated event; Basant to be held on Sunday too.

Reports are that despite all the chaos around, people in Lahore are celebrating Basant Night tonight. Get-togethers, parties and kite-flying competitions have been arranged on very short notice in Old Lahore as well as other parts of the city. And we even hear that two people have already died, thanks to deadly wire-strings that some people use to fly kites.

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I don’t even know whether we are too indifferent or is it really not important to miss an opportunity to have fun with family and friends. On the other hand, we have history’s most shameful events uncovering as hard-core crackdown on lawyers, political activists and members of the civil society continues. More serious news is coming from blogger updates warning that the government might be blocking all mobile phone services and fuel supply as well as closing down all acadmeic institutions to thwart Long March’s progression. (Please note that these updates are not confirmed yet).