It was just another day, nothing different, the sun rose to the skies, the weather warming up by the hour, everything going on as usual. Less did anyone know at LUMS that there is a grave happening to unfold before the sun sets on this day.

Hashir Munawer class of 2007, due to graduate a year later than his batch mates was seperated from the program apparently because of an abrupt change in policy. (minimum CGPA increased to 2.8 from an initial 2.2). He killed himself by hanging himself to the fan by an iron wire. Another file closed from the craziness of this world. Period.

What caused this to happen? A happy go lucky kid, who was good at volley ball, done his A levels from a prestigious school in Karachi, who was known for caring for all that came his way, a smiling face. A few things his friends had to say about him. Why didn’t anyone talk to him about it? Who broke the news to him? Why didn’t they sit him down and talk about other options in life? There were a million and one things that could’ve been done, this was NOT inevitable! Where was Nashi Khan (Student Counsellor/ Psychiatrist)? Where were his faculty advisors? Who will answer these questions? Who will finally brush all of this under the carpet?

There have been 4 suicide attempts at LUMS in 2007 (Unconfirmed sources). Changing policies at the drop of a hat and then implementing them on graduating classes and not the next new intake, the insensitivities of a “perfect” world. Does this not happen everywhere? Students get kicked out of schools in their final years for O and A levels only because they are not performing “up to the mark”? Who defines success? Who defines this mark? Have we lost our values and basic regard for humans around us in this vicious cycle? a fourth grader taking as many tuitions as there are subjects. Is “winning” everything and “living” does not measure up?

 How Many Hashirs will it take for the blind, inefficient, cold blooded, policy makers at such universities and those that drive the society? Let’s just get it over with!

 May Allah forgive Hashir’s sins and give the bereaved all the courage in the world to live through this ordeal. Aamiin

Is this a deliberate move by the golden sun or is night descending on the brand team of the other player? (Comments are welcome, what do you think?)

Today, 49 years later the All Pakistan Music Conference maintains its poise and is held every year without fail reminding us of the art that breathes in the same ambience as we do. Classical music and dance is in the air of the subcontinent. We can choose to ignore it but not eradicate it.

The remaining APMC Festival 2008 has been postponed but the last of the few events was last month when Hajrah Khan, a Social Sciences Major from Lahore University of Management Sciences read an academic paper on “Urdu Ghazal & English Sonnet” very intricately interlacing the two and reminding us , art has no boundaries, geographical or demographic. The esteemed presence of Shaista Sirajuddin to read out the English Sonnets selected by Hajrah and Dr Arfa Syeda Zehra to recite Urdu Ghazals added to the magic.

The research paper was followed by Tabla maestro Shahbaz Hussain from Manchester, who gave a talk on different components of Tabla(solo) playing again resembling those of an English Sonnet and and Urdu Ghazal. Shahbaz Hussain is a student of Ustaad Allah Rakha’s son, Ustaad Shaukat Hussain and Ustaad Fayyaz Khan. He has also performed with Ustaad Valayat Khan on his last concert in London. Shahbaz Hussain teaches at NewCastle University which happens to be the first university in the world to have introduced a degree in Tabla. Himself being born in the UK, his parents hail from Lahore and so here’s a son of the soil making us all proud of the fact that we share his roots. This event was by far the best account of playing any classical instrument and the accompanying talk (given in English) was surprisingly free of any (greek!) jargon  and completely comprehendable by the common man.

The best part was where he told how long ago a girl from Lahore was married into a musical “gharana”(family) in Delhi and her father gave her 500 “gats” as her dowry. Shahbaz also played one of those Lahori Gats in the end.

All Pakistan Music Conference is an association which is truly (and quietly) conserving our heritage and not letting it wash away with the graffiti of all things new.

So is it anything more than shaven and shorn, highly paid stud in the middle of the road? I really don’t think so. This project has yet been another leech on the country’s resources which gives back zilch in return of the tax payers’ money. Take a look at the visual above. Does this show any difference between the new and the old traffic police men? The Car in the foreground is on the continuous line on a traffic signal as the traffic police is busy in their tete a tete. Wonder what they’re talking about?
“Yaar aj bari garmi ay, kaanji peeni chaiydii”
“suniya ay regal te bari kamayi hondi ay!”
“Saadi te qismet kharaab defence ich duty lag gayi. Aithay te gal karo te truck langaa deindey ne utton!”
” aj teri bhabi ne baingan banaye ne!”

courtesy: www.digischool.nl

Murder, Suicide bombing, sniper shooting as some suspect could be the doing of none other than the ISI as the impeccable bull’s eye tells on it. Whatever it was, it took her life away. It swept away the mother of three kids, whose loss is unmatched by that of the world put together.

courtesy: 3quarksdaily.blogs.com

Really, is this about the assassination at all? Whether you are pro Bhutto/ PPP or against them, you have to agree with the fact that this party has ALWAYS upheld democracy and the real implementation of it in the country.
This is an attempt to stifle democracy and promotion of what we call “Sikha Shahi”. This is turning into a nightmare by the minute.
What is democracy? A polite way to say “mind your own business” and “live & let live” !
“A government of the people for the people by the people”
Whether we like it or not, admit it or look away, there were MILLIONS of Pakistanis that supported and worshipped her. Delusional or “cuckoo” as termed by some, guess what? these are the people who have the right to decide. these are Pakistanis and no one has the right to try to change their mind by force or deprive them of their leaders. This ranges from exiling politicians to assassinating them.
Corruption is only complicating the otherwise straight forward processes to twist the results in one’s own interest, one virtue we’re filthy rich with.
I recite these holy verses not just for the one who’s no more, but for my country. Go through the translation and see if you agree with me or not.
“Inna lillah e wa inna ilayhi rajeoon”
Translation:”Verily we belong to Allah, and to Allah we return.”
Please see : Wikipedia explains dua

courtesy washingtonpost
I hate to be the one reporting this but our very own “proud” and “capable” army that boasts and stresses on the “fact” that we civilians don’t have a right to democracy or “don’t know how to mind our manners” crumbled to the Taliban militants due to what I would say, poor training, both religious and ethical. Where army men who are to support and protect us, gave in to the fact that “we are fighting our fellow Muslims”? Did no one ever teach them the meaning of a Muslim or what Islam is all about? Surely they have had no access to the religion but by the “Maulvi” assigned to their Corps/Regiment/Company. He of course would never ever be a learned scholar but just another one of them out of the Mullah race. Where are the morale boosting speeches that they show in every TV drama that shows gallant army men? Wherever did the saying go which went something like “We sleep at night because the forces take care of the borders” (pardon me its just the bottom line I could remember). Where are we headed with all of this? Army troops crumbling in Swat, Taleban militants taking over a new area in NWFP by the hour, and the same Military declaring in Islamabad a Martial Law wrapped in the pretty foil of a state of emergency. Politicians on the other hand are another pack of wolves ready to tear this country apart, to savagely chew every bone till it is reduced to compost and suck every drop of blood in its veins. What have they done for Pakistan? They’ve all had their chances haven’t they? There are manuscripts in praise of how they brought up their families and flourished during their reigns. They all take ruling a country up as a job, for feeding themselves and their families. Get the most out of it and run strategy. Where does the country go in all of this? They are supposed to serve the nation, on the contrary the nation ends up serving them. Ever tried getting to work if your time and route clashes that of a minister’s? You’re never office on time trust me on that one! But hell he is!! Because the entire city is blocked only coz he has to PASS (pun intended!)!!

Shehr e jana mein ab baa sifaa kaun hai
dast e qatil ke shayan raha kaun hai

rakhtedil baandh lo dil figaaro chalo
phir humee qatl ho aayein yaaro chalo

Our Politicians should be shipped off to the middle of the Ocean and drowned along with ll these religious Militants who are giving a grotesque picture of what our religion is. What my religion is. May Allah SWT NEVER EVER forgive them. Aamiiin!

The student body of the country is out protesting instead of studying and I might as well back them up, this is a time for desperate measures. We might be on the verge of something big. We might see something in our lifetime. A revolution which may lead us to be able to look our future generations in the eye instead of our heads hanging down in shame.

Hum dekhenge
Lazim hai ke hum bhi dekhenge
Woh din ke jis ka waada hai
Jo loh-e-azl pe likha hai
Hum dekhenge

Jab zulm-o-sitam ke koh-e-garaan
Rui ki tarah ud jayenge
Hum mehkumoon ke paun tale
Yeh dharti dhad dhad dhadkagi
Aur ehl-e-hukum ke sar upar
Jab bijli kad kad kadkegi
Hum dekhenge

Jab arz-e-khuda ke Kabe se
Sab but uthwaye jayenge
Hum ahl-e-safa mardood-e-haram
Masnad pe bithaye jayenge
Sab taaj uchale jayenge
Sab takht giraye jayenge

Bas naam rahega Allah ka
Jo ghayab bhi hai hazir bhi
Jo nazir bhi hai manzar bhi
Uthega analhaq ka naara
Jo main bhi hoon aur tum bhi ho
Aur raaj karegi khalq-e-khuda
Jo main bhi hoon aur tum bhi ho

Hum dekhenge
Lazim hai ke hum bhi dekhenge
Hum dekhenge

I’m a Pakistani, that is my ID all over internet as of now.
Will you join me in the pride?

Pasting someone else’s mail:

We need to find Students in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad to co-ordinate this effort.

———
Just saw a Justice who had refused to take the new oath speaking on GEO this
morning–he had tears in his eyes as he spoke. A handful of people had left
flowers outside his gate. And the news anchor was saying that it is a pity that
so few had done so–yes it is hard to withstand a baton charge or a tear gas
attack, but leaving a few flowers is not hard. Perhaps you can use your network to encourage people to leave flowers outside the houses of the justices and the bar association officials–just leave them as far as the police will let them go. This would also be a way of catching the attention of the international media.

—————
Dear All,

Several individuals stand out in the struggle for rule of law in Pakistan over the last few months. Most important are the honorable judges of the superior courts who have refused to take oath under this illegal PCO. These honorable judges are now under house arrest. Their refusal to bow to illegality and the state’s oppressive response are the clearest and most unambiguous expression of the nature of the forces arrayed on each side in this confrontation. Thousands of overseas Pakistanis are eager to show their support for these judges and to contribute in some form to the ongoing struggle. We propose the following non-violent, but potent, symbolic action:

SEND FLOWERS FOR JUSTICE.

Individuals as well as organizations should arrange to have flowers delivered as soon as possible to the houses of individual heroes in this struggle. This proposal was initially sparked by the sight of anonymous well wishers trying to deliver flowers to Justice Khwaja Sharif in Lahore. One proposal was to set a date (Friday after juma prayers was suggested) at which time these deliveries would be scheduled, but I think we should leave it up to everyone to pick the time of their choosing. The intention is to flood the streets on which these people live with thousands of flowers. IF the police intercept the flowers, every effort should be made to publicly display their resistance and to leave flowers at the nearest convenient symbolic point.

Dr .Zafar at ANAA has committed one thousand dollars to this project and suggested to pick one person in each provincial capital and Islamabad and send 200 dollars worth of flowers to each recipient. One list of proposed candidates consists of:

1. Justice Rana Bhagwandas in Islamabad. (Justice Iftikhar Choudhry is the obvious choice and other organizations may wish to pick him, but we felt his stature is absolutely unassailable now and we wanted to highlight the important role played by Justice Bhagwandas. But all the other “rebel” judges are deserving of this too and it would be great if other organizations could pick people like Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Sardar Raza, etc.)
2. Justice Khwaja Shareef in Lahore. Justice Ramday is also in Lahore these days and is most deserving of support.
3. Justice Sabeehuddin in Karachi (His address is as follows. Banglow # 44/2, 13 Street,Phase-V,DHA.Karachi. Ph: 5847582)
4. Justice Tariq Pervaiz in Peshawar
5. Unfortunately, all the judges of the BHC have become lotas. We are thinking that the most appropriate person in Quetta may be the president of the BHC bar association, who is under arrest.

Every person or organization should pick their own names and go ahead with their own timetable.

1. Take this in the spirit of a WIKI. This is not some kind of centralized top down campaign. Let each individual and organization take it in any direction and in any manner they wish. Spread the word. The most effective strategies will be the ones that evolve locally in Pakistan. I hope Sabahat Ashraf and others like him will help to spread the word.
2. Online ordering of flowers is easy, but those companies may not cooperate to the end. Most flowers should ideally be delivered by volunteers in those cities. Student organizations are the best place to target for volunteers. publicity in the press, over the internet and by word of mouth will be the most important factor in the success or failure of this campaign. Please contact whoever you can and carry this forward. ANAA will use its own resources to arrange or attempt deliveries.
3. Overseas Pakistanis can send cash to whatever person or entity they trust in order to financially support this effort.
5. Media coverage is key.

I am spreading the word. I hope others will come forward to take this much further. It sounded like a good idea to several of us, but if it sparks some other, better idea in anyone’s mind, please go ahead and act on that. Send us your proposals and we will try to spread the word.

Act locally, think globally…

Daily Jang is reporting that Addllia Bachao Committee (Judicial Protection Committee) has filed a petition in Supreme Court of Pakistan against the house arrest of Dr. AQ Khan. The chairmen for the committee, Mr. Abdul-Rashid (Advocate) have urged the Supreme Court that Dr. AQ Khan is their presidential candidate according to the lawyer’s referendum. And his house arrest is affecting his electoral campaign.


What do you think about this move - is it going to get serious and affect Musharaf & his allies. And how our politicians reaction would be towards this move. Legally, Dr. AQ Khan has a right to join election as he has served his 2 years time out of Govt. Job

Source: Daily Jang Updates

While every one of us was watching TV, most of the media missed the event when MQM personals tried to hijack the HC Karachi yesterday. It was the worst news we can hear and requires us to condemn this act same as we did for 12th May.

Please join KMB for their post on this event.
Carnage in Karachi & SHC Suo Motu Action

More News:
Daily Express

As an average Lahori consumer, the piles of outsize vegetables in the local market look appealing and fresh, especially when given an occasional sprinkle of water. But there is just more than something we need to know. No need to be happy. These vegetables are watered by the Hudiara drain .

About 30 years ago, the Hudiara was a stormwater drain used for irrigation and to drain water into the Ravi. Hudiara Drain, originates from Indian Punjab and run along with the border; enters Pakistan, pass along the eastern superbs of Lahore (Rai-Wind) and ends up in Ravi. This drain alone is center of attention for many enviormental protection agencies in PK & IN due to proven high levels of toxic in it.

WWF, UNDP launched a project to study the level of toxic in the drain. This project ended up in late 2006 with shocking results which states:

1. This drain is a wastewater carrier, that does not even meet National Enviornmental Quality Standards (NEQS) devised for the industrial effulants.

2. Based on certain parameters for eg. TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), Cd (Cadmium), Cu (Copper) and Mn (Manganese) concentrations in drain water. Its water may be discouraged for irrigation in longer-term use, becaure of its contamination.

3. Threat to water quality and adequite life of the River Ravi can be significant particularly during the times of low flow.

4. Almost all pollutants extent in the drain water may be similar both in Pakistan and India.

In a recent development, CM Punjab Pervez Elahi while charing a meeting ordered to close down the 100 water pumps installed in Hudiara Drain to save the crops & animals from contamination. Help from Lahore’s local administration, town nazims & local politicians has been asked for on an urgent basis due to nature of this issue.

WWF Pakistan has been actively persuing this whole project, i personal believe in moto and efforts of WWF, they do make some difference to some extent. To maximize these efforts, we all can help WWF by simple means which can be in the form of donation, buying from Panda Shop or getting a decent membership.

More information can be found at:

http://www.wwfpak.org/images/hudiara_brochure.pdf

http://www.adb.org/water/actions/REG/hudiara-drain.asp

WWF Pakistan - How to Become a member
A Satellite Imagery of Hudiara Drain, Dropping into Ravi: