Ali Malik's blog

In the outrage post emergency, I was confused about whether the opposition should boycott the elections or not? For instance, soon after emergency, when a Lahore based journalist (and one for whom I have high regard for), currently in Karachi , was emotionally advocating oppositions' boycott of the polls, my only response was, I am not sure whether boycott is a good option or not. As the outrage is giving way to rational, I am getting more and more convinced that boycott is not the best option. Before I build my case, let me clarify one thing. Just when I believe that boycott of 1985 elections by MRD was not the right decision; I am not ready to buy the argument that had MRD contested those elections, under Zia and his apparatus, it would have won them. However, what contesting would have done then was, make life a lot more miserable for Zia and let democratic forces have more bargaining power against Zia. And I don't expect miracles happening in 2008 either. Then why am I adv...

I have been known to be a PPP sympathizer and I have never shied away from admitting it. In my case, I never needed to base my support on loyalty, obsession, admiration or emotion. In the political roller-coaster called Pakistan , whatever opinions I had on any major issue, PPP was the one upholding them. For instance, back in our F.C. College days (what notoriety has fell on the name of our alma in last few years), my friends were all for a militant struggle in Kashmir, logistically and physically backed by elements in Pakistan . Those were the days of Crush India . In my naïve opinion, it was a disaster for Pakistan , Kashmiris and the moral high ground they had in the world on the issue, apart from potential backlash of these militants outfits on our homeland. My position was a hard sell back then in the educated upper and middle classes of Pakistan , and yet PPP had the courage to take this position. For some very odd reason, despite all my naivety, I was of the view that the so...

Feel free to copy it, put your name at the end and send to any forum. Sir, I am a Pakistani Citizen currently living in Boston and enrolled in MBA Program at Boston University . Just while being a citizen of Pakistan , I wish best for Pakistan . At the same time, being a benefactor of the systems developed by the great nation of Americans and the great country named United States of America , I also have a stake in a safe, secure and happy United States . Fortunately enough, the best interests of Pakistan and United States of America could not have been converged more than they are now. For a better Pakistan and for a secure US and the world, we need end of extremism and upholding of universal principles of human rights and democracy all across the world. In such circumstances, I see the imposition of Martial Law by General Musharaf (Sir, you will agree with me that in emergency you do not suspend constitution and it is not imposed by Chief of Army Staff and that is wha...