Ali Malik's blog

People who have lived in New York for some time and were not there during 9/11 were unanimous in their opinion upon return from NYC visit post 9/11, "it really feels sad to see NYC without twin towers". Mind you these people had no direct connection to the 9/11 tragedy and so their sadness and reaction looked a bit over-board to me. But not any more, for since yesterday, we are witnessing a "Basant" in Lahore without any kite flying and this has made me feel sad much the same way the New Yorkers did on their return to NYC post 9/11. There certainly is no alternative to a human life. But being rational we should think whether there is no other way left except an all out ban on kite-flying or is it just the particular ad hoc approach that bans dual-carriage on motorcycles after any terrorist attack. If it is a failure of public policy (and I believe it is), from problem definition to execution, it better be dealt as one and not through banning a tradition and custom ...

President Bush has completed his South-Asian visit. And all through out, there has been a growing feeling in Pakistan that we have been wronged. On all issues from terrorism to nuclear energy deal, from Kashmir to trade deal, nothing seems to benefit us. And above all, it seems that the pressure on Gen. Musharaf is increasing on issues ranging from terrorism to democracy. Many draw parallels to the fair-weather friendship of US in the past where US had used Pakistan in her hour of need and then abandoned it. It could be argued in terms of real-politik who was to be blamed for that inconsistent pattern of friendship. But observing Bush's language and body language, it looks anything but abandonment. Let us look at the issues that were the corner stone of this visit. Make no mess about it; the visit was for India only. Pakistan and Afghanistan were mere stopovers for some sort of compensation. The headline of the visit is a civilian nuclear deal signed between US and India. The deal ...

Almost all of the (pseudo) educated people (not those who could hardly sign but the ones who have good grasp of reading and writing either English or Urdu) in Pakistan are hit by either of the two syndrome (some times even both at the same time). A sizeable are getting euphoric about the religion and turning to religion (branded mind you) as their sole survival, and the remaining are all praises for military rule, considering it the mantra for all the ills. This lack of objectivity and rationale amongst the educated people in Pakistan should be the prime cause of concern for the nation-state. For anyone who is sensible enough, and has not closed his mental faculties to listen to any rationale or logic, how religious euphoria is a killer needs no proof. Similarly, why those who think military rule is the cure to all ills are naive needs no explanation if one digs just a little deep. Still, I will analyze both. This article is for Mushy lovers. And later, I will talk about the "Isla...

It's becoming more and more evident that the Mullah Military Alliance was on display during the recent rioting and agitation. However, for all parties concerned, here are a few questions that need to be answered: 1) To military; with his even growing influence, militant power and control, will not mullah start claiming the whole pie sooner? 2) Writ of the state usually is more a myth and perception than an actuality. Have not the Aristotles of corridors of power caused severe blow to this writ through their plan and action on February 14 and 15? 3) Who is running the show, Musharaf (I am more inclined to believe this) or some secret hands? Who is the General of Aftab Sherpao? Above all in the words of Nazir Naji, who is the General of Liaquat Baloch? 4) To the people of Pakistan; why were Qazi and Fazal Ur Rehman absent from the Parliamentarian's procession? and what is behind Qazi sahab's timely and convenient house arrests and releases? 5) How come MMA holds rallies in Pu...

Keeping in view the current violence, I believe a change in setup atleast and a martial law at the most is imminent. Now whether the man at top (Musharaf) will be at the helm of affairs or not is still unclear but these riots provide a perfect pretext for a Martial Law or change in setup. Whether those who Perpetrated it did it on Mush's behest or others is yet to be seen. But one thing is for sure, Pakistan will be moving well on its way to become a successful torn state (as per huntington's theory of clash of civilizations). Whether it will actually succeed or not is yet to be seen. And if its others and not Musharaf master-minding this all then it is yet to be seen how successful Musharaf will be in countering their move. As far as the violence and looting goes, the mob mentality is a result of decayed morality in last three decades. Morality, mind you, is not sex and drinking, it is bigger issues like honesty, integrity, fair play and most importantly self-esteem and these ...

I am becoming more and more convinced that the current row over cartoons is being fueled by I)Iran, ii) the autocratic regimes in the Muslim world (these Sauds and Asads and Musharafs), iii) religious extremists. These cartoons to say the least were an idiotic vulgarity but the way the religious right, autocrats and Iran are using them for their own political agenda is shameful to say the least. This folly and lack of understanding on part of West of Muslim sentiment, values and thinking has provided the religious extremists with the best hiring tool they could ever dream of. It has also served well for the autocrats in the Muslim world for they have fueled these demonstrations to prove to the West, that amidst rising fundamentalism in the Muslim world and with masses with mob-mentality, they are West's best bet. Who could dare hold a demonstration in these autocracies. Why was there no police presence anywhere in Lahore just when it was eminent that the things could go out of hand...

I am not shocked to see the "mob mentality" that was on display all across the Muslim world in response to the cartoon controversy. Over the years, ignorance, lack of understanding and objective thinking, and immaturity has marked the Muslim world in general. Here are many people in our world (Muslim world) who await such opportunity and then exploit the religious sentiment of ordinary people to further their political influence and agenda. However, what concerns me is the absence of any voice of reason all across the Muslim world that could dare say that this response is wrong. Being categorical, I find the response of the Muslim world to be uncivilized, mob-like and unacceptable. Being followers of a Prophet (P.B.U.H.), who would pray for the guidance and prosperity of people who will stone Him and throw dust and garbage at Him, requires us to be even more tolerant and civilized specially when it comes to something concerning Prophet. Our reaction and response to it should ...

Well I don't feel like saying anything about marathon, for the stance of MMA and Imran Khan was an utter nonsense. For that matter even PPP and N-League didn't make any sense on this (Timing was wrong, my foot. It was announced a year back). However, I have a question to ask to Qazi sahab and his daughter. The threatening, gangster language that Samia Raheel Qazi used on Geo Tv's "50 minute" - a night before the race. Is this the language that suits a nobel person (forget about a nobel lady for the time being)? abusive, threatening, "haan behan aap kul doraeen apnae risk pur". And man you should have heard the expression. It was Sanjay Dutt style. These shameless people have no morals whatsoever. And by the way this Samia Raheel Qazi is an MNA who sits with men in National Assembly and she isdaughter of Qazi Hussain Ahmad, who was elected from two constituencies and in both of them the women were forcefully disallowed to vote through jirga decisions init...

I don't know whether it should be called the ignorance or denial or dishonesty on the part of Western Media but the media in general (including the "truthful" and "honest" BBC) considers Hamas victory to be a protest vote against the corruption of Al Fatah. Though corruption could be one of the reasons but it certainly is not the main reason. The fundamental reason for a Al Fatah's defeat in the elections is that it, by agreeing to hold talks with Israel and accept it, left the populist revolutionary ground. It was a big gamble on the part of Fatah and it could only win if Israel had been reasonable to have a fair peace deal with Palestinians. The revolutionary ground has since been claimed by Hamas and so has been the popular vote. So this victory of Fatah is a result of failure of West to broker a peaceful peace deal for Palestinians. Hats of too Fatah for having the courage to walk on the path of peace, to resist the international pressure for accepting u...

A few days back, a friend of mine was talking about he opportunism of Benazir. He said that it was only for Benazir's self-centered vision post 2002 elections that Musharaf got his way. So I decided to have a round up on Benazir. I disagree with Benazir on the way she is running the PPP. I have also been an opponent of her look-Washington approach (not because being ultra Pro-US is bad but because it didn't suit a leftist ideological party like PPP and did't go well with the ranks and files of the party - I consider being Anti US to be unwise and thus I believe being neutral would have been the best option and that is where the party ultimately is heading to). I also believe that her thinking that because of being liberal she will be an acceptable choice for West specially the US over military dictators or an establishment government like Junejo. Her record on party elections and dealing with the corruption of party officials in her second term is also not up to the mark (t...

i see a hope of Pakistan becoming a more civilized country being run by the book... and the hope stems from the fact that in the recent years, all across the country, a whole new class of rich has been born as a result of property and stock booms... now this new class is going to challenge the existing aristocracy of the country by hook or by crook (because of its sheer size and wealth). and so for the exisiting aristocracy on the whole, the only way to survive is to make civilized rules and play by them... anyone who wants to observe the ruthlessness of this new class, just drive on Lahore roads for an hour...:)

UN Secretary General post for Benazir... one must be kidding... being an ex-PM of Pakistan is way more dignified than being UN General Secretary.... and this is an ultimate demotion which is pretty unacceptable unless... ummm... if you are Farooq Leghari:)

Every time people write her off, she surprisingly makes a come back and makes people realize that she is a FORCE to reckon with. I have always been a great admirer of her fighting spirit but off-late even I started having doubts about her survival in the future for the first time. But this time again she proved everyone wrong including myself. It seems that she is well on her way to a grand comeback. Benazir is still a force to be acknowledged and seriously considered. And I say this based on a couple of facts. a) she has been acquitted in PIA reference case (By a heavily biased accountability apparatus). b) and no matter what the Govt. Says or the Deputy Chairman NAB says, it seems that she is going to have her day in the Swiss Reference and it is evident from the desperation of Govt. Now imagine a Benazir clear of any wrong doing (twice by Pakistan courts, PIA reference and Supreme Court verdict that turned her sentence around, and more importantly by a foreign court) with all her pe...

now this is something.... we have the punk in town and the traffic is in shambles... road blocks, long queues and traffic jams..... when will we be sober...

I am kind of curious about what various people in Pakistan think of good relationship with India. Do they mean cordial neighbour like relationship between the two? do they mean Pakistan accepting India's obvious regional dominance and live on the principle of coexistance? or do they simply mean the United India? not that I consider any of such thoughts to be sinful but still I am just curious to find out what the people specially the youth's thoughts are on this issue...

Last night just while surfing the channels, I happened to see a portion of Mustafa Khar's interview at Aaj channel. The host asked him indirectly that he (khar) is a hunter and it is hunter's mentality to capture the thing he likes and enslave it and if he has the same mentality. Khar's response to it was direct, he said that yes and that he considers this mentality to be the reason of his failed marriages. He confessed that he was a conservative person from feudal background who wanted to marry modern women and then make them live according to his thinking. well leaving Mustafa Khar with his domestic trouble, the idea underneath is worth a thought. We in Pakistan basically belong to a society that still lives in the feudal age. I believe one must modify his thinking according to the society and fully. Half baked pie wouldn't take one anywhere. This holds true specially if you are moving from a back-age society (such as ours still a feudal one) to a forward society (for...

Balochistan seems hot again... Possibility of an army action is hovering around... I wonder in such devastation how come they think of anything else..... Why can't they focus on relief first.... And will the reconstruction follow the safety standards.. And to mullahs... you ......, if earthquake is an azab, then why today an earthquake in Japan didn't cause any damage.. Earthquakes are a natural phenomena and it is for us humans to take preventive measures against such phenomenon. Those who are calling it an azab are doing no good to the survivors who really need to be lifted up to face the challenge ahead and come out of the shock..... so please please please... in the name of Allah stop doing this nonsense....

after all those Aamir Liaquats and karobari hajams and jawabdehs and hamud meeerrss.. at last something nice on Geo... the new jingle, specially in the 'jeem' cartoon promo.... and about the donors conference... I give it to Government.. good achievement... but sound planning is required for distribution and also debt retirement.... and this part i fear. and Inzi man you rock......

did the earthquake damage the nuclear facilities or it didn't? will Swiss courts sentence Benazir? will Nawaz Sharif be able to go to US? will Iran be the next target? will NATO forces leave? will Imran Khan start talking sense? will Blair survive? will Democrats get a majority in the house and senate? will mujra be banned again in Lahore's theatres? will forward bloc become the next herd of crooks? will we ever grow up? when will the next phase of DHA be announced? will Lalu ever go? will Lollywood ever be good? will US ever have a female or black president? will our dead national intellect ever be reincarnated? which will be next Gawadar? will the donors make us learn how to be accountable for finances? will the confusions ever end???????? .................................. keep watching Qayamat aanae wali hai with Dr. Shahid Masud on ARY OneWorld News...... and stop doing anything and everything because Qayamat aanae wali hai....

nothing to talk about......