Ali Malik's blog

Express Report on Justice Sharif's speech. Asia News Link Above are links to press reports on speech of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Kh. Muhammad Sharif. One could argue about the entire content of this speech. On any account, the speech is inappropriate for the conduct of a judge. However, I will refrain from delving into the entire content of the speech and will focus only on one area which certainly makes him liable for being politically biased. He has indulged in a blame game with a political party openly and has criticized the party and its government for its record indulging in comments which are heavily politically loaded. Being a citizen of Pakistan, he is entitled to his opinions but his conduct as a judge demands him to be impartial. In the wake of such open display of Justice Sharif's views about a political party, he is no longer fit to hold the high office of Chief Justice of a High Court which demands complete impartiality and no display of opinions and comment...

I wonder from Pervaiz Khan (Who had someone else to appear for exams rather than himself) to Chaudhary Ghafoor (Customs fame trying to clear his friend's smuggled goods) to Chauhdary Ghafoor (Abusing a woman MPA inside Punjab Assembly) to DIG Zulfikar Cheema (Accused of corruption by Express reporter and then persecuting the same reporter - and by the same DIG who was praised by NS for his call to duty during Long March by Nawaz Sharif) to this latest incidence why all the mismanagement and abuse of power is attributed to PML-N (A party still perceived by urban classes and media as a cleaner party)?

Supreme Court has suspended the imposition of Carbon tax on petroleum products. This move has been hailed by many sections of a society as a relief given to the ordinary man by country's apex court. To counter that the President has issued an ordinance reimposing tariff on petroleum products. I am someone who will be benefiting from this relief directly. However, I think this is a very dangerous precedence and has far reaching impacts not only for country's economy but its stability as well. In purely economic terms, the move is likely to increase the twin deficit of Pakistan. On one hand, it leaves a revenue gap of PKR 122 billion and thus increases the budget deficit by the same amount which will need to be filled through borrowing. Secondly, and even more so, oil imports are 25% of Pakistan's total imports. With lower prices, the demand is going to be higher, thus leading to more imports and thus greater trade imbalance which a country like Pakistan with weak export base...

The Pakistani media controlled by fundos has been spreading conspiracy theories and is trying to salvage the extremist ideology and regressive thoughts when this ideology’s very foundations are shaking. It has woven a world around a series of myths and is sticking to it, to embrace an ideology that is losing and is outdated. Worst still, in the emotions and euphoria and the pretention of know-all, the educated urban class buys these myths without introspecting. How the media moulds the thought process of educated classes across the world, and more so in Pakistan, is an ideal manifestation of the fact that three worst illusions are; a) I know for I read it in the newspaper, b) I know for I heard it on the TV, and c) I know for I read it in a book. With this extensive control of the news media by the fundos, it is imperative that their myths and claims be tested for their reasoning. So here is a counterpoint to six most popular myths, the fundo media lives by. 1. Mehsood and Taliban are ...

Speechless and in joy. Dancing and singing. Congrats to all Pakistanis. It's the beginning of our recovery from the dark days of extremism and tyranny. We are a nation which deserves a lot rather than being bogged down by hypocrisy, hate, and conspicuous mindset. We are a nation of champs and we can be part of the world and make our mark. CONGRATULATIONS PAKISTAN AND OUR CRICKET TEAM. I wouldn't say more and will let the pictures speak for themselves.

In 2007, Pakistan faced a multitude of crisis. First and foremost was the internal insurgencies and halfhearted response of Musharraf regime to Taliban threat had put the country on the brink of oblivion. On top of it, Army's reputation as an institution was at an all time low which made it impossible for it to go after Taliban. Add to it the public opinion that was bitterly divided on fighting Taliban insurgency and the deep distrust that existed in world capitals because of Mush's double crossing. Amidst these circumstances, Benazir Bhutto risked her life to go back and help Army fight the battle that was to be fought. The Army, she came back to protect, could not save her life and she lay in blood on a dirt track in Rawalpindi. After her demise, Asif Zardari was brought to the center stage and started working on fighting Taliban, resolving Balochistan crisis, and removing Pakistan's international isolation. As things stand right now, Army's image as an institution ha...

Above is the video of the full speech. A powerful speech by a good orator. Here are my two cents. It’s hard to go against popular sentiments. And in the blogosphere communities of both West and Muslim World, Obama’s speech to the Muslim World and the reaction of those who heard it and cared is extremely positive. But I will say what I think nonetheless, not because I have a strong belief in perfection of my beliefs but because I think these are the points we need to seriously deliberate upon in both the Muslim World and the West. I always knew behind all this talk of equality, pride etc amongst many in the Muslim world was a petty need for recognition. But I didn't think, this need was so shallow and so desperate. I mean a clap every time President Obama said Assalam u alaikum or recited a verse from Quran. Was that all that they needed to publically applaud an American President? I believe this speech was an honest and sincere attempt on part of President Obama to bring Muslim Wor...

I found this amazing video of a guy (I am trying to figure out who he is and from where he is) doing one man orchestra. It's just amazing. If you have heard the original songs, you will appreciate it even more. The performer is blind yet he is the most sensational talent I have seen in years.

I wonder why this sudden rush of blood? Nawaz Sharif who has not visited Balochistan once in last 10 years has suddenly become too concerned about Balochistan. Not only that, but the right wingers have again become obsessed with the agenda of “Speedy Justice”, just when the man at the helm of Justice System of Pakistan is their hero. And I wonder why now? Just when our men in uniform are fighting the existential threat to not only our state but our society and way of living, these right wingers have started blowing the trumpets of other issues, Balochistan, Speedy Justice. As far as Balochistan goes, it goes without saying that all that the rightwing in our country has done is talk. No leader of theirs has visited Balochistan in last year or so. They distanced themselves from the efforts of normalization being carried out by PPP-led government. The only mentioning of Balochistan is to hang Musharraf for killing of Akbar Bugti. Bugti Sahab, a great statesman, is just used as a pretext t...

Just before President Zardari left for a critical visit to US; Pakistani and US media were rife with the news that US wants to bring in Nawaz Sharif at a position of influence in Pakistan's Govt. set up. There have been three explanations about timing of this story. Some think that to get a better leverage on Zardari during his visit, US administration decided to play hardball. Others say that to undermine the significance of President Zardari's visit, his political opponents (specially PML-N) spread this news story. If either of these is true, Pakistani media was very irresponsible in undermining the national interest by playing up this story. And for Americans, playing hardball at this critical juncture when the whole order is at stake is outright stupidity. In the quest for survival, you do not look for bargains. However, it is the third theory which bothers me the most. What if US and Pakistani establishment have seriously made up their mind for having a Zardari-Nawaz or Na...

Pakistan Armed Forces have launched a major offensive against Militants in Swat, Dir and Bunir. The fighting has caused many people to leave their homes and belongings and move to safer places. We hope that this situation will be temporary and the people will be able to return to their homes at earliest. In the mean time, these men, women, and children of ours need our help. Please donate generously to help these countrymen of ours. You can send in your donations through National Disaster Management Authority ( http://www.ndma.gov.pk ) contributing to National Disaster Management Fund ( http://ndma.gov.pk/NDMFund.html ).

Demopak has not covered anything in the realm of entertainment thus far. But then I thought why not? So, here is our first ever coverage of entertainment - and just when we have had many great names in performing and fine arts in Pakistan, no one is more befitting a Pakistani Story than Reshman! Voice of the desert - her melodies grip you and the depth of her husky voice leaves you spellbound. Born in Bikaner India in 1947, Reshman was discovered by Radio Pakistan and became a singing sensation right away. She is illiterate and yet through sheer talent, commitment and dedication, she has achieved artistic glory that very few in Pakistan have managed to achieve. Renowned singers in India and Pakistan have sung the pirated versions of her songs (including piracy of Chori Chori by legend Lata Mangeshkar). Though most of her singing has been in Punjabi, her claim to fame was Lambi Judai (an Urdu song) which was part of soundtrack of movie "Hero (1983)". Being illiterate, she sho...

Pakistan Armed Forces have launched a major offensive against Militants in Swat, Dir and Bunir. The fighting has caused many people to leave their homes and belongings and move to safer places. We hope that this situation will be temporary and the people will be able to return to their homes at earliest. In the mean time, these men, women, and children of ours need our help. Please donate generously to help these countrymen of ours. You can send in your donations through National Disaster Management Authority ( http://www.ndma.gov.pk ) contributing to National Disaster Management Fund ( http://ndma.gov.pk/NDMFund.html ).

Wall Street Journal APRIL 29, 2009 How Pakistan Is Countering the Taliban The pacification model that worked in Iraq can work in the Swat Valley. By HUSAIN HAQQANI The specter of extremist Taliban taking over a nuclear-armed Pakistan is not only a gross exaggeration, it could also lead to misguided policy prescriptions from Pakistan's allies, including our friends in Washington. Pakistan and the international community do face serious challenges in confronting terrorists and the ideologies that sustain them. But panicked reactions of the type witnessed in the U.S. media over the last few weeks -- after the Taliban drove into Buner, a town 60 miles north of the capital Islamabad -- are not conducive to strengthening Pakistani democracy or to developing an effective counterterrorism policy for Pakistan. Now that the Taliban have been driven out of Buner, and Pakistani forces have militarily engaged them just outside their Swat Valley stronghold, it should be clear to all that Pakista...

This is for the people that are unable to attend on Tuesday but want to take action, either because they're out of the city/country or other restrictions. An email account has been set up at " nomoretaliban@gmail.com " . For all those that wish to participate but cant, please Copy-Paste the letter from the event page and email it to the address WITH your information filled in at the bottom. The Citizens of Lahore will be printing out the emails and mailing them on the behalf of those who've sent them. Please email at your earliest so they can print the mails out in time and send them along with the rest of the letters. Also, Please forward the letter and the event page link to all your friends and ask them to join in support. We as the Civil Society are much stronger in numbers than the Taliban and their ways, and its time to come out and show just that! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.facebook.com/al...

The citizens of Lahore are convening outside the GPO on Tuesday 28th April at 3pm to post letters to the President, PM, CJ and COAS to take military action against Taliban. Plan of Action :- Everyone flocks to the GPO,preferably 1000+ in numbers to bombard the 'elected caretakers' of our country by posting the same letter (replicated below). TV stations film us all posting the letter, with footage being specifically aired at prime time hours. Please copy,paste the letter into Microsoft Word (Mac users - you know best which software to use), print the letter, slide it into an envelope and bring yourself along with the envelope to the GPO. Postings will begin 3pm onwards till 5pm (which is when the GPO closes). Bring change for postage costs. Goes without saying, invite others to this event. SAY NO TO TALIBANISATION. Bring all your friends and family. The time to save your country is now. We stand for freedom of choice, liberty, equality, democracy and a progressive united Pakist...

Ever since the video of Taliban's brutal flogging of a 17-year old girl appeared on youtube and media, the spin doctors of fundos in their hallmark way are out to divert attention from the key issue. Some were saying it's wrong because it was not the State which authorized this punishment, others were questioning the conduct of the trial, and then came the biggest diversion that the video is fabricated and some US-conspiracy to malign Islamists. And in this spinning what has lost is the real issues and real questions. The questions are that even if we agree that the conduct of trial was wrong or the people were not authorized to sentence the accused or this particular video is American conspiracy, does under the proper trial through Mullah-described laws can this punishment be granted to any accused for any cause? And if so, is such punishment acceptable to the people of Pakistan? The answer to the first question is yes. Imran Khan or Jamat-i-Islami or Hamid Mir or heaven knows...

It is spring And have come from oblivion All the dreams and all the youth That died in quest of thy lips Blossomed are the roses Those fragrant with thy memory And colored with thy lovers’ blood It is spring And erupting are the volcanoes of guilt The grief for friends fallen The mirage of nymphs courted Open is all what laid in an ashen heart Questions unanswered Thine and mine It’s spring And open are the wounds long healed

This report by WSJ is another proof of the string-pullers of extremist insurgency in Pakistan. Pakistan Aid efforts hit Saudi hurdle - WSJ

Wonder how SC (so indebted to fundos) responds? Do they see it as a conspiracy to malign Islam or take the issue of barbaric conduct head on? This is not the first time Pakistanis have showed their disapproval of these draconian treatments. Since 1979, when Hudood Laws were first introduced, Pakistanis have resisted them. So much so that in 1989, Benazir Bhutto described Islamic Punishments as barbaric. Pakistanis, while demonstrating shock and anger, have given a clear message once again that they have no tolerance for these draconian laws and punishments.