Not every revolutionary situation leads to a Revolution

Elections 2013 are coming closer, most probably in April, as the current Assembly will be dissolved after completing its five-year term in March 2013 (hopefully).  If it does, we might as well have the first democratically elected government to have survived its full five-year term. Strangely, it is a proud and yet an embarrassing feeling to have finally achieved the holy grail of surviving a full term without any army intervention (so to speak) in our 65 years of existence on the world map.

Politics is in the air and not a single day passes when my Twitter and Facebook timelines are not swamped by political debates. Though I do not purport to be an elections expert as there are already enough out there without me stepping into the fray, I will make an effort to present my thoughts about the elections from a layman voter’s perspective.

Lenin once said that a revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation. So is there such a situation in Pakistan. These elections are being heralded as harbingers of change-positive change i.e. But are they really?

PTI, PMLN, PPP, MQM, ANP are all, promising to usher Pakistan into a new era of prosperity. To me, after the nightmare 2008-2013 period nothing that comes from PPP should be taken at face value, well at least I will not take it. But despite all its failings – and those are some pretty gigantic failings- PPP still has support in Southern Punjab and  Sind, even though its popularity in interior Sind is waning, courtesy bad governance. While PMLN, ANP and MQM are squabbling over their respective regions, what Pakistan truly wants right now is a national party. Supporters of PTI will disagree with me as they will cite successful rallies in the four provincial capitals of Pakistan as proof of support, but rallies do not automatically translate into votes and despite claims, PTI is focusing to get seats in Punjab as it does not have enough “electables” to be a serious contender in three other provinces.  We can call PPP, the ghost of a national party it once was but now it cannot form a government without coalition support in Baluchistan, KPK, Karachi and Southern Punjab.

Since no party right now can claim to be a truly national party, what they are doing is squabbling over and exploiting, biradri, sectarian and ethnic votes. Policies and plans have been left over to be argued on social media and Talk shows, none of which, in all sincerity, will affect the opinion of the general voter populace much. The main body of voters resides in rural areas and is too hard pressed in their daily struggle of lives to really give a thought to the various economic and educational plans put forth by the political parties.

Hence, hunting for electables in constituencies is the main strategy of parties right now, policies and issues be damned.  This is the sad reality of Pakistani politics. Every election in this country has been called as a change but has the change ever come? Every single government in this country’s 65-year existence is a case study in bad governance and indecisive character. And, expect this trend to continue unless one thing happens. Spread of Education.

In my opinion, it all comes down to education when we are choosing which political party will be leading our country for the next five years. Like I said before, we are still quagmired in ethnic, biradri, sectarian and favor asking politics and all this is because our general ‘awam’ is not educated enough to really question the manifestos and economic recovery plans of political parties nor are they really empowered to vote freely.

Talking about published plans by political parties, they really haven’t evolved from being simple idealistic statements to implementable objective plans with checks and balances because quite honestly they don’t need to.

When 70% of our prodigal parliamentarians don’t even pay taxes and at least 60% of whom we will be seeing in the next assembly, how can you expect major changes? The general Pakistani population is too busy in making their ends meet to really go out into the streets to protest or to go in courts to sue their respective MNAs and MPAs and thus this issue will soon fizzle out into nothingness and will not affect the outcome of elections in possible sense, which really tells us something about how the voters will be marking their ballot in the upcoming elections.

So if you ask me if the next elections would bring anything new to Pakistan, will any positive change be coming, all I can do is to re quote Lenin, “…..not every revolutionary situation leads to revolution”.

The New Iraqi Civil War. Oil and Fruits of Syrian Civil War

As the civil war continues to ravage Syria, another civil war looms over its neighboring country Iraq. Instead of looking towards heavens, the answer to the reason of the impending civil war may be found in the oil fields of Iraq.

After the fall of the Saddam regime in 2003, the Kurds have been gearing towards achieving independence from Baghdad and already run a semi autonomous region known as Kurdistan Regional  Government  which has its own ministries and a parliament with its capital city being Erbil ( also called Hewler in Kurdish language). Oil is one the reasons that keeps the Kurds at loggerheads with Baghdad and this time the situation has reached  a point where war between the two sides might be declared on the very slightest provocation.

The provocation it appears is the planned excursion of Exxon Mobil and other oil companies into the Kurdish region to drill for oil. The Iraqi government has said that if Exxon or any such company comes to the disputed Kurd territories, then they “will face the Iraqi Army”.  On November 20, 2012, the Iraqi government dispatched thousands of troops and reinforcements to the front lines of the disputed Kurd territory when a shootout between Iraqi and the Kurd Peshmarga forces, over an unpaid gasoline bill, took place in the town of Tuz Khurmatu. Tensions have been high ever since.

Ever since Saddam’s fall, the Kurdistan government has been maneuvering to distance itself from the main Iraqi government and projects itself as a safe a haven for the world oil companies and all the signs show that the western oil companies are taking the bait. With the declining security situation in Iraq, car bomb explosions, sectarian strife and the fact that the Syrian Civil War might soon spill into Iraq, it only appears logical for the western companies like Exxon, Chevron, Mobil and even some Turk and UAE based companies to come into the Kurd region for oil exploration.

The situation is not helped by the fact that the Iraqi oil contracts are toughest in the world offering low returns, problems that are further compounded by the security issues and deteriorating infrastructure that has suffered from the ravages of decades of war.

Even though, companies are racing towards the Kurd region because of lucrative contracts offered by the government, the southern Iraqi region stills remains crucial to global oil supply. However, it is the events on the ground that are shaping the future.  Iraq’s government led by Nouri Al Maliki is striving to maintain closer ties with Iran, a move that has earned the displeasure of Washington D.C. In addition, that the Iraqi government has made little or no effort in stopping the arms supply from Iran to the President. Assad led Syrian government, furthermore in a sign of increasing independence from the US; the Iraqi government freed a key Hezbollah leader Ali Moussa DaqDuq, considered by the Americans as a threat to their interests in the region. All these issues, it seems, are compounding the already complex security situation and if Iraqi government continues to seek closer ties with Iran, the US and its NATO allies might be forced to rethink their arms and economic aid to the fragile Iraqi democratic government.

The western powers certainly do not want Iraq to have any ties with Iran and Iran on the other hand wants to woo Baghdad as the Assad led government is nearing its end and might be replaced by a conservative Sunni government, which might not be very friendly with Tehran. The Shiite government of Iraq is already on the hit list of Al-Qaida’s chapter in Iraq (AQI) and the Iraqi government fears the influx of Sunni fighters from Syria into Iraq. This has been confirmed by the fact that AQI (in a hugely ironic twist) has actually benefited from the American backed Syrian civil war and has increased its terror activities in Iraq.

If Al-Qaida actually establishes itself in Syria, then Iraq would face a security crisis that would be reminiscent of Bush era occupation with IEDs, suicide attacks and car bombings becoming a daily feature. All this would ultimately affect oil supply from Iraq and ultimately world oil prices. Hence, the western and Middle Eastern oil companies are so interested in the Kurd oil fields, and Iraq is wary of this as it would mean loss of precious oil revenue in the future and increased security concerns and that is why it does not want the Kurds achieving autonomy over the oil fields in their areas.  The Syrian civil war has given new impetus to terror activities in the Middle East and it appears that the effect would be felt outside region too.

Prank Gone Royally Wrong‏

When the sun rose on December 5, three people on this planet did not have a clue that their lives were about to be turned over. Quite literally. Those three people were, Jacintha Saldanha, Mel Greig and Michael Christian.

Jacintha Saldanha- The ill fated nurse

When the media frenzy began over Kate Middleton’s pregnancy, it came across to the people working at Australia’s 2DayFM radio station that apart from the intense media scrutiny of the Royal House of Windsor, what was lacking was a prank call. And so it was decided that Radio DJs Mel Greig and Micheal Christian would take part in a prank call to the King Edward VII Hospital in London where Kate Middleton was admitted. They would pretend to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles and would try to get through to Kate Middleton.  The number was dialed and the call was picked up by nurse Jacintha Saldanha, a married mother of two children. They prank callers identified themselves as the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles and inquired to know about Kate Middleton’s health. To their immense surprise, they were put through to Kate Middleton’s ward where another nurse gave them confidential details about Kate’s medical condition. The call ended and the news spread. They all laughed, Prince Charles pronounced it as a joke and the DJs shared their success with the world at large. The hospital and the nurses came under intense English media scrutiny.

Two days later, Jacnitha Saldanha, 46, wife and a mother of a daughter and a son was dead.

It has been reported that Jacintha died of shame as she might have been devastated by the outcome, which had involved the leaking out of private medical data of a globally known British Royal, but the police have yet to confirm the details.

For two days when everybody was laughing and the British press was voicing its disbelief that two people with such horrible British accentscould easily get access to a Royal’s private health info, they now turned over to the two Australian DJ’s. Some tabloids declared the two Aussies ashaving the blood of the nurse on their hands and a storm of furious tweets and hate mail deluged 2DayFM. People from around the world, especially in UK called for the DJs to step down and face inquires.  And then, after three days the two shell shocked and visibly distressed DJs, appeared for two interviews on Australian channels and apologized for the prank call.

Mel and Greg. Australian DJ's in the middle of the controversy

While it may have been a harmless prank call in the minds of Greg and Mel, it is worth noting that they were not the final authority on the prank call that was made. As they explained, it was a part of the team process and they refused to give the names of the higher ups that gave a go ahead. People are lambasting them for their prank call and nobody disagrees with it, yes, the actions were reprehensible, but to blame them altogether for the nurse’s death is going a bit too far. No one would have foreseen such an extreme reaction and the self righteous in their admirable haste to call for blood forget that they were the same people laughing at the prank five days ago.  The intense media coverage might also have contributed to Jacintha’s death.

Where once this prank was being regarded as the  best international scoop so far, it is now being regarded as being a deplorable act.

We can all safely say that the two radio presenters didn’t foresee these kinds of events unfolding and  in my opinion they are being subjected to an unfair global tirade of hate, half of who’s participants are just jumping the band wagon as is the norm in the social media and which has been all too apparent in useless trends that clutter the twittersphere and Facebook.  They already have got more punishment than they deserved and if intense media coverage was able to crumble Nurse Jacintha, how would the media feel if  their intense bombardment of accusations leveled against two little known radio presenters has an effect on them and prompted them to take any extreme measures. Yes, 2DayFM has beenguilty in the past of such pranks, and it had been served notices by Australian Authorities sans harsher penalties, it is up to the authorities to question the higher ups of the 2DayFM and the management of Southern Cross Autero Media that owns the radio channel. On the other hand the media (especially the British media), reporting on the incident should take a balanced approach ( especially after the Leveson Report). An innocent life has already been taken, let us not scar the remaining ones. It is time to review practices and code of conduct rather than targeting individuals to increase ratings.

Note: This blog was also published in Express Tribune: http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/15126/kate-middletons-pregnancy-and-a-prank-gone-royally-wrong/

Another Islamophobic Movie: Please Ignore

After numerous deaths, burnings, protests, suicide attacks, website bans and religio-jingoism laced TV Talk Shows later, it seems like we are going back to square one.  Another Anti Islam ‘movie’ called, The Innocent Prophet - Life of Muhammad from the Point of View of an Ex-Muslim, is being released by an ‘Ex-Muslim’ and a Pakistani refugee in Spain, named Imran Firasat. The usual suspects Dr. Terry Jones and Islam Watch .Org are collaborating on the film project, which is supposed to be a documentary questioning whether the Prophet of Islam promoted peace and showing how Islam spreads violence. The tried and tested formula of spewing out amateurish and laughable Anti Islamic bilge in the name of Freedom of Expression is again being used.

Imran Firasat

The documentary was supposed to be released on 14th December 2012, but after a fierce back lash from Muslim groups, and most importantly, after warnings by the government of Spain that he might be deported back to Pakistan if he continues with the attempt, Imran Firasat has decided to temporarily delay the launch of his documentary which he says will be released online after he has shown the authorities that  there is “nothing in this movie which doesn´t fall under the right of freedom of expression” and which, “will not cause any kind of loss to humanity”. You are allowed to roll your eyes.

What is anticipated from this documentary is more Anti Islam rhetoric and what is also expected is the violent Muslim reaction which will certainly lead to a couple of deaths and after a few days, when all the hate from either side has been spilled out, when Muslim conservatives will have strengthened their positions in their respective societies, this incident will be forgotten. The perpetrators of anti Islamic speech will again prepare for a hate campaign, which as the trend shows are becoming more moronic with each attempt.

But, let us not give importance to an another kiddish attempt against Islam, it pains me when I see innocent lives lost over things that will be forgotten after a couple of days, what will not come back are the persons who will lose their lives.

But having said that it is worth noting that the amount of content vilifying Islam and Muslims has increased as of late, and thanks to the clerics from our side, the anti Islam hatemongers  are finding themselves publicized without any advertising overhead to worry about. Let’s face it; The Innocence of the Muslims would not have spread like a wildfire if the Egyptian clerics hadn’t showed the clips on national televisions. And it’s not that the Muslims are violent by nature, it’s just that if you keep playing the hateful images again and again in front of an already infuriated audience, you are bound to incense them further. This is what George W Bush and Co. did with the American public by stamping the images of burning Twin Towers on the minds of ordinary American citizens and created a war hysteria that would see Iraq and Afghanistan devastated and USA slumping into recession.

The solution to these issues lies not in more violence, but providing logical counter arguments to the detractors. In reacting violently against such rubbish attempts to malign the Muslim World , it would be a much better option if we made movies, documentaries and arranged interfaith conferences that reflect the Islam that our Prophet (PBUH) preached and not the Islam that Terry Jones and Imran Firasat want the world to believe.  It astonishes me to see that how easily we fall for the tricks of these hate mongers and forget the lessons of peace and patience that Islam has taught us. It pains me to see that we readily ignore the works of many Islamic organizations in western countries who strive day and night to promote the real Islam while Terry Jones and Co. get prime time space on our TV sets.  Yes, sooner or later, this hate-filled documentary is going to be released and yes, the Islamophobes will continue to indulge in their odium against Islam, but we have to show ourselves to be above such irrational, imprudent and comic attempts. There are better and more peaceful ways to protest. My request to religious leaders is to show responsibility and calm the masses should any attempt is made.

The last words belong to a homeopathy student Sabahat Siddiqui, who in response to this incident told me,

If the world desires any kind of peace, there must be laws to stop such hateful material to be made or published against any religion! All faiths are from the God and should be respected likewise.

Sorry Owais , We Messed Up

My following blog also appeared on Express Tribune Blogs : http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/15039/we-are-sorry-owais-baig/

I was viewing the Facebook profile of a young man from Karachi. Looking at the publically shared pictures, I came under the impression that he loved his nieces and a nephew. His name was Owais Baig.

He appeared to be a typical Karachiite with swarthy, intelligent facial features- looks that gave away small details of his life. You could tell that he was a young man, still studying, working alongside and looking for a better career and just trying to make it in a city of 20 million.

Then I looked at the video of him dangling from a burning building, which ironically belongs to a company that sells life insurance. I looked at the crowd below, entranced by the dance of death. I saw this same man looking down helplessly; to me it was becoming unbearable. I looked away and a few minutes after wards, I heard grown men scream. I knew the whole story, we all know it.

As much as I want to talk about why the people did not help him, why the fire brigade failed for the umpteenth time, I won’t. But I do want to talk about the role that our media played in this whole situation.

To broadcast the clips of a man dangling from a burning building until he falls to his death shows the level of empathy and social awareness that our media lacks. Now, I won’t the blame the whole media, but those involved in this game would get an idea. When we say “O kuch nahin yaar, bus aik do hee marray hain” (Oh man, its not a big deal, just one or two have died), we know that we have been desensitised by the media.

We were glued to our screens when Owais fell to his death.

His death was plastered on thousands of TV screens nationwide. A couple of apologetic TV programs, wailing and mourning and we are back to our daily routine, thinking little about the trauma that Owais’s family went through during the coverage.

They have been scarred for life.

Owais’s parents, brother, his beloved nieces; they have gone through a trauma that few of us would ever face. And unsurprisingly, our media bigwigs remain unapologetic.

In a program by Matiullah Jan called Apna Apna Gareban, the director of a local news channel unapologetically defended his newschannel’s decision to air Owais’s video clip. And the atrocity doesn’t stop here. Right up to the time of writing, not a single statement by any media house has been broadcasted, seeking apology for airing disturbing visuals.

Somehow, the image of Nero fiddling away while Rome burns flashes across my mind.

It’s not as if we lack laws and regulations, it’s just that our TV channels show blatant disrespect towards implementing them. It is specifically stated in PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, article 20, clause C that the person who is issued a license by PEMRA must ensure that:

“All programmes and advertisements do not contain or encourage violence, terrorism, racial, ethnic or religious discrimination, sectarianism, extremism, militancy, hatred, pornography, obscenity, vulgarity or other material offensive to commonly accepted standards of decency”

Forgive me, but I assume that our TV channels do not think that the live broadcasting of a young man’s death nationwide constitutes something ‘offensive’.

This September a Fox News presenter’s YouTube clip went viral. It showed a driver being chased by US police in Arizona when suddenly the driver stops the car, gets out, runs a few yards and then shoots himself in the head.

As soon as the presenter realises what the man is about to do he screams,

“Get off. Get off. Get off it. Get off it. Get off it. Get off it!”

And when his channel accidently shows the video he comes on air and responsibly issuing an apology on live television,

“… we really messed up. And we’re all very sorry. That didn’t belong on TV. We took every precaution we knew how to take to keep that from being on TV. I personally apologise to you that that happened. Sometimes we see a lot of things that we don’t let get to you because it is not time appropriate, it is insensitive, it is just wrong. And that was wrong and that won’t happen on my watch…”

Dear TV channels,

If Fox News - which we all know is famous for its biased and right wing stance against Muslims- is capable of such professionalism then I believe you have got a big ethical dilemma on your hands.

Let us therefore not talk about enacting new laws and regulations, as they already exist, but let us enforce them. Let us force our media houses to publicly apologise for this particular error so that they recognise their professional code of conduct and never indulge in such indecency again.

It is time to apologise to Owais Baig and his family.

I do apologise- sincerely, from the bottom of my heart – to Owais Baig and his family.

May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.