Newsline http://candle-thread.com/newsline Just another WordPress site Mon, 16 May 2016 07:02:18 +0000 en-US 1.2 http://candle-thread.com/newsline http://candle-thread.com/newsline 78 13 40 59 106 99 120 121 125 55 126 79 98 32 49 20 53 62 42 48 37 85 93 92 28 96 39 74 127 145 144 41 124 149 183 119 66 76 172 103 123 233 234 115 241 244 153 228 231 245 267 269 272 198 273 280 282 284 25 239 285 290 297 287 35 47 301 166 43 236 90 321 306 232 31 329 331 336 337 343 1 344 139 318 356 367 366 346 374 180 30 405 373 19 440 441 296 462 403 465 481 250 408 529 12 600 614 617 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.2 The Politics of NGOs http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=122 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=122 122 0 0 0 Interview: Ashraf Qazi Jahangir http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=127 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=127 127 0 0 0 Interview: Ashraf Qazi Jahangir http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=128 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 08:30:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=128 As a f000_WAS2004072964624ormer High Commissioner to India, how do you see what is happening in India now, and do you think there will be a reaction against Modi?  Well, we already see evidence of that reaction. That is why the Bihar election, which used to be seen as a cinch – as the Americans would say – for the BJP, is now being seen to be very closely contested. It is possible the BJP might not win. If that happens, that would confirm the supposition that Modi’s popularity has, to some extent, peaked. However, I wouldn’t say that his hold on power or the Indian masses has significantly weakened. He’s only been in office less than a year, but if he continues in the current vein with events like those in Mumbai and various other places, killings and assassinations [and violence] not just against Muslims, but also against other Hindus who are arguing for a secular liberal India [I don’t know]. All of that has shocked a lot of people; they are shocked by his silence, because they know the Shiv Sena is a collaborator; it is affiliated with the Sang Parivar. It may not be a part of it, but it has exactly the same ideology. And they’ve been given this license. Modi has finally made statements [against the communal violence], but tepid statements – too little too late and most certainly not felt, because he still believes his base is the Hindutva base. This he has worked up and made more fanatically anti-Muslim, and also anti-Christian and anti-other minorities. So it’s a very unhealthy development. Most Indians like to believe that their country represents something better than this: secularism, liberalism, where there is space for every point of view. It is generally believed that India voted for Modi due to the promises he made regarding the economy. He was also seen as the cleaner and more successful alternative to the Congress. There are still people who believe Modi will deliver on the economic boom he promised and also that now, because he is the prime minister of India, not just the chief minister of Gujarat, he will eventually have to tone down on Hindutva. What do you think?  In an article I had written, I said that if the economy begins to slow down, then Modi’s emphasis on Hindutva will increase in order to maintain public support. However, that is not a winning strategy; ultimately people will vote according to their stomachs. If prices are under control, if corruption is under control, if the government can administer with efficiency, then Modi’s positive image can be sustained. He could even go to a second term with some confidence. But if the economy weakens, we will see what happens. At present the economy hasn’t weakened, but people are disillusioned in many respects that [Modi’s government] hasn’t quite delivered, considering he’s so much a businessman’s Prime Minister, even though he does not have a business background. But coming from Gujarat, he’s been associated with multibillionaires such as the Ambanis and Adanis, who have backed him very enthusiastically. However, many of the lower class and middle class feel they have been excluded by his policies. Unless he does something for them, [that disillusionment will grow]. The BJP had this slogan in the previous elections, ‘Shining India,’ but that let them down because only one-third of India was shining, not the remaining part. So they lost the elections. Modi runs the same risk if his economic policies don’t impact the majority of the people positively. The fact that they will impact the elite or the rich, won’t be enough to politically save him. He now has to rethink [his strategy]. But [ironically], since his Hindutva programme has provoked a liberal backlash [one would have assumed] this would go in favour of the Congress. However, the Congress has been associated with such corruption, and Rahul Gandhi’s own performance has been so unsatisfactory, [that hasn’t happened]. Is the situation in India similar to that of the PPP in Pakistan?  Absolutely. People say you can’t write off the Peoples Party, but it might take a better part of the decade for it to recover – and that too depending on the leadership it has. Don’t you think that the ink thrown on Kulkarni, Kasuri’s host for his Mumbai book launch, was part of the Shiv Sena’s internal politics – i.e. the Sena wanting to win the upcoming municipal elections after their poor showing in last year’s elections?  When a party begins to lose strength, economic, political or other, it tries to appeal to the baser instincts of its base, in this case Hindutva. So they talk about Muslims in a particular manner, one designed to evoke racist or anti-communal and anti-Muslim feelings, So you think the buck doesn’t stop with Modi then – it stops with the Shiv Sena, its desperate attempt to gain power…  The Shiv Sena is confined to Maharashtra and certainly, most of the unpleasant incidents that have recently occurred have happened in Maharashtra, especially those against Pakistan and Pakistanis. So while, right now [the fascist tendencies] are concentrated in Maharashtra, such incidents will gradually impact other parts of India, unless this movement is controlled. The Shiv Sena has a particular extremist side. Modi as prime minister now recognises that while his base needs to be satisfied, he also has larger responsibilities. He is also aware of the fact that he lost Delhi, the capital, soon after he became prime minister, because the Aam Admi Party came back. This was on account of many of his policies. In my view, Modi doesn’t have the vision to learn from his mistakes. He is not a poet like Vajpayee was. While being a pracharak of the RSS and a member of the BJP, Vajpayee had the capacity, I have to say, to build a coalition, to give space to other points of view. Modi has come in with a mandate for Hindutva, and the RSS controls him directly, in a way that it could not control Vajpayee. Vajpayee could tell the RSS, “mujhay toh coalition banana hai” (I have to make a coalition), and the RSS gave him space. But they might not be willing to give Modi that space because he is completely their product. He won the elections on the basis of the RSS workers who rustled up the votes  for his victory. Modi wants to leave behind a legacy. He invited Nawaz Sharif to India, and said he wanted a South Asia where there could be trade, etc. Do you think that was just rhetoric or genuine? Or do you think that vision has been scuttled by hawks from within his own party? And is Modi himself really a hawk, especially in relation to Muslims and Pakistan? Oh yes, he is most certainly a hawk. His instincts are hawkish. [Examine]  his role in and his reaction to the Gujarat riots, his subsequent statements [after the carnage]. His dream is a Hindutva dream. What about trade and economy and bringing South Asia together –that’s also part of his dream.  But deep down, it seems to be a hegemonic dream. To have a proper vision you have to have an educated mind. What is the essence of education? It is the ability to see how and why the other person thinks [a certain way], even if you don’t agree with him.  If you dismiss the other person as completely mistaken and completely wrong then you’re not educated, no matter how many degrees you have. Vajpayee, the poet, instinctively had that imagination to understand why Pakistanis think the way they do. He recognised we have differences, but also knew that only through talks could we resolve these. Modi started making pre-conditions [from the very outset], which ensured those talks would not take place.  So there was a complete lack of imagination, a complete lack of vision – tunnel vision, symptomatic of a lack of education. Modi is [unarguably] an intelligent man, he is an articulate man, a very charismatic speaker. But the top position requires a statesman because of the size of the country, its complexity, and because of the new [global] role India wants to play. To this end, one would need to take into account the opinions of the world, the opinions within India, and the opinions of the subcontinent. Is Modi capable of that? On our side [in Pakistan], we have the opposite: Nawaz Sharif has all the desire and willingness to do the right things vis-a-vis India, but he simply has neither the capacity to deliver, nor the authority. Do you believe India is fundamentally secular?  India was never as secular as it has pretended to be, but the Indian intelligentsia [wants others to believe] and a very large segment of the India population [itself] wants to believe in Indian secularism. Otherwise, for example, how would they be able to justify their own policy towards Kashmir. Their claim is that because we are secular we don’t  accept a country or a people deciding their fate in accordance with religion. So the Kashmiris should not be allowed the opportunity to join Pakistan merely because they are Muslims. Now of course this is a totally false argument because the Kashmiris, like any people in the world, have the right to determine their own fate, whether it’s on the basis of religion or the basis of secularism, or on the basis of anything. They have that right that can’t be qualified in any way. But because India feels a secular ideology gives them the space  to act with regard to issues like Kashmir, they want to cling to it. Has Modi in some way challenged that secularism to the extent that there will be a backlash? The aspirations of many of the political intelligentsia are secular, but the practise is certainly not secular. In practice there are so many compromises. So who will win? Secular India or Modi’s Hindu nationalist India?  Secularism is not winning so far. [To attain that], you have to have very strong and visionary leadership  which can communicate its visions to the masses like Nehru did. Nehru wasn’t secular with regard to Kashmir, but he had a secular approach, and as far as possible, he applied it to the politics of India. Do you think Modi will decisively change India, like Zia-ul-Haq changed us?  He could, and that would be for the worse, like Zia changed Pakistan for the worse. Modi could do lasting damage to the secular tradition and self-image of India.
This interview was originally published in Newsline’s November 2015 issue.
]]> 128 0 0 0 Book Review: In Search of Sense, Biography , Ahmed Ali Khan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1452 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1452 Dawn, was known to be a reticent and extremely private person. The publication of his memoirs, therefore, comes as a delightful surprise to those who knew him as one of the most respected newspaper editors of Pakistan. Integrity is a trait that comes easily to mind when describing ‘KhanSahib’ (as everyone addressed him), and his memoirs are a clear reflection of this quality, which is becoming increasingly rare in the field of journalism. In Search of Sense is an honest, straightforward account of his life, from his childhood in Bhopal to the changes and challenges he witnessed in a life spent in journalism, culminating in the editorship of Dawn. There is a fair intermingling of the private with the public, as historical events dominate both his personal and professional life. In keeping with his character, Khan Sahib’s memoirs are understated. There is no attempt at self-glorification; indeed all mistakes, whether made in his youth or as a working journalist, have been candidly admitted. Ahmed Ali Khan had the chance to work in some of Pakistan’s leading newspapers – starting with Dawn in Delhi, then Dawn in Karachi and also a stint at The Pakistan Times during a period when Mian Iftikharuddin managed to bring together the leading lights of journalism under one roof. They included Mazhar Ali Khan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sibte Hasan and I.A. Rehman, among others. A few of the anecdotes recorded show the innate tension between Mian Iftikharuddin and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Khan Sahib mentions, in particular, the uncomplimentary remark the newspaper’s owner made when Faiz returned from prison: he said the newspaper had carried on as usual, without him. There’s more on Faiz in the chapter, ‘Lahore Years,’ in which he talks in detail not only about the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case but also its fallout on the leftists in Pakistan.  As he writes, “For obvious reasons, the event [Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case] which was said to involve the Pakistan communists in a bid to seize power with the help of army officers, received worldwide publicity. The sensational disclosure was immediately followed by measures calculated to nip the so-called communist threat in the bud. The Communist Party and its front organisations were harassed. So was the Progressive Writers’ Association, whose office bearers had leftist leanings. In a round-up of leftists, a large number of trade union leaders, intellectuals and journalists were arrested in May 1951 and taken to the Lahore Shahi Qila for interrogation and detention.” Many readers would be surprised to discover Ahmed Ali Khan’s socialist past. As editor of Dawn, he was known to err on the side of caution. However, he lived by his beliefs and commitment to the principles of equality and justice as envisaged by socialism and articulated by Jawaharlal Nehru, albeit for about four years only. In the chapter, ‘The Socialist Utopia: Disillusionment,’ he writes with characteristic candour: “As I was able to analyse it later, my socialist views/inclinations could not be attributed to doctrinal commitment. I bought a number of Marxist classics from time to time but I could finish reading only a few of them. As for dialectical materialism, I found it a bit of a hard nut to crack. I could understand a bit of historical materialism, the Marxian approach to interpretation of history, and was in sympathy with it because I found it explained history in terms of objective reality and in the light of the interplay of material factors and forces, specially modes of social production.” Though disillusioned with socialism, Khan Sahib makes clear that his sympathies lie with the working class and admits to approving of the nationalisation of industries by the Bhutto Government.  ]]> 1452 0 0 0 Editor’s Note: February 2015 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1573 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1573 1573 0 0 0 Movie Review: The Imitation Game http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2236 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2236 benedict-cumberbenedict-the-imitation-game-movie-poster-199x300 (1)There’s no stopping Benedict Cumberbatch. The British actor is everywhere – on stage, on television and in cinemas. And he’s terrific in all mediums. Cumberbatch is a phenomenally good actor, a truly chameleonic presence in each project of his. He is one of the few actors working today who can rise above a script. This is true of Star Trek Into Darkness, where Cumberbatch’s Khan has such a strong screen presence, that the rest of the characters pale in comparison. The same can be said of his Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate. His portrayal is so good, that it’s perhaps one of the few things one takes away from an imperfect biopic. And now he’s made another, playing the English code breaker Alan Turing, whose invaluable contribution to the British war effort helped crack the German Enigma code and, in turn, saved countless lives, in The Imitation Game. Cumberbatch is, unsurprisingly, fantastic. But enough about how good he is. Sadly, The Imitation Game is another such instance where all the pieces come together nicely (great director, great cast, great production) and yet something is missing. What could it be? Ah, a more exciting script perhaps. Graham Moore has written a biopic based on Andrew Hodges’ book, but he omits a substantial part of Turing’s life: the latter half, where Turing was convicted for “gross indecency.” In other words, for being found guilty of homosexuality. This very important chapter from Turing’s life is almost ignored, present in the film but not present enough. It’s like the filmmaker adds just enough scenes to say, “There you go, this is what happened, now you know,” but doesn’t explore it at all. The focus is too much on Turing’s life as a code-breaker during the war, which begs the question: Is this supposed to be an action-packed war thriller or a biopic about a troubled genius? During the Second World War, Britain enlists Alan Turing and an entire team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park, in order to break the German Enigma code, which, as Turing puts it, stems from the “greatest encryption device of the world.” Turing is witty and unafraid, quickly gaining the trust of Churchill himself. Even his team is at first reluctant to work with this self-absorbed person, but gradually warms up to him. And in Joan Clarke (played by the lovely Keira Knightley), an important crypt analyst in her own right, Turing finds his match and a true friend. The film is divided into three timelines – one focuses on Turing as a teenager (an impressive Alex Lawther) at a boarding school, where Turing first developed feelings for another boy. The second focuses on Turing at Bletchley Park, where the bulk of the story takes place. Then, a tiny part is about Turing in postwar Britain, undergoing an abhorrent chemical treatment to ‘cure him of his homosexuality.’ Either that, or jail. It’s an appalling practice, and to think that this was as recent as the mid-20th century! But the film doesn’t focus on it too much, which is a weakness. Why is the film afraid to show, in more detail, what really happened to Turing after he saved so many lives? Why this nitpicking of scenes to make the narrative more smooth and ‘straight’ (pun unintended)? This is, in fact, not a rounded portrait of Turing at all. The Imitation Game can be quite dull at times. But in the end, it’s a tolerable watch despite all the flaws. Cumberbatch has ample opportunity to be amazing and he is, no doubt, on his way to receive an Oscar nomination and perhaps even winning.  It’s a shame that the film isn’t as good as its brilliant protagonist.  
This review was originally published in Newsline’s December 2014 issue under the headline, "Missing Something?"
]]> 2236 0 0 0 Fearlessly Haya http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2417 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2417 DSC6941“Log kyakahengey? Hum hi tou log hain hum kya kahengey?” This was one of the themes that emerged when the team of The Fearless Collective held their workshop and public art campaign in Lahore in late November. The Fearless Collective is an initiative that was put together by activist Shilo Shiv Suleman in India when Jyoti Singh, a medical student, was gang-raped in a bus. It is a collective of artists, activists, photographers and filmmakers who aim to bring about social change through public art and storytelling in public spaces. Haya Fatima Iqbal, a freelance video journalist and documentary filmmaker, has played an active role in the venture. “I used to think that I would only be filming it, but I ended up becoming a part of the team. From planning the workshop to painting community-inspired slogans on the walls, I participated in the entire process, and now that I am a part of it, there is no going back.” From Lahore to Rawalpindi and finally to Karachi, the collective was able to engage people of the community in discourse on issues ranging from gender inequality to violence in Karachi through their art. “Documentary making, for me, was a way to go into minute details, to explore the hidden layers,” she says. Iqbal’s journey into the field of documentaries began when she realised she was most interested in narrative story-telling through the lens of the camera. It gave her an opportunity to understand the details, to highlight the truths hidden under the darkness of false assumptions. And at the end of day, narrate stories of people belonging to assorted backgrounds and experiencing different realties. City of Parties, shot, edited and produced by her in 2012, is a documentary based on the ethnic conflict between two communities, Mohajirs and Pashtuns, in the Katti Pahari area of Karachi. Being a woman, wandering about in a place where violence rules in search of the truth, posed its own set of challenges. “I sometimes wonder how I was able to pull it off,” says Iqbal. And now for the best piece of news. A documentary, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, which she has co-produced with Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, has been shortlisted for the Oscars in the category of Best Documentary - Short Subject. We are keeping our fingers crossed. This article was originally published in Newsline’s Annual 2016 issue.]]> 2417 0 0 0 The Roots of Radicalisation http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2443 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2443 Growing up in Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, Ahmed was a pretty average fellow. He had lived there since he was six, he picked up Danish readily and did well at school. After he entered his teens, his father decided to take him on Haj. “I didn’t know much about religion,” he told the BBC’s Tim Mansell in the middle of last year. “But my father said, ‘You are a Muslim, you have a Muslim name. You have to know your background, your history and your religion.’” By the time he returned from Makkah, he says he was “a new person with a different identity. I saw the world differently. I saw that it was important for a person to have a connection with his God, I saw that there was an afterlife.” He began dressing differently at school, and became combative when religion came up for discussion. His classmates, he recalls, “would say things like, ‘You stone your women, you lash people who speak freely,’ and I felt I had to defend my religion.” Ahmed’s principal alerted the police, who took him in for questioning, searched his home and investigated his online interactions. He missed his school-finishing exams in the process. “That gave me a punch in the face and gave me the feeling this society is totally racist,” he says. “They call me a terrorist? I will give them a terrorist if that’s what they want.” He spoke to friends at the mosque he attended. Some of them invited him home for discussions and a dose of jihadi videos. He was particularly attracted to the diatribes of Anwar al-Awlaki, the American preacher of Yemeni origin who was successfully targeted in a 2011 drone strike. One of his mosque acquaintances told him that if he wanted to know more about Islam and related issues, he should head to Pakistan. “He told me about a school there,” Ahmed says, “where they have good teachers and where they teach about Islam in the best way.” His father did not object to his plans to travel there, provided Ahmed finished school first. Ahmed’s path to Islamist radicalisation is a broadly familiar example of the European experience. Denmark is second only to Belgium in terms of the numbers, proportionate to the population, who have cast their lot with the so-called Islamic State by travelling to Syria, usually via Turkey. Many of them are impressionable youngsters. There are, of course, numerous variations on the theme. In most cases, parental or family approval is not a factor. Some degree of racism usually figures. More broadly, there is invariably a sense of alienation driven by a wide range of factors, notably some form of discrimination, real or perceived. It is crucial to note, at the same time, that most young Muslims in the West, with generally similar experiences, manage to avoid jihadist brainwashing. Yet it is not surprising that the phenomenon is viewed with consternation and alarm. After all, a home-grown element contributed considerably to the most recent terrorist outrages in Paris and California. Perhaps it is also not surprising that the western reaction to brutal massacres such as these runs the risk of heightening the tensions that contribute to a radicalisation of the Muslim mind. In France, for example, President Francois Hollande deemed it opportune to declare that his nation was at war with the Islamic State – as if the French contribution to current and previous conflicts in the Middle East was something different to being at war. 1390603615-radical-islamists-protest-at-central-london-mosque-for-islamic-state_3745314In the US, President Barack Obama sensibly avoided condemning the creed of the perpetrators in San Bernardino, but Republican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump, stole the headlines by proposing a ban on all Muslims entering his country. This, obviously, is precisely the kind of rhetoric the Islamic State thrives on in conveying the impression of Muslim victimhood. That is by no means a novel trope: it has existed for centuries, and even in its latest incarnation it dates back at least to the 1990s, when conflicts in Bosnia, Iraq, Somalia and various other places contributed to the impression of Islam under siege. And the West’s modus operandi for dealing with actual or perceived threats does not help. Its usual strategy of often indiscriminate killing can all too readily be interpreted as a campaign of mass extermination. None of the foregoing provides an excuse for succumbing to the jihadist mentality whereby a riposte accounting for similarly indiscriminate bloodshed, albeit on a considerably smaller scale, is somehow justified. But it does help in understanding the basis of the bloodlust. Of course, it is not only educated Muslims based in the West who fall prey to radicalisation and the often concomitant urge to violence. The Islamic State obtains most of its recruits from within the Middle East and its outskirts. Some of them may be tempted by the prospect of relative wealth, but in all too many cases the driving force is ideological, reinforced by the success of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s outfit in acquiring substantial real estate. The abolition of the Turkish-dominated caliphate galled many Muslims a century ago – including those in India, where Mahatma Gandhi pounced on the cause as an agitational blessing (whereas Mohammed Ali Jinnah, somewhat ironically in retrospect, derided him for mixing religion with politics). The concept has featured as a twinkle in the eye of fundamentalists ever since, but the Islamic State’s capture of vast territories across Iraq and Syria appears to have prompted an unprecedented degree of belief in the prospect of an expansive Dawlah al-Islam. It won’t happen, and it is anyhow a horrific prospect. Try imagining a Saudi Arabia of much vaster proportions, or a federation based on the precepts that guided the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Even a few years of education should theoretically suffice to deter most people from striving to facilitate such an entity. And perhaps it does. But there are always exceptions. And they are very much a part of the problem. It is not just Wahabi or Salafist zeal that drives the proponents of a caliphate. Deobandis are part of it too. And however much Shia Iran might abhor the Islamic State, let’s not forget that the Iranian revolution of 1979 was a regional watershed that replaced a secular tyranny, however abhorrent, with a faith-based variety. In Afghanistan around the same time, jihadi zeal was propelled by largesse and weaponry from the US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. At the time, western and Islamist zealots were on the same page. In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq sought to cultivate an obscurantist interpretation of the faith. It encountered considerable resistance, but at the same time sowed the seeds of increased fundamentalism in terms of both jihadist zeal and conspicuous piety. Pakistan is by no means the only country afflicted by these phenomena, but it could lay claim to being something of a pioneer in the field, which is reflected in its reputation as “terrorism central.” And let’s not forget that the Taliban were spawned by an insidious ménage à trois between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United States. b8398f0f92767b2c4f194e3661fe3aaeTheir conquest of Kabul was viewed with pride in some quarters as Pakistan’s first military triumph on foreign soil. Others saw the export of the Taliban as an ideal means of uprooting them from Pakistani soil. But they inevitably left seeds behind. Just as, according to one estimate, some 60 per cent of Syrian rebel fighters share the core ideology of the Islamic State, the Taliban mentality in Pakistan extends far beyond the relatively small groups that take up arms in the name of Islam. The educated young Muslims driven to acts of violence, presumably as a consequence of Islamist ideological indoctrination, are numerically small, but inevitably tend to stand out among their less privileged peers. For instance, Omar Saeed Sheikh – who was convicted for complicity in the brutal murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and appears to have been mixed up with a broad range of jihadist outfits as well as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) – was notably an alumnus of Lahore’s Aitchison College and the London School of Economics. And Tashfeen Malik, who participated in last month’s San Bernardino massacre, was raised in Saudi Arabia but undertook a pharmacy degree at Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan, where she simultaneously attended an Al-Huda madrassah. It was initially suspected that she may have helped to radicalise her US-born, bred and educated husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, but it is perfectly possible that the two of them simply chanced upon kindred spirits. There are a few intriguing parallels between Tashfeen Malik’s trajectory and the rather more mysterious activities of Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist with a doctorate from Brandeis University, now serving an 86-year sentence in Texas. But then, as the case of Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson – a paediatric neurosurgeon of some renown – illustrates, academic and professional excellence is no bar to crass stupidity at other levels, notably when it comes to a nexus between faith and reactionary politics. Ultimately, the mantra that the upsurge in terrorism-related radicalisation has nothing to do with “true” Islam is as absurd as the contention that western military intervention does not help to spur precisely the sort of reaction it is ostensibly intended to curb. Yes, it is obviously a matter of interpretation – something that all faiths continue to grapple with. It is extremely unlikely, though, that any good can come from calls for an Islamic reformation by those outside the faith. The impetus for a standardised non-belligerent interpretation must come from within Islam. And it is arguably much more likely to take the shape of everyday discussions between small groups of individuals rather than any kind of authoritarian edicts. To get back to the Aarhus youngster Ahmed, once he had announced his intention of travelling to Pakistan at the earliest opportunity, the pimrsolice did not incarcerate or harass him, but put him in touch with a fellow Muslim, Mahmoud. Ahmed was initially suspicious of the latter, but after a few months what Mahmoud was saying began to make sense. “You can still be a Muslim and have a prosperous future in Denmark,” he recalls being told. “You can be an asset to society, not a liability.” Ultimately, Ahmed decided against going to Pakistan. After finishing school, he went to university, and at the time the BBC posted its report last July, he was married and about to graduate – and hoping to mentor “other people who have been in my situation.” Of course the Aarhus Model won’t work in every case – and it’s not hard to imagine a milieu in which the likes of Mahmoud would be branded blasphemers or apostates. But it nonetheless offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim scenario.
This article was originally published in Newsline’s Annual 2016 issue.
]]> 2443 0 0 0 Art as Escapism http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3346 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3346 Life is Not All That Flamboyant,is a departure from that glamour and instead offers a critical view on the life of cocooned privilege, partying and polo-playing in the nation’s capital, that stands in stark contrast to the lifestyle of the rest of his countrymen. Held at My Art World, the exhibition “is a young man’s whimsical journey into the social strata that we as individuals consciously build around ourselves,” writes curator Zara Sajid. The paintings are made from the perspective of someone on the inside looking out and despite the obvious pop art influences and the use of bright colours, there is a sense of alienation that arises from the awareness of staggering class and lifestyle differences the artist observes around him, as well as a weariness of the hedonistic tendencies and the cheap (and expensive) thrills of the upper-classes. trapped-1-2-227x300For example, ‘Wonderland’ is a four-part acrylics on canvas series that portrays a black-and-white sketch of a woman’s wide-open mouth; an ecstasy pill sits on her tongue. Bright, neon colours in purple, orange, blue and yellow serve as the backdrop in the series, whereas the subject remains the same. The Warholian repetition portrays a sense of boredom and monotony, despite the ironic smiley-face etched on the pill. The series can be seen as a criticism of the escapism an aimless upper and upper-middle class indulge in, preferring to build metaphorical and literal walls around itself, rather than doing something ‘productive’ with the privilege they inherited. But it can also be seen as a sympathetic take – a comment on social expectations, peer pressure and the unspoken, unresolved mental illnesses of the rich and (almost) famous. This is again highlighted in ‘Trapped 1,’ in which a man, naked from the torso up, protectively covers his face with his arms. Ahmed uses cheerful splashes of colour as the backdrop to his black-and-white subjects, highlighting the disparity in their inner and outer worlds.
This review was originally published in Newsline’s July 2014 issue.
]]> 3346 0 0 0 Hawaa Hawaai http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3427 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3427 Taare Zameen Par (2007), Stanley Ka Dabba (2011) and now Hawaa Hawaai to his credit, director Amole Gupte is being hailed as Bollywood’s master of the ‘kid flick.’ In this rags-to-riches tale, a young boy living in a Mumbai slum dreams of becoming an inline skating champion. After the unexpected death of his father, Arjun (played yet again by Gupte’s own son, Partho Gupte) decides to work for a roadside Chaiwalla to help his mother support their family. During his first night-shift, Arjun watches in awe as the parking lot the tea stall is stationed at miraculously turns into a skating rink where all the rich kids, or “burger badshahs,” are trained for skating competitions by the over-zealous coach, Lucky (Saqib Saleem). Although at first Lucky is unaware of Arjun’s longing to train alongside the other children, his street friends’ nifty scheming soon gets him into the limelight. They will help Arjun’s dream come true, no matter how unrealistic it is. Gochi (who easily has the best lines in the movie), Bhura, Abdul and Murugan, like Arjun, are also engaged in underpaid jobs: as a mechanic at a garage, a gajra seller on the road, a karigar at an embroiderer’s shop and a seller of scrap that is scavenged from a garbage dump, respectively. They hang out together on a pavement, every day at lunchtime. After finding out, the hard way, that a pair of inline skates actually costs nearly 30,000 rupees – not 30, as the children in their innocence had thought – the boys put their heads together to find a more affordable solution, since defeat clearly is not an option. Using whatever they can forage from a garbage pit, they collect all the pieces needed to make their own pair of rollerblades with the help of the mechanic chacha. The result is ‘Hawaa Hawaai,’ the most unconventional pair of inline skates ever seen, finished off with a red, shimmering zari cloth and a gajra, courtesy Abdul and Bhura. The genuineness in camaraderie displayed between the five friends – four of whom are complete novices to the world of acting and were selected from Gupte’s theatre workshop for underprivileged children, Aseema – is undeniably this movie’s selling point. They really are the stars of the film, helped by a witty script that portrays them as loyal and ever-so-street-smart. “Jahan upar walay nay patkha diya wahin say chalnay lagay,” says Gochi, when Lucky asks whether the boys ever wonder why they have to work while other children their age are at school. On another occasion, when coach Lucky shares his dream of sending his five young friends to school, Gochi mockingly remarks, “One dream at a time, eh sir?” (in an obvious reference to Lucky’s original and, thus far, unfulfilled promise to make Arjun a skating champion). The film also explores the hypocrisy of privileged ambitions, when coach Lucky (Saleem) begins to realise that he loves training young children only because it satisfies his own desire for achievement. Hawaa Hawaai does not star any famous names, and the film starts off with performances that are rather uni-dimensional, lacking the complexity that characterises real human beings: Lucky is excessively passionate, Arjun’s mother is always crying, and Arjun himself is forever smiling to the point of becoming wearisome. However, as the plot develops, the emotions get more complex and the cast begins to show its real depth. Although Neha Joshi (as Arjun’s mother) has few lines, her body language alone portrays the guilt a young widow feels at using her underaged son’s meagre earnings to support her family. And Partho Gupte’s plaster of a smile eventually turns quite upside down as the movie progresses. He delivers surprisingly well in several scenes, including one where he must portray a young boy broken by the fear that he has lost, forever, his only opportunity in life to become a “champion.” The tears and the anguish are real enough to get one thinking that perhaps the skating competition is about more than just that – it’s about the struggle for respect, honour and any semblance of achievement for these young slum-dwellers.
This review was originally published in Newsline’s June 2014 issue under the headline, “Flying Without Wings.”
]]> 3427 0 0 0 Anti-Skin or Anti-Women? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4337 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4337 4337 0 0 0 Homeopathic Horrors http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9003 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9003 9003 0 0 0 Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10035 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10035 10035 0 0 0 The World at Your Doorstep http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10958 Sun, 03 Dec 2006 05:33:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10958 10958 0 0 0 The Return of Zardari http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11139 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11139 11139 0 0 0 When Pakistan Praises the Taliban http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11389 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11389 11389 0 0 0 So Close, Yet So Far http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13244 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13244 Like Fayaz, Mukhtar too was keen to return to his home to lead a normal life. He was fully aware of the fact that once he crossed the LoC , he would be apprehended by the Indian soldiers. Even if he did not fall victim to their firing, he would definitely land in jail. ” I know this well, but I still want to go back to my home and live with my family. At least I will not have to line up every month, like a beggar, to receive 750 rupees.” “I have to pay 3000 rupees rent and another thousand for electricity and other essential services. We are not even registered as refugees. I make ends meet with great difficulty,” complains Imtiaz who works as a roadside vendor. Having left the training camps, these young men are now virtually stranded in Muzaffarabad, living outside the camps set up by the authorities for refugees coming from the Indian side of Kashmir, mostly from the border areas of Karnah, Gurez and Keran. The refugees have been provided with small hutments in Manakpayeen and some other areas of Muzaffarabad, and are given basic facilities like free rations, free electricity and education. On the other hand, says Shoukat, who hails from Srinagar city. “We are living a miserable life. We have no status at all. We are not mohajirs (refugees) nor can we claim to be citizens of Azad Kashmir. We are suffering from an identity crisis.” Khalid Hussain Bukhari, now in his mid-thirties, was too young to know what ‘azadi’ meant, when he crossed the LoC along with 50 other boys as a JKLF trainee. “I soon gave up and now want to return home,” he said. His parents live in Zainakote, a locality on the outskirts of Srinagar. “Meri sarzameen ko salam kehna, (Salute my native land),” he said when we left the Azad Kashmir University campus. Bukhari said that many of his compatriots from the Valley are depressed and homesick. However, he does not regret joining the militant movement, saying that it was the need of the time. “We had to make India accept that Kashmir is a disputed area and the people of the state have the right to decide their future,” he said, adding, “things have changed a lot since then. Today everyone talks about peace and I too want that peace should be given a chance.” He was of the view that those who claimed to lead the “freedom movement” were not sincere. “When we arrived here, we were received with open arms. We were provided with good food, comfortable shelter and everything else but then the mood changed and we have been left in the lurch,” Bukhari said. Some of the young men got married in Azad Kashmir but it is difficult for them to provide for their families. “Even our wives are ready to go back to Kashmir with us,” said Ali Mohammad, who hails from Patan village in north Kashmir. He wanted us to plead their case with the government in Srinagar to gain permission to return and “live a peaceful life.” The majority of the boys were highly critical of the militant leadership based in Pakistan, saying that the top commanders and senior militants enjoyed all the luxuries of life. “Their children are settled here. They have expensive cars to ride and palatial bungalows to live in,” said Hanif Haider of the Refugee Welfare Organisation. Haider, who runs the Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Movement, said that a few years back the government snapped the power supply to their camps. “When we protested we were lathi-charged,” he says However, a government official dismissed the allegation saying, “there was some internal feud leading to the police action.” Haider said that the NGO Siddique Welfare Trust has helped them from time to time. Surrounded by a dozen frustrated youth, he asked, “Who is responsible for making their lives miserable’? We need to fix the responsibility.” He added that the Kashmir problem needs to be resolved in consultation with the people from all the five regions which existed on August 14, 1947. “We will not surrender our right to freedom,” he asserted. Altaf Ahmed, Assistant Relief Commissioner in the Azad Kashmir government, maintains that the Kashmiri youth preferred to live outside the refugee camps. “They don’t like to live in these conditions,” he said. During a visit to the Manakpayeen camp set up along the banks of the river Jhelum, refugees told visiting journalists about the “atrocities and brutalities” inflicted on them back in Kashmir that forced them to flee their homes. “It was impossible to live there,” claimed Raja Izhar Khan, coming from a border village in Keran sector with a population of six thousand people. “We want to go back but our homes stand destroyed and we may not be able to return till azadi,” he said. Muhammad Ashraf Khan, a police officer at Keran, spent six months in army custody, charged with murder. “Actually, the murder was committed by Indian soldiers and as a policeman I tried to discharge my duty but they held me responsible for the murder,” he alleged. According to Altaf, there were as many as 15 refugee camps in ‘Azad Kashmir’ where 4, 350 families live. Nine of these are at and around Muzaffarabad and every registered refugee is being looked after, he says.]]> 13244 0 0 0 The Women’s Room http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=14758 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=14758 [/caption] The conference on ‘Women, Religion and Politics’ on the occasion of 100 years of International Women’s Day, organised by Heinrich Boll Stiftung and Shirkat Gah brought together scholars, activists, professors, politicians, students and eminent journalists from across the country and abroad: Turkey, Poland, Germany, Iran, Sri Lanka and the USA. Two days, March 17-18 at Holiday Inn, Lahore, were packed with back-to-back panel lectures, discussions and debate, followed by cultural evenings where the guests were escorted by the organisers to performances by the Ajoka theatre group Kala Maida Bhes and Dukh Darya at the Lahore Arts Council. Politicians and activists from around the globe recounted personal experiences and hindrances faced in their home countries during their struggle against gender-based discrimination and for democratisation – pooling knowledge to chalk out solutions to stem the tide of extremism and fundamentalism. Magdalena Mosiewicz, a Polish journalist-turned politician who founded the Polish Green Party and became its first co-president talked about the conservative agenda of the Catholic Church, which had pervaded politics and even schools after the fall of the Soviet Union. She spoke of how the church seemed to foster tradition and hierarchy, hence dictating norms through its institutionalised and well-organised structure, including radio and TV. Pakistanis were reminded of similar institutions in Pakistan, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami and other even more right-wing groups of its ilk, and their ever-growing outreach through madrassas and other mediums such as pamphlets, television and social media. With the statement by Farida Shaheed from her earlier speech, (director of research at Shirkat Gah) of “institutions having links across the polity” reverberating in our minds, many agreed with the conclusion by one of the speakers that “religion sells and it has become a commodity in the market.” Durre S. Ahmed (chairperson and senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Gender and Culture in Lahore) emphasised the same idea and added that “Feminism is being used in semantic ways,” while quoting the example of Farhat Hashmi, a dars (religious lectures) teacher with reactionary views. Professor Homa Hoodfar from Iran brought context to the discussion with her lecture on the history of the Iranian Islamic revolution – tracing the evolution of women’s rights and spaces in Iran. Sheen Farrukh, journalist and activist, rightly pointed out how, in the last 20 years, there have been more women in the media but nevertheless, female stereotypes continue to thrive in Pakistan. 02in.conference04-11Sahar Gul, an activist and researcher later shared with us disturbing research conducted by her team, which documented messages being preached through various Quranic channels on cable TV. The exhaustive research looked at the behavioral patterns conveyed, pertaining to attributes of a good Muslim, rights of non-Muslims and dress of a “Momina,” among others. The session elicited laughter from the audience at the absurdities that were being given airspace. She discovered that in most TV shows history was ignored, superiority of Islam was asserted and there was contradiction in views. Lawyer, talk-show host and columnist Ayesha Tammy Haq later discussed “where ideas come from,” and sourced Professor Pervez Hoodbhoy’s talk at The Second Floor (T2F), raising an important question about our cultural evolution and the way our minds have been programmed. We have to use the telephone, internet and social media to spread the liberal perspective, urged Tammy Haq. Neelum Hussain, a member of the Women’s Action Forum spoke on dars (religious lectures) teachers and the inherent authority of dars, the language which is made to be obeyed and the political, anti-west agenda that goes with it. Ayesha Siddiqa presented her research ‘Red Hot Chilli Pepper Islam,’ earlier published in Newsline, reaffirming latent radicalism in the future generation. The two-day conference ended with a concluding note by Britta Petersen, a speaker at the event and the country director of Heinrich Boll Stiftung, followed by a musical performance by Zeb and Haniya and poetry recitation by renowned feminist poet Kishwar Naheed. The convergence of liberals, zealous activists and a number of feminists led to riveting discussions, cut brutally short, alas, due to time constraints. Nonetheless, participants came away from the conference inspired by what they had imbibed. The purpose of this enlightening discourse – to address the content in vernacular and mainstream media, to introduce a liberal perspective into socio-political discourse, but most importantly to stem and somehow counter narrow-minded fundamentalist ideas that have been dominating and forming mindsets – certainly had those in attendance wanting to do more. Now to translate the enthusiasm into advocacy.]]> 14758 0 0 0 Culture of Contradictions http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15074 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15074 Story continues below
Click on any photo to begin the slide show. But within this colour wheel in the hills, what stands out the most are the women. Up here women outnumber men. Some are alone with a guy, like the one seen holding hands. Some are on double dates. Others lounge in bigger all-girl groups: they sit cross-legged on charpoys, chat, drink tea and puff on a qalyoun (hookah). Perhaps they are off from school early. In the lead-up to Nowruz (the Iranian New Year), some of them might be playing hooky. All around the city, people seem to roam and carry about their business with, well, er, freedom. In Tehran, there are few overt signs of oppression. Words like that could get a man choked at the hands of feminists (and so many more Iranians). The fact that women must cover up, from head-to-toe, in Iran, is an unacceptable in-your-face form of oppression. It is one of two glaring, undemocratic restrictions that outsiders see. The other is a spoon-fed press. Otherwise, life looks normal. Men share the streets with women. Kids are seen coming out of school, knapsacks hanging off their shoulders. People hop on buses, go to work, window-shop, stop by the bank, pick up Versace shoes and fight through bumper-to-bumper traffic like anywhere else in the world. There is no disconcerting military or police presence – traffic cops, though, are at every intersection. There are no moral police combing the sidewalks looking for rebels to beat into submission. In this Islamic republic, there is a mingling of the sexes and no one seems to care. Except that the government does. Which is why, after walking around the most cosmopolitan city in Iran, I saw only one couple holding hands. Which is why women are forced to hide themselves, become less visible, less individual. Women in Tehran, though, find ways to be noticed. It’s hard to dress up a chador. So those with a more fashionable bent go for the manteau. The long overcoat covers the arms and legs, usually past the knees, and often is belted across the waist, promoting womanly curves. Yet, in terms of modest Islamic dress, the manteau is only half a compromise: it doesn’t cover the head. Enter the headscarf. Strategically placed, it acts more as an accessory than a hood. A colourful Hermès scarf can draw eyes towards a woman and her perfectly coiffed hair that is more than peeking out from the front, blonde streaks and all. From under the manteau, jeans and funky boots, stick out too, demanding to be noticed. Iran is just as fashion-conscious as anywhere else. And the men further confirm this.
  The 18-35, male crowd is a metrosexual bunch. Crisp, fitted button-downs and slim slacks are common. Hair, though, is the true beacon of style for Tehrani men. Salons provide cutting-edge looks and guys strut the streets with super-sculpted hair that is the result of handfuls of gel. For women, the focus is on the face. Among the hip, modern women in Tehran, a fastidiously painted face is a must. Yet sometimes make-up isn’t enough. Along a major road with shops and boutiques on either side, I stand by a shop window, watching people go by. There is a steady flow of pedestrians. Men make deliveries and women with groceries head towards the taxi stand. I notice a well put-together woman with a broad white bandage across her nose. I think little of it until I see another young woman, not shy about the gauzy mark of surgery in the middle of her face. Tehran isn’t filled with clumsy women who fall and break their noses. It is filled with women who hate their noses. “The most popular form of plastic surgery in America is liposuction,” states a 2005 CBS news report. “But in Iran, where the female form is kept largely under wraps, women prefer to spend their money where they can show it off.” Many Iranians believe the Persian nose is a big nose, while western noses are small and beautiful, “like Barbie’s.” A short documentary on current.com sniffed out a whole family sensitive about their schnozes. The three daughters name their favourite celebrity noses: Angelina’s, Britney’s and J-Lo’s. The Angelina-admiring daughter, at 19, is undergoing rhinoplasty the next day. Her mother, who already had her proboscis tweaked, says her nose was never as bad as her daughter’s and describes the teenager’s nose as “too meaty.” The 19-year-old is one of 35,000 Iranians to get a nose job that year. Western movies and satellite television may be blamed for shaping this trend, but in Iran, the government has done plenty of other propagandising. Around Tehran, hundreds of murals prove the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The city’s most famous mural shows a giant US flag draped sideways with skulls replacing the stars and bombs dropping from the stripes. Anti-American statements and images have covered the walls of the former US embassy for years now. Other political murals depict national war heroes from the war with Iraq, while paintings of the late Ayatollah Khomeini are ubiquitous. Drive around town and it’s clear that it is not all political. There are also large murals of rolling hills, blue skies, doves and children. And there may be more to come. City officials have launched a beautification drive that aims to replace many negative murals with paintings of peace and hope. “The plan is to make the crowded, traffic-congested, polluted capital of Iran lively with lasting and universally understood murals,” said the man behind the drive in a news report. “We have to give a new message for a new generation.”

*   *   *

While crossing the road in Mashhad, I receive a message. The second largest city in Iran is less modern than Tehran, but it is bustling. Traffic flows in and out of each roundabout in relentless waves. I step out onto the street just as a car passes. There is a gap before the next rush of vehicles. Watching the lead car, an old, white Peugeot, I start to cross. But the driver, a woman in her fifties, is watching me too – though, not because I’m a moving obstacle. As our eyes meet, she leans forward and takes her right hand off the steering wheel. She gestures at me with an inward twist of the wrist and a nod. She’s trying to pick me up. No, not in that way. She wants to know if I want a lift. In Iran, an informal car-sharing system exists as a grassroots taxi service. People wait along the street for drivers travelling in the same direction to stop and pick them up. It’s a common scene by highway on-ramps: groups of people standing, looking for rides. Often they are not far from other travellers who have stopped to picnic. Iranians have no problem picnicking in unthinkable places: immediately along the side of the highway, just metres from the asphalt, in the dust, the desert on one side, engines on the other. It’s said that every Iranian automobile is eternally packed with the essentials for an impromptu picnic: carpet, water, tea, biscuits, coal and a qalyoun. The passengers looking for rides, though, aren’t hitchhiking: they pay. During a cross-town trip a driver may pick and drop many passengers, helping him pay for the petrol. The old woman approaching me is looking for gas money too. I shake my head and scurry across the street.  ]]> 15074 0 0 0 Newsline's Most Popular Posts of 2010 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16498 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16498
As each year unfolds, it's not easy to predict what news stories and events will end up grabbing the most attention around the world. In 2010, there were plenty of highs and lows, plenty of drama and plenty of fascinating personalities. Of course, it was no different in Pakistan, but the lows seemed to hijack the narrative this year: the Sialkot murders, the floods, the spot-fixing scandal, an increase in urban violence in Karachi, economic turmoil, an escalation in drone attacks and continued suicide bombings, to name just a few. Here is a list of the Top 10 posts on NewslineMagazine.com in 2010. It shows that what catches the imagination of readers is as diverse as the people who make the headlines. You can also have your say: Vote below for the biggest news story of 2010.
Most Popular Posts of 2010 1.Protest Against Sialkot Murders Goes Off Track By Farieha Aziz 2.Abdul Razzaq Wins the Day for Pakistan By Talib Qizilbash 3.Critics of Facebook Ban Face Nasty Battle By Farieha Aziz 4.Atif Aslam in “Bol”: From Bollywood to Lollywood By Sonya Rehman 5.Movie Review: Dabangg By Zara Farooqui 6.Interview: Cheapmunks By Zara Farooqui 7.After Facebook and YouTube, Will Pakistan Block Everything? By Talib Qizilbash 8.Pakistan’s Hunza Valley: Another Paradise Lost? By Hermann Kreutzmann 9.Facing It By Bina Khan 10.The Injustice Continues By Aftab Alexander Mughal

Vote in the poll below:

[poll id="15"]
  The top posts of the year on NewslineMagazine.com continues. Here are the posts that just missed the top 10. Below you'll find posts on an international ecological disaster, religious and political extremism, charity, lifestyle and crime. 11. With Time the Spill Rate of BP Oil Disaster Only Gets Worse By Talib Qizilbash 12. The Conservatively Hip By Ayesha Siddiqa 13. Give Some Live Goats This Eid By Online Editor 14. The Sea and Sand Tool Kit By Bina Khan 15. Case of Murdered Sialkot Brothers Sent to Trial Court By Online Editor ]]> 16498 0 0 0 Tried and Tested http://candle-thread.com/newsline/tried-and-tested/ Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:20:31 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8766 8766 0 0 0 This is Saudi Arabia: Shaping Change through Art http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8783 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 05:45:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8783 Imagine being a woman married to a wealthy sheikh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. You're surrounded by flamboyant, expensive and bulky furniture. Your troupe of servants is at your beck and call. You decide to go on a ridiculously expensive vacation to attend Paris Fashion Week, and with all that money coming in from the sale of ever-more-expensive oil, you can most definitely afford to. But money can't buy everything. It's not capitalism that rules your life, but social restraints. It's time to go beg your husband to let you leave the country and give you one of the much-sought-after signed letters of "mahram" approval to travel. Few are aware of the everyday difficulties women in Saudi Arabia face. But a new generation of artists is rebelling against the silence, a move that recalls activists fighting for gender equality in the 1960s. Manal Al Dowayan is one of the most creative members of the new guard. Naima Rashid describes her latest piece, 'Suspended Together,' for Newsline's August issue:
“A cluster of 50 doves are suspended from the ceiling, each bearing on her wings a stamped letter of approval by a male mahram. The mastery in Manal’s work lies in her willingness to look a certain way and to show a certain facet of truth to the world.”
Admirable and creative as such pieces are, they cannot shield the artists who make them. Will Al Dowayan face retribution from powerful groups invested in the Kingdom's status quo? If so, this does not disturb her. She is an old hand at standing up to the bigoted. Rashid tells us that "as far back as 2003, in response to a media debate about which professions were suitable for women, Manal took out her camera and went around the Kingdom to photograph women from all walks of life. Her subjects were doctors, engineers, architects, scuba divers and administrators.” The artist thus shows that women can be anything they want to be. She has questioned the idea that any one scholar or media outlet can define what women are capable or incapable of doing. Al Dowayan's battle is difficult, but she is not fighting it alone. Naima Rashid highlights a multitude of brave new artists in Newsline’s August issue.]]> 8783 0 0 0 The Wedding Crashers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-wedding-crashers/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:29:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12660 onerous task of deciding that enough is enough and couples are taking too damn long to get hitched. But I’m also rejoicing that I won’t have to wait till 1 a.m. for the baraat to make its way out of their Batcaves and into wedding halls; 2 a.m. to eat biryani that tastes like its been doused in industrial solvent and 3 a.m. to exchange rings that will be returned when the inevitable divorce takes place. Or, to put it more accurately, I will no longer have an excuse to skip weddings for the aforementioned reasons. It is excellent news that some wedding halls have taken to turning the lights off at midnight if the wedding party is taking too long to wrap things up. This will give a reluctant bride perfect cover to slip out and have a shotgun wedding to the man she actually loves. The law, however welcome it may be, can be improved upon. In cases of material breach, it is unfair that wedding hall owners are the ones to face fines and jail sentences. Newly-married couples are spoiled by honeymoons and unprepared for what is sure to follow. A spell in prison will be better preparation for the trials of married life. Those who have criticised the bill have taken note of how impractical this, and a similar bill in the Punjab which set a 10 p.m. deadline, really are. One newspaper said if the curfew is relaxed “the brides and grooms will be happy – which, when all is said and done, is what really matters.” The editors of this newspaper obviously have no experience of Pakistani weddings. The day extended families take into account the concerns of brides and grooms is the day George W. Bush asks a foreign country for permission before he invades it. The war metaphor is appropriate since weddings are about threats, alliances and preparation for battle. Thanks to the Sindh government, though, the occupation ends at midnight.]]> 12660 0 0 0 How to Lose Integrity and Titillate Viewers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/how-to-lose-integrity-and-titillate-viewers/ Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:02:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13884 Nation editor Shireen Mazari playing the role of a bystander. The video is embedded below and is in Urdu but I cannot provide a translation as doing so would possibly violate Newsline‘s guidelines against the use of foul language. Suffice to say one of the epithets Ashiq bandies about is “Heera Mandi”, a somewhat ironic turn of phrase given Ashiq’s involvement in a dancing scandal. Now, as aficionados of former law minister Wasi Zafar are well aware, it is hardly uncommon for politicians to indulge in behaviour that would lead to their immediate resignation in other countries. Firdous Ashiq is not the first politician to hurl abuse on national television, and given the poisonous role the electronic media has played in lowering the national discourse, many others will follow. In fact, it is the role the media plays in fostering and facilitating such level of debate that needs to be roundly criticised and wiped out. Javed Chaudhry had ample opportunity – about two minutes – to cut Ashiq’s mic. Instead, he let her libel Tariq before weakly offering a protest against her language. It is drama such as this which gives a show ‘buzz’,  leads to higher ratings and, most importantly, more advertising revenue. The formula is simple: book two politicians who hate each other, sit back and earn a fat pay cheque. In my post on the media, both local and international, misquoting Pervez Musharraf’s remarks on the use of US aid I had refrained from passing judgment on whether it was media sensationalism or sheer laziness that led to their incompetence. In this instance, there is no reason to withhold opinion. The only reason to allow such behaviour to continue is the media’s insatiable hunger for controversy. As an aside, congratulations must be offered to Firdous Ashiq and Kashmala Tariq for showing noted hawk Shireen Mazari to be the voice of reason in this televised farce.]]> 13884 0 0 0 Misquoting Musharraf http://candle-thread.com/newsline/misquoting-musharraf/ Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:06:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13890 cited these media reports as proof of Pakistan’s mala-fide intentions. Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, without pausing to explain how this issue was a part of his job description, berated Musharraf for damaging Pakistan’s reputation. Amidst the frenzy, no one bothered to check Musharraf’s words or the context in which he spoke. Here is what Musharraf did say: The interview is in Urdu so I have translated it below. Musharraf’s answer to the question about diversion of aid begins at about 3:20 in the video. The interviewer asked the former president if there was any truth to reports coming from journalists like Ahmed Rashid that Pakistan had diverted US aid to the eastern border. Musharraf’s reply was typically bellicose.
Whoever is saying this, be it Ahmed Rashid, I would like to say this to them: “Don’t dabble in subjects which you barely understand.” Whoever has given us assistance, be it in the form of money or weapons, should know the organisation of the Pakistan Army and how it is deployed. The units and regiments in our army are rotated, at some point they could be in Kashmir, then they can go to Sindh, then Balochistan and if there is an operation in North Waziristan some will go there. Some will go to Swat, they can go anywhere. So, equipment, whether we buy it or it is given to us, they go to the units, the units hold them. We don’t just keep them in some store. Lets say there is a unit stationed in North Waziristan. Now, this unit gets American equipment. After that, no one can say that this unit has to remain in North Waziristan for a hundred years. They have a tenure of one to one-and-a-half years. I think it is one year. After one year, they have to move. Maybe they have to move to the Punjab border otherwise India might come into Lahore. This unit will take its equipment along when it goes. This equipment isn’t collected in some store room. So, whoever says this (that Pakistan has diverted military aid meant to fight terrorism) doesn’t understand how Pakistan operates. You can’t say that this is American equipment that can only be used against the Taliban and so it should be left in the mountains (when the unit moves). Units keep their equipment; wherever they go they will take the equipment with them. You can’t say that this equipment has come from America or Britain and it will be used here and that this equipment is Chinese so it will be used in such and such place. Please explain this to Ahmed Rashid for me.
The interviewer then asked Musharraf is these weapons can be used against India. Here is Musharraf’s hypothetical reply to the hypothetical question:
Absolutely. We will use these weapons wherever there is a threat to Pakistan. If there is a threat from the Taliban or Al-Qaeda we will use the weapons against them; if there is a threat from India we will use them there.
The interviewer further gpaded Musharraf into asking if we ever used these weapons against India. Musharraf never directly answered the question, preferring to ratchet up the rhetoric instead:
Whatever we did was right. We need to ensure Pakistan’s security. Wherever the threat comes from, we will use full force there
Miusharraf’s non-reply prompted the question of whether the US was upset about the use of military aid.
What do we care if America or anyone else gets upset. We have to look after our security and wherever there is a threat we have to use full force. America, in fact the whole world, should know that we will never compromise our security and whatever equipment is there, we will use it everywhere.
It is clear from this exchange that  a combination of a typically-rambling reply from Musharraf, the bellicosity that is an essential part of his character and journalistic laziness spurred this ‘controversy.’ An additional point needs to made: Even if Musharraf had revealed that weaponry given by the US was used on the Indian border, what’s all the fuss about? The US has always known and, at times, even encouraged such use. Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at American Progress and a senior adviser to the Center for Defence Information, in his testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance on December 12, 2007 gave the breakdown of US aid to Pakistan. He explained that 60% of this aid shouldn’t be considered aid at all since it went to the Coalition Support Funds to repay the Pakistan government for services rendered in the war on terror. Another 15% was in the form of direct cash transfers to stabilise Pakistan’s economy. A further 10% consisted of development and humanitarian funds. The remaining 15% of aid, which equaled $1.6 billion, was in the form of security assistance. Korb said in his testimony, “The Pakistanis have used the majority of these funds to purchase major weapons systems, such as F-16s, for possible use in a conventional war with India…” So, not only does the US know that Pakistan is using military aid against India, it has actually sold us the weapons knowing their ultimate purpose. Despite this, the media somehow managed to make a denial of impropriety from Musharraf sound like an admission of guilt.]]> 13890 0 0 0 Ten Thoughts on the US Open http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ten-thoughts-on-the-us-open/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:09:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13898 ]]> 13898 0 0 0 Quotes of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/quotes-of-the-day/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:22:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13905 reveals the most important clause in his agreement with Pervez Musharraf:
During an informal chat with a group of journalists at the Presidency, the president said the guarantors had decided that “Musharraf would play golf in his post-presidential life.”
And former US president George W. Bush, as quoted by one of his former speechwriters, comments on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin:
“I’m trying to remember if I’ve met her before. I’m sure I must have.” His eyes twinkled, then he asked, “What is she, the governor of Guam?”
When Bush of all people uses you as a punchline, it may be time to disappear from the public eye.]]> 13905 0 0 0 Norman Borlaug and Pakistan’s Food Crisis http://candle-thread.com/newsline/norman-borlaug-and-pakistans-food-crisis/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:24:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13909 13909 0 0 0 Trawling for Books http://candle-thread.com/newsline/trawling-for-books/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:33:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13913 The History of Fashion at Liberty books. The other is Breakfast Lunch Tea at The Last Word located in the basement of The Hot Spot. These two books combine many of my great loves: hair, make-up, fashion, history, food, travel. The History of Fashion puts under one roof, so to speak, some of the greatest photographs, trends, models and looks of all time – almost all of the greatest moments in fashion history. I always love a book that you could hypothetically hand over to an invading alien force as a guidebook to human behaviour (or in this case, dress). It’s a monumental book of monumental size and my desire for it is correspondingly monumental. Liberty is full of many such finds. Breakfast Lunch Tea is a truly superb book about a bakery in Paris. Ostensibly a cookbook, this inside look at the inner sanctums of a beautiful bakery is so much more. Every corner of the bakery is photographed: the entire team, their regular customers, their shopfront and the man who bakes their bread. These “character” photos are interspersed between lovely recipes and sumptuous pictures of delectable food. After you finish perusing the book, you feel as if a giant hand has sifted cool icing sugar all over you. [caption id="attachment_13917" align="alignleft" width="309"]Time warp: Piccadilly Circus, circa 1919, from Travelogues. Photo: Bina Khan Time warp: Piccadilly Circus, circa 1919, from Travelogues. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] At the Last Word I also drooled very pointedly over another book and, as a result, I received it as a birthday present!Travelogues is a collection of photographs taken by the renowned travel photographer Burton Holmes, who toured the world from 1892 – 1952. In its pages are sights that you never imagined you would see: Mount Vesuvius erupting and the streets filled two stories high with ash in 1906; a snow-covered Jerusalem in 1920; American troops in an Armistice Day parade in 1918; the Panama Canal under construction in 1912; sunlight filtering through the trees of The Black Forest in 1919; and a gold-rush town’s main street in 1903. Most enjoyable are recognisable places, like Oxford Street, Fleet Street and Piccadilly Circus. Other photos are equally magnetic: punting on the Thames circa 1897, and an aerial shot of the Taj Mahal surrounded by brown wasteland in 1930. The Last Word specialises in stocking books like this – books that take your breath away. These two shops are easy, comfortable, air conditioned and organised. However, Karachi is dotted with some marvellous, if more humble second-hand bookshops and some shops that are off the beaten track. In Boat Basin, in between hanging chicken carcasses and barbecues, you will find Mr Old Books and Family Book Shop. Both of these are second-hand-book heaven. Recently, I came away from one of them with Antonia Fraser’s book on Cromwell, Mario Puzo’s autobiography (concentrating heavily on the making of The Godfatherand the whole Sinatra affair) and Mary Russell Mitford’s Our Village, to name a few. From Say Publishing in Khadda Market, I unearthed Kevyn Aucoin’s famous books on make-up. Hussain at Itwaar Bazaar is your man when it comes to the classics, books on philosophy or critical theory, visual culture, or history. Hardcover, leather-bound, esoteric or coffee-table: Karachi has it tucked away waiting for you. The moral of the story? When you see a bookshop, wherever it is, whatever it looks like, dive in. You won’t be disappointed. (If you have kids, for God’s sake take them with you too!) [caption id="attachment_13918" align="alignnone" width="880"]Beauty and the book: Make-up and photography books. Photo: Bina Khan Beauty and the book: Make-up and photography books. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] All the books photographed here have been purchased in Karachi, with the exception of Vera Wang on weddings and The Art of makeup by Kevyn Aucoin, both of which were gifts.]]> 13913 0 0 0 Beat the Heat http://candle-thread.com/newsline/beat-the-heat/ Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:41:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13927 Beyond the Blow Dry There is a need to have summer hair and winter hair that go with your summer look and winter look. Translation: don’t only live in the land of the straight blow dry. Karachi girls have started to have a predictable uniform: LV bag, bouncy blow dry, designer sweats, scrawny (albeit very enviable) bodies, light streaks, designer glasses, and no make-up other than liner and lipstick. Its so 90s, girls! I love a good blow dry, but summertime calls for more relaxed, flowing waves. Try a less severe blow dry and follow it up with a good tonging or a smaller Velcro roller. Keep the smooth shiny hair for the more severe colours of winter. Just because our seasons barely vary doesn’t mean that we should persist in being monotonous too. Relaxed and colourful now, severe and smart in the cool. Bases that Beat the Heat The success of a summer base relies on you keeping it matte, keeping it light and keeping it cheerful. Choose colours for the summer that will create your “look of the season.” Coral blush, peach lipstick, gold eyeshadow all make up a nice sun-kissed palette, but a greasy base will put an end to all of that. With this in mind, the crucial cog in the wheel of summer hotness is that heat-defying base. One success story in this climate has been the mineral base. I have reviewed mineral bases before, but with more experience comes more advice. A mineral base is a wonder of modern make-up technology: thick, dense, clingy powder swirled over your face (in circular motions) gives you natural but intense, oil-free cover. To use as a concealer, simply dab with a finger tip, and for more coverage, swirl another layer on. There are some pitfalls to mineral bases, though:
  • Buy a colour a shade lighter than your skin, as it darkens substantially over time.
  • Do not use the brush attachment; the bristles are cruelly rough.
  • Start with a thin layer. For more coverage, add another thin layer. You can look cakey fast, so beware.
  • Start with clean oil-free skin, or else you will still break out.
  • I have found mineral bases to cause an increase in white heads, though regular cleansing will circumvent this issue.
[caption id="attachment_13928" align="alignleft" width="292"]Modern make-up marvel: A good mineral base. Photo: Bina Khan Modern make-up marvel: A good mineral base. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] All these issues aside, a powder that turns into a base to give you one-step coverage remains a miracle. I like L’Oreal “True Match” the best. The other base that works well here is by an Italian company called Karaja. Unsurprisingly, since southern Italy can be as hot and as humid as Karachi, their bases handle heat and humidity extremely well. The “Stop Shine” range does just that and you don’t even have to powder it if you don’t want to. Plus Italian skin and ours are very good matches for each other (as opposed to foundations for Asian or black skin, which can get a little too yellow). A light powdering for the evening is advisable, though in the day a bit of dewiness is no bad thing. This is my favourite base of the moment and perhaps the best base for our skin and climate that I have used so far. If your base does its job quietly, then you can feel free to add that little bit of shimmer here and there with a swish of peach and a splash of gold, leaving you looking dewy but un-wilted, and summery yet serene.]]> 13927 0 0 0 Welcome to Girl Guide: A Lifestyle Blog for Women http://candle-thread.com/newsline/welcome-to-girl-guide-a-lifestyle-blog-for-women/ Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:43:31 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13932 Newsline has found one of Karachi’s leading stylists to share her make-up and hair tricks with you. And when she is not divulging trade secrets, she will be sharing other handy advice to women on style, shopping, gallivanting and splurging. So this is more than a blog on beauty. This is a complete lifestyle blog for women. Keeping checking back for Bina Khan‘s woman-to-woman advice that will help you achieve the good life. Check out her first post here.]]> 13932 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing-7/ Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:45:14 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13934 story by Amjad Shuaib who reminisces about a cantankerous, combustible  fellow he used to know. That fellow happens to be former president Pervez Musharraf. Given the public-relations drive the ISI seems to be on, you would think they don’t need to be told by Ambassador Husain Haqqani that denying foreign journalists visas isn’t the way to win the hearts and minds of the media. Apparently they do. PML-N MNA Javed Hashmi want’s to dig up and publicly hang the corpses of long-deceased military dictators, including Ayub Khan and Zia-ul-Haq. He cites Oliver Cromwell as the inspiration behind the idea. It’s no secret that the PML-N is a reactionary political party, but I hadn’t realized till now that they are stuck in the 17th century. For what it’s worth, Hashmi served as a minister in a pro-Zia government. A girl in China meets the qualifications needed to be a cabinet minister in Pakistan. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, the girl replied, “A corrupt official, because corrupt officials have a lot of things.” We all know that Nando’s advertisements, with their humorous takes on local issues, have some of the funniest ads around. Their latest target, as can be seen here, is film star Meera. (via Huma Imtiaz). Speaking of Meera, in an interview she gave, in which she spoke about her current ‘problems’, the actress managed to compare herself to Michael Jackson, Angelina Jolie and Madonna. File this in the Department of Useless Gestures. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will solve both the country’s sugar crisis and the obesity epidemic by forgoing sugar.]]> 13934 0 0 0 Thoughts on Cricket’s Drug Problem http://candle-thread.com/newsline/thoughts-on-crickets-drug-problem/ Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:56:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13943 Shoaib Akhtar[/caption] It is essential that all drug testing, whether carried out by individual boards or various tournament organisers, be accepted by the ICC. Had this been the case, a repeat offender like Asif would now be serving a life ban, surely an appropriate punishment for a multiple drug cheat. That said, the ICC may have been somewhat hasty in becoming a WADA signatory. There are problems with WADA’s rules, one of which has been loudly voiced by the Indian cricket board, which refuses to accept WADA’s authority because of the clause that all cricketers must let the agency know their whereabouts at all times. The other main problem with WADA is that it does not distinguish between performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. The punishment for testing positive for steroids and cocaine is the same, even though the latter does nothing to improve the performance of players, or help them recover from injury. On the face of it, the simplest solution would be for the ICC to develop its own strict drug policy. But cricket’s governing body wants the sport to become a part of the Olympics and rejecting WADA’s authority would scupper those plans. Till then, certain cricketers will have to be careful about what’s inside those cigarettes they’re smoking.]]> 13943 0 0 0 Another Blow to the Pakistani Taliban http://candle-thread.com/newsline/another-blow-to-the-pakistani-taliban/ Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:59:33 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13949 13949 0 0 0 Pakistan’s 9/11 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistans-911/ Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:01:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13952 March 3 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore is the ideal candidate. Cricket symbolises Pakistan just as much as capitalism does the US.  The attack so enraged Pakistanis, especially those in urban centres who had been distanced from the terrorism in the Nothern Areas and Swat, that opposition to the Taliban more than doubled. Just as happened with the US after 9/11, Pakistanis even supported a military campaign in Swat, although such ventures had met with widespread opposition in the past. At first glance it may appear strange to compare an attack that claimed 3,000 lives to one that led to the deaths of eight people. But 9/11 was as much about the circumstances of and response to the attacks as the death toll itself. In that respect, the events of 3/3 are no different.]]> 13952 0 0 0 Welcome to Zahid Hussain’s Blog http://candle-thread.com/newsline/welcome-to-zahid-hussains-blog/ Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:04:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13955 Newslinesenior editor has seen it all and covered it all over the last three decades. As a result, he has a knowledge and understanding of the people, the politics and the history of Pakistan like very few others. It is no wonder then that he is constantly sought after for his analysis and commentary and that he is the Pakistan correspondent for such respected publications as the Times of London and the Wall Street Journal. In short, he’s a name that is trusted. On newslinemagazine.com, Zahid Hussain will be sharing his insights on Pakistani politics with you on a weekly basis. So keep checking back here. This is where you’ll get the inside scoop. This is where things will be put into context. This is where you will get the truth.]]> 13955 0 0 0 Losing to Win http://candle-thread.com/newsline/losing-to-win/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:13:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13957 Fans? What fans? We are always informed that the paying spectators are the lifeblood of sport and that their needs should come first. Never mind that those at the stadium always end up losing to corporate sponsors and the demands of television networks; lip service must be paid to this mantra. The memo never reached Somerset captain Brian Rose who, in a one-day match against Worcstershire in 1979, declared his team’s innings closed after one over as they could only be knocked out of the competition if they suffered a heavy defeat. The match took all of 18 minutes to complete – 10 of which were spent on the innings break. The kicker: heavy rain had washed out the previous day’s play, meaning that fans had to waste two day to watch a match completed in 16 balls. On the flip side, there is the always entertaining Ian Botham, who managed to both help his team and awake the fans from their stupor when he deliberately ran out Geoff Boycott in a Test match against New Zealand in 1978. England needed quick runs to force a declaration and Boycott, renouned for his selfishness, was more interested in bolstering his batting average. What raises this incident to legendary level is that Botham didn’t seem to care that he was running out his own captain! Ugliness in the Beautiful Game Coming into the final match of the group stage at the 1982 World Cup, both West Germany and Austria had a chance to qualify for the next round. The Germans simply had to beat Austria to progress further, while Austria had to ensure that they didn’t lose by more than two goals. West Germany scored early in the game, raising the prospect of a heavy Austrian defeat. Then, the two teams, putting aside all the nastiness about Hitler and the Anschluss, seemed to come to a ‘gentleman’s’ agreement. For the next 80 minutes, they tamely passed the ball to each other like five-year olds having a kick about in the park. Needless to say, no further goals were scored. Sometimes though, cooperation between two teams can lead to a veritable bonanza of goals. Such was the case in the qualifying for the 1984 European Championships. In their final match against Malta, Spain needed to defeat the already-eliminated Malta by an unthinkable 11 goals to make it to the tournament. At half-time, the Spaniards were leading by 3-1, a score that all but sealed their fate. It is not known what the Maltese had to drink during the mid-match break, but whatever it was, it made them altruistic enough to allow Spain to score a mind-boggling nine more goals in the proceeding 45 minutes.]]> 13957 0 0 0 Who’s Afraid of Blackwater? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/whos-afraid-of-blackwater/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:17:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13971 pulled by The News (although it did appear on its website), reportedly at the request of US Ambassdor Anne Patterson. While the Pakistani government denies that Blackwater is operating in the country, a New York Times reportfrom last month quotes many current and former employees of the company as saying that Blackwater employees were loading Predator drone missiles in Pakistan and Afghanistan. If that is indeed the scope of Blackwater’s activities in Pakistan, one has to wonder what all the fuss is about. Drone attacks are a reality in Pakistan, especially given their success in killing Baitullah Mehsud; who’s loading them seems a secondary issue. It has also been suggested that Blackwater’s mercenary soldiers have been guarding US embassy officials in Islamabad. This, too, is a ‘controversy’ hardly worthy of the name. Indeed, it is customary for foreign officials and dignitaries to have private guards from their own country – presumably because they feel safer with their own countrymen. In fact, as pointed out in a recent piece in The Guardian, former president Pervez Musharraf has kept retired Pakistani commandos as part of his security detail in London. There also seems to be an element of opportunism in the hyping of the Blackwater story. When the late Benazir Bhutto wanted to return to Pakistan, she approached the hated company for protection but the Pakistani government refused to give the mercenaries visas. And while there was no objection at the time to Benazir’s desire to bring Blackwater operatives on Pakistani soil, there was plenty of criticism of Musharraf for refusing to accede to Benazir’s security demands. It would not be unreasonable then to conclude that Blackwater critics in Pakistan are opposed to the entire spectrum of US policy in the country – certainly an uncontroversial point of view in Pakistan – rather than a loathing of Blackwater per se. For the sake of intellectual honesty, critics should acknowledge their true motives rather than drumming up the fear that Pakistan is being trampled by forces that are darker than Darth Vader’s soul.]]> 13971 0 0 0 Welcome to the Sport Report http://candle-thread.com/newsline/welcome-to-the-sport-report/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:19:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13975 13975 0 0 0 Moeen Faruqi at Canvas http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16623 Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16623 16623 0 0 0 Caption Competition http://candle-thread.com/newsline/caption-competition-3/ Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:35:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13692 The Empire Strikes Back, Asif Zardari held a summit with the Pope last month. What do you think Zardari is saying to Pope Benedict? Leave your captions in the comments and the best entry will win the laughter of our readers. I’ll start things off: “A thousand Hail Marys.”]]> 13692 0 0 0 Analysing the IRI’s Pakistan Survey http://candle-thread.com/newsline/analysing-the-iris-pakistan-survey/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:46:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13698 survey, which was released last week, is further proof that it impossible to pigeonhole the country. It is always unwise to paint with a broad stroke but that seems a perfectly acceptable method for reportage on Pakistan. The IRI survey finds that the Taliban have lower favourability ratings than all previous IRI polls but that 87% of Pakistanis believe that Saudi Arabia is the country’s strongest ally, 78 percentage points higher than second-placed China. To most foreign observers, Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Pakistan consists of nothing more than financial assistance to the anti-Soviet jihadis. This opinion poll, and the cover story in next month’s Newsline which takes a comprehensive look at the Saudi influence in Pakistan, show the depth and complexity of the two countries’ relations. Similarly, Pakistan is not the hotbed of anti-India sentiment that you read about. Nor is it true that the Indo-Pak issue is one that exists solely in the minds of the governing class. The favourability/unfavourability of Pakistan’s view of India  is roughly equal, which means Pakistan’s opinion of India has gone down slightly since the last IRI poll, but  Pakistan is hardly ready to go to war with its neighbour. And while everyone will go on about how unpopular the Taliban is, for the long run it is very disturbing that 86% of the respondents believe that religion should play a role in politics. Twenty-two percent of respondents believe that the internet is a credible source of information while only 9% feel it is not credible (the rest don’t have a view; probably because they don’t have internet). So you should believe and follow every thing I write as Pakistan has judged it to be credible. It is also interesting that the Gilani government gets a 62% favourability rating while Zardari personally has a rating of  21%. This shows that the people aren’t necessarily dissatisfied with the performance of the government; it’s just that something (everything?) about Zardari rubs them the wrong way. And while the army remains an extremely unpopular institution, it is striking that 75% of the country still believes that the army should be able to take over in an emergency. Recall the support Musharraf’s coup received in 1999 because of the corruption of the Nawaz Sharif regime. Do such numbers portend a similar coup in the not-too-distant future? Despite the above statistic, 75% of Pakistanis would prefer a unstable, insecure Pakistan that is democratic to a stable and prosperous Pakistan that is a dictatorship. Are we allowed to suggest that Pakistan might suffer from bi-polar disorder? In the favourability ratings of political personalities, the irrelevance of the leaders of ethnic parties outside their areas of influence is highlighted. Asfandyar Wali has a favourability rating of 4%; Altaf Hussain 5%. Only various militants are less popular than them. It is somewhat surprising that Qazi Hussain Ahmed is included in the list and not his Jamaat-e-Islami successor Munawar Hasan.]]> 13698 0 0 0 The Messy Reality of War http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-messy-reality-of-war/ Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:49:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13701 video that surfaced on October 2 showing Pakistani military men beating (kicking, hitting and whipping) prisoners has made the rounds on the Internet. The violence is disturbing. For months now, accusations against the Pakistan Army claiming torture and extrajudicial killings have been plenty.Mass graves have been found in Swat and claims that Pakistani security forces have killed Taliban militants and then hung their dead bodies in public spaces have made the news. A HRCP report reads, “The most harrowing reports were of dead bodies strewn upside down by the military with notes attached to the bodies warning that anyone supporting the Taliban will meet the same fate.” On a television news programme, HRCP Chairperson Asma Jahangir said there were also claims that Pakistani soldiers were throwing prisoners out of helicopters, letting them fall to their death. Throwing your enemies from helicopters is clearly sadistic and wrong. Parading and displaying the dead bodies of your enemies in public squares is medieval and no better than the barbaric tendencies of the Taliban, who relish in delivering public beatings and beheadings, and who have happily dragged ‘sinners’ through towns such as Miramshah tied to the back of pickup trucks. But can there be a case for extrajudicial killings? Pakistan is fighting a nasty war. A war for the future of the country. The army is going head-to-head with violent extremists who will bomb markets and mosques in their fight against the government. As such, some argue that people who bomb girls’ schools, kill men who shave, whip others whose pants are too long, use human shields and are caught with a gun in their hand fighting against the state have given up their own rights to humane treatment. The BBC report that broke the story of the torture video said some of the abused men in the video may not be Taliban fighters at all but rather relatives of militants. This sounds like speculation. Nonetheless, torturing family members to get information and meting out collective punishment are also clearly wrong – and no way to win this war. We all know that Pakistan’s justice system is extremely flawed: prisoners ‘escape’ while in custody, evidence is lost, witnesses are threatened and judges are bribed. Let’s say the government does want to try captured militants in court. Some would argue – given Pakistan’s track record of dispensing justice – that there is a good chance (and fear) that even though militants are caught shooting at the army or planning attacks on innocent people that many of them would be set free because of institutional links to the terrorists and the generally corrupt nature of the justice system. Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, had this to say in May 2009 on the issue facing Pakistan: “Beheadings and use of human shields by Taliban forces are not a blank cheque for the Pakistan Army.” Do you agree? Should the government and army hold themselves to a higher standard – the one of domestic and international law that the country supposedly adheres to – or should Pakistan fight fire with fire?]]> 13701 0 0 0 Did Pakistan Cause Chicago to Lose Its Olympic Bid? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/did-pakistan-cause-chicago-to-lose-its-olympic-bid/ Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:53:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13704 tells the story:
Responding to a question by Syed Shahid Ali, the IOC member for Pakistan, about the “pretty harrowing experience” of many foreign visitors to the US, he said: “One of the legacies I want to see coming out of 2016 is a reminder that America, at its best, is open to the world. We are putting the full force of the White House and the State Department into making sure that not only is this a successful Games but that visitors from all around the world feel welcome and will come away with a sense of the incredible diversity of the American people.”
Ali’s statement served as a reminder that the US, no matter how popular its president may be, is no longer seen as hospitable to foreigners, particularly Muslims, and no matter how many platitudes Obama recited in Copenhagen, US xenophobia may have contributed to Rio de Janeiro’s win. Having studied in the suburbs of Chicago for three years, I was certainly rooting for the Windy City, but an American loss does have its upsides. For one, there was the reaction of the US media. CNN didn’t quite expect Chicago to be knocked out in the first round of voting and showed its surprise: And then there were the right-wing blogs which, perhaps for the first time in their existence, were rooting against America. I guess it’s okay to be an America-hater if the president happens to be liberal and African-American. Erick Erikson at Red State had this to say:
Hahahahaha. I thought the world would love us more now that Bush was gone. I thought if we whored ourselves out to our enemies, great things would happen. Apparently not. So Obama’s pimped us to every two bit thug and dictator in the world, made promises to half the Olympic committee, and they did not even kiss him. So much for improving America’s standing in the world, Barry O. Maybe now perhaps we can hope he will mature a bit on the issues of foreign affairs. But I doubt it.
Jonah Goldberg at National Review preferred to take the sarcastic route:
Frankly I am stunned that all my colleagues can do is score cheap political points against Obama’s failed effort to win the Olympics for the United States. Where is the outrage at the IOC’s transparent racism?
Before Rio in 2016, though, London has to put on a show in 2012. There are worries that London’s stadia and transport system will not be ready for the spectacle. But the world need not worry. All London needs to do is present its irresistible mayor Boris Johnson at every possible moment. Just check out his shambling, rambling speech at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. ]]> 13704 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing-5/ Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:54:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13708 putting director Roman Polanski’s arrest into perspective:
So most of Pakistan is probably mystified by Roman Polanski’s arrest. In Punjab 13 makes a girl over the hill.
PML-Q politician Marvi Memon has a crush on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and expresses it with vocabulary that would be familiar to viewers of Gossip Girl:
I disagree so blatantly wth pm alllll the time on phone in assembly on media n yet he patiently listens n is so pleasant!
Then, there’s Kalsoom who picks out this AQ Khan column, and says what we are all thinking:
From building bombs to talking about the cute Makrani children of days past. AQ Khan u are a piece of work, man
Mosharraf Zaidi explains our inferiority complex:
Pakistanis get to be extra-juiced, even offensive, about beating India, because well, we’re smaller, more petulant, and we don’t win much.
And, finally, Saba Imtiaz’s tweet can be interpreted both as a comment on Zardari’s constant invocation of his late wife and his diminutive height:
Goodness, Zardari’s really hidden behind that photo of Benazir he’s brought to the UNGA.
]]> 13708 0 0 0 Killing in the Name of News http://candle-thread.com/newsline/killing-in-the-name-of-news/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:02:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13712 published in The News yesterday shows how the media jumps the gun when penning obituaries (via Saba Imtiaz).
It is indeed shocking to know through an article which appeared in your newspaper on Sept 27 titled “The Taliban and the Salarzais” by Farhat Taj that I am dead and that the ISI is responsible for my killing. It is to bring to the notice of all that I am very much alive and can be contacted on telephone no 0300-7044755. It is highly regrettable that the news of someone’s death is published without verification. The writer must apologise for the trauma caused to my family and well-wishers. Malik Munasib Khan Spokesman, Salarzais Lashkar Bajaur Agency
Mr Khan can rest easy (not in his grave, thankfully) knowing that this is hardly the first instance that the death of a public figure has been announced prematurely. In July last year, PTV, whose initial report was quickly picked up by all other news channels, killed off Ahmed Faraz more than one month before his death. Other public figures unwittingly consigned to their graves by the Pakistani electronic media include Yasser Arafat and the Pope, although, to be fair, Arafat’s death notice was prompted by an erroneous report by a foreign news channel. The motive behind this rush to kill off celebrities is obvious: being the first to report on a big news item brings in extra viewers. The same principle was in play when media networks rushed to declare a victor in the 2000 US presidential election. On a related note, obituary writers may have the most macabre job in the world. Once a newsworthy person reaches a certain advanced age, newspapers and television stations already begin writing obituaries and preparing packaged reports so that they are not caught flat-footed when death inevitably comes. Comedian Bobe Hope, however, wheezed into his nineties and even ended up outliving his  New York Times obituary writer by two years. But The News, and other news organisations in Pakistan that have misreported a person’s death, need not worry too much. As this Wikipedia list of premature obituaries shows, the practice has a long history. And while Malik Munasib Khan may have shown great humour in refuting his death, his words may not end up becoming as famous as those of Mark Twain who, after reading his obituary in the New York Journal in 1897, said “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”]]> 13712 0 0 0 Surfing the Great Sand Sea http://candle-thread.com/newsline/surfing-the-great-sand-sea/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:05:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13793 A woman sandboarding on the golden dunes of the Great Sand Sea near Bir Wahed. Photo: Mariya Karimjee.[/caption] That marked the beginning of my overnight safariexperience to Bir Wahed, organised out of Siwa, Egypt, byPalm Trees, the budget hotel at which we were staying. Bir Wahed is only about 12 km southwest of Siwa, easily doable in a half-day or one-day safari from the oasis, but the idea of sleeping in the desert’s enormous sand dunes, under stars that looked like textbook pictures of the Milky Way was too magical to skip. That night we watched our traditional Siwi dinner roast on a fire pit, as we pulled on sweatshirts to avoid the biting chill. We were served traditional Siwan green tea around a campfire, and I sat, my knees pulled close to my chest before I heard the faint drumming. I looked around, and realised that our cook had brought out a set of drums. Our jeep driver pulled out a wooden flute, and suddenly, under the glistening stars we were having an impromptu desert party. It took me less than a minute to join the honeymooning couple in a dance, and suddenly almost everyone around me had joined in. It was past midnight and the air was syrupy from the earlier roast. Almost an hour later, we crawled into the tents that our guides had provided. The dune driving through the rolling sand dunes, the hot and cold springs that we swam at, and the sandboarding ran us 70-110 Egyptian pounds per head (depending on how hard you haggled).  A safari license (to register with the Ministry of Tourism) and dinner was included in that price, but we lugged around our own bottles, each full of Siwa Oasis spring water. The Great Sand Sea, one of three sand seas in the Sahara Desert, is a vast landscape of golden dunes that are now permanently sketched in my mind. One of Egypt’s less-traveled tourist attractions, it was exactly the desert adventure I’d wanted out of the Sahara.
For more details on Egypt on the Great Sand Sea check out these sites:
]]> 13793 0 0 0 Welcome to Globetrotting http://candle-thread.com/newsline/welcome-to-globetrotting/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:08:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13798 Read the first Globetrotting blog post, Surfing the Great Sand Sea.]]> 13798 0 0 0 Allow Net Run Rate to Solve the Kashmir Issue http://candle-thread.com/newsline/allow-net-run-rate-to-solve-the-kashmir-issue/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:10:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13802 this post for my predictions and come back here to mock my fortune-telling abilities.]]> 13802 0 0 0 New Blog Posts http://candle-thread.com/newsline/new-blog-posts/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:58:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13822 Newsline has been getting a great response from readers on our new website. Besides putting more of our magazine content online, blog posts by Nadir Hassan, Bina Khan and award-winning journalist Zahid Hussain are adding a new, more immediate dimension to our editorial line-up, and you have responded favourably. In the coming days and weeks, look for a new blogs, including one on travel, and more writers joining the Newsline lineup. Until then, click here to read our latest blog posts and go to the right-hand side of the page to take part in our most recent poll. Thanks for your support, The Newsline team]]> 13822 0 0 0 Conditional Love: The Kerry-Lugar Bill http://candle-thread.com/newsline/conditional-love-the-kerry-lugar-bill/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:20:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13827 13827 0 0 0 An Entirely Serious and Non-Triumphalist Analysis of Pakistan’s Win http://candle-thread.com/newsline/an-entirely-serious-and-non-triumphalist-analysis-of-pakistans-win/ Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:25:14 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13831 sex dossier, “What is the difference between an Indian cricketer and a condom?” “One drops a catch and the other catches a drop.” On to the point-by point analysis of the match: 1. Shoaib Malik and Rahul Dravid played very similar innings. Both struggled for the first half of their innings, before finding form once they were settled. But where Malik kicked on and took Pakistan to a winning total, Dravid was cruelly run out by his partner Harbhajan Singh. The roles, and the result of the match, could so easily have been reversed, especially since Malik spent most his innings with Mohammed Yousuf, who has never been the best judge of a run. 2. The eventual margin of victory was relatively comfortable but this could have been a thrashing were it not for the 40-odd runs Pakistan gave away in free hits. Pakistan bowled seven no-balls, India none. It didn’t matter today but this profligacy does not bode well for Pakistan’s chances in the semi finals. 3. Still, does anyone even care if Pakistan goes on to win the tournament? We beat India, and usually that’s all that matter. You can be sure that for the next week the players are going to be celebrating this win by chugging Rooh Afzah. 4. How great was it to see Mohammed Yousuf back to his beautiful best. Even while Malik was unable to score, Yousuf looked in great touch. A year away from international cricket has done nothing to ruin Yousuf’s elegance and fluency. 5. Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal have formed the most potent bowling (not just spin) combination in limited-overs cricket. Between them, they took four wickets at under four runs an over. That won the match right there. 6. We all know Afridi, what with his Lady Liberty poses and all, is a total stud. He also seems to consider himself a non-heterosexual version of James McAvoy. In the T20 World Cup it was his flying kiss to Jacques Kallis; tonight he planted one on Shoaib Malik’s cheek. Cue the Pathan jokes. 7. Kudos to 17-year-old Mohammed Aamir, who recovered from a horrific opening spell replete with no-balls, to bowl an incisive spell at a time when India still had a shot at victory. 8. We have short memories and poor performances against India can doom a career, but Umar Gul should be cut some slack. Yes, he bowled horrifically today but his form over the past year has earned him a lot of goodwill. One bad day doesn’t change anything. 9. In my last post, I had said that Pakistan should not, under any circumstances, recall Mohammed Asif for this all-important game. I stand by that but would now like him to be brought into the team for the game against Australia. Even a loss to the Aussies shouldn’t stop us from reaching the semi-finals so we need to give Asif a game and see if he is ready to replace the mediocre Rana Naveed. 10. The era of the commentator as a disinterested observer died some time back and tonight Wasim Akram did the Watusi on its grave. The timbre of his voice fluctuated with Pakistan’s fortunes. As Pakistan sleepwalked their way through the first half of their innings, Wasim issued a Thom Yorke-like yelp. That soon blossomed into a tenor that would have made Pavarotti envious.]]> 13831 0 0 0 Says Who? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/says-who/ Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:29:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13837 Meray Mutabiq. This despite his previous involvement with the PPP. While such overt displays of bias are regrettable, talk-show hosts in Pakistan are expected, even encouraged by their viewers, to be identified with certain agendas and political preferences. In a column on his recent visit to Washington DC, Masood crossed the line from advocacy to unprofessionalism. Masood sees a change brewing in the US government’s attitude towards the Zardari government and he is eager to document this supposed policy shift. In doing so, however, he quotes “one official on background”, “many officials”, “an agitated official” and “another official”, all of whom were “top Americans.” In addition, Masood met with “several informed US and Pakistani officials” and “a Pakistani who knows a lot about developments in Pakistan and the US scene.” See the problem here? Masood managed to craft an entire story without getting a single person to speak on the record. And while this may be one of the most extreme examples I have of the use of anonymous sources, it is an affliction that ails most Pakistani journalism. The use of anonymous sources, especially when they conform to the journalist’s biases, should raise suspicion. We have no idea what prejudices these particular officials may have, or even if they have any influence on Pakistan policy. For all we know they may just be the musings of a low-level functionary. As such, this casual granting of anonymity does less to inform the public than help various actors advance their agendas without the responsibility that comes from having your name attached to a statement. If using anonymous sources to put your own point of view across while keeping up the charade of impartiality is pernicious, there is another kind of anonymity that betrays nothing but laziness. The “Pakistani who knows a lot about developments in Pakistan and the US scene” is quoted for no other reason than to state how Zardari could find himself out of power, namely resignation, an army coup, impeachment or the elimination of the president either by natural or “man-made” causes. Were I to ask a 10-year-old child to list the various ways any political leader might be removed from power, I would expect him to make the same obvious list. This serves only to pad an already sketchy story with another pointless quote. The protection afforded by anonymity should be given sparingly. It is appropriate when whistle blowers are giving vital information – government corruption, for example – that would cause them to lose their jobs, or even their lives. This shield should certainly not be proffered to allow others to advance their agendas – no matter how much you might agree with them.]]> 13837 0 0 0 An Unsurprising Victory http://candle-thread.com/newsline/an-unsurprising-victory/ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:31:14 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13840 said about non-T20 cricket (via Five Rupees):
If you want to play only fun cricket, play Twenty20. You cannot have one guy taking all the fun from all formats. You can’t get married and have six girlfriends as well, because you will get stuck somewhere.
And this is what he said about T20s:
[I] have never attached too much importance to Twenty20 cricket, as it is fun cricket.
It is clear that for Pakistan fun = victory.]]> 13840 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing-6/ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:32:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13843 writing what is surely the first pro-A.Q. Khan story to be published in the Western media. His defence of the disgraced nuclear scientist will be familiar to those who read Pakistan’s more hawkish newspapers; the added wrinkle is that A.Q. Khan sent him a letter explaining the ‘true story’ behind his smuggling activities. Minister of the Interior Rehman Malik wants to abolish capital punishment, except when he doesn’t:
He said terrorists who had been sentenced to death would not be pardoned if the capital punishment was abolished. He said a draft had been sent to the law division for consultations to abolish the capital punishment.
Mullah Omar tells the West to study the history of Pakhtun resistance against imperial forces, but shows that he probably failed the subject in Madrassah High:
Omar said the US and Nato should study the history of Alexander the Great, whose forces were defeated by Pashtun tribesmen in the 4th century.
Alexander, of course, was routed about 600 years before the 4th century. Catching terrorists can be hard; spelling their names is impossible. One local newspaper reported that Uzbek terrorist  Nazim-ud-Din Khilalof had been killed in a drone strike. Another announced that Nazimuddin Zalalov was the man who had perished. They were both referring to the same person. Tazeen at A Reluctant Mind writes about a Aamir Liaquat Hussain-Junaid Jamshed exchange that would be truly outrageous had the pair not stopped shocking the conscience many years ago. In a discussion about the food stampede in Karachi, Jamshed declared, along with many other such utterances, that poor people should follow religion and not worry about food. Read the whole thing. Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer gently suggested that Pakistan may want to rethink the blasphemy law. That,according to Jamaat-e-Islami head Syed Munawar Hasan, is blasphemous. And finally, let’s end on a positive note. Quote of the week comes from Pakistan cricket captain and unstoppable quote-machine Younus Khan:
Ab hamara bhi jeetne ka haq banta hai
]]> 13843 0 0 0 Champions Trophy Preview http://candle-thread.com/newsline/champions-trophy-preview/ Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:34:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13846 Group A Australia How do you bet against the team that has won the last three World Cups? Australia is clearly in decline, but decline for them means beating England 6-1 in an ODI series instead of making a clean sweep of it. This is a team, with the exception of Ricky Ponting, devoid of superstars, but all-rounders like Shane Watson and Cameron White give Australia plenty of options should their specialist players misfire. This isn’t Australia’s most talented team; heck it isn’t even the most talented team in the tournament, but Australia’s mental toughness should give them the trophy. India The Indians are a bit like the US army. They score a lot of decisive early victories but the longer they hang around, the less likely they are to win. In the 21 finals India have played in multi-national ODI tournaments since 2000, they have won on only four occasions. Still, even in the absence of Virender Sehwag, India have the deepest and strongest batting line-up. For further proof that India is not as brittle as it once was, captain Maninder Singh Dhoni can point out that of the four finals victories, three have come since 2008. Pakistan Is there any point in even predicting what Pakistan will do? They shouldn’t make the semi finals of the Champions Trophy, but then they shouldn’t have reached the semis of the T20 World Cup either. Pakistan will need to beat either India or Australia to make it to the final four, and their record against the former in major competitions and the latter in all forms of cricket is abysmal. We can dream that Umar Gul will reproduce his swinging yorkers, Mohammed Yousuf will steady the middle order and Afridi will make quick-fire runs at the end. Asking for two miracles in a year, however, is a bit greedy. West Indies Beating of stiff competition from UAE in 1996 and Scotland in 1999, the West Indies have managed to field the worst side in ODI history. The pay dispute that has caused all of the Windies’ top players to pull out doesn’t seem to be nearing a resolution. The West Indies will lose all their matches, and they will lose them decisively. I would bet the farm on that. Group B South Africa South Africa have often been tagged as favourites but they have never followed through with a tournament victory. Their losses are often bizarre – just think back to the run out in the 1999 World Cup or their mathematical ineptitude in 2003 – and always spectacular. The Saffers do have an exceptionally strong team brimming with confidence and Dale Steyn is the best fast bowler in the world right now (which admittedly isn’t saying much). It will be a treat to see South Africa efficiently demolish all their opponents before losing in the semis, perhaps by running one short on the final delivery of a match with only two runs needed for victory. Sri Lanka In Sanath Jayasuria, Tilkaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sanggakara, Sri Lanka have the best top four in the tournament. In Murali and Ajantha Mendis, they have the best spinners. Lasith Malinga is the best death bowler in the world after Umar Gul. All of this combined should lead to a place in the final, and maybe even a victory if they can hold their nerve against the Aussies. England I doubt even the English believe they can reach the semi finals of the Champions Trophy, let alone win it. They were roundly thrashed by Australia and they know they couldn’t have done any better. There isn’t a single batsmen in the English line-up who can regularly hit sixes, and in modern cricket that is a liability no team can afford. If Kevin Pieterson and Andrew Flintoff were available, England might have pulled off an upset or two. Now they would be content just to win a single match. New Zealand The Kiwis, conventional wisdom says, have always played beyond their talent. You always feel like they should be minnows but somehow seem to make semis regularly without ever threatening to win. For the last couple of years, New Zealand have relied too heavily on captain Daniel Vettori, both as a batsman and spinner. The return of Shane Bond from the ICL should ease some of their bowling worries. Unlike England, New Zealand won’t capitulate but they won’t win the tournament either.]]> 13846 0 0 0 Mullahs on the Moon http://candle-thread.com/newsline/mullahs-on-the-moon/ Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:36:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13851 says Minister of Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour. Bilour is a member of the ANP and decided to burnish his party’s secular credentials by kowtowing to the Saudis. He had a further word of warning for those defying the Saudis:
He was of the view it was a grave sin to fast on Eid Day, adding those who observed fasting on Sunday they were on the side of Qadianiat.
While Bilour and the rest of the ANP was supportive of a Sunday Eid, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, the chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, truly had the pulse of the NWFP. Here is what he had to say:
[H]e said he is receiving phones from the NWFP people who said weepingly that their ibadat has been ruined…
If you can get the image of weeping Pathan men out of your brain, keep in mind that, as we were reminded by Ghulam Ahmed Bilour’s brother Bashir, this is not a religious matter; it’s a provincial one:
Bashir urged Chairman Ruet Committee Muneeb to prove himself as the chairman of the entire country not just Punjab.
It might seem logical to rely on science, rather than mullahs and politicians, to spot the moon. Alternately, you could literally blind yourselves, which is what the PPP’s information secretary Fozia Wahab seems to besuggesting:
Fozia criticizes Peshawar moon sighting
]]> 13851 0 0 0 Beasts of Burden http://candle-thread.com/newsline/beasts-of-burden/ Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:38:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13854 13854 0 0 0 Good Gift Hunting: Part 2 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/good-gift-hunting-part-2/ Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:40:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13857 here). As written earlier, it’s critical to think about who the man really is, instead of projecting on to him who you want him to be. That doesn’t mean you can’t introduce a man to something new, something he needs or something you think he is too shy to ask for. When a little thought goes into the decision, and the gift is personalised (taking who he really is into account), a man always appreciates it more. Here are my final gift suggestions from among the successful ideas that I have tried myself. They may work for you too – just match the guy to his perfect gift: Tailor-made Style: Sometimes our men need hands-on help and encouragement with their style choices. Find some beautiful Egyptian cotton from which he can make a unique shalwar kameez. Men don’t draw sketches for their tailors like we do, so give the fabric with a sketch that you have made. Channel a 70s-form-fitting, rounded-finish short shirt with a loop for rolled-up sleeves and safari-style pockets. Boys often don’t realise, or are too shy, to request the detail that a local tailor can achieve. They need to be aware of the boon of customising clothes. For those of you strapped for time, simply give a gift certificate from one of the better-known men’s shirt stores. These have slim-fit ranges that our men often don’t know about. The Modern Mixed Tape: Put together a CD from music especially downloaded for him. Like with movies, think genres: swing for the uncles; edgy for kids (flick through a “Rolling stone” and find out what’s fresh); and loungy for the in-betweens. It’s personal, it’s thoughtful, it’s unique. And in no time, he’ll be uploading it to his iPod. Fire up the Pheromones: I love the idea of signature colognes. My husband and I have exchanged a specific scent since we were teenagers. My best friend has been obsessed with a particular brand since he was a kid, and long before it was affordable for him. Over the years, whenever I have chosen to give these, it has been special because I have referred to a shared history. So go ahead and love your boys. Because when it comes to our occasions, they try so hard, bless them! Clearly, our next list should be a guide to what us ladies would like. Let’s see how that would start: five-karat solitaire. …]]> 13857 0 0 0 Good Gift Hunting: Part 1 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/good-gift-hunting-part-1/ Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:58:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13860 “Does he wear french cuffs?“), or too lavish (“I don’t want to give my smelly brother cologne for five grand!“). Sometimes it just feels like you are trying too hard (“It’s a book on golf. You like golf, right?“). It’s not easy. But we women have to take some of the blame. At the risk of generalising, we are not looking at what the men in our lives are really like. Instead, we think of what we would like them to be. We roll our eyes at their corny sense of humour, we snicker that they grumble about shaving, we don’t recognise their reticence in most matters and, in general, we project what we would like to see on to them, rather than seeing who they really are. On the other hand, in a country where being ‘too’ well groomed, or having a devotion to style, is treated with suspicion, it’s nice to give the boys gifts that make an interest in their personal appearance seem par for the course. It’s not fruity to be fantastic! I love boys. I have so many men in my life, and I love finding the right gifts for them: sophisticated gifts for the metros, momentous gifts for the dignified, funny gifts for the brats. Because when a little thought goes into the decision, and the gift is personalised (taking who they really are into account), men always appreciate it more. Here, in Part 1 of a two-part blog post, are some of my more successful ideas that may work for you too – just match the guy to his perfect gift. Celluloid Dreams: It’s lovely to create little custom box sets of movies that you think someone would enjoy. Improvise a cover of “Ahmed’s corny criterion collection,” or whatever, and go nuts. Put together genre packs comprising movies such as Zoolander, Dumb and Dumber, and Napoleon Dynamite. Or create “classic corny” like Young Frankenstein,Duck Soup and The Pink Panther. Violent classics are another good bet for testosterone-driven men: The Godfather, Clockwork Orange and Full Metal Jacket. Or be director-specific. A “Tarantino pack” would be a big hit with 99% of men. The combinations are endless, from old westerns to foreign films, comedies to classics. You will be surprised at what the older lot don’t realise is available and what the younger lot have often missed out on (one 15-year-old I know recently confessed to never having watched The Matrix). Glossy Advice: Our men used to be so behind the times in terms of personal care and grooming it was shameful. Many hairy-eared gentlemen and potbellied young men were a sad testament to this state of affairs, though this seems to be changing. Give your boys a chance to keep up with the latest in dude-land with a subscription to British GQ orEsquire. They can follow trends in “manscaping,” keep up on the latest styles and enjoy witty commentary from some of the best known names in politics, entertainment, business and the arts. If the ‘man’ you are buying for is still a young teenager, then a magazine like Rolling Stone is a good alternative. Going Skin Deep: With grooming, some men may need help and a confidence boost in terms of putting all that advice into action. Assemble a handsome pack of men’s skin-care products, from face washes to moisturisers with SPF (skin cancer, premature ageing and pigmentation does not only hit women, you know). Instead of shaving cream, find shaving oils that are substantially easier on the skin as they soften the hair and moisturise the skin, lessening the chance of razor burn. In fact, shaving oils are the one product that I have introduced to the men in my life that many have made a regular part of their daily routines. Otherwise, think about the salon. Sadly, boys can often be brought up to fear metrosexuality, though that may be changing. I was recently stunned/pleased/tickled to overhear a conversation between two young men, debating which spa day experience was better – and planning where to go next time! Still, many others are still averse to it. Giving a gift certificate for a facial is a good way to get those boys through the door. Once they are over that initial resistance and see that all the salon-going men are, in fact, still men, they will embrace manis and pedis and all of the good stuff that they deserve. Picture This: Some boys find the idea of putting up photos pansy-ish. But put together some pictures in a couple of handsome frames, and chances are it will be appreciated. The techno geeks will love today’s digital frames. Buy one, unpack it and upload a bunch of pictures of friends, family, and buddies. With email and networking sites like Facebook, getting people to contribute images is easy. It’s perfect for the uncle/son/buddy/husband who travels, and under the cover of “techi-ness,” any boy can display it without looking soft. More Gift Ideas: There are more personalised gift ideas for men in Part 2.]]> 13860 0 0 0 Learning by Numbers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/learning-by-numbers/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:17:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13312 “Despite extensive efforts to isolate observable factors that could explain the private-public gap, the data collected by the LEAPS survey cannot conclusively explain why private schools outperform public schools.” Economic regression models attempt to explain a relationship between, say, private schooling and higher test scores, by accounting for all the possible advantages a child who goes to a private school might have. A regression model would include child characteristics (age, gender, health status), family characteristics (availability of books and other media at home, parental education, income), school characteristics (infrastructure, location, student-teacher ratio) and teacher characteristics (absenteeism, age, education, gender, test scores, training). The list is exhaustive. The team found that all this explains only about 30% of the difference in test scores between private and public schools. The numbers alone explain less than a third of the difference. In developed countries, though, factors such as having wealthier parents or better access to media are big influencers and often dramatically affect a child’s test score. So over here, why are these private schools “better” than their public-school counterparts? The economists put their numbers aside to find out. They went and talked to the head teachers at a few private schools. This is what they had to say:
“In the first interview, the head teacher felt that one of his teachers was weak in mathematics, so he had arranged for her, together with other teachers from neighbouring villages, to go for further training in Hafizabad, 60 kilometres away from the village. The second head teacher felt that the lack of a boundary wall was distracting students (the school was next to a road), so he spent funds on building a wall and his impression was that children could now focus more as a result of this construction. In the third school, children from one settlement were frequently absent since they had to cross a small forest to reach the school. The head teacher decided to send a teacher every morning to this settlement to chaperone the children to the school, and attendance increased dramatically.”
Teaching requires imagination and creativity. So does entrepreneurship. Just as studies have found that there is no one formula for good teaching, there is no one formula for successful entrepreneurship. But in tiny villages across the subcontinent people who want to do, do – and in a surprisingly beneficial and non-exploitative way. It seems that private schooling allows a Matric-graduate who couldn’t find work in the city, or a young secondary-school-pass girl who can’t leave the village, to meet parents like Mina’s who need a place where they know the teacher will show up. But more than that, it seems that private school owners have just that little extra incentive to make sure kids keep coming and parents keep paying fees. Not only will they fire bad teachers, they will provide evening classes in harvest season. Not only will they make sure it’s worth parents’ time to send their children to school, they’ll cope with large classes by appointing the smarter children to help the weaker ones. Every ghetto, every city and every household has its own problems. While Pakistan’s government schools would rather let the exceptions slip through the cracks, it seems that a good entrepreneur would see them as potential customers. Business-minded creativity doesn’t show up in the numbers. For free-marketeers, this is good news. The challenge is for the rest of us. Can you train someone to think creatively? What incentives do you provide him/her? Are you putting really poor kids at a disadvantage? And we haven’t even begun to crack the really big question: how do you get teachers, government or otherwise, to put in more effort? I’m no economist, but I have a feeling that it’s going to take more than an economic model to figure that one out. The LEAPS report is available online here.]]> 13312 0 0 0 Can Suicide Bombings be Stopped? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/can-suicide-bombings-be-stopped/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:18:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13319 13319 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing-3/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:02:05 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13352 latest screed is a doozy:
One week ago, the Pakistan army—aided by U.S. drone technology, no less — launched its offensive against the South Waziristan region, the new home of our fabled local Taliban. The Taliban moved there after last summer’s Swat offensive, which was declared a resounding success. So successful, apparently, that the militants were able to pack up and shuffle right into a new region of the country.
Just for the record, South Waziristan has been the home of our decidedly non-fabled Taliban since at least 2002. They didn’t just pack up and shuffle there; they have fought the army in South Waziristan thrice before. Hillary Clinton may have had some harsh words for Pakistan during her trip but she certainly charmed theshalwar kameez off Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani:
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton termed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani the magician of politics when she heard that he was unanimously elected as the leader of the house in parliament last year and was running the house with consensus since then with the confidence of the establishment and the masses alike.
Jane Mayer has a must-read on the (mis)use of drones in this week’s New Yorker, not least because Interior Minister Rehman Malik seems to be as excited by drones as 15-year-olds are by iPods.
“We used to see James Bond movies where he talked into his shoe or his watch. We thought it was a fairy tale. But this was fact!”
If you have about three hours to kill, check out every link on the Ministry of Culture’s website where it helpfully decodes Pakistan’s perplexing cultural customs. Did you know that kababs could be served solo and that Xinger is a type of Pakistani burger? The Ministry of Culture doesn’t reveal if they were paid by KFC to do this or if the money was refunded because of the typo. The Pakistan government is finally taking the terrorist threat seriously by checking on houses that might be rented by terrorists. They are going to do this by collecting funny stories and incidents that involve renters:
“Owners of the rented houses in all the seven police stations of the district have already been instructed to submit to the police details about the anecdotes of their tenants,” the DPO added.
Is Pervez Musharraf secretly meeting with US officials? If you read the headline and first paragraph of this Dawn story you would certainly think so. If you read the third paragraph, you might change your mind. George W. Bush just redefined irony:
He left office with the US embroiled in two wars, a Great Recession and with his approval rating a toxic 22 per cent. So the next stage in his career is obvious. George W Bush — who last year inspired millions of people to vote Democrat — is about to become a highly-paid motivational speaker.
And finally, Richard Hoolbroke has appointed a liaison to handle all the aid being given to Pakistani NGOs – the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. Within a year, our NGO’s will be neurotic and guilt-ridden with a strange fondness for Groucho Marx.]]> 13352 0 0 0 A War on Women http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-war-on-women/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:44:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13369 Newsline takes a closer look at the history of the International Islamic University in its November issue, due out late next week). That this institution was attacked would hint that Hakimullah Mehsud is no longer trying to build alliances or even spare groups that might be inclined to support the Taliban. Girls’ education is a bugbear of the Taliban, which might explain the attack, but tactically it was a mistake. The girls who would be studying at the Islamic University are far more conservative than the population as a whole and could have been counted on, if not to support the Taliban, then to oppose military action against them. And if the Taliban is serious about establishing an Islamic society in Pakistan, rather than maximising short-term political violence, then these are precisely the sort of allies it needs. The attack on Meena Baazar, too, targeted those very people one would expect the Taliban to win over. This, too indicates that the Taliban is no longer trying to expand the territory it controls. By going after soft civilian targets, the Taliban has eschewed its hearts-and-minds programme of providing speedy justice and welfare to those who support it. Meanwhile, lower-income women are being disproportionately killed in what one hopes is the Taliban’s last, desperate stand, caught in a war in which these women never took sides.]]> 13369 0 0 0 A Tragic Week http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-tragic-week/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:48:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13399 13399 0 0 0 Thank You for Smoking: 7 Tips for Perfect “Smoky” Eyes http://candle-thread.com/newsline/thank-you-for-smoking-7-tips-for-perfect-smoky-eyes/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:47:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13411 2. Once you have these neatly laid out in front of you and you are in good, even light, start by putting the medium in to your socket line. Fade the colour upwards along the line towards the brow and on to the lid a little. Channel your inner Twiggy and make it pop. Use a soft rounded brush for this. 3. Once your socket is looking all sexy, do your black liner, a little thicker than usual, almost double. Cover half ofthat liner with your dark colour. Then apply a strip of the dark above, then a weaker strip above that. Keep applying the dark shadow like many strips of slowly fading liner, till you reach the medium of your socket. 4. These strips can be achieved best with a wet brush. I like to work with paintbrushes, and if you go and buy yourself a watercolour brush (say a size four or six), then that should help you to achieve the required strips of colour. Once these strips dry, you will be impressed with how professional your make-up looks – and you have the added advantage of keeping the colour on your eye all night as opposed to it settling on to your cheek! Water acts like a make-up sealant that even humid weather can’t break through. 5. Now that you are done with the hard part, swish your light colour on to your brow bone and into your inner corner. Drag a little of your dark colour onto your under eye, but only go as far as your little lashes last. Add a rich black kohl and concentrate hard on your mascara. Your eyes are done! 6. If your eyes are the main focus of attention, please down play your blush and lips, unless you are trying out for a role in Chicago. Keep it in the same colour family. A good rule is to try and mirror the medium and light tones in your eyes. [caption id="attachment_13456" align="alignnone" width="880"]A warm chocolate-brown smoky eye on Tanya Shafi Khan's smiling face. Photo: Bina Khan A warm chocolate-brown smoky eye on Tanya Shafi Khan's smiling face. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] 7. Once you have mastered this technique, you can apply it to any number of colours: a smoky green, a smoky blue. The only rule is that your medium on your socket line needs to be a pink, bronze, or beige – in short, anything that could be a lipstick or a blush – as it should be a complimentary colour to the colours on your lid. For example, for a smoky blue eye you would use a pale pink (light), quartzy pink (medium), dirty royal blue (dark) and black. A green eye would fade to a bronze medium and so on. Armed with this information, your imagination is your only limit. But always practice and perfect a look ahead of time, before an important occasion. That way there is no pressure, and repeat performances are always smoother. It would not be cool, for example, to keep the whole screaming wedding baraatwaiting while you frantically try to work out which medium would work best. The odds of you dancing to “Rang Barsey” at your brother-in-law’s wedding sporting a look worthy of Marilyn Manson could get pretty high! Yikes!
For a speedy version of the smoky eye click here.
]]> 13411 0 0 0 How to Win a Referendum http://candle-thread.com/newsline/how-to-win-a-referendum/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:21:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13463 framed the question:
The ‘ballot paper’ read: “It (the Kerry-Lugar bill) is a charge-sheet against country’s sensitive agencies; ”It is an American attempt to capture Pakistans nuclear assets; and ‘‘Is aimed at spreading terror through American security agency Blackwater to continue the massacre of innocent people by American drone attacks and the extension of the American embassy (converting it) into a cantonment.” ‘Voters’ were asked to put a tick-mark on ‘I reject Kerry-Lugar bill ‘ or ‘I don’t reject Kerry-Lugar bill’.
There is actually precedent for such referendums in Pakistan. Back in 1984, Zia-ul-Haq held one so that we could decide if he should continue as president. Knowing how hated he was and how religious the population was, Zia asked the people if they wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic country. When 95% (deduct as many percentage points as you see fit to take into account rigging) of the voters – or 10% of the country – said they did, Zia decided that meant he should stay on as president for another five years. And unlike the JI referendum this one was binding. So, the electorate, this time defined as JI supporters and those it could bus to its rallies around the country, have voted against receiving $1.5 billion in non-military aid annually. What does this mean? Take into account the JI’s zero seats in Parliament and it means absolutely nothing.]]> 13463 0 0 0 Patronising Reality http://candle-thread.com/newsline/patronising-reality/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:25:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13519 13519 0 0 0 Scapegoating Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/scapegoating-pakistan/ Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:53:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13558 13558 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing-4/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:26:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13574 breaking out of cages:
Zoo director Zafar Shah, however, termed monkey’s escape a conspiracy against the present zoo administration. He said some elements who did not want to see him as director were behind such moves.
This isn’t the first time animals have targeted the country’s elite. And we seem to be no better at identifying animals than we are at catching them.  In May, a leopard (or was it a wildcat?) stalked the prime minister in his garden. And in July and October of 2008, Karachi fell pray to an escaped lion and wildcat (also initially thought to be a lion), respectively. The Kerry-Lugar bill is of far greater importance to our media than the ongoing terrorism and military operation in Pakistan. Today, all five of the op-eds in The News deal with the bill. But I suspect that the New York Times did this story (via AfPak Channel) on the bill just so they could run the picture of the two men posing with Ronald McDonald. The Daily Times did a report on an unnamed “highly-placed public functionary” who has been accused of cheating on his taxes. This anonymous person happens to be Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab. He also happens to be the owner of Daily Times. Quote of the week goes to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who had this to say at the inauguration of a school set up by Imran Khan:
“I wanted to invite President Asif Ali Zardari here but due to security situation I did not do so because if any thing happened to him then I might be prime suspect.”
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also had a great week. He announced a new Volunteer Student Task Force, which will fight terrorism after giving students training for only three days. And anyone who records a terrorist attack will get a job in the police or FIA. Nawaz Sharif has come up with a novel idea:
He said if the business community paid taxes, the country could progress with dignity.
Not all businessmen like to pay taxes when they are in power. The PPP and PML-N aren’t in disagreement on every issue that matters:
[L]eaders of the house and the opposition in the Senate together defended legislators’ right to smoke in the lobbies of the Parliament.
The Younus Khan captaincy debate still isn’t settled but it has thrown up a scenario where the MQM are defending a Pakhtun. Iftikhar Chaudhry has been named as a brave thinker by the Atlantic Monthly. The only thought Chaudhry has ever had is to make the judiciary a legislative body. Also note the caricature of Chaudhry that makes him look like Peter Sellers circa The Party. While everyone else was mourning the attack on the GHQ in Rawalpindi, The News was tooting its own horn.]]> 13574 0 0 0 Great Players are Terrible Coaches http://candle-thread.com/newsline/great-players-are-terrible-coaches/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:42:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13586 bizarre press conference after a tight 1-0 win over Uruguay ensured qualification has raised further questions about his mental stability. Pele, for one, believes Maradona should not be coaching Argentina (an opinion that Maradona believes casts significant doubt on the Brazilian legend’s sexuality). That Argentina struggled so mightily to qualify when they have one of the best teams in the world is an indictment of Maradona as a coach. Even more, it shows that the Argentinians have fallen prey to a long-standing sporting myth: that great players will automatically make for superb coaches. The best coaches, far from being innately gifted, are usually those who rose above their limited abilities to compete in their sport. The most famous example of this may be Brad Gilbert, a journeyman tennis player who hung around the margins of the top twenty for many years despite his unimposing physique. He was able to survive as a pro by out-thinking players who either had a natural talent for the game or stood six-an-a-half-feet tall. As the most celebrated coach in the history of tennis, Gilbert was able to reinvent Andre Agassi’s career by making him a smarter player. Similarly, fourth-ranked player Andy Murray prefers to keep Miles Maclagan, who never broke the top 100 as his main coach, while using grand-slam winner Alex Corretja only to help him out on clay. Maclagan at 5 foot 9 inches, is diminutive by tennis standards but was able to eke out a living as a pro through his wits. Great players are used accustomed to being the centre of attention, not willing to recede into the background even when they have a supporting role. Witness Maradona’s meltdown again to see how ego is coming in the way of his job. Compare also the records of John Wright (batting average 37.82) and Greg Chappell (batting average 53.86) as coach of India. India enjoyed great success under Wright, in part because he was not constantly hogging the limelight, leaving the trappings of success to be enjoyed by captain Saurav Ganguly. Chappell, meanwhile, managed to pick fights with everyone, was a habitual leaker to the media and eventually had to leave the job in disgrace. Anyone who still thinks that a ledgendary player is an automatic choice as coach should ask themselves: who would you rather have coaching the Pakistan cricket team, Bob Woolmer or Javed Miandad?]]> 13586 0 0 0 How to Defeat the Taliban in South Waziristan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/how-to-defeat-the-taliban-in-south-waziristan/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:51:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13589 13589 0 0 0 The Taliban-Quetta Link http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-taliban-quetta-link/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:54:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13596 13596 0 0 0 The Difference Between Hakimullah and Baitullah http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-difference-between-hakimullah-and-baitullah/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:59:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13599 Newsline, Rahimullah Yousufzai had this to say about the new TTP leader:
The 29-year-old commander has the reputation of a ruthless and fearless militant. He is also known to be an emotional man who relishes media coverage. He is also known to have a fancy for weapons and vehicles…Pakistan will have to gear up for a wave of suicide bombings ordered by Hakimullah in the coming weeks and months.
Yousufzai’s prediction was spot-on and gives a good explanation for the surge in terrorist attacks this week. It is believed that Baitullah Mehsud saw Afghanistan and the NATO forces as the more important battlefield and ordered attacks in Pakistan only in response to what he saw as provocations by the government and army. Hakimullah, in keeping with what is known about him, has adopted an even more confrontational role and is taking the war to Pakistan in a way that his predecessor didn’t. In the short term, this is terrible news for Pakistan as there will be further audacious attacks and much spilled blood. But, if the army and government are serious about finishing off the Taliban, there is also an opportunity. Under Hakimullah’s leadership there is every chance that the TTP will spread itself too thin and concentrate more on headline-grabbing attacks than consolidating its hold in Waziristan. Rumours over the past few weeks have hinted at a coming operation in Waziristan. Hakimullah Mehsud overplaying his hand may not only have made the use of military force a certainty, it may also have lowered the odds of success.]]> 13599 0 0 0 The Week in Sport http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-week-in-sport/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:22:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13602 A roundup of the best match-ups this week Younus Khan versus Political Pygmies Younus Khan may not be the best captain Pakistan has ever had but he is certainly the most entertaining. In the spirit of Yogi Berra, he always had an entertaining explanation of the day’s play. Today he handed in his resignation as captain after being summoned by a parliamentary committee to explain Pakistan’s defeat in the semi finals of the Champions Trophy. One expert even decided match-fixing was to blame. Younus Khan’s resignation shouldn’t come as a surprise. Capriciousness has always been a part of his make up as shown by his refusal to accept the captaincy a couple of years ago because the chairman of the PCB made him wait too long in the sitting room before meeting him. It is unfortunate, though, that he was forced out of the captaincy by people who should have nothing to do with the game. Tiger Woods versus Y.E. Yang Before this year’s US PGA Championship, Tiger had a 14-0 record of going on to win major championships when he was leading after the third round. Tiger cast aside Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen like crumpled candy wrappers but could not handle the wonderfully-named Young Yang, who was ranked outside the top 150 at the time. Sunday at the Presidents’ Cup Woods and Yang were matched up for the final day’s play. Yang confessed fear, while revenge was on Tiger’s mind. Providence perhaps, but Tiger’s 6&5 victory gave the US team victory over the International side. Alex Ferguson versus The World The Manchester United manager is not a gracious man, in victory or defeat. When a minute-and-a-half of inexplicable extra time gave Man Utd victory against Manchester City, Ferguson, instead of humbly accepting his unearned fortune, berated his opponents and claimed they should have lost by a bigger margin. A draw last Saturday led to a typically dirty diversion from Ferguson, this time against referee Alan Wiley, who he claimed was too unfit to officiate. Ferguson was forced to apologise for his remarks and while this may be the first time he has expressed remorse, it was so begrudging that he might as well have stood his ground. Marat Safin verus Marat Safin This hasn’t been a great year for the most talented tennis player not named Roger Federer. In his final year on the tour, Safin has failed to reach the second round of more than half his tournaments. His best performance of the year in a straight-sets victory over Fernando Gonzalez at the China Open provided hope that he may go out on top. Then Safin, as he does, capitulated 3-6, 1-6 to Rafael Nadal in the quarter finals. Nadal played well but the ease of the victory showed that Safin is still battling himself. He flung as many racquets as he won games and, as an encore, smashed a ball out of the stadium. One more month left to enjoy the Safin ride. We will never see the likes of him again.]]> 13602 0 0 0 GHQ Attack: A Failure on Every Count http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ghq-attack-a-failure-on-every-count/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:06:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13619 proclamation that the attack didn’t represent a failure of the security forces. Malik seemed to believe that killing four of the militants before they could enter GHQ was quite the achievement. That they let another four in and couldn’t apprehend them for an entire day and night is not a sign of counter-insurgency prowess. And Malik’s advice to prevent future attacks is even more baffling:
Rehman Malik advised landholders not to rent out their property on temporary basis to any foreigner or local person.
Once again, the government seemed more interesting in fighting a PR battle than a military one. Mid-afternoon rumours began to circulate that PEMRA had forced cable operators to take Geo off the air. This turned out not to be true, it had merely asked them to change the station number. So, a cat-and-mouse game was being played with the terrorists and Geo’s viewers. There are other questions that need to be answered. Where did the militants get the army fatigues they wore to attack the building? Even scarier, how were the militants able to get access to a van with military license plates? At least one positive move has been made in the training of Pakistan’s police and military in counter-terrorism. There are reports that they will receive guidance from the British to help deal with terrorism. The British security services, because of their experience in dealing with the Northern Ireland issue, are widely recognised as the experts (along with Israel) on counter-terrorism. It may be chance that one of the deadliest weeks in Pakistan’s recent history took place when the country, including the army, was busy denouncing the Kerry-Lugar bill. If the GHQ attack teaches the army one lesson, it is that they should busy themselves fighting terrorists, not US senators.]]> 13619 0 0 0 Donkeys in the Desert http://candle-thread.com/newsline/donkeys-in-the-desert/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:15:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13635 Communication booth? The ancient Oracle of Amun. Photo: Mariya Karimjee.[/caption] We spent an hour in the warm morning sun, wandering about the structure, looking at the hieroglyphics and being amazed by the view from the top. Architecturally, there is nothing remarkable about the oracle. The structure is weathered, and looks better from afar. The rooms and chambers that you can crawl into have no remains of the wall paintings that must have been there during its prime. When we were done, Ashraf announced our next stop: Temple of Amun. Built by King Nectanebo II in 4 BC, it was destroyed by an Ottoman general in 1896 to use its remains as building material. A small section of the wall remains, T-shaped, it rises out of rubble, and stands majestic on the side of the road. Some wall paintings are visible on the western side of the wall. After clambering around the wall for 10 minutes, Ashraf hollered for us to get back. “Cleopatra’s Pool,” he announced. The ride to Cleopatra’s Pool led us through a variety of orchard groves – date palms, olive trees, and a variety of unidentifiable fruit trees flanked us on either side – this was when I began to convince Ashraf I could drive donkey carts. [caption id="attachment_13639" align="alignleft" width="201"]Time warp: The ruins of the Temple of Amun. Photo: Mariya Karimjee. Time warp: The ruins of the Temple of Amun. Photo: Mariya Karimjee.[/caption] Considered one of the nicest of Siwa’s natural watering holes, Cleopatra’s pool has no historical significance, especially pertaining to Cleopatra herself.  It is, however, one of the places that Siwan youth will come back to repeatedly to cool off. We watched, in mild horror, as Ashraf took off his shirt, then his shorts, and wearing nothing but a flimsy excuse for underwear, dove into the pool. He was shocked that we didn’t follow him in. The water in the pool is naturally warm and women are required to wear shorts and a shirt in order to bathe; they are also discouraged from bathing while men are in the pool. The shade, and the humidity, is a hotbed for mosquitoes, and after Ashraf was done with his swim, he drove us back to Siwa town. This was when he agreed to let me drive the donkeys. Although I nearly killed everyone involved, there were no hard feelings. Tomorrow, he promised, we would go to Gebel al-Mawta (Mountain of the Dead), the Shali fortress and to the desert. He pointedly told us how much he wanted to be paid (25 Egyptian pounds, a sum much less than any of us would have agreed to, but he refused to take more).
For more details on Egypt and Siwa check out these sites: * Oracle of Amun fees: Students 15 Egyptian pounds, Adults 30 Egyptian pounds
]]> 13635 0 0 0 A Stunningly Undeserved Award http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-stunningly-undeserved-award/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:39:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13643 Forrest Gump took away the Oscar that rightly belonged to Pulp Fiction has an award been so thoroughly unmerited. Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize is – to use the victor’s favourite word – a triumph of hope over achievement. The prize seems to have been awarded to honour Obama for what he intends to do in his Presidency, not what he has already accomplished. Obama has made all the right moves in international diplomacy. He has asked Benjamin Netanyahu to halt further construction of illegal settlements, made overtures to the Iranian regime and generally shown good judgment. This is not the stuff of which prizes are made. Many will contend that the Nobel Committee has a history of controversy, having awarded previous Peace Prizes to Yasser Arafat, Henry Kissinger and other notorious figures. This criticism misses the point of what makes the crowning of Obama as a Nobel Laureate so uniquely awful. Kissinger and Arafat were men of achievement – dubious though they may have been – and had actually done something worth celebrating when they won the award. True, the committee would have had to ignore Kissinger’s previous war-mongering, but he was awarded the Peace Prize for bringing an end to the war in Vietman and he had also normalised US relations with China. Arafat had signed the Oslo peace agreement, which did not amount to much in the end but at the time was seen as a major breakthrough. This is not meant as a criticism of Obama who has done a fine job on the international stage. It is the Nobel Committee which has failed in its job this year.]]> 13643 0 0 0 Peachy Keen http://candle-thread.com/newsline/peachy-keen/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:26:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13654 expert tip that everyone should know. Take a tiny amount of fairly sharp colour on a large brush and work the brush in circles till you have a really thin layer stained on to the apple of your cheek. This way you get an all over flush that seems to come from within, giving you that natural glow that we all want. If you find it too strong, swish a layer of face powder over it. Go for colours that look like they would be the brightest shades of a colour that you would normally wear. So if you want a soft coral effect, buy a really sharp coral then use it minimally. Think of your colours as components of a palette: mix things together to make the colours you want. Once you have your super blush in place, a pale silvery peach or a peachy gold on your eyes is always a winner. When you use pale colours you are able to skip loads of steps because making some areas really light allows the ones left naked to look dark by default. Presto! So dot some pale shimmer around the “V” of the inner corner of your eye, swiping it on to the very beginning of your lid until your lashes start to become longer and then sweep some over your brow bone. This will open up your eye and give your face structure. A peachy lip colour (whether it is on the pink, coral or beige side, all will work) and your daytime look is complete. The beauty of the pale eye is that when you add a really dark kohl pencil to it, the pales look paler, the darks look darker and you get an overall drama to the face that you won’t believe. Add a dash of super-pale shimmer to the centre of your pout and lashings of mascara, and voilà, you are ready to paint the town, well, er, peach!]]> 13654 0 0 0 Watching Cricket at the Airport http://candle-thread.com/newsline/watching-cricket-at-the-airport/ Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:44:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13695 explaining that we were beaten by India:
The general impression here is that since the ICC is being fully controlled by the Indian lobby, they were not happy with the Pakistan approach during their match against Australia. Some of the Indians believe that Pakistan had deliberately kept India out of the semis race as they did not go all out to achieve win against Australia that could have enabled them make it to the semis. The Indians didn’t want Pakistan to win the Trophy and that whole biased umpiring decision were very much part of that campaign.
And since Pakistan are obviously way too great to ever lose a match, it is heartening to hear that politicians willinvestigate our batting techniques:
The head of Pakistan’s national parliamentary committee on sports has accused the team of deliberately losing to Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy in a group match and has called for changes in the national cricket board. He has also said he would summon the board chief and captain before parliament. “There is evidence that the team lost the match to Australia on purpose,” Jamshed Khan Dasti said. “It underperformed. Then against New Zealand also there are signs the team didn’t want to win. “We have been told by some respected and senior people and we are also trying to collect evidence that there might have been some hanky panky in the match against Australia and New Zealand.”
Again, I won’t comment on the New Zealand match, but only someone who has never watched cricket before would cast doubt on our performance against Australia. It’s very simple; when a team wins on the last ball of the match, it is not because the other team gifted them a win. Anything could have happened on that final ball; the batsman could have missed the ball or he could have hit it straight to the fielder. After playing poorly for most of the match, Pakistan had a brilliant final hour or so and nearly pulled off a miraculous victory. Instead of congratulating us on showing heart and fight, our players will now have to answer to parliament.]]> 13695 0 0 0 Of Siblings and Tarantino-esque Tests http://candle-thread.com/newsline/of-siblings-and-tarantino-esque-tests/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:41:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12485 12485 0 0 0 Omar Saeed Sheikh: Terrorist or Prank Caller? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/omar-saeed-sheikh-terrorist-or-prank-caller/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:00:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12501 Maila Times when the stories that are reported daily in Pakistan are beyond parody? Last year Dawn had reported that a prank caller, pretending to be then Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, had threatened President Asif Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, nearly leading to a outbreak of war between the two countries. Now, Dawn has a follow-up that the caller was Omar Saeed Sheikh (also known variously as Sheikh Omar Saeed, and Ahmed Omar Saeed), who is in jail and facing the death penalty for his involvement in the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. My first instinct was to dismiss this story as an absurd fantasy, cooked up by the active imaginations of our excitable media. This prank call, if it actually took place, would rival the phone call between President Merkin Muffley and Premier Demetri Kissof in Dr Strangelove for the most absurd conversation that could lead to a nuclear war. But then I remembered a story reported by The News last year, very soon after the Mumbai attacks. Apparently, Sheikh, while incarcerated, had managed to set up a thriving cell phone shop in his cell. According to The News, he was in possession of “three mobile phones, six batteries, 18 SIMS of almost every cellular company and chargers..” He also enjoyed calling world leaders back then, as he supposedly place a friendly phone call to Pervez Musharraf, telling him, “I am after you, get ready to die.” Well, jail can be quite dull and you have to get your jollies any way you can. Then, there is the question of why someone in the government would concoct such a story. Since both Zardari and Kayani were taken in by the prank caller, neither the civilian leadership nor the military would gain anything from leaking such embarrassing information. With this information in hand, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Omar Saeed Sheikh is the greatest impersonator since Novak Djokovic.]]> 12501 0 0 0 The Blackwater Saga Continues http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-blackwater-saga-continues/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:14:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12600 writing in The Nation – the leftist US magazine, not the rightist Pakistani newspaper – has reported on the extent of Blackwater involvement in Pakistan. Impossible as it is to verify reporting that relies exclusively on unnamed sources, there is reason to believe that Scahill is on to something here but to refrain from accepting his findings as Gospel truth. Scahill is the undisputed authority on the shady company and his book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army, while clearly written from an anti-Blackwater perspective, is full of revelations that were subsequently proven true. One of the claims made by Scahill in his article – that Blackwater is involved in drone attacks – had also been hinted at by The New York Times, which adds to its credibility. Scahill does mention the NYT report in his story but seems to believe that Blackwater involvement in the drones programme is wider than previous reported. But when quoting people anonymously, journalists should always pinpoint the possible motivations of their sources. Scahill has relied extensively on a “former senior executive” at Blackwater but has not indicated why he desired anonymity. Since he is no longer working at Blackwater, fear of losing his job could not be a consideration. The source may be afraid of legal reprisals since the information he has given is not in the public domain and is supposedly classified, but in that case Scahill should have said so in his article. It is also interesting that Scahill quotes a source as saying, “Blackwater is also working for the Pakistani government on a subcontract with an Islamabad-based security firm that puts US Blackwater operatives on the ground with Pakistani forces in counter-terrorism operations.” Interior Minister Rehman Malik had recently confirmed that another US private security company, DynCorp, had been given a license to work with local security firms, like the recently shut-down Inter-Risk. It is not clear why Pakistan would admit to allowing one group of mercenaries to operate in the country while denying the presence of the other. It is possible that Scahill has got his facts wrong although it is more likely that the vitriolic local media coverage against Blackwater has frightened the government from being completely honest. While it is difficult for Pakistani journalists to judge the reliability of Scahill’s sources within Blackwater and the US government, we can safely disregard his citation of Hamid Mir, a noted conspiracy theorist who has never been able to back up his assertions about Blackwater. Keeping in mind the cliché about smoke and fire, Scahill’s report serves as further confirmation that Blackwater is involved in Pakistan. There are some issues with what he has to say, some which are mentioned by Changing Up Pakistan, but the onus is now on Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who promised to resign if Blackwater’s presence in Pakistan was proven, to provide proof one way or the other.
Note: I had previously written on Blackwater here and here.
]]> 12600 0 0 0 Quote of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/quote-of-the-day/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:16:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12646 weaker efforts:
He [Haqqani] said in a petition filed by Advocate Sohail Qasier Hasan that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had ‘maliciously and playfully’ abandoned a case against him by putting it without his consent in the array of applicants seeking relief under the NRO and had now put his name on the list although he had never applied for relief under the ordinance.
Let’s leave aside for now how NAB can be both malicious and playful. It’s proving quite a task to unwrap the logic of Haqqani’s argument. For the two years since the NRO was introduced by Musharraf, the ambassador had no problem being maliciously played around by NAB. Fair enough. Haqqani only turned against the NRO when it was publicly revealed that he had benefited from it, a hypocritical stance certainly, but a sin of which every politician is guilty. What’s incomprehensible is the logic behind Haqqani’s move. Why is he eager to have his name removed from the NRO retroactively? Does he want the case against him to be dismissed because it was earlier dismissed without his wanting it to be dismissed? And in the history of jurisprudence has that ever been grounds for quashing a case?]]> 12646 0 0 0 You Have No Idea About . . . http://candle-thread.com/newsline/you-have-no-idea-about/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:21:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12654 Newsline‘s Nadir Hassan already noted in an earlier post, the international headlines on Pakistan Fashion Week re-enforced this notion with dingers like this: “Dresses, not suicide vests, parade at Pakistan’s fashion week.” Of course, Pakistan comprises much more than the Taliban and terrorist factories, but these days it is impossible to subtract these truths from the current Pakistani equation. They are the biggest factors affecting every part of society: law and order, democracy, education, the economy and foreign relations. Given that things are unlikely to improve dramatically in Pakistan anytime soon, let’s hope that Pakistan and not just CNN gets some serious mileage out of Pakistan Fashion Week (and Deepak Perwani’s comments) too. Because however it comes across in the news, it is better than the regular imagery emanating from these shores. Click to watch the video. ]]> 12654 0 0 0 The Case for Technology http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-case-for-technology/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:23:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12657 12657 0 0 0 The Right Team http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-right-team/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:04:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12804 Waiting for Godot analogy, beaten down and tormented the way he was. Still, let’s look past the fact that the Pakistan team has six Judases and five Brutuses and figure out how exactly we’re going to beat the Kiwis, who are always dangerous at home. Openers The choice is between rookies and retreads. Salman Butt and Imran Farhat have been around for the best past of a decade and neither has shown the aptitude for Test (or indeed any kind of) cricket. Play them both and Pakistan are guaranteed an opening partnership in single and dropped catches in double figures. We’re going with Salman Butt since his continued presence in the squad owes to the selectors’ stupidity, not nepotism. Fawad Alam should be a shoo-in as the second opener. But he prefers playing in the middle order and his footwork is still a little suspect, especially against the new ball. Khurram Manzoor seems decent enough and right now that’s good enough to make him the second coming of Greenidge/Haynes. One-Down Let’s not forgot that along with losing our best captain in 20 years, we’ve also lost one of the few batsmen comfortable playing at number three. Continuing their streak of playing Fawad Alam in a different position in every game, Pakistan made the young all-rounder bat one-down in the ongoing match against the New Zealand Invitation XI. As much as with opening the batting, one-down is a specialist position. Since our specialist is currently contemplating the disloyalty of his teammates, Mohammed Yousuf should be made to bat there since he’s the most senior batsman. Plus, he hates batting one-drop, which should be good punishment for what he did to Younus. Middle Order In Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam we have two of the most promising batsman in world cricket and hopefully this will be a break-out series for them. With Akmal at four and Alam at six, we can suffer Shoaib Malik’s presence sandwiched between the two. Faisal Iqbal must be really good at filling up bottles with Lucozade and bringing them onto the field. If he isn’t he should start practising it pronto, because that’s all he deserves to do in this series. Yasir Arafat is one of those players – Mark Ealham is the first that comes to mind – that isn’t a good batsmen or bowler but since he can do both badly he gets classified as an all-rounder. Wicketkeeper If Kamran Akmal drops even one catch or misses a single stumping his career should be over. Akmal is the worst wicketkeeper in international cricket but somehow keeps scoring runs in crucial situations. Unless he turns into Gilchrist overnight, batting abilities alone aren’t going to cut it. Bowlers Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif are automatic choices. It would be great if we could play both Danish Kaneria and Saeed Ajmal but without a fifth bowler (Shoaib Malik isn’t a credible bowler), playing two spinners would be risky. Ajmal would be a safe choice since he’s very steady and can pick up wickets but Kaneria’s the one who can win matches. As a third pacer, the choice is between Mohammed Asif and Abdur Rauf. Before his drug bans Asif was developing into one of the finest bowlers in the world. Let’s play him and if he rediscovers his form we should make sure never to schedule a match in the UAE ever again.]]> 12804 0 0 0 General Sympathy: Aiding the Taliban http://candle-thread.com/newsline/general-sympathy-aiding-the-taliban/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:06:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12825 12825 0 0 0 Waiting for the Light Show http://candle-thread.com/newsline/waiting-for-the-light-show/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:30:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12830 space.com on how to prepare for a meteor-shower-watching night was spot on – and wholly responsible for my lasting 45 minutes under the stars. Rao’s article suggested taking heavy blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, groundsheets and warm cocoa to keep warm and comfortable while attempting to watch the Leonid meteor shower forecasted for this week. As a result, I climbed up with a blanket and pillow; they did keep me comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, that I started drifting off to sleep. I still wish I had a poolside-style lounger, though. Rao’s warning that “watching a meteor shower consists of lying back, looking up at the sky . . . and waiting” proved to be just as critical. I wouldn’t have lasted five minutes sitting with my head cranked back – and I would have tried that first if it wasn’t for Rao. Rao’s advice is mostly universal (especially his pearl on taking a nap beforehand), even though it is clearly aimed at people in colder climes. He doesn’t mention mosquito repellent for the Leonids’ November show, but I discovered that in Karachi it is a good thing to have around. On a personal note, I also learned that I need to get my ears checked because in the silence of the night (besides the occasional whistle of the street watchman) the-day-after-a-concert-type ringing in my ears was a bit disconcerting, especially considering I have been live-music deprived for months now. (No, the sound in my ears was not from the buzzing mozzies). My test run last night was useful. I saw two “shooting stars” and now know what to look for (burning comet debris blazes through the night sky in what seems like half a second – at least it did last night) and I confirmed where to look in the night sky (east and east-northeast). Tonight, I’m using extra padding for the ground, taking a jacket, making coffee so I don’t drift off and stopping by the store to pick up some Mospel. And in case you want more advice, visit The Onion. A few years back it also published its own stargazing tips. They are indispensable and prove that The Onion can take the piss out of almost anything.
Leonid Meteor Shower – Basic Facts By the Numbers
  • 17. The day in November for the 2009 Leonid “main event,” which should occur around 21:40 GMT. (In Pakistan: 2:40 am on November 18)
  • 42,000. The number of miles away the Earth will be from the centre of the cosmic debris discharged from the Comet Tempel-Tuttle providing the source material for this year’s Leonid shower
  • 1466. The year the patch of Tempel-Tuttle material that the Earth is passing through now was ejected from the comet
  • 130 to 300. The number of Leonids per hour forecasted to be visible in Asia’s night sky
  • 100. The number of Leonids per hour produced in 2008
Source: Joe Rao of Space.com on msnbc
]]> 12830 0 0 0 The Sweetest Things: 4 Desserts with Impact http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-sweetest-things-4-desserts-with-impact/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:49:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12872 chai pani.” I remember finally having enough furniture to have my house warming. Entertaining in your own space is, without a doubt, huge fun. You meld the styles of all the (actual) adults in your life and throw in a little of your own panache to find your own voice. If you are like me and would never dream of cooking for more than four people, then you have the art of ordering down pat. I have called À la carte Express (a delivery service that will bring you anything to your doorstep) so many times that they now recognise my voice and never ask for an address as a result. However, now that karachisnob.com has all the menus online, I have been forced to innovate more to make the very ready-made food that I serve unrecognisable to my dinner guests. What follows are four of my household’s favourite desserts, so if you ever happen to be at a dinner party at my house and you recognise one of these cheats, shhhh! It’s our little secret. Maltesers Dust on Ice Cream [caption id="attachment_12892" align="alignright" width="880"]A Jamie Oliver Classic: Maltezers over ice cream is sure to never go out of style. Photo: Bina Khan A Jamie Oliver Classic: Maltezers over ice cream is sure to never go out of style. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] My husband and I saw this on one of Jamie Oliver’s first programmes in the early days of our marriage (I have never tired of BBC food, or BBC Lifestyle as it is now known). The malt and honeycomb interiors of Maltesers, crushed and sprinkled on top of, and offset by, creamy vanilla ice cream is truly fantastic. It’s crunchy, malty, tasty and most importantly you don’t have to try too hard! (Think: effortlessly cool!) The Dark-Milk-White Chocolate Platter [caption id="attachment_12893" align="alignnone" width="880"]Cacao Row: Cascading rows of dark, white and milk chocolates make for a handsome dessert. Photo: Bina Khan Cacao Row: Cascading rows of dark, white and milk chocolates make for a handsome dessert. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] My parents-in-law gifted us a black and white platter from Paradise Road in Sri Lanka that gave birth to an idea that has become our staple dessert. We layer small pieces of dark chocolate on the white side of the platter and white chocolate on the black side with a milk-chocolate line running down the middle. Maybe because this presentation truly allows you to control just how much you consume (or more realistically, you can kid yourself about the amount you really had) or maybe because it’s easy yet luscious looking, but taking three kinds of good quality chocolate, snapping them in to small pieces and arranging them for people to graze from is a winner every time. Agha’s have started to import the famous Green & Black’s chocolate. Otherwise, throw in some fresh, dark Lindt, or a little milkybar if all else fails, and arrange in any attractive platter, and you’ll find they just sell themselves! Arizona Grill Mousse with a Humble Candi Biscuit Crust [caption id="attachment_12894" align="alignnone" width="880"]Dressing your Desserts: Serve mousse in interesting crockery; espresso cups also work very well. Photo: Bina Khan Dressing your Desserts: Serve mousse in interesting crockery; espresso cups also work very well. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] Experimenting is definitely a family trait. A member of my family recently cut a chocolate-frosted muffin in half and rearranged it so that the top was the middle. When she bit into it, she was treated to cake at the top of the mouth with a fantastic creamy centre. Muffin cake! This kind of ingenious thinking can be applied to all aspects of life. In fact, it has given me a career. You can customise and tweak ordered desserts too. Try doing it to Arizona Grill’s fantastic chocolate mousse and you’ll have a winner. Order three or four mousses, decant into an attractive dish (or small cups as I have done here), wrap up some Candi (by Lu) biscuits in a napkin and smash (think of the last person who irritated you while you bash: a fun perk!) and cover the mousse in a toasty, heavenly crust. Make sure to order the mousse without the Hershey’s syrup or whipped cream, as it spoils the perfect harmony of the cruncy biscuits and the creamy, dense mousse. Truly a dessert to die for. Reema’s Gooey Chocolate Cake [caption id="attachment_12895" align="alignnone" width="880"]Anatomy of a Cake: Dissecting a slowly collapsing, gooey Reema confection. See a bigger version of this sinful collapse in the slideshow below. Photo: Bina Khan Anatomy of a Cake: Dissecting a slowly collapsing, gooey Reema confection. See a bigger version of this sinful collapse in the slideshow below. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] I don’t actually do anything to this cake simply because I don’t believe in messing with perfection. But she does make it at home, so technically it is “homemade.” I think the pictures speak for themselves and you can see just how sinfully gooey and moist this cake is. The centre is a gorgeous puddle of fudgy decadence that has you longing for the guests to leave just so you can change in to your tracks and have a romantic interlude involving you, a fork and about 5,000 calories. This comes from the famous Reema, whose catering menu includes all kinds of food, but this cake is definitely why God created her. Just return her platter and cake base to her home after the event and this cake can be yours for the evening. Click on any photo to begin the slide show:]]> 12872 0 0 0 Pakistan’s Balance of Power http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistans-balance-of-power/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:10:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12907 ranked as the 38th most powerful person in the world by Forbes magazine. This raises an obvious question: is Gilani even the most powerful person in Pakistan? A case could be made that President Asif Zardari, Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Nawaf Sharif or even Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud currently wield more influence in Pakistan. Gilani has won some significant political victories as prime minister so it would be rash to exclude him from the debate. He played a prominent role, along with Kayani and the US, in convincing Zardari to restore the pre-November 5, 2007 Supreme Court justices. Gilani has also asserted his authority over appointments, most notably when he sacked Moin Aftab Shaikh, the chairman of Pakistan Steel and a Zardari ally, for corruption and insisted that only he had the power to appoint a replacement. The very existence of this debate is unprecedented in Pakistani history. During periods of military rule, there has always been one undisputed, all-powerful leader. Our democratic interludes have involved plenty of political intrigue but, with the exception of  the early years of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s tenure, the army has always been able to checkmate the politicians. A number of factors have contributed to the current political jostling. Musharraf’s decade in power led to a significant decline in the army’s image, to the point where it is now content to wield its still considerable influence more subtly. Then, the growing power of the private electronic media has been a new variable in the equation. So far, the campaigns championed by the media have resulted in strengthening the Supreme Court and the PML-N. Finally, Gilani’s power has increased as Zardari has alienated more and more Pakistanis. Fairly or not, Gilani is seen as a counterpoint to Zardari which has allowed him to oppose the president as the country turns against him. Forbes may have overestimated the extent of Gilani’s power. But Pakistan’s political actors should not make the mistake of dismissing his influence altogether.]]> 12907 0 0 0 The Spokesman Islam, and Pakistan, Don’t Need http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-spokesman-islam-and-pakistan-dont-need/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:29:05 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12966 Karachi Fashion Week recently, but the near-daily bombings in Peshawar over the last week are sending the message that Pakistan is spiralling out of control. Then the UK’s The Sunday Times finds an Irishman to drive home the point that everyone in the world (who doesn’t already) should fear Pakistan and Islam. The Irishman is not the happy, peace-loving type of man you might expect, given that he was a former altar boy and trained as a nurse. Terry Kelly is not a neo-con or Islamophobe, though, either. He is now Khalid Kelly, a West-hating jihadi who resides in the Swat Valley. It’s there that he has been undergoing military training. But that’s not his only connection to the land of the pure. He has a Pakistani wife too, and promotes Pakistan’s soft image this way:
Kelly said he moved to Pakistan to join the “best of the best” in the jihadist struggle and to work towards replacing the civilian government with an Islamic one. As Islamabad vows to take on Islamic militants, Kelly harbours a dark hope that Pakistan will become like Iraq with “beheadings and kidnappings.”
Kelly clearly opened up to The Times reporter, Nicola Smith. He said that he “learnt how to use an M-16 in five hours . . . Next week, inshallah, I could be in Afghanistan fighting a British soldier” and that he named his son after his role model, Osama bin Laden. His dream is to kill infidels and have his son follow in his footsteps:
Asked how he would feel about his own three-year-old son becoming a suicide bomber he replied: “I hope he goes to jannat [heaven] before marriageable age.”
His interpretation of his adopted faith is equally disturbing and will do wonders for the image of Islam:
“We are told to terrorise the enemies of Islam . . . The world will become a dangerous place. Everybody had better start embracing Islam or people will start flying planes into buildings again.”
Kelly roams freely, travelling to Rawalpindi often to spread his message. And his message is a disturbing one: he is able to paint a scary picture of the future without even mentioning Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.]]> 12966 0 0 0 Annals of Chutzpah http://candle-thread.com/newsline/annals-of-chutzpah/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:16:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13075 excluded from a PML-N meeting with the president. At the time, the PML-N’s Raja Zafarul Haq tried to spin his omission by joking that the meeting was a Test match while Nisar was a ODI and T20 player. Among other criticisms, Nisar accused Zardari of a “serious breach of the country’s sovereignty, independence and self-respect” for making a deal allowing former president Pervez Musharraf safe passage out of the country. But if there is one person Nisar dislikes more than Zardari, it is Musharraf. Imagine then the quandary he faced when Musharraf  lashed out at Zardari. Taking the an-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend approach, Nisar declared that all public criticism of the president would henceforth be verboten:
“Our differences with the present government aside, we will not allow anybody to issue statements against the elected President of Pakistan”
It will be interesting to see how long this truce lasts. As yet, Nisar has not apologised for his statements against the elected president. In the chutzpah race, though, it will be hard to top the Senate’s Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Special Education that “suggested that Zardari’s name should be mentioned in the ‘father’s name’ column in legal documents for orphaned children.” But the committee took care to mention a second nominee:
[T]here was also a suggestion for putting the name of Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi in the column as he also cares for orphans and other under-privileged children.
Let it be known that when ranking those who take care of orphans, the Senate standing committee believes Edhi is second only to Zardari. It is hard to accuse Sarfraz Nawaz of chutzpah when no one other than the numerous media organisations who love to quote his rantings takes him seriously. Still, his mendacity should be publicised. Here is his comment on Younus Khan’s resignation as captain of the Pakistan cricket team:
Former Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz says that nobody had a problem with Younus Khan being the Test team captain and it was only a mercurial decision from the skipper.
No one had a problem with it other than Sarfraz himself, who had this to say just three weeks ago:
He is losing his form and a non-performing captain can’t lead a team properly. He must say good-bye to captaincy and concentrate more on his batting and to retain his form.
]]> 13075 0 0 0 The Suspicion is Mutual http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-suspicion-is-mutual/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:25:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13082 13082 0 0 0 Protect Mohammad Aamir http://candle-thread.com/newsline/protect-mohammad-aamir/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:59:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13090 13090 0 0 0 Going Nuclear http://candle-thread.com/newsline/going-nuclear/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:07:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13116 the claims it made: the biggest one being that “current and former officials said in interviews in Washington and Pakistan that [the Obama] administration has been negotiating highly sensitive understandings with the Pakistani military. These would allow specially trained American units to provide added security for the Pakistani arsenal in case of a crisis.” Unsurprisingly, this was big news here in Pakistan. The fact that it was published in The New Yorker, gives it automatic credibility. For many, the fact that it was written by well-known investigative journalist Seymour Hersh also gives the story punch. Though, others would disagree: Hersh has his detractors. But is the alleged arrangement so outlandish? In a crisis, despite the never-ending issue of sovereignty, wouldn’t Pakistan want help to prevent the unthinkable? It is easy to imagine that the US would want an agreement like this anyway. Every time there is a major attack in Pakistan, US commentators (usually on Fox News) start debating nightmare scenarios. They were even in top gear on this issue after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. US politicians are no different; Pakistan is a grave worry for many. Sadly, from America’s shores, Pakistan is generally seen as fragile and filled with incompetence. Brigadier (retired) Naeem Salik, while being interviewed on a Pakistani televison news programme, said the US not only had its own rogue elements to worry about but also that US politicians are paranoid and believe Pakistan’s nuclear warheads are “lying on the side of the road waiting for militants to come along and carry them a way in a sack.” Brigadier Salik insinuated that information like the kind Hersh receives is fed from rogue US officials (inside intelligence agencies such as the CIA and government wings such as the state department) in order to keep pressure on the Pakistan government to not let up in the fight against militants. The second article was from Reuters. And while it may have provided a generally positive conclusion to the question of the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, it also hammered in the risks that prevailed. The author, Myra MacDonald, quotes a professor from the University of Bradford (perhaps thinking someone associated with “Brad-istan” would add credibility. “I don’t think it is realistic anymore to say there is no threat to these weapons, that they are totally safe,” said Professor Shaun Gregory. MacDonald then lays out what could happen:
The nightmare scenario would be of militants using a suicide bombing as a diversionary tactic in order to send in a team of commandos — similar to those who attacked the Pakistan Army’s own headquarters last month in the city of Rawalpindi. Then, and given the secrecy surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear program this would need collusion and information from inside, they would try to grab fissile material for a nuclear bomb.
See how she slyly worked in the idea of Taliban sympathisers within the military without saying they actually exist? Her final point is that a nuclear breach is possible, but the chances of success are slim: staging an attack, locating the fissile material and transporting it safely to their final destination will be next to impossible for the militants. Though the political situation is always changing, MacDonald’s conclusions seem sound, for now.]]> 13116 0 0 0 Caption Competition http://candle-thread.com/newsline/caption-competition-2/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:37:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13122 Watch the video and tell us what Tapu Javeri may be texting as he listens to Meera nervously jabber on, maintaining his deadpan expression nearly the entire time.]]> 13122 0 0 0 Headlines of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/headlines-of-the-day/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:04:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13286 Women’s Own, She and Good Times, are somewhat condescendingly praising us for our fortitude and courage. Here are some of the headlines I came across today: Miami Herald seems to believe that fashion shows in Pakistan usually glorify terrorists. Or else their headline makes no sense. If they look closely they might see a keffiyeh or two.
Dresses, not suicide vests, parade at Pakistan’s fashion week
The Sydney Morning Herald just makes us look callous for carrying on with our lives.
Designers shrug off militant violence for Pakistan’s fashion week
The AFP headline makes it seem like our mean fashionistas purposely didn’t invite the Taliban
Hip Pakistan snubs Taliban at fashion week
Thaindian News, meanwhile, seems in awe of Pakistan’s ability to host a fashion show
Pakistan Fashion Week kicks off defying Taliban with skin show
Click on the link, though, and you’ll see that Thaindian isn’t quite so brave. Instead of showing us some of this skin, they just photographed a bunch of beards. And if you think fashion and religious conservatism don’t mix, just check out this Newsline fashion shoot from January 2009.]]> 13286 0 0 0 Pakistan 3 – Rest of the World 0 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistan-3-rest-of-the-world-0/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:08:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13292 Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi defeats Roger Federer! Yes, you read that correctly. The greatest player in the history of tennis was beaten by a Pakistani who has never been in the top 100. But before we get too excited, here are the caveats: Aisam didn’t actually beat Federer. It was a doubles match so Aisam and his partner beat Federer and his partner. Plus, Aisam is a specialist doubles player while Federer only occasionally plays doubles to get in some practice after a long layoff. Still, Federer does have a gold medal in Olympics doubles and Aisam did beat him in his hometown of Basel. Notch one for Pakistan. Revenge of sorts Allow me to play the spoilsport again. A victory against New Zealand in a match played in the Arab desert that no one will recall a week from now does not compensate for a defeat in the semi finals of the Champions Trophy. But you can’t deny that it was great to see Pakistan overcome a typical top-order collapse and for Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akaml to bat with such gleeful abandon. This match was no different to a thousand other cookie-cutter ODIs, but we can relish our victory, at least until Friday when the two teams return to the grind. Oh, and our national sport Pakistan took another step towards qualifying for the hockey World Cup with a 4-2 victory. I only knew the match took place after reading about it online. The same is true for most other people I know. Hockey truly is the forgotten sport in Pakistan.]]> 13292 0 0 0 The Unimportant NRO http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-unimportant-nro/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:13:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13303 13303 0 0 0 End of a Decade: The Five Most Underrated Sportsmen http://candle-thread.com/newsline/end-of-a-decade-the-five-most-underrated-sportsmen/ Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:51:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12001 1. Darren Bent A habitual goalscorer for Sunderland in the English Premier League (and before that for Spurs, Charlton and Ipswich), Bent has still only made five appearances for England. Yet Michael Owen still keeps getting selected, coasting on past deeds. 2. Marcus Trescothick The Ashes of 2005 are forever associated with Andrew Flintoff but Tresothick blazing away at the top of the order was equally important. Bowlers always felt they had a chance with Trescothick thanks to his non-existent footwork, but like the similarly stationary Sehwag, he bludgeoned attacks mercilessly. 3. Nikolay Davydenko Tennis is so dominated by big-hitters that the 5’10 Davydenko will always struggle to impose himself against the best. His lack of personality will always hinder his popularity. But the hardest-working man in tennis has been in the top 10 since 2005, won the season-ending championships this year and is unerringly consistent. Shame he will always be remembered for alleged match-fixing. 4. Nick Heidfeld So much is dependent on the quality of cars in Formula One that it can be hard to rate individual drivers. Overtaking abilities is perhaps the best commonly used barometer to separate one racer from the other. What usually gets ignored are the defensive abilities of drivers. It is here that Heidfeld is peerless. Even when drivers like Alonso and Kimi were clocking in at 0.5/lap faster than Heidfeld, they couldn’t overtake him. 5. KJ Choi Many golfers less worthy than Choi have won major championships and for that they will forever be rated more highly than him. But his seven PGA Tour wins and consistent showings in the majors make him one of the finest golfers in the world. He’s a serious contender week in, week out and its only a matter of time before he wins a coveted major, most likely at the US Open which is more forgiving of players who don’t hit the ball a long way.]]> 12001 0 0 0 Hitchens’ Pakistan Delusions http://candle-thread.com/newsline/hitchens-pakistan-delusions/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:12:36 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12164 latest piece in Slate is no exception. “Why do the Pakistanis hate us?” he asks, then proceeds to list everything the US has done for the country. The examples he gives are telling:
The United States made Pakistan a top-priority Cold War ally. It overlooked the regular interventions of its military into politics. It paid a lot of bills and didn’t ask too many questions….During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Washington fed the Pakistani military and intelligence services from an overflowing teat and allowed them to acquire nuclear weapons on the side.
Hitchens doesn’t consider that this may be the problem. The US has either turned a blind eye to or actively supported every one of Pakistan’s three military coups. It has thrown tons of money at successive governments with no accountability, fostering a ruling elite that is among the most entitled and corrupt in the world. And all Pakistan got from the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan was over a million refugees, a military establishment that cannot be dislodged and easy access to heroin and Kalashnikovs. But after asking why the Pakistanis hate the US, Hitchens forgets about the 150 million citizens of the country and decides to psychoanalyse the elite.
This, then, is why the Pakistani elite hates the United States. It hates it because it is dependent on it and is still being bought by it. It is a dislike that is also a form of self-hatred of the sort that often develops between client states and their paymasters.
What spurred this armchair psychiatry is the news that the Pakistan army isn’t interested in taking on the Afghan Taliban. It seems obvious to Hitchens that the only reason this isn’t happening is because the military is filled with self-hatred. He doesn’t bother to analyse the argument that Pakistan sees the Afghan Taliban as an asset that can be used to the country’s benefit later on. Instead, its just “overcompensation for their abject status as recipients of the American dole…” Hitchens also shows a stunning disregard for the daily reality of life in Pakistan when he says, “the Pakistanis don’t even pretend that their main military thrust is directed against the common foe..” Pakistan may have kept the majority of its army on the border with India, but it has also directed two major, and by all accounts, successful operations this year. To imply that the army is not even pretending to fight the Taliban is ridiculous. We may not have taken on assorted Afghan Taliban because we don’t think it’s in our national interest (a view I don’t agree with, but one that the military establishment clearly holds), but we’ve done everything we could to fight the Pakistani Taliban and suffer the consequences through daily terrorist attacks. It also appears that Hitchens has forgotten, or chosen to ignore, that Pakistan has never shown any interest in fighting the Afghan Taliban. Why else would he attribute our reluctance to Obama’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in 2011? If we were only refusing to fight the Taliban because the US was going to leave Afghanistan, why didn’t we fight them back when it seemed like the US would be around indefinitely? Or could it be that Hitchens opposes any withdrawal date and will say anything to discredit it, no matter what the facts? Without any mention of drone attacks and US arrogance, Hitchens comes to the conclusion that the US should stop all aid to Pakistan and get closer to India. Because the only thing that will change our opinion of the US is being isolated from them.]]> 12164 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:23:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12214 post, “Why I Don’t Really Care About the NRO and Zardari” the last thing you read on the subject. Then again, plenty of people are taking great delight in the striking down of the NRO because there are few things Pakistanis enjoy more than seeing squirming politicians. In that case, Grand Truck Road reminds us how much we enjoy schadenfreude. There’s already been some talk of an impending army coup. It’s more likely, though, that the electronic media will take over the country. Nadeem Paracha at Dawn has prepared for the eventuality by getting his jokes ready. The blog Pakistan Media Watch is usually quite unsubtle in its PPP shilling, although not as obvious as Daily Times. But this post on how The Nation puts ideology ahead of consistency is a must-read. One last dig at the electronic media. While its easy to bemoan the presence of Zaid Hamid, its more fun to mock him. Tazeen explains how some are doing just that. And, finally, foreign correspondent Maha Atal has been keeping a blog of her reporting from Pakistan at the Pulitzer Center’s website. Lots of really interesting stuff there.]]> 12214 0 0 0 Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-5/ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:49:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12227 ]]> 12227 0 0 0 Welcome to P.O.V. http://candle-thread.com/newsline/welcome-to-p-o-v/ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:51:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12259
Click here to see Fauzia Husain’s first post.
]]> 12259 0 0 0 A Confrontation with Haqqani is Bad? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-confrontation-with-haqqani-is-bad/ Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:14:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12263 12263 0 0 0 Zardari Has “No Moral Authority” http://candle-thread.com/newsline/zardari-has-no-moral-authority/ Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:17:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12284 Have your say: Participate in our poll on Zardari on the right-hand side of this page. Or click here to go to our Polls page.]]> 12284 0 0 0 The NRO, the Media and a Need for Reform http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-nro-the-media-and-a-need-for-reform/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:26:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12287 12287 0 0 0 End of a Decade: The Five Best Tennis Matches http://candle-thread.com/newsline/end-of-a-decade-the-five-best-tennis-matches/ Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:23:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12296 5. Serena Williams defeats Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-2. Australian Open 2007 final The world’s 81st ranked player gave the number one the thrashing of her life. Before this tournament, many had written off Serena Williams as a force in tennis since she seemed to prefer making cameos in D-grade Hollywood flicks. Sharapova was going to be the dominant player of her era, combining the looks of Anna Kournikouva with the forehand of Steffi Graf. This match set the tone for the rest of the decade. Serena attacked at every opportunity and Sharapova’s serve wilted. The greatest comeback of the decade began here. 4.  Andre Agassi defeats Marcos Baghdatis, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5. US Open 2006 second round This was an ugly match as an injured Agassi, playing his final tournament, battled the erratic Cypriot. But it serves as a fitting coda to the second half of Agassi’s career as he fought it out and never lost hope even as he faced four break points at 4-4 in the final set. Agassi limped out against Benjamin Becker in the next round, but this is the match that will be remembered as his finale. Agassi’s autobiography, Open, has further added to the poignancy of the match as he revealed that the two fatigued, broken men held hands in the dressing room as they watched a replay of the fifth set. 3. Pete Sampras defeated Andre Agassi, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6. US Open 2001 quarterfinal For 52 consecutive games there wasn’t a single break of service as two champions into their 30s refused to bend. As happened all to often in their rivalry, Sampras won most of the crucial points. In a way, this match can be seen as an epilogue to the 90s, except with tennis played at an elevated quality that the two men rarely managed against each other. 2. Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Jennifer Capriati, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6. US Open 2003 semi final This match had it all. The young Henin outlasting the veteran. Capriati failing to hold while serving for the match in both the second and third set. Best of all, there were the endless rallies, with each woman striking the ball in anger and refusing to give up. Never once over three hours did the intensity flag as the unflappable Henin held off the excitable Capriati. Since then it’s been all downhill for women’s tennis. 1. Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. Wimbledon 2008 final Just writing the scoreline was painful for a Federer fan like me. This is probably the greatest match ever, but I don’t think I can ever watch it again. Reading Jon Wertheim’s excellent book on the match just aggravated wounds that are yet to heal. Forget for a moment the quality of tennis on display and consider the circumstances. Nadal had just massacred Federer at the French Open, and the latter was having his manhood questioned by Mats Wilander. Federer desperately needed to show that he had some fight in him. The two best players in the world were facing each other at Centre Court in Wimbledon: no matter how badly both played this would still be a classic. And the first two sets weren’t particularly inspiring, while the third was exciting only because of the unfamiliar sight of seeing Federer barely hang on. But no two players have ever played better tennis than what we saw in the fourth and fifth sets. I can still visualise Federer’s backhand winner at match point down in the fourth-set tiebreak. Forget best tennis match of the decade; this may be the greatest sporting contest I have ever watched.]]> 12296 0 0 0 Travel: Asia or Europe? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/travel-asia-or-europe/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:26:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12336 Culture of Contradictions.” Or you can opt for Austria instead. Because the IAEA’s headquarters are in Vienna, Austria and Iran have more in common these days than one would normally expect. It was in Vienna where the IAEA and Iran worked out a deal for Iran to send uranium outside the country to be converted into fuel rods for its civilian nuclear energy programme. But of course, there is so much more to Vienna than IAEA and UN offices. And it extends beyond apple strudel. Vienna, a vibrant city of beautiful and bizarre architecture, is also marked by death. You can tour the dark history and morbid traits of Vienna in “Death Becomes Her.” Of course, nothing is stopping you from checking out both places. Continent-hopping has never been easier.
Next week: Traipsing around the northwestern parts of the US.
]]> 12336 0 0 0 The Return of Aitzaz http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-return-of-aitzaz/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:32:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12339 12339 0 0 0 The Unlikely Champions http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-unlikely-champions/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:57:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12344 Stats Guru shows that India’s traditional weakness still remains: they just aren’t very good away from home. Outside of India, where their substandard bowling is exposed, they have lost their last series to Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. At home, where Indian batsmen can plant their front foot down the pitch without any worries or, in the case of Virender Sehwag, not bother with footwork at all, they have won their last series against every Test team, except for a drawn series against South Africa. The overall record is impressive, and their away record is improving as India is now at least able to win in New Zealand. But these stats do not point to a number one team. India has undoubtedly been helped by the decline of Australia which has led to a levelling of the playing field. It is hard to decide just who is the best Test team in the world. South Africa beat Australia in Australia but lost to them at home. Australia also lost the Ashes and is having to fight against the West Indies (the worst Test team after Bangladesh) at home. South Africa, by virtue of their drawn series in India, probably deserve the number one ranking, but honestly, a three-way tie for first place may be the most honest outcome. Having India ranked as the number one team, though, may be just what Test cricket needs. Maybe now the Indian Cricket Board will realise that being the best Test cricket team in the world is more important than scheduling another seven-match ODI series that has all the nutritional value of Baconnaise. Already, India wants to schedule a two-match Test series against South Africa next year since beating them is the only way India will retain their ranking. It would also be in India’s interest to schedule an away Test series against Pakistan (the way things are going right now this would be played in Liechtenstein). Test cricket has rarely been more exciting. Draws are unusual, as teams play more attacking cricket than ever before. The current New Zealand-Pakistan series has been among the most exciting in recent memory and the upcoming South Africa-England series should be just as good. If self-interest makes the Indians responsible stewards of the Test game, we can finally stop moaning about the death of Test cricket.]]> 12344 0 0 0 Photoshop as an Ideological Tool http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photoshop-as-an-ideological-tool/ Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:15:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12382 posted a link to the above picture on his Twitter feed and asked, “Uh, is there something wrong with this photo?” There is something seriously amiss with the photo, which was published by The Nation. The photograph shows the US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates posing in front of both the US and Israel flags. Both look closely and you will notice a couple of odd things about the photo. For one, the Israel flag is fluttering while the US flag is stationery, indicating that the former flag was photographed outdoors and the latter indoors. Then, the dimensions and sizes of the two flags are completely out of proportion. This photograph has been Photoshopped, and very crudely at that. [caption id="attachment_12390" align="alignleft" width="320"]The original photograph of Robert Gates The original photograph of Robert Gates[/caption] Newsline’s Creative Consultant Danish Khan confirmed that the photograph had been Photoshopped. He was also able to find the two original photographs that had been used to create this new one. Do a Google Images search for “Robert Gates” and the first result is the photographed used by The Nation. The flag that has been shoehorned into the Robert Gates picture can be viewed here. The Nation’s motivations for this trickery are obvious. According to the editorial agenda the newspaper has been pursuing since Shireen Mazari replaced Arif Nizami as the editor, there is a US-Israel-India plot against Pakistan. These three countries, The Nation believes, are also responsible for the spate of terrorist attacks in the country. Showing Robert Gates posing in front of both flags is meant to represent his dual loyalties. The Nation has gone so far as to claim, without any evidence whatsoever, that The Wall Street Journal’s Matthew Rosenberg was a spy, forcing him to flee the country. The Nation was condemned by 21 international newspapers for that story. The paper has also been publishing story after story over the past few months on the alleged presence of Blackwater operatives in Pakistan. [caption id="attachment_12391" align="alignleft" width="360"]The photograph of an Israel flag that was Photoshopped into the Robert Gates photograph The photograph of an Israel flag that was Photoshopped into the Robert Gates photograph[/caption] I have been trying to contact The Nation’seditor Shireen Mazari for a comment on the Photoshopped photograph and will post an update here if I hear back from her.
]]> 12382 0 0 0 The Dictator’s Wife at the Arts Council http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-dictators-wife-at-the-arts-council/ Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:19:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12395 A Case of Exploding Mangoesknows that Mohammed Hanif is one of Pakistan’s preeminent satirists. His play, The Dictator’s Wife, showcases not only his trenchant take on politics but applies the same sensibilities to marriage and romance. The Dictator’s Wife, a one-person play starring Nimra Bucha, had played to sold-out audiences in Karachi and Lahore earlier this year and will be staged at the Karachi Arts Council on December 11 and 12. Newsline‘s Talib Qizilbash had reviewed The Dictator’s Wife and came away extremely impressed, not only with Hanif, but the remarkable acting skills of Nimra Bucha:
Bucha’s performance is mostly compelling, the character she plays is always intriguing. Mrs Dictator is tightly wound, fiery but only mildly sympathetic. She has a killer memory for the wrongs done against her and is articulate about her feelings in a way that only long-harboured anger and constant deliberation allows.
I had seen the play when it was staged at the PACC, a more intimate venue than the Arts Council and was also struck by the versatility of Nimra Bucha’s acting. The Dictator’s Wife, unlike other one-person plays, does not rely on elaborate sets and numerous props to compensate for the lack of action. The bare setting makes Bucha’s job all the more difficult but she rises to the challenge with aplomb. It will be interesting to see how the play is translated to a larger venue, but its a challenge that the husband-and-wife team of Mohammed Hanif and Nimra Bucha should pull of with ease.
The Dictator’s Wife at the Karachi Arts Council December 10 and 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets (Rs 500) are available at Liberty Books, Agha’s and Espresso
]]> 12395 0 0 0 After the NRO http://candle-thread.com/newsline/after-the-nro/ Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:26:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12399 this piece by Anees Jillani explains, are already overworked. With endless motions and appeals, this drama could last till the National Assembly’s term expires in 2012, or even beyond that. The only people we’ll be seeing out of government any time soon – and this is if the Supreme Court rules against the NRO and Zardari doesn’t use his presidential pardon – are those who were convicted and had their sentences commuted under the NRO. Pakistan has lots of important things to worry about – the hundreds of deaths in terrorist attacks this month, complicated relations with the US and India, the separatist movement in Balochistan, an economic crisis that is far from ending. Let’s accord the NRO the importance it deserves in the larger scheme of things.]]> 12399 0 0 0 The Problem With Tiger Woods http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-problem-with-tiger-woods/ Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:31:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12402 12402 0 0 0 The Lessons of ’77 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-lessons-of-77/ Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:35:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12406 Newsline, which will be out next week) is enough to know that President Zardari is in trouble. The opposition sees Zardari as a vulnerable president who is being forced to surrender on every key issue: first the judiciary and now the National Reconciliation Ordinance; even the victory over the Kerry-Lugar Bill was a Pyrrhic one since the government was forced to defend and debate the wisdom of receiving over a billion dollars a year. Erstwhile allies of the PPP such as the ANP, MQM and JUI-F are distancing themselves from Zardari and it would hardly be surprising if their loyalties are up for auction. Zardari’s resignation aside, there are no constitutional methods to force his removal. The PPP is unlikely to have the courage to vote him out, especially in the midst of a massive PR push by the party in support of their co-chairman. And the day Zardari resigns is the day Imran Farhat holds on to a regulation slip catch. The army, then, is the only force that can dislodge the president. All the talking heads on television agree that the army, unhappy about Zardari’s belief that the head of state should have a say in foreign policy, are working behind the barracks to undermine his presidency. If we are all agreed that an army-engineered removal, whether its an actual coup or not, is undesirable, it would beneficial to look at the events leading up to the dismissal of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977, particularly the conduct of the opposition. It is accepted that ZAB massively rigged the ’77 elections to get a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly; equally there is little doubt that the PPP would have got a simple majority in fair elections. In such a situation, the opposition parties, combined under the rubric of the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), was in no mood to simply have fresh elections called, a compromise ZAB was willing to consider. The PNA’s burning desire to have ZAB removed at all costs made them inflexible and receptive to army intervention. In his book And Then Martial Law Was Imposed, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed quotes Begum Wali Khan of the ANP telling Maulana Mufti Mahmud of the JUI: “Let martial law be imposed because only such a step would guarantee holding of elections within 90 days.” Unlike the PNA, the PML-N is still trying to keep the army at arm’s length. After the army spoke out against the Kerry-Lugar Bill, PML-N MNA Javed Hashmi, despite agreeing with the army’s criticism, stood on principle. In aspeech to the National Assembly, he said, “It’s not the job of armed forces to give statement [on the Kerry-Lugar Bill], as Parliament is the supreme body and has the right to make decisions on all the national important issues.” Still, there is a danger that as the PML-N steps up its anti-Zardari campaign, it will have little chance of success without allying itself to the army. The PML-N, as it tries to bring other parties into its movement against the president, should also keep in mind that the PNA was beset by constant internal bickering. The National Democratic Party’s Sherbaz Mazari is quoted as saying in General K.M. Arif’s Working for Zia, “The nine-party alliance is grotesquely ill-assorted and, should it win, it is unlikely to hold together for more than six months.” The same would apply to any broad-based coalition that Nawaz Sharif may be able to muster. Even if they remove Zardari from office, there is bound to be a split as the disparate parties vie for the spoils of power, creating a situation that is ripe for army intervention. Zardari, too, should learn a lesson or two from the events of 1977. As the army began to turn against Bhutto, never having been his biggest fans in the first place, retired service chiefs such as Lt Gen Gul Hassan and Air Marshal Rahim, both of whom were serving the government abroad, resigned their positions and publicly spoke out against the prime minister. We already have a group of ex-servicemen, many of whom have close ties to the PML-N, taking to the airwaves to berate Zardari. What the president should not do is try to appease the army with gestures that achieve nothing but show how weak his standing is. This is exactly the mistake Bhutto made when, in trying to win over the army, he gave General Tikka Khan a Senate seat. Pakistan today is still some distance away from replicating the events of 1977. My fear is that the PML-N may be underestimating the army and inadvertently setting the stage for the ten-year-rule of President Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.]]> 12406 0 0 0 A Day of Explosions http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-day-of-explosions/ Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:37:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12410 the attack that seems like it was targeting government officials. Most of the dead were students. In Damascus, three people died at a explosion at a gas station. The Wall Street Journal reports that Syria’s interior minister, Said Mohammad Sammour, ruled out a terrorist attack. A bus driver and two gas station workers were killed during the odd explosion that took place when they were adding air to a tyre. Even South Korea was victim to a freak blast. A military research test resulted in one person being killed when an explosion inside an artillery gun occurred. The test-fire of the artillery shell wounded five others. And in Pakistan, Peshawar was rocked by another blast on Thursday. Dawn reported that one policeman was injured in the line of duty as the blast occurred at a police check-post on the outskirts of Peshawar. This blast came a day after a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Naval headquarters in Islamabad.]]> 12410 0 0 0 Winter Survival Guide http://candle-thread.com/newsline/winter-survival-guide/ Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:43:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12413 Dry-skin Quenchers: The Ultimate Skin Survival Guide for Winter Even though Karachi’s winter is over before you can say, well, “Karachi’s winter,” the dryness this time of year is a little more enduring. Whether stemming from the cold Quetta winds or the simple fact that we live in a desert, the dry air is unavoidable. And while it may provide relief from the uncomfortable humidity, there is a definite downside to this otherwise lovely season: stretched, itchy, dehydrated skin. However with a little understanding and organisation, you can start to think of the winter as your window of opportunity to make your skin feel, and smell, fab!

Dermatology 101: Understand this Basic Fact First

Start to think of your skin as a sponge. It can absorb (to a point) moisture from the air around it, or from a product that you smear on it. So in dry weather, your skin, in a tragic state, is a bit of a dry sponge. You need to tend to it, in order to allow it to soak up the moisture.

Defeating Dry Skin

Here are five simple steps to help you and your skin survive the dryness of winter: [caption id="attachment_12414" align="alignleft" width="880"]Exfoliation The top layer of your skin is made up of flaky dead cells, and sloughing this layer of skin off on a regular basis is the key to healthy skin. A facial, for example, is all about a good, professional-grade exfoliation, which exposes your new, fresh skin to the world. While people are pretty clear that regular facials and a good face scrub will take care of your face, bodies are often woefully neglected. Whether you treat yourself to a homemade scrub (salt, sugar or brown sugar mixed in equal parts with oil, be it baby, almond or even vegetable, with a drop of essential oil to make it fancy), or whether you buy a ready-made scrub (keep your eyes peeled on your next vacation, or you can use what we use at the salon: scrubs from The Body Shop), you will be preparing your skin to absorb every bit of moisture it can. Use a loofah or exfoliating gloves on dry skin for best results. Soaps and Shower Gels The market is awash (pardon the pun) with reasonably priced and delicious-smelling cleansing options for your skin’s winter needs. Whether it is Nivea’s Sensual Beauty cream oil shower product with vanilla blossom and shea oil, Dove’s Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash or the divine smelling Fa’s yoghurt and coconut shower cream, the shelves at your local supermarket offer up a bonanza of heady ingredients and smells. There are tonnes of handsomely packaged, gorgeously manly smelling ones for the boys too. If you would like to be a little more fair trade, you can try the fantastic bars available from The Body Shop; both the shea and the brazil nut bars of soap are nourishing and earthy smelling. Timely Moisturising Once you have cleared your skin of its dead layer, you now have a real chance to lock in moisture. Before your exfoliation, your dead skin was absorbing moisture and leaving your skin underneath thirsty for hydration. Now your moisturiser has a chance to penetrate. Keeping in mind our sponge analogy, the best time to moisturise your skin is right after a shower. In extreme cases, don’t even dry off, just rub in some baby oil or moisturiser onto your wet skin. Remember to pat dry with your towel as rubbing will remove the emollient layer that is locking the water in. The advantage to this method is that your skin will not feel greasy. You could, alternatively, dry off with a towel and moisturise before you feel your skin dry out and turn parched. Moisturisers Obviously there are all kinds of moisturisers, but in the winter shea and avacado are good ingredients to look for. I am a big fan of Johnson’s Baby Oil. When used on wet skin, it leaves you itch free and smelling so cute! Plus, the modern baby has so many options; there are now lavender and even aloe Johnson’s Baby Oils from which to choose. And since we know that what is good for baby is also good for you, I say, go nuts! Nivea is also a hot seller the world over, and there is no denying the retro cool of that royal-blue tin. Lips All this advice also applies for your lips. However, to exfoliate your mouth, use a moist baby’s toothbrush in circular motions, as loofahs and exfoliating gloves are far too rough for your face. I like to use a three-tier system for my lips in the winter. After my exfoliation, I wash my face, quickly moisturise and use a lip balm as a final emollient layer to keep me smiling. Bonus tip (or plea): Please ladies, educate your sons, brothers, husbands and dads about this as well. They deserve to look and feel as well cared for as you do! Use a loofah or exfoliating gloves on dry skin, but not on your face. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption]
  1. Exfoliation The top layer of your skin is made up of flaky dead cells, and sloughing this layer of skin off on a regular basis is the key to healthy skin. A facial, for example, is all about a good, professional-grade exfoliation, which exposes your new, fresh skin to the world. While people are pretty clear that regular facials and a good face scrub will take care of your face, bodies are often woefully neglected. Whether you treat yourself to a homemade scrub (salt, sugar or brown sugar mixed in equal parts with oil, be it baby, almond or even vegetable, with a drop of essential oil to make it fancy), or whether you buy a ready-made scrub (keep your eyes peeled on your next vacation, or you can use what we use at the salon: scrubs from The Body Shop), you will be preparing your skin to absorb every bit of moisture it can. Use a loofah or exfoliating gloves on dry skin for best results.
  2. Soaps and Shower Gels The market is awash (pardon the pun) with reasonably priced and delicious-smelling cleansing options for your skin’s winter needs. Whether it is Nivea’s Sensual Beauty cream oil shower product with vanilla blossom and shea oil, Dove’s Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash or the divine smelling Fa’s yoghurt and coconut shower cream, the shelves at your local supermarket offer up a bonanza of heady ingredients and smells. There are tonnes of handsomely packaged, gorgeously manly smelling ones for the boys too. If you would like to be a little more fair trade, you can try the fantastic bars available from The Body Shop; both the shea and the brazil nut bars of soap are nourishing and earthy smelling.
  3. Timely Moisturising Once you have cleared your skin of its dead layer, you now have a real chance to lock in moisture. Before your exfoliation, your dead skin was absorbing moisture and leaving your skin underneath thirsty for hydration. Now your moisturiser has a chance to penetrate. Keeping in mind our sponge analogy, the best time to moisturise your skin is right after a shower. In extreme cases, don’t even dry off, just rub in some baby oil or moisturiser onto your wet skin. Remember to pat dry with your towel as rubbing will remove the emollient layer that is locking the water in. The advantage to this method is that your skin will not feel greasy. You could, alternatively, dry off with a towel and moisturise before you feel your skin dry out and turn parched.
  4. Moisturisers Obviously there are all kinds of moisturisers, but in the winter shea and avacado are good ingredients to look for. I am a big fan of Johnson’s Baby Oil. When used on wet skin, it leaves you itch free and smelling so cute! Plus, the modern baby has so many options; there are now lavender and even aloe Johnson’s Baby Oils from which to choose. And since we know that what is good for baby is also good for you, I say, go nuts! Nivea is also a hot seller the world over, and there is no denying the retro cool of that royal-blue tin.
  5. Lips All this advice also applies for your lips. However, to exfoliate your mouth, use a moist baby’s toothbrush in circular motions, as loofahs and exfoliating gloves are far too rough for your face. I like to use a three-tier system for my lips in the winter. After my exfoliation, I wash my face, quickly moisturise and use a lip balm as a final emollient layer to keep me smiling.
Bonus tip (or plea): Please ladies, educate your sons, brothers, husbands and dads about this as well. They deserve to look and feel as well cared for as you do!]]> 12413 0 0 0 Weekly Briefing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/weekly-briefing-2/ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:47:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12418 came up with thisheadline and at least two others would have approved it. (via Cafe Pyala)
Sacrificial cow blows landlord fatally
Hat-tip to Danish Khan for pointing out this story in Dawn. Former ISI head Asad Durrani has a curious reason for desiring Zardari’s ouster:
“[H]e takes up so much time of the government, of the media, of civil society’
By this logic shouldn’t Obama be hung, drawn and quartered? Shahbaz Sharif has pointed out the real problem Pakistan is facing today, and it ain’t the Taliban
NRO threat to existence of country, says Shahbaz
The Times managed to do an entire story on how the legal troubles Zardari may face will propel Bilawal into power. Never once did it enter their minds that Bilawal is too young to legally take charge, or even become a member of the National Assembly. AQ Khan has given up selling nuclear secrets for a career as a travel writer. He is now on part four of his series on Timbuktu. Expect Timbuktu’s leader to announce that they are in possession of a nuclear weapon any day now. This is old news by now but this story in The News about Musharraf joining “the Facebook” is hilarious. We learn that the former president “has won 26,199 fans among the Facebook members.” An NYT journalist decided to quit reporting for poetry in this story about David Headly. And she forgot about the existence of Pathans:
Even his eyes — one brown, the other green — hint at roots in two places.
]]> 12418 0 0 0 The Aussie Open, So Far http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-aussie-open-so-far/ Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:07:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10026 1. Rafa Nadal’s knee problems have exacted a tremendous physical toll, but I’m more worried about its psychological impact. The boundless enthusiasm of the old Nadal has disappeared, replaced by a weary feeling that he’s working a job. Tennis has enough dour personalities – Andy Murray, I’m looking at you. It would be a shame if Nadal joined their ranks. 2. Anyone who is a tennis fan can’t help but be delighted by the globalisation of the sport. As Australia and the US have faded (not a single male slam winner since 2003 and only the Williams sisters in the women’s side), non-traditional tennis countries like Serbia have stepped out. The semis at the Australian Open have a Croat and two Chinese players. 3. Roger Federer has had a schizophrenic tournament but Hyde has kept Jekyll at bay so far. He’s had periods of shocking play against Andreev and Davydenko. Even an inconsistent Federer should be able to take out Tsonga but that won’t cut it in the likely final against Andy Murray on Sunday. 4. First Kim Clijsters, now Justine Henin. Any grand slam winner from the past two years needs an asterisk against their name. Their un-retirements have given the women’s game new life and once again made it the equal of the men’s game. 5. Major props to Fabrice Santro, who made up for his five-foot-nothing height to became the most inventive tennis player around. He has now played slams in four different decades.]]> 10026 0 0 0 The Bomber that Stripped Us Naked http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-bomber-that-stripped-us-naked/ Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:36:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12007 here, however some reports, like this one by Stratfor in September, say that the bomb was hidden beyond the briefs: in the bomber’s anal cavity. Both of the bombers, according to reports, were associated with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP. The bombs of both militants, ostensibly, contained the same powerful explosive material PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate). And most importantly, both bombers managed to get to their targets but only failed because of technical reasons (terrorist wardrobe malfunctions?). So from here on out, how will security agents find bombs hidden inside underwear? Some experts have talked about sniffer dogs. In some airports and high-value tourist sites (e.g. CN Tower in Toronto), ion mobility spectrometers, such as the IonScan Sentinel II manufactured by Smiths Detection, are used to screen for traces of explosives or narcotics by shooting puffs of air “to dislodge particles trapped on hair, the body, clothing and shoes.” The “naked scanner” can help too. Scientific American wrote about these whole-body imaging machines back in 2007 and they have been tried out (and in some cases are being used) in airports in the US, Canada and the UK. The machines use backscatter x-ray technology that can see underneath clothing and in essence would allow screeners to see “every detail of each individual scanned.” [caption id="attachment_12023" align="alignnone" width="880"]underwear-bomb-dec2009 Hot pants: US officials release the photo of Abdulmutallab's underwear packed with a wad of PETN. Courtesy: ABC News[/caption] Security experts like the “naked scanner” because it is quick, accurate and makes the uncomfortable pat-down unnecessary, while going further than the pat-down ever could. Of course, it could be easily argued that the pat-down is much less intrusive than a machine that renders people naked in high-quality images. “Backscatter systems are very good at imaging organic material,” writes Julia Layton at howstuffworks.com (which has some pictures showing how detailed the images can be). “They easily pick up the scatter patterns of drugs and explosives and body parts. This ability to detect and identify organic material, along with a technology called ‘Flying Spot’ that lets the machine pinpoint the location of a particular X-ray beam at any given moment in time, allow backscatter images to be incredibly accurate and lifelike.” It’s no wonder then that there is huge opposition to this technology, especially by the US-based Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), which has filed lawsuits against the Department of Justice and the department of Homeland Security in the last two months of 2009. The US Congress did pass a bill in mid-2009, though, that does limit the use of whole-body imaging on aircraft passengers. In short, the bill states that the technology must be explained to passengers and a pat-down search must be offered as an alternative screening option. But given that airport security has been proven once again to be ineffective, the scared public may want less privacy and more invasive technology for everyone in the name of saving lives. Who knows, the latest underwear bomber may have helped to blow the underwear off us all.]]> 12007 0 0 0 Salmon Throwing and More http://candle-thread.com/newsline/salmon-throwing-and-more/ Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:42:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12027 Pike Place Market is over 100 years old and one of the most famous farmer’s markets in America. Crammed with tourists and bustling with energy, the market stretches nine acres. It’s nine acres of nooks and crannies bursting with history and surprises for visitors to discover. We countdown the top 7 items for your Pike Place must-do list: 7.  Sample the free food Pike Place Market was built to cut out the middlemen that often engorged prices for farm goods, as it allowed farmers to sell directly to consumers.  Today, the main arcade, the cobbled street, and some corners are still filled with farmers, their produce on display.  In order to both grab attention and promote their products, stalls will often tempt you with free food. In half an hour, I’d had a Washington apple, some tart blueberries, four different types of balsamic vinegar, and two types of pepper jelly. 6.  Be privy to the local charm Pike Place Market’s location as an established tourist venture invites a whole host of local artists to showcase their talents. Coffee shops display original pieces of artwork, and musicians strategically position themselves throughout the market to receive small change. My favourites included an African-American quartet that invited others to clap hands and join along, and a hula-hooping, guitar-strumming man with a sign: “Take my picture, pay me money.” [caption id="attachment_12029" align="alignright" width="120"]Inside Left Bank Books. Photo: Mariya Karimjee Inside Left Bank Books. Photo: Mariya Karimjee[/caption] 5.  Visit the anarchist bookstore Left Bank Books is a fully functioning independent bookstore located on the corner of 1st and Pike. It is both operated and owned by its workers and has no bosses and managers, yet still the Left Bank sells a remarkable variety of books, and even bumper stickers. I’d recommend venturing to the third floor, if only for the view of the t-shirts that hang from the railings. 4. Watch the salmon-throwing fishmongers It’s hard to miss their stall in the main arcade. Partly because the workers are so loud, and partly because they’re flanked by crowds of spellbound tourists, workers at the Pike Place Fish Market toss three-foot salmon (and crabs, lobsters and other fish) to each other instead of simply passing them by hand. They claim to have the freshest fish in the market as well. 3.  Check out the waterfront Because Pike Place is located on the Seattle waterfront, make sure to venture out from the market and over to Puget Sound. Watch the ferryboats as they shuttle to and from the loading dock, and enjoy the view of the Olympic peninsula in the far distance. 2.  Sip a latte at the Starbucks Now a household name, the original Starbucks opened its doors in 1971 in Seattle, and quickly relocated to Pike Place. Their original goal was to sell high-quality coffee equipment and beans – they didn’t begin making and selling the freshly brewed hot drink that has now become their most popular, if not recognizable, product until 1987. I’d even vouch that the coffee at 1912 Pike Place tastes much better than the company’s usual java. 1.  Eat a well-prepared Piroshky Piroshky Piroshky is a crammed bakery that specialises in the Russian Piroshky, a hand-held pie. You can choose from a variety of fillings (I picked potato, cheese and onion) and grab the palm-sized pie to go, all while watching elderly Russian women rolling the dough and making the pie in front of you. The perfect blend of flaky piecrust and melt in your mouth fillings, the Zagat-rated joint is a Pike Place must.
Editor’s Note: Pike Place Market even has a twitter page where you can follow the happenings of the market.
]]> 12027 0 0 0 Where Were You When Benazir Was Killed? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/where-were-you-when-benazir-was-killed/ Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:54:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12046 Mad Mendeals with how the main characters react to JFK’s assassination. A television series may not be the most reliable barometer of how historical events unfolded, but I was struck by Mad Men‘s revisionism: people do not remember where they were when JFK was murdered; rather it was the shocking killing of Lee Harvey Oswald that made Americans lose faith in their country. I felt something similar with Benazir’s assassination. I don’t recall the moment I was told she had been killed but I remember the aftermath clearly. I will never forget the faces of the family that had abandoned their car and sought refuge in our office. I still remember standing on the roof and seeing Gizri in flames. I can tangibly feel the fear of driving through an abandoned, almost post-apocalyptic Karachi at 2 am and wondering if I, and everyone else from Newsline, would get home safely. There were times in 2007 when I had almost given up on Pakistan. I was in Islamabad during the Lal Masjid crisis, watching clouds of smoke engulf the city from my apartment balcony. For the only time in my life, I felt the force of a suicide blast; I was just a couple of blocks away from the attack on the Chief Justice’s procession. Thoroughly disgusted with the city, and filled with so much fear that I have never returned, I left Islamabad on a Friday, the same Friday that the Lal Masjid reopened. On the way to the airport, I felt the tremors of another suicide blast, this one at the seminary. I felt a similar disgust as Karachi burned in the days after Benazir’s assassination. Instead of quitting the city  – was there anywhere safe left in the country? – I sought refuge in black humour, laughing at the incompetence of the government hosing down the scene of the assassination and envying Bilawal, who I can still recall being bullied at school. Most of all, I dedicated myself to work. There was an issue of Newsline to re-write and just a few days in which to do it. Life went back to normal, or whatever it is that passes for normal in Pakistan.]]> 12046 0 0 0 Don’t Panic, It’s Organic http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dont-panic-its-organic/ Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:06:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12054 messing up their systems in ways that we need to acknowledge. Recently, I bought a book by Jamie Oliver in which one line really struck me. He claims that his kids’ generation is expected to be the first in Britain to die younger than its parents. It stands to reason: produce is grown at incredible speeds and to incredible sizes. It’s not natural and it’s not healthy. Of course, that is for those who actually eat produce. Sadly, for many, the major food groups now seem to be Jolly Ranchers and Doritos, and snacking between meals is no longer something for which kids or, in fact, anyone gets in trouble. [caption id="attachment_12142" align="alignright" width="380"]Si, è organico: Select stores are stocked with wholemeal pasta and pasta made with free-range eggs. Photo: Bina Khan Si, è organico: Select stores are stocked with wholemeal pasta and pasta made with free-range eggs. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] However, all is not lost. A quick scan of your supermarket (mine is Agha’s Supermarket in Karachi) and you will see all kinds of healthy, natural and ethical options. Select stores are stocked with wholemeal pasta, pasta made with free-range eggs (battery-farmed eggs are full of antibiotics because the chickens are packed so closely together that they aren’t allowed to move and thus run the risk of infection in their tiny, wire-mesh cages), fair-trade coffee (often traditionally grown), organic soups, natural biscuits, organically grown tea, chick peas and baked beans, and so on and so on. The more you choose these options and show that you are willing to pay the extra cost for them, the more votes you cast in their favour as they compete for shelf space. Clearly, it’s already happening. Agha’s has its very own organic stand, sponsored by Daali Earth Foods (more on them in a minute). Sadly missing are options such as free-range eggs, free-range chicken and grass-fed beef (not as unhealthy as normal red meat). I don’t like the idea that animals are mistreated, and if they are mistreated in my name, I am particularly distressed. I am more than happy to pay a little more to think that the chicken giving me my egg has been allowed to run free and is a happy and healthy animal that sees the sun and hangs out with her buddies. I say this with hope because there are people right here in our very own country who are thinking about this too, and, unlike me, have decided to make a difference. [caption id="attachment_12143" align="alignleft" width="336"]Stone ground: Daali Earth Foods says its uses no industrial grinders. Photo: Bina Khan Stone ground: Daali Earth Foods says its uses no industrial grinders. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] Lahore spawned Daali Earth Foods. Their farm experiment started as early as the mid-90s and now they distribute to several cities. According to their beautiful website, their process of slow, stone grinding allows their products to retain the nutrients and benefits that are lost in industrial grinders. For example, their rock salt contains 84 minerals and elements that help build bones and replenish you after you perspire, as opposed to commercial salt that contains pure sodium, chloride and anti-caking agents (yes, that’s it). Their other products are also positively different and inspiring: the flavour of their honey varies depending on which flowers are in season, their flours include a sachet of neem, kalonji and bay leaf to naturally protect against insects, and their chunky, textured chilli powder is the most vibrant tomato red you have ever seen! Their motto is “Nothing added, nothing removed,” and they seem to be pretty serious about it. Visit their website to learn their story; everything they are doing, from their diabetic/diet atta to their 100% natural honey makes me think that they are super ethical, smart cookies! Meanwhile, right here in Karachi, another organic farm concern has launched: Sungold Organic (contact them atsungoldorganic@gmail.com). The owners of Sungold have chemical-free, naturally grown vegetables, they irrigate with potable water and they produce their own natural fertilizer. They rely on manual cultivation, or godi, done by local village women, increasing income levels and employment in the area. And they also have a long list of available veggies, including naturally grown broccoli, carrots and eggplant. Even their wheat is naturally grown. The clincher, though, is more of a modern convenience: delivery to your doorstep! So next time you are out buying your masalas, why not try some from Daali? Or the next time you run out of vegetables, ask Sungold to deliver. And every time you go shopping, make “ethical shopping” the first item on your list. You and your family deserve it.]]> 12054 0 0 0 The Racist Laptop? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-racist-laptop/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:17:59 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12146
  • What laptop not to buy if you are dark skinned.
  • Desi, with his easy on-air style and voice that sounds remarkably similar to that of Will Smith, is a natural in front of the camera – even though this HP webcam acted as if he didn’t exist. His charm, which adds humour to the shocking video, could land him a TV gig: perhaps a tech show pointing out the worst gadgets on the market, or at least the ones that fail to live up to their ‘fair’ claims.
  • How to get someone fired – or at least demoted to the mail room. Because if HP has not done it yet, they should, because claiming that the webcam on their MediaSmart laptop has face-tracking software is a bit inaccurate when it won’t recognise the faces of, probably, billions of people worldwide.
  • The importance of diversity in quality assurance departments.
    • HP has responded to the criticism of its product with a entry on its Voodoo Blog, which basically blames the camera’s apathy towards Desi on lighting:
    The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe that the camera might have difficulty “seeing” contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting. While we work on this, take a look here for more information on the impact of lighting on facial tracking software, and how to optimize your webcam experience.
    Oh. Is that statement supposed to help? Who would you axe: a lead programmer, a quality assurance leader, a product manager or a project manager? Perhaps the name HP will become a verb for discriminatory practices? (He’ll never get a job at that Texas company because the recruiting manager will HP him.) Or will someone find a use for this selective technology? Maybe an ‘exclusive,’ old-school country club could use this software at their front gates?
    Click the play arrow below to watch Desi and Wanda’s YouTube video and decide for yourself how badly HP has messed up.
    ]]>     12146 0 0 0     Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-7/ Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:54:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16803 pov-Shireen-3]]> 16803 0 0 0 Lies, Damned Lies and Qamar Zaman Kaira http://candle-thread.com/newsline/lies-damned-lies-and-qamar-zaman-kaira/ Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:44:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16838 what he said:
    Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday asked the media “when has the government denied the presence of the Blackwater security firm in the country”
    If Kaira had done a simple Google search he would have found the following: Rehman Malik on January 2, 2010:
    “No such agency named Blackwater is working in Pakistan”
    Rehman Malik, again, on November 13, 2009:
    “I assure you there is no Blackwater in Pakistan”
    Guess who on November 21, 2009:
    In his statement to the senate standing committee on interior, Malik said Blackwater was not operating in Pakistan and if proven wrong he would tender his resignation.
    The Foreign Office on September 18, 2009:
    Pakistan on Thursday said there is no presence of Blackwater in Pakistan. Addressing a weekly briefing here, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit while quoting the statement of the Interior Ministry said there is no presence of Blackwater in Pakistan
    The Foreign Office wasn’t the only government body spouting off on Blackwater that day:
    State Minister for Interior Tasnim Ahmad has categorically denied the presence of Blackwater, American private security agency, in Pakistan.
    Might Qaira want to reconsider his statement?]]>     16838 0 0 0     Recession-proof Beauty http://candle-thread.com/newsline/recession-proof-beauty/ Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:21:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?post_type=magazine&p=16895 1. The Body Shop brow and liner kit: [caption id="attachment_16896" align="alignnone" width="880"]There is lots you can do with the ingenious little brush in this compact. Photo: Bina Khan There is lots you can do with the ingenious little brush in this compact. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] With this ingenious multi-tasking brush, use the bristly side to fill in your brows, flip it round, add some water and you have a lovely, supple liner brush. (Keep the brush for use long after the cakes run out). Take this one step further by keeping a small eye shadow applicator with you and it becomes a brow, liner and two eye-shadows kit. That’s four in one! 2. Stila Convertible Colour: This super-moist, super-strong cream is so rich that with varying degrees of density it can look like a trillion shades of colour, instead of just the one. For example, after applying on the cheek, blot under the bone to create dense non-reflective colour, but on the cusp and above the bone, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! Add a dash to your lips, and even a light amount to your lid for an easy-to-achieve polished, sleek look. 3. Rimmel lipsticks: [caption id="attachment_16897" align="alignleft" width="337"]Rimmel lipsticks are London cool. Photo: Bina Khan Rimmel lipsticks are London cool. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] These are some of my favourite lipsticks; I use them all the time. The colour is true, the texture is rich and they have a lovely sheen. And with Kate Moss as the face of the brand it’s no surprise that loads of their colours are London cool. With the very reasonable price tag of Rs. 650 you can afford to be experimental. And remember, even a wrong purchase can be mixed with an old favourite to create a fab new version.     4. Liquid body shimmers (by anyone!): Merchandising tricks like these often fool us, but I say what’s sauce for the body is sauce for the face. Maybe avoiding the eye area is a good precaution, but add any of your body shimmers to your liquid foundation, mix away and voilà! You have a new beautiful shimmery foundation! 5. Maybelline eye shadows: [caption id="attachment_16898" align="alignright" width="255"]These little quads have the ability to take water very well. Photo: Bina Khan These little quads have the ability to take water very well. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] These little quads have the ability to take water very well, so apply them wet for a dramatic evening look. The aqua set is super complimentary to our skin tones and the olive set can be used day or night. You might find their embossed instructions (a cute idea) fun to try, though I don’t agree 100% with their placements. Have a bash, though, and see if you like the effect.                 Check out Newsline’s latest fashion and lifestyle posts here.]]> 16895 0 0 0 Heads the Army Wins, Tails Zardari Loses http://candle-thread.com/newsline/heads-the-army-wins-tails-zardari-loses/ Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:26:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16902 16902 0 0 0 The Contenders http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-contenders/ Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:30:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16905 16905 0 0 0 Happy Birthday, Kamran Akmal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/happy-birthday-kamran-akmal/ Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:23:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16939 16939 0 0 0 Smother with Hugs http://candle-thread.com/newsline/smother-with-hugs/ Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:29:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16988 attacked by Jamshed Dasti, the chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Sport. Dasti obviously has no clue what the job of the chairman entails. He seems to think the chairman is the star player of the team. Why else would he question his physical fitness?
    “Mr Butt is physically unfit, he can’t even walk properly, he can’t even see properly.”
    And Stephen Hawking can’t even speak properly, yet there he is telling us about science. Dasti wants Butt to take on more than one role. Chairman, fitness trainer, eye doctor and even interior minister.
    “Mr. Butt has also done nothing to help in finding what went wrong when gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year”
    What went wrong was that there was a security lapse. Mr Dasti, call Rehman Malik and he’ll tell you all about it. Or at least he should. That’s his job. The Standing Committee on Sports probably expects Butt to play all these roles because it too likes to meddle in things that are none of its business. They’ve taken over from the Taliban as guardians of morality, fining the hockey team for hugging a woman. Take it away, Jamshed Dasti:
    “It is not our culture to hug a lady,” said Jamshed Dasti, chairman of Pakistan’s lower house standing committee on sports. “The players are ambassadors of their country and they should remember this well.”
    One of his counterparts, Nasim Akhtar Chaudhry, chimes in as well:
    “We live in an Islamic country,” she said. “We didn’t shake hands with males when our women parliamentary delegation visited the U.S. last year, and here they are giving a hug to a lady.”
    No word yet on what fine will be levied on Zardari for going against our culture. ]]>     16988 0 0 0     Quote of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/quote-of-the-day-2/ Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:31:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16991 Imran Khan:
    “I promise you lot of improvement in Pakistan cricket, the day our party comes into power and is in the government.”
    I guess that means we’ll never win another match ever again.]]>     16991 0 0 0     Pakistan’s Lowest Point http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistans-lowest-point/ Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:34:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16993 saying“nobody in the world” thought Australia would win. There were 11 men in green caps who were so petrified of losing they made their fears a reality. No doubt this team has talent – Umar Akmal is the find of a generation and our bowling attack is as good as any in the world. But there are four major problems they need to fix, and they need to do it before the Hobart Test.

    1. Sack Mohammed Yousuf

    It would be unfair to call Yousuf Pakistan’s worst-ever captain. We’ve had so many that someone must have been worse than him. But Younus Khan was one of the most astute captains the country has ever had. Younus, when bowling to a team that had an 80-run lead with only two wickets in hand, would not have put everyone on the boundary. Bad enough that you basically admit you can’t get Michael Hussey out; why were we feeding him singles off the fifth ball of the over? You know Pakistan is in trouble when Yousuf starts stroking his beard after every ball. Bring back Younus and our number three problem is also solved.

    2. Kamran Akmal is the worst wicketkeeper in the world

    Mohammed Yousuf believes a fielding coach wouldn’t improve our catching. Is he admitting we are so pathetic there’s nothing anyone can do? If so, that’s the most sensible thought he’s ever had. But we do need a wicketkeeping coach. Or even better, a wicketkeeper. Akmal is basically a batsmen with a fetish for large gloves. The dude can’t catch. He seemed to be scared of the ball. It’s time to get rid of him. If Umar Akmal feels lonely, there’s another Akmal brother who’s supposed to be a decent keeper.

    3. Misbah ul-Haq is a waste of space

    There must be someone who can bat better than him. I haven’t heard from him in five years, but Asim Kamal couldn’t possibly be this bad. Better yet, we should try and get a real all-rounder. Word is Shahid Afridi is reluctant to play Tests because it’ll get in the way of his career as an advertising star. Tell him he has to play or suffer the consequences – maybe limit the number of sponsorships he accepts to the number of Tests he plays in a year.

    4. Don’t be seduced by Mohammed Sami

    Sure, he bowled well in the first innings. But he was back to his usual filth in the second. Sami averages over 50 with the ball. He’s never been consistent but every three years or so has one great spell. He’s fulfilled his quota. Bring him back in 2013.]]>     16993 0 0 0     Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-8/ Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:38:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16996 ]]> 16996 0 0 0 Where the Elk and Bison Play . . . and Humans too http://candle-thread.com/newsline/where-the-elk-and-bison-play-and-humans-too/ Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:44:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=17001 Volcanic by-product: Stinky, steamy and bubbling mud. Photo: Mariya Karimjee[/caption] With one eye cocked out of the window and the other on my informational pamphlet, we began driving to our cabin. The roads grew narrower, and suddenly we were driving through windy roads around what looked like cliffs.  The sun was peeking out from behind the silver trunks of leafless trees. Purple streaks had been painted into the sky.  As we approached our cabin, we noticed that a few cars pulled over onto the side of the road. I rolled down the window, as a woman approached. “What’s going on?” I asked. “Bear!” she exclaimed.  This time I was prepared with the camera. We rushed over.  I snapped a few pictures. He was close enough to swat at me, and I was surprised I held the camera steady. Perhaps, though, my hands weren’t so surgeon-like: the pictures did turn out blurry. We spent the night at Canyon Lodge and Cabins and made use of our AAA discount. We parked our car right outside the cabin but took care to remove all food from the car as thoroughly as possible. Bears are notorious for causing harm at Yellowstone, and considering I’d just seen one, we weren’t going to take any chances. It also happened to be one of the coldest nights I have ever experienced, even in late August. I recommend packing an electric blanket or multiple layers. The next morning, we woke early to see as much of the park as possible. The morning light lit up the rolling hills a mossy green. We spent a good 20 minutes watching the sun rise into the sky as a herd of bison blocked the road while attempting to cross. Then, as one passed me, I reached out. I touched it. It was a tangible reminder I was in America’s playground. [caption id="attachment_17003" align="alignnone" width="880"]Mammoth Terraces in Yellowstone. Photo: Mariya Karimjee Mammoth Terraces in Yellowstone. Photo: Mariya Karimjee[/caption]]]> 17001 0 0 0 YouTube of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/youtube-of-the-day-3/ Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:47:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=17006 ]]> 17006 0 0 0 Your Cricket Dream Team of the Decade: Results http://candle-thread.com/newsline/your-cricket-dream-team-of-the-decade-results/ Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:50:59 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=17009 Newsline asked you to pick your best Test team of the decade. Thanks for all your responses Here is the finest XII of the decade, as chosen by you:
    Openers Matthew Hayden and Virender Sehwag One-Down Ricky Ponting Middle Order Sachin Tendulkar and two of Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, since the latter three all received the same votes. I guess one of them would be 12th man. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist Bowlers Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Makhaya Ntini and Glenn McGrath.
    The team I would have chosen is only slightly different.
    Openers Matthew Hayden and Virender Sehwag One-Down Ricky Ponting Middle Order Rahul Dravid, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Andrew Flintoff Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist Bowlers Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath and Dale Steyn
    There are only a few significant differences between the team of Test cricketers I chose and that chosen byNewsline readers. Going by stats alone, Kallis is a superior all-rounder to Flintoff. But with Murali and Warne automatic choices, there was a need for a bowling all-rounder to supplement McGrath and Flintoff beats Kallis there. I wasn’t particularly at having to choose Steyn, but what other choices were there? Steyn may not have had the longevity of Ntini but the few years he has played Test cricket have shown him to be a word-class pacer, probably the best in the world right now. Although that doesn’t really mean much. This decade, with its graveyard pitches and T20s, has been a nightmare for fast bowlers. Both Shane Bond and Shoaib Akhtar could have been great had they spent more time on the field than in ER. With the batsmen, I chose to leave out Tendulkar and Lara because they had up-and-down decades. Lara is probably the greatest match-winning batsman and Tendulkar the most consistent over an unthinkable period of time. But for this decade alone they were overshadowed by Ponting and Dravid. Inzamam was a touch choice to make – and not just because I wanted at least one Pakistani in there. If this was a ODI team he would have automatically slotted into number six. But even in Tests he averaged over 50 this decade, took Pakistan to many crucial wins and was a man for a crisis.]]>     17009 0 0 0     The President’s Amnesia http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-presidents-amnesia/ Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:53:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=17012 This is from today’s Dawn:
    In an interview with a TV channel, the president said some forces wanted the ISI to be under civilian control but the government put a stop to the move.
    Zardari is half-right. The government did indeed prevent the ISI from coming under civilian control. What he’s forgotten is that the “force” which was trying to bring the ISI under civilian control was the government. The prevention Zardari speaks of came when the government reversed its decision a couple of days later. And could Zardari please explain why bringing the ISI under civilian control would be such a horrible thing that he needs to fight it?]]>     17012 0 0 0     Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-3/ Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:01:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9703 ]]> 9703 0 0 0 Movie Magic http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-magic/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:32:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9713 Coco Chanel’s own apartment. However, seeing as the wear and tear of equipment and people would probably damage the apartment and realising that many long shots would be impossible in a small space like that, artisans were hired to recreate sections of Madam’s apartment for the shoot, down to the most minute art-deco detail. Spectacular! This is a huge part of the magic of film. Without this support, the performances of the actors would still be fabulous (like in Dogville, which I love), but you could not dive headfirst and unthinkingly in to the world to which the director wants to take you.

    Keira Knightley for Coco Chanel:

    Below are some of the films that have drawn me in, made me appreciate with wonder the amazing effort that has gone in to giving me a magical hour or two and, therefore, left a lasting impression on me. And, as a result, these are some of the films that have contributed to my visual and creative vocabulary. Sabrina Obviously any film with Audrey Hepburn (and therefore Givenchy) is going to have clothes to die for. The story centres around a tomboyish chauffeur’s daughter who gets sent to Paris for school only to return and, in a perfectly swanlike manner, wreak havoc on the hearts of the men around her. And since these men are loaded, we have the classic Cinderella story, 50s style. The clothes and sets are beyond elegant, the situations hysterical and the love story is, well, lovely! To Catch a Thief Has there ever been anyone more perfect than Grace Kelly? She embodies the name that her parents, with apparently amazing prescience, chose for her. Her critics (surely there must be very few) have had one complaint: she was an ice queen. Well, clearly they have not seen her in this film. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly light up the screen with such an amazingly raw chemistry that you find yourself a little shocked. The plot, clothes, hair, make-up and location all add up to an amazingly fun, sexy and, of course, stylish romp. [caption id="attachment_9714" align="alignleft" width="250"]Grace Kelly in High Society. Grace Kelly in High Society.[/caption] High Society With a classic haves-and-have not angle, this delightful love triangle (or pentagon, since there are five players) brings together a very funny Grace Kelly (a have), Bing Crosby (another have) and Frank Sinatra (a have not). I remember watching this as a child and being lost in admiration at the amazing swimming toga that Grace Kelly removes near the pool, to reveal an equally elegant costume on an even more elegant body. The highlight of the movie, though, is the progressively more and more drunk rendition of “Did you evah” performed by Frank and Bing, in what I always thought was the true romance of the film. Some Like it Hot If you have somehow missed this film you have missed out on one of the funniest films of all time. Jack Lemmon in a dress. And lipstick. Need I say more? I will say, though, that this is Marilyn Monroe at her slightly too chubby best (the scene on the beach with Shell Oil Junior makes me crack up every time). Other than the first 20 minutes, which are a not a laugh a minute, this movie will have you in stitches. Rosemary’s Baby This is one of the scariest movies of all time. The psychological build-up is so intense that I literally get antsy when I watch it. This movie uses costume and set to such amazing effect: the baby doll dresses only serve to underscore Rosemary’s intense child like vulnerability and the apartment has a diabolic character all of its own. The decision to swathe the crib in black satin and hang an upside down crucifix in front of it just hints at the horror. Always way scarier than spelling it out. [caption id="attachment_9715" align="alignnone" width="880"]The Corleone Family from The Godfather. Source: jdmfilmreviews.com The Corleone Family from The Godfather. Source: jdmfilmreviews.com[/caption] The Godfather This is the movie to end all movies. The quotes are endless: “Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes”; “Leave the Gun. Take the Cannoli”; “I am going to make him an offer he can’t refuse”; “Look at what they have done to my boy. They have massacred my boy….”; “Maaaanday, Tuesday, Thorsday.” Perhaps, the most quotable film of all time, the most watchable film of all time. There is not an extra moment, every shot is pure perfection, each performance is mind blowing. We know that the movie could only get made after the mob signed off on it. We also know that loads of the extras and some of the smaller roles are played by actual mobsters (Luca Brasi rehearsing his speech “On this the day of your daughter’s wedding . . . and may their first child be a masculine child . . . ” is footage of the first-time actor and otherwise mobster actually rehearsing for his scene with Brando and was filmed without his knowledge). The magic and ruthlessness surrounding this film is, of course, legendary. The most magical thing of all? Many of the main roles were performed by non-Italians; yet they have come to represent quintessential American Italian-ness to the whole world. Day for Night Not to be pretentious, or to pretend that I am some super knowledgeable film buff, but I watched this film with my husband and was just plain smitten. A film about the filming of a film, it’s a love letter to cinema, lovingly portraying the temporary families created on a film set and exposing all the tricks of the trade: it is a nostalgic, whimsical peek behind the scenes. And if you have never seen a young Jacqueline Bisset, you will be shocked at how closely Elizabeth Hurley resembles her. If you watch any one of these films, this should be the first on your list, seeing as it is a Truffaut. In fact why wait, here is a glimpse of his tender love letter to cinema: Working Girl This film aims to be the ultimate girl-power movie but it ends up issuing a rather mixed message. The heroine needs the help of all the men around her to get ahead, she has to lie and scheme to do so and the successful woman boss is portrayed as pure evil. However, this is still a really fun makeover movie (there is a black dress that I used to just dream about), and a young, charming Harrison Ford certainly is easy on the eye. It is New York at its most glorious. Good fun rating: Five stars! Dangerous Liaisons If you are looking for an orgiastic visual feast then look no further. Dangerous Liaisons is sublimely beautiful, beautifully acted (barring a very young and even then wooden Keanu Reaves), fantastically well written and just plain sexy. Glenn Close and John Malkovich set the screen on fire in the lead roles, and with a supporting cast comprising Uma Thurman and Michelle Pfeiffer you are hard pushed to decide who is more beautiful than the other. Visually you can see where Sofia Coppola’s starting point was for Marie Antoinette, though she famously asked her costume designer to base the colour palette of her movie on a plate of Ladurée macaroons. Dangerous Liaisons is a deviant, cruel, diabolical love story that takes place amidst some of the most elaborate sets and in the most gorgeous costumes you can imagine. The last scene with Glen Close is one of the more frightening things I have seen outside of a horror film. pulp-fictionPulp Fiction (with a pinch of Scarface) Some of you may really object to me putting these in to the same category but I always feel like they are of a similar mood. Not to deny Tarantino’s complete genius in Pulp Fiction and I realise thatScarface should be a bit of a guilty pleasure (“Say khello to my leeetle fraind!”) but I think that Mrs. Mia Wallace is, if not a direct homage, an homage nonetheless to the kind of mobster heroine played by Michelle Pfeiffer. They certainly smoke in the same way, though Mia’s “God Damn!” and subsequent overdose take her character to a much scarier place. I have to admit that unoriginally like most people of my generation, Pulp Fiction is certainly a film that gives me deep joy: from the dialogue and structure to the list of actors and the bizarre situations, it’s Tarantino’s finest hour. Plus Travolta on a dance floor, for once matched by the charming bewigged craziness of Thurman, is a moment of pure cinema gold – as is most of the film. Clueless As if! This movie became iconic in its representation of the new P.Y.T. It played around with the images of rich, young spoiled kids, and so many trends can be traced directly back to Cher and co. From Gossip Girl to the OC and from Micha Barton to Paris Hilton, Clueless left its mark. The movie introduced to a new generation a designer-clad, cause-espousing, calorie-counting ultra-privileged teen. Alicia Silverstone has never been funnier (“Billy Holiday? Yeah, I love him!”) and her hair was so lustrous that it had character all its own! This film also saw the debut of Brittany Murphy, who ironically fell to the perils of being young in Hollywood. [caption id="attachment_9717" align="alignright" width="320"]The Royal Tenenbaums. The Royal Tenenbaums.[/caption] The Royal Tenenbaums When I think back to any Wes Anderson film, I am left very strongly with a colour memory. WithZissou I remember coral and aqua, with the awfulDarjeeling Limited I remember saffron yellow and with Tenenbaums I think of a very ‘70s palette of dirty green, orange and maroon. I also think of a childlike bob, tweed and deeply darkened eyes. It’s a visual bonanza that is a genre unto itself; I often describe things as “very Royal Tenenbaums.” Some people find this film a little self-indulgent, but I think that the Academy Award nominated screenplay by Anderson and Owen Wilson (made all the more poignant by Wilson’s own suicide attempt that seemed quite similar to the one in the film) was touching and kept me interested. One writer in Variety called it a  “depressive comedy” and Roger Ebert praised it as being “as richly conceived as the novel it pretends to be.” Rich is definitely a word that comes to mind. The Matrix Arguably a film with one of the greatest reveals of all time (even better than The Usual Suspects reveal that made me drop my mental coffee cup), I think we were all rooting for him to take the red pill. Another film worth quoting to death (“You think that’s air your breathing? Hmm!”), and this time Keanu’s wooden acting worked in his favour. A symphony of green, grey, black and white, the set design, costume design and art design of the film was absolutely spectacular. From the martial arts pyjamas to the patent-leather duster coats and boots, every item of clothing helped to further the perception of unreality, in that they seemed to be dressed with the knowledge of their own unreality while in the Matrix. No one was wearing sweat pants on Morpheus’ crew! Particularly interesting throughout the film is the use of sunglasses, not only as a reflection of their characters (like the über-cool Morpheus’ press-on kind that won’t fall off because he knows that they won’t) but also as a tool cinematically. We see Neo being offered the blue and red pills as a reflection in Morpheus’ glasses in one of the film’s most gripping moments. Obviously the film is loaded with philosophical references and questions, but visually there are messages all over the place too. ]]>     9713 0 0 0     Sniffing Out the ‘Threat’ at PIA http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sniffing-out-the-threat-at-pia/ Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:35:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9721 bizarre bomb plot hit the Canadian media for a day or two in January 2010 and then fizzled out. Despite the nature of the terrorism story that broke just a few weeks after a failed plot to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253 over Detroit, it is not surprising the story didn’t gain momentum. Much of it was odd and seemingly unverifiable. Canada’s national broadcaster, the CBC, broke the story but because of the secret nature of the ministerial order to search PIA, all of the broadcaster’s sources were anonymous. Newsline met with the Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto, Sahebzada A. Khan, who confirmed the story’s basic points. He says that PIA aircrafts were searched from August to October 2009 by Transport Canada, which the Consul General likens to the United States’ Homeland Security, and special canine units were used. Everything was searched, says Consul-General Sahebzada Khan, except the prepared airline food. That was one thing, he claims, PIA would not allow the dogs to get close to. Still, he did not confirm the reasons for the searches or the existence of any threat. When the story broke in January, Mr Khan says that it caused a “frenzy” among PIA customers, many of whom became frantic to cancel their reservations. The Consul General appeared on television to question the report and promote the clean safety record of Pakistani airports. “The least I could do was to restore confidence.” He also confirms that things changed last fall once Transport Canada delivered a bill for over $35,000 to PIA. The Canadian government wanted PIA to pay for the costs of the searches. PIA refused. Immediately, the dogs stopped sniffing and the regular searches stopped. He maintains that if the Canadian government knows of any threat, he is “prepared to cooperate.” Until now, however, Consul General Khan, who has been posted in Toronto since September 2009, claims that the government of Canada has never contacted him about any alleged threat. Pakistan’s top diplomat in Toronto also says, “Special security measures and heightened vigilance, especially for PIA flights, are still in force.” Even now, PIA passengers go through stringent customs and security checks in Toronto. He asserts that the less than flattering attention they receive is obvious and beyond what other airline passengers face: PIA passengers continue to be singled out. “Baggage is turned upside down.” In Pakistan, there are theories circulating as to why this may be the case. PIA offers the only direct flights from Pakistan to North America. And given Pakistan’s image as the centre of global terror, this focus on PIA is not necessarily surprising. There are also theories that these Canadian searches on Pakistan’s flag carrier and Pakistan’s inclusion on a new US watch list in January, which names 14 high-risk countries to be subjected to mandatory extra screening, is no coincidence. The searches on PIA in Toronto could have been made at the insistence of the US. The US government and media love to question the thoroughness of Canada’s immigration screening and national security procedures given they share the longest border in the world (8,891 kilometres long) and despite the fact that none of the 9/11 bombers entered the US from Canada. Most of the 14 countries pegged for more stringent airport security checks when flying to the US don’t have airlines offering direct flights to the US. Thirteen of the countries on the controversial US list have flag carriers that either make stops before flying onwards to the US or don’t fly to or from North America at all, putting their US- and Canada-bound passengers on partner airlines. Only Saudi Arabian Airlines offers direct flights to the US. PIA’s only direct flight to North America is to Toronto. PIA’s flights to New York are not direct, as they involve stops in Manchester, UK. Putting pressure and inconvenience on PIA may just be the first move to eventually have Canada fall in line with US practices about who to allow onto the continent and how they should come. But PIA is not the only airline from the 14 ‘dubious’ countries flying direct to Canada but not the US. Air Algérie and Cubana are the others. The latter is barred from flying to the US at all given the decades-old embargo that makes doing business with Cuba illegal. Getting Canada to adopt US-dictated security policies is a sensitive issue with Canadians – but it is not a new idea. “Fortress North America” is an idea that has been around in various guises since World War II. The current version of the strategy entails creating a continent-wide customs union with a common approach that would extend beyond trade and energy, and decisively stretch into immigration, law enforcement and security. Critics says that it “would virtually eliminate existing national borders” between Canada, the US and Mexico, and create a massive police state. Anti-terrorist laws that have severely impinged on civil liberties are, ostensibly, the beginning. So with continental security focusing on securing the perimeter of North America, could an alignment of air transport policies between Canada and the US be next? Are PIA’s direct flights to North America out of line with US desires?]]> 9721 0 0 0 The Measure of Greatness http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-measure-of-greatness/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:42:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9807 9807 0 0 0 Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-4/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9831 9831 0 0 0 Ice Ice Desi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ice-ice-desi/ Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:09:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9834 Slumdog Millionaireconfirmed the world’s infatuation with all things Indian. [caption id="attachment_9835" align="alignnone" width="880"]A Russian ice dancing duo in a questionable (on many levels) costume. Photo: AFP A Russian ice dancing duo in a questionable (on many levels) costume. Photo: AFP[/caption] At the heart of Indian movies are music and dance. So it shouldn’t be surprising that Bollywood tunes have finally made it into international figure skating. US ice dancing pair Meryl Davis and Charlie White have performed their original-dance routine (amusingly described as being set to “Indian folk music”) in competition before, but it caught the world’s attention on Sunday night at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Usually ice dancing is something to be watched for the ridiculous costumes — all of figure skating has an overabundance of diamantes, feathers, frills and flesh-toned fabric, and that’s just the men — but this dance by Davis and White is something crowds seem to like so far, though maybe some hypersensitive South Asians will weigh in on it. It may not show India as a “dirty, underbelly developing nation” but maybe defender-of-Mother India Amitabh Bachchan will feel the need to rail against this too in his blog? An ‘opportunistic hijacking,’ perhaps? An internationally accessible video of the US duo’s 2010 Olympic performance is hard to find and see because of restrictions on Olympic Games broadcast rights, but you can see the American pair perform their filmi routine in the 2010 World Championships in the video below. Will Bhangra make it next to ice dancing? ]]> 9834 0 0 0 Is Tiger really a lost Buddhist? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/is-tiger-really-a-lost-buddhist/ Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:36:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9847 But after this painful, cathartic release should the public feel sympathy for Tiger? Should the people who trusted him and looked up to him forgive him? Before moving off the stage slowly and awkwardly, Woods asked people “to one day believe in me again.” His long and very clear apology was a step towards that. But this will depend on how he leads his life off the links from now on: with his family, his foundation and the community at large. Woods surprisingly talked about being raised as a Buddhist by his Thai mother, and how he has drifted away from his religion in recent years. That was an understatement. Moreover, it is unlikely that core Buddhist tenets of elimination of craving and focus on morality were ever core to his personality. Just before he won his first Masters in 1997 and rocketed to superstardom, he gave an interview to Vanity Fair in which he said less than perfect things:
    “What I can’t figure out is why so many good-looking women hang around baseball and basketball. Is it because, you know, people always say that, like, black guys have big dicks?” At another moment, during a photo shoot where four women attended to his every need and flirted with him as he flirted back, he told a joke: He rubbed the tips of his shoes together and then asked the women, “What’s this?” They were stumped. “It’s a black guy taking off his condom.”
    He offered lesbian jokes that day too. It’s clear though that Woods doesn’t want the real Tiger Woods in the public. His speech makes it clear that he wants to return to the controlled, marketing-friendly image that his management team at IMG has worked on for over 12 years. He wants us to believe that he is the focused, hard working, good guy. Perhaps, he should just accept who he is. Or should we believe that therapy, support groups, Buddhism and a now all-powerful wife (plus incredible public and personal failure) can turn Tiger Woods into the perfect icon that IMG projected for so long?
    See Tiger Woods’ full apology here.
    ]]>     9847 0 0 0     The Perennial Loser http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-perennial-loser/ Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:01:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9860 9860 0 0 0 Blame Game http://candle-thread.com/newsline/blame-game/ Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:31:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9936 9936 0 0 0 YouTube of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/youtube-of-the-day/ Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:34:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9948 P.S. I realise the subtitles are faked. That doesn’t make it any less funny.]]> 9948 0 0 0 Looking Down on Disaster http://candle-thread.com/newsline/looking-down-on-disaster/ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:45:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9950 recently released aerial photographs of New York under attack, showing the smoking and crumbling Twin Towers, and the ash covered acreage of South Manhattan provide a shockingly vivid alternative view of September 11, 2001, to the mostly ground-view photographs and video that have been etched in our memory. The photographs are taken from a police helicopter. On that blue-sky Tuesday morning, the police helicopter carried the only photographers allowed in the airspace around the World Trade Center after the first tower was hit. One of those photographers was now-retired detective Greg Semendinger of the New York Police Department. The 12 shots are some of the over 300 photographs he snapped on 9/11. Some of Detective Semendinger’s photos were handed over to the 9/11 Commission and were being held by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the federal agency that investigated the collapse of the towers. The 12 photos were part of 2,779 obtained by ABC News after the US television network filed a Freedom of Information Act request in 2009 with the NIST. But while these photos are new to many eyes, they may look familiar to some. According to the Associated Press, Detective Semendinger “e-mailed some of the photos to friends and several were posted on the Internet. Later, nine of the images were published in a book called Above Hallowed Ground: A Photographic Record of Sept. 11without his consent. The book was a tribute to the officers who were killed that day.” Nonetheless, these are striking and haunting images, providing a perspective that until now was widely unseen. Silence fills the photos, as they are devoid of life. From a distance we see only concrete, glass, smoke and debris. The pictures show massive destruction and monstrous, devouring clouds of dust that are normally reserved for Hollywood blockbusters. Of course, the reality of it all is what makes the viewer gasp.
    Eight of the photos are reproduced below. To view the original 12-image ABC News slide show clickhere. Otherwise, click any picture below to begin this shorter slide show: Photos are courtesy ABC News.
    ]]>     9950 0 0 0     The Taliban Jigsaw http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-taliban-jigsaw/ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:48:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9961 Sholay) is the new leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Actually, he may just be the acting head until a more suitable candidate is chosen. But only if Hakimullah is actually dead. Decoding the Taliban puzzle is harder than figuring out what’s happening on Lost. With so much confusion surrounding recent events, analysing what’s going to happen next necessarily requires some conjecture. Let us assume then that Hakimullah really is dead and that Toofan will be the new leader of the TTP. This could signal a change of strategy on the part of the Taliban. Where Hakimullah, with his flowing locks and Humvee, was a  show-off in the Abdullah Mehsud mould, Toofan, despite his flamboyant moniker, is likely to be more circumspect. Being based in Orakzai Agency, he should prefer holding on to that and other territories in the tribal areas rather than mounting daring attacks in major cities – the hallmark of Hakimullah’s tenure. Installing Toofan as leader may also lead to fissures within the TTP. The Mehsud tribe sees the TTP as its property, with the leadership post an inheritance that cannot leave the tribe. If Hakimullah indeed is dead, a shura may choose to appoint another Mehsud to take the seat that is temporarily being warmed by Toofan. There is no knowing how Toofan would react to that. What is likely is that the leadership of the TTP will become increasingly incompetent at strategy as more of its leaders are killed and it is forced to choose from second-raters. By no means does this portend an end to terrorism in the country. But it does give the army the upper hand as it takes the fight to the Taliban.]]> 9961 0 0 0 Balancing Jihad and PR http://candle-thread.com/newsline/balancing-jihad-and-pr/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:52:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9967 Newsline received what seemed like weekly emails from him promoting his latest endeavours in music and global understanding; some were even op-ed-style pieces that he presumably sent to multiple news outlets, hoping someone would bite. And surely editors did. Salman Ahmad was a popular figure. Junoon meant so many things to so many people at its zenith in the late 1990s that he is remembered, by many, with fondness. These days, after years of going beyond rock music to promote a moderate image of Islam and encourage inter-faith dialogue, Ahmad is, again, everywhere in the media. With his autobiography, Rock & Roll Jihad, on bookstore shelves, he is busy giving interviews, attending meet-and-greet sessions and autographing his book. And his book showcases his promotional flair. A short review of Ahmad’s book in Paste Magazine shows that his penchant for name dropping often rises to the surface and interferes with the story of his advertised mission of peace and understanding:
    “With a cast and crew of multiethnic characters and influences including pop icons such as Bono, professional athletes and national leaders, his writing at times seems like lists of trivia.”
    Though Ahmad likes to toot his own horn (repeatedly) and even embellish the melody a bit, it doesn’t mean Ahmad’s promotion is 100% of the shameless variety: being publicity-hungry doesn’t mean that his efforts are not noble. Sure he’s got a book to sell, but that’s just part of the business for all authors. He’s also been diligently plugging away on projects devoted to bridging cross-cultural gaps for years, and his commitment seems to endure. (Besides, despite how Ahmad likes to represent things, Junoon and Ahmad are not on the same level as U2 and Bono, and so he does need to talk a bit louder). And it seems like he is making new fans outside the South Asian community. Since the January 12 launch of his book in North America, his numerous radio and television interviews have generated great interest and cheers from listeners. Listen to the American callers and read the comments from this NPR interview on January 15. Many of the clearly non-Muslim participants (besides being inspired) were, quite simply, surprised by his story of a moderate majority in the Muslim world who like things such as music and, heck, even peace. And those were presumably well-informed public-radio listeners. On CBC radio in Canada, Jian Ghomeshi, the host of a super-popular arts and culture programme, gushed over Ahmad, even calling him prophetic when Ahmad simply described the reality of air travel today. Besides being a genuine, articulate and hopeful (including self-appointed) spokesperson for moderate Muslims and peaceful Islam, Ahmad is winning over the North American public with interesting stories too. “You certainly don’t fit in when you first arrive,” says the CBC’s Ghomeshi in a radio interview on January 14, when talking about Ahmad’s arrival in the US as pre-pubescent Pakistani boy. “But you very quickly find your way in to becoming an American-Pakistani. How did that happen for you?” “Rock n Roll,” says Ahmad. He then provides the detail of his story, which involves references to Forest Gump, Danny Spitz of Anthrax, and Led Zeppelin. It’s a perfect American answer: it shows off his westernness and a certain level of cool. Hear a three-minute clip here (see below for a link to the full interview):
    Other stories will win even more uninitiated fans. In the first chapter of the book, he describes his first dalliances with live rock ‘n roll in Pakistan and in doing so he ballyhoos his innate rock sensibilities by writing that even when being attacked on stage he was thinking about showmanship and Pete Townshend.
    “He tore the Les Paul from my hands, and with a fury unlike any I had ever seen, proceeded to bash it on the green marble floor, wrecking it beyond repair.”

    “I could not believe what I was seeing. Shocking as this act of wanton violence was, my first thought was that if anybody was going to smash my guitar it should’ve been me. Not these show-stealing thugs!”

    If the early reception from his media rounds is any indication (he even won airtime on CNN), his book probably will do decent business. But until he makes it on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, his book tour won’t be considered as successful as Musharraf’s was in 2006. And the latter did it while taking care of official state business. Heck, the ex-general/ex-president even secured a book endorsement from then US president, George W. Bush.
    Some links to info referenced in the post:
    • Read chapter one from Rock & Roll Jihad here.
    • Listen to Salman Ahmad’s interview on CBC radio by downloading the Q podcast for 2010-01-14here.
    Read Newsline’s review of Rock & Roll Jihad by Salman Ahmad.]]>     9967 0 0 0     Karachi Bleeds http://candle-thread.com/newsline/karachi-bleeds/ Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:54:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9970 9970 0 0 0 Observing The Trial http://candle-thread.com/newsline/observing-the-trial/ Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:59:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9976 New York: Though it was not exactly like Kafka’s The Trial, there was still something nightmarish about this recent, and now infamous, trial. The assortment of people that thronged the courtroom of the US District Court in Manhattan contributed to this mood. One attendee was attired in robes and headgear that made him look like a caricature of Mohammed Bin Qasim. The latter, a young man, was held for a while and questioned after being accused of gesturing towards two jury members with his hands in the form of a gun. The two jury members asked the judge if they could be excused as they believed they could “no longer be fair” to the defendant, Dr Aafia Siddiqui. At one point during the trial, when a prosecution witness stated before the jury that coalition forces in Afghanistan experience violence on a daily basis, a member of the courtroom audience applauded. Meanwhile, in the jury box, some of the carefully picked jurors yawned, seemingly sleepy, or bored. One of them chewed at his pen. In the front row, an artist captured one of Aafia’s outbursts, forever immortalising her accusations of injustice: “I say you are lying!” she yelled at the judge. Her defence lawyers argued that Aafia suffers from mental illness and “diminshed capacity.” Prosecutors simply countered that she is a faker. Throughout it all, the judge provided repeated reminders to the jury, and everyone, that the defendant should be presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite this, major newspapers in New York continued to call her “Lady Al-Qaeda” and the “terror mom.” On the other hand, it was clear that the Pakistani media sympathised with US-educated Aafia, a neuroscientist. In the courtroom, most of the audience was made up of women. There were very few Pakistani men who came to observe the proceedings. One notable exception was Shahid Comrade, an executive member of the Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum. His dedicated presence was like something out of Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Be it sunshine, snow or storm, he was out on the street in front of the court building, waving signs campaigning for the release of Aafia Siddiqui. “Why don’t you sit your over there, as there is a seat vacant,” a court officer told one of the bearded onlookers. “No. I can’t sit with a female,” came the response. Besides those refusing to sit, there were others who did not care to rise when the judge ascended to the bench. Many veiled women and bearded men made rows in the court hallways to offer their prayers. Besides the burqa-clad, a number of women in the audience wore fur and tall boots. On the first day, Cindy Sheehan, mother of an American soldier who died in Iraq and a woman now famous in the US as an anti-war activist, also came to lead the congregants to the courtroom. Those included in the audience: Mohammed Siddiqui, the architect brother of Aafia Siddiqui; the parents of Fahad Hashmi, a student of Pakistani origin who was arrested in Britain and extradited to the US awaiting his terrorism-related trial in New York; a mother of a Bangladeshi youth held without trial in Atlanta, Georgia; hijab-wearing Connie Nash (who says she dons the hijab as a token of respect to Muslims) who is writing a book on the secret rendition prisons of the US; a freelance journalist who travelled across Pakistan to do a story for Harper’s Magazine on Aafia – the journalist wasn’t concerned that the court wouldn’t issue her in-house credentials and was more worried about the hardship the Pakistani media was facing in gaining access to Aafia’s trial; and Tina Foster, a lawyer and the spokesperson for Aafia Siddiqui’s family, who fought against the US government over the detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base. Treatment meted out by court officers to those who came to cover and observe Aafia’s trial was akin to that in a police state. Despite all odds, though, the audience gathered from all across America: Connie Nash arrived from North Carolina. To the left and right, commies and neo-cons sat with all sorts of Amars, Akbars and Anthonys under one roof. In this motley group was Pakistani Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, who, when he attended in late January, was offered a special chair in the public gallery and greetings by US District Judge Richard Berman. Pakistan’s present government paid two million dollars to three lawyers hired to defend Dr Aafia Siddiqui, while reportedly hundreds of other Pakistanis languish in America’s jails and in jails outside the US. But then again, Pakistan ostensibly has a role in the latter, too, as hundreds of Pakistanis have gone missing from within its own borders.]]> 9976 0 0 0 You are Only as Good as your Last Act http://candle-thread.com/newsline/you-are-only-as-good-as-your-last-act/ Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:16:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9979 Up in the Air when refusing to get in line behind some brown-looking guys for fear of being kept waiting while they are being questioned:  “Yeah, I’m like my mother. I stereotype. It saves time.” But how did we get here? Surely we have a rich history that has more to it than veils, beards and militancy. This led me to explore the history of Muslims, Indians and our side of the world in general, and I was relieved and proud to see that we have been pretty cool for a very long time – until quite recently. This past decade has all but erased over a thousand years of exchanges and contributions, minor and major, to the world. If you look up lists of inventors, you will see that between the 7th and 15th centuries there are many contributions by people with names that now sound like they should be on a terror watchlist. Though it is often impossible to conclusively prove who invented what, many sources claim the following inventions belonged to the East: general anaesthesia, cosmetic dentistry, the three-course meal, the precursor to the modern cheque, carpets, pleasure gardens, tooth bleaching, hair care, hair dye, solid lipstick, hand cream and lotion, suntan lotion, roll-on deodorant, the pointed arch, nasal spray, topical cream, adhesive bandage and plaster, sutures, chess, soap, clinical trials, cancer surgery, cancer therapy, rose water, public hospitals, medical schools, automatic flute players, gas masks, pure distilled alcohol, the decimal system (zero and infinity were ancient Indian concepts and Indian mathematics was way ahead of its time), philosophical novels, bell-striking clock towers, erectile dysfunction drugs (around 900AD), lamination, the pinhole camera (qamara means a dark room in Arabic), the magnifying glass, homing pigeons and air mail, ventilators (in the 1200s), coffee . . . and the list goes on. Obviously, empires have the finances for pursuits of this nature: there is the need and incentive to experiment and improve, thus things get invented. My point here is that when half the world was ruled by those of the brown persuasion (who were seen as a subhuman threat even then) civilisation and human endeavour barrelled on just the same. I am not one of those who say that Islamic or Indian invention is the basis for all civilisation as we know it: everyone has their place. I just want to know the good bits of my history. There were two people in my search who particularly impressed me (and had something to do with my field). A gentleman by the name of Al-Zahrawi (a name that sounds ominous now due to more recent associations) was a famous surgeon and physician who lived in Spain (936-1013AD). He wrote a 30-volume medical encyclopaedia that was used worldwide as the basis for all medicine up until the 17th century. Believe it or not, one of these 30 volumes had a section devoted to cosmetology! Other than the more obvious cosmetic topics, Al-Zahrawi had a method for taming kinky hair, strengthening gums and freshening breath; he introduced the earliest antecedents of deodorants and lipsticks; he suggested keeping incense where you store your clothes; and it is believed he even started the tradition of taking flowers when visiting the sick. Another fascinating gentleman is Sake Dean Mahomed (Shaikh Din Muhammad), who hailed from an elite family in Bengal. He (like my grandfather) was an officer in the army of the British Raj in India. He decided to follow his superior officer to Ireland and after marrying an Irish girl there, opened Britain’s first Indian take-away, which has subsequently been commemorated with a plaque by the city of Westminster. This is all the more surprising given that the venture was a failure. His next endeavour, in Brighton, was a bath house called “Mahomed’s Baths,” where the art of champi claimed to cure arthritic and rheumatic problems. So successful was this idea that Mahomed was appointed “Shampooing Surgeon” to King George IV and William IV. bat-for-lashes-two-suns On a more contemporary note, we have a huge music star of Pakistani origin in the UK to be proud of, Natasha Khan. The niece of Jahangir Khan, the world-famous squash champion, Natasha is known for Bat for Lashes, her stage name. She has been nominated for two BRIT awards and her video “Daniel” (below) was nominated for an MTV video music award as breakthrough video of the year. She has opened for both Coldplay and Radiohead, while Ringo Starr has called her one of his favourite new artists and even Bjork has been spotted at her gigs. Her musical style is beautiful and haunting and her rendition of the famous Springsteen “I’m on Fire” (which you might have heard playing at my salon!) is truly spectacular. The history of our people, sub-continental or Muslim, recent or ancient, elite or humble, is far from nefarious or no more nefarious than any other history of a people. I, for one, need to flesh out my identity as a Pakistani with histories and views that are very different from those that are being constantly highlighted. And I hope that in my own small way I am representing an equally real and present version of my city, my country and my part of the world that is pretty, witty, creative and joyous. It’s as real and as close as the bombs and the tears are.

    Bat for Lashes

    “Daniel”

    ]]>     9979 0 0 0     Nawaz Sharif’s Agenda http://candle-thread.com/newsline/nawaz-sharifs-agenda/ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:20:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9985 reporting that Nawaz Sharif has decided not to contest by-elections for the National Assembly. According to the report, Nawaz feels Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali was doing a good job and he didn’t want to come in the way. This is a ridiculous explanation. If Nawaz doesn’t want to take Chaudhry Nisar’s place, he can simply become a member of the assembly without appointing himself leader of the opposition. So, the question must be asked: what’s Nawaz’s game? First, it must be remembered that Nawaz never wanted the March 10 by-election to take place and had challenged the date in the Lahore High Court. There were rumours that Sharif’s reluctance to hold the elections stemmed from a deal with the Saudis and Pervez Musharraf that he would abstain from holding office for a period of 10 years in return for his release from jail. But let’s consider another option. While Nawaz Sharif has repeatedly said he doesn’t want to bring down the government, Chaudhry Nisar has been his attack dog – repeatedly slamming the president over any number of issues. Could it be that Nawaz Sharif is hoping for mid-term elections while staying above the fray and deflecting any criticism for the removal of the government away from himself?]]> 9985 0 0 0 Sweet Sixteen http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sweet-sixteen/ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:23:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9988 9988 0 0 0 YouTube of the Day http://candle-thread.com/newsline/youtube-of-the-day-2/ Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:29:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9991 via Teeth Maestro), it could be the colour of our boots. Scroll to about 3:30 in the video to hear the Aalim decry our green shoes: How are you supposed to respond to a man who thinks wearing green boots displeases Allah so much that He favours the arrogant, entitled Aussies over us? I think President Asif Zardari knows what to say: ]]> 9991 0 0 0 J.D. Salinger and Howard Zinn RIP http://candle-thread.com/newsline/j-d-salinger-and-howard-zinn-rip/ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:58:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10011 30 Rock a while back on how celebrities always seem to die in pairs. By the standards of literature and academia, J.D. Salinger and Howard Zinn were larger-than-life, known as much for their personalities as their work. Lazy journalists  love to link these celebrity deaths. When Princess Diana and Mother Teresa died the focus was on their charitable work; with Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett it was the price of fame. I’m not that great at lazy journalism (or any other kind) since I’ve spent 30 minutes trying to connect Salinger and Zinn. The best I could come up with was that I thought both changed my life forever when I was a teenager but never read them after college. If I would compare Salinger to anyone, it would be Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts. Both wrote for adults but found their core audiences in adolescents and teenagers. I wonder if Salinger became a recluse and Schultz bitter and defensive because they thought their works were not given due seriousness. Schultz was a semi-shut-in and in his occasional interviews vented against his publishers, his fans and even his high-school sweetheart. Salinger never gave any interviews so we’ll never know what he thought of his fans but I wouldn’t be surprised if he felt much the same. As it is, Salinger was so reclusive his death serves only to make him slightly more unapproachable. Howard Zinn, though, was a master of promotion, both for himself and the Leftist cause. He hobnobbed with rock stars (Pearl Jam appropriated his famous line, “You can’t be neutral on a moving train” in one of their songs) and made CDs of his speeches with intros by celebrities. If there is anyone who should be contemptuous of his adoring fans, it is Zinn. His academic work was purposely skewed to provide facts and perspectives that were ignored by mainstream historians. This didn’t mean that Zinn invalidated the works of other historians, rather he filled in the gaps in their work. Edward Said once lamented that his seminal work, Orientalism was used to justify the exclusion of dead, white, racist authors from literature courses when that hadn’t been his intention at all. Zinn’s works have been misused similarly to denigrate conventional narrative works of history.]]> 10011 0 0 0 Photo Gallery: The Flood in Nowshera District http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-the-flood-in-nowshera-district/ Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:04:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7087 Click any picture to begin the slide show:]]> 7087 0 0 0 Pakistani Citizens Demand their Right to Speak without “Fear of Threats” http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-citizens-demand-their-right-to-speak-without-fear-of-threats/ Mon, 31 May 2010 16:18:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8510 Pakistani Citizens Against Internet Censorship and Intimidation have faced threats and violence since protesting, writing and speaking out against the blanket ban on Facebook and other websites. In an effort to stand up for everyone’s right to access of information and their right to peacefully voice their opinions, they have issued the following statement:
    May 30, 2010 On Wednesday 19th May 2010, the Lahore High Court ordered the banning of Facebook across Pakistan. Facebook, a widely used social media network, has over 500 million active subscribers, globally. In Pakistan, over 2.5 million people use Facebook to stay in touch with their friends and family, conduct business, philanthropic campaigns, manage events, and share photos, news, and other content. Some weeks ago, a user of Facebook created a page called “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day”, asking other users to submit drawings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on 20th May 2010. The contents of this page have been considered blasphemous, resulting in a nationwide ban on the entire Facebook domain, instead of just the Facebook page itself. Between the 20th and 22nd May 2010, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocked access to over 600 websites. We condemn all content on the Internet that is abusive and disrespectful of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, we also strongly condemn the blanket ban on Facebook and the blockage of other websites. Every citizen has an inalienable right to information and by banning countless websites, Pakistanis have been denied the right to communicate and interact with each other and the rest of the world and their access to information has been curtailed. The blanket ban on Facebook and other websites has also had a very negative impact on Pakistan as countless small businesses, nonprofit organizations, universities, students, volunteer groups, restaurants, art galleries, magazines, and media outlets use Facebook to conduct research, gain knowledge, operate businesses, and share information with their stakeholders. More importantly, Pakistanis have been denied the right to protest and express their condemnation of hateful and offensive content on the Internet as the very platforms that were, in fact, being used for dialogue and counter-argument, have been banned. On Thursday 20th May 2010, a few members of civil society gathered at the Karachi Press Club to peacefully voice their opinion on the ban. Members of the press turned unruly and started threatening the citizens with contempt of court and blasphemy and labelled them as non-Muslims. A conglomeration of political groups were protesting outside the gates of the Press Club in support of the ban on Facebook. Some journalists attending the press conference informed the protesters about the viewpoint of the members of civil society, resulting in graver threats of violence. All the civil society members present at the Press Club managed to escape narrowly, after some verbal harassment as well as physical jostling. Article 19 of the Pakistan Constitution guarantees every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence. Pakistani Citizens Against Internet Censorship and Intimidation have not violated the Constitution of Pakistan or committed blasphemy in any way as they have never shown any disrespect towards Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In fact, they have repeatedly condemned offensive and hateful content against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook before it was banned, on websites that have not been banned, on electronic media, as well as in print media. Our Demands 1. The right to freely express our opinions without fear of threats and violence 2. An end to Internet Censorship and en-masse banning of websites Endorsed By 1. Uks Research Centre-Islamabad – Tasneem Ahmer, Director 2. Shirkat Gah – Women’s Resource Centre – Fauzia Viqar 3. Aamir Raza Memon – Center for Peace & Civil Society 4. Pakistan ICT Policy Monitors Network 5. Bytes for All, Pakistan 6. Digital Rights Institute, Pakistan 7. PeaceNiche, Karachi 8. I.A. Rehman – Human Rights Activist 9. SAFMA
    ]]>     8510 0 0 0     En Route Glamour http://candle-thread.com/newsline/en-route-glamour/ Mon, 31 May 2010 18:22:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8521 Click any photo to begin the slide show: o me a fashion week is like democracy: it is a process, not an event. The more fashion weeks you have, the better and more refined the fashion industry becomes. The good emerges and the bad automatically falls through the discerning sieve of the media and consumers. Fashion Pakistan Week 2010, the second fashion week held in Karachi, proved the above to the tee. FPW2 was bigger, glitzier, extensively covered by the media, and more business-oriented than FPW1. With 53 designers showcasing collections, spanning over five days, not all collections were wearable or chic – far from it. Most collections were substandard and left a lot to be desired in terms of creativity and quality; however, the good collections definitely increased in number – and this happened in just six months. There were first timers such as Shehla Chatoor, Zaheer Abbas, Shakil Saigol and Noman Rana of Chinyere, who showed, wowed and walked away with accolades. Their collections spoke volumes of their grasp over market knowledge, craft and vision and turned out to be the best discovered this time round. And then we witnessed poor fashion by some first-timers like Aziz Ali, Ahmed Bilal, Aijazz, Huma Adnan, Fayez Agariah, Bina Sultan, Zainab Sajid and several others. Some of them have been on the fashion scene for a while and are doing rather well commercially; others are relatively new. Their collections reeked of immaturity, lack of style, substandard finishing and a misunderstood perception of the fashion week. One strongly hopes that over time and with more participation in fashion weeks, they will prove to be good learners and like everyone, they should be given more chances to prove themselves. And this is the biggest story that emerged during FPW 2010: how some designers learned from their previous experience and showed improvement. Sanam Chaudhri is one shining example. In the last six months, she worked hard, learnt from her mistakes and came up with a collection that was tasteful, wearable, chic and unique. Her previous collection was below mediocre – absolutely nothing to write home about. She played safe to make money – and she did. Her entire collection was picked up by The Designer Lounge, a multi-brand store in Dubai. But she did not get critical acclaim or so much as a nod of approval from either the media or fashion critics. This time, she decided to take a risk and put all her creativity and learning from art school into her clothing line. “I learnt to think out-of-the-box, to be more high-impact and pay attention to details and accessories – because drama sells,” says Chaudhri. The result was superb – many fashionistas wanted to pick up her ramp pieces. “This has given me a great deal of confidence and I intend to carry on in the same direction,” she declares. Similarly, Adnan Pardesy emerged as one of the biggest winners of FPW 2010. While his last FPW collection tanked, this time he wowed us with his finesse, vision and mastery over craft. He went back to his original self – line, details and structure – glimpses of which we saw in his debut collection at the Ensemble show in 2008. Freeing himself from the fear of failing, Pardesy chose to go back to his roots instead of catering to popular taste, which paid dividends in the form of a beautifully crafted, heavily structured, adorned-with-architectural-details couture collection that left everyone marvelling at his deep understanding of fashion. “I have a mode in front of me: the grand masters of international and Pakistani fashion,” says Pardesy. “Rizwan Beyg, Sana Safinaz, Umar Sayeed, Bunto Kazmi and other such big names do what they are best at. I sketched and sketched tirelessly,” he reveals. Nida Azwer and Aly Xeeshan also fall in the category of designers who showed great progress in their current collections. Azwer showcased a wearable, smart prêt line – instead of her usual wedding/trousseau outfits – inspired by the Mehergarh civilisation. She still needs some time to grasp the idea of a well-edited collection suited for a fashion week, but her current collection shows promise and is markedly different from her previous one. One remains hopeful that Azwer’s next showing will incorporate all the elements required for a truly marketable collection. Aly Xeeshan, thankfully, had clothes in his collection this time unlike the bedspreads, rugs, birds, utensils and rags which he had sent down the ramp earlier. He still needs to learn about fashion and let the stylist in him take a backseat when it comes to putting together a collection for a fashion week. Someone who showed immense potential as a good fashion designer was Zahid Khan of Kooki Concepts. He admits that his previous showing at the last FPW collection was a hotchpotch. He threw in his three- to four-year-old pieces with some new ones, and that betrayed him on the ramp. “I received very harsh feedback last time and the criticism really made me think. This time, I was focused and extremely serious. I worked on a theme and on each individual piece,” he says. Khan had combined both menswear and womenswear into one collection previously, which did not gel well together. This time, he edited with care and separated the two, showing two collections. Even though the menswear line was completely over the top and lacked depth and style, his womenswear collection made up for it and was a great hit. “We get the honour of sharing the same platform with reputable designers, so we cannot take this opportunity for granted. I am not saying I can compete with them; hell no! All I’m saying is that I should work hard enough to prove myself worthy of this honour and not let them down.” It goes without saying that grooming and refinement are a part of the learning process, but this is not so only for the designers. While a fashion week provides designers with an opportunity to showcase their collections regularly, it is also good exposure for the media, buyers, organisers and models, all stakeholders combined, making them more aware of what’s out there, and creating a demand for the products. Business has picked up for many designers. “People are now aware of my prêt line due to the extensive media coverage and orders are flowing in by the dozen,” says Khan. Left with no more pieces to sell from his first run, he now intends to convert a floor at one of his existing shops to cater exclusively to his prêt clientele. Many designers have started expanding and opening up more than one outlet in a city, or going to other cities. There has also been a surge in the number of multi-brand stores that stock designerwear. This is a direct result of the three fashion weeks that have taken place, to date. With much good that has come about, an issue yet to be grappled with is that of quality control. Some designers proved to be quick learners, but others showed no improvement and didn’t seem to have a creative bone in their body. Zarmina Khan and Mehdi showed no signs of improvement. In fact, they put on a worse show than before, with lacklustre collections. Samar Mehdi’s collection, which was a Rajasthan-inspired line, made me wonder why Indians shouldn’t hate us. It amazed me that someone like Mehdi, who has a degree in fashion design from Britain, and has been a part of the industry for about a decade, can actually show a collection that screamed mediocrity and carelessness. It looked like a school tableaux on Rajhastan prepared by students of the eighth grade. Apparently inspired from her college drawing board, Mehdi would have done well to have left it there. One feels that such a poor showing can be taken care of and the quality of the collections can be improved if Fashion Pakistan appoints a preview committee. The committee should apply a stringent set of rules and exacting standards. There has to be a minimum standard that must be met to qualify for fashion week. According to reports, Rizwan Beyg worked tirelessly and gave suggestions to many designers, and even worked with them to improve their collections. But it is not a job that can be handled by one person, especially if that person is responsible for the production of the week too. The tireless workers deserve applause for their unabated enthusiasm – Sabs, did a wonderful job with styling. Coming up with different looks for more than 53 designers and changing them at the speed of light for 10 back-to-back shows is surely a daunting task. Saba Ansari and her team handled it effortlessly, without a wrinkle on their foreheads, or delay in a single model’s entry. A rare show of creativity and efficiency indeed. The organisation and running of FPW 2010 was equally superb. It was smooth and punctual – like clock work. No hitches or glitches, no tempers or fights. It is no mean feat to organise such a mammoth event, spread over five days, without a single breakdown – in infrastructure, operation or nerves. Credit goes to CEO PFDC Tammy Haq, chairperson Maheen Khan, media coordinator Tehmina Khaled, and Rizwan Beyg, who worked passionately for months and during the week to make it a success. Raheen Mani, despite holding a day job, volunteered, handled stress and remained calm and composed. Also worth mentioning are the efforts of Barry, Aslam, Umar and Saira from Wow Factor. They were always seen with smiles on their faces while solving operational issues, and never once raised their voice even in the most trying situations. Similarly, Muneera Valika and Amir Lakhani of O2 Productions did an ace job of handling backstage arrangements. The most chaotic place at any fashion week appeared a calm hang-out spot, where models were found in a cheerful mood, happy being looked after like royalty. Even the designers had nothing to complain about, with everything they needed already at their disposal. And so, like democracy, this process too must continue.
    Click any photo to begin the slide show:
    ]]>     8521 0 0 0     Ahmadi Attack Another Example of Culture of Intolerance and Violence http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ahmadi-attack-another-example-of-culture-of-intolerance-and-violence/ Sat, 29 May 2010 19:07:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8588 Dawn.com. This account delivers a multiple sense of déjà vu: Manawan Police Academy, Lahore; GHQ. But this time, the act was not against the state — or at least not directly — it targeted a minority. This isn’t the first time that mosques have been targeted, but this is the biggest attack on members of the Ahmadi community. At least 80 worshippers were killed, and some reports say over 110 injured, in the course of a few hours. But are condemnations of the attack once it has taken place enough? In a news report yesterday, the HRCP was quoted as saying that it had informed the government of the threat to the Ahmadi community a year ago. In light of that was there any action taken by the government, or was there adequate provision of security to their place of worship? No. The recent ban on Facebook and what has followed after has clearly illustrated the tolerance levels of people in the country. Go around and read the comments on some of the blog posts and you will realise not only how much hatred people are filled with for those outside the country but also for their own fellow denizens. While the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan may be the first to be blamed (there was also a report by The News that a faction of the TTP has taken responsibility for the attack) one cannot overlook the fact that groups and individuals in our cities have access to weapons and do not hesitate to use them indiscriminately. Go back to the incident of alawyer being shot in his chambers in Lahore, just a few days back. The PML-N, who is pointing fingers outside (towards RAW), should first look within Pakistan. While it is plausible that foreign elements are exploiting the situation for ulterior motives, what is also important to note is how easy it has become for them to exploit a people who are so highly charged and act without thinking. Aren’t we, the people of Pakistan, a direct and major part of the problem?]]> 8588 0 0 0 Facebook Group Admin Shows True Colours in Interview http://candle-thread.com/newsline/facebook-group-admin-shows-true-colours-in-interview/ Sun, 23 May 2010 19:47:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8634 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty interviewed one of the administrators of the Facebook group “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!” In the interview, it becomes clear that the motive of the creators of the EDMD group was to incite anger among Muslims across the world. Of course, that is not the official mission. In his own words, the 28-year-old administrator, using the pseudonym Andy Freiheit, described the group’s motivations as “a response against the self-censoring of artists due to Muslim threats.” Protesting against violence and death threats is not something to condemn. But the logic in this man’s argument is almost squat. While the hypocrisy is in abundance. He and the other proponents of the infamous FB group are actively inciting violence. In the interview, this Facebook group administrator confesses that he knows what the reactions of some Muslims will be; he just wants to show the world (as if the world isn’t aware of the fallout). Or perhaps, he is the type who sticks his hand in an open flame every now and then to remind himself that fire and unprotected skin aren’t friends. Freheit said:
    “We encourage our members to draw humorous and creative depictions of Muhammad. And since we know that many moderate Muslims will also get offended by the depictions, instead of the hateful ones that will generate more anger, we want to make easy-going depictions instead of the hateful ones many people are making. Well, the overreactions many Muslim extremists showed the world in 2006 [during the Danish caricature furore] were despicable and cannot by defended by the Koran, Muhammad [PBUH], or Allah.”
    Moreover, his personal rejection of accountability and his apathy towards likely negative consequences (which he displays is many places throughout the interview) is appalling.
    “We don’t have the capacity to watch every single photo [of a cartoon]. And if it’s really, really offensive, I hope people report it so they can get removed. . . We have a standard, but we just can’t watch through every photo. We just don’t have the time or capacity to do it. So there’s a lot of photos that get uploaded that are really, really offensive, and we just have to apologize. If you watch the main site, the comments from the administrators, they haven’t written anything directly offensive — the last week at least. We had some moderators who started with hate speech, but they got kicked out.”
    This is an effective strategy taken right out of the Bush-era neoconservative playbook: i) fabricate narrative and get ball rolling; ii) retract statements and apologize after agenda (and chaos) achieved. And if violent protests lead to death, Freiheit justifies the blood this way:
    “If those guys [angry protesters against the drawings] kill anyone, then that’s not something we’ve done. That’s something we just have to put forward and show people.”
    So, his productive position is to basically say, “Let’s protest the violence that we are inciting.” Moreover, he and his fellow administrators carefully hide their identities to protect themselves (because they know they will be threatened) but are okay with the fact that other people will pay with their lives during this border-less street war. Freihet said:
    “I actually think they will kill someone…. Someone will…make [someone] a scapegoat or whatever. . .  But we’ve come to the conclusion that if someone is killed, then we’re not to blame.”
    The modus operandi of the EDMD group is perfectly mimicked in the comments of one reader on the RFE website who requested people to follow his lead: he claims he wrapped a pork chop in a forbidden drawing of the Prophet (PBUH) and sent the package to the Pakistani Ambassador in Berlin. Here are my questions to you and your supporters, Mr Freiheit: How is hateful protest designed to offend and anger any more enlightened or civilised than the violent protest that it knows it will create? Isn’t there a more productive way to lodge your protest, one that involves dialogue instead of alienation?
    The interview on RFE can be viewed here.
    ]]>     8634 0 0 0     Repo Men: Dystopian Satire that Misses the Mark http://candle-thread.com/newsline/repo-men-dystopian-satire-that-misses-the-mark/ Sun, 23 May 2010 19:48:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8637 Repo Men, a sci-fi thriller that attempts to make a political statement about corporate greed and the appalling state of healthcare in the world. The movie is set in the year 2025 when organ donors are a thing of the past and manufactured organs can be purchased from a company called The Union. The organs boast great functionality, and although they seem like the answered prayers of every dying person, they come with a cost. With payment plans and double-digit interest rates, these goods have a high price tag – and if the price isn’t paid, you may as well be dead. Remy (Jude Law) and Jake (Forest Whitaker) are two employees who work for The Union. Called repo men, their job is to repossess the organs in the event that a client fails to pony up the dough in time. By tasering their prey, they swiftly use their occupational tools to remove the organ, often leaving their ex-client dead. The repo men work quickly, methodically and without emotion. Remy’s wife constantly reprimands her husband for his distasteful job, wishing he would take up a more honest sales job with his weasely boss, Frank (Liv Schreiber). But this falls on deaf ears, until one fateful day, Remy gets into an accident. He wakes up in a hospital with an artificial heart pumping inside him and, of course, this is a heart he can’t afford. Suddenly feeling sympathetic towards all the clients he ruthlessly dealt with previously, he finds it difficult to keep doing his job with the same vigour. Soon, Remy finds himself amongst the hunted, along with another woman (Alice Braga). The movie instantly picks up pace here, as the two convicts run for their lives, giving us a few enthralling suspense-filled and comic-book-type action scenes. Repo Men’s run time is unnecessarily long, and much could have been chopped to tighten the plot. The movie has its virtues, including some great visual production and lots of humour, but somehow it fails to make the point that it so desperately tries to. Even though several premises, such as inflated interest rates and corporate corruption, are hit upon several times in the movie, the satire is easy to miss, and Repo Men simply comes across as another violent science-fiction fantasy flick that must be taken at face value in order to be appreciated by its audience. Disclaimer: Watch it only if you can stomach a whole lot of flying blood and gory sequences.
    This article originally appeared in the print version of Newsline as “Repo-rama”.
    ]]>     8637 0 0 0     Critics of Facebook Ban Face Nasty Battle http://candle-thread.com/newsline/critics-of-facebook-ban-face-nasty-battle/ Fri, 21 May 2010 20:09:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8646 namoos-e-risalat” while everyone gathered on the street was probably aware of what was taking place inside. How would they react to me crossing from amongst them to attend something they obviously were against? Besides, I certainly did not look like I was there to support them. Nor was there any other woman in sight. I finally managed to gather up the courage. I approached the police mobile parked close to the crowd and asked whether I could enter the press club. Getting the go-ahead, I quickly steered through the procession. I was in pursuit of Awab Alvi, or Teeth Maestro as he is known in cyberspace, one of the organisers of the conference. I arrived to find that the conference had ended so I stood and waited my turn to have a quick word with him. While I waited I was informed by someone who attended that the conference wasn’t well received. He pointed to a group sitting in the garden of the press club and told me how they had vehemently opposed Awab’s stance; some even questioned whether he was Muslim. And then one thing led to another. Members of the procession outside got the scoop on what had taken place inside. For them Awab’s stance was as blasphemous as the Facebook page itself. And by the time we found out what a stir it had caused on the street and were directed to exit from the side gate, it was too late. Angry protesters had already made their way inside the club and caught hold of Awab, telling him to come outside and speak his mind to the crowd. Upon his refusal, they threatened to forcibly take him. More than once, different groups caught hold of him and pushed and shoved him around, lashing out at Awab for voicing his opinions. As for me, I suppose I was deemed guilty by association. And even though several fellow journalists reassured me that because I was from the media the crowd wouldn’t do anything to me, I wasn’t convinced. Because our cars were parked out front where the procession stood, leaving was impossible. We were like sitting ducks. So Awab and I found ourselves in the Press Club office, hidden from the public eye, waiting for things to subside and the protesters to disperse. We sat in the office, immobile and answered numerous phone calls, updating everyone on the mess we were in and waiting for someone to deliver us from it. It took a couple of hours for us to get out safely. The SHO escorted Awab out the back, where he was made to jump on a motorcycle with one of the club employees who escorted him to his office. I was made to sit a while longer till the press club officials could arrange for my car to be brought inside the club’s parking lot so I could make my exit. So this is what happens in Pakistan when you disagree with public opinion. While we were protected from the lynch mob and cannot be thankful enough to the press club officials for taking speedy action, there were many people within the press club, journalists, who were disgusted with us and told us (more than once) to get out of the press club, even before the actual showdown with the protesters took place. What to say of these journalists and our media? Several TV channels were there when Awab was being shoved around – one man against so many others – but was that news worthy? Did any channel air footage of that? No. But why not? Awab was hounded by them after the press conference, followed around and caught on tape while he was being manhandled, but what of it? Isn’t the lynching of a man for voicing an opinion different from that of the majority something worthy of airtime? Why were the two of us left to ring up people to get the word around of the situation we were in and to help us get out of it while the media men conveniently disappeared after getting their slice of the pie? This is what I foresee following in the days to come. People who want to discuss the ban on Facebook will be called non-believers and labelled as foreign agents working on a western agenda – I caught snippets of such nattering several times while the pushing and shoving took place. There will be a cry to use the blasphemy law against people who are against the ban on Facebook (and now the blockage of YouTube, Wikipedia, etc). Notwithstanding the countrywide protests that have already gained momentum with the government being ordered by men on the streets to take effective action or be prepared to face consequences, more and more lynch mobs will appear, eager to tear to pieces anybody with a different opinion. I do not condone the cartoons, the Facebook page and also Facebook’s inaction. Had this been an anti-Semitic campaign, the page would have been taken down immediately; and it is not an exaggeration that when it comes to Muslims, a hundred excuses are invented for their voices to be silenced. So register your protest, deactivate your accounts (if you can access them), or boycott Facebook by all means. But things are not simply black and white. There are issues to discuss and problems to resolve, so why can’t there be a discussion?
    Vote in the poll located in the right-hand sidebar: Was banning Facebook the right thing to do?
    ]]>     8646 0 0 0     After Facebook and YouTube, Will Pakistan Block Everything? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/after-facebook-and-youtube-will-pakistan-block-everything/ Fri, 21 May 2010 20:12:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8649 Reuters report, PTA spokesman Khurram A. Mehran spoke about the decision to block YouTube:
    “Before shutting down (YouTube), we did try just to block particular URLs or links, and access to 450 links on the Internet were stopped, but the blasphemous content kept appearing so we ordered a total shut down.”
    Imagine that. Surely, the blocking of sites will continue while this court order is in place. The press release on the PTA website that provides information on the Facebook ban actually calls out for the public’s help in spotting “objectionable” material.
    PTA has established a Crisis Cell to monitor all such contents.  PTA’s helpline toll free number 0800-55055 and email complaint@pta.gov.pk can be used to notify all similar URLs where such objectionable material is placed.
    The infamous FB group is objectionable and hateful. Hate material should be banned. But by now the PTA’s phone lines must be jammed.
    Note: As of May 21, Wikipedia was accessible again. So was flickr and mollynorris.com.
    ]]>     8649 0 0 0     The Media’s Love Affair http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-medias-love-affair/ Fri, 21 May 2010 20:17:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8655 The dumped: Supporters hold placards and cheer for Ayesha Siddiqa, Shoaib's first wife, who he was forced to divorce. Photo: AFP[/caption] Now, many media stalwarts treat news and current affairs shows as entertainment platforms, and package their content with music, dance, blood, and gore. Unfortunately, in the case of the Shoaib-Sania affair, even objective news bulletins strayed from their purpose and distastefully embedded dramatic Indian music and footage to spice up the imprudent coverage of this rather inconsequential love affair. Going by the coverage priorities and treatment of news by these channels, it seems that all journalistic ethics and conventions were flushed down the drain. In the rat race for ratings, yellow journalism reigned supreme and dominated our screens. The Pakistani paparazzi proved as good (or bad, depending on which side of the fence one stands) as their international counterparts when it came time to go for the kill. Poor Shoaib and Sania were thrust on the viewers; no wonder many felt nauseated. The artificial fervour and hype created by channels over this wedding was as though the protracted Kashmir issue with India has been resolved, or that the dark spectre of extremism and terrorism was defeated once and for all. This overblown and magnified coverage of a celebrity couple’s marriage might have been justified in a country where there is no other news. But in a country caught in the vortex of political instability, terrorism and poverty, it can hardly be justified. Entertainment, light stories and even celebrity scandals remain an integral part of content, even for news channels, but the frivolous should not sweep away the important socio-political, economic and law and order issues. Ironically, that is what happened in the coverage of Shoaib and Sania’s affair. Journalism – yes, even electronic journalism – is all about objectivity, fairness, accuracy and a sense of proportion. These traits remain its guiding principles, and should not be lost. Many of the channels need to rethink their news agendas and reset their priorities. Pakistani viewers deserve better television, as it is not their privilege, but their right.]]> 8655 0 0 0 Making Scents http://candle-thread.com/newsline/making-scents/ Sun, 09 May 2010 20:50:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8687 Armani Code [caption id="attachment_8688" align="alignright" width="324"]Armani Code for Women. Photo: Bina Khan Armani Code for Women. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] With one of the most gorgeous fading twilight-toned bottles ever, this smoky, oriental, seductive perfume makes you feel all grown up. It’s the kind of perfume that you want to wear with silk and black and diamonds, in low light, in a fabulous place, with a fabulous looking man. (Yes, yes, your husband/fiancée/boyfriend; not dancing by the water with George Clooney at a fabulous party at his villa on Lake Como, oh no!) In fact, this fragrance was designed to be as classic and as timelessly elegant as an Armani dress, and though I don’t own one, it certainly hits that kind of high for me. With notes of orange blossom, honey, jasmine, ginger and Madagascar Vanilla this Armani perfume is all woman, all night long.  

    Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto Heaven

    If you are looking for a fresh, fruity, summery scent, look no further. But Incanto really wins when the sour apple notes hit you, making it fruity and fresh but not sickly. Most light perfumes like this, which have a grapefruit base, serve us well in the heat and humidity of our summers. With peony, hibiscus and violet, the combination of fruits and flowers is, well, heaven!    

    Funny by Moschino

    When I first smelt this perfume on someone else, I found myself returning to sniff her neck again and again. The thing that struck me was that its scent was like my favourite Molton Brown candle, White Mulberry, a candle that I am careful never to be without. Though the perfume does not feature Mulberry amongst its ingredients, it does feature red currants as a main element. With the addition of pink pepper, green tea and bitter orange to its amber, moss and cedarwood base, this perfume delivers an unusually tangy, bright and truly addictive bouquet. Just be prepared to be sniffed! [caption id="attachment_8689" align="alignnone" width="880"]Funny! by Moschino. Photo: Bina Khan Funny! by Moschino. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption]

    Vera Wang

    [caption id="attachment_8690" align="alignnone" width="880"]The ultimate fragrance: The inspired harmony of notes in this Vera Wang perfume comes in an elegant, heavy and understated bottle designed in cooperation with the house of Swarovski. Photo: Bina Khan The ultimate fragrance: The inspired harmony of notes in this Vera Wang perfume comes in an elegant, heavy and understated bottle designed in cooperation with the house of Swarovski. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] One of my best friends gave me this fragrance along with the book Vera Wang on Weddings as an incredibly lovely and memorable wedding present (the inscribed book resides at my salon, where bride after bride pores over its beauty). This perfume is beyond a classic. It is so heady, so beautiful, so perfect, you will find yourself sniffing your own wrist again and again to enjoy what has to be the ultimate fragrance. With an absolutely inspired harmony of notes, the pure musk, which is almost oily on your skin, combines with mandarin blossom, Bulgarian rose and gardenia to create a scent that is so unique that it has won awards! It comes in an elegant, heavy and understated bottle designed in cooperation with the house of Swarovski. The perfume itself looks like liquid, antique amber, and everything about it is as beautiful and luxurious as anything to which Vera Wang lays her hand.  

    Gucci Envy Me

    [caption id="attachment_8691" align="alignright" width="326"]Gucci Envy Me. Photo: Bina Khan Gucci Envy Me. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] The thing that I love about Envy Me is that it smells so much like the desi pink rose – it feels like a really authentic and natural smell to me. I think that all desi brides should wear it because it literally feels like a subcontinental classic! Notes of lychee, pomegranate, peach, mango, sandalwood, teak and white tea underscore the desi heart of the fragrance while pink pepper, pink peony, pink musk, cassia and water jasmine lend it sophistication and freshness. With a bottle that looks as if it’s made of pink lace, this is a definite must-have for any desi girl.]]>     8687 0 0 0     Bridging Borders http://candle-thread.com/newsline/bridging-borders/ Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:18:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9152 With reports from Ruzanna Tantushyan in Chicago and Alia Turki in Damascus.
    Related Article: Interview: Maath Albermawy
    ]]>     9152 0 0 0     Facing It http://candle-thread.com/newsline/facing-it/ Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:07:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9208 The Case for a Proper Skin Care Regime Before I start a facial, I ask my client if she knows how a facial works and why she is getting one. While the answers vary wildly (from “to get a glow” to “because my mother said so”) I rarely find anyone who knows what the logic behind a facial is. While it may indeed give you a good glow and your mother’s advice may be excellent, the actual function of your facial, for men and women, is to promote the health of your skin. Here is how it works: The Science Behind the Relaxation To understand a facial, you must first understand your skins own desquamation process, or to put it more simply, your skin’s ability to shed its dead cells. At your skin’s deepest layers, new cells are forming all the time and pushing their way to the top. People with healthy skin, what we call “good skin,” have a healthy desquamation process. That is, their skin sheds its dead cells quickly and turnover is efficient. Children, for example, have a desquamation process that takes just one week. As we age, this slows down, typically to 28 days, but by the time you are white haired and weak jointed, it can take up to 90 days! How a Facial Works for You A facial is a synthetic desquamation. Your facial begins with a thorough cleansing and progresses to a professional-grade exfoliation. Exfoliation sloughs off the dead skin, either physically (like micro beads, etc.) or chemically (this is typically what you will get with a professional-grade exfoliation). This is the actual function of the facial. The rest of the facial is in support of this main component. The massage afterwards promotes circulation, while the mask calms your skin down after the exfoliation and nicely tightens up your pores. Supplementing your skins own desquamation with a facial means your turnover process happens every 14 days. A substantial improvement. Healthy Turnover = Healthy Skin Ever notice how kids have flawless skin, no open pores, no pimples, no scars? Then puberty comes along and makes us all hideous. But pre puberty, cell turnover is so rapid that our skin does not have a chance to develop any problems. In adults, exfoliation becomes super important to prevent your pores from getting clogged, filling up and gaping wide open with sebum or dead skin. Regular exfoliation will keep your pores clean, meaning that they can tighten up and look smaller. Plus, that dull, uneven look becomes history! Exfoliation and Acne At the base of every shaft of hair sits a small p bacterium. In healthy skin and healthy hair the bacteria climbs up the hair shaft like a ladder, hits the oxygen in the air and dies (thus the “oxy” in so many acne creams like Noxzema or Oxy On The Spot). If your pore is blocked, then the bacteria gets trapped and an infection starts. You got it: Zit City! Regular exfoliation means that your pores are clear and bacteria can make its ascent unhindered. Of course there are many reasons to pimples forming. When you wax your face, you remove the ladder, and so you will most probably break out. Or your skin is so dry that the bacteria cannot manage to climb the dry baby hair. This is why there are moisturisers for dry as well as for oily skin, because drying out your skin (and the tiny hair on it) is not very good for you. Oily or Dehydrated Skin I wanted to touch on a massive misconception. Often dehydrated skin is mistaken for oily skin. There is a difference. If your skin is moist and greasy and you have oily patches on your skin after some time, your skin is oily. If, however, your skin is oily on the surface but rough underneath, you most probably have dehydrated skin. This means that your skin, far from producing excess sebum, has lost its ability to hold on to any sebum at all in the first place. This leaves you with an oily surface of sebum with parched thirsty skin underneath. Visit a professional to find out which you have. For the Boys The reason men get away with a little less skin care is due to their shaving regime. You guessed it, that’s an exfoliation, albeit a brutal kind! You should not, therefore, shave on the day of your facial. However boys, your upper cheeks, forehead and especially your nose are getting ignored. And I have to say, nothing ages you more than big gaping pores on your nose. If you already have the beginnings of them and you are young enough, you can still clear them out and shrink them down to size. Get to your nearest skin technician ASAP! (That applies to the ladies too.) Blackhead Strips are the Creation of the Devil The least pleasant part of a facial is the blackhead removal. I can promise, though, that if you are very regular with your facials your blackheads, once removed, return as easily removable sebum (kind of a white paste, and while that may gross you out, you don’t have to see it and your skin technician will celebrate when you reach that stage). The logic here is that your exfoliation degrades the edges of your blackhead or white head and with steam they should be eased out of the pore that they are blocking. If they are not ready it means they need another exfoliation. I would say that by facial number three you are usually all clear. Once you are all cleaned out, post extraction solution is used to disinfect the pore, a massage encourages your skin to be supple and a masque and toner tighten every thing up again. Nice, clean, closed pore. You treat the cause, the symptom and provide after care. Now let’s think of what those infernal strips do. They glue themselves to the tiny hairs on your nose and then you basically give yourself a nose wax. With each hair your blackhead or white head is ripped out with no preparation to the skin at all. Your pore is left gaping wide open, even if you did not have a blockage. Then each open pore is left untreated and rolling out the welcome mat for a bigger blackhead to form and for ones to form where they didn’t even exist before! Making you yearn for that next blackhead strip. Genius marketing! Diagnostics and the Skin Technician The final point to really take home (no pun intended!) is your at-home skin care regime. Do not treat a facial as your monthly rescue plan. Your skin technician will diagnose your skin issues within the first five minutes of touching your face and your skin care regime will get discussed. There are those who are just trying to sell their products (this is true of doctors too, though), but most will try and give you reasonable solutions to your needs. If you need the slightly more expensive stuff, then you just do. However, you and your skin technician have to work hand in hand to get the results you need. Like you and your personal trainer, scarfing down cake and running to the gym is going to get you nowhere. Working with your pro for hire is going to get you results . . . for everyone to see!]]> 9208 0 0 0 What the World is Saying about Pakistan’s Big Bill http://candle-thread.com/newsline/what-the-world-is-saying-about-pakistans-big-bill/ Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:17:15 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9211 The New York Times:
    The changes were widely heralded here as important step toward improving the long-term health of the country’s beleaguered democracy. But they also threatened to open a new chapter of instability for the government of President Asif Ali Zardari, as they strip away his powers and leave him more vulnerable to challenges from the opposition.
    Deutsche Welle:
    Committee chairman Raza Rabbani said the reforms would restore “parliamentary supremacy”. Throughout Pakistan’s history, its political system has often been paralyzed by power struggles between the president, the prime minister, the army chief and the chief justice. It remains to be seen if this latest clarification of jurisdictions will finally provide the stability Pakistan badly needs to address the many crises it faces.
    Juan Cole, Author and Analyst:
    The president will lose the power, so abused in the 1990s, to dismiss the prime minister at will. Presidents will not be able to prorogue or cancel parliament. They won’t be able to unilaterally appoint the Chief of Staff. The legislative reforms in Pakistan will also give more autonomy to the provinces within the Pakistani federal system. The long-suffering Pashtun people (unfairly branded as all ‘Taliban’ by some observers) will finally get a provincial name recognizing them, as Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan recognize their majority ethnicities. But none of these achievements is being praised by the right of center US press or the liberal imperialists. That is because the United States did not spur these developments. The Pakistani public (including humble street crowds) did it themselves . . . .
    Pakistan: Now or Never (Reuters blog):
    The problem, however, is that this great surge in democracy has been accompanied by the growing role of the Pakistan Army, whose chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, was feted in Washington last month as the real wielder of power in Pakistan. While no one is talking of a military coup, nor does anyone seriously believe that the civilian government has any real control over foreign and security policy, which has long been set by the army. And this does not just affect Pakistan’s external relations. It has an impact on how it deals with militant groups based in Pakistan who some argue are radicalising the youth and turning society more conservative. It may even have an impact on how the different provinces of Pakistan relate to each other, given that the India-centric views of the army are traditionally associated with the Punjab, its traditional recruiting ground.
    Interestingly, the Guardian’s coverage was only partly about the reform package and more about the latest battle between Zardari and the Chief Justice:
    Iftikhar Chaudhry, the chief justice, who became the hero of Pakistani democrats when he was reinstated to office a year ago following protests led by lawyers, is accused by some of pursuing a vendetta against the president. His supporters say he is only seeking to bring to book those accused of corruption, by implementing a December judgment that struck down an amnesty granted to the president and thousands of other politicians and bureaucrats. . . . The chief justice brought senior functionaries before his court this week demanding to know why the government had not asked the Swiss authorities to reopen the case against Zardari, which was dropped under the amnesty.
    ]]>     9211 0 0 0     Like Sand Through Fingers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/like-sand-through-fingers/ Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:21:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9215
  • In 2008, a military analyst reported that for both the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, the US spends $12.3 billion per month, or $4,745 per second.
  • To-date, over $1 trillion dollars has been spent in Afghanistan and Iraq. About two-thirds of the money has been spent on the conflict in Iraq since 2003, reports Reuters.
  • Defence spending grew on average by 9% annually from fiscal year 2000–2009.
  • It is argued that the U.S. military budget is as much as the rest of the world’s defense spending combined.
    • An item that has made the news recently says that the US military has been importing sand to Iraq. Yes, it is okay to want to read that again. Stephen Farrell in a NYTimes blog puts it this way: “This might seem strange for a country that is 10 parts sand to 1 part water, 1 part oil and 0.1 parts electricity.” Yup. But of course, the military can explain why importing sand is money well spent.
    “Based on the specs that we have for blast walls, it takes a particular grain and quality of sand. That sand is not in Iraq, so you have to bring the sand in. So that sand actually has to get on barges down in U.A.E., down in Qatar, has to come all the way up here, gets processed through there. You can either do one of two things, you can make the concrete, or you can just bring the sand up into Iraq.”
    No wonder US taxpayers have been critical about wastage in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Consultants McKinsey and Co. found another way to look at waste in military spending and did so by comparing how different countries spend their defence budgets and what they receive for it. They found that “countries that make it a point to support their domestic defense industries have higher procurement costs than those that rely on imports. Countries that procure older equipment from the global market tend to have very capable fleets for less money.” As such, they concluded that U.S. spending for military weapons is wasteful compared to other major military-spending countries. The United States tied with Australia for last spot in the March 2010 study that said the two nations “are the lowest performing countries with regard to equipment output for every dollar spent.” Brazil was deemed to get the most bang for their military buck while Russia ranked third. Seven of the top ten ranked nations for efficient military spending were European nations. Interestingly, the US thinks its NATO allies in Europe are not spending enough and they are weakening the alliance. (Watch the video below). Somehow, I don’t think the US is in any position of credibility to be preaching (“Buy more guns, newer planes and better sand!”) and scolding its friends on sound military money management. ]]>     9215 0 0 0     Why Bigger Fighting is Needed in Afghanistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/why-bigger-fighting-is-needed-in-afghanistan/ Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:28:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9224 scolding Karzai about corruption in his government — in advance of a major offensive against the Taliban in Kandahar. But does what happen in Afghanistan really make a difference to terrorism around the world? Let’s see what has happened over the last several weeks: December 25: Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate a bomb sewn into his underwear. Ostensibly, the explosive device was meant to go off as Northwest Airlines flight 253 was descending over Detroit. The plot was hatched by an Al-Qaeda group in Yemen. February 17: Said Namouh, a Moroccan man living in Quebec, Canada, was sentenced to life in prison for planning terrorist attacks to be carried out in Europe. He made threats in an Internet video that warned Germany and Austria that they would be attacked if their governments did not withdraw their troops from Afghanistan. The 37-year-old was guilty of “conspiracy to detonate an explosive device, participating in a terrorist act, facilitating an act of terrorism and committing extortion for a terrorist group.” March 9: American Colleen Renee LaRose, 46, aka Jihad Jane, was charged in Ireland for allegedly plotting to murder a Swedish cartoonist who drew offensive depictions of the Prophet. In the days that followed, it was reported that Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, 31, another American convert to Islam was also arrested in Ireland for her alleged involvement in the conspiracy to murder the Swedish man. At least seven arrests were made. Those arrested are from Algeria, Croatia, Palestine, Libya and the US. March 28: FBI raids in Michigan led to nine people, all part of an anti-government Christian militia group calledHutaree, being indicted in a plot to kill police officers and start a war against the government. All were indicted by a federal grand jury for “seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the use of explosive materials and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.” March 29: Two suicide bombers, allegedly Chechen Muslims, attacked two different subway trains in Moscow, killing 39 morning commuters. More suicide blasts in southern Russia killed at least 12 more people two days later. Let’s recap: A young Nigerian being handled by an extremist outfit in Yemen and flying from Amsterdam. American-bred women who have converted to Islam. Irish terror cells planning attacks in Sweden. Right-wing Americans wanting to overthrow the US government. Female suicide bombers in downtown Moscow. [caption id="attachment_9225" align="alignright" width="400"]The arrested members of the Hutaree militia. Photo: Reuters. The arrested members of the Hutaree militia. Photo: Reuters.[/caption] The fact that Chechnya has nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, the Madrid bombings or the Mumbai attacks on 26/11, and that the Hutaree are made up of white Americans, and that Irish-based terror plotters have grievances with Scandinavian journalists, and that there are white women screaming jihad, and that there was a hatemonger spreading propaganda on the Internet from a Quebec basement, and that Al-Qaeda training camps have ramped up in Yemen should make it clearer. See? That’s why Afghanistan is so necessary.]]> 9224 0 0 0 Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-2/ Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:33:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9229 pov-planetlife-2]]> 9229 0 0 0 Caption Competition http://candle-thread.com/newsline/caption-competition/ Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:11:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9257 Does the best diplomacy involve sports, celebrity and love? Maybe. Still, it will never be enough to bridge the hate between the subcontinent’s bitter rivals. Nonetheless, India and Pakistan have become so excited over the latest engagement involving the two countries that eager South Asian netizens have already doctored Sania Mirza’s old engagement photograph to show Shoaib Malik beside her. And while this latest episode in India-Pakistan relations may not involve the Line of Control, forces on both sides of the border are already fighting to see who can out-milk this story, talking about the problems of cross-border love, diplomacy and the length of Sania’s tennis skirts. Can you dig deep into this fertile territory and pull out a caption for the photoshopped pictureof Pakistan’s not-so favourite cricket son and its newly adopted daughter? Add your captions in the comment section below.]]> 9257 0 0 0 Newsline’s APNS Award-Winning Articles http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newslines-apns-award-winning-articles/ Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:55:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9540 Newsline‘s 20th year has seen many celebrations. Besides honouring the monthly’s supporters who have watched and worked with the magazine in its two-decade pursuit of independent journalism, the milestone year has seen the magazine’s writers and editors recognised for editorial excellence by the All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS). The APNS presented Newsline with eight awards for print journalism excellence in recent months.  The awards covered two publication periods in Pakistani journalism: 2005-2006 and 2007-2008. The award-winning articles are listed below. Click the links, read the reports, benefit from the insight and enjoy!

    Winning Articles from 2005-2006

    Best Feature (English) The Big Steal by Ziad Zafar July 2005 Best Column Ladies First by Mahir Ali February 2006 Best Scoop Dirty Deals by Ghulam Husnain November 2006 Best Investigative Report (Business/Economic) Soldiers of Fortune by Ayesha Siddiqa December 2006

    Winning Articles from 2007-2008

    Best Scoop The Ground Beneath their Feet by Salam Dharejo September 2007 Best Feature (English) Ignorance or Innocence by Zainab Iqbal December 2007 Best Investigative Report (Development and Environment) Life Below the Line by Shimaila Matri Dawood June 2008 Best Investigative Report (Business/Economic) The Drugs Don’t Work by Farieha Aziz September 2008]]>     9540 0 0 0     Health Care in the US is a Class Issue http://candle-thread.com/newsline/health-care-in-the-us-is-a-class-issue/ Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:15:15 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9677 ]]> 9677 0 0 0 Predicting the Oscar Winners http://candle-thread.com/newsline/predicting-the-oscar-winners/ Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:06:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9708 Newsline know-it-alls, Nadir Hassan and Talib Qizilbash, go head-to-head and offer their Oscars predictions. We’ll know who is more prescient after Sunday night’s Academy Awards, though their ultimate picks (in a very not-fun way) vary only slightly. Feel free to weigh in below in the comment section. hurt-locker-movie-2 jeff-bridges-crazy-heart]]> 9708 0 0 0 Bhong Flood Relief Fund Allows Monitoring of Donated Funds http://candle-thread.com/newsline/bhong-flood-relief-fund-allows-monitoring-of-donated-funds/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:45:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7404 The New York Times, Daniyal Mueenuddin wrote, “I have seen or heard of no American assistance to flood victims in my immediate area of south Punjab, on the border with Sindh. The affected area is vast, and perhaps it is simply that American and Western resources are spread thin. However, my impression is that most resources are being directed to the mountainous areas in the north.” On August 14, Fahad Hussain posted a note on Facebook asking people to come to the aid of the people of Bhong, in south Punjab. He wrote, “On August 8, 2010, the disaster-bound waters unleashed their fury on Bhong and almost a dozen other surrounding villages. The floods deluged up to 9,000 houses and 40,000 acres of agricultural land. . .  Governmental assistance has been steadily forthcoming, with the mobilisation of army helicopters and personnel for the rescue of stranded villagers in remote areas . . .  However, owing to the scope and scale of this disaster, government resources have been stretched thin, and many hapless citizens continue to starve.” The reality is that resources are spread thin everywhere in the country. Shelter, food and medicine for about 20 million people require tens of millions of dollars now, and will require tens of millions tomorrow and more still a month from now. Then reconstruction and rehabilitation will start. And there will be the consequences of a rotten food supply. Food shortages, food inflation, reduced agricultural exports. It’s likely the poor of Pakistan will not receive all the international help they require and direct government funding will fall short too. As such, Mr Hussain (like thousands of other concerned citizens) is appealing to the public. Below is his full note describing the situation in Bhong. Over the days to come, we hope to post more of his updates on the situation in Bhong. - Online Editor I wrote this on August 14. Pakistan was commemorating the most sombre Independence Day in its history. At the time, more than 10 % of the nation’s population had been left homeless by the most devastating floods in the region for eight decades. The number of affected people has risen since then. For an economy that has already been severely paralyzed by a series of unforgiving terrorist attacks and continuous internal instability, these calamitous floods have engulfed the country into an envelope of fear, panic and despondency. The Pakistani government, already contending with a huge budget deficit, has been caught severely off-guard as it struggles to deal with a crisis of great magnitude. Even international support hitherto has been disproportionate with respect to the scale of the disaster, and has not come nearly as close to matching the financial requirements that this unspeakable disaster needs. These floods are more complicated than any other natural disaster Pakistan has ever faced, for a wide spectrum of reasons. The 2005 earthquake in northern Pakistan, for instance, was relatively concentrated in terms of affected area, and relief and rehabilitation plans were relatively simple, transparent and easily executable. In contrast, affected areas from these floods are scattered all over Pakistan, inundating almost a quarter of the country’s territory. This makes relief and rehabilitation efforts much more complicated, both financially and otherwise. Furthermore, unlike other natural disasters of similar magnitude, such as the 2010 Haiti Earthquake and the 2004 Tsunami, the death toll is relatively low and controlled. However, the number of people who have been displaced (approximately 20 million) is unprecedented when compared to other disasters. This posits a very different dimension of problems, as these forlorn people require daily sustenance, clothing and shelter from endless monsoon rains and boiling summer temperatures. Furthermore, there are growing reports of the spread of diseases such as cholera, owing to the contamination of the flood waters. Perhaps one of the most influential underlying reasons for the lacklustre public response towards the flood relief effort is the scattered nature of the affected regions. This has created a certain level of confusion about where and how public funds should be targeted. This problem is further exacerbated by alarming levels of public distrust about whether their funds will reach their designated areas, and how these funds will be utilised. At the International School, with the instauration of the”Bhong Flood Relief Fund,” we have recognised and mirrored this general public sentiment. Bhong is a small town in Rahim Yar Khan, southern Punjab. It is the centre of gravity in the region, owing to its status as a major tourist attraction. It is home to the famous Bhong Mosque, which has been a religious and education centre for citizens in the region for more than 60 years. The Al-Ghazi Trust Charitable Hospital is also situated in Bhong, and has served as a source of relief and comfort for the local populace for years. On August 8, 2010, the disaster-bound waters unleashed their fury on Bhong and almost a dozen other surrounding villages. The floods deluged up to 9,000 houses and 40,000 acres of agricultural land. This resulted in unimaginable financial losses for people who were already struggling to make ends meet. More than 50,000 people have been left homeless and are scrounging for assistance. Governmental assistance has been steadily forthcoming, with the mobilisation of army helicopters and personnel for the rescue of stranded villagers in remote areas which have been completely submerged, and for the provision of food and other relief goods. However, owing to the scope and scale of this disaster, government resources have been stretched thin, and many hapless citizens continue to starve, with demand for food and other relief goods far outstripping the current level of supplies. Mere words cannot possibly properly explain the degree of misery and hardship that these people are suffering. Having painted this lamentable and lachrymose picture, we can now present to you a smooth, transparent and easily observable channel through which to funnel your donations. The “Bhong Flood Relief Fund” enables you to monitor exactly how and where your funds or goods are being utilised. Furthermore, once necessary clearances are gained from the government, we also offer you the option to visit the area to personally witness the product of your efforts. In the face of such unimaginable catastrophe, the most effective tool that we have at our disposal in the fight against this calamity is our continued ability to stand coalescent even in the company of the worst natural disaster in this country’s history. All of us have a patriotic and humanitarian obligation to do whatever we can to alleviate the suffering of those 20 million people who remain clueless about when their nightmares will end. We must stand “shoulder to shoulder” to overcome the existential threat that these floods pose to the stability and welfare of Pakistan. The waters may have submerged our lands, homes and crops, but we will not allow them to submerge our unity, hope and courage. We appeal to all of you to come forward and do whatever you can to help those who desperately need it. Help us make a difference.
    This article was originally a note and personal appeal posted on Facebook and has been re-published with the author’s permission.
    ]]>     7404 0 0 0     The Sialkot Murderers: Who will be the Exorcist? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-sialkot-murderers-who-will-be-the-exorcist/ Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:08:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7427 Have your say. Vote in the poll below:
    What segment of our society do you most blame for the public beating and murder of two boys in Sialkot on August 15?
    • Sialkot police (31%, 160 Votes)
    • The crowds who watched but did not intervene (24%, 122 Votes)
    • A culture of violence (20%, 102 Votes)
    • Poor governance (15%, 77 Votes)
    • An ineffective judicial system (10%, 53 Votes)
    • Other (0%, 13 Votes)
    Total Voters: 510
    ]]>     7427 0 0 0     Poll: The Brutal Murder of Two Boys in Sialkot http://candle-thread.com/newsline/poll-the-brutal-murder-of-two-boys-in-sialkot/ Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:17:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7430 most to blame in this tragic and shameful incident? Participate in the poll below:
    What segment of our society do you most blame for the public beating and murder of two boys in Sialkot on August 15?
    • Sialkot police (31%, 160 Votes)
    • The crowds who watched but did not intervene (24%, 122 Votes)
    • A culture of violence (20%, 102 Votes)
    • Poor governance (15%, 77 Votes)
    • An ineffective judicial system (10%, 53 Votes)
    • Other (0%, 13 Votes)
    Total Voters: 510
    ]]>     7430 0 0 0     Why the Ground Zero Mosque is Counterproductive http://candle-thread.com/newsline/why-the-ground-zero-mosque-is-counterproductive/ Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:26:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7436 As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. Even a prominent Republican, the governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, agreed with this logical articulation of one of the core issues in the controversial debate:
    I think he’s right — I mean you know we’re a country that in my view stands for freedom of religion and respect for others . . . I know there are sensitivities and I understand them. This is a place where you’re supposed to be able to practice your religion without the government telling you [that] you can’t.
    But demolishing a building to erect a new mosque two blocks away from where thousands of Americans were killed by Muslim extremists is not merely about legal issues and citizens’ rights. Yes, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf can build a mosque there. He and his community have the right to. But given the sensitive nature of this now sacred ground, why would they? This question is asked (and brazenly answered) by Tarek Fatah and Raheel Raza in an article titled “Mischief in Manhattan” published in the Ottawa Citizen on August 17.
    New York currently boasts at least 30 mosques so it’s not as if there is pressing need to find space for worshippers. The fact we Muslims know the idea behind the Ground Zero mosque is meant to be a deliberate provocation to thumb our noses at the infidel. The proposal has been made in bad faith and in Islamic parlance, such an act is referred to as “Fitna,” meaning “mischief-making” that is clearly forbidden in the Koran. The Koran commands Muslims to, “Be considerate when you debate with the People of the Book” — i.e., Jews and Christians. Building an exclusive place of worship for Muslims at the place where Muslims killed thousands of New Yorkers is not being considerate or sensitive, it is undoubtedly an act of “fitna”
    The Canada-based Muslim writers then ask:
    Do they not understand that building a mosque at Ground Zero is equivalent to permitting a Serbian Orthodox church near the killing fields of Srebrenica where 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered?
    Pakistani journalist Irfan Husain offered these thoughts to the argument:
    In such an emotionally charged debate, it’s hard to be rational. Logically, the location should be immaterial: after all, there is already a mosque in the area, not far from Ground Zero. So why should another make any difference? The truth is that the 9/11 attacks continue to resonate deeply in America, so what’s the point in insisting on a project that is like a red flag to a bull?
    This is a valid point out, and arguably the most critical (and most Islamic) one. Yes, there is already another mosque in the area. And it’s one run by the same Imam who is heading the offensively named “Cordoba Initiative” – the name spurred protesters against the mosque to hold placards reading, “Islam builds mosques at the sites of their conquests and victories.” But is this the way to achieve harmony? Is this the way to soothe the pain of neighbours and fellow countrymen? There is no goodwill here. It seems like unnecessary expansion and extreme insensitivity. The type of insensitivity Muslims of all stripes deplore when people decide to draw pictures of the Prophet (PBUH): yes, they have the right to draw the pictures, but why do they insist on going through with it? The proposed Mosque reportedly has a price tag of $100 million and there is much speculation that the majority of the funding is coming from Saudi Arabia. Husain adds this:
    More to the point for me is that the Saudis have been funding mosques and madrassas around the world, in addition to paying for chairs for Islamic studies at major universities. All these have been used to project the country’s official Wahhabi version of Islam that has fuelled the rising tide of extremism and jihadi fervour. Against this backdrop, the question to ask is whether we need yet another such mosque.
    Clearly this mosque will only widen the divide in the US between Muslims and Islamophobes. In Fatah and Raza’s article, they add this:
    If Rauf is serious about building bridges, then he could have dedicated space in this so-called community centre to a church and synagogue, but he did not. We passed on this message to him through a mutual Saudi friend, but received no answer. He could have proposed a memorial to the 9/11 dead with a denouncement of the doctrine of armed jihad, but he chose not to.
    Fatah and Raza end their argument asking liberals to question their support for projects like this as they feel many liberals are blinded by their desire to be fair and tolerant, their unbending belief in upholding minority rights and a powerful sense of guilt. The words are tough, resonating and darkly cautionary:
    As for those teary-eyed, bleeding-heart liberals such as New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and much of the media, who are blind to the Islamist agenda in North America, we understand their goodwill. Unfortunately for us, their stand is based on ignorance and guilt, and they will never in their lives have to face the tyranny of Islamism that targets, kills and maims Muslims worldwide, and is using liberalism itself to destroy liberal secular democratic societies from within.

    Watch these videos on the “Ground Zero” mosque debate:

    • The first is a look at the ad campaign against the mosque and a peek at the mosque that already exists.
    • The second gives a chance to a US Muslim who is not associated with the controversial mosque to defend the location.
    An Ad Campaign Against the Mosque Hits NYC Buses US Muslim Defends “Ground Zero” Mosque ]]>     7436 0 0 0     Are the Floods about to get Worse for Sindh? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/are-the-floods-about-to-get-worse-for-sindh/ Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:31:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7446 Federal Flood Commission‘s Daily Flood Situation Report for August 20, Sindh has the greatest number of affected villages (4,359) and people (almost 3.7 million). More houses have been damaged in Sindh than any other province (over 211,000) and, so far, it also has the most acres of damaged crop land (1.6 million). More heads of cattle (126,216) have perished in Sindh than all other areas of the country combined (32,196). According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, things could get much worse, very soon. The PMD’s Flood Forecasting Division released a new warning at 3:30pm on August 20, stating that there was a “significant flood forecast for River Indus at Kotri” over the next 48 – 72 hours. Kotri is in south-central Sindh and the barrage there is the last one along the Indus as it heads south to the sea.
    According to prevailing hydrological conditions the flood wave has reached at Kotri and the River has attained a Very High Flood level at Kotri with inflow 702,338 Cusecs at 1500 PST. It shall continue rising and is likely to attain an Exceptionally High Flood level ranging between 750,000 to 875,000 Cusecs during next 2 to 3 days. The River Indus at Kotri shall remain at High Flood level, about 600,000 Cusecs, around the next two weeks. Under this scenario, the inundation and riverine flooding is expected at low-lying areas of District Hyderabad, Thatta and adjoining areas along the riverbed. All concerned authorities are requested to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of human lives and property.
    The “Exceptionally High Flood level” will test the dam at Kotri. “The barrage has the capacity to withstand a flow of 875,000 cubic feet per second,” said Abdul Qadir Paleejo, executive engineer at the dam that spans the Indus, earlier this month to reporters for Businessweek. Is the government ready and able to do whatever is necessary to save lives? Is it prepared for the worst? Because from here on in relief and rescue work only gets harder: roads are already washed away, bridges are broken and rail links gone, while people are weak, getting sick and helpless. Here is a video showing what some Pakistanis have had to live through: ]]>     7446 0 0 0     Vivid and Emotional Photographs of the Floods in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/vivid-and-emotional-photographs-of-the-floods-in-pakistan/ Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:40:31 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7455 Boston.com, the editors have assembled in one place some of the most vivid photographs from the continuing disaster in Pakistan. Sadly, as the monsoon rains continue, more images of devastation and despair are likely to hit the media. This tragedy continues and the after-effects will be huge and lingering. Hopefully, the images will get the world to open up their pocket books a little further, as the need for financial assistance grows by the hour.
    Click here to see the assembled photo gallery at Boston.com. [caption id="attachment_7456" align="alignnone" width="880"]A man and his livestock are marooned by flood waters. He waves towards an Army helicopter for relief handouts in the Rajanpur district of Pakistan's Punjab province on August 9, 2010. Source: boston.com (REUTERS/Stringer) A man and his livestock are marooned by flood waters. He waves towards an Army helicopter for relief handouts in the Rajanpur district of Pakistan's Punjab province on August 9, 2010. Source: boston.com (REUTERS/Stringer)[/caption]
    ]]>     7455 0 0 0     Flood Relief is Happening in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/flood-relief-is-happening-in-pakistan/ Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:06:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7461 see photo gallery below). As absurd as it sounds, it’s fair to say that the IDPs here were the lucky ones. Many displaced people around the country were in camps with no running water, no toilets and nothing to cook on. If they were fortunate, they had a tent that didn’t leak and wasn’t being shared by multiple families. At a camp in Charsadda, one volunteer relief worker told me that at first people were sleeping with their livestock in their tents, desperate to safeguard whatever they had left. And with no latrines and endless amounts of stagnant water the place was a stinking mess, ripe for diseases. Here in Risalpur, many of the people came from nearby areas in Nowshera District. And in villages around Nowshera, the Kabul River – the Kabul River feeds into the Indus near Attock – had overflowed greatly: by some local accounts as much as 30 feet. Water marks on building walls showed that water flowed through some villages 12-15 feet above street level. Thus, as the water level rose, some houses eventually disappeared under the expanding river. The military-run relief camps set up in the schools were nothing like what is shown on television. According to officers guiding us around the camp, 1,440 people were housed in Presentation Convent High School alone. Families lived in solid classrooms. The school building we entered was built a couple of feet off the ground. It was unlikely any minor flooding from heavy rains would inundate them. These IDPs had secure, non-leaking roofs over their heads, working toilets nearby and a medical clinic where both female and male doctors were accessible (though the clinic was not manned by both at all times, and when we visited, only a medical assistant was on duty, though the clinic had a healthy stock of medicine). Most families fled their homes with very little. Some had bedding, others brought a few valuables. According to Colonel (retd) Aftab Alam of SAF, most didn’t have pots, stoves or any cooking utensils, so the army set up a kitchen to cook for the IDPs. All relief food packages were handed over directly to the army who cooked meals using the donated bags of rice, flour, ghee and daal. Looking at the displaced parents here, they were far from happy. But there was a general sense of calm. Kids played in the compound. Everyone had some space and their immediate burdens (providing food, shelter, medicine, water to their families) had been lifted. Of course, over two weeks after the floods commenced, it was clear that their troubles had hardly commenced. The future was uncertain, and as such, this was just the beginning: after this camp, they would face the daunting task of rebuilding homes, businesses and lives. In fact, a new school year is scheduled to start in the coming days. Classes could possibly be delayed for a week or two, but not indefinitely. Soon, the 6,000 IDPs will probably have to be shifted. And it is likely that the camps to which they are moved won’t be as well equipped or comfortable as this one. Still, not everyone was happy. Our food packages were enough for only 672 people, and we didn’t have enough treats for all the kids – no parent likes to see their child left out, and they let us know. Moreover, there were a couple of people in the school who approached us and said they were not getting enough to eat. The army had a registration system for everyone in the camp, and rations were systematically being distributed to all, said the team from SAF. Nonethless, Mrs Shahina from SAF ensured us that they would look into the matter, even though the SAF team had seen the registration system and already visited all six schools in the area. They were confident that everyone was being looked after as best possible, but admitted that caring for 6,000 IDPs wasn’t simple and even the army was struggling with limited resources and was dependent on NGOs for support. For now, these Pakistanis can take solace that they have had, at least, some of the best temporary relief. The army, partnering with relief organisations such as SAF, was doing a tremendous job providing safe and clean living conditions, meeting everyone’s basic needs. This is a view of the relief response that the media has failed to show. It was not what we expected. And in these times, meeting expectations, let alone exceeding them, is dismissed as an impossibility.

    Click any photo to begin a slide show:

    ]]>     7461 0 0 0     Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view/ Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:46:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7511 ]]> 7511 0 0 0 Zardari and the Shoe that was Not http://candle-thread.com/newsline/zardari-and-the-shoe-that-was-not/ Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:49:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7516 see Footnotes for other famous shoe moments). GEO and ARY were taken off air for mentioning the event and threats were delivered to other media houses. I wonder if the PTA is also planning to go on a rampage (or hasn’t done so already) to take down whatever videos or news articles exist regarding the incident as the government wants to pretend that the incident simply did not take place (*FLASH* Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four). There are times when moulding public opinion works by manipulating traditional mediums of communication, but sometimes – especially at times like these – people will make up their own minds, regardless of what they are told. And in this particular case, the verdict has been delivered: it did happen and everyone is quite happy about it. So as much as you are Big Brother-like Mr President, you simply cannot alter the minds of the people. It is only the title that has been bestowed upon you, not the liberties that come with it.
    Related: There was another, and even more famous, shoe-throwing incident in December 2008 involving George W. Bush. Read Newsline‘s take on that in Footnotes.
    ]]>     7516 0 0 0     Top Five: Crème de la Ice Cream http://candle-thread.com/newsline/top-five-creme-de-la-ice-cream/ Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:21:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7535 1. Aylanto/Fuchsia’s Gelato: A little birdie told me that the good folks at Aylanto just may be returning to their gelato-making days. Those with long memories will remember that they were some of the first restaurateurs to make seriously high-quality ice cream and sorbets. At Fuchsia, they have been making waves (or ripples!) with their deliciously unusual “Japanese green tea” and “Thai tea” flavours. At Aylanto, their sister concern, their “cinnamon” packs a punch of flavour. Though these do accompany desserts, you can ask for the ice cream separately as well. With imported ingredients, a luxuriously decadent texture and just Rs 75 a scoop, this is the summer’s must-have.  

    2. Mawa Matka Kulfi:

    [caption id="attachment_7536" align="alignnone" width="880"]kulfi-mawa-matka-h-madani Mawa Matka Kulfi. Photo: H. Madani[/caption] With one of the cutest packaging ideas in a long time, these dinky, palm-sized plastic madkas hold some of the richest kulfi you can find. Different from the traditional milky-white, pista (pistachio) variety, Mawa matka is an almond-loaded, creamy kulfi that is so rich that one little serving is usually enough. Plus the little collectible pots are an excellent size and I just love free Tupperware!  

    3. The Hot Spot:

    [caption id="attachment_7537" align="alignright" width="389"]Frozen chocolate goodness at The Hot Spot. Photo: Bina Khan Frozen chocolate goodness at The Hot Spot. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] Originally a success story in Islamabad, The Hot Spot is the ultimate teen hangout in Karachi. However, with the fabulous bookshop The Last Word located in the basement and a veritable explosion of flavours from which to choose, this place is distinctly adult friendly too. My personal favourite is the “Colombian Mocha,” but the “Butter Pecan” with its strange saltiness is a big crowd pleaser too. It’s a great place to enjoy the kitsch and calories! 4. Peshawari Ice Cream: [caption id="attachment_7538" align="alignnone" width="880"]Peshawari Ice Cream. Photo: Bina Khan Peshawari Ice Cream. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] Located at the back end of the Phase 4 market (opposite but a little past the Shell pump on Bahria) is one of Karachi’s best ice-cream places. An ice cream that is truly icy, whether you choose from their plain Peshawari, the classic crunch or the ever-popular pista, or even if you go for their seasonal favourites, like mango or chikoo, it is a winner every time. My favourite part of the list that they recite is when they offer you “strawberry, raspberry or cut-berry.” For the uninitiated, the last item is a chocolate-flavoured indulgence made from Cadbury’s chocolate. Priceless!

    5. Häagen-Dazs:

    haagen-dazs-bar Häagen-Dazs, an entirely cooked-up word that was reportedly designed to sound old-world and Scandinavian, and therefore exotic, to the American market was started by an entrepreneur in the early 1960s who had grown up selling “fruit ice and ice cream pops from a horse-drawn wagon” in the Bronx four decades earlier. The reason I include this ice cream is that it is the highest density, highest butterfat content ice cream, using “no stabilisers or emulsifiers other than egg yolk.” It is luxury ice cream. Just hold a box of any generic ice cream in one hand and a box of Häagen-Dazs in the other and feel the difference in weight to see what I mean. This premium dessert is available as individually wrapped bars and in large tubs, but the small cup sizes are economical: they are rather convenient to store and help you control your calorie intake that would otherwise shoot off the charts!]]>     7535 0 0 0     Former Pak Ambassador Akbar Ahmed on the Daily Show http://candle-thread.com/newsline/former-pak-ambassador-akbar-ahmed-on-the-daily-show/ Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:28:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7546 The Daily Show on August 5 was entertaining and enlightening as he tried to show that Islam was not quite how host Jon Stewart jocosely described it: “a singular movement hell-bent on the violent destruction of America.” In fact he talked about how America’s founding fathers eloquently praised Islam, including it as part of America’s pluralism. The former ambassador said that John Adams called the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) one of the greatest truth-seekers in history and that Thomas Jefferson held an iftar (opening of the fast) and owned a copy of the Quran. While talking about the research and findings presented in his bookJourney into America, Akbar Ahmed brings a message about Islam and Muslims in the US that everyone in America needs to hear. Sadly, going on shows such as Jon Stewart’s, it is most likely that he is preaching to the converted. Will Fox News give him some “fair and balanced” airtime?
    See the interview with Akbar Ahmed below:
    The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
    Akbar Ahmed
    www.thedailyshow.com
    Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor
    ]]>     7546 0 0 0     The Unchanging Sea http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-unchanging-sea/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:35:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7588 Choked Pipes, does not make one “pick it up instinctively” as an ex-senator rightly pointed out at its launch in Karachi, the content of the book, however, makes it difficult to put it down. The treatise serves not only as an eye-opener but also as a consolidated view of the healthcare system of Pakistan. While looking for answers regarding the “underperformance of the healthcare system” and the rampant corruption that has taken place for the past six decades, not once has the author stooped to regime-bashing in her analysis or pointed fingers. Nevertheless, she has delved deep into issues that have been ignored for a long time by the many regimes that have come to power in Pakistan. The result is a comprehensive review of the healthcare system, consisting of a heavy dose of facts and figures, which is presented simply, bringing home the point that reforms are urgently needed. Nishtar analyses the past, present and future of the healthcare system in Pakistan and the many political ups and downs stemming from a regular shift in regimes. These shifts caused the state to focus more on short-term goals, based on the symptomatic treatment of the problems, instead of zeroing in on the root causes. With news stories of doctors being beaten up by angry attendants making headlines regularly and a persistent plague of malpractice in the field of medicine, the book could not have come at a better time. Many countries in the West are revisiting their health policies as well, and there is a dire need to reassess and address the ongoing problems in Pakistan’s healthcare system. And it’s not too late, says Nishtar. Reform is possible. Corruption is said to be one of the major obstacles to a nation’s social development. And the health sector is, unfortunately, not an exception. Nishtar, while understanding the challenges in confronting corruption in the health sector, writes that “the malpractices, including staff absenteeism, dual job-holding and theft of supplies,” common both in the private and public health sector, need to be addressed immediately. She acknowledges that reform within the health sector is dependent on the “effectiveness of overall governance and political stability.” For a state to assert its authority, it needs to invest in its institutions, and the strongest of them is the judiciary. Despite many laws regarding corruption and malpractice, implementation remains a problem. The health sector is a part of the state and is immensely affected by the lack of transparency and accountability in it. A strong judiciary ensures transparency on every level and if that is weak, it will weaken other sectors as well. For this, Nishtar proposes reforms within political institutions and writes that opening avenues for seeking redress, and at the same time strengthening the judiciary itself, will help in countering malpractice and corruption. At the same time she recommends a need to review the broader legislative agenda because that will ensure “overall transparency in state governance.” She further points out that Pakistan does not have laws to deal with white collar economic sabotage or to protect whistle-blowers, which she writes is needed as “it will encourage citizens to come forward and report incidents of corruption.” In order to ensure transparency at all levels, she suggests a multi-pronged strategy to counter corruption: planning strategically and reviving the long dormant National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS); bridging the gaps in institutional mechanisms and institutionalising and encouraging integrity-promoting measures by ensuring that cabinet members do not have a “conflict of interest in terms of major business involvement, relating to respective ministries.” While the prevalent threat of terrorism and the government’s focus on it takes centre stage in Pakistan, Nishtar points out that the nation is more in need of “epidemiological security from re-emerging infections.” She gives the example of avian influenza that re-emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and writes that the recurrence of the virus means that there will be more cases in the future as well. She argues that the world is already grappling with issues related to food, water and energy along with terrorism, which together have made it unable to fulfill the basic needs of the people. To add an “impact of a disease pandemic in a global situation will be catastrophic.” This is where the nation should leverage the “WHO’s Disease Early Warning System and ongoing Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme,” says Nishtar. Apart from political conflicts hampering the process of healthcare reform, Nishtar discusses the country’s lack of human resources. She writes that Pakistan has a reasonable supply of doctors, but a shortage of nurses and midwives has held back timely care to the people. This cause and effect leads to urban migration, putting tremendous pressure on the ailing healthcare system of cities such as Karachi that already have trouble treating their huge populations. Nishtar tops off her thorough analysis with an ambitious multidimensional reform agenda, which she asserts should be pro-poor with “decentralised management and governance of public hospitals.” Choked Pipes succeeds on many levels. Not only is it a useful reference book for those looking for insight into Pakistan’s healthcare system but it also can be used by policy-makers outside of Pakistan. “It is written not for a single country but is relevant for the intractable health problems of the developing world,” writes Nobel Laureate, Dr. Bernard Lown. Still, for Pakistanis it presents hope through a detailed action plan – and in these times of crisis, hope can be like a shot in the arm.]]> 7588 0 0 0 On Banning the Niqab http://candle-thread.com/newsline/on-banning-the-niqab/ Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:01:01 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7641 historically inaccurately) called a “hijab”, or a niqab, or a burqa. My grandmother and her generation wore a burqa all their lives – into the 21st century. My mother – a Pakistani professional who has headed up educational institutions on two continents and taught Islamic history herself – wore it. She wore it whenever she visited my grandfather in my father’s family home in a hamlet on the outskirts of Lucknow, India. She did it out of respect for tradition and her father-in-law. At one point, in the late 70′s he – a traditional Awadhi “zamindar“, or feudal landowner, himself – told her he didn’t think it was necessary any longer. That is how our culture has evolved. Choice. Respect for tradition. Choice in respecting tradition. But very frankly, when we engage with the issue as one of freedom for women versus preventing the oppression of women, we’re buying into the Islamist-Islamophobic binary. The whole hijab-niqab-burqa thing (at least in Europe, they make the distinction between the three; in the US, most younger Muslims couldn’t do that) is a power play on the one hand by the neo-purist/Islamist crowd and on the other hand by the xenophobic/Islamophobic crowd. And, like these things have been, for centuries, is being played out on the bodies and modesty of women. If you need help understanding this, think gay-marriage initiatives and laws in US elections; they are not put on the ballot because gay marriage is a pressing threat to The Republic, but to get out the right-wing vote. That’s what the Islamist fringe is doing with hijab; and that’s what the right-wing fringe xenophobes are doing with the ban. And illiberal policies like the one in France are not new, either, or limited to the West; Attaturk’s policies in Turkey were as illiberal as this ban – and they weren’t restricted to women, either; he banned turbans, too. And, of course, we now have the ban in Syria. But the point I am making is that this recent surge of “hijab”, burka and niqab-related news has less to do with the heritage of these particular Muslims and more to do with a certain (and rather recent) religio-political movement using it as a political rallying point – much as god, guns and gays are used by the Christian Right in the US.
    This post was originally published on July 19, 2010, at blog.ifaqeer.com.
    ]]>     7641 0 0 0     Israeli PR Machine Still Hard at Work After Mavi Marmara Incident http://candle-thread.com/newsline/israeli-pr-machine-still-hard-at-work-after-mavi-marmara-incident/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:11:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7659 IDF Spokesperson’s Unit Video, Part 1 IDF Spokesperson’s Unit Video, Part 2 ]]> 7659 0 0 0 Magical Mystery Tour http://candle-thread.com/newsline/magical-mystery-tour/ Sat, 17 Jul 2010 07:21:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7736 Click on any photo to begin a slide show.  ]]> 7736 0 0 0 Salad Days http://candle-thread.com/newsline/salad-days/ Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:03:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8179 Okra’s Mixed Greens with Feta [caption id="attachment_8185" align="alignnone" width="880"]Photo: Bina Khan Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] This off-the-menu salad is my absolute favourite, just for the cleanness of its flavours. It’s a mixed bed of greens, some dark and some light, sprinkled with some hulking big hunks of herb-encrusted feta and the odd black olive hanging around for some chewy texture. The dressing is a mystery to me, but there is definitely olive oil, some herbs and a splash of genius. The chefs at Okra change it up every so often. Some instances you will be surprised by the addition of some cherry tomatoes or some shavings of cucumber. Whatever the version, this one is a winner every time.

    Café Flo’s Chicken Caesar Salad

    [caption id="attachment_8189" align="alignnone" width="880"]Photo: Bina Khan Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] Apart from the fact that Café Flo in the afternoon is one of the prettiest spots in Karachi – with its big French windows opening out on to pretty greenery and old school white furniture like my grandmother had – their Caesar salad is another clean mouthful of flavours. With a pure olive oil and lemon dressing, generous amounts of coarsely grated Parmesan and tender chicken, this classic creation leaves you and your palate feeling totally refreshed. Café Aylanto’s Greek Chicken Salad [caption id="attachment_8191" align="alignnone" width="880"]Photo: Bina Khan Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] This is a truly original salad. The yogurt-based Tzatziki sauce, which is the real kicker in the dish, is one of the most interesting new flavours to emerge from our local restaurants. With Cajun-seasoned chicken, paprika, feta and vinaigrette, plus that fabulous sauce, it is an explosion of flavours (the memory of which is setting my mouth watering). Yum! Oh, and Aylanto at lunch is lovely too.

    Fuchsia’s Grilled Beef Salad

    [caption id="attachment_8192" align="alignnone" width="880"]Photo: Bina Khan Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] A really spicy little number this, but don’t chow down on it before a romantic evening. Still, the cucumber noodles are pure genius, the soft onion crescents that are marinated in what feels like chilli vinegar are delicious, and the meat is as tender as tender can be. There are actually many things on the menu that are addictive and this cold salad is one of them.

    Sakura’s Gomoko Salad

    [caption id="attachment_8194" align="alignnone" width="880"]Photo: Bina Khan Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] Now I will confess that I am not a seafood lover myself, but I am a Sakura lover and I visit as frequently as I can. Each time I have done so, my dinner companions, be they ever so varied, have ordered up this salad. The clean little cubes of gorgeous looking deep red tuna, Japanese pickles and iceberg are offset nicely with a spicy horseradish sauce. Clean protein and fresh veg: this is what life is supposed to be all about!]]>     8179 0 0 0     Pakistani Police Investigation Against Facebook co-Founder Unsurprising http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-police-investigation-against-facebook-co-founder-unsurprising/ Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:19:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8347 reported the following:
    “On May 31st a High Court judge, Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry, ordered the government to take action in respect to alleged blasphemy on Facebook. On June 11th in consequence of this order, the Deputy Attorney General authorised and initiated the first stage of investigation and prosecution of Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. The Deputy Attorney General on June 11th lodged with police a ‘First Information Report (FIR)’ against ‘the owner of Facebook’.”
    A report in the Financial Times said, “Police of the Punjab province confirmed on Thursday that they had initiated formal proceedings against the owner of Facebook under section 295 of Pakistan’s penal code, which deals with cases of blasphemy.” Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code states:
    295-C.Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
    Was this the most reasonable “action” to take? No. Does the Deputy Attorney General think a legal case will gain traction and Zuckerberg will be extradited to Pakistan to face a Pakistani court? My guess is, again, no. It seems like an attempt at appeasement. There are some Pakistani Muslims who want blood. So government lawyers and police lodge an FIR as demanded by the religious parties and the fiery mobs they have stoked – the composition of those mobs is likely filled with people who have never used the internet, let alone understand what Facebook is – to show them that the government is going for the jugular under 295-C where, yes, the penalty could be death. When they fail to convict or execute the twenty-something techie millionaire, the government can say, “Well, we tried.” What the attempt to prosecute Zuckerberg does successfully do (again) is show the world that Pakistanis like violence. Violence and death are the preferred ways of solving problems here. The Danish-cartoon riots show that. The Taliban blowing up girls’ schools show that. The killing of Christians in Gojra last year shows that. The horrendous attacks on Ahmedis this year show that. The attempt to convict Zuckerberg of blasphemy shows that. Only time will tell how things will pan out. But one lawyer thinks that in the Facebook case, it is not even a question of section 295-C of the penal code because “the laws of Pakistan don’t apply to the rest of the world.” Read an interview with Babar Sattar, an Islamabad-based lawyer, who spoke to Newsline’s Farieha Aziz long before the recent FIR was lodged, at a time when many people in Pakistan had become used to life without Facebook.]]>     8347 0 0 0     With Time the Spill Rate of BP Oil Disaster Only Gets Worse http://candle-thread.com/newsline/with-time-the-spill-rate-of-bp-oil-disaster-only-gets-worse/ Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:37:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8429 April 20-24: Within days of the explosion, BP officials and the US coast guard estimated the spill rate to be about 1,000 barrels a day. April 28: The US coast guard revises estimates and says 5,000 barrels a day spilling into Gulf. April 29: The Natural Resources Defense Council quotes an independent scientist who (based on aerial images and BP measurements of oil layer thickness on the water surface) says the spill rate is about 20,000 barrels a day. May 14: NPR in the US reports that it requested experts to examine BP-released video of the oil leak in a bid to get estimates of the spill rate. NPR said:
    “BP has said repeatedly that there is no reliable way to measure the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico by looking at the oil gushing out of the pipe. But scientists say there are actually many proven techniques for doing just that.”
    Here is what they estimated: Steven Wereley, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, using a technique called particle image velocimetry, calculated the spill rate to be 70,000 barrels a day (but says the number could be between 56,000 and 84,000). Eugene Chiang, a professor of astrophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, came up with a bigger range for the potential spill rate: around 20,000 to 100,000 barrels per day. May 27: The Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG), an independent group of experts tasked to assess the spill and advise the US government, says the spill rate is between 12,000 to 19,000 barrels per day. June 10: The FRTG revises estimates and states that as many as 40,000 barrels of oil per day may have been spilling out from the burst well since before the cap was put on the well on June 3. There has been much debate over the methodologies used to estimate the spill. But even BP, according to theNew York Times, admitted its take on the worst-case scenario is indeed ugly:
    “BP later acknowledged to Congress that the worst case, if the leak accelerated, would be 60,000 barrels a day, a flow rate that would dump a plume the size of the Exxon Valdez spill into the gulf every four days. BP’s chief executive, Tony Hayward, has estimated that the reservoir tapped by the out-of-control well holds at least 50 million barrels of oil.”
    Fifty million barrels. The biggest oil spill in history was just over 9 million barrels. So, in the unlikely case that this gusher is not controlled, this spill could be 5.5 times as bad. Using the FRTG’s estimate of 40,000 barrels per day, after 53 days the amount of oil spilled from the well would be 2,120,000 barrels (this would be considered an official top end amount with some of that that oil being captured by the cap system now in place: maybe slightly more than 150,000 barrels captured over 10 days).  Already, at the minimum, the spill is more than four times as bad as that of the Exxon Valdez in 1989, which was until this year the worse spill in US waters, dumping 250,000 barrels into Prince William Sound in Alaska. If the gusher is not stopped, at a spill rate of 40,000 barrels a day, a 50 million-barrel reservoir would take 1,250 days to empty. That is three years and 154 days (including one leap year). Mind you, experts are not claiming that all 50 million barrels will leak into the sea. Relief wells are being dug that should enable BP to stop the flow of oil. The company estimates that they will have these wells completed and operational by August. But by then, over 3 million barrels of oil will likely have spilled into the sea and BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill will be in the running for being one of the top three worst oil spills of all time.

    The Top Five Largest Oil Spills in History Before The Deepwater Horizon Disaster  (and the Exxon Valdez is not one of them)

    [caption id="attachment_8430" align="alignnone" width="880"]The largest oil spills in history: The Exxon Valdez, while a devastating disaster, is far down the list of biggest oil spills with 250,000 barrels of oil lost at sea. Source: wikipedia.com; numbers are approximate and based on 7.33 barrels of oil being equivalent to one tonne of crude. The largest oil spills in history: The Exxon Valdez, while a devastating disaster, is far down the list of biggest oil spills with 250,000 barrels of oil lost at sea. Source: wikipedia.com; numbers are approximate and based on 7.33 barrels of oil being equivalent to one tonne of crude.[/caption]]]>     8429 0 0 0     World Cup is all a-Twitter http://candle-thread.com/newsline/world-cup-is-all-a-twitter/ Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:49:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8437 twitter.com/worldcup, not only to capitalise on the crazily watched sports tourney but also to get citizens from many of the 32 competing countries more familiar with, and perhaps eventually hooked onto, Twitter. On the special Twitter site, football fans will be able to see news relating to the 32 countries competing for world football domination, tweets related to matches in progress and the algorithmically selected top tweets from players, journalists and fans. Wired.com has this to say about another feature on Twitter especially created for the first World Cup to be held in Africa:
    Perhaps coolest of all is what Twitter is calling “hashflags.” Any user who tweets with the relevant hashtag of a member nation — such as #usa, #mex, or #bra — will get a miniature version of that country’s flag appearing next to the hashtag. For all those who’ll be following the South African action from from afar, it’s a small yet creative way to show your followers some soccer spirit.
    See the South Africa “hashflag” (from #rsa) below: twitter-hashflag]]>     8437 0 0 0     Religious Leaders Imply Ahmedis not Victims http://candle-thread.com/newsline/religious-leaders-imply-ahmedis-not-victims/ Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:55:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8442 The News reported this:
    Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Syed Munawwar Hasan termed the attacks on the Youm-e-Takbeer a conspiracy to trigger a civil war in the country and justify the US interference in the country. He said Islam strongly prohibited persecuting minorities and causing any harm to their worship places. He said the minorities in the country had always been secure and Islam made it a state responsibility to protect them.
    Of course, everyone knows that minorities have NOT always been secure in Pakistan, but at least the religious parties agreed that the attacks on the Ahmedi community “were uncalled for and condemnable.” But clearly it was false sympathy and crocodile tears. The view that the attacks were also, as reported by The News, a foreign “conspiracy to malign the country in the world in order to put more pressure [on Pakistan] regarding a change in the blasphemy laws” came with a sickening twist yesterday. A BBC Urdu article reported on a Lahore meeting of leaders of the Muttahida Tehrik-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwat where the attendees concluded that the May 28 attacks on Ahmedis were part of a conspiracy to repeal the laws against them and challenge the finality of the Prophethood. There is an inherent insinuation that Ahmedis were an active part of the conspiracy; that Ahmedis hired terrorists to kill other Ahmedis in order to garner attention because they want to remake Islam. So, Ahmedis are not the real victims here? This is like 9/11 conspiracy theorists: Americans killed Americans to launch a crusade against Islam. Further, a Dawn.com report referencing the BBC article said that “the gathering was attended by leaders of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat-i-ulema-i-Islam Fazlur Rahman group, Jamaatud Dawa and Markazi Jamaat-i-Ahl-i-Sunnat among others” and that “Maulana Ilyas Chinioti, a member of the PML-N and the Punjab provincial assembly, condemned Nawaz Sharif’s statement in which he had sympathised with the Ahmadis and called them his brothers.” Maulana Chinioti seems to be openly preaching that non-Muslims are lesser humans: only certain Pakistanis who are brutally massacred are worthy of pity. Our religious leaders believe Allah to be the most compassionate and merciful (and expect Him to show compassion towards them) but do they not believe they have a duty to love and show compassion in their lives (or even try to show compassion) to all people of all faiths. The people killed and injured on May 28 were innocent people, harming no one, only kneeling before God in peace. What about the verse from the Quran that says “killing one innocent person is regarded as the equivalent to killing all of mankind?” The US, Israel and India (and whatever other foreign agents are at work) do not have to do anything to “malign the country in the world.” These religious and political ‘leaders’ are doing a fine job themselves.]]>     8442 0 0 0     Emergency Landing Video: Wing Hits Tarmac at JFK in New York http://candle-thread.com/newsline/emergency-landing-video-wing-hits-tarmac-at-jfk-in-new-york/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:35:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6883 “I could feel the vibration, I could feel it bumping,” passenger Jamie Pfeiffer of Bridgewater, Conn., told the Journal News of White Plains about the right wing scraping the ground during the rough landing. “I heard a guy behind me say he saw sparks. The pilot was just awesome.” Indeed. No one was injured. But the video shows that the flight crew, and in particular one female flight attendant, was also particularly “awesome.” Unwavering, calm and in control. As the plane touches ground and the sparks shoot up, her voice rises, ostensibly to ensure passengers do not start to move either in fear from the bumping or in haste, but she continues with her commanding “heads down, stay down” order. Her professionalism provides a lesson to so many passengers who think that flight attendants are primarily on board to serve us drinks.
    Below is a video of the wing scraping along the tarmac and sending up sparks, as captured by a passenger and posted online by Daily News.
    If the video player is not working, you can watch the video here.
    ]]>     6883 0 0 0     Is Twitter Dangerous while Humourless Neo-cons Troll It? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/is-twitter-dangerous-while-humourless-neo-cons-troll-it/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:37:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6885 Robin Hood Airport is closed. You’ve got a week… otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high! The 26-year-old claims he tweeted in a moment of frustration after finding out the airport was closed because of snow. In May, however, Chambers was found guilty of sending a “menacing electronic communication.” His lawyer described his tweet as “facetious parody.” Chambers and his lawyer have started an appeal against his conviction. Of course, Chambers is not alone in being a victim to a humourless public. Actor John Cusack was set upon by the rabid and paranoid captains of media at Fox News. In August, the High Fidelity and Being John Malkovich star was the centre of a Fox story labelling him as a sadist out to incite public violence. And it all started with another random and very facetious tweet:
    I AM FOR A SATANIC DEATH CULT CENTER AT FOX NEWS HQ AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICES ORDICK ARMEYAND NEWT GINGRICH-and all the GOP WELFARE FREAKS
    Fox News twisted Cusack’s words and described Cusack’s tweet in various ways. First the headline:
    John Cusack Calls for ‘Satanic Death’ of Fox News, GOP Leaders
    Then the opening paragraph:
    Actor John Cusack went on a caustic Twitter rampage Sunday evening, attacking former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Fox News.
    Followed by the expert quote:
    “His provocative tweets could easily incite a rabid fan to commit violent acts against Fox News Headquarters and others he names,” said Dr. Carole Lieberman, a Beverly Hills-based psychiatrist and author of Coping With Terrorism: Dreams Interrupted.
    Rolling Stone blogger Matt Taibbi had this to say on the incident:
    It’s not just that Fox totally (and intentionally, of course) misread Cusack’s thing – there’s a difference between calling for the opening of a “satanic death cult center” at Fox News and calling for the “satanic death” of Dick Armey. It’s that a parade of bozo talking heads, even tenth-rate, cardboard-PhD talking heads of the sort Fox tends to patronize, could be prevailed upon to take this nonsense seriously, and that masses of real human beings who are probably licensed to drive automobiles and may even have procreated instantly bought this as a real call to violence. Exactly how absurd do you have to be before this crowd can perceive that you’re kidding about something?
    This reminds me of a news item I heard a few years after 9/11 that taught me a very good lesson. Somewhere in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia or perhaps P.E.I.) a man was held for questioning at an airport, and later charged, after saying the wrong thing to a security official checking his hand luggage. Apparently frustrated with the detailed probing and monotone questioning after an already long wait, the passenger sarcastically said, “Yeah, I got a bomb in there.” Oops. Not good in the “End-of-Irony” era. But it was not just what happened that provided the important lesson: it was the analysis of a lawyer. If the passenger expressed his frustration with a sarcastic question, said a lawyer being interviewed on the radio, there would have been no case against him. Sure, the authorities still may have pulled him aside, questioned him, caused him to miss his flight and made his life generally miserable, but no criminal charges would ever have been able to stick because of a question. “Do you think I have a bomb in there?” and “Are you looking for cuticle scissors or simply Bond-like explosives masquerading as chewing gum?” will never go over well in the age of global terror, but questions can never be treated as threats or admissions or statements. Must Twitterers fearful of mistweets begin to re-structure their endless and inconsequential commentaries to ensure that they remain inconsequential? Well, Paul Chambers would have been better off if he tweeted this: “Robin Hood Airport is closed. You’ve got a week… Would you get me a plane if I threatened to blow the airport sky high?” And same goes for John Cusack: “IS ANYONE FOR A SATANIC DEATH CULT CENTER AT FOX NEWS HQ AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICES Of DICK ARMEY, NEWT GINGRICH and all GOP WELFARE FREAKS?” Yeah, I know. Questions are wimpy and not as fun. They’re meant for “Jeopardy!” Not Twitter… don’t you agree?]]>     6885 0 0 0     Mission Brief: Pakistan Flood Relief http://candle-thread.com/newsline/mission-brief-pakistan-flood-relief/ Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:05:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6915 4×4 OffRoaders Club out of Karachi went into action and launched its Pakistan flood relief campaign in partnership with SA Relief and Behbud Association. Online donations were collected by Paksef (or the Pakistan Science & Engineering Foundation), a non-profit Corporation registered in California. On the ground, the campaign was led by Dr Awab Alvi and Faisal Kapadia. Since launch, the campaign has raised over $142,000 with over $30,000 raised online. The funds were used to:
    • Provide 36,800 people with food hampers, each hamper contained basic food for a family of five for a week
    • Provide 25,000 people with immediate ready-to-eat one-time meals
    • Provide 280 tents in various locations: Sukkur, Shikarpur and Thatta, which will provide shelter to 280 families or 2,800 people
    • Provide 500 families with clothes
    • Provide six trucks of water bottles, totaling approximately 1,000 cases of 1.5-litre bottles
    To date, the team has led seven relief missions in Sindh (Kashmore, Shikarpur, Moro and Thatta, including a C-130 Airlift to Jacobabad). A detailed mission update can be found here at SA Relief. The relief expeditions were unlike any other relief programme, where round-the-clock updates were provided through social media channels. Donors could track the teams’ minute-by-minute progress via live GPS and Twitter updates. Both Faisal and Awab have independently shared that the misery and despair of the flood victims was far more tragic than they could ever imagine. Faisal Kapadia says that he can’t shake the image in his mind of young children chasing him as he tossed water from a moving truck. The truck was moving at least 30 kilometres per hour, but he couldn’t slow down. Mobs of hundreds have pounced on aid workers delivering food or water. “It somehow gives the impression that these are greedy people,” said Awab Alvi. “But it’s not greed. It’s desperation.” The OffroadPakistan team is planning their 8th relief  mission on September 26 to Moro in order to provide medical relief. The increased influx of patients from Dadu in combination with the IDPs already in the area have put a heavy strain on the existing resources in Moro. There is an immediate need for medical support. A Karachi-wide appeal has been issued to the medical community requesting volunteer support. For information, or to sign-up as a medical volunteer, visit SA Relief here. In addition, the team has launched a campaign to rebuild the Shikarpur Civil Hospital. Watch the video presentation by Dr Awab Alvi here. ]]>     6915 0 0 0     Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is Awarded Gold Medal in Lahore http://candle-thread.com/newsline/aisam-ul-haq-qureshi-is-awarded-gold-medal-in-lahore/ Sat, 18 Sep 2010 14:37:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6958 Friends, idolizes Swedish tennis star Stefan Edberg and listens to heavy metal to get psyched up before a match. Today, while getting formal recognition from the government, tennis fans also learned that he’s a softy: despite the cool and composed demeanour he has shown recently, he is also capable of shedding a few tears in public. The Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, presented a gold medal to Qureshi for his amazing finishes at the US Open 2010. Qureshi, a doubles specialist, made it to both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles finals to become the first Pakistani ever to compete in a tennis Grand Slam final. The award ceremony took place in Lahore at a special reception at the Governor’s House. Both the Governor and Qureshi addressed the crowd. As Qureshi spoke, it was clear why the rising tennis star has become a national hero: he’s 100% genuine. After winning over Pakistanis, and the world, with his words of peace and understanding during the US Open awards ceremony, the well-spoken sportsman cemented his place among the hearts of his fellow countrymen with simple words on the importance of dreams, hard work and family. The 30-year-old Qureshi quickly became emotional while thanking his family and talking about his grandfather, who was also a top national tennis player before partition. A video of Qureshi’s speech in Lahore is below (fast forward to 3:20 in the video to skip over the introductions). Also below are more videos of Qureshi’s (and Pakistan’s) unforgettable week of tennis joy.
    Click the play button on any of the three videos to begin:
    Qureshi speaking in Lahore after receiving his gold medal (fast forward to 3:30 to see Qureshi). In case you did not see or hear Qureshi speak during the US Open doubles awards ceremony, you can see the footage below: And a great interview with both Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna for News X off the court, two days before the men’s doubles final. ]]>     6958 0 0 0     From the Archives: the MQM and Karachi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/from-the-archives-the-mqm-and-karachi/ Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:41:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6961

    The early years: Altaf Hussain still heads the MQM, but how will the death of his one-time right-hand man, Dr Imran Farooq, affect the party going forward? Photo: Courtesy mqm.org

    The brutal murder of the MQM’s Dr Imran Farooq in London on September 16, 2010, has sparked more debate about the dynamic and dangerous world of politics in Karachi and Pakistan. Here are some in-depth feature articles and interviews from Newsline‘s archives that highlight some of the party’s ups and downs over the last decade.
    To read a 2003 interview with Dr Imran Farooq click here. Below are other articles related to the MQM and its political history:
    ]]>     6961 0 0 0     Was My Express Tribune Magazine Censored? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/was-my-express-tribune-magazine-censored/ Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:06:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6997 akhbarwala decided to test out his new indigo-coloured Sharpie on the fresh pages of the Tribune magazine – the tilted heads and intimately crushed faces popped off the film poster for Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, and I knew what had happened. Oh. My. Gawd. This is an 11th-hour attempt at censorship. But who? The publisher? The newspaper editor? Did someone else in the vast chain at the publication see what the magazine editors finalised and sent to press, have a fit, and complain to management? “You can’t distribute that pornography!” Did someone with a more cautious bent (and someone much more aware of the overly sensitive public – that public with a overt religious bent) than the young editorial-design team at the magazine see the open-mouth manoeuvre as something that would potentially cause a backlash and, as a result, go through thousands of copies of the magazine with a felt-tipped marker? Or did some renegade, vigilante censor within the distribution chain take it upon his holier-than-thou self to “block” as much of the corrupting material as he could? Though, I would imagine that if it was a ‘morally superior’, ‘protector-of-the-public’ mullah-type, the whole page would have been ripped out and there would be breaking news by now of the Express Tribune offices under siege. Besides the farce underlying my censored copy of the magazine, isn’t it just sad that out of all the things in life, here in Pakistan we choose to fear, hate and ban those things that cause the least pain, and because of apathy, corruption, greed and intolerance, we allow the most heinous acts, traditions and laws to remain?  ]]> 6997 0 0 0 If It’s For A Good Cause, Tell Me http://candle-thread.com/newsline/if-its-for-a-good-cause-tell-me/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:23:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7013 event page on Facebook presents the basic information on the night, but when Newsline checked it out, the main info page said nothing about it being a relief concert or a fundraiser. Interestingly, the page fails to declare their mission clearly. The organisers have not even mentioned the words “floods” or “flood relief.” The page introduces itself with these words: “In times like these where it calls for belief in ones self and each other, the IVS Student’ Council 2010 and Rahnuma brings to you the ‘SOUND OF HOPE’.” One of the co-creators of the FB event page told a fellow IVSAA student that the reason these words are conspicuously missing is because the artists “did not want to flaunt.” Huh? Are you for real? By hiding your good cause, you aren’t doing those you are trying to help any favours. In theory, it may diminish your capacity to raise money. And so, by trying not to make it about yourselves, you have just made it about yourselves. Try telling the public about the goal of the concert, and maybe people in the city would make a bigger effort to come. Maybe they would twist a few extra arms and bring more friends. Maybe they would make an extra effort to promote it. Maybe those who find the Rs1,000 ticket price steep, would find the cost fair and worthwhile if they knew about the cause. When artists and celebrities usually get together to raise awareness and money for important causes, like they did for Live Aid, Live 8 or the Tsunami Relief Concert, do they feel a need to hide it? Does that serve their purpose well? Yes, I know IVSAA is not holding a telethon and has limited space and will probably have no problem selling out. But tell the public about your honourable intentions, where the money is going and how it is being used, and then you might make people feel extra good about their night out, and you might maximise the money raised. After all, isn’t that what it is all about?
    What: Concert for flood relief, featuring Noori, Zeb & Haniya, Ali Azmat, Mauj, Gumby, Faraz Anwer, Dj Faisal Baig, Mannu and Sami Shah. Where: Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture When: 18 September 2010
    ]]>     7013 0 0 0     Ten Days of Spot-Fixing, Weeping for Cricket, Accusations, Denials and Pakistan Bashing http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ten-days-of-spot-fixing-weeping-for-cricket-accusations-denials-and-pakistan-bashing/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:29:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7016 From Mazher Mahmood and Amanda Evans’ original News of the World Report:
    “In the most sensational sporting scandal ever, bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif delivered THREE blatant no-balls to order. Their London-based fixer Mazhar Majeed, who let us in on the betting scam for £150,000, crowed “this is no coincidence” before the bent duo made duff deliveries at PRECISELY the moments promised to our reporter.” “Having already trousered a £10,000 upfront deposit – which he insisted had gone to the stars – Majeed sat in our west London hotel room at the Copthorne Tara on Wednesday night and eagerly counted out the £140,000 balance in bundles of crisp £50 notes – our “entry ticket” into his already successful betting scam.” “At one stage Majeed told us our syndicate could make ‘absolutely millions, millions’ by paying him up to £450,000 a time for info on matches, then placing bets on the fixed outcome. And he tried to excuse the players’ shameful behaviour, claiming: ‘These poor boys need to. They’re paid peanuts.’”
    From Crikey Sports:
    The fact is, that News of the World’s exposé into match fixing involving Pakistan players in the Test series against England is destructive. Its report is damning and, dare I say it, fine investigative journalism. News of the World reporter Mazher Mahmood, a.k.a the “Fake Sheik”, has made a career from journalistic entrapment. His targets have been royalty, English football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson and a child actor of Slumdog Millionaire. Despite what you think of his methods – or ethics – his report for News of the World is compelling.
    From cricketer and captain Salman Butt during a press conference in which he appeared with his team’s manager, Yawar Saeed:
    “These are just allegations. Anybody can stand up and say things about you – it doesn’t make them true.” “They include quite a few people. They are still ongoing, and we will see what happens. There is nothing I have seen, or been shown, that involves me.”
    From the manager of the Pakistan team, Yawar Saeed, during a press conference:
    “Obviously we are not delighted about it; we are sad. It was very sober feelings in the dressing room” “We didn’t have a cup of coffee either this morning. We didn’t want one, because I was talking to the team. A lot had happened overnight, and it was my duty to talk to them, and get their focus back on to the match.” “Scotland Yard officers came, interviewed, came to my room, went to his [Butt's] room and two more. They were there for about two or three hours. After that, I asked them if there was anything we could do. They said ‘no’.”
    From ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat:
    “We will not tolerate corruption in this great game.”
    From former England captain Michael Vaughan via Twitter:
    “I don’t see how they can get out of this one.”
    From a Guardian editorial on August 30:
    Cricket and betting have form together. The game only became popular in 18th-century England because the aristocrats who sponsored the early clubs got their kicks from betting on games. With betting, all too often, came cheating. “What we want is no umpires and fair cheating all round,” the 1920s Yorkshire cricketer Roy Kilner used to say of the perfect Roses match – if Neville Cardus is to be believed. Even today, cricket cheating thrives in many forms: charges of match-fixing and betting coups coexist with a culture of ball-tampering, sledging, time-wasting and refusal to accept umpires’ decisions. So the reaction to this week’s allegations that Pakistan’s bowlers have been delivering no-balls as part of a betting fix should be kept in perspective. Cricket in shock? Puhlease. Not cricket? Get real.
    From Angus Porter, head of the Professional Cricketers Association, a group representing first-class cricketers in England and Wales, on September 1, in advance of the last two T20 matches between England and Pakistan:
    “Speaking on the behalf of the England team, we can say we think it preferable if those individuals who are named do not play in the forth coming series.”
    From Australia’s The Mercury from September 1:
    “Nothing is sacred to the match-fixers. Not a Test match at the home of the sport, Lord’s. Not the youthful promise of an 18-year-old bowler, one of the most talented in the game. Not even the pride of an impoverished, cricket-mad Pakistan, which is struggling with its biggest natural disaster in years.” “The game becomes so tainted that any exceptional feat or great achievement is suspect, in the same way as drug abuse has cast doubt over the Tour de France and most of the sprint events in athletics. Who would pay good money or even TV rights for a dubious contest?”
    From an editorial in The Kathmandu Post on September 1:
    “Constant allegations of match and spot-fixing are sure to dwindle interest in Tests further and with it will go the romantic image of the game, played in serene, lush-green country settings by well-bred gentlemen. That would not necessarily be a bad thing for the survival of the game as a global sport. Cricket has had to compete with other popular sports like football and basketball, which, like it or not, would not be possible without throwing some money around. But the downside of excess money entering the sport has been there for everyone to see as well: from the deeply flawed bidding process for new IPL franchisees to the packed, year-round playing schedules of modern cricketers. And when some players are deprived of all the money sloshing around—as the Pakistani players have been due to their exclusion from lucrative deals IPL last year—they might well feel justified to take shortcuts.”
    From the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, after Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif pulled out of the rest of their team’s England tour:
    “They [Butt, Amir and Asif] maintain that on account of the mental torture which has deeply affected them, they are not in the right frame of mind to play the remaining matches.” “I believe in their innocence.”
    And then this also from Pakistan’s High Commissioner, questioning the authenticity of the evidence, before he said he thought the players had been set up:
    “Were the videos timed, were they dated… do you have the answers to these questions?”
    From Yasir Hameed, via a statement he gave with the PCB, after a video emerged showing him saying that Pakistani cricketers “were doing it (fixing) in almost every match”:
    “It seems that Abid [undercover reported Mazher Mahmood] had a hidden camera which I was totally unaware of. I then left the hotel with my friend and came back to where I was staying. Two days later Abid then called me and offered me £25,000 to give a statement against the three current players under investigation, which I immediately refused and put the phone down. I neither called nor answered any calls from Abid after this conversation… Subsequently, I received a text message from Abid Khan from his number… which I found to be intimidating… However, I decided not to respond or react. I brought the matter to the attention of PCB.”
    From Anorak.co.uk on September 5, after the video of Yasir Hameed was released showing him confirming the shady dealings of Pakistani cricketers:
    “ALL day long Sky News has been leading with news of the Pakistan cricket fix allegations. But ‘The most sensational sporting scandal ever’ has been utterly overtaken by news that prostitute Jennifer Thompson says she was shagging Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney while his wife Coleen was carrying their child. Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed does his bit to keep cricket on the front page… But it’s not enough: football trumps cricket. Rooney and not Pakistan features on the NoTW’s front page. So the biggest scandal in sport – ever! – is trumped by a claim that Wayne Rooney does it with prostitutes. The advice to Pakistan’s cricketers is to stay quiet and let it all blow over. The biggest sporting scandal in the history of everything, er, isn’t. And with the domestic cricket season drawing to a close the scandal will soon be forgotten. It lacks that vital ingredient that makes a story stick in the public’s mind: sex.”
    From Former England captain Michael Atherton:
    “It is worse than doping, because the fixer is deliberately trying to underperform, so deceiving the paying public.”
    From Shahid Afridi, speaking about Yasir Hameed, after Pakistan’s T20 defeat in Cardiff:
    “Mentally he is 15, 16. I don’t know with who he was sitting or in which situation he gave this message … We have known him for a long time and we can expect anything from him. He has been doing these type of things a lot of times.”
    From Shahid Afridi as reported by Jang:
    “I had a separate meeting with Mohammad Amir and told him he had been stupid to put his promising career at stake for whatever reasons.”
    From English paceman Stuart Broad:
    “There’s always distractions in international cricket, probably more than most this week, but as players you’ve got to be able to shut things out and focus on what you’ve got to do.”
    From Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott, writing in the Telegraph:
    “I am particularly concerned about the size of the no-balls sent down by Mohammad Amir. Professional cricketers play the game within small fractions. It is hard to see how he could have run up and bowled a no-ball by 12 inches without realising he is going to overstep. In normal circumstances, he would know at least two strides before he gets to the crease, and would abort his run-up.” “Now look at the Indians and their response to the revelations surrounding the Hansie Cronjé affair 10 years ago. Mohammad Azharuddin and Manoj Prabhakar were among the players implicated. They were never convicted in a criminal case, but the Indian board was strong. They never played for India again, nor did Ajay Jadeja, even though his ban was quashed in 2003. The selectors cannot be forced to pick people they don’t want to pick. Having these sort of players in your dressing-room can damage the team’s morale, as well as its credibility.” “Shakespeare wrote that Caesar’s wife must be above reproach. The same must be true of cricket. And that means dealing harshly with anyone who casts a shadow on it. If the ACSU aren’t prepared to take this case seriously, they should hand this case over to the former players – people like myself, Ian Botham and Michael Holding, who played tough, competitive cricket throughout our careers. I can promise you, we wouldn’t mess about.”
    From India’s captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on September 7 at a press conference:
    “As far as the corruption unit [ACSU] and their functioning are concerned I think that they are doing a good job… I think that if they [ACSU] become stricter they will start intruding on the privacy of players.”
    Also from Dhoni, while speaking to NDTV news:
    “Harsh decisions need to be taken.”
    From the Associated Press on September 7, nine days after the scandal erupted:
    “Pakistan’s cricketers were being investigated by the ICC for fixing in a one-day series even before their contentious fourth test against England last month. The International Cricket Council suspended three players last week after charging them under its anti-corruption code but had already written to two players to ask for telephone records as part of an investigation into possible contact with bookmakers. Britain’s newspapers widely reported that test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal were the players contacted.”
    From Yawar Saeed, on the September 7 allegations:
    “There will be absolutely no comment … I am not going to say anything on the allegations. They are there and we are here, getting on with our jobs on the tour.”
    Vote in the poll:
    Is the spot-fixing controversy involving Pakistan's national squad a conspiracy to tarnish Pakistani cricket?
    • No (52%, 150 Votes)
    • Yes (46%, 131 Votes)
    • Undecided (2%, 14 Votes)
    Total Voters: 286
    ]]>     7016 0 0 0     More Investigations and Cricket Fixing Allegations Against Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/more-investigations-and-cricket-fixing-allegations-against-pakistan/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:11:02 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7047 Associated Press reported the following:
    “Pakistan’s cricketers were being investigated by the ICC for fixing in a one-day series even before their contentious fourth test against England last month. The International Cricket Council suspended three players last week after charging them under its anti-corruption code but had already written to two players to ask for telephone records as part of an investigation into possible contact with bookmakers. Britain’s newspapers widely reported that test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal were the players contacted.”
    The manager of Pakistan’s cricket team, Yawar Saeed, brushed aside the accusations by saying, “They [the allegations] are there and we are here, getting on with our jobs on the tour.” His comment won’t make the latest news disappear, nor will it make the prying eyes of the media go away, but it shows some calm existential acceptance on the beaten manager’s part: we have to share the world with all sorts of things, it doesn’t mean we have to deliberate over all of them. Perhaps he wants us to treat it like a fart in a crowded room: some people will pick up on the gas spotting the atmosphere, others won’t. If you pretend like you don’t notice, others may not either, and like all things, it too shall, well, er, pass. Except that these allegations are potentially much more than hot air.
    Vote in the Poll:
    Is the spot-fixing controversy involving Pakistan's national squad a conspiracy to tarnish Pakistani cricket?
    • No (52%, 150 Votes)
    • Yes (46%, 131 Votes)
    • Undecided (2%, 14 Votes)
    Total Voters: 286
    ]]>     7047 0 0 0     Spot-Fixing, Match-Fixing: Is Pakistan Cricket the Victim of a Conspiracy? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/spot-fixing-match-fixing-is-pakistan-cricket-the-victim-of-a-conspiracy/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:30:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7070 News of the World broke the betting-scam story involving the Pakistani cricket team on August 29 and publicly presented some strong and convincing evidence against the Green Shirts, the tabloid, on September 5, released another reportthat said that cricketer Yasir Hameed had “sensationally confirmed” its report that some Pakistani players had accepted money to fix aspects of a recent Test match against England.
    Respected opening batsman Yasir Hameed claims bent teammates were fixing “almost every match”. And he provided a devastating insight into the shady world of betting scams, telling how he: • REFUSED bribes of up to £150,000 from a corrupt bookmaker to throw matches. • LOST his own place in the squad and saw his career damaged as a result. • WATCHED as crooked colleagues splashed out on plush properties and expensive sports cars funded by their illicit activities. • LEARNED that shameless players pocketed an astonishing £1.8million for rigging a Test match against Australia earlier this year. Hameed, once rated amongst the world’s finest batsmen, said of his scandal-struck colleagues: “They’ve been caught. Only the ones that get caught are branded crooks.
    Fans of Pakistani cricket in the homeland and around the world have felt shame from the disgrace this incident has heaped on a hurting nation desperate for good news and an image makeover. But somehow, despite the damning evidence, many Pakistani fans interviewed on one Pakistani newscast on Sunday September 5, said they feel something sinister is afoot. They feel there is a conspiracy to tarnish Pakistan. They feel the team and players have been set-up. (Sure, the Pakistani team was set-up, in the sense that theNews of the World engineered a sting – but during that sting an alleged middleman for the Pakistani team, Mazhar Majeed, seems to prove that some Pakistani cricketers will do anything to make some extra cash). These too-loyal fans feel the Brits have been rude hosts, and the England team should watch out for the inevitable payback that will come when international cricket returns to the land of the pure – what that means is too frightening to contemplate. Do these people still feel that way after hearing Yasir Hameed’s comments about the diseased and soiled nature of the team he is a part of? Or will they think that his comments have been tampered with, and that his meeting in a UK pub was also part of a bigger conspiracy? Hameed has tried to deny he gave the interview. At the same time, Hameed via Pakistan cricket legal counsel has tried to justify his comments with a public statement given in the UK, but it is hardly enough to douse the fire (which he has further fuelled).
    What do you think? Do you think the allegations of spot-fixing are genuine or fake? Participate in the poll below.
    Is the spot-fixing controversy involving Pakistan's national squad a conspiracy to tarnish Pakistani cricket?
    • No (52%, 150 Votes)
    • Yes (46%, 131 Votes)
    • Undecided (2%, 14 Votes)
    Total Voters: 286
    ]]>     7070 0 0 0     Water in Sindh will take Weeks to Recede http://candle-thread.com/newsline/water-in-sindh-will-take-weeks-to-recede/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:36:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7074 ]]> 7074 0 0 0 Were Blasts Against Shias in Lahore and Quetta Impossible to Stop? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/were-blasts-against-shias-in-lahore-and-quetta-impossible-to-stop/ Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:38:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7082 Newsline said that the police actually had information about something insidious being afoot. “They approached us on Wednesday morning and told us to be vigilant. They had received intelligence reports about something being planned.” In fact, the source claims that the police believed the terrorists had already infiltrated the area days before in preparation for the attack. Armed with this information, law-enforcement personnel were still unable to do much. It shows once again that protecting the public against terror attacks is nearly impossible: how do you stop someone who is willing to blow himself up without warning? There is no end in sight for the sectarian violence that continues to deepen many of the rifts in the country. It has metastasised across the nation. Three cities have seen violence against Shia mourners in as many days: Lahore and Karachi on Wednesday, and a gruesome strike in Quetta on Friday where over 50 people were killed and 197 injured. A Dawn editorial from September 3 said this:
    “The Shia community must also accept the fact that local administrations, inept or otherwise, cannot go it alone in preventing attacks on its members. Community volunteers are already doing a commendable job manning entrance points to various imambargahs and conducting security checks on those who wish to enter. Worshippers do not mind this frisking because it is carried out by their own. Perhaps it is time that such checks, though admittedly a far more testing task, were replicated at checkpoints along procession routes because the police are naturally hesitant to offend anyone’s religious sensibilities. In short, this is a joint struggle and everyone must be on board.”
    But is that enough? Or should large public processions by the Shia community be banned like the interior minister is hinting at? Have your say: vote in the poll below.
    Should public processions by the Shia community be banned from happening in city streets and market areas in the name of public safety?
    • No. Everyone has the right to assembly and practice their faith in peace. (48%, 152 Votes)
    • Yes. In fact, ban all public religious processions by all groups, period. No exceptions for anyone.(40%, 128 Votes)
    • Yes. Shias will be always a target and as such their events put too many people at risk. (7%, 21 Votes)
    • Yes. But so should all processions and large public events by other religious minorities. (6%, 20 Votes)
    • Undecided. (0%, 11 Votes)
    Total Voters: 317
    ]]>     7082 0 0 0     The Wheels of Time http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-wheels-of-time/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:57:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7261 Newsweek last year. It sits in the august company of the railway terminals of Mumbai, Antwerp and New York’s Grand Central Station. Architect William Brunton would have been proud of his own designing prowess for he created an architectural marvel utilised as both the hub of a revolutionary mass transit system and a military fortress. Contractor Muhammad Sultan, who is said to have procured the bricks for its construction from the derelict mosque of post-Ranjit Singh Lahore, deserves equal acclaim – ostensibly, 95 per cent of the original bricks are still in place. In glaring contrast to present-day Lahore, which revels in its new-found brand-consciousness, the Lahore Railway Station presides haughtily over the cacophony of human and vehicular traffic. Even today, it boasts an ambiance of its own, (wherein the major actors) continue to be an army of red-coated coolies besides, of course, the rehriwalas carting assorted cargo, who give close competition to the food stalls and small restaurants nearby. Pizza Hut and KFC appear as nominal attractions compared to the inveterate small shops on the platforms. As the trains roll in, it’s the tea kiosks with their spicy offerings of bun kebabs and cake rusks that soothe the nerves of weary passengers (see photo gallery below). Originally built at a cost of Rs 500,000, the station building is a pulsating reminder of the post-1857 assertion of colonial might. The British fashioned the structure in a manner so as to not only bridge vast distances across the subcontinent but also for the prime military purpose of dispatching troops and artillery to trouble spots across the empire. The building offers an intriguing insight into the region’s military history, as can be gauged from the two turrets with their castellated parapets and a galley linking its tall and formidable towers flanking the massive entrance hall. The entire structure and layout of the street adjacent to it are not the only testaments to its militaristic blueprint. The towers were fashioned to withstand bombardment and have a built-in space for stocking guns in cases of disruption of rail services. In the event of an emergency, the towers have served as effective barricades, sealing off the train sheds and much of what in those times had constituted the inner city. Architect Brunton must have had a tough time drawing the architectural lines between the rulers and the ruled. In those heady days of the Great Empire, the main entrance hall, which is now teeming with the masses, was reserved for the British officers and the privileged few who could afford to travel first class. For the others, waiting halls of decidedly inferior quality, with separate entrances, were provided. Seasoned train travellers of the earlier days revel in memories of the Lahore railway station of yore: the tracks along the platforms were lined with squatting coolies in battle formation, ready to descend upon disembarking passengers; the majestic entry of the steam locomotives heading passenger coaches; and the rush of vendors competing with the dining-car fare even before the train ground to a full halt. They still remember the exquisite period furniture in the waiting rooms and the solid deodar doors with coloured window panes. As the weary traveller sat on the wrought-iron benches for a moment of rest, their eyes would wander along the overhead bridges connecting the platforms or take in the motley crowd wending its way along the various platforms and weave stories about them. The more erudite would take pride in the fact that the amount of wood used in constructing the Lahore railway station was far more than all the wood ever used in the walled city. They would lament the fact that the priceless wood carted all the way from Burma in the heydays of the Empire was subjected to pillage of the worst order in later times. A few years back when architect Nayyar Ali Dada’s team was assigned the task of restoring the structure to its original glory, they discovered the original brick walls beneath layers of repainting. But despite the ravages of time and tide, the station maintains an aura of its own, boasting a peculiar architectural magnificence and a sense of rooted history. These were the platforms on which the Hollywood movie Bhowani Junction, starring Ava Gardner, was filmed in 1956. And on which train-loads of massacred Muslim bodies, piled on top of each other, arrived from India at the time of partition. The wheels of time have moved on. But the Lahore Railway Station stands as a silent witness to all that – and more.
    Click any photo to begin the slide show:
    Photography: Ayesha Vellani]]>     7261 0 0 0     “Are your people cockroaches?” http://candle-thread.com/newsline/are-your-people-cockroaches/ Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:45:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7333 cockroaches; or terrorists; or dead?” This is my answer: My people are not the cricketing superstars out for money or ego; my people are not the corrupt politicians — or, face it, generals, talking heads, and chattering classes — living off the billions pouring in from ‘The West’; my people are not the inflexible obscurantists wedded to a narrow faith, quick to condemn everyone that does not believe as they do. Yes, those are of my people, too. Those are our wayward children, whom my people have given too much rope. But my people are my elders whose deep, deep faith never was the hard, angry faith you see in the pictures on CNN; my people are my younger brothers and sisters who you see in the picture above. My people are a Sufi people deep under their skin; oblivious to money, ego, power, and violence. Oblivious to the cockroaches running around underfoot. Whether they sit for 10 nights alone in a mosque this month; whether they carry red banners, wear Ray Bans and go deep into the Sindhi desert to work with the poorest and the landless — even when there is no flood and no earthquake. My people are a people of the spirit. For my people are not the noisy whirling dervishes of Rum; not the militant Naqshbandi fighters of Shamyl; not the Tijani warriors of Shehu Usman. My people are of what scholars call “quietist” Sufis. The enduring value of my people is sabr-o-shukr, a metaphysical patience with and thankfulness for what they receive in life; they persevere; and they are quiet. And it’s a quiet that hides a strength. For amongst my people is a popular line, one you will find painted in gawdy colours on multi-coloured trucks, buses, taxis and rickshaws from Kutch to Kaghan, from the border with Iran to the Line of Control in Kashmir. It says, simply:
    Na chaid malanga nu
    Don’t torment the malang; the fakir; the poor, simple, spiritual being that seems to only live on the very little the world leaves him — and her. For that is the question going through my mind tonight: how long will the malang, oblivious and patient in his lot, maintain that composure, that sabr. That tolerance of cockroaches.]]>     7333 0 0 0     Protest Against Sialkot Murders Goes Off Track http://candle-thread.com/newsline/protest-against-sialkot-murders-goes-off-track/ Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:12:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7346 “This is a mourning protest by CIVIL SOCIETY. We will begin with a minute of silence in memory of [the] Butt brothers. We must show restraint and tolerance and decorum in our words and actions. No violent or foul language. No violent demands. We must ask for Rule of Law and thorough and transparent legal procedure. We must ask for Speedy Justice. We must assure the family of the deceased brothers [of] our support till they get justice. We must promise ourselves that this is not the last time we are raising our collective voice against barbarianism, lawlessness, brutality and Police high-handedness; this is just the beginning. We must vow that we will stand up against injustice done to anyone and everyone till the time we get our society rid of such malaise. Hope you all agree and join hands in establishing peace and harmony in Pakistan.” “Civil society killed those boys,” rang a voice from the podium. And civil society made a debacle of itself at the Arts Council in Karachi. [caption id="attachment_7347" align="alignright" width="268"]protest-shehla-raza MPA Shehla Raza speaks to the press at the protest on August 26, 2010. Photo: Ahmed Shajee Aijazi[/caption] Civil society prides itself as being the protector of democracy and human rights; it boasts that it is educated and aware. Clearly it is deluding itself. If it were really aware, would it have needed reminding of how to behave, to stop engaging in screaming matches with politicians (the likes for which it takes the media to task) and to get the facts right: it was not the mandate of Shehla Raza (who is neither a federal minister, nor a parliamentarian from Sialkot or the Punjab) to do anything more than offer words. And surely words are not enough. At least the organisers and speakers kept their head. Thank you Ayesha Tammy Haq for reminding the overzealous crowd what they were there for in the first place, and that among others, it is the chief justice of Pakistan’s mandate to address the issue at hand. Thank you Mohsin Sayeed for being “rude” enough in your own words to ask the crowd to settle and participate constructively in the programme, or to simply leave if their aim was to get themselves on TV. Such behaviour brings disrepute to other members of civil society who unlike some, are acting constructively. One such step was to post letters to the chief justice. Volunteers at the event distributed a statement that each audience member signed and returned to desks set up at the venue. These letters were then stamped (with postage stickers) and mailed out to the chief justice. That is one way of making a difference – in a civilised way. While writing hundreds of letters to the CJ is one way of perhaps securing justice for the two boys, there still could be several others. A brainstorming session could have been held. Ideas could have been pooled, resources identified, expertise offered: a plan for collective and constructive action could have been devised. [caption id="attachment_7348" align="alignright" width="268"]protest-banner-sialkot-murders A protester holds up a sign in Karachi against the public beating and murders of two brothers. Photo: Ahmed Shajee Aijazi[/caption] The podium was open to speakers, anybody who wanted to say something – and there were people saying things that made sense, if only they could be heard over the chanting. The crowd chose, instead, to disperse and make its way to the Press Club where it stood for some time in front of media men to chant some more and hold up banners. Flash protests are not enough if things need to change in this country. One day for Kainat Soomro and another for the girls who were buried alive in Balochistan will not achieve justice. Let’s be angry and unforgiving about the atrocities committed but let’s also channel that outrage to effect change by resolving to take a stand on issues, not only by appearing once at a protest but also by seeing matters through, resting only when justice is meted out. As one speaker rightly pointed out, the murder of the young brothers in Sialkot is not the first incident of its kind, and it won’t be the last. When gunpoint robberies became a common occurrence, the usual piece of advice was: “Don’t resist, just give them what they ask for.” But then the tide changed. “Run them over if you have to,” some argued. “Shoot them dead, if you have a gun.” It wasn’t very long ago that Karachi’s Defence area was terrorised by the white Corolla criminals who looted and raped victims. The public consensus then was to shoot the accused if he got out on bail – because he surely would with his connections. Justice in courts or by law-enforcers is not something the public has come to expect in Pakistan, especially when the law-enforcers themselves are the law-breakers. Take for instance the recent case where the police stopped a couple on their way home, forced money out of them, illegally detained them at the police station and raped the woman. Vigilante justice does not stem from nowhere. There are countless families around the country whose members have been victims of dacoity, torture, extortion and rape. How many murders have been committed, whether to settle a score or to snatch a mobile phone? And in how many of these cases have the offenders been punished, much less apprehended? People are sick of being looted, raped, extorted, murdered. They are sick of reaching out for help and not getting it. So, they take matters into their own hands. To stop this from happening, at least one example must be set where justice is served.
    To see more pictures of the protest by Ahmed Shajee Aijazi, click here. To vote in our poll about the Sialkot murders, scroll down and have your say, or click here to leave a comment.
    What segment of our society do you most blame for the public beating and murder of two boys in Sialkot on August 15?
    • Sialkot police (31%, 160 Votes)
    • The crowds who watched but did not intervene (24%, 122 Votes)
    • A culture of violence (20%, 102 Votes)
    • Poor governance (15%, 77 Votes)
    • An ineffective judicial system (10%, 53 Votes)
    • Other (0%, 13 Votes)
    Total Voters: 510
    ]]>     7346 0 0 0     Photo Gallery: Flood-hit Akora Khattak in KP http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-flood-hit-akora-khattak-in-kp/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:29:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7353 Newsline had a chance to visit a few areas around Nowshera city. In the photo gallery below, the devastation inflicted by the floods on the village of Akora Khattak is painfully clear. Relief goods coordinated and delivered by NGOs, such as the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation (OAKDF), have reached residents there and the distribution process has been remarkably smooth. Several photographs show locals patiently and systematically partaking in the distribution of the relief supplies in partnership with OAKDF. And children seem to be children: hanging around everywhere and observing everything, even as relief and repair work goes on around them.  ]]> 7353 0 0 0 > From Akora Khattak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Men shift relief supplies in mohalla Malla, alongside the Kabul River. Photo: Talib Qizilbash";}i:16;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:85:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/17akora_khattak08-10.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:158:"From Akora Khattak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A girl in a purple kameez holds a small bag of potatoes at a relief goods distribution point. Photo: Talib Qizilbash";}i:17;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:85:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18akora_khattak08-10.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:148:"From Akora Khattak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: As locals ready their supplies to carry away, children stand and look on curiously. Photo: Talib Qizilbash";}i:18;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:85:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/19akora_khattak08-10.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:129:"From Akora Khattak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A girl blocks the sun as men distribute relief goods behind her. Photo: Talib Qizilbash";}i:19;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:85:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20akora_khattak08-10.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:121:"From Akora Khattak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A man carries his sacks of wheat home as children watch. Photo: Talib Qizilbash";}}]]> Omar Asghar Khan Foundation: Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief http://candle-thread.com/newsline/omar-asghar-khan-foundation-pakistan-2010-flood-relief/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:34:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7376 The floods that have ravaged Pakistan in July and August 2010 have left many towns and villages cut off from the rest of the country. Below is some information on the relief efforts of the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation. First is some information on the NGO itself, and next there are details about the chairlifts and suspension bridges that the foundation is helping locals to build in affected areas, such as Kohistan and Battagram. Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief On 2nd August 2010 Omar Asghar Khan Foundation initiated its Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief. It draws on the Foundation’s extensive experience of organizing affected people, following the 2005 earthquake and the 2009 Malakand conflict, and working with them to extend relief and rehabilitation support. The design of Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief is based on first-hand needs assessments, review of secondary data, and on the Foundation’s knowledge of the area and its links with local people. Objectives To extend relief assistance to people affected by the 2010 floods in Pakistan by providing:
    • 15-day package of food and essential non-food items
    • Clean drinking water or water purification tablets
    • Shelter – tents or corrugated iron sheets
    • Access – chairlifts, suspension bridges, pedestrian pathways, and road clearance
    • Psycho-social support and facilitation to access healthcare
    • Liaising with government and other organizations to ensure effectiveness
    Outreach and Distribution Mechanism Sixteen of the 24 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are affected by the floods. Of these, nine are severely affected. Many in need of urgent aid are difficult to access as areas are isolated due to road/bridge destruction/damage; and blockages due to landslides. The Foundation is initially focusing on the following districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
    • Nowshera
    • Charsadda
    • Shangla
    • Kohistan
    • Battagram
    • Mansehra
    The Foundation’s Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief will be extended to other affected areas as its work continues. Through collaboration with other partners, the Foundation is also extending relief assistance to affected areas in the Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and also plans to support efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan. Providing Shelter Shelter is an urgent need as more than two million homes are damaged or destroyed. The Foundation is providing tents or corrugated iron sheets to families that are displaced or are living near their destroyed houses. shelter-cost-oakdf-2010 Access Many areas are isolated as bridges, roads, and even jeep tracks are washed away. People are forced to cover long distances on foot often over very difficult terrain to access food. The Foundation is working in collaboration with local communities to restore access.

    Installation of Chairlifts:

    Chairlifts are being installed to connect areas that are isolated due to destruction of bridges or blockages due to landslides. They help people access food, healthcare and other basic needs. Selection of sites for chairlifts is under process. The following two ongoing projects serve as illustrative examples of costs, extent of support, etc. Chairlift: Shangla-Battagram: The Kund Bridge over the River Indus connecting people of District Battagram with Shangla was washed away by the floods. A manual structure was put in place by local people to restore some access, even though it is extremely hazardous. Under the Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief, a mechanized chairlift is being installed to reconnect access, which is also more safe and reliable. More than 60,000 people of four union councils of District Battagram will benefit from this intervention. Its estimated cost is Rs.484,000 and installation time is about 15 days. Chairlift: Dubair, District Kohistan: The town of Dubair, the gateway to Kohistan along the Karakorum Highway, was almost entirely swept away by the floods, destroying its bazaar, homes, and the main bridge that connected the area to the main Karakorum highway. Desperate for access, people walk for hours along extremely difficult terrain to reach bazaars in Bisham or other places to access food and other essentials. Under the Pakistan 2010 Flood Relief, a mechanized chairlift will provide stronger and safer access, spanning 400 ft, to the local people. The estimated cost of this mechanized chairlift is Rs.550,000.

    Construction of Suspension Bridges:

    A series of suspension bridges are to be built across ravines and gorges to reconnect people living in far flung areas who are isolated due to destroyed bridges and road networks. These bridges will be located to provide access to secondary routes that link up to main roads so that people are able to access food, healthcare and other basic necessities. These bridges have longer term value as they will continue to be a means of access for local communities. The cost of bridges varies according to their length. At present, the two that have been surveyed will cost Rs.400,000 each, in which local communities will provide support upto Rs.50,000. - Source: Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
    For more information on this NGO’s flood relief programme, visit their website here.
    ]]>     7376 0 0 0     Flood Victims Play Active Role in Relief Process http://candle-thread.com/newsline/flood-victims-play-active-role-in-relief-process/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:47:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7381 see a photo gallery here). OAKDF gets local affectees to elect a committee that then becomes integral to the assessment and distribution process. In fact, committee members effectively manage the distribution of relief goods. So while OAKDF raises funds, prepares the relief packages and delivers them directly to the flood-hit areas, the committee manages the lists of registered locals that record who received what and when they received it. “The affectees thus play an active role in partnership with the foundation to facilitate the relief process,” says Ali Asghar Khan, a key member within the organisation. OAKDF also does not take on more than they can handle. We travelled with the NGO to an affected area in Akora Khattak in Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after putting together some funds from friends, families and colleagues. There were many mohallas hit by the flood, requiring assistance. They couldn’t help them all. They singled out three. The funds we raised went towards residents and families in these neighbourhoods. Other relief groups focused on the other areas. The funds we provided were pooled with other donations to buy 115 food packets – our group funded 50 of those, a group from Karachi funded the remaining 65. Each large package was designed to feed a family of seven for 15 days; and each cost Rs4,000. (see the list below). So these 115 packages would feed about 800 people. Given that there was enough food to last two weeks, the package could not be contained in one easily transportable unit. It consisted of separate bags, sacks, cans and boxes. Trucks filled with supplies reached the village before us. The cargo was offloaded and piled in a middle of a clearing next to the muddy road that wended its way near the fast-flowing Kabul River. Heavy sacks of flour and rice were piled waist high, forming security-barrier-style walls that kept the crowds of men and children on one side and the smaller items, such as sacks of potatoes, cans of cooking oil and boxes of cookies, on the other. Amazingly, the distribution process remained calm. There was no pushing and shoving. A committee member with a list of names controlled the situation with a few helpers. Men waited patiently in the humidity and as children milled about, absorbing the scene and waiting to help their fathers carry something back home. The multi-piece relief packages were handed out in an orderly fashion, and family representatives quietly carried their share away, bit by bit, as another family member stayed back to guard the rest. [caption id="attachment_7383" align="alignnone" width="880"]Food for 15 days: The full list of a relief package put together by OAKDF shows food and non-food items for a family of seven Food for 15 days: The full list of a relief package put together by OAKDF shows food and non-food items for a family of seven[/caption] The area was hit badly: flood waters reached the top of some buildings here and brought some houses crashing to the ground. Still, many people had places to stay nearby: locals banded together here and ensured everyone had places to sleep and cook. As supplies were being distributed, men were working on restoring electricity to a neighbourhood: thick metal cables were being pulled through the street and men had shimmied up an electrical pole to string wires in the afternoon heat. Heavy rain hit Nowshera District the week after we visited. Luckily, the residents of Mohalla Malla were unaffected, said Noor, a field worker with OAKDF, when I spoke to him over the phone for an update. But the residents will likely continue to need some assistance. This is not the only area OAKDF is working in. They are also heavily involved in Kohistan where bridges have been washed away, leaving thousands stranded. Everywhere it operates, its work eventually shifts from relief to rehabilitation, with the locals actively involved in the entire process. That is the goal at least: as long as the relief funds keep coming in.
    Related article: Flooded Village Looks Like Earthquake-hit Area
    ]]>     7381 0 0 0     Flooded Village Looks Like Earthquake-hit Area http://candle-thread.com/newsline/flooded-village-looks-like-earthquake-hit-area/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:56:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7387
  • the worst flooding since 1929
  • 430 people killed in a week
  • 400,000 people stranded in far-flung villages
  • 1 million people affected
  • evacuees at a small relief camp were suffering from diarrhea and skin problems causing itching: children and the elderly were the worst off
  • fever and cough were prevalent
  • thousands of homes and roads destroyed
  • at least 45 bridges across the northwest were damaged
    • When we reached Mohalla Malla, down a steep slope from the main GT Road in Akora Khattak, it looked like it was still standing. It was and it wasn’t. The water had receded, and once we started to walk around, we saw the signs of the floods: they were mistakable and unbelievable. Whole buildings had been reduced to piles of rubble. The devastation seemed selective, though. While one house fell, the one next to it stood on. While the boundary wall of another building collapsed, the walls of one across the lane still stood, but a door was hanging by one rusty hinge. Sacks of wheat lay soaked, ruined and discarded in alleys. Piles of belongings – clothes, blankets, shredded boxes, cushions – lined the side of the road, pressed up against walls, pushed there but surging waters that flowed through the streets and into and out of houses, carrying away loose items. Water-logged and wasted household items formed nature-made garbage dumps (see a photo gallery here). Water stains on the buildings showed the level of the once raging river. The stains were above the tops of doors, many at least 12 feet above street level. But the Kabul River, which joins the Indus farther south near Attock, had actually risen much more. “It seems like it has returned to its normal level,” I said as I watched the water flowing in front of me, contained within its banks. “No, not at all,” said Noor, a field manager with the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation (OAKDF). “The river is still seven to eight feet above its normal level.” The river was flowing quickly, but standing there it was still was hard to imagine how one river could overflow so much. If the river was already eight feet higher than normal and it reached the tops of roofs over 40 metres away where the street elevation was already about 10 feet higher the riverbank, it meant the river rose by about 30 feet. Moreover, the water spilled out, covering an area much wider than the river itself and still swallowed up homes and villages. The actual volume of water was impossible to imagine. The photographs we have all seen in the press definitely provide a sense of the amount of water that has inundated towns across the nation. But in many ways, trying to truly comprehend the amount of water needed to cause the river to surge for kilometres, making the water level rise in the streets and forcing people to their rooftops was incomprehensible. The water-stained wall in front of me was, however, proof of the impossible. As were the fallen buildings, though they made the area look like an earthquake zone, rather than a flood zone. The statistics of the human and material loss for KP as of August 20 (shown below), a month after the monsoon began, show a province that has suffered immensely and continues to suffer, again. This is a region that has already suffered through years of turmoil: suicide bombings, Taliban rule, military operations, displacement. More people have been killed and injured, and more houses completely destroyed in KP than any other province (though Sindh has more than double the amount of affected persons: almost 3.7 million according to the Federal Flood Commission). We left Nowshera on August 15. On August 16 the rains started again in the north-west. They continued on and off for most of the week. By August 17, my cousin received this SMS from a different relief worker we had been coordinating with: “We are in a major crisis. Nowshera has reflooded due to yesterday’s rain. MET is predicting more rains in coming weeks. We were preparing people for early rehab in 15 days. But now water-borne diseases are spreading.” Not all areas of Nowshera District were hit badly during that most recent flooding. Luckily, the residents of Mohalla Malla were unaffected, said Noor from OAKDF, when I spoke to him over the phone for an update. Here is a snapshot of the situation in KP (as reported in the Federal Flood Commission’s “Daily Flood Report” from August 20):
    • Villages Affected: 581
    • People Affected: 1,561,711
    • People Killed: 1,015
    • People Injured: 1,000
    • Houses Fully Destroyed: 108,279
    • Relief Camps Established: 49
    • Heads of Cattle Perished: 8,438
    Read about the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation’s work in Akora Khattakhere. To view a photo gallery of mohalla Malla in Akora Khattak, clickhere.
    ]]>     7387 0 0 0     Individual International Donors are Asked to Send Food via PIA http://candle-thread.com/newsline/individual-international-donors-are-asked-to-send-food-via-pia/ Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:26:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7401 Our director International, Maham, just sent the following message: PIA has started free delivery for transportation of relief goods to Pakistan. You can drop them off at your nearest PIA office and let them know which organization to send it to, and they’ll send it completely free of cost. It seemed like an ideal service for people who have nice quality tents and clean, well-packaged clothes to send. So I checked out the PIA website. On the website, a message under the headline “Free Airlift of Relief Goods” states that all relief supplies can be sent through PIA’s domestic and international networks:
    Collection & Help Desks have been created at all stations in the PIA network to facilitate donors. PIA’s Emergency Response Centre is working 24/7 to maintain close liaison with all stations to streamline logistics. It is a matter of pride for us that Fakhr-e-Alam has decided to join hands with PIA. His rich experience and expertise will go a long way in ensuring efficient and targeted collection.
    However, an informational video by Fakhr-e-Alam states clearly that he wants international donors to send food, not tents or clothes, via PIA at this time. The idea is to try to limit the amount of food inflation in Pakistan by buying the food outside the country and shipping it for free via PIA. PIA has specified the ideal box size (15 inches W x 15 inches L x 12 inches D) for transport and handling in the field (watch the video below). At this time, Alam, the well-known entertainer who has become known for his relief work, is very clear about not sending uncooked items like rice and lentils. Most displaced people are not in tent camps yet, and they have nowhere to cook, he says. If you live outside Pakistan and want to send food, then he instructs you exactly what to buy and pack – he has taken stock of the situation firsthand (though different people and different areas will have different needs). Nonetheless, his recommendations will surprise some. Here are the main food items he is asking individual international donors to send:
    • Juice boxes with straws
    • 1.5L bottles of mineral water
    • salty biscuits
    • sweet biscuits
    • chocolate
    • potato chips
    • Tetra Pak milk
    After going through the list of food, Fakhr-e-Alam reminds donors to ensure that “all items are 100% halal.” But in the end, he wants people to pack more than food. Bars of soap, plastic glasses/cups and a cotton bed sheet also make his list of critical items. The bed sheet, he says, can be used for multiple purposes: as a blanket, mat, or to provide shade. On arrival in Pakistan, the boxes of relief goods will be passed directly on to the Pakistan Army and other NGOs who have the best logistics networks in place. Of course, this is only one option for international donors. Some people may not feel comfortable not knowing exactly who will be handling their packed box or what happens to their box once it lands in a Pakistani airport. Many international aid agencies, such as UNICEF, the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, will take cash donations, and many Pakistani NGOs, like BSRP (Balochistan Rural Support Programme), have foreign currency bank accounts in US dollars and Euros. There are many ways people outside Pakistan can give. Do your due diligence and then pick a method and organisation with which you are comfortable. If you have more queries about PIA’s relief support and efforts, here’s how to get more info: Call PIA’s Emergency Response Centre: +92.21.990.44372 +92.21.990.44862 Visit their website here. ]]>     7401 0 0 0     Required Viewing for the 16 Days of Activism http://candle-thread.com/newsline/required-viewing-for-the-16-days-of-activism/ Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:09:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6311 In the Time of the Butterflies is based on the struggles of the Mirabal sisters. The sisters were political dissidents working to free their nation, the Dominican Republic, from the brutal dictatorship of General Rafael Trujillo from 1930 to 1961. General Trujillo Molina ruled the Dominican Republic for over three decades between 1930 to 1961 — twice as president from 1930-1938 and 1942-1952 — and as an unelected military despot thereafter. His era is known as the one of the 20th century’s bloodiest. Although violence against women occurs under all kinds of governments, this film highlights how much more vicious it is under the absolute and unaccountable power of military dictatorships. The four Mirabal sisters were from an affluent family. They were all university educated and cultured. Their father was a successful farmer and merchant. But soon after the general’s rise to power, the family’s fortunes waned. It was the third sister, Minerva (played by Salma Hayek), who became particularly determined about ending his dictatorship. She studied law and became a lawyer. But the dictator threw obstacles in her path. Because Minerva rejected Trujillo’s romantic advances, he vengefully denied her a license to practice law. Minerva Mirabal and two of her sisters came to be known as “The Butterflies” (Las Mariposas). Butterfly was the nickname Minerva gained when she became involved in the underground movement against Trujillo. Eventually her sisters joined the struggle. Their families were subjected to constant harassment and hardship: arrest, torture and persecution. Even their property and assets were stolen by Trujillo. Two of the sisters, Minerva and Maria Teresa, were jailed, beaten and raped on several occasions. On November 25, 1960, three of the four sisters, Patria, Minerva and Maria, were returning home after visiting their imprisoned husbands when, allegedly, they were intercepted by Trujillo’s secret police. The unarmed sisters were led into a sugarcane field and brutally executed. Even though their deaths were made to look like a car accident, the nation was not fooled. The sisters’ untimely and mysterious death sparked public outrage against Trujillo. He never knew it was the beginning of the end of his reign. Six months later, he was assassinated. It was the second eldest sister, Dede Mirabal-Reyes, who lived to tell the tale. On the 25th anniversary of the death, the Dominican government issued a commemorative stamp to honour the Mirabal sisters. And it was on December 17, 1999, that the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In the Time of the Butterflies is a tragic yet inspirational story of courage and injustice, ideology and struggle. The Mirabal sisters were not just small part of a movement for democracy, they were an equal part of it. In fact, they were an even bigger part of a fight for equal rights. movie-butterflies-big]]> 6311 0 0 0 Ending Gender-based Violence Against Women http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ending-gender-based-violence-against-women/ Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:48:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6332 see Digitised Dishonour). Technology was used as a tool to perpetuate violence. Thus, reclaiming the technology space is an integral part of the TBTT campaign. “Our purpose is to create an awareness of the dangers that are lurking due to the ease of monitoring and stalking, and how women can keep themselves secure and safe online,” says Jehan Ara. “We also wish to inculcate in women and girls that they can harness technology to empower themselves, to share and communicate and to create safe environments for themselves.” Shahzad adds: “For us TBTT means the opening up of cyberspace for women and making this space safe for them for their social interactions and professional growth, and for the promotion of equality among the different socio-economic roles in society.” This year, the campaign focuses on the “the right to expression and information as basic building blocks to end violence against women.” Over the course of these 16 days, the campaign will take the form of slogans, blog posts, workshops and discussions, visible both on ground and in cyberspace. And Shahzad is optimistic that with the continued efforts of TBTT campaigners, the campaign will do wonders and “touch lives.”
    Backgrounder: Take Back the Tech! Take Back The Tech! campaign calls on all information communication technology (ICT) users – especially women and girls – to take control of technology and strategically use any ICT platform (mobile phones, instant messengers, blogs, websites, digital cameras, email, podcasts, etc.) for activism against gender-based violence. Take Back the Tech! accompanies the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (November 25 – December 10 each year) with daily actions that explore different aspects of violence against women and ICT tools. In 2005, the Association for Progressive Communications’ Women’s Network Support Programme (APC WNSP) developed research papers that looked at the connection between ICT and violence against women, an issue that received little attention or discussion at that time. From sharing the findings with women’s rights and communication rights advocates in different spaces, APC WNSP found this to be a critical issue that compelled deeper engagement. As such, Take Back the Tech! sets out to:
    • Create safe digital spaces that protect everyone’s right to participate freely, without harassment or threat to safety.
    • Realise women’s rights to shape, define, participate, use and share knowledge, information and ICT.
    • Address the intersection between communication rights and women’s human rights, especially VAW.
    • Recognise women’s historical and critical participation and contribution to the development of ICT.
    Since it began, the TBTT campaign has been adapted and owned by individuals, groups, networks and organisations all over the world. Campaigners have initiated local Take Back The Tech! campaigns in Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, the Congo, Germany, India, Macedonia, Mexico, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, USA, etc. In Pakistan the TBTT campaign is a collaboration between BytesforAll (a South Asian civil society rights organization) and P@SHA (the trade organization representing the Pakistan IT industry).
    ]]>     6332 0 0 0     Smile Again http://candle-thread.com/newsline/smile-again/ Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:52:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6591 Newsline‘s special coverage of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and how it is affecting the lives of Pakistan’s most vulnerable citizens, the country’s food supply, the fragile economy and the neglected environment, as well as what Pakistan’s politicians and bureaucrats are doing about it all. More articles will be published over the coming days. I first met Salma at a school-turned relief camp in Hyderabad. We were there to distribute rations and Eid gifts for children a day before Eid. The thought of seeing a smile on the children’s faces at the sight of new clothes, shoes and bangles kept us restless for days, until we finally began the distribution. We entered a dimly lit room, crammed with women, children and swarming flies. Children had lined up against the walls, anxious as we unpacked the clothes and began to hand them one by one. Most of them were extremely eager, coming forth and beaming confidently as soon as we took out a dress that matched their size. It is here that I came across Salma. She was fidgety and as soon as I handed over the clothes to her, she immediately ran back and hid behind her mother. Seven years of age, Salma has a cleft palate. Cleft palate is a birth defect that affects the upper lip and roof of the mouth. This happens when the tissues that form the roof of the mouth and the upper lip don’t join before birth. The problem can range from a small notch in the lip to a groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose. Apart from the physical deformity, patients with a cleft palate have difficulty eating, talking and, at times, the condition could lead to severe ear and lung infections. Additionally, since these children do not have a hard palate, they are not able to suck, which leads to an increased number of deaths during infancy. Fortunately, Salma had survived the ordeal as an infant because she was not breastfed. But her deformity could lead to other, more serious and fatal medical problems. The only solution to this problem is a hard palate surgery and lip reconstruction. Even though providing such specialised medical assistance was not part of our relief efforts, my concern for Salma’s future motivated me to go beyond the usual relief efforts. After all, she would probably never have access to an expert in cleft palate surgery. Before we left the camp that day, I asked her mother if she would agree to a surgery if one could arrange for it, and she said she would be more than willing as it would change her daughter’s life forever. Within days, we were able to find a surgeon: Dr Ashraf Ganatra, project director of Smile Train, a US-based non-governmental organisation involved in helping patients with cleft lip and cleft palate across the world. He carried out the surgical procedure free of cost. I cannot forget the tears of joy in Salma’s mother’s eyes. She said that the floods had turned into a blessing for her, a miracle that had changed her daughter’s life forever. Salma is now back in her village in Hyderabad, after a successful hard palate surgery. Her lip reconstruction is due after six months and her family has promised to bring her back to Karachi for the procedure.]]> 6591 0 0 0 Musharraf: Dear Pakistanis, Forgive Me http://candle-thread.com/newsline/musharraf-dear-pakistanis-forgive-me/ Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:01:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6619 “Mai is mauqe pe Pakistan ki awam se muazrath khwa hoon.” Which in English would translate simply to: “On this occasion, I seek forgiveness from the people of Pakistan.” That was rare. One is tempted to say classy. I yield to no one on being unforgiving for the sins of Pervez Musharraf. But whatever else you think of the guy and the people that follow him, the October 2010 apology above is a very, very rare thing for any politician anywhere, spoken as it is on the way up, rather than at a point where one is cornered into it. Indeed, it is rare for anyone to apologize to the Pakistani people without, as we say in Pakistan, having one’s game piece stuck. Just look at what it took to get our most allied ally to apologise for killing any of our citizens. You know, it’s not a bad idea: in this age of setting aside days to highlight things we think are wrong with the world, maybe we should have an “World Apologize to the Pakistani People Day.” Might make for a more peaceful world. What say?]]> 6619 0 0 0 Karachi Violence: More Dead, Less Action http://candle-thread.com/newsline/karachi-violence-more-dead-less-action/ Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:54:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6669 Do you have faith in the quality and evenness of a potential crackdown? Do you think the army is best suited for the job? Vote below:
    Should the army be called in to Karachi to implement an across-the-board crackdown on criminal gangs?
    • Yes (56%, 251 Votes)
    • No (43%, 193 Votes)
    • Undecided (1%, 12 Votes)
    Total Voters: 447
    ]]>     6669 0 0 0     Video: Pakistan Army Wins Gold Medal in Cambrian Patrols http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-pakistan-army-wins-gold-medal-in-cambrian-patrols/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:18:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6702 Good news for Pakistan. A video report that will make Pakistanis proud. Click play to begin: ]]> 6702 0 0 0 Race, Religion Never an Issue in Election of Muslim Mayor http://candle-thread.com/newsline/race-religion-never-an-issue-in-election-of-muslim-mayor/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:21:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6706 “This is nothing new. This is what Calgary is.” Journalists and political analysts alike say that race and religion were never issues in the election. In a region of Canada characterised as less liberal, less progressive, that seems like a small miracle. Or perhaps, the stereotypes of Calgary are outdated. Still, it is important to remember that 60% of voters did not vote for Nenshi. In a television news report on Canada’s CTV, one political scientist, David Taras, said, “I don’t think Calgarians thought of him as the Muslim candidate. They thought of him as the progressive candidate, the candidate with new ideas.” That, right there, is the difference between Canada and the US.
    Watch a fun video from his campaign where he explains to his fellow Calgarians how to pronounce his name:
    ]]>     6706 0 0 0     Poll: Karachi Violence Continues, Number of Dead Rises – Is the Army the Solution? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/poll-karachi-violence-continues-number-of-dead-rises-is-the-army-the-solution/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:25:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6712 Have your say below:
    Should the army be called in to Karachi to implement an across-the-board crackdown on criminal gangs?
    • Yes (56%, 251 Votes)
    • No (43%, 193 Votes)
    • Undecided (1%, 12 Votes)
    Total Voters: 447
    ]]>     6712 0 0 0     Violence in Karachi: Is the Army on its Way? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/violence-in-karachi-is-the-army-on-its-way/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:28:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6714 “MQM has strongly condemned the unrestrained violence in Karachi by the terrorists of ANP and Peoples Amn Committee installed by the government of Pakistan Peoples Party.” On the other hand, Interior Minister Rehman Malik stated that in a metropolis like Karachi, it is difficult to maintain law and order – especially with several gangs operating, all of which are pitted against one another. PPP MPA Nabeel Gabol, expressing his personal view and not the party’s stance, said that the local administration was not capable of controlling the situation and under such circumstances the constitution allows the army to assist the local administration. “We need a massive operation in Karachi. We need to de-weaponise Karachi and that can only happen with the help of the army,” he said, speaking to a local news channel. Various circles, both political and public, are abuzz with talk of the law-and-order situation, army deployment and operations against criminal gangs in the wake of the violence that began with the PS-94 by-elections (the by-elections were necessary because the seat fell vacant after the assassination of MQM legislator Raza Haider in August 2010). There has been extensive debate on the deployment of the army in Karachi as the police and Rangers have proven inept of controlling the now deadly and instable situation. Citizens claim that instead of protecting them, law enforcers asked them to run away and save themselves while they proceeded to park their vehicles near police stations for their own safety. The problem with the police force, according to ex-DG FIA, Wajahat Latif, is that it has become politicised and has become the personal servant of certain individuals. “The psyche of the police has changed. They look for alignments.” So then, where is the army and why hasn’t it been called in? While the ANP’s Shahi Syed supports the deployment of the army in Karachi, the PPP maintains that the police and Rangers are perfectly capable of handling the situation and that there is no need for the army (see the poll below). In order for the army to be deployed and take charge of the law-and-order situation, the provincial government would have to give an undertaking to the federal government that it has failed to control the situation and the federal government would then act upon it. But such an undertaking would have adverse effects on the PPP’s image and reflect badly on its ability to handle its position. Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s decision to lift the ban on “double sawari” (pillion riding) has been called into question by many people. On October 16, Mirza lifted the ban on two-person motorcycle riding, which had been imposed to curtail target killings. Why then, many people are asking, did he choose to do so on the eve of the PS-94 by-elections when there was bound to be violence? Sure, the ban was re-imposed before the Shershah incident took place. But this came after the death count had already reached 40. The MQM has held Jabbar Langra’s gang, operating out of Lyari, responsible for the Shershah attack (which is being viewed as a reaction to the recent operation in Lyari). “What we need is less rhetoric and more action. Take action against gangs, land-grabbers, drug smugglers,” said MQM’s Tahir Mashhadi on a talk show. Mashhadi also accused Zulfiqar Mirza of patronising criminal gangs in Lyari, after which Sharmila Farooqui “categorically” stated that neither the PPP nor Zulfiqar Mirza have patronised any criminal gangs in Lyari, or elsewhere. “When we go for a crackdown, we will go for a crackdown on all the gangs in Karachi. It has already started; that is what the police and rangers are doing,” she said. The home minister has been conducting raids in different parts of the city in an attempt to crack down on criminal gangs, and plans to continue doing so. Speaking to a news channel, Mirza spoke of his intent to impose a curfew if required for further crackdowns, mentioning the Nazimabad, Azizabad and Malir areas specifically. History is testimony to the fact that operations and crackdowns – be they army or civilian – against “criminal elements” have not been across the board and have in fact targeted certain groups with certain political affiliations. Is the same going to be repeated again? Besides, there is considerable doubt regarding the political will for an across-the-board crackdown on criminal gangs, as it is widely believed that operatives from these gangs have found a place for themselves within the various political parties. Karachi awaits for its fate to be decided by the various political stakeholders. The situation could get uglier than it already is if political issues are not resolved soon because in the absence of table talks, media statements will continue to add fuel to fire and a count of dead bodies will continue to rise on the streets.
    Is it time to get serious with the lawlessness in Karachi? Should the government be fighting violence with violence? Have your say below:
    Should the army be called in to Karachi to implement an across-the-board crackdown on criminal gangs?
    • Yes (56%, 251 Votes)
    • No (43%, 193 Votes)
    • Undecided (1%, 12 Votes)
    Total Voters: 447
    ]]>     6714 0 0 0     The Sea and Sand Tool Kit http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-sea-and-sand-tool-kit/ Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:09:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6742

    Ten things to make your day at the beach the perfect day of rest and relaxation: for everyone, including man’s best friend

    I heart Karachi. Actually, I love all the bits of Pakistan that I have seen – admittedly this is not much. Still, I have found much to love wherever I have gone. I love the scent of pine trees in beautiful, green Islamabad, and I am stunned by the idea that you can walk into the hills every day. I love the laid back charm of Lahore with its fantastic, palpable history. I love Thatta and the farms that I have visited; I cherish happy memories of picking guavas from the trees and eating pakoras with the villagers there. I love Nathiagali and the stunning beauty of the foothills of the Himalayas (and the parathas that you eat there for ‘energy’). I am too chicken to venture further north, but if the baby Himalayas are that beautiful, I imagine that the big daddies would strike me with wonder. I would love to walk on the glaciers and see the beauty of Kashmir and Balochistan. But as a Karachiite, I can tell you that of all the things that we love about our city (and there are many!) the beach is the extremely plump cherry on top of this multi-layered, chaotic, available-at-all-hours cake. A winter sunset in Karachi is a thing of beauty, but pop that on top of a seascape and now you’re talking. I have so many lovely beach memories, some from when I was a child and some as fresh as last week: sun, sand, the big panorama of blue, green and grey, rock pools, long walks, ice boxes, cool ocean spray, skipping pebbles – and all culminating with the sleepy drive home and a shower that relaxes me for a sleep like no other. I love how everyone becomes young at the beach. We are all equally thrilled by the water, the wind and the view. Here are some of the items that really add to my beach trips: the small things that make a big difference. I bet you don’t have all of them. And yes, you need more than a Frisbee and a towel.

    The Basics

    1. Beach Sandals A good pair of beach sandals is essential to your comfort. Not only in the moment where you can slip on the rocks but also later on, where an ill fitting sandal will give you blisters that appear the next day. Plus this is one of the greatest beach statements that you can make, what kind of sandal guy or gal are you? Bright? Sensible? Old fogey? Plus I think nothing sends the message “I am relaxing” to your brain louder than looking down and seeing a beach thong on your foot! [caption id="attachment_6744" align="alignright" width="405"]Wear Sunscreen: The spray-on kind makes life easier on kids and mothers. Wear Sunscreen: The spray-on kind makes life easier on kids and mothers.[/caption] 2. Sunscreen Nothing kills a love for the beach more quickly than getting burnt and leathery skin. Now that everyone realises the risks, I find that people are fairly assiduous in their attention to proper coverage. But for those of you who really want to get technical about UV protection, please know that true sunblock and sunscreen are different. The former is considered stronger protection as it reflects the sun’s rays and lasts longer, meaning that it does not need to be re-applied as often as sunscreen (and traditionally the zinc oxide in sunblock has caused it to appear white, though there are pricey transparent versions available now). With sunscreen, there are also newer and cooler things available on the market that you may not know about, from the super SPF variety to the spray-on kind, which makes life easier on kids and mothers where speed is of the essence – Archie Andrews would not be impressed. [caption id="attachment_6746" align="alignright" width="378"]For good health, style and fun: Don’t forget that a pair of beach shades are going to get scratched up, and so go nuts with your seaside fashion statement and have fun. For good health, style and fun: Don’t forget that a pair of beach shades are going to get scratched up, and so go nuts with your seaside fashion statement and have fun.[/caption] 3. Sunglasses Other than stopping you from squinting all day and giving you a headache, sunglasses help reduce fine lines around the eyes. If you manage to get your hands on a polarized pair then you will be able to reduce glare without losing detail. Polarised sunglasses reduce glare to the point that water seems more transparent and driving becomes easier. But don’t forget: a pair of beach shades are going to get a little scratched up so go nuts with your seaside fashion statement and have some fun!

    The Upgrades

      4. A Tescoma Flask [caption id="attachment_6747" align="alignright" width="195"]beach-tescoma-flask A Tescoma flask[/caption] These are unbreakable stainless steel flasks with a top that clicks open and closed ensuring that the liquid inside stays hot or cold for the whole day. The cup, too, is the perfect size. And one piece of advice when catering to coffee and tea drinkers: take hot water, tea bags, coffee, small milk boxes and sugar to the beach. This way people can customize their beverages to their liking rather than having to drink what you give them. Oh, and sugar cubes are way easier on the go. I like to put a mix of brown and white sugar cubes in a small Tupperware box. (The kids steal all the white ones, so be careful!)       5. Good Tupperware [caption id="attachment_6748" align="alignright" width="239"]beach-sandwich-box Best thing since sliced bread: A sandwich-shaped Tupperware box perfectly fits your bread.[/caption] There are loads of new recyclable, green Tupperware in the market now, but the new shapes are the ones that find me squeaking with excitement in the aisles of Agha’s or Ebco. Check out this handy sandwich-shaped box that not only perfectly fits your bread but also demands the support of a condiment or two. And speaking of condiments….               6. Squeezy Bottles [caption id="attachment_6750" align="alignright" width="348"]Go ahead, squeeze it: The plastic, shatter-proof bottle is a beach no-brainer. Go ahead, squeeze it: The plastic, shatter-proof bottle is a beach no-brainer.[/caption] You have been there. A bottle shatters and everything is a mess. I have not only found organic ketchup, HP sauce, English mustard (essential for a proper roast beef sandwich) but also mayonnaise, salad cream and much more all in soft plastic bottle form.         7. Swiss Army Knife [caption id="attachment_6751" align="alignright" width="374"]Multi-purpose cool: The handy pocket knife will open bottles, pull out blisters and cut dessert. Multi-purpose cool: The handy pocket knife will open bottles, pull out blisters and cut dessert.[/caption] While the purchase of our Swiss Army Knife seemed like plain enthusiasm at the time, I find we use it two to three times each trip. Now that you have to take your own cooler, you also have to have your own opener, and some Swiss Army Knife models have two different sizes. We have often used the knife to cut up food, and the tweezers have come in handy for a nasty splinter or two. The corkscrew is of course purely decorative. Plus the sheer boy scout-ness of the whole operation is just great fun!

    The Extras

    8. The Gimble [caption id="attachment_6752" align="alignright" width="314"]Novel idea: The Gimble is a plastic device that holds paperbacks open, leaving your hands free to do other things. Novel idea: The Gimble is a plastic device that holds paperbacks open, leaving your hands free to do other things.[/caption] I am amazed that more people do not have Gimbles. I use mine constantly. Basically it is a plastic device that holds paperbacks open, leaving your hands free to do other things. And, as you can no doubt guess, it is a very handy little device to have at the beach, where pages fly around turning your relaxing afternoon read in to a rather exasperating experience. I found mine at Liberty Books, but if it is not in stock, then this simple yet inventive device is easily ordered online. 9. Accessories Ziploc bags to transport gooey things such as fruits that can be tossed in to the cooler to be chilled, colourful and durable plastic cutlery that you can use again and again, multi-purpose wipes, face wipes and a paper towel kitchen roll are all little things that add comfort and convenience to a fun (and always messy) trip to the beach. Plus they all ensure minimal clean up when you get home. A worthy aim. 10. Dog Food While many people think of the dogs as pests that should not be encouraged, I think that they have already been trained to ask you for food. I, for one, am happy that they are friendly and sweet and don’t cower at the sight of people. That is not something that we see very often, sadly. So if you do not want to share your fancy beach food with them, then take some naan or bread to feed them, and leave out some water: that would be a real act of kindness that would spread the joy of your beach trip to a few of man’s best friends as well. Photography by Bina Khan ]]>     6742 0 0 0     Chilean President Provides a Lesson for Zardari http://candle-thread.com/newsline/chilean-president-provides-a-lesson-for-zardari/ Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:37:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6755 The rescue of the trapped miners in Chile has been one of the most fascinating news stories of the year. The BBC had extensive coverage (and very expensive coverage: the public broadcaster spent more than double their GBP50,000 budget) but their ratings during the rescue this week show that it was probably worth it: the public was riveted by the story. “More than eight million people viewed the BBC’s online coverage of the miners’ escape” and there was “near-record viewing figures for the BBC News channel,” according to a Guardian report. Besides the flawless and highly emotional rescue, one thing that stood out during the episode was the government’s commitment to their trapped citizens. It is easy to be sceptical about the motives of Chile’s leaders, but often politicians can’t win: if they don’t spend time amongst the people, they are labelled as apathetic, and if they are seen too much in front of the cameras, they are called opportunists. Here’s a comment from the Guardian‘s News blog: “Cynics could accuse of President Pinera and mining minister Golborne of extracting every ounce of political advantage from the drama, but who could blame them. They handled the rescue in what could become a textbook of crisis management. Speaking before the Fenix 2 was sent down for the first time, Pinera said he intended to be there to welcome every one of the 33 men, and he stayed true to his word, bear-hugging each miner as they emerged. Golborne, whose approval ratings have reportedly soared to 86% since the start of the crisis, was ever-present too, his beaming smile awaiting each man.” Below is Newsline‘s assistant editor Farieha Aziz’s take on seeing Chile’s leaders sit through the almost-24-hour rescue operation. - Online Editor On the other side of the screen, in Chile, I saw unity, I saw patriotism and I saw celebration. I saw a president who was there in person, overlooking the the relief efforts, waiting to greet the miners who had been trapped underground since August 5, as they were hauled up one by one. I realise that there are differences between a single incident of this kind and a catastrophe such as the floods that hit our country. But I couldn’t help but think, Chile’s president flew back because there were 33 miners trapped underground. Here though, when the floods hit and millions were affected, our president was not pressed to return to the country immediately. Their president stood there (without any gun-toting security officials) like any other man in the crowd. And here, despite the shalwar kameez and the Sindhi topi (hat) and the squatting-down position to speak to flood affectees, I saw our president sticking out sorely from among the crowd. I realise ours is a different culture and that without gun-toting officials, there is a great risk to the lives of our statesmen, and in turn ours (after all, it is we who bear the brunt of the stone-pelting, torching of cars and the general mayhem on the streets that ensues after the death of political big-wigs). But, just for a moment, seeing the images from the Chile mine rescue, I couldn’t help but long for the same. I couldn’t help but wish for the same kind of solidarity, patriotism and happiness I saw among the people and their head of state. There, they had their president on the scene. Here, we cry for even the relevant person from the relevant authority to show up.
    Click play below to view a video of some of BBC’s coverage of the Chilean mine rescue operation:
    ]]>     6755 0 0 0     Video: Federer and Sampras vs Nadal and Agassi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-federer-and-sampras-vs-nadal-and-agassi/ Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:32:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6784 Click play and enjoy: ]]> 6784 0 0 0 Unfriendly Fire? NATO Helicopters Kill Pakistani Soldiers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/unfriendly-fire-nato-helicopters-kill-pakistani-soldiers/ Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:53:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6796 report on October 1, 2010:
    “The third violation of Pakistan’s airspace by NATO in a week is seen by many as part of a plan to extend the Afghan war into Pakistan.”
    The comment reeks of speculation and conspiracy, but given the frequency of cross-border incursions recently, this is one conspiracy that many sane people will likely buy into if the US and NATO can’t explain why their helicopters were in Pakistani airspace pursuing nobody and nothing — because there has been no mention of “hot pursuit” in the recent incident. In a very busy and controversial week, offering that NATO forces “inadvertently strayed” into Pakistani territory is unlikely to convince the doubters in Pakistan — and is less likely to win over those elusive hearts and minds.
    Watch a news report by AP below. In it, it shows that the Frontier Corps seems to have taken whatever reasonable action they could in protest of their dead comrades: block NATO supply routes into Afghanistan from Pakistan.
    ]]>     6796 0 0 0     Flood in Pakistan has Many Faces http://candle-thread.com/newsline/flood-in-pakistan-has-many-faces/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:19:31 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6801 Newsline‘s September cover story looked at the floods that have ravaged Pakistan from many angles. Beyond a look at the devastation and political manipulation, there is analysis of the army’s efforts, NGOs, social media at work, the role of climate change and the likelihood of droughts. You can now read all these stories here: Apocalypse Now by Sairah Irshad Khan The floods have stripped bare the ugly face of a feudal-sardari system and its umbilical connect with politics and bureaucracy that have together created an underclass so wretched that it has nothing left to lose. Flood of Sorrow by Talib Qizilbash Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a region that has suffered through years of turmoil: suicide bombings, Taliban rule, military operations and displacement. The floods are just the latest blow. But how much can its denizens take? Who’s to Blame? by Abdul Wahab Official inaction and haste to secure agricultural land in Balochistan has drowned cities and rendered millions homeless. Religious Mission or Political Ambition? by Shahzada Irfan Ahmed and Ayesha Siddiqa With their well-organised relief efforts, the religious and militants outfits pose the threat of making significant inroads in the flood-affected regions. Disastrous Winds of Change? by Afia Salam Are the floods in Pakistan a result of climate change or are they human-induced? Technology to the Rescue by Sana Saleem ICT and social media tools are being used to map and garner support for individual relief efforts.]]> 6801 0 0 0 Website Chronicles Drone Strikes in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/website-chronicles-drone-strikes-in-pakistan/ Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:04:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6850
  • How many children will grow up without fathers and mothers because of these attacks?
  • How many families have lost their bread-winner in these attacks?
  • How many people will fall further into poverty because of these attacks?
  • How many militants are born from the death of one innocent civilian?
    • You can see all the statistics gathered in Peter Bergen and Katherine Tiedemann’s drones database at the New America Foundation here. View an interactive map of US drone strikes in Pakistan in a large format.
    ]]>     6850 0 0 0     PIA Bomb Threat and Possible Hoax Bad for Airline and Industry http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pia-bomb-threat-and-possible-hoax-bad-for-airline-and-industry/ Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:33:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6876 bizarre bomb plot. In 2007, the airline had other problems. The European Union barred most of PIA’s aircraft from flying to the multi-nation bloc because of safety concerns. It was a bad blow to PIA’s reputation and revenues. The most recent event in Sweden has raised issues that are troubling for the whole industry as there is speculation that the anonymous phone tip-off fingering Majid Maher, a 28-year-old Canadian citizen who was travelling alone, could have been a hoax. News reports surfaced on Sunday and Monday claiming that it was possible that Mr Maher was set up by a jealous ex-girlfriend. The Swedish Wire and AFP report:
    “From what I understood, an ex came forward with the claim in connection with their separation. It was surely not a happy one,” Stockholm police officer Håkan Westing, who could not be reached for comment Monday, told [Swedish tabloid] Aftonbladet. “She had an evil eye on him,” he said, adding that according to the cleared suspect’s written statement he was going to get married in Pakistan. Stockholm police spokesman Kjell Lindgren told AFP Monday the man was travelling to Pakistan “for personal reasons,” but could not confirm he was going to get married or that an angry ex had tipped off Canadian authorities. “It’s a theory,” was all he would say.
    Sgt. Marc LaPorte, a spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said an anonymous caller called twice saying a man on the flight had explosives. The RCMP officer also said there was potentially a criminal offence involved with the tip-off as, on the surface, it did seem like someone had a motive to accuse Mr Maher of wrongdoings. “If the Swedish authorities are saying that they released him and there is no investigation on their end, we will obviously pursue this as a hoax,” LaPorte said. Potential charges include a terrorism hoax charge as well as one for public mischief. There have been other episodes of false alarms in recent years, including a warning that forced a public shopping area in Amsterdam to close for a day and suspicious gifts being hand-carried onto a plane that caused two Yemeni men to be jailed in Europe for about 48 hours. Chris Mathers, a Toronto-based crime consultant, spoke to the Toronto Star and said that “some people within the South Asian community who have been involved in personal or business disputes have made false calls to police over the past couple of years.” In some instances, people have called police and accused those they have vendettas against as being jihadis or terrorists, he said. “If they (officials) start to get 50 calls a day for bombs on airplanes, they can’t make every airplane land,” Mathers was quoted as saying. An AP report quoted a European-based expert who spoke of the balancing act that authorities around the world are struggling to perform:
    “It’s disturbing the way these kinds of situations can disrupt day-to-day lives,” said Bibi van Ginkel, a fellow at the International Center on Counter-Terrorism in The Hague. Authorities are unlikely to let down their guard any time soon, she said, because “they know that these kinds of little tips could easily be a real threat.” But she added that protocols are constantly being reviewed to weed out cranks and hoaxers.
    That PIA is caught in the middle of many of these terrorist threats is not good for the financially troubled state-run company. It is not just the costly delays that the airline and passengers have to deal with. And it goes beyond the personal trauma for travellers of being held up for nine hours, insinuatingly searched and having SWAT teams enter your plane. Earlier in 2010, a Pakistani diplomat in Toronto said PIA passengers were definitely being singled out in Toronto: “Baggage is turned upside down,” he said. Moreover, if an airline is deemed to be trouble (read: high risk), governments may seriously consider banning it altogether. Stranger things have happened. Then again, having lots of Muslims and Pakistanis on one airline provides the type of segregation that many people in this increasingly intolerant world believe in.
    Watch an Al-Jazeera report of an analysis of the incident while the plane was still grounded in Sweden.
    ]]>     6876 0 0 0     Big-Name Personalities Speak Up for TBTT http://candle-thread.com/newsline/big-name-personalities-speak-up-for-tbtt/ Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:06:01 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10865 Retired Justice Nasira Iqbal talks about the importance of TBTT Justice Nasira Iqbal is a retired judge of the Lahore High Court. In her video, she sensibly talks about the benefits of technology while at the same time advising listeners to promote technology with great care.

    TV Personality, Journalist and Blogger Naveen Naqvi talks about TBTT

    Naveen Naqvi has been working for television for many years. She is also a journalist and a blogger. Click play below to watch the video.

    Zaheer Kidvai talks about the need for men to support TBTT

    Zaheer A. Kidvai is the CEO of Beyond Information Technology Solutions (BiTS). He is also a blogger and is known for his pioneering work in Education Technology and Multimedia. I caught up with him the other day and asked him if he thought men should support the Take Back the Tech! campaign to end Violence Against Women. Here is what he had to say.

    Sabeen Mahmud talks about the role of technology in mobilizing people

    Sabeen Mahmud is a young woman whom I have known since the 1990s. She is excited by technology and has, over the years, used it in many different ways. Having run a technology company for many years, she recently set up T2F, a project under the PeaceNiche umbrella. Sabeen and T2F have been very supportive in the TBTT campaign and this year have partnered with us on several initiatives such as the “Creative Coalition against Gender Violence” and the “Interactive Session on Social Activism”. I asked her to give us her views on TBTT and the role that technology plays in creating awareness regarding important issues. Here is what she had to say.

    Rabeea Arif feels strongly about the objectification of women

    Rabeea’s TBTT design work has been on my blog for the past week. I spoke to her at T2F to find out why she decided to join the Take Back the Tech! campaign and what was behind some of the creative work she has been doing since her college days. Listen to what she had to say.

    Young people take up the reins against VAW

    I had gone to T2F to get together with some other TBTT campaigners before heading off to a rally organized by Aurat Foundation. Usually there are people of all ages hanging out at T2F and you easily start a conversation with someone you don’t know (that is the kind of place it is). Yesterday, however, was a little different. There was a abnormally large number of people who were in their O- & A-levels. I asked Sabeen Mahmud, the Director of PeaceNiche, what all the buzz was about. She said that a workshop on Gender Violence was being run for young people by UKS. Amazing how one walks into these kind of things, isn’t it? She introduced me to Surayya Mahmood, a young lady probably also in her A levels, who was running the workshop with three of her friends. They had attended a similar workshop themselves the summer before and had begun to understand the impact of media on young minds. They have since been working with UKS on spreading this awareness among their peers. Naturally, I was not going to miss this opportunity to capture Surayya on video and share her thoughts with TBTT campaigners and supporters around the world. So while she is not a household name, it may not be long before her work is recognised among larger circles.
    These videos have previously been shared by Jehan Ara (president of P@SHA and TBTT activist) via herblog.
    ]]>     10865 0 0 0     When Pakistan Praises the Taliban http://candle-thread.com/newsline/when-pakistan-praises-the-taliban/ Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:17:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11393 news item in full because it is short and I want to share the latest pain, embarrassment and fear that our government representatives have subjected the nation of Pakistan to.

    Taliban true followers of Islam: minister

    MANSEHRA: Federal Minister for Tourism Maulana Attaur Rehman has said that Taliban are the true followers of Islamic ideology and the US has been creating hatred against them. “Ulema and Taliban are the true followers of Islamic ideology and America is the biggest terrorist of the world, which is creating hatred against them,” said the minister while speaking at a public gathering in Allai here on Tuesday. Mr Rehman said that the ongoing spate of terrorism could not be eliminated until the US and the world gave equal rights and respect to the Muslims. “It is a misconception that ulema and Taliban are against coexistence of people with different religions, in fact it is America which is against the interfaith harmony to maintain its hegemony on the world,” said Mr Rehman, who belongs to the JUI-F.
    Should I even bother? Ah, hell. Here’s an open letter for the respected minister for tourism.
    24 November 2010 Maulana Attaur Rehman Sahib, I’ll try to keep this brief. I get that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. But really? The Taliban are the “true followers” of Islam? They are the ones that have got it right? Bombing of girls’ schools, public beheadings, bombing of public markets, destruction of religious shrines and flogging teenage girls in public? Are ignorance, inequality, violence, intolerance and the killing of innocent people the tenets of “true Islamic ideology?” You say, the Taliban promote the “coexistence of people with different religions?” Really? Do you recall mandatory beards in Taliban-run districts, the burning of DVDs, and the destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas and Rahman Baba’s shrine? I guess they are only against other religions in their own backyard, not everywhere. And of course, everything is America’s fault. The US is no saint, but really? I am happy with one thing though: you managed to point no fingers at Israel and India for all our troubles. That showed restraint. For everyone’s benefit, I make one request: please refrain from embedding some of your above ideas in any campaigns for Visit Pakistan 2011. Slogans such as “Pakistan. Home to the true followers of Islam: the Taliban” won’t be a magnet for tourists. Sincerely, Talib Qizilbash
    ]]>     11393 0 0 0     Cricket and UNESCO in Galle http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cricket-and-unesco-in-galle/ Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:17:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11399 Window of opportunity: Climb through the parapets at Galle Fort for a clear view of the cricket stadium. Photo: Farieha Aziz[/caption] We happened to be watching just as Chris Gayle completed his half century. We couldn’t have asked for better!]]> 11399 0 0 0 Understanding and Hospitality in Sri Lanka http://candle-thread.com/newsline/understanding-and-hospitality-in-sri-lanka/ Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:22:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11916 11916 0 0 0 The First Country to Ring in the New Year is . . . http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-first-country-to-ring-in-the-new-year-is/ Fri, 31 Dec 2010 06:44:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5871 Source: www.timeanddate.com[/caption] For a full list of “When 2011 Starts Around the World”, click here.]]> 5871 0 0 0 Interview: Iqbal Haider, Former Secretary General, HRCP http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-iqbal-haider-former-secretary-general-hrcp/ Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:49:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6159 “In a predominantly Muslim country, why do we need a law to ensure the protection and honour of our Prophet (PBUH)” - Iqbal Haider, Lawyer, former Senator and former Secretary-General of the HRCP

    Q: What are your views on the recent debate that Aasiya Bibi’s conviction has stirred up regarding the Blasphemy Law? A: The most barbaric and inhumane practices are being propagated in the name of religion in Pakistan, completely unheard of in other parts of the Muslim world. I recall an incident from March 27, 1994, when a Hafiz-e-Quran belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was dragged on the streets of Gujranwala and stoned to death by a mob which had been instigated to kill him by the pesh imam of a local mosque. Basically, that pesh imam resented the other man’s popularity and he announced from his loudspeaker that he had committed blasphemy. So the accused was murdered on the basis of a false allegation. I was the law minister at the time. My leader, Benazir Bhutto (who was the prime minister then), was furious. We convened a meeting in parliament of all religious parties in April 1994 – including Azam Tariq, the JUP, JI and religious scholars, and the interior minister was also invited. All the parties present agreed that such barbaric acts would not be tolerated and that it was totally against the Shariah. So I proposed we change the law. This was also agreed to. At the same time, I conducted a survey of all the cases registered under 295-C and under the chapter in the PPC (Pakistan Penal Code) titled: ‘Offences relating to religion.’ The survey was conducted in all four provinces on the status and nature of the cases. It was found that they were filed not only against the minorities but also against Muslims. And 95% of the cases were based on personal enmity, sectarian prejudices, religious dislike, and sometimes even because of marriage and property disputes! Q: So what was the outcome of the concurrence between the parties in real terms? A: I presented the data of all the cases to the political parties in April-May 1994. At that time I had only five senators in a house of 89, and 91 members out of 217 in the National Assembly supporting me. I had to develop a strategy to attain consensus with the rest on the issue. And I achieved that. But while I was travelling with the prime minister in Ireland, somebody published a very mischievous headline in Khabrain which read: “Iqbal Haider says law of blasphemy must be repealed.” This baseless news created such a rumpus in the country that I was declared ‘Wajib-ul-Qatal.’ It was announced that so many thousands of dollars would be awarded to the person who secured my head. This was more so in Lahore and the Punjab – religious fanaticism is prevalent there a lot more than in Sindh. Q: What about the parties with whom you had reached a consensus? A: They kept mum. If this hadn’t happened, the law would have been amended. I don’t know if Maulana Fazlur Rahman will admit this now, but we had succeeded in convincing him to move the bill for the correction of section 295-C. Q: Now Sherry Rehman has tabled a private bill in which she has proposed amendments to the law. On the other hand we have statements by Law Minister Babar Awan declaring “we are not going to touch this bill.” Is he voicing the PPP’s stance or do you believe this is his personal position? A: Babar Awan is a person whose logic or knowledge I cannot possibly agree with – he is not even worth commenting upon. The present rulers are not the PPP in any case. They just have a lust for power and money. Their agenda has nothing to do with politics and they do not have the moral or political courage to take corrective measures. It was my prime minister, the real PPP’s Benazir Bhutto, who was fully committed to the cause: to prevent the abuse of this law. The most important issue here is that nobody should be allowed to make a false allegation. And so we had proposed that in line with the Shariah, where a jhoota ilzam (false accusation) merits the same punishment as the crime itself, here too, the same punishment should be awarded to the false complainant that is prescribed for the person who commits the crime. We had also suggested that blasphemy be made a non-cognisable offense – i.e. the police should not have the right to arrest anybody without valid enough grounds to convince the judicial magistrate that there is merit in the case. Thirdly, we suggested administrative measures must to be taken [to ensure transparency and judicious application of the law]. Conduct a survey of the number of blasphemy cases registered during Benazir Bhutto’s government and those during all other governments. You will find a radical decline during her tenure. Why? Because it is the temperament of the rulers that matters. Rulers should convey the message down to the grassroots SHO that he will not be allowed to indulge in such heinous, inhumane, barbaric practices such as a misuse of the law, and that he will be held accountable [in the event this happens]. This message was conveyed by Benazir Bhutto on two or three occasions. Q: A few months ago, Facebook was blocked on account of ‘blasphemous’ content. Subsequently, thousands of websites were blocked. Now, it wasn’t the rulers who initiated action but in fact the Lahore High Court, which took cognisance of a petition that was filed and thus ordered the ban… A: This is a tendency in the Punjab. I actually have copies of judgments from the LHC authorising ‘honour’ killing and prohibiting consensual marriages between adults. All of this is nonsense. The problem is that our judiciary is still infected by the values promoted by General Zia-ul-Haq. The fact is that there are many judges – not all – who think like this and it is this thinking that has to be corrected. There are 57 Muslim countries in the world. How many of them have the blasphemy law or the chapter on religion? Not more than three or four. Why don’t the other countries feel the need? Have you ever heard the issue of blasphemy being raised in UAE, Malaysia, in Bangladesh? Name me a single Muslim country where this is a burning issue. Why only in Pakistan? We are the only country in which 97% of the population is of a single faith – i.e. Muslim. So it is a great tragedy and irony that so many Muslims actually need a law to ensure the protection and honour of the Prophet (PBUH). I love and respect the Prophet (PBUH) for his conduct and character, for his message and his behaviour with non-Muslims and Muslims, his generosity and forgiveness and for his enlightened conduct. It’s not because of the Blasphemy Law that I respect him. In fact, the very suggestion to have a law to protect the honour and respect of the Prophet (PBUH) is by itself, in my opinion, a blasphemous thought. It means that in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Prophet (PBUH) is respected not because he was the greatest human being, or because of his message, character or preachings, but because of a law. There are Quranic verses that state the Prophet’s (PBUH) duty was only to convey a message. Whether the people accepted it or not was their decision. The Quran also says not to abuse others’ gods “lest they abuse yours.” So tolerance is the essence of Islam and coercion its negation. How illogical and insane are those people who burn the property of Muslims, or hold demonstrations and strikes as a protest against the cartoons published in Denmark or on Facebook. One can condemn the cartoonist, but there is a method of condemnation. Nobody has the right to damage the life or property of any citizen of Pakistan because this way they are only serving the interests of the enemies of Islam, Muslims and Pakistan. Q: What needs to be done to counter this situation? A: What is required is the determination of the government to defeat the extremist, militant, religious fanatics who are damaging the name of Islam, Pakistan and the Muslims of this country. The largest number of Muslims to be killed in the name of Islam are from Pakistan, killed by people who claim to be Muslims. We have had four wars with India, but never lost as many soldiers as the number of high-ranking officers killed by the Taliban. The figure [of casualties of terrorist attacks] exceeds 70,000, but the government is hiding these figures. It is the duty of the state and of the political parties to promote sanity, to promote logic and the real spirit of Islam and not this obscurantist, radical view. The ruling elite has the major responsibility in this. There are hundreds of enlightened ulema-e-din who will speak the truth and will not succumb to the pressure of obscurantist and anti-religion practices. Q: What about the intelligentsia? A: Their duty is equal, to speak out with the same force – or more force – but it is the duty of the ruling elite to set an example. At the moment, the ruling elite lacks courage, morality and knowledge. The only thing they have in abundance is their ill-gotten wealth. The governor Punjab and the federal government have actually put Aasiya’s life in jeopardy. If the sessions court convicted her, so what? Appeal. There is a High Court, there is the Supreme Court. Instead, Salmaan Taseer generated unwelcome publicity regarding this case, at the cost of a woman who the government does not have the courage to support now. We faced a lot of criticism during both tenures of Benazir Bhutto. In the first government, the Salman Rushdie case came up. In the second government, Masih’s case came up; he was sentenced to death by a trial court. I was the law minister then, but I didn’t create waves, and Benazir Bhutto took full notice of the matter. Without any hype, the LHC, on its own, acquitted the boy. And when his life was threatened, we protected him; the government protected him. This is what Salmaan Taseer should have done. I wish Benazir Bhutto had been allowed to complete her terms. This government does not have what it takes to initiate any corrective measures. I call upon the present rulers to prove that if they are the inheritors of Benazir Bhutto’s politics and priorities, they should complete her unfinished business. Otherwise I will regard them as the inheritors of the legacy of Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf.]]>     6159 0 0 0     Top 10 Tips for Custom Make-up http://candle-thread.com/newsline/top-10-tips-for-custom-make-up/ Sun, 26 Dec 2010 13:22:36 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6189 market. This is why I tell all my students to buy 10 of anything that they love throughout their lives. I learnt to do it, especially as a professional, a long, long time ago. However, having to come up with one’s own versions of products and techniques has kept my career very interesting.  I try to share this knowledge as comprehensively as I can through my blogs and through my classes so that you too can get inventing. That is till I start my own make-up line! These are some of my top tips: 1.   Jeepers Peepers! Try this: Apply mascara to all but the last few lashes in your lash line for a wide-eyed look. Contrary to what most of us believe (or what the huge fake lashes used in the mascara adverts would suggest) I find that if I apply mascara all the way to the end of the lash line, instead of elongating the eye, it makes the eye droop. This is probably because most of us desi gals have big round eyes and not the flat, long, Nordic faces that are used to sell us the product. 2.  Hot and Kohl-ed Hold your eye pencil to a bulb or heat it up with a hair dryer till it is warm and then apply to your water line (the pink inner line that you pop kajal on).  Remember that it is IMPORTANT that you warm it but that you do notmelt it, or you will obviously burn yourself very badly. But if you exercise caution, this heating of the pencil has three results that rock. Firstly, heating it up brings the oils to the surface of the kohl, making the application easier. Secondly, as the cream cools down, the kohl sets in to a nearly immovable line. And thirdly, you will find that heating it will give you a much more intense line than you have seen before – or than the make-up company intended. 3.   Homemade Éclat YSL’s Touche Éclat radiant highlighter is a genius under-eye concealer that is one of the top-selling products in the world. Like all good make-up innovations it combines a few functions into one. Sadly, you also end up paying a few times the price of your average-Jane ordinary concealer.  If you can afford it, then lucky you! However, if you are on a budget or if you are not travelling any time soon, then you can replicate something close to it at home. So lets break it down. What are the components that make Touche Éclat a winner?
    • A highly iridescent, highly shimmery highlighter that catches light and bounces it right back to the observer.
    • A highly rich, liquid concealer that delivers very intense coverage but comes on as a fine layer.
    • It’s rich apricot colour cancels out any green, grey or dark shadow.
    So try this: take a warm concealer stick, a peach cream blush/lipstick and a strong illuminator, mix together and voila! Home-made Touche Éclat! [caption id="attachment_6190" align="alignright" width="376"]Colour and Highlights: This is an example of how coral tones and good highlighting make you seem fresher and healthier. Photo: Bina Khan Colour and Highlights: This is an example of how coral tones and good highlighting make you seem fresher and healthier. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] 4.   And Now for the Highlights… To create a really polished look, use the same highlighter throughout the face. Don’t skip a single one out: the inner corner of your eye, above your cheekbone/under your eye, brow bone, down the line of your nose, your chin, your forehead. Whether you do it with a cool peach or a warm gold, you will look clean faced or like a guilt goddess. Beware though, too shimmery a shimmer and you will look like an escapee from Boney M! 5.   In-built Make-up Tools Your fingers are definitely great tools to apply, blend, blot, blur or swipe. But there are loads of tools that you have lying around at home that loads of pros use all the time. For example, a moistened cotton bud is a make-up artist’s best friend. Dip it in to your favourite eye shadow to create a great liner and then as the bud gets fuzzy, use that texture to help you blend edges into dreamy soft lines. A cotton bud is a great substitute lip brush as well! 6.   Healthy Skin is the Best Primer If your skin is clogged up with loads of dead cells or sebum, then your make-up will never get absorbed uniformly or perhaps even at all. Obviously the need for a monthly facial has been discussed in this column before (seeFacing It: The Case for a Proper Skin Care Regime). But what to do in an emergency? For boys, having a quick shave is their daily exfoliation, but obviously none of the bird brigade wants to go down that route. Well, here is a rough but effective emergency solution. In a warm bath, take a good facial scrub and work in circles over your face for one minute. Then take a make-up wipe and us the exfoliating fibre to exfoliate again. While your skin is still moist rub in your moisturizer. Spritz your face with very cold water. This will improve the roughest areas of your face, but if your skin is sensitive do be careful. Remember this is an emergency measure; if you can squeeze out the time, get thee to thy facialist! (This same treatment is the cure for crunchy, dry lips in the winter as well). [caption id="attachment_6191" align="alignright" width="385"]Orgasm by Nars: This is the highest selling blush of the last few years. As you can see it is a beautiful pinky coral. Photo: Bina Khan Orgasm by Nars: This is the highest selling blush of the last few years. As you can see it is a beautiful pinky coral. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] 7.   Think Pink! While I find desi ladies insist that this colour does not suit them until I put it on their faces myself, a coral/pink has got to be a girl’s best friend. Along with proper highlighting and good mascara application, this look was made famous on SJP in Sex And The City. I recently recommended a great, reasonable coral/pink (that I incidentally wear everyday myself) on my blog and I received vociferous rejections of the colour as unsuited to our skin tone! This, in spite of the fact that I offered advice on how to wean yourself off the brown addiction that all desi ladies suffer from. I say to all of you unbelievers, embrace the coral! It takes years off, makes you look well rested and fakes a great glow of health. Imagine a healthy, fresh-faced, bright-lipped, flushed-cheeked natural visage. If you were to try and replicate what nature gives the fortunate few, what colour would one use? That’s right ladies: PINKY CORAL! (Not, I might add, brown….) 8.   Blush-sticks and eye-powders In the same way that we all think that we will spontaneously combust if we use a foot cream on our hands, or a face scrub on our bodies, we often think that make-up is site specific. Well, don’t believe it for a second! Cream blush makes great lipstick, lipstick makes a great cream blush, eye shadow makes a great highlighter, face shimmers and powders make great eye shadow, and so on and so on. Look at your make-up kit; now you have tonnes more stuff that you thought you had! 9.   And Speaking of Mixing… We are used to mixing lipsticks, but when it comes to the eyes or blush I find that people chicken out. I often use up to five or six different blushes to get just the right hue, and I love, love, LOVE to mix eye shadow tones on the eye to create just the right colour. Want to make that green more aqua? Throw on a blue! Want to make that gold dirtier? Mix in some black. Try to think of your make-up as a palette, and you can mix things together to get the desired effect! 10.   V for Victory One of the most attractive things is a well-defined mouth. Concealing near the corners of the mouth can clean your look up by miles. Highlighting the ‘v’ in your top lip exaggerates the curves of your mouth; ad a ‘v’ of concealer and pat over with a subtle shimmer for an alluring smile. Be careful though: too heavy a hand with the concealer will make your lips look cracked. [caption id="attachment_6193" align="alignnone" width="880"]Exfoliation: The importance of a proper skin care regime can't be stressed enough. Photo: Bina Khan Exfoliation: The importance of a proper skin care regime can't be stressed enough. Photo: Bina Khan[/caption] The opinions and tips expressed here are not those of Newsline Publications Pvt. Ltd. Newsline recommends the use of caution and care when applying health and beauty tips found online. Readers who follow the advice given here, follow it at their own risk.  ]]>     6189 0 0 0     Fresh Paint http://candle-thread.com/newsline/fresh-paint/ Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:48:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6210 see gallery below). Will this wide-ranging, large-scale, composite show on a public museum platform be able to generate the awareness needed to ground Pakistan’s new art on a firm footing? Curator Naiza Khan points out, “The new millennium and what it means for Pakistanis has been presented through the modalities of media, music, fashion, politics, religion and civil society. However, it has not found resonance in artists’ voices: how we experience art today and what making work means for artists at this point in our history.” What are the social and aesthetic issues that have forged a new set of conditions for the artists to function within? The average viewer, weaned on traditional art forms may feel thwarted by the unorthodox vocabulary, media and modalities of this art, but it is so essentially about the here and now, that the effort to engage will not be in vain. Among the relatively direct works, Salim Mansur’s painting, ‘Old Ilaco House’ will stir memories of old Karachi, but the portrayal of life in the urban centres through the eyes of young artists is decidedly different and needs to be accessed on another wavelength altogether. Roohi Ahmed, commuting through strife-ridden areas, creates route maps of Karachi to establish her relationship with different aspects of life in this megalopolis. Similarly, Farida Batool’s lenticular print about Lahore, ‘Ek Shehar Jo Udaas Hai,’ carries conflicting images of brick walls and scenes of daily life. This juxtaposition critiques the presence of newly erected barriers, gates and obstructions in Lahore city which curtail human freedom just like the walls of the walled city restrain the life of its inhabitants. From the Balochi perspective, Jamil Baloch’s ‘World Plane’ installation – a downed aircraft with its tail end jutting out of the ground – is potent with meaning in a country experiencing drone attacks. One draws a blank on encountering pages of a strangely worded Qaida (primer) as art work, till one discovers it is a learning aid produced by Sara Khan, a Pathan who has apprehensions about her identity as she is not familiar with the language of her ancestors. A tryst with history to extract new meanings from old relationships was an obvious inference of Melbourne-based miniature artist Nusra Latif Qureshi’s digital print on clear film, comprising a photo of herself overlapped with images of Mughal royalty and British colonial gentry. Yet another miniature artist, Aisha Khalid, has resorted to an eight-sided mirror installation riddled with bullet holes and wound marks, to invite self-reflection when the onlooker is confronted with several personal images. This prompts speculation on the multiple nature of killings taking place in this country. Who is killing whom and why? Among the complex and the intriguing, Rashid Rana’s installation, ‘Desperately Seeking Paradise,’ a colossal checkered cuboid in stainless steel, glass and wood, has all the sheen and shimmer of a glitzy Dubai monument, but the paradox lies in the micro images of crumbling structures, shanties and ghettos embedded in the matrix. He plays with dual imagery, the apparently glamorous but inherently ugly, to unveil the contradictions and inconsistencies woven within the fabric of life. Another installation/sculpture piece with a captivating exterior but a sombre premise, is Huma Mulji’s ‘Twisted Logic.’ Constructed from mirror pieces, this dazzling but inverted object is “a mutant minaret-like form, a large origami bird or an abstract form of failed architecture.” Bold and beautiful, Faiza Butt’s art expression, a dot-to-dot, vibrant and intensely worked technique in ink on polyester film straddles both worlds, the miniature mannerism and the new age pixilated graphics. Building her art on the power of media and the printed image, her work is current and topical. Two male Taliban embracing/kissing is among her more explicit pieces. A gamut of expressions by as many as 40 artists spread over the entire first floor of the museum invite conjecture as much on the workmanship as on the conceptual range of the pieces. In a post-colonial, politically chaotic Pakistan, the search for a new artistic language and dialogue has driven young art­ists in pursuit of multiple lines of inquiry, and the postmodern western construct of New Media Arts has surfaced as the most favoured vehicle for articulation of these diverse concerns. Deconstructions of the Mughal miniature initiated the new discourse phase, while the digital arts, installation, assemblage and video came later but are now gaining ground. The transition from the conventional and the modern to the postmodern is already underway among Pakistani artists, and “The Rising Tide” is a manifestation of that crossing. Not entirely as vast as one thought a 20-year span of work would be, the exhibition nevertheless does manage to present a representative selection of new directions in art.
    Click any photo to begin the slide show:
    ]]>     6210 0 0 0     Fashion Festivity http://candle-thread.com/newsline/fashion-festivity/ Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:15 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6233 ghararas, models displayed a wide array of silhouettes that strayed far from safe or typical. One act called “Fashion Gives Back” was produced by HSY and styled by Asma Mumtaz in which each of the designers were asked to interpret black with an additional highlighted colour. The outfits were paraded on the catwalk while Fuzon played live numbers, which really amped up the otherwise dreary collection. These clothes went up for sale the next day at the Sheraton with the proceeds directed towards the rehabilitation of flood victims of the village of Hisar Qilay in the Malakand district of Swat, a village adopted by the PFDC. While most collections are inspired and well put together, there are always those that add an electric punch to such events. In this case, it was largely agreed that The House of Kamiar Rokni took the cake as it dazzled the audience with ‘Folkistan.’ An amalgamation of the creative genius of Kamiar Rokni and Tia Noon, it revived traditional craft and used cultural imagery such as truck art, evil eyes and bottles on relatively wearable outfits. Other phenomenal collections included those of Feeha Jamshed’s, the ever-talented Teejays prodigy, and Ammar Belal’s in which he drew inspiration from the Manhattan skyline and its art-deco architecture to create an essentially unwearable yet undeniably dramatic line. An honourable mention must be given to Mohsin Ali, a PIFD graduate who hails from Hazara. In his collection, he depicted the nomadic lifestyle of Hazarans by constructing outfits out of multicoloured bags that ballooned out into floral prints indigenous to the Hazaran region. Aside from the usual spotting of guest models on the ramp, a new face was seen strutting the ramp this Fashion Week. The Make a Wish Foundation fulfilled the wish of a terminally-ill young girl, Khadija Saleem, who aspired to walk the ramp. Her strut on the catwalk was heart-warming. The final day featured a thank you note by PFDC chairperson, Sehyr Saigol, which also included comments by French journalist and fashion entrepreneur, Alexandra Senes, on her visit to Pakistan. Despite the bomb explosion on the second day of fashion week, which shattered and caused panic in the adjacent hotel where the foreign guests were staying, they remained firm in their commitment to the cause, and in the end the event went off virtually glitch-free.]]> 6233 0 0 0 The New Face of Activism in the Information Age http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-new-face-of-activism-in-the-information-age/ Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:49:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6296 see “Ending Gender-based Violence Against Women”) which involve harnessing technology to empower women and countering harassment, Jehan Ara informed the audience of the activities taking place during the “16 days of Activism” – November 25 – December 10 – and future plans, which include projects undertaken by individuals who have recently been awarded grants through the MDG3 Fund. The heads of two of these projects that are based in Karachi spoke in detail about their initiatives. The first of them was Nuzhat Kidvai who has been a member of WAF (Women’s Action Forum) for 25 years now and is also the founding member of WAR (War Against Rape). She aims to create an informational website that documents VAW (violence against women). But more than creating a website that documents facts, she wants it to be an evolving database and a portal that holds answers and legal recourses for victims of VAW. Often, due to the simple reason of not knowing the right procedures, women are handed unfair sentences (perhaps they watch as their abusers are let off scot-free) or their cases are not registered at all. The website hopes to detail what is to be done in a specific situation, in addition to providing the expert opinions of lawyers and doctors, and other professionals. The second of the Karachi-based awardees were Naveen Naqvi – broadcast journalist and blogger – and Sana Saleem – medical student and popular blogger. Theirs is a joint venture called Gawahi.com, a website that will archive stories – both in written and digital (audio/video) format – of women and children who have been subjected to abuse. The stories will not have to be told by the victim herself. Thus, there will be narrations of other people’s experiences. The project arises from a lack of support networks available to victims of abuse, due to which abuse goes unreported. Sana says that telling one’s own story is cathartic, and one is able to look at it from a third person perspective. The collection of stories also aims to provide a very important message to the victims (and eventual survivors): that they are not alone in what they face. Gawahi.com will also act as a portal for NGOs that do not have an online base, reach out beyond the urban centres, and document stories of survival and overcoming – the anonymity of the sources being the top priority. [caption id="attachment_6297" align="alignright" width="300"]tbtt-attiya-farieha-2010 Farieha Aziz (left) and Attiya Dawood. Photo: Hira Malik[/caption] Before breaking into the final session, there was a viewing of a nine-minute clip of Beena Sarwar’s documentary Mukhtaran Mai: The Struggle for Justice. The thought provoking nine minutes quelled the audience into an absolute silence, which was eventually broken by questions and comments for the director / journalist. The concluding session, which I too was a part of, was a moderated discussion between fellow panelists Attiya Dawood and Beena Sarwar, both well-known activists, with T2F’s Sabeen Mahmud as moderator. The discussion centred largely on how social activism in the age of Facebook, Twitter and blogs has withdrawn from the street presence that was once the defining feature of activism and movements of the 70s and 80s. Now, with the click of a button, people would rather sign and send a petition than go out and be a part of a protest or procession. However, it was agreed that these platforms allow an exchange of views and encourage dialogue between people who harbour completely different views and would otherwise never interact. With a list of pros and cons on both sides of this debate, it remains an ongoing one.  

    poster-tbtt-creative-2010Here’s how you can become a part of the TBTT campaign (it’s not too late):

    Create a poster, photograph, song, animation, movie or illustration and join The Creative Coalition Against Gender Violence. Send your entries by December 10 to creative@takebackthetech.pk and your work could be among the few selected entries exhibited at the TBTT meet-up at T2F on December 18. You can also join the TBTT Pakistan SMS groups. TBTT is a broadcast group on which the TBTT Pakistan camp will send you messages (notifications) about the campaign to you. TBTT-Discuss allows you to contribute by sending in messages to the entire network (those part of the initiative and others like you who choose to join). However, the messages must keep to the subject itself (TBTT, gender, ICT, VAW) and no user should be found spamming. To join the above groups, just send the following:
    • join tbtt
    or
    • join tbtt-discuss
    to the following numbers:
    • 5566
    • 03124117660-8 (For Mobilink users only)
    To send a message on the groups, users have to include the group name with a “dot” -> “.” at the start of the message. For example, to send a message on the group TBTT, use the following syntax: .tbtt <message>]]>     6296 0 0 0     WikiLeaks Awards: And the Winner is... http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wikileaks-awards-and-the-winner-is/ Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:58:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15963 The WikiLeaks cables were the political story of 2010. They revealed government deceit, doubletalk and downright illegality. That aside, they also showed that politicians, generals and diplomats are as gossipy, petty and vain – and sometimes way more – as the rest of us ordinary mortals. In fact, special mention needs to be made of those who the cables have shown to be the worst among equals. Winner: Kim Jung Il. In 2008, as the US was frantically negotiating with North Korea over its nuclear programme, the American embassy was told that arranging a concert by Eric Clapton in Pyongyang “could also be useful.” Most countries want a mountain of cold, hard cash or stuff it can buy for concessions; North Korea’s tinpot dictator was only too happy to settle for an ageing rock star who hasn’t had a hit song for two decades. Runner up: Silvio Berlusconi. There are few rock stars as persistently annoying as serial do-gooder Bono. His constant hectoring paid off though. After Italy took over the presidency of the G8 in 2009, Silvio Berlusconi is quoted as saying that he would increase his country’s aid to Africa to divert a “tongue-lashing” from Bono. I guess anything’s better than sitting through one of his interminable songs. Winner: Silvio Berlusconi. According to the WikiLeaks cables, the Italian Prime Minister’s “penchant for partying hard” has left him a “complete mess.” That, of course, is moot. The man has been happily cavorting with a teenager and has been photographed surrounded by a dozen topless women at his villa. Runner up: Moammar Gaddafi: Libya’s president-for-life is apparently never seen without his “voluptuous blonde” Ukranian nurse. And given that Gaddafi’s security detail is exclusively made up of young women, company is something the prez is clearly not short of. Winner: South Africa. Zimbabwe’s dictator Robert Mugabe has few friends left in the world. About the only country still willing to publicly tolerate him is South Africa. That aside, the South African international affairs minister is quoted as calling Mugabe “the crazy old man.” Runner-up: Egypt. In deference to Muslim sensibilities, Egypt has been unwilling to criticise Iran in public. But in private, even they seem to agree that Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, in what might qualify as the understatement of the year given the person in question denies the Holocaust, “does not think rationally” and is “stirring up trouble.” Winner: Dimitry Medvedev. The Russian president, known to be under the shadow of Vladimir Putin, is described as someone who “plays Robin to Putin’s Batman.” Basically, he is the immature sidekick, of indeterminate sexual orientation, who always gets his master into trouble. Runner up: Hamid Karzai. Afghanistan’s leader is said in one cable to be “an extremely weak man who did not listen to facts but was instead easily swayed by anyone who came to report even the most bizarre stories or plots against him.” Which makes his hatred of Pakistan even more perplexing since he would fit right into our political culture. Winner: Pakistan. Three English-language and two Urdu-language newspapers breathlessly published what they claimed were WikiLeaks cables, badmouthing Indian generals and showing their hidden hand in terrorism in Pakistan. Turned out they were fake. Basically, we were trying to fool ourselves into thinking that India was guilty of doing to Pakistan what we’ve actually been doing to them for the last two decades. Runner-up: Russia. There is a lot the Russians would do to pretend that they were the aggrieved party in their invasion of Georgia in 2008. Like make up a fake WikiLeaks cable. A Russian newspaper took a real WikiLeaks cable but purposely mistranslated it to claim that all the western countries knew that Georgia was responsible for the war.
    This article was originally published in the January 2011 issue of Newsline.
    ]]>     15963 0 0 0     Slam Bam: Political Battles in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/slam-bam-political-battles-in-pakistan/ Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:19:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16225 There are some battles in Pakistan that will always be fought but never be finished. The military versus the civilian set-up, the cricket captain against the rest of the team, Imran Khan and an electorate that just won’t vote for him. As 2010 has shown, however, a spat doesn’t have to be intractable to be entertaining, baffling or just downright weird.
    Note: This post was written in December 2010 and originally published in Newsline's Annual for January 2011, before the tragic killing of Governor Salmaan Taseer on January 4, 2011. Slight changes have been made to this online version.
    01Slam_Bam01-111 Besides the late Salmaan Taseer's brave and principled stand for justice, he will be also remembered for his sharp and often entertaining presence on Twitter. It’s hard to argue with the belief that the only reason the PPP retained Salmaan Taseer as the governor of the Punjab was to needle the ruling PML-N. And needle he did. While most people use Twitter to post pictures of their pets and what they ate for lunch, the governor posts at least one daily uproarious attack on the Sharif brothers. A sample: “Noting with concern the Sharifs are only paying Rs 5,000 per month tax, I have asked for them to be included in the Benazir Income Support Programme.” Since one doesn’t associate the Sharifs with the innovative use of technology, they are carrying on this spat through traditional dirty politics. In December, for instance, the PML-N used their allies in the media to spread rumours that Taseer had flown out of the country without appointing a caretaker governor. The media even produced an airline ticket showing Taseer had flown out to Dubai. Just a couple of hours later, Taseer gave a press conference in Lahore, leaving the PML-N with considerable eggs on their faces. There is only one winner in this fight: the witty, urbane Taseer wins hands-down. 07Slam_Bam01-11 Pakistan’s cricket history is a treasure trove of so many spats – players trading barbs with each other over who gets to be captain, cricketers at loggerheads with administrators over who should make it to the team etc - that it is hard to choose just one. For sheer surrealism, though, it is hard to beat the ongoing Zulqarnain saga. This may be the first time that a sportsman has fled, fearing his life is in danger, only to have his mental stability and character called into question. Even if Zulqarnain is found to be guilty of over-reaction, the PCB seemed less interested in his fate than covering their backsides. With unsavoury characters suspected to be lurking around Pakistan cricket, this was one spat that had no humour to it. 04Slam_Bam01-11 Our intelligence agencies are notoriously thin-skinned when criticised, with “disappearances” being their preferred method of dealing with dissent. But stashing the British prime minister in a dank dungeon isn’t a viable option. When the newly-elected David Cameron criticised Pakistan for not doing more to fight terrorism - in India of all places – the ISI reacted with their version of a temper tantrum. They cancelled an intelligence-sharing mission by their operatives to the UK. Cameron refused to blink and retract his statement, but the elected government mediated, or crowed before the Crown, depending on your political bent, by assuring everyone that relations with the UK would not be harmed. 03Slam_Bam01-11 The actions of would-be censors of networking sites around the world, has shown that they don’t understand the Internet at all. Suppressing information just isn’t possible online. But that didn’t stop the Lahore High Court (LHC) from making a go of it. Although few had heard of it before the LHC got involved, some unknown group, to protest the Muslim overreaction to the Danish cartoons of the Prophet (PBUH), decided to fix a day where everyone would draw caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). To popularise their cause, they set up a Facebook page. What they could never have dreamed was that the LHC would give them a big assist, by not only ordering the PTA (Pakistan Telecommunications Authority) to block that page but all of Facebook, YouTube and Wikipedia among hundreds of other websites. It was like objecting to a certain book being published and then proceeding to ban all libraries and bookstores. 02Slam_Bam01-11 In Pakistani politics, party discipline is rarely breached. Any politician who wants to chart his/her own course will soon be brought in line. When advisor to MNA Sherry Rehman is an independent thinker, a person who resigned her ministry rather than follow a policy she disagreed with. But her biggest spat with the PPP was over a more trifling matter: talk shows. The PPP leadership had finally had enough of Geo and its constant drumbeat of anti-PPP rhetoric and, in a fit of pique, banned all its members from appearing on its talk shows. But Rehman chose to ignore the ban and appeared on a Geo talk show. To “punish” her for this “unforgivable deed,” activists from the PPP Women’s Wing surrounded her house, armed with stones and slogans. Rehman responded with quiet dignity and soon this spat faded into the kind of obscurity it deserved. 05Slam_Bam01-11 There is no greater honour for a sportsman than being chosen to carry his country’s flag at the opening ceremony of an international event. It presents an opportunity of a lifetime and it is the last thing you’d want stolen from you by a no-name minister at the last minute. Yet, at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi this year, the Sindh sports minister Mohammed Ali Shah decided at the last minute that he deserved to carry the flag. In an act that was either pre-planned or which occurred to him on the spur of the moment, he snatched the flag from gold-medal winning weightlifter Shujauddin Malik, the designated flag-holder, a few minutes before the ceremony and proceeded to lead Pakistan’s contingent. Luckyly for Shah, champion weightlifter decided not to use his professional skills to rectify the wrong done to him. Instead, the Pakistani weightlifters threatened to quit the tournament if Shah didn’t apologise and were only mollified when the prime minister announced that he would look into the matter. However, no one would have been too perturbed if they had body-slammed the good minister. 06Slam_Bam01-11 We all know that talk shows are a cesspool of sensationalism, noise over substance and pettiness. But they can also turn violent. When Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Jamil Soomro reacted to a statement by President Tehrik-e-Insaaf Sindh, Naeemul Haque by roundly abusing him, it became a free for all. He retaliated by taunting Soomro over his party being a stooge of the Americans, and the argument turned increasingly personal. Both men traded barbs about their respective leaders’ children. Then Haq threw a glass full of water at Soomro’s face and the two men readied for a good old-fashioned western drawdown. The producers intervened, but only after they had shot enough footage to liven up their ratings.
    This was originally published in Newsline's Annual for 2011 under the headline "Slam Bam."
    ]]>     16225 0 0 0     Resolution by the CFD http://candle-thread.com/newsline/resolution-by-the-cfd/ Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:30:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16274 press statement released by the CFD on January 7 regarding the murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. The strongly worded statement goes on to ask questions everyone is asking:
    • "How did the murderer, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, who was already perceived as a security threat, end up on the security detail of a Governor who was already receiving death threats?"
    • "Why did the other guards not open fire, as per standard operating procedures in VIP guard duty? (In Qadri’s confession after his arrest, he said that he had told his colleagues what he was going to do and asked them not to open fire, as he would surrender.)"
    The CFD also makes a series of demands, including "legal action against those who continue to indulge in hate speech and threaten those who support amendment of the ‘Blasphemy Law’." Recently, the CFD updated the resolution and three clauses were added. The Urdu text of the resolution is below. cfd-statement-jan18-2011]]>     16274 0 0 0     Citizens and Political Forces Unite Against Oppression and Disinformation http://candle-thread.com/newsline/citizens-and-political-forces-unite-against-oppression-and-disinformation/ Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:34:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16285 Previously there were scattered voices waging the fight, alone or in small groups – mainly members of civil society. But all that has changed now. Political parties and groups, and workers unions have come together and joined hands with civil society. Organised by the Citizens for Democracy (CFD), which describes itself as “an umbrella group of professional organisations, political parties, trade unions and individuals outraged by the consistent misuse and abuse of the Blasphemy Law and of religion in politics,” a reference for Salmaan Taseer held at the PMA (Pakistan Medical Association) House on January 18, 2011, drew a crowd of 500. This, despite the fact that just a day before there had been a change of venue as the Karachi Arts Council, where the event was initially supposed to take place, refused to host it stating security concerns as their reason. The reference was also held after the rally in Lahore on January 16 organised by Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM), whose vice president, Dr Ashraf Jalali, had remarked at the event: “Mumtaz Hussain Qadri is a hero of the Muslim ummah. Whoever criticises him or Section 295-C will have their tongues pulled out.” He also issued a stern warning to the media, directing it not to invite people who spoke against Qadri. The reference was a response to the constant unveiled threats and pressure tactics adopted by the “religious” lobby, their manipulation of the debate on the Blasphemy Law and Taseer's murder, their campaign to make Taseer’s murderer a hero and their strategy to misinform the masses about facts regarding the law and Taseer's stance. Thus, the evening began with a presentation on the history of the Blasphemy Law, how it came to be in its current form, its misuse and the number of false cases that have been registered over the years. Following this was a screening of Blind Faith, a documentary by Sara Naqvi (see it here). Both of these aimed at dispelling some of the widely believed untruths about the law and generating awareness about its (mis)use. The most lively and uplifting part of the evening was when the speakers, of which there were many, addressed the crowd and paid tribute to Taseer. Among them were well-known personalities such as Iqbal Haider (former secretary-general, HRCP), activist and WAF member Amar Sindhu and Mohsin Sayeed, who read out a message from Taseer’s family. Others included members of various political and workers parties, including Kaiser Bengali (Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh for Planning and Development), Asif Buledi (General Secretary Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz), Jan Mohammad Buledi (National Party), Kunwar Khalid Yunus (MQM), Nasir Mansoor (Labour Party), Ramzan Memon (Awami Party) and Farid Awan (Deputy General Secretary All Pakistan Trade Union Federation and Secretary Sindh, Pakistan Workers Confederation) who expressed their solidarity with their friends from civil society and assured them of their and their organisations’ support. Members of minority communities, Amar Nath Matomal (HRCP and President Hindu Panchayat Karachi Division) and Father Thomas Gulfam (Korangi Parish) spoke on behalf of their communities and joined hands as well. All the speakers vehemently condemned Mumtaz Qadri and his supporters. Many of them raised the same point: years of silence and submission have led to the magnanimity of the problem – especially the religious intolerance and the use of religion for political motives. However, this they hoped would now be a thing of the past as the struggle and cause for which Taseer too died, will neither be thwarted by pressure, nor remain within the confines of closed rooms. They stressed that religion and the state needed to be separated. A resolution prepared by the CFD, which has been endorsed by several individuals and organisations, was shared with the audience. It requests the government and the law enforcing agencies to comply and take immediate action (see the Urdu text of the resolution here). To date, the PPP continues to adopt an apologist position towards both the murder of their governor and the Blasphemy Law debate. Nobody expects much from the government; this was made quite clear. Perhaps this is why Fauzia Wahab, information secretary, Sindh, was not bombarded with questions and counter arguments after her speech. Only when she said there was a need to begin the sensitisation of the masses on the issue of blasphemy did audience members and moderator Rahat Saeed of the Progressive Writers' Association suggest that she could perhaps wield her influence and have Sarah Naqvi’s documentary aired on PTV, Pakistan’s state run channel, at the very least. While venues continue to be denied for this cause, that too by institutions such as the Karachi Arts Council and the Press Club, the Lyari Town Administration has generously offered CFD the People's Stadium, which can hold up to 15,000 people.]]> 16285 0 0 0 Another Major Round of Censorship and Blocked Websites in Store? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/another-major-round-of-censorship-and-blocked-websites-in-store/ Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:02:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16323 If true, the news item posted below from the Associated Press of Pakistan heralds another round of blanket bans on websites in Pakistan. It also reconfirms which groups in the country hold the real power. The momentum is on the side of those who wish to control what we see, hear, read, say and think. In this campaign against anti-Islamic forces, many valuable, innocent and harmless sources of information and entertainment will be blocked at the virtual gates of the land of the pure. And voices of political dissent will also be muted under the guise of preserving the honour of Islam. We've seen it before. In 2006, amid the furore of the Danish cartoons of Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.), the supreme court of Pakistan ordered the federal government of Pakistan to monitor the Internet for websites publishing the cartoons and demanded that the government, relevant authorities and the attorney general use the laws in place to devise measures to block all objectionable content in order to safeguard "the sentiments of the entire Muslim world." Blogspot.com was completely banned for weeks. Later, the ban hit TypePad as well. YouTube was blocked in 2008. And then recently, in May 2010, Facebook was ordered blocked for almost two weeks because of an offensive drawing "contest." During that purge of objectionable content, Wikipedia, Flickr and, once again, YouTube, along with nearly 800 other websites, were inaccessible to Pakistani Internet users: Internet service providers were ordered to block access to these sites. Blasphemy and other material aimed to offend and spread hate is indeed objectionable: I do not condone it. But during these times, what is deemed objectionable becomes impossible to define. Sadly, notions of self-censorship don't find traction here among the dishonest and immature minds pushing to cut us off from the rest of the world — and from progress.
    Malik orders immediate blockage of anti Islam websites ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday took strong note of those websites and SMS which are propagating anti Islam agenda and ordered blockage of these websites within 24 hours. The Minister ordered Secretary Interior that all those websites should be traced out which are propagating against Islam and said that cases should be registered against the persons who are involved in this act and residing in Pakistan. Malik also asked Interior Secretary to constitute a committee, comprising representatives of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and Federal Investigation Agency, under the supervision of Additional Secretary Interior to take into consideration the anti Islam propaganda. He said the committee should give its report in a week positively. Meanwhile, the Federal Minister appealed the youth to inform the government about the websites which are propagating against Islam and Pakistan.

    - Associated Press of Pakistan

    ]]>     16323 0 0 0     Pakistanis Take a Stand and Leverage the Law http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistanis-take-a-stand-and-leverage-the-law/ Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:07:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16328 The view that Governor Taseer’s death has spelled the death of free speech and activism, or forced moderates to retreat in the country – this view being particularly announced in the foreign press – is exaggerated and just one side of the picture. While the governor’s death and the reaction that has followed have instilled fear in the hearts of many, there are still people who refuse to “cower” and let the tyranny prevail. The vigils held the day after Salmaan Taseer’s assassination, as well as the one outside the Governor House in Lahore, are proof of this. Besides, this is not a fight for the survival of liberalism, secularism or the like in the country; it is a struggle for preserving humanity and upholding the law. A petition prepared by the Citizens For Democracy is to be sent to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, asking him to take suo moto action against vigilantism and incitement to violence (read and endorse the petition here). It makes reference to “the imam of the Mohabbat Khan mosque in Peshawar” who had announced a reward for the murder of Aasia Noreen, aka Aasiya Bibi, if the Lahore High Court acquitted her. The request states: “Given the religious sensitivities surrounding the issue at the heart of the matter, this matter can be reasonably taken up only by the esteemed Supreme Court of Pakistan to finally and conclusively determine the criminality in inciting murder in the midst of hysteria around allegations of blasphemy.” The qari’s example raises several other questions: While offering head money is a crime itself (a criminal offence punishable by law), what about the cleric’s unveiled attempt at influencing court proceedings, or making it crystal clear that only a certain type of verdict would be acceptable, obviously deriding the authority of the courts. Does that not call for contempt of court? Also, does the amount offered by the cleric not raise eyebrows within the National Accountability Bureau? How and from where is this cleric accessing such huge amounts of money? The exploitation of the common man and negligence by government officials, courts and law enforcers has pushed him into justifying high-profile killings such as Salmaan Taseer’s, even though he may not be religiously inclined to condone it. So sick is he of the rampant corruption amongst officials and institutions, that he now thinks the bumping off of any politician, bureaucrat of government office bearer makes one less in the band of many, and his response is simply ‘good riddance.’ What is being argued right now is that no person has the right nor should be allowed to call another a non-Muslim, incite others to kill and escape punishment by justifying murder on religious grounds. Although it is directly the duty of the government, courts and law-enforcers to take cognisance and action, in the absence of that happening, civil society is stepping in to remind the relevant authorities of their responsibility and requesting them to kindly uphold the law. This is why it was members of civil society in Karachi who took it upon themselves to file an application for an FIR against the Sultan Masjid cleric Munir Ahmed Shakir for saying in his Friday prayers sermon that anybody who commits blasphemy will meet the same fate as Salmaan Taseer. The constant refrain – that anyone who speaks about changes in this law (be they procedural, for example, suggesting a magistrate and not a policeman should be allowed to take cognisance of such cases) is not a Muslim and has committed blasphemy – under the current circumstances, could very well lead to more killings on religious grounds and their justifications. The cleric’s case is currently being investigated by the Darakhshan police, while he himself has denied charges levelled against him. It is heartening to see that PEMRA has followed suit and has finally come out and taken a stand by issuing a fine Samaa and Waqt for airing Qadri’s interview, in which he stated why he killed Taseer. It can be argued that it is this interview that helped generate support for the killer. According to the PEMRA notification, the authority also intends to place a ban on talk shows discussing sub judice matters. The prime minister was quoted as saying, “It was the collective obligation of media to make efforts against extremism and not highlight the ideology and activities of extremists.” Sure, the media must account for its excessive coverage of one point of view, but the fact remains that this happened also because few government officials came forward to state otherwise. Had any of this been said and done earlier, a lot of damage could have been prevented, and a life, too, may have been saved.
    pamphlet-against-sherryLetter of Incitement In this widely distributed pamphlet, in which the term "na paak" is used frequently, it says, "PPP, through its MNA Sherry Rehman, has presented a bill to amend the Blasphemy Law (Qanoon Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat) and a committee has been formed for this ('na paak') purpose under the Minister for Minorities." It clearly states that everybody must come out to protest against the amendment or repeal of this law. This handout also doubled as an invitation for the January 9 march in support of the blasphemy law held in Karachi that drew approximately 40,000 people.
    ]]>     16328 0 0 0     Point of View http://candle-thread.com/newsline/point-of-view-6/ Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:20:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16336 A different type of comic: Fauzia Husain presents her philosophical take on life through drawings. To see her other posts, click here. you-Fauzia-Husain-1 you-Fauzia-Husain-2   you-Fauzia-Husain-1]]> 16336 0 0 0 Are the People of Egypt on the Verge of Success? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/are-the-people-of-egypt-on-the-verge-of-success/ Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:38:59 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16389 “Based on the responsibility of the Armed Forces, and its commitment to protect the people, and to oversee their interests and security, and with a view to the safety of the nation and the citizenry, and of the achievements and properties of the great people of Egypt, and in affirmation and support for the legitimate demands of the people, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces convened today, 10 February 2011, to consider developments to date, and decided to remain in continuous session to consider what procedures and measures that may be taken to protect the nation, and the achievements and aspirations of the great people of Egypt."]]> 16389 0 0 0 Video: Blind Faith - Blasphemy in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-blind-faith-blasphemy-in-pakistan/ Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:17:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16446 Towards the end of 2010, controversy about Pakistan's blasphemy laws hit a fevered pitch. Soon after the calendar pages were flipped to 2011, the fiery debate had escalated further and the battle cries were maddening. By now, Pakistan, and much of the world, is familiar with the case of Aasiya Bibi: a poor Christian woman accused of blasphemy and on death row. And the story and heroism of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, the man who championed her cause and suggested a pardon for her after it became clear that she was a victim of prejudice and an unfair trial, has gained even more attention. Murdered by his own guard in broad daylight in a public market area, his brutal death has brought Aasiya Bibi's case and the ugly truth about Pakistan's extreme religious realities further into the international spotlight. Extremism isn't creeping through the country, it has already metastasised. blind-faith-doc-1Murder is being condoned by countless people across the country. The murderer is being showered in rose petals and lionised. Of course, many in Pakistan have been disgusted and ashamed at the celebration and rationalisation of a murder of a man who simply spoke out against injustice. Understanding how Pakistan reached this point is crucial to understanding the way back from the brink. Blind Faith, a documentary by Sarah Naqvi, aims to help with this education. Targeted at both English- and Urdu-speaking audiences, the film bravely shows how a law created to maintain peace under British rule has been adapted and amended to oppress in Muslim-majority Pakistan. It talks about the newfound power of the maulvi in Pakistani society, the culture of violence that has been nurtured over the years, the horrible toll the Blasphemy Law has taken on minorities and Muslims alike, and how capital punishment for blasphemy has no basis in the history of the region or in Islam itself.
    Naqvi's intelligent production can be viewed in two parts on her YouTube channel. Alternatively, Part 1 is embedded below. The video link for Part 2 follows at the bottom of this post. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQueJJxFcEE[/youtube] You can find Part 2 here.
    ]]>     16446 0 0 0     How Will the PPP Deal with this Murderer? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/how-will-the-ppp-deal-with-this-murderer/ Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:59:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16458 Today, we find the need to ask whether committing a murder is wrong. And whether the act should be condemned or not. In fact, murderers are lauded and showered with flowers, and Facebook pages are created hailing assassins. And why wouldn’t such views and conduct prevail, why wouldn’t the killer Malik Mumtaz Qadri be treated as a hero when mainstream religious party members, such as Sahibzada Zubair of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, categorically state on national television that Salmaan Taseer’s death was God’s verdict and nobody who loves the Prophet (PBUH) could or should condemn his murder? Or those like Maulana Fazlur Rahman, or Jamaat-e-Islami’s Farid Ahmed Paracha, who, while not out rightly stating that the murder should not be condemned, concede in no uncertain terms that the governor had injured the sentiments of thousands of Muslims in Pakistan and that this was bound to happen. On news talk shows, even those who do not belong to the religious parties were found deliberating more on what led to Governor Taseer’s death – i.e. his speeches against the Blasphemy Law and in support of Aasiya Bibi – than the act of murder, or the manner of killing. Additionally, over 500 “religious” men maintained that Taseer’s funeral must be boycotted. Talk on Twitter has it that the Badshahi mosque imam refused to pray Taseer’s namaz-e-janaza. Some accomplishment then that thousands turned up for the governor’s funeral – with the exception of both the Sharif brothers who were advised against going for “security reasons,” and the president – and that he was buried with full state honours. And despite the obvious fear of attacks against those publicly showing solidarity with the slain governor and his family, members of civil society did venture out for vigils in Islamabad, Karachi and Hyderabad. In the nation’s capital, they gathered at Kohsar market, where the deadly incident took place, while in Karachi and in Hyderabad, the vigil-turned-protests were held at the cities’ respective press clubs. These people were not PPP voters or supporters, nor necessarily fans of Salmaan Taseer’s politics, but conscientious members of civil society who stood their ground to denounce his assassination, and call what is wrong, wrong. With Governor Taseer’s example before us – and the reaction following his murder – the obvious message being sent out is that free speech and dissenting opinion will be silenced with a bullet. Religious political parties have stated that if other untoward incidents – like Taseer’s death – are to be prevented, then Sherry Rehman should withdraw her bill from the assembly and the Blasphemy Law debate should be dropped altogether. Of course, Babar Awan and Rehman Malik have already given their assurances that the Blasphemy Law will not be touched. How can we forget Babar Awan’s recent statement: “In my presence as the Law Minister, no one should think of finishing this law.” farid-ahmed-paracha-juiThe same people who were quick to criticise Taseer’s step to seek a presidential pardon for Aasiya Bibi instead of trusting the legal process and the court system are now, conveniently, promoting vigilantism. Previously there were clerics announcing head money for both Aasiya Bibi and Taseer. Now, on national television, Qadri's intent, and not his act, is the focus of discussion, and the murder is being justified on religious grounds. The Sunni Tehreek has gone so far as to say, “We will provide legal and constitutional protection to Mumtaz Qadri.” This is a huge cause for concern as such talk has already influenced the minds of many and continues to have the same effect. More and more people are buying into the view that discussion and debate on the Blasphemy Law is forbidden, and anyone who so much as raises questions is somehow guilty of blasphemy and must be killed. Those who dare to venture that taking the law into one's own hands is against the teachings of Islam and the exact opposite of what Prophet (PBUH) preached are silenced on the premise that they are not an "authority" on religion. The real message of Islam is thus being lost and there is no room left for discussion. But that doesn't seem to be perturbing too many people who are willingly – or unwillingly – yielding their right to think, or to hold a different opinion, and follow the spirit of their religion. What is of importance now is this: what course of action will the PPP now take with regards to the murderer? When Benazir Bhutto was killed, the PPP claimed that since they weren’t the ruling party they had no control over the investigations. Moreover, the party claimed that by the time the UN probe could uncover anything, all evidence had been swept away. Taseer’s murder, unlike all other assassinations in which the killers remain unknown, is different. In this case, the killer is in police custody, he was seen committing the crime and has confessed to it. What more is required for a trial and conviction? Law-enforcement agencies, courts and the PPP have been put to the test. Whether they are committed to providing justice and doing the right thing, or prefer to appease others and save their own skins, remains to be seen.]]> 16458 0 0 0 Pakistani Citizens Show That "This is Our Country Too." http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-citizens-show-that-this-is-our-country-too/ Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:01:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16480 In the days following the brutal murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, the voices of reason have seemed absent. Compassion gone. Justice non-existent. But outside of the busy blogosphere and English print media, there are people getting out and making sure their fellow citizens see that there are Pakistanis willing to stand up for what is right and against what is wrong. They have neither been absent nor silent, just simply drowned out. They know that on the other side of the divide the screams are louder and come wrapped in threats and intimidation, but these concerned citizens have continued with peaceful protests in Islamabad, Karachi and Hyderabad. Now there is one planned for Lahore. This one is appropriately organised by "The People of Pakistan." Promoting the "Rally Against Fear" on Facebook, one of the citizen organisers says, "Join hands to take responsibility for your country. Come out of your homes. Show that this is our country too." Due to take place on January 8, 2011 (details listed below), the event's mission is to re-inforce that "living in a democratic state entitles us to debate this [blasphemy] law or any law passed by a Parliament in a safe and secure atmosphere. We have the right to debate laws and social issues without threat of harm or loss of life." The strongly worded and passionate mission statement for the event not only clearly condemns the glorification of the assassination of the Punjab governor and the "hero-worship" of the killer, but bravely points out the "mainstream bodies" that have contributed to the depravity playing out on television, in the courthouses and even in bank offices around the country where people have been celebrating the cold-blooded murder of a man with flowers and candies. The organisers stress their condemnation of the following:
    - Lawyers showering the killer with rose petals on his arrival in court - The Islamabad Bar Council, in an unprecedented move, offering the killer free legal representation - Dozens of lawyers coming forward to represent him free of charge - The Jamaat-e-Ahle-Sunnat Pakistan (JASP) the largest body of the Barhelvi group coming out in support of the killer by insisting that “no Muslim should attend the funeral or even try to pray for the Governor or express any kind of regret or sympathy over the incident.” “We pay rich tribute and salute the bravery, valour and faith of Mumtaz Qadri.” Adding that ministers, politicians, so-called intellectuals and anchorpersons should learn lessons from the Governor’s death.”
    The statement includes quotes from the slain governor taken from an interview published here at Newsline explaining why he stood up for Aasiya Bibi and what exactly were his views on the blasphemy laws. Read the full interview with Salmaan Taseer here. Read the "Rally Against Fear" mission statement and get more details of the event on its Facebook event page.
    What: RALLY AGAINST FEAR When: Saturday, January 8 · 12:00pm - 2:00pm Where: Outside Quaid-e-Azam Library, Lahore Quaid-e-Azam Library is a research and reference library situated in Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.
    ]]>     16480 0 0 0     Agents of Change: Youth Tackle Gender-based Violence http://candle-thread.com/newsline/agents-of-change-youth-tackle-gender-based-violence/ Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:44:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16491 uks-gender-group-1Through the Gender Lens, a handbook – and also the culmination of a yearlong collaborative effort between Uks and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and 39 youth selected from around the country – was launched in Islamabad on Human Rights Day, December 10. Says Tasneem Ahmar the director of Uks, a research, resource and publication centre on women and media: “UNFPA approached us [Uks] in January this year in search of a partner who could train youth to create gender-sensitive media content on gender-based violence.” Advertised through flyers in newspapers and at educational institutes, the response was overwhelming, says project coordinator Saadia Haq, who is also a radio producer. “We thought girls would not apply from a lot of the areas, but we were surprised when we received entries from areas of Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – in fact small agencies of KPK – and Sukkur, etc.” Aged between 15 and 25, the group of 39, which included an equal number of male and female members, hailed from both the urban centres and rural districts of the country: Chakwal, Jacobabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Waziristan, Mansehra, AJK (Azad Jammu and Kashmir), Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. In March, the group met for the first time for a one-day orientation session in which they were introduced to the project, the aims of which were to create awareness regarding gender-based violence, promote gender equity and equality, and advance the view that women’s rights are human rights. The participants went through a rigorous training process over the passage of the year. Divided into three groups according to their areas of interest (print, radio or TV), they were educated on what gender-based violence was, trained to deconstruct media messages (projections and stereotyping of women in the media as well as the manner in which gender-based crimes are reported) by monitoring a selected number of TV and radio programmes and print matter, and tasked to eventually produce gender-sensitive media content of their own. Once equipped with the gender lens and the technical skills, the youth returned to their respective hometowns to begin peer training – it was expected of them to pass on what they had learned to at least 35 people in their communities – and complete their media productions that they were required to turn in by the end of the year. The peer-training sessions ranged from workshops, seminars and press conferences to rallies and processions. “In extremely difficult circumstances, amidst deteriorating law-and-order situations, despite cancellations, the participants continued their trainings,” says Haq. “They even sat people down at roadside hotels to pass on the message. Some of our youth members were even displaced by the floods, they were living in tents – in fact some still are – but still they turned in productions that swept me off my feet. They have exceeded all expectations.” A panel comprising some of the members of the core group, including Dr Salman Asif (UNFPA), Amir Mateen (Senior Correspondent, The News, Islamabad), Rana Jawad (Bureau Chief of Geo TV, Islamabad), Tasneem Ahmar, as well as guest speakers Sherry Rehman and the director of the HRCP, I. A. Rehman, worked closely with the participants and addressed the audience. Ms. Ahmar informed the audience how initially the participants couldn’t really communicate with one another. “Some couldn’t understand English, others couldn’t converse in Urdu – or didn’t want to,” she said. “There was hesitation. We saw a huge communication gap. That has been bridged now, and that is another success of the project. They have overcome whatever inhibitions they had as a group. They’ve all worked together and there has been no discrimination on the basis of anything.” uks-gender-lens-panelDeliberating on gender-based violence, I.A. Rehman stated: “Gender violence is part of the Pakistani mindset; it is a part of the collective. We tried to get rid of this, but Zia-ul-Haq came along, and after that every man made it his duty to beat the woman – and women accepted their lot in life. I feel that there is an increase in gender violence today; it [the concept] is even embedded in the minds of those who call themselves progressive. The youth need to rid themselves of this inheritance.” These 39 youth who, according to Rana Jawad, have already reached out to people in their areas and beyond to spread awareness, were to him “passionate and inquisitive, like a new lease of life.” Amir Mateen stressed the need to strike a balance in newsrooms as far as a female presence was concerned, without which, he stated, reporting could not become gender sensitive. However, gender-based violence needed to be highlighted more in the mainstream media, he added. “When nobody viewed media as a construct, as something that shapes reality,” said Sherry Rehman, “Tasneem started this project: how the media covers gender-based violence and how it projects stereotypes. This is a grassroots project.” Addressing the participants, she said that Uks had equipped them with a revolutionary tool and they should ensure that the initiative is taken forward, that it remains an ongoing process and they become the ‘agents of change’ everybody sees them as. The handbook, which was provided to all the guests at the event, details the different activities the participants were involved in as part of their training. It is available in both Urdu and in English. It also serves as a training manual for those who want to conduct peer training of their own.]]> 16491 0 0 0 Pakistani Writers and Bloggers React to Salmaan Taseer's Death http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-writers-and-bloggers-react-to-salmaan-taseers-death/ Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:47:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16495 In the hours that passed after the murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, there were many people who shamefully celebrated his death. Disrespectful Facebook pages were created, while pictures of the murderer carried the disturbing title: "Salute to the Greatness of Ghazi Malik Mumtaz Qadri." Less than 24 hours later, some of those Facebook pages already were inaccessible. Of course, while some television commentators duplicitously blamed Salmaan Taseer for his own fate, there were many people who remembered him fairly and with respect. In a recent interview with Newsline, Salmaan Taseer said honestly and eloquently why standing up for Aasiya Bibi and against the Blasphemy Laws was the right thing to do:
    "I went to Sheikhupura jail to stand up against a bully and it has encouraged others to do so as well. That’s what taking a moral stance is. I am honestly happy to say that I am heartened by the huge response from ordinary folk. Even people who are deeply religious have spoken out against this black law. Ghamdi, for example, has stated clearly that this has nothing to do with Islam – Islam calls on us to protect minorities, the weak and the vulnerable."
    In this sad time for Pakistan, when justice, reason and compassion are in short supply, here are a few voices from the Pakistani blogosphere who have remembered Governor Taseer's bravery, have stood up for his shared values and are railing against the madness that seems to be strengthening its hold on the country. Raza Rumi at the Express Tribune
    Salmaan Taseer’s brutal murder at the hands of a policeman is a cruel reminder of where we have landed ourselves: in a dark morass of irrationality lorded over by pernicious ideologies. Taseer was a representative of the federation in the largest province of Pakistan. Yet, as his death shows, he was very vulnerable to the deep-seated prejudice within the state and society. A target of the reactionaries and of bigots, he became a symbol of resistance against the Talibanisation of Punjab.
    Omar at Accidental Blogger
    The killer already has a hugely popular fan page on FB. I know people are trying to have the FB page shut down, but I think the page should NOT be shut down. People are not "radicalized" on this page, they come to this page because they are "radicals". Let others see them and see what the mindset is really like. Otherwise, we will be forever plagued by 'Westoxicated' liberals whose only frame of reference is postmodern western academia and who only know this type of Muslim through the eyes of some professor in Columbia University or Berkeley...little brown children, bravely struggling against the hegemonic discourse of the west or some such...
    Raza Habib Raja at Pak Tea House
    Around 4:30 today, I received a call from my friend while sitting in the office informing me about the murder of Salman Taseer by one of his security guards. Besides informing me about the tragic episode he also warned me not to condemn the murder and more importantly not to criticize blasphemy law openly as fanaticism has really seeped into the society. He reminded me that when such a powerful figure such as Salman Taseer was not able to survive how ordinary people like us could remain safe. The words of my friend are an exact reflection of how much we have descended into madness and also on the virtual absence of state’s writ when it came to religious inspired violence.
    Ahsan at Asian Correspondent
    You’ll never see those calling for greater tolerance killing or intimidating those calling for less tolerance. It’s always the other way around in this country. It’s such an uneven fight, and Governor Salman Taseer found out just how uneven today. Plenty of media personnel and right-wing politicians in this country contributed to this with their constant “wajib-ul-qatl” refrain, not to mention equating support for blasphemy laws to support for Islam. All of them could technically be dealt with as inciters to violence (illegal in our country, and basically every other one out there) but they won’t. You get to say and do whatever you want, act with as much impunity as you want — as long as you have God on your side.
    Ahsan also provides a great post with other quotes and reactions on Governor Taseer's Assassination. Karachi Khatmal at Copy Paste Material
    for starters, celebrating deaths is a pretty shitty act. but if we start thinking that it is a refuge only taken by the stone-age , FATA-living, honor-killing, beard-measuring fundamentalists, we need to think again. for starters, one of the reportedly eight fan pages of taseer's killers had over a 100 fans. when i clicked through their profiles, they were also fans of stuff like Enrique Iglesias, Family Guy, 300, Coke Studio, the Godfather. a prominent ahmed qureshi-clone blogger, dan qayyum, constantly tweeted that it was time to take out all the liberal extremist cunts. his previous tweets had been about how roy hodgson wasn't good enough [for] his beloved liverpool. see the contradictions here?
    Tazeen at A Reluctant Mind
    Governor Taseer is probably the highest profile victim of the blasphemy law. He was shot dead because he was brave, he believed that all citizens should be treated fairly and he died for holding that belief. He decided to support a poor Christian woman on death row and he was chastised, ridiculed and threatened for that. In the end, he was even killed for that. All the PPP ministers such as Khurshid Shah and Babar Awan who defended the law should be hauled along with all the maulanas who burned his effigies and issued fatwas against him for this brutal murder.
    Kalsoom at Changing Up Pakistan
    I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, but I am also disgusted by those who continue to hide their own blasphemous faces behind the blasphemy laws, who use violence to mask their own cowardice. I am disgusted that Salman Taseer was one of only a few brave enough to stand up to the religiously bigoted, while others stood silent. And finally, I am disgusted by those who would rather speak ill of the dead and defile Taseer. Put aside your pettiness and have some respect. Salman Taseer died a martyr today, and our condolences and prayers go out to his family. His death is a tremendous loss for Pakistan and for the fight to amend the blasphemy laws, but it is one that should mobilize us all to take a stand. Or else we all will have blood on our hands.
    From Cafe Pyala
    So how do we deal with all this? I have heard a lot of dismay and hopelessness today and I can completely understand the feeling. For many people, this is another nail in the coffin of the idea of a viable future for Pakistan. The only option to counter this feeling of despondency, in my opinion, is to become more assertive and louder and to shame those who would stifle dissent. The problem of course is that wishy-washy liberalism cannot fight fanaticism. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Simply put, we can either shut up, resign ourselves to our fate and disconnect from this country and society or we can fight back and refuse to cede the space that the bastards want us to. Nobody ever said it would be easy. As a start, let us declare Qadri, all those who support Qadri and murderers like him, the Khatm-e-Nabuwat movement and its ilk, as outside the pale of Islam. Let's see how they like being referred to as blasphemers and murtids. Nobody said the fight would not be dirty.
    ]]>     16495 0 0 0     Newsline's Most Popular Posts of 2010 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newslines-most-popular-posts-of-2010/ Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:57:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16502
    As each year unfolds, it's not easy to predict what news stories and events will end up grabbing the most attention around the world. In 2010, there were plenty of highs and lows, plenty of drama and plenty of fascinating personalities. Of course, it was no different in Pakistan, but the lows seemed to hijack the narrative this year: the Sialkot murders, the floods, the spot-fixing scandal, an increase in urban violence in Karachi, economic turmoil, an escalation in drone attacks and continued suicide bombings, to name just a few. Here is a list of the Top 10 posts on NewslineMagazine.com in 2010. It shows that what catches the imagination of readers is as diverse as the people who make the headlines. You can also have your say: Vote below for the biggest news story of 2010.
    Most Popular Posts of 2010 1.Protest Against Sialkot Murders Goes Off Track By Farieha Aziz 2.Abdul Razzaq Wins the Day for Pakistan By Talib Qizilbash 3.Critics of Facebook Ban Face Nasty Battle By Farieha Aziz 4.Atif Aslam in “Bol”: From Bollywood to Lollywood By Sonya Rehman 5.Movie Review: Dabangg By Zara Farooqui 6.Interview: Cheapmunks By Zara Farooqui 7.After Facebook and YouTube, Will Pakistan Block Everything? By Talib Qizilbash 8.Pakistan’s Hunza Valley: Another Paradise Lost? By Hermann Kreutzmann 9.Facing It By Bina Khan 10.The Injustice Continues By Aftab Alexander Mughal

    Vote in the poll below:

    [poll id="15"]
      newsline-logoThe top posts of the year on NewslineMagazine.com continues. Here are the posts that just missed the top 10. Below you'll find posts on an international ecological disaster, religious and political extremism, charity, lifestyle and crime. 11.With Time the Spill Rate of BP Oil Disaster Only Gets Worse By Talib Qizilbash 12.The Conservatively Hip By Ayesha Siddiqa 13.Give Some Live Goats This Eid By Online Editor 14.The Sea and Sand Tool Kit By Bina Khan 15.Case of Murdered Sialkot Brothers Sent to Trial Court By Online Editor]]>     16502 0 0 0     Murder They Wrote: Banners by Religious Groups Incite Violence http://candle-thread.com/newsline/murder-they-wrote-banners-by-religious-groups-incite-violence/ Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:38:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15253 (Yet Another) Hate-mongering Alert: Across Karachi are banners asking for Tehmina Durrani to be hanged. Who has issued this call? Yet another ‘tehreek.’ This time it is one that calls itself the Tehreek-Tahafuz-e-Tableegh-e-Islam. It takes offence to “a book written by Tehmina Durrani” in which she has allegedly slandered God’s Auliyas and Ulemas. The obvious reference seems to be to her book, Blasphemy, which deals with the exploitation of women at the hands of pirs – a certain pir and the way the supposed religious figure victimises the women of his household and community. For anybody to deny that there are such ‘religious men’ who victimise and molest women and children would be atrocious. This, of course, does not mean that every such personality in this country does so. Still, there are those who do, and they get away with it. So hang them if there is anyone that should be hanged; however, the capital punishment debate is another one. Misconstruing and misrepresenting the words of others seems to have become a favourite pastime of these ‘tehreeks,’ as has their zealous demand to hang people. (I’m sure they would much prefer to strike it off the Taliban way). And many people have cried themselves hoarse objecting to similar pamphlets and banners that spread lies about people and invite others to vehemently denounce, if not kill, them. And since there seems to be no shortage of Qadris or supporters of the likes of him, there is a very real possibility that this hate will result in another death. What is anyone doing about this? Sadly, that is another tragic story. The people who have the power to do something lack the will, and those that have the will lack the power. If only ‘someone’ would state strongly that the lives of people will not be threatened and any person or organisation to do so will face dire consequences. But that call doesn’t come. This article has not been written because the life of Tehmina Durrani, specifically, has been threatened. It is certainly not a protest to the life of an influential or a member of the elite being threatened. It is, however, a protest against threats made against the lives of people, human beings, who are the victims of such extremism. The masses, especially those that belong to the lower socio-economic groups, face the brunt of it all. It is their houses that are burned down. They are the ones hacked, stoned or tortured to death, and it is they who have to flee for their lives and live like refugees in their own country since they don’t have the facility of jumping on a plane and leaving.]]> 15253 0 0 0 Pakistan Team Deserves a Hero’s Welcome http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistan-team-deserves-a-heros-welcome/ Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:17:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15319 “After an hour of disbelief, here is all I can manage: Thank You Team Pakistan, Thank You for restoring hope at a juncture where it was all but lost, thank you for reminding the world why they can NEVER count us out, thank you for proving our critics wrong –I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t gutted! But you have been brilliant, you have …”  – Fahad Hussain via Facebook
    “I love the men in green for making us all realise we’re Pakistanis first. And can get together to support one cause. I hope the patriotism lasts forever!” – Faiza Karamali via Facebook
    “I salute the Pakistan Cricket Team for performing extremely well throughout the World Cup and fighting for their goal and securing third position in the rankings” – Mofeez Sheikh via Facebook
    “So proud of Afridi, Lala you were brilliant. No need to apologise. Extremely proud of the team, we made it to the semifinals. Well played” – Sana Saleem via Facebook
    “Considering the circumstances #TeamPakistan has been through, it’s brilliance of Afridi & team to reach this far. Well done!”   – FurSid via Twitter
    “My heart breaks for Afridi. He carried us all the way here and deserves our gratitude” – Sami Shah via Twitter
    “No Lala!! No need to apologise! You did us proud” – Kalakawa via Twitter
    “We’ve survived international cricket isolation, match fixing scandals & still come this far; Lala & his boys have done us proud –respect!” – Yusra Askari via Twitter
    “Men in green, you have given us a lot of joy over the past few weeks and every reason to be proud of you” – Nighat Dad via Twitter
    “Team Pakistan you did well throughout the World Cup 2011. We will give you a heroes’ welcome on your return home #cwc2011″ – Jehan Ara via Twitter
    Our players, and especially our captain, are truly deserving of a hero’s welcome on their return home.]]>     15319 0 0 0     Does the Pakistan Cricket Team have the Goods to Really Win the Cup? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/does-the-pakistan-cricket-team-have-the-goods-to-really-win-the-cup/ Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:28:02 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15327 see a list of past World Cup winners in the table at the end of this post). Here is what ESPNcricinfo’s Osman Samiuddin wrote about Pakistan and their bowling in the ICC World Cup 2011:
    “They have every modern-day bowling option you can imagine. They have a right-arm fast bowler, a left-arm fast bowler (and both are fast, not fast-medium or some such dilution), a left-arm spinner, an offspinner, a legspinner, a right-arm medium-pacer; save for the chinaman, each and every angle is covered here. They have new ball wicket-takers, old ball reverse-swingers, death-over specialists, choking spinners through the middle, attacking ones through the same. Just in case of injury or form, they have Shoaib’s pace, Saeed Ajmal’s off-spin and Junaid Khan’s left-arm angle as back-up. So well-stocked have they been with options, they’ve even opened with spin, something they hadn’t done in 13 years before this, and with some success.” [caption id="attachment_15372" align="alignright" width="360"]The West Indies' Chris Gayle holds his head in disappointment after Pakistan crushed his team by 10 wickets in the quarterfinals of the 2011 ICC World Cup. Photo: AP The West Indies' Chris Gayle holds his head in disappointment after Pakistan crushed his team by 10 wickets in the quarterfinals of the 2011 ICC World Cup. Photo: AP[/caption]

    Pakistan’s surprise consistency (the crushing 110-run loss to New Zealand the obvious exception) and discipline has caught everyone off guard. Everyone knew the team had the talent to win games, but with such ease? There, of course, have been other surprises in this tournament, too: Ponting’s failures and England’s inconsistencies, to name just a few. England has been so unpredictable (while Pakistan has been so commanding) a ESPNcricinfo commentator said, “If England are the new Pakistan, Pakistan are fast becoming the new Australia.” But are the Pakistani cricketers on a sustainable roll? Do they have unstoppable momentum and real unity? Are they getting better as the tournament progresses? Things looked good coming into the World Cup too. Pakistan were solid in their series in New Zealand in early 2011 when they took the series 3-2. Captain Shahid Afridi was even talking a good game in the lead-up to the international cricket tournament, saying his boys were working hard and playing cohesive team cricket. And as expected, they trounced Bangladesh by 89 runs in an World Cup warm-up match (though three days later they floundered against England). After playing well in both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Pakistan heads to the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, India, for their semi-final match. And if Pakistan can hold it together and continue to play what Reuters has described as “clinical” cricket, steadily spinning their opponents into the dust, they will play the finals in Mumbai on April 2. But playing in India will have an altogether different vibe for the Green Shirts from playing in the less hostile terrain of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Still, I would mark your calendars. My bets are on Pakistan to be there. What do you think? Vote in out poll below:
    Do you think that the Pakistani cricket team will reach the finals of the 2011 ICC World Cup?
    • Yes, and they will bring the Cup home! (71%, 576 Votes)
    • No (23%, 186 Votes)
    • Yes, but they will lose in the finals (6%, 60 Votes)
    Total Voters: 813

    Past World Cup Tournaments and Winners

    Can Pakistan be the next ICC World Cup Champions?cricket-world-cup-winners

    Source: cricket.yahoo.com

    ]]>     15327 0 0 0     Remembering Faiz: Jashn-e-Faiz in Karachi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/remembering-faiz-jashn-e-faiz-in-karachi/ Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:14:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15594 “In December 2010, it was decided by a group of dedicated literature enthusiasts that the work of Faiz Ahmed Faiz would be remembered all through 2011 to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary,” says Abbas Husain, member of the Faiz Centennial Committee. The celebrations started on December 26, 2010, at the Arts Council in Karachi. Zia Mohyedduin performed a fantastic reading of letters Faiz wrote to his wife, Alys, while he was in jail. Full of musings, poetry and remembrances of days past, the letters were full of nostalgia for elder Faiz mavens. Then on January 4, 2011, a small celebration was held at Kal Qadir Khan in Punjab, the birthplace of Faiz. It was the initiation of a series of events planned throughout the year. The secretary of the centennial committee, Rahat Saeed, has said that there has been a positive nationwide response about the Faiz Centennial Celebrations with numerous organising committees in the four provinces. And the celebrations are not limited to Pakistan, but will take place all over the globe. One such recent event were the Faiz centennial celebrations held on February 12 at the Twelve Arts Gallery in Philadelphia, U.S.A. In the last four months, small events have been taking place throughout the country. On February 14, Sabeen Mahmud of The Second Floor organised a special event for remembering Faiz with performances by those under 30. It was a full house with people occupying every inch of space. Interpretive dances to Faiz’s poetry were performed. Faiz: Poet in Troubled Times, a documentary made by British-Pakistani film director Faris Kermani was also screened. The documentary was an excellent portrayal of the life and times of the great poet with footage from his birthplace and the educational institutions he attended. In March, the National Repertory of Performing Arts (NAPA) and the Karachi Press Club also held events to remember Faiz. Music students from NAPA performed the ghazals of Faiz with poetry readings and choreographed dance moves. At the Press Club, admirers of Faiz’s work and those who knew him recalled their memories and impressions of the great man. The director of the advertising agency Manhattan International, Zafar-ullah Poshni, was a young man when he was imprisoned with Faiz. Much of the poetry recently published in a new volume of Faiz’s work was heard by Poshni live and firsthand while in prison. He said that his days in jail were bearable due to Faiz’s smiling visage and the wit that accompanies old age. On Sunday April 17, a day-long event, organised by the Citizens for Democracy (CFD) and the Faiz Centennial Committee will be held. The event will comprise plays, poetry readings, discussions and performances by Strings, Shehzad Roy, Laal, Ali Azmat and Fuzon. “It is through citizen philanthropy that this event has been made possible,” says Husain. “We approached multi-national companies for sponsorships but were rejected. Through the donations of people who wish to remain anonymous, the Jashn-e-Faiz has become a reality.” To participate, make note of the event details below and sign up at the CFD website. Security will be tight and pre-registration is required.
    The Facts: What: Jashn-e-Faiz: a day-long celebration and tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz for his centenary. When: Sunday 17 April 2011 11am – 12 midnight Where: KMC Sports Centre, Kashmir Road, Karachi For more information, please see the CFD blog.
    ]]>     15594 0 0 0     Friends "In Deed" http://candle-thread.com/newsline/friends-in-deed/ Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:05:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15618 If anything, British PM David Cameron has proven one thing for sure with his recent visit to Islamabad: he is an astute politician. He has shown very brilliantly how to keep both "Raam and Raheem" happy when visiting their respective domains. A few months back, he had ruffled many feathers here by singing the anti-Pakistan tune from New Delhi with special emphasis on the "T" word. The "T" word, of course, stands for (very sadly) what Pakistan has been associated with in recent years; you guessed it: "Terrorism." Reversing course in Islamabad, and what is labelled as "succumbing to the galleries" back in the UK, Mr Cameron alluded to certain wrongs committed by Great Britain in the past. Needless to say, it did not bode well with his countrymen back home. The uproar in the UK was focused on why revisit the past and apologise for something that is history. There are plenty of wrongs committed by everyone including the "British Raj." The world should move on, much like the Brits have. To some extent, the Brits may be right, but those who were offended by Cameron’s comments conveniently forgot that a career politician never misses a chance to secure applause. They thrive on it, whether they are at home or abroad. The British really had an opportunity to fix a lot of their wrongs in the subcontinent, at least at the time, when they finally decided to leave India and granted independence to India and Pakistan. The concept of partition was well and good in theory, but in practice without proper monitoring it turned out to be the one of the worst bloodbaths in the history of mankind. The process of migration of people from both sides should have been monitored with certain conditions. The sheer haste that the Brits demonstrated in leaving India and the subsequent chaos that ensued is shameful. The inequitable division, which led to the formation of two very hostile neighbours, is also no secret. Cameron’s U-turn in Pakistan is based upon his harsh realisation of the great significance of Pakistan in the global war on terror. Pakistan has taken a huge toll internally and externally by becoming the foot soldier for its western allies. The fact is, with or without the wrongfully dubbed “America’s War,” Pakistan is fully involved in Afghanistan to maintain its infamous “strategic depth.” The show of such depth is integral for Pakistan’s survival in order to counter any major moves by its archrival in neighbouring Afghanistan. Even if the US were to leave Afghanistan tomorrow, the net effect on Pakistan will probably remain the same. Those who think by reversing the course and readopting the Taliban would be the best strategy for Pakistan are really mistaken. When Mr Cameron was busy “pleasing the galleries” here in Pakistan, there was a congressional panel in Washington recommending President Obama to abandon Pakistan and embrace India. According to some of the panellists, Pakistan is on “life support”, so to speak. They argued that it would be prudent for the US to align itself with the emerging and somewhat rightly labelled “Shining India.” The strategy of abandoning Pakistan now, in the midst of all this, would likely backfire, much like it did for US back in the early 1980s when America left Afghanistan in shambles upon the Soviet retreat. The world witnessed its horrible repercussions and is still trying to struggle with the aftermath of such an ill-conceived strategy. There are certain conflicts where force is not the most effective solution. At least not in a uniquely placed country like Afghanistan where conflict is another name for survival. The country has a long history of such conflicts and survival of the “strongest” seems to be the overarching principle. In this scenario, the best course of action is to play a constructive role in bringing an ideological paradigm shift both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The US, UK and other western allies should concentrate on the end game in Afghanistan. All military conflicts have to come to an eventual end. This particular one has been quite taxing on the economies of their respective countries. If anything, the conclusion of this game depends on political maturity in all countries (especially the US and Afghanistan) along with the development of a vigilant security apparatus in the war-torn central Asian nation that will prevent any questionable threat to gain momentum and reverse any progress. The “cut-and-run theory” did not work in the past for British and for the Americans in their respective venues. Real change is witnessed by all when there is a stable government, thriving economy, freedom of religion and opportunities for all. If the US, UK and other western allies, really want to see a good return on their investment, so to speak, then they should be focusing on these initiatives. If they are our true friends indeed, then they have to demonstrate a true commitment to these measures. Empty stomachs and a lack of hope are the reasons people reason deviate and rebel. The Af-Pak region has been on a downward flight for too long: its time to alter its trajectory.]]> 15618 0 0 0 Newsline Wins Three APNS Awards for 2009-2010 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newsline-wins-three-apns-awards-for-2009-2010/ Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:08:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15621 In March, the All Pakistan Newspaper Society announced the winners of the latest round of awards for excellence in print journalism. Newsline is proud to report that our winning streak continues. After collecting multiple laurels each for the periods 2005-2006 and 2007-2008, Newsline has bagged three more APNS awards for 2009-2010. The winners were invited to the Presidency in Islamabad for an awards ceremony on March 28. (To see all the winners visit the APNS website). Here are our winners:
    • Analyst and author Ayesha Siddiqa won for Best General Investigative Report
    • Newsline’s Online Editor, Talib Qizilbash, was awarded Best Investigative Report (Business/Economic)
    • Bright, young in-housers Maheen Bashir Adamjee and Zara Farooqui were jointly awarded with the Best Feature (English) award.
    Thankfully, in some quarters, merit is still awarded.
    Read Newsline's award-winning articles by clicking the links below: Terror’s Training Ground by Ayesha Siddiqa September 2009 South Punjab is a region mired in poverty and underdevelopment. There are few job prospects for the youth. It’s in areas like this, amid economic stagnation and hopelessness, that religious extremists find fertile ground to plant and spread their ideology. Powerless by Talib Qizilbash August 2009 Despite warnings of a massive impending energy crisis, the Musharraf regime failed to act decisively. Now in the midst of it, the new government, oddly, seems to be moving too slowly — and worse still, without a well thought out strategy. Armed To Educate by Maheen Bashir Adamjee and Zara Farooqui August 2010 Lyari has a reputation for violence and drugs, but a more intimate look at the town reveals street schools and theatre groups set up by the locals in a bid to forge a new future.
    ]]>     15621 0 0 0     Newsline's April 2011 Issue: What's Inside http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newslines-april-2011-issue-whats-inside/ Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:48:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15626 01Tabinda04-11 (1)Newsline’s April 2011 issue is still available on newsstands across Pakistan. We have another great line-up of writers and compelling stories. And yes, there is something in it for everyone. Our cover story is a must-read. Amir Zia writes about "The Business of Crime" and suggests that as the crime mafia’s vise around Karachi’s business community tightens, the country’s economic hub braces itself for another flight of capital. Also part of the cover story is an interview with Muhammad Saeed Shafiq, president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in addition to a report on the activities of the Lyari Amn Committee. Saad Hasan takes stock of Pakistan's tax net: As the fiscal deficit widens the obvious answer is also to widen the tax net, but will the government cut back on its expenditure and plug the leak? Newsline's Farieha Aziz provides an update on religious violence in Pakistan as the first quarter of 2011 comes to a close. Already numerous blasphemy cases, murders and acts of vigilantism on religious grounds have been reported. There is also an interview with Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan's representative for Human Rights Watch. Other articles include an analysis of the Pakistan dream in Hamza Usman's "Not Jinnah’s Pakistan," and an examination of the ongoing spy war between the ISI and the CIA by I.A. Rehman in "Act One, Part Two." There is also a Newsline exclusive investigative report by award-winning author Salam Dharejo in which he exposes the trafficking of beggars from Pakistan to Iran and the Middle East. Rahimullah Yusufzai writes about the recent drone attacks in Waziristan, Abdul Wahab reports on the tragic death of 43 coal miners in Balochistan, and Arshad Yusufzai reports on how the ongoing military operations in parts of FATA have led to the full-scale resumption of poppy cultivation. From across the border, we also have our monthly "Letter from India" by Sujoy Dhar. This month he writes on euthanasia, survival and the power of speech. And there is still more: recent Newsline APNS award winners also have new articles in this issue: Maheen Bashir Adamjee writes on the intersection of women, religion and politics; Zara Farooqui looks at the "lawn wars" raging in Pakistan's fashion industry; while Talib Qizilbash probes the new spring that has taken hold across the Arab world and examines how the revolutions will progress from here. Of course, there is more on art, more on movies, more on books and more interviews. And more on sports: a great ICC World Cup round-up is waiting for you with superb commentary by Afia Salam and Nadir Hassan, accompanied by photos that you'll want to keep. Get you copy today.]]> 15626 0 0 0 What They Said: Statements by Gambhir and Afridi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/what-they-said-statements-by-gambhir-and-afridi/ Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:02:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15633 gautam-gambhir-cricket-indiaWhile cricketers from both Pakistan and India avoided major controversy during the majority of the 2011 ICC World Cup, a couple of ill-advised statements book-ending the final of the international sporting event got people on both sides of the border steamed up as simmering distrust and animosity between the two nations was brought to a furious boil. Much has been said about the comments of Pakistan's Shahid Afridi and India's Gautam Gambhir. Here, for the record, is what they said. For Afridi, click play on the embedded video. For Gambhir, a few excerpts from the Indian press have been included below. Here's a clip of Afridi's interview on Samaa television: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmtV2Ow2XRg[/youtube] You can see the entire video here. Below is a quote by Gambhir and a couple of excerpts from the Indian media reflecting his comments. From the Hindustan Times:
    "...if we win the final, for me, it'll be dedicated to the people who lost their lives in the 26/11 massacre. To my mind, a win against Pakistan and a win in the final and that too in Mumbai should be dedicated to those victims."
    From another article in the Hindustan Times:
    The ‘patriotic’ streak was apparent as Gambhir recounted his chance meeting with some armymen during a visit to Jammu. “One of them was so emotional that he suggested I get a tattoo on my body saying, ‘I will never lose to Pakistan.’ The tattoo hasn’t happened but the sentiment is etched on my heart and soul.”
    From the Economic Times:
    Gambhir said he was "sure" the win against Pakistan would have helped those affected by the attacks and that victory should be dedicated to the victims.
    To read more about the controversy, visit the links below: ]]>     15633 0 0 0     Video of the Day: Afridi Talks Some More http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-of-the-day-afridi-talks-some-more/ Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:19:36 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15700 Despite Pakistan's harsh World Cup loss in the semi-final match against India, Pakistanis still greeted their captain, Shahid Afridi, like a champion on his return. But then after being a great leader and sportsman in India, he said something in an interview that took a bit of the shine off the golden boy: it seemed like he might have characterised his Indian hosts as stingy and unwelcoming. In the NDTV video interview below, he has his chance to set the record straight.     ]]> 15700 0 0 0 What Lala Shouldn’t Have Said http://candle-thread.com/newsline/what-lala-shouldnt-have-said/ Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:25:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15705 The uber Lala fan that I have been called, I stand thoroughly disappointed with his latest statement made on Asma Shirazi’s show. Blissfully unaware that anything of the sort had taken place, I logged in to Twitter to find almost everybody discussing Shahid Afridi’s awful statement. Opened link, watched video and yes, it was awful. In response to a question Shirazi asked him about his experience in India, he said: “Musalmanon aur Pakistanion ke dil bohat barray hain, jo un logon ke kabhi nahi hosaktay.” I will not translate this into English, because I do not want to take it upon myself to assume who the reference of ‘un log’ was for. I want to know myself who those ‘log’ he means are. Is it the Indian people at large, spectators at the match, the Indian media? Who? Nevertheless, once the statement was made, instantly, it drained the goodwill and unmade all the new fans – especially on the other side of the border. But should it be like that? Should I start hating him too, calling him a fundo, bigot etc., etc., because of this one statement? As I wrote on Twitter, some smart person on my timeline said one statement should not negate all the good ones. I don’t agree with what Afridi said. I don’t subscribe to that mindset and I’m not one to go with generalistations. But neither am I going to castigate the man for what I hope was an error on his part. And before casting all kinds of accusations and forming judgments, and sending Afridi to the doghouse, consider this: the Pakistan team entered India to play a semi-final under tremendous pressure. They arrived in India with threats from the Shiv Sena. Once there, the Indian media was vicious to say the least, and launched a diatribe against the Pakistan team. The crowd – and this we saw on our screens and writers in India attested to the same – did not cheer any team but India. Coming back home with that experience and experiencing the unexpected – thousands of fans gathered at the airport to welcome back a team who had lost to India in the semi-final – must have taken some digesting. So was the statement on Asma Shirazi’s show made to pander Pakistani audiences? Was it an ill-phrased sigh of relief for being back home among ‘one’s own,’ where there is support? And where one will finally be allowed to breathe? Erroneous statements were also made on the other side of the border. Gambhir’s words were also doing the rounds of Twitter, just not as much. He dedicated the Mohali win to those affected by the Mumbai attacks. It was uncalled for. Does one statement cancel out the other? No. Both were in bad taste. What everyone did is lose perspective. The ridiculous hype created in both countries – especially by the media – practically turning a match into a war, passing off one as better than the other, was a grievous error. What Afridi said that caused outrage on both sides of the border came towards the end of the show. It was the third time (or more) the topic of Indo-Pak relations and the experience there was brought up. There was absolutely no need to do so, or to try and end on that note. In fact, there was no need for so much emphasis on the India-Pakistan match or relations in the first place. We lost a match, we must accept defeat. Winning something by having our flag waved in Mohali and national anthem being played there are mere delusions. Like a GEO public service message aptly said: “Agar India se jeetna hai to taleem mei bhi jeeto" (If you want to win from India, win in the field of education as well). There is a 1:5 PhD ratio between Pakistan and India: thus, for every one PhD earned in Pakistan, there are five earned in India. Yes, the Indian population is much larger, but we must put an end to this obsession of victory over India for all the wrong things, and we must bury the hostility. There are more important things to strive for. What our problem really is – and it’s a subcontinental one – is this: the hero to zero phenomenon. Our oscillations between two extremes – love and hate. This needs changing. Watch the full video, then decide: http://awaztoday.com/playvideo.asp?pageId=13993]]> 15705 0 0 0 What Lala Said http://candle-thread.com/newsline/what-lala-said/ Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:31:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15711 Lala won the heart of his nation even if he didn’t win the World Cup. Pakistan Skipper Shahid Afridi has been on a roll, not just on the field but also off it. From the get go, he has said and done the right things – and he sure has mastered the art of public speaking. Confident, eloquent, honest and behind his boys 100 per cent,he’s been nothing short of brilliant behind the microphone, addressing members of the press and audiences around the world. While it was his post-match presentation ceremony speech in Mohali that clean bowled us, where he apologised to the Pakistani nation for not making it to the final ... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpnKHQW3-qQ[/youtube] ... on many other occasions he has been the strong front the Pakistan team needed. His immediate response to Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s statements was that he shouldn’t have said what he did, and later stated: “Rehman Malik made a mistake making those remarks, especially at that stage, and I hope in future he will not repeat it.” In the pre-match press conference in Mohali, despite all the hype about the next day’s match, Afridi was calm and composed. And he put things in perspective. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bPpWmCeNdU&feature=related[/youtube] Asked about an alleged statement he made about not allowing Tendulkar to score his 100th century in the semi-final – which for the record he didn’t, taking a catch off Ajmal’s bowling after Tendulkar was dropped thrice in his own overs – Afridi had this to say: “I’ve been following the Indian media for the past two days and I have noticed that they try to create a mountain out of a molehill. I didn’t say anything against Sachin; however, if somebody asks me, as captain, I will obviously not say I’ll allow him to score a century,” (see video above – much more interesting to hear in Urdu). He faulted the Indian media and laid much responsibility at its doorstep for the sour Indo-Pak relations. “India are the favourites in this tournament, we are not,” said Afridi. “For us, to come and play in India is a huge occasion and cricket has always strengthened this (Pak-India) relationship,” telling members of the press to focus on the positives for a change (see the video at the eight-minute mark). In the post-match ceremony and press conference... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0vebEm-PoY[/youtube] ... Afridi graciously congratulated the Indian team and Indian spectators on their win, commended his boys for making it this far in the tournament, expressing his happiness at captaining such a side, while admitting with honesty that the Pakistan team’s poor batting and fielding performance was inexcusable. About his own batting, he admitted that he failed to do the needful in the semi-final. “In batting sometimes I perform and sometimes I don’t, but for the last four years I’ve been focusing on my bowling,” he remarked in an earlier press conference. And focus on his bowling he did, picking up 21 wickets at an average economy rate of 4.0 with a 5-wicket haul to his name. Speaking to reporters at his home in Karachi, once again, he apologised – which elicited a similar response to that of the previous apology: that there was no need – for the poor batting performance in particular. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVQWHaw_22g&feature=related[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xJhfHYpBs0[/youtube] Again, when the Pakistan-India match topic was broached, he set the record straight with the Pakistani media the way he did with its Indian counterpart: “Why are we so against India? In every home there are Indian dramas running, we watch Indian movies, our wedding ceremonies follow Indian trends, then what is all the hatred and competition about? Treat a sport as a sport.” Throughout, Afridi emphasised, "we are a unit," “the boys are doing a great job” and “I am very happy as a captain.” Rebuilding the team has been an important part of the journey. “We’ve gone through a tough time in the last seven, eight months,” said Afridi, adding, “This World Cup matters a lot to us; we’re trying to bring cricket back home.” And he may have already clinched that deal – word is, Sri Lanka may be touring Pakistan in October-November. Afridi has tackled questions, criticisms and pressure with seeming effortless ease, all in a bid to keep his boys relaxed and focused on the game. He has responded to questions about poor performances, selection of team members, bad decisions, but never once debased any of his squad members. And though Afridi has matured, humour is not beyond him. The man whose antics such as his infamous "kiss to Kallis" keep audiences entertained, he kept it up off the field as well. In the post-match press conference in Mohali, Afridi cheekily added that he did, after all, prevent Tendulkar from scoring a century. Back home, crediting Pakistan cricket with the feat, he said, “We facilitated a meeting between two prime ministers.” His casual manner at the pre-match ceremony before the Mohali showdown was also amazing. Not able to hear one question very well, which was about the average age of the Pakistan team being quite young, Afridi remarked: “You’re saying this by looking at me?” (yeh aap mujhe dekh ke keh rahay hain?). And in the midst of responding to two questions asked by one reporter, mid-sentence he halted to say: “Yaar sawal doosra konsa tha bhai,” causing the crowd to erupt into laughter with Afridi himself breaking out into a smile. Said Afridi: “I’m a cricketer first, then a diplomat. I am the ambassador of Pakistan so I should know what to say.” Well, he certainly did. He kept his nerve and helped keep the team’s. I’d vote for him as our goodwill ambassador any day!]]> 15711 0 0 0 Cricket Poll: What went so wrong for Pakistan in the Semi-finals? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cricket-poll-what-went-so-wrong-for-pakistan-in-the-semi-finals/ Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:33:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15717 It's been two days and everyone is still talking about it. While Pakistanis are proud of the fabulous run made by their boys in green at the cricket World Cup 2011, they are also devastated at Team Pakistan's poor performance in their semi-final match against India. Pakistan supporters had become increasingly confident of the green shirts chances as the competition played out. Before Pakistan beat the Aussies to nab the number one spot in their group, a NewslineMagazine.com poll showed 49% of voters believed Pakistan could make it to the finals and win it all. After the win against the defending World Cup champions, that number started to rise. And after the crushing win over the West Indies in the quarterfinals, the number rose further with 70% believing Pakistan would bring the cup home. It is hard to pin the semi-final loss against their arch-rivals on any one aspect: so much went wrong. What is your take on Pakistan's loss?
    [poll id="17"]
    Our previous poll (now closed):
    [poll id="16"]
    ]]>     15717 0 0 0     Time to Act http://candle-thread.com/newsline/time-to-act/ Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:40:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15752 http://citizensfordemocracy.wordpress.com) which has already been endorsed by over 800 people and 80 organisations online. On Saturday, March 12, this campaign will assume the shape of a public event. Opposite Park Towers, Karachi, from 11am to 7pm, you will be able to come sign the letter (see below) and post it to the President, Prime Minister, Interior Minister, Chief Justice and heads of all political parties. Come tell them you expect them to take a clear stand and swift action; you want safety and protection to be guaranteed, and sanity to be restored. It’s time to join hands and become a force to be reckoned with.
    Open letter to The President, Prime Minister, Interior Minister, Chief Justice, and heads of all political parties, Pakistan Re: Murder of Shahbaz Bhatti and demand for action against calls for violence and vigilante action The murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, again highlights the rampant lawlessness in Pakistan and the impunity with which the “forces of violence” act against “whoever stands against their radical philosophy,” to quote the late Mr Bhatti. These “forces” find fertile ground to operate in an atmosphere where calls to vigilante action are publically made and celebrated. We urge the government and its functionaries to swiftly apprehend, charge, try and punish Mr Bhatti’s murderers, and also to take immediate measures to curb this trend. We urge all political parties and parliamentarians to take a clear stand on this issue: No citizen has the right to cast aspersions at the faith and beliefs of any other citizen or to term someone else a ‘blasphemer’. We urge the federal and provincial governments, the judiciary and the security and law enforcement agencies to ensure protection for those, like former information minister Sherry Rehman, who are publicly threatened by extremists Some immediate steps that must immediately be taken include: 1. An urgent and meaningful shift in the long-standing policy of appeasing extremists, by the security establishment, the judiciary, the political class and much of the media, with a few honourable exceptions. 2. Hold accountable and charge under the law those who incite hatred and violence; zero tolerance for any public labeling of anyone as ‘blasphemer’, which in the current situation is an incitement to murder, even brazen declaration of criminal intent and commission of a crime. Some recent examples of such incitement are:
- Maulana Yousuf Qureshi, Imam of the Mohabbat Khan Mosque, Peshawar, announced a Rs 500,000 award for the murder of Asia Bibi if the Lahore High Court acquitted her of blasphemy (reported on December 3, 2010, a month prior to the murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer; some newspaperseven wrote editorials supporting this call for murder.)
- Banners placed at public places in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi-Islamabad by “Tehreek-e-Nifaz-Tableegh-e-Islam” terming Tehmina Durrani as Pakistan’s Taslima Nasreen and demanding that she be hanged. These must be removed forthwith and the organisation, and administrative officers who allowed these banners to be placed, proceeded against. 3. Prevent the rising number of ‘blasphemy’ cases being registered, by laying down and enforcing a law whereby no such cases may be registered without being inquired into by a judicial magistrate.
    ]]>     15752 0 0 0     Your Body and Vitamin D http://candle-thread.com/newsline/your-body-and-vitamin-d/ Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:13:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15759 15759 0 0 0 A Place I Don’t Know… http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-place-i-dont-know/ Sat, 05 Mar 2011 05:21:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15762 *This was originally published as a Facebook note by the author]]> 15762 0 0 0 If Raymond Davis Calls Himself a Consultant for the Consulate, Does it Matter? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/if-raymond-davis-calls-himself-a-consultant-for-the-consulate-does-it-matter/ Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:42:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15955 kar lo” (just put ‘Diamond’). The footage is not of the highest quality, ostensibly captured by a mobile phone. The phone seems to placed on a desk or table in front of Davis with police officers along at least two sides of the table, to the left of Davis and across from him. The camera points up and captures only part of Davis (head, neck, arms, hands) mostly in silhouette and apparently standing up (he later asks if he can sit). While standing, he asks for his passport, shows his identification cards, and requests bottled water. But the video also reveals some more important pieces of information — and most are straight from Davis’s mouth. Not surprisingly, this video was leaked to the press, in this case Dunya TV. In one exchange (transcribed below), Davis describes himself as a “consultant.” And, in the preceding moments, even though it is not entirely clear because of the picture quality and angle of the camera, while showing (flipping from one to another) the official badges around his neck to the police officers interrogating him, it seems like Davis explains his two pieces of US government identification the following way, and in the following order, (go to 0:54 mark of the video): “This is an old badge, Islamabad. This is Lahore.” The police officer asks, “You are now working in consul general?” Raymond Davis replies, “Yes.” Officer: “Lahore?” Davis: “Yes.” Officer: “As a …?” Davis: “Uh, I just work as a consultant there. Officer: “Consultant?” Davis: “Yeah, with the RAO.” The Guardian reports that the RAO is “an apparent reference to the US regional affairs office.” Does this video mean that Davis himself has admitted on camera to the police that he is a member of US consular staff in Lahore, and not diplomatic staff? Not exactly, because at one point early in the video, Davis is asked if he “belongs to the American embassy,” and he replies, “Yes.” Also the Guardian reports this:
    US officials declined to comment on the clip, but insisted that Davis’s specific assignments at any given time did not detract from the fact that he was officially an American embassy employee who was considered part of the “administrative and technical staff.”
    Of course none of that explains why he seems to refer to his Islamabad identification as his “old badge” or why he described himself as a consultant. On Thursday February 17, there was a report on a national Pakistani news channel showing a lawyer representing the family members of the men shot dead by Raymond Davis talking to reporters. He was reminding the media and the nation of the inconsistencies in the US stance on the US citizen’s legal status and position in Pakistan — inconsistencies that have been throughly reported in the press in Pakistan (like in this article here). Those inconsistencies revolve around official statements by the US government on Jan 28 and Jan 29, 2011. On January 28, a day after the tragic event that saw two men, Faizan Haider and Muhammad Faheem, killed by Raymond Davis, and a third, Ubaid-ur-Rehman, killed in a hit-and-run incident involving a vehicle operated by US government staff, the Embassy of the United States in Islamabad issued this statement:
    A staff member of the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore was involved in an incident yesterday that regrettably resulted in the loss of life. The U.S. Embassy is working with Pakistani authorities to determine the facts and work toward a resolution.
    The next day on January 29, the US embassy put out a new official statement that included this:
    “The diplomat, assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, has a U.S. diplomatic passport and Pakistani visa valid until June 2012.”
    Raymond Davis’s own words and the inconsistencies from the US government matter because as many people have discussed and explained in detail over the past three weeks in the media, the difference between diplomatic staff and consular staff is a large one where diplomatic immunity is concerned. While diplomats, including “technical and administrative” staff, have “inviolable” immunity in regards to criminal offences, a consular staff member has limited immunity that would be unavailable in cases where a “grave crime” has been committed (i.e. killing another human being). The question that everyone is asking, though, is what do the official records of Pakistan’s foreign office show for the legal status of Raymond Davis: recognised diplomat, consular officer or other?
    Click play to see the video clip obtained and broadcast by Dunya of Raymond Davis in the Lahore police thana on January 27, 2011.
    Below are two official statements released by the US embassy following the deaths of three Pakistanis on January 27 in Lahore.
    [caption id="attachment_15958" align="aligncenter" width="584"]Web page capture: US embassy press release on 28 January 2011 Web page capture: US embassy press release on 28 January 2011[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_15959" align="aligncenter" width="584"]Web page capture: US embassy press release on 29 January 2011 Web page capture: US embassy press release on 29 January 2011[/caption]
    ]]>     15955 0 0 0     John Kerry Goes to Lahore to Sell the Case for Immunity http://candle-thread.com/newsline/john-kerry-goes-to-lahore-to-sell-the-case-for-immunity/ Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:05:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15975 [caption id="attachment_15988" align="alignright" width="360"]Raymond Davis is escorted from a Lahore courthouse by police in January 2011. Raymond Davis is escorted from a Lahore courthouse by police in January 2011.[/caption] But who is Raymond Davis? Is he really a legitimate member of the US Embassy’s “technical and administrative staff?” Though it has not been proven in a court of law (and may never have a chance to be done), the evidence that has been gathered so far portrays Raymond Davis as being a private security contractor, some sort of hired gun, or what some here would simply rather call a spy. So the question becomes this: was the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations created to protect anyone who enters the country under the cover of a diplomatic passport, no matter what the scope of their work, whether legal or illegal? And if not, how is the international law set up to handle the cases where diplomatic passports have been issued in bad faith as some sort of insurance to people hired to break the law of the host country — people who roam the host country with loaded weapons, people who are hired to kill? There is an inherent spirit of trust and message of goodwill in the preamble of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It talks about how the purpose of the “privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions as representing States” and how they should “contribute to the development of friendly relations among nations.” So while John Kerry argued that “what is being asserted here is not a matter of American preference, or American privilege, or American arrogance… [but] a law that has existed for 50 years,” he is likely being disingenuous about the professional role of Raymond Davis in Pakistan and how immunity should apply to an American who knowingly violated Pakistani law by carrying a loaded weapon and killing two men in broad daylight. So what is ostensibly being asserted is deceitfulness. What the Pakistani government needs to do is to make their position on the status of Raymond Davis clear and consistent. It should be based on facts, based in reality. The problem is, the real identity and job of Davis likely won’t reflect well on the ruling PPP either. Because if Davis is a private military contractor working for the US government under diplomatic cover, it is very possible he is not the only hired gun who has entered Pakistan this way. And as diplomatic visas don’t get issued blindly, that means someone in Islamabad facilitated the scheme. It is doubtful it was a peon.]]> 15975 0 0 0 Video: Rahat Ali Khan Detained For Undeclared Cash http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-rahat-ali-khan-detained-for-undeclared-cash/ Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:09:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16220
    News reports early on Monday evening were reporting that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was released by Indian police officials after being held for interrogation at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. The Pakistani singer who has legions of fans on both sides of the Indo-Pak border was stopped on Sunday and held overnight at the airport because of the legions of undeclared Benjamins craftily packed away in his belongings as he tried to board a plane on his way back to the land of the pure. But he wasn’t so foolish as to try to carry $100,000 across the border on his own. He enlisted the help and pockets of members of his 15-member troupe. Hours of questioning that carried well into Monday by India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had officials in Pakistan concerned for the plump, baby-faced star, who is considered to be a national treasure, and even more so after making it big in Bollywood and on Indian TV. But it is likely that the Filmfare award Rahat Fateh Ali Khan recently nabbed wasn’t on anyone’s mind — except perhaps some conspiracy-loving Pakistanis who would like to think the Indians only stopped him because they saw the crooner as something akin to a Muslim invader leading a convoy of ‘stolen’ riches out of the country forever. Pakistani officials seemed seriously worried about the treatment of the musician, who up until this point had been a pristine beacon of pride for Pakistan. IBN Live reported that “Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Sharat Sabarwal and discussed the matter around midnight on Sunday. He requested the Indian envoy to ensure that ‘no official should misbehave with Rahat during interrogation’.” Foreign Secretary Bashir also reportedly pressed the Pakistani High Commissioner to India to urgently secure the release of the nephew of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. And it seems like he did.

    But only sort of. The singer with the soaring voice is temporarily grounded: he can’t leave India. In another IBN report, sources said, “Rahat, along with two of his colleagues Maroof and Chitresh Shrivastava, have been asked to appear before the DRI on February 17,” and “Rahat was released after an assurance by the Pakistan High Commission that he will cooperate with the probe.” We know how Rahat Fateh Ali Khan makes his money (TV, soundtracks, concerts and singing at private functions like weddings), so he is probably not money laundering, but is it smart in this and age of crime, corruption and terrorism to knowingly break the law and try to smuggle cash across in your pockets and hand luggage. Briefcases full of cash never look legit. Like everyone else, he seems to really hate taxes.

    In an interview with IBN, lawyer Majid Memon said that given that the entire troupe travelling with Rahat was around 15-people strong, the total monetary sum being transported, in theory, could be divided among all the heads in the group and thus bring the amount being carried by each person down below the permissible $10,000 limit. What was surprising was not that the popular singer was trying to bring undeclared cash into Pakistan from India but that he tried to bring so much at one time and, worse still, that this is allegedly (but in no way confirmed) not the first time he has done it. Also, in the singer’s ensemble of assets, his cash section was reportedly accompanied by other financial instruments: demand drafts and traveller’s cheques. It’s going to take more than a song and a dance to get Rahat Fateh Ali Khan out of this Indian jam. In this video IBN Live reports on Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s predicament:
    ]]>     16220 0 0 0     What’s Inside? It’s a Bumper Issue! http://candle-thread.com/newsline/whats-inside-its-a-bumper-issue/ Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:25:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16365 Newsline-Feb.Cover11 Look for this cover at newsstands across Pakistan and pick up your copy today.[/caption] The February 2011 issue of Newsline is out on newsstands across Pakistan now. Want to know what’s inside? Well, it’s packed full of fascinating features on politicsand religion, the media, the energy crisis, society, the ICC World Cup, drug addiction and more. The cover story deals with Pakistan’s growing ideological divide and asks if Jinnah’s inclusive and democratic vision of Pakistan can prevail over Zia’s theocratic vision. This comprehensive 16-page report features articles by Zahid Hussain, Khaled Ahmed,Dr Khalid Zaheer, Zohra Yusuf and Fousia Saeed, while Rahimullah Yusufzai looks at the case of a maulana in Peshawar who has gotten away with inciting violence and murder against ‘blasphemers.’ In an exclusive exposé, renowned author Ayesha Siddiqa asks, “Who is depriving the people of Cholistan of their land and water?” Also inside, you’ll find a Special Report by Farieha Aziz. In it she explores case studies on the misused blasphemy law, plus the origin and history of Sections 295-B and 295-C of the controversial law. Amir Zia analyse’s how Pakistan’s rulers refuse to listen to advice from its own financial experts to enact tough economic reform. Zara Farooqui looks at the mushrooming production of high-end and stylish events in Pakistan, while Maheen Bashir Adamjee takes a peak at fashion designer Sonya Battla’s autumn/winter collection. There is also a review of Maha Khan Phillips’ book, Beautiful From This Angle, and an interview with the author. Does this book succeed as a satire? Get your copy to find out. And from India, Sujoy Dhar looks at graft in Asia’s third largest economy. With viral corruption and a constant stream of billion-dollar scams being regularly exposed, will India’s arrival as a truly great nation in the eyes of the world have to wait? And in sports, there is the must-read team-by-team analysis of the 2011 ICC World Cup by Khalid Hussain. You’ll need his insight now if you want to impress your friends and sound authoritative at the next party. He even picks the nine players that could lead their respective countries to victory. It’s a bumper issue. Get your copy today at newsstands and from booksellers across Pakistan.]]> 16365 0 0 0 Ten Great Tweets after Mubarak’s Non-resignation Speech http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ten-great-tweets-after-mubaraks-non-resignation-speech/ Fri, 11 Feb 2011 07:34:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16379 before and after President Hosni Mubarak gave his ‘historic’ speech to the Egyptian people. Before the speech, twitterers were speculating about the delay of the dictator’s announced address using the hashtag #reasonsmubarakislate. Afterwards, jokes, laments and expressions of shock were sent out with numerous tags: #Egypt, #Mubarak, #Tahrir and #Jan25. The predicted resignation speech turned out to be a jumbled mess of contradictions, ambiguities and contempt. How did everyone, including the media and the top US intelligence agency, get it all so wrong? Or should we be surprised at all? As the crowd in Cairo’s Tahrir Square became louder and louder after Mubarak made it clear he was not ready to leave, as the chants of “Go, go, go!” gained strength and as people waved their shoes in the air at their deaf leader, people around the world showed their solidarity with frustrated Egyptians by yelling out on twitter. Here are just 10 of the scores of witty and thoughtful tweets that lit up my screen as the world sat disappointed (understatement) and the CIA sent someone his pink slip (hopefully).
    @ammaryasir Somebody needs to send Hosni a box of mangoes, that’s how we got rid of our least favorite dictator. #Zia #Egypt
    @asadbukhalil This speech will go down in history as the dumbest speech ever delivered by a dictator.
    @DavidCornDC Mubarak: “I have lived for this nation….I will not leave it until I am buried in the ground.”//That kinda sounds like an invitation #Egypt
    @shemreznauman #Mubarak done with his speech, says “peace be with you”. Will there be peace tomorrow in #Egypt? In Tahrir Square?
    @AdamSerwer Mubarak says he’s staying to help Egypt through “the current crisis.” dude, you ARE the current crisis.
    @ArabRevolution To his Palace! All Egyptians should march to all of his palaces. In Cairo, Alex, Sharm…etc Tomorrow! #Egypt #Jan25 #Tahrir #Mubarak
    @hiranajam Wait, did Mubarak just SHIT on Obama’s ‘a historical moment in Egypt’?
    @dmsouthasia Web feed froze. Did I miss the part where Mubarak resigns?
    @acarvin So is it right that he has indeed become President Emeritus of Egypt? #jan25
    @AdamWeinstein Never let it be said that Hosni Mubarak couldn’t find a way to unite the Egyptian people. #jan25
    ]]>     16379 0 0 0     Newsline Films Co-production Screening This Week http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newsline-films-co-production-screening-this-week/ Tue, 17 May 2011 09:51:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11149 The trouble with madrassas: A still from "The Battle for Pakistan."[/caption] The Battle for Pakistan, a Newsline Films/SAMAA TV co-production, was screened at Film South Asia 2009, in Kathmandu. It was picked as one of the top 12 festival films to be included as part of Travelling Film South Asia (TFSA) 2011. The documentary investigates the nexus between madrassas and extremism in Pakistan. Since its 2009 debut, the film has been screened at a number of venues in Asia, Europe and the USA. TFSA kicks off in Karachi at T2F on Friday May 20 at 6pm with a screening of this important film directed by Maheen Zia and produced by Tehmina Ahmed. Here is more about TFSA 2011 and the other films to screened, courtesy of T2F:
    Travelling Film South Asia 2011 Friday, 20th May 2011 - Sunday, 22nd May 2011 Join us at T2F for 3 days of documentary film screenings from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan The 12 touring documentaries of Travelling Film South Asia are outstanding examples of non-fiction productions of the last three years from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. They have been selected from the 35 documentaries screened in the competitive section of Film South Asia ’09, the ‘mother festival’, held in Kathmandu in September 2009. The selection has been carried out in consultation with FSA ’09’s three-member jury, chaired by Chennai-based cultural critic, Sadanand Menon. Friday, 20th May 2011 | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday, 21st May 2011 | 4:00 pm to 9:45 pm Sunday, 22nd May 2011 | 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm Download the screening schedule here.
    ]]>     11149 0 0 0     What's Inside: A Peek at the May 2011 Issue http://candle-thread.com/newsline/whats-inside-a-peek-at-the-may-2011-issue/ Mon, 16 May 2011 07:59:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11350 What's in Newsline's May issue? Well, there's enough meat in this issue to keep you sated until June. On Osama bin Laden: Our multi-part cover story asks, "With Osama gone, is Pakistan now Public Enemy Number One?" In two in-depth articles, respected journalist and Al-Qaeda expert Rahimullah Yusufzai explores the manhunt that lasted a decade and ended in Pakistan. He analyses Pakistan's failures and responses in respect to the fatal Abbottabad raid and also delves into the frosty nature of the CIA-ISI relationship, exploring how ties have worsened in the past few months and how the latest chapter will shape the future of the distrustful relationship. Arif Rana probes the mysterious night-time raid and talks to people in Abbottabad about it, while Sairah Irshad Khan provides a crisp biography on Osama bin Laden and ponders his legacy. On re-opening the ZAB Trial: I.A. Rehman (in "The Trial, Part II") explores whether a new verdict in the case against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto can restore the PPP's fast diminishing credibility. Accompanying that analysis are two interviews: one with Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto and another with Ghulam Mustafa Khar. In "Bhutto in the Pakistani Imagination," Ayaz Amir explores how Bhutto in power was a flawed figure but Bhutto deposed is the stuff of legend and poetry. On the Mukhtaran Mai Case: Salman Raja analyses the Supreme Court's judgement and argues that unless the stereotypical narrative of rape that governed Mai's case is not reconstructed, future rape victims will find that irrespective of the evidence, they have already been ruled against in the courts of law and public opinion. Newsline interviews Senior Supreme Court Advocate Iqbal Haider for his analysis of the controversial judgement. On the Economy: Amir Zia looks at the government's aversion to adopting tough economic reforms despite pressure from the IMF. And there is lots more: Aoun Sahi investigates the bizarre case of cannibalism in a Punjab village. Mahir Ali looks at the Arab Spring and the US and Israeli reactions to it. Sujoy Dhar contributes his monthly letter from India in which he writes about civil society's newfound unwillingness to remain silent. Farieha Aziz interviews Pakistan cricket superstar Shahid Afridi and finds him to be every part the people's captain: down-to-earth, hospitable and, of course, charming. Shanaz Ramzi recaps Style360 Bridal Couture Week. Zara Farooqui profiles food connoisseur and professional chef Amina Agha, aka Poppy. Maheen Bashir Adamjee interviews Bilal Maqsood of Strings. And of course there is even more: more on politics, more on books, more on movies and more on art. Get the full package and be fully informed. Buy your copy today.
    The May 2011 issue of Newsline is available on newsstands across Pakistan now.
    ]]>     11350 0 0 0     Opposing National Democrats, Supporting Foreign Terrorists http://candle-thread.com/newsline/opposing-national-democrats-supporting-foreign-terrorists/ Sat, 14 May 2011 09:49:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11444 Small signs of support: Protest rallies were held across Pakistan in various cities to protest the US raid in Abbottabad and the death of Osama bin Laden, but the crowds at most were small.[/caption] Over the last decade, our nation has gone through a significant ideological transformation on key political issues. If this wasn’t clear enough in recent years, the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of US Navy SEALs on Pakistani soil has made it crystal clear now. Never before has the US been so overwhelmingly detested in Pakistan as they are now. Just try to quote one example from the past when our religious political parties ever had the desire, or guts, to criticise any military operation carried out against the nationalist movements in Balochistan and East Pakistan, or the democratic movements in Sindh and Punjab. Not easy, right? But now these religious parties waste no opportunity to curse military operations against terrorists in the country. What has changed their mindset so radically? Why has an act that they once considered legal and unavoidable for the integrity of the country now become illegal and unacceptable to them?  The rift between the government and the religious parties has now become very wide and deep. Now, these two sides disagree with each other on most of the fundamental national issues. In a press release from May 2, 2011, Pakistan’s foreign office stated, “More than 5,000 Pakistani security and armed forces officials have been martyred in Pakistan’s campaign against Al-Qaeda, other terrorist organisations and affiliates.” This might have been the first time in the history of Pakistan that a government-issued press release blamed Al-Qaeda and its affiliates for unleashing death and tyranny in this country. This is diametrically opposite to what most of the supporters of bin Laden have been saying since his death on May 2. They claim that Al-Qaeda, and specifically its leader, were never hostile to Pakistan. Contrary to what the government says, bin Laden is still portrayed by his supporters as a holy warrior who sacrificed his life fighting against the forces of Pharaoh. The government of Pakistan and all those who criticise the policies of Al-Qaeda are now being depicted in the Urdu press as traitors siding with the forces of infidels. According to a report that appeared in the daily Jang on May 7, 2011, Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza bin Laden was among the militants who attacked Pakistani forces in Waziristan back in 2005. Yet, he is now regarded as a hero by those who were once always very quick to label critics of the Pakistan army as anti-Pakistani or anti-Islamic. So while Osama bin Laden and his followers are accused by the government of not only killing innocent citizens but also army personnel, these facts bring no remorse to the country’s religious parties and their supporters. Their faithfulness to the perpetrator of these crimes remains alive and is thriving. Currently, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) stands out as a most vocal religious party upholding Osama as a hero of the Muslim ummah. History shows us that the JI was actively involved in supporting a campaign that labelled Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a traitor and a person under the influence of the Hindu leadership of India. The witch-hunt against him continued until his landslide electoral victory in the majority province of a then united country when he became the undisputed hero of the people of East Pakistan. When the military began its operation in East Pakistan to quell the alleged insurgency there, its main allies on the civilian front were the Muslim League and the JI, who ran a counter-insurgency movement under the names of Al-Shams and Al-Badar. Ironically, the JI is now calling Osama bin Laden a hero while he has been blamed for anti-state activities and the killing of thousands of civilians and security officials. Moreover, it is no secret that bin Laden didn’t approve of the close partnership between the US and Pakistan in the war on terror. In 2007, the Al-Qaeda leader had called on Muslims in Pakistan to wage jihad against their government. So, the JI is now supporting an organisation that, to the present Pakistani government, appears to be the equivalent of the former Mukti Bahini. Of course, things started differently back in the 1960s. Merely raising a six-point agenda for provincial autonomy was deemed enough to declare Mujibur Rahman disloyal to the country, and in 1971 it was further used to justify an eventual march by the military to crush the largest elected political party of the country. The violent reaction of the Bengali population against the military operation under the banner of Mukti Bahini was, and is still, used as a justification for the massacre carried out in East Pakistan by the military. The rationale in West Pakistan was the Islamic Republic of Pakistan had to be saved from dismemberment: political and military leaders hailing from the western portion had assumed authority as the custodians of the country and its ideology. The JI and other political parties from West Pakistan were in full support of this operation. What we are facing in Pakistan now is a kind of repeat of what we experienced back in 1971. Only this time, the roles have been changed. Instead of a national leader playing in the main role, a non-national is assigned the title of leader by his followers. He didn’t gain this title by working peacefully for the rights of the people he leads. He became a leader by default, and that too because of the militancy he engaged in. He never presented himself openly in public and never led any peaceful political procession. He didn’t even contest any national election to determine his electoral strength and popularity. Yet, he led and guided his followers from unknown hideouts and never tried to restrain his disciples from conducting terrorist attacks on the innocent citizens of the country in which he was enjoying well-sheltered accommodation. All these deeds sound like crimes to many, but they didn’t to his followers. Patriotism has a different meaning for them. It seems as though the killing of Pakistani nationals by non-nationals and providing support to such elements are not at all unpatriotic or un-Islamic for the JI and many other similar religious parties in the country now. In this case, ostensibly, taking up arms against the country, and that too by those who have no legitimate representation in the country, is neither regarded as an act of rebellion or war, nor a violation of sovereignty. Poor Bengalis, I feel pity for them because of the price they had to pay for not electing a single member of the JI in the election of 1971! Changing rules and principles to suit the political ambitions of a section of the population might give opportunists some temporary advantages but ultimately it will fail to establish the rule of law in the country. The rule of law is not established by influencing the law with any ideology, it is established when we make it free from political or religious influences. The illegal steps taken in 1971 against Mujibur Rahman haunt us to this day. A similar fate will await us again, if we fail to take honest and just steps, free from all prejudices.]]> 11444 0 0 0 From Balochistan: A Tale of Promise, Prejudice & Potential http://candle-thread.com/newsline/from-balochistan-a-tale-of-promise-prejudice-potential/ Thu, 12 May 2011 10:01:01 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11452 School's out: In Balochistan, most children (59%) don't go to school. Source: thebalochhal.com[/caption] I board an early morning flight from Islamabad to Quetta. In the last one year, this is my 50th trip to Balochistan, the beautiful but bitter province of Pakistan. I have been assisting in the implementation of quality education initiatives for poor and destitute children. The flight to the provincial capital lasts one hour and 15 minutes, and as usual, we have a rough landing. I step out of the airport to the chilly Quetta breeze and start chatting with the driver who always rushes excitedly towards me, even if he sees me thrice a week. I always feel welcome here. This city is one of a kind. It has real character. The Baloch as well as the Pashtun (Quetta is largely Pashtun dominated) tradition of hospitality colours everything, and is impossible to miss. Most men are strong and well built, and have shawls draped around themselves to keep warm as the temperature drops – some men even have mufflers and woollen scarves falling from their shoulders. It is now November and even the hardy men here need to protect themselves from the early winter that embraces the city. There are hardly any women visible on the road but there are some young girls dressed in blue and white uniforms heading to schools in vans, buses and by foot. Very few are in cars. The children here are extremely beautiful. Sadly, the majority I see are not wearing uniforms like the students in blue and white. Sometimes it seems as though I see children everywhere except in schools. More than 59% of children of a school-going age do not have any access to schooling here. There are simply not enough schools for everyone. And where there are schools, cows and sheep and other herds have comfortably made themselves at home. Female literacy is as low as 14%, yet women are fairly active in public life in Quetta. But as one moves to the scattered interior of Balochistan, the horrible state of women becomes disturbingly obvious. The girl child is completely neglected and sidelined here. She is denied everything, starting with adequate food and moving on to schooling and medical care, even in times of dire need. So hospitality is not the only ubiquitous thing here. Poverty permeates the land and is as harsh as the biting Quetta wind. Vendors have set up small stalls along the roadside and are preparing for business as usual. The brown, dusty mountains offer a unique view, forming a mysteriously quiet background. Under the only cement bridge in the city, I notice a contingent of some two to three hundred armoured military vehicles. I ask the driver about them. He looks at me in the rear-view mirror and replies rather plainly, “They are for the military operations.” Days earlier, I had watched a video online in which family members of missing persons from Balochistan were protesting. They called upon the government to take action and give them access to some information about their loved ones: their whereabouts and whether or not they were even alive. Bleeding from the wounds sustained in the ongoing and ruthless separatist struggle, mourning from endless ethnic target killings and buckling under the crushing helplessness felt in a place where hundreds, if not thousands, of people go missing without a trace, denizens of Balochistan live in an environment of fear, violence and blatant human rights abuses. Every year, scores of people disappear in Balochistan. It has become a large and internationally known problem, especially over the last five years. Moreover, the sinister role of Pakistan’s security agencies is an open secret. There are no arrest warrants, no legal records, no first information reports and no detention charges. People keep disappearing, and sometimes they are found dead on the outskirts of city, under bridges or in the rough mountain ranges. Their dead bodies show horrendous signs of physical as well as sexual torture but nothing is done: the guilty are not tracked down, the families of victims find no justice. All voices are largely silenced when it comes to the nameless, faceless ‘missing persons’ in Balochistan. I head straight to my office and have meetings all day. I meet with government officials as well as locals from civil society organisations. I then attend a teachers’ convention event and meet up with teachers, children and their parents. I am overwhelmed at the talent and wealth of abilities I find at the convention. In particular, the young women I meet are not just intelligent but also dedicated. In a largely tribal and conservative society, there are many Baloch women who have struggled against all odds, including against discriminatory social taboos and cultural norms. These women symbolise success. I meet with one such amazing woman who was previously a provincial cabinet minister and who is still a member of the Balochistan parliament. No other female minister, even of those sitting in Islamabad, is as intelligent, articulate and eloquent as she is. I feel happy to be here. I return to my hotel, the only five-star hotel in Quetta. From the outside, it resembles military barracks. The interior, however, is tastefully done and decorated to promote the local cultural heritage of Balochistan. The Serena management deserves credit. I engage with more people from different international humanitarian organisations who are still working for flood relief in Balochistan. As a Pakistani, I salute these people. Where our own government (largely) has not been able to adequately respond to this disaster, where people in the camps have been left vulnerable to live or die on their own and where there is an ineffective and unresponsive government whether provincial or local, private citizens of all stripes and people from the international community have stepped forward with their generous assistance. Humanity knows no geographic boundaries and no religion. In Quetta, my faith in the intrinsic goodness of humankind always gets re-confirmed. While sitting in the lobby and chatting with some Turkish doctors, I happen to spot one of my favourite childhood television actors from Balochistan, Ayub Khosa. With the looks of a Greek hero, he is an extremely handsome man in his mid 50s, with dark golden, naturally curled hair. Dressed in traditional, white shalwar kameez and brown Baloch chappals, he tells me how his village near Jhal Magsi (a very poor and underdeveloped district of Balochistan) came under water and he fled barefooted to Karachi to save his life. Shamelessly, I keep uttering, “I am a huge fan of yours.” Suddenly there is a panic among the Serena staff, and at least a dozen men dressed in identical black suits rush in with a white-skinned, grey-haired man. Quite a contrast to Khosa’s beautiful attire, I say to myself. “Why all these men in black?” I ask the manager of the hotel, who is standing nearby. “Oh this is the American consul-general. He’s visiting Quetta.” Then he whispers, “They are opening an American consulate here,” before emphasising, “in Quetta.” He looks at me directly. “Don’t you know?” I roll my eyes, furious at the audacity with which US has entrenched itself in Pakistan. They haven’t even spared Quetta. The next morning, I travel to the interior of Balochistan. The province is larger than Germany and covers more than 44% of Pakistan. It has huge deposits of gold, copper, coal, lead and other natural resources. But despite the enriched minerals and natural resources, the local population is denied that wealth. There are stark levels of poverty, economic marginalisation and a constant dearth of opportunities for people to secure decent livelihoods. The province has the highest prevalence of rural poverty in Pakistan (70%) and according to the UN’s human development index, 10 out of the 20 lowest ranking districts in Pakistan are in Balochistan. The terrain is tough and there are no adequate transportation networks. The despair lies in direct contrast to the spectacular landscape: a tall, hazy brown mountain range and light grey skies are enveloped by a refreshing chill. The peculiar and breathtaking geography makes travelling within Balochistan seem like a fantasy. The local police, however, can add a bit of terror. Dressed in the civilian garb of the local Levis force, they cover their faces with somewhat-awkward brightly coloured shawls, hang fully loaded rifles over their shoulders and patrol in their open jeeps. Interestingly, they are culturally very sensitive in their dealings with women. Of course, there are other things to make me a bit uncomfortable: gunfire can erupt any time, from anywhere. It almost feels like a war zone. I reach the Chaman border area in Qilla Abdullah. It is the de-facto Pak-Afghan border. The jeep makes its way through the bumpy single road, surrounded by sharply peaked camel-coloured mountains. There are a number of military checkpoints at higher surveillance angles. NATO supply trucks pass us from the left and the right, and as I approach the border, my international-roaming cell number starts receiving text messages from mobile networks welcoming me to Afghanistan. We swing past Dosti Gate (Friendship Gate) and Kandahar is right there. It is one of the most splendid sights I have ever seen. There is life all around, in innumerable colours and shades. There are small groups of people, men and women, young and old, sometimes a dozen-strong, crossing over from either side of the border. Women are dressed in their multi-hued, ankle-long frocks and rusted silver jewellery – each item would likely sell for hundreds of dollars in an antique shop. There are singers and cultural performers from Afghanistan who regularly come into Balochistan, some just to meet their Pashtun brethren and others to perform. In one of the schools I visit, some of the Afghan students say they cross the border everyday to come to schools in Balochistan to make friends and play. Then I meet an old woman. I’ll never forget her. Her total material wealth lies in the two clay cooking pots and one goat she possesses. She keeps thanking God and telling me that her family lives a comfortable life. I almost cry when she takes off her only bangle to give to me as a present. “Generosity and hospitality has nothing to do with being rich or poor,” says my driver. The simplicity, warmth and goodness of these people, far away from the Wi-Fi life in Islamabad are striking. In a state of absolute nothingness, people living in Balochistan are loving and generous not only towards each other but also towards unknown visitors like me. Religion, income, status and ethnicity are unimportant. There is so much to learn from them. If only peace and public safety is restored and a paradigm shift from security operations to pro-people development is pursued, Balochistan could be the most promising part of Pakistan. It has the potential. And it has its most valuable resource: its people.]]> 11452 0 0 0 Unsurprising Secret Deal has Become a Raw Deal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/unsurprising-secret-deal-has-become-a-raw-deal/ Wed, 11 May 2011 10:19:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11468 Caught on camera: Drones spotted in a satellite picture in 2006. The picture was once available via Google Earth. Source: longwarjournal.org[/caption] So it seems Pakistan and the US had a "secret deal" allowing the US to launch unilateral missions in Pakistani territory. Is this surprising? No. For years now, many people in Pakistan had already believed this to be fact. And while the 237 drone attacks that have occurred since 2004 until today do not prove the existence of a deal that permits unilateral action by Uncle Sam, they sure do suggest some understanding between the two countries. Sure, the Pakistani government complains publicly about the CIA-operated Predator drones, but there is widespread belief that the Pakistani government and military had signed off on the remote-controlled air strikes years ago. Diplomatic cables made public by Wikileaks in late 2010 also showed drone strikes had the approval of Prime Minister Gilani. Moreover, it is also widely accepted that the US was launching drone strikes from Shamsi airfield in Balochistan. Images from Google Earth, captured in 2006 and published in later years by The News International and confirmed by London's The Times, seem to show three Predator drones outside a hangar at Shamsi (see photo above). In early 2009, The Times reported, "US special forces used the airbase during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, but the Pakistani Government said in 2006 that the Americans had left." In August 2009, the blog Asian Defence reported that the CIA "has secretly added a second site at an airbase in Jalalabad, Afghanistan." Just last month there were reports that Pakistan had kicked the US out from Shamsi Airbase, but a US official denied it. Here is what the Guardian reported on May 9, 2011, about the "secret deal" giving the US the authority to operate covert missions in Pakistan:
    The deal was struck between the military leader General Pervez Musharraf and President George Bush after Bin Laden escaped US forces in the mountains of Tora Bora in late 2001, according to serving and retired Pakistani and US officials. Under its terms, Pakistan would allow US forces to conduct a unilateral raid inside Pakistan in search of Bin Laden, his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the Al-Qaeda No 3. Afterwards, both sides agreed, Pakistan would vociferously protest the incursion. "There was an agreement between Bush and Musharraf that if we knew where Osama was, we were going to come and get him," said a former senior US official with knowledge of counter-terrorism operations. "The Pakistanis would put up a hue and cry, but they wouldn't stop us."
    Sound familiar? It's been happening for years. First Pakistan cried about the violations of sovereignty and then it also started reprimanding the US about the "counter-productive" nature of the air strikes. The "hue and cry" was constant. And now, after some initial near silence and muted condemnation following the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound on May 2, the Foreign Office eventually said this in its second statement in the wake of the death of the Al-Qaeda leader:
    The Government of Pakistan expresses its deep concerns and reservations on the manner in which the Government of the United States carried out this operation without prior information or authorization from the Government of Pakistan.
    Of course a lot of other voices on the political scene were screaming about honour and sovereignty too. One of those voices was former President and retired General Pervez Musharraf. Obviously, the above revelation from both Pakistani and US sources in the Guardian makes the tough-talking Musharraf look silly, and, well, like a hypocrite. Here's what Musharraf said after the May 2 raid in an interview with IBN Live:
    "American troops coming across the border and taking action in one of our towns, that is Abbottabad, is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan. It is a violation of our sovereignty. It would have been far better if the Pakistani Special Services Group had operated and conducted the mission."
    He finishes the thought by re-iterating that the modality of the mission was not correct. Musharraf shared similar comments to a crowd of supporters in Dubai on May 6 at a function held in his honour in recognition for his efforts in the war against terror. Clearly he has done a lot: by giving the US a "blank cheque" for major covert operations he ensured that tracking down the most wanted terrorists would not be left to the ISI. The entire peace-loving world should recognise Musharraf for that.

    *   *   *

    [caption id="attachment_11473" align="alignleft" width="300"]Part of the deal? There have been 237 US drone attacks in Pakistan from 2004 up until May 9, 2011. Source: The New America Foundation Part of the deal? There have been 237 US drone attacks in Pakistan from 2004 up until May 9, 2011. Source: The New America Foundation[/caption] Since the raid against bin Laden, the Pakistani military and the ISI have suffered a PR nightmare. The reputation of the Pakistan army has been battered with allegations of incompetence and duplicity. This latest revelation in the Guardian won't help, as these secret deals were made by a military man and seemingly upheld by the current Chief of Army Staff. Of course these revelations shouldn't, in theory, help the civilian government much either, even though it may now be trying to strengthen its position and wrestle power from the military establishment. The Guardian reports that the secret deal was renewed by Musharraf after the parliamentary elections of 2008. This means the PPP was in power when this authority was re-extended to the US. Then, soon afterwards, PPP co-chairman Zardari took over the helm of the country as a president with full dictatorial powers (before the 18th Amendment was passed). President Zardari was likely aware of this arrangement given that he was, arguably, the most powerful man in the country and soon earned himself the reputation of being an American lapdog. And ever since the Raymond Davis crisis, the PPP regime's relationship with the US has come under more scrutiny. Shah Mehmood Qureshi resigned over what he said were efforts by the PPP government to grant CIA operative Davis diplomatic status retroactively. And there was much discussion and worry in the press about thousands of Pakistani visas issued to US employees without the usual due diligence and screening. Of course, this all has happened under Zardari and Gilani's joint watch. Nonetheless, this newly revealed secret deal will be seen mostly as a military deal. So just as the Pakistani nation looks askance at the army and its men in uniform, more bombshells are dropped on the national institution that was deemed to be the most competent. The army will also now seem less trustworthy than ever before to the common man: the army was supposed to the one true protector of the nation. Another myth bites the dust. Of course, if US operations have been conducted with tacit approval from Pakistan, perhaps then, Pakistan-US relations are not as bad as they seem: maybe some (and a bit more) of the conflict and friction is for show, and especially for domestic consumption in both countries. But that is wishful thinking. Things have seriously escalated since the US found the most wanted terrorist in the world living on the doorstep of Pakistan's premier military academy after years of public denials by Pakistani officials about his presence in the country. Moreover, Pakistan's backroom approvals of US covert military operations don't explain why the army allows its, and the country's, name to be dragged through the mud, and have its position in the CIA-ISI relationship weakened. The fact that the US openly questioned Pakistan's loyalties (turning Pakistan and Pakistanis into pariahs on the world stage) shows that Pakistan's 'partner' is publicly becoming a bully: the US is demanding the names of ISI operatives and has said it will launch more covert attacks like "Operation Geronimo" if necessary. There are several militant groups based in Pakistan that the US deems to be threats. And there is the ever-present concern of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. It is clear that the problems for Pakistan exceed the violated intangible of sovereignty. New targets are being eyed in Pakistan by the US, and the questions and worries exposed by "Operation Geronimo" help confirm their legitimacy as targets. Also, any shift in power the ISI gained from the Davis affair has been quickly expropriated by the CIA. This secret deal between the US and Pakistan has opened up a Pandora's Box of very real problems for Pakistan. In which case for Pakistan, this secret deal has become a raw deal.]]>     11468 0 0 0     Musharraf Cries Wolf over Violation of Sovereignty http://candle-thread.com/newsline/musharraf-cries-wolf-over-violation-of-sovereignty/ Tue, 10 May 2011 10:33:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11478 In an interview with India's IBN Live, Pervez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan, said that while the death of Osama bin Laden was a victory for the peace-loving world, the unilateral action by the US that allowed the said victory was incorrect and a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. Unfortunately, the retired military man may have some explaining to do about his critical remarks since a news report released by the Guardian on May 9 states that Musharraf, when he was president, made secret deals with the US so that the world's lone superpower could take unilateral action in Pakistani territory when chasing down bin Laden and other key Al-Qaeda operatives. A video from IBN Live and a text excerpt from the Guardian, both embedded below, illustrate the pickle that Musharraf is in. This definitely won't help the general's plans for a political comeback. See the video below to hear everything Musharraf said to IBN Live on May 2, 2011. And here is an excerpt from the Guardian report of May 9:
    But under the terms of the secret deal, while Pakistanis may not have been informed of the assault, they had agreed to it in principle. A senior Pakistani official said it had been struck under Musharraf and renewed by the army during the "transition to democracy" – a six-month period from February 2008 when Musharraf was still president but a civilian government had been elected. Referring to the assault on Bin Laden's Abbottabad compound, the official added: "As far as our American friends are concerned, they have just implemented the agreement." The former US official said the Pakistani protests of the past week were the "public face" of the deal. "We knew they would deny this stuff."
    ]]>     11478 0 0 0     Pakistani Foreign Office Issues Longer Statement After Bin Laden Raid http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-foreign-office-issues-longer-statement-after-bin-laden-raid/ Tue, 10 May 2011 10:44:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11484 ministry-foreign-affairs-logo

    Newsline republished the first press release (May 2) by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.

    The more detailed statement that was released on May 3 is being reprinted below for posterity.

    The second statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, on the raid by US forces that lead to the death of Osama bin Laden.

    PR. NO.152/2011 Date: 03/05/2011

    Death of Osama bin Ladin — Respect for Pakistan’s Established Policy Parameters on Counter Terrorism

    The Government of Pakistan recognizes that the death of Osama bin Ladin is an important milestone in fight against terrorism and that the Government of Pakistan and its state institutions have been making serious efforts to bring him to justice.

    However, the Government of Pakistan categorically denies the media reports suggesting that its leadership, civil as well as military, had any prior knowledge of the US operation against Osama bin Ladin carried out in the early hours of 2nd May 2011.

    Abbottabad and the surrounding areas have been under sharp focus of intelligence agencies since 2003 resulting in highly technical operation by ISI which led to the arrest of high value Al Qaeda target in 2004. As far as the target compound is concerned, ISI had been sharing information with CIA and other friendly intelligence agencies since 2009. The intelligence flow indicating some foreigners in the surroundings of Abbottabad, continued till mid April 2011. It is important to highlight that taking advantage of much superior technological assets, CIA exploited the intelligence leads given by us to identify and reach Osama bin Ladin, a fact also acknowledged by the US President and Secretary of State, in their statements. It is also important to mention that CIA and some other friendly intelligence agencies have benefitted a great deal from the intelligence provided by ISI. ISI’s own achievements against Al Qaeda and in War on Terror are more than any other intelligence agency in the World.

    Reports about US helicopters taking off from Ghazi Airbase are absolutely false and incorrect. Neither any base or facility inside Pakistan was used by the US Forces, nor Pakistan Army provided any operational or logistic assistance to these operations conducted by the US Forces. US helicopters entered Pakistani airspace making use of blind spots in the radar coverage due to hilly terrain. US helicopters’ undetected flight into Pakistan was also facilitated by the mountainous terrain, efficacious use of latest technology and ‘nap of the earth’ flying techniques. It may not be realistic to draw an analogy between this undefended civilian area and some military / security installations which have elaborate local defence arrangements.

    On receipt of information regarding the incident, PAF scrambled its jets within minutes. This has been corroborated by the White House Advisor Mr John Brennan who while replying to a question said, “We didn’t contact the Pakistanis until after all of our people, all of our aircraft were out of Pakistani airspace. At the time, the Pakistanis were reacting to an incident that they knew was taking place in Abbottabad. Therefore, they were scrambling some of their assets. Clearly, we were concerned that if the Pakistanis decided to scramble jets or whatever else, they didn’t know who were on those jets. They had no idea about who might have been on there, whether it be US or somebody else. So, we were watching and making sure that our people and our aircraft were able to get out of Pakistani airspace. And thankfully, there was no engagement with Pakistani forces. This operation was designed to minimize the prospects, the chances of engagement with Pakistani forces. It was done very well, and thankfully no Pakistani forces were engaged and there were no other individuals who were killed aside from those on the compound.”

    There has been a lot of discussion about the nature of the targeted compound, particularly its high walls and its vicinity to the areas housing Pakistan Army elements. It needs to be appreciated that many houses occupied by the affectees of operations in FATA / KPK, have high boundary walls, in line with their culture of privacy and security. Houses with such layout and structural details are not a rarity.

    Questions have also been asked about the whereabouts of the family members of Osama bin Ladin. They are all in safe hands and being looked after in accordance with law. Some of them needing medical care are under treatment in the best possible facilities. As per policy, they will be handed over to their countries of origin.

    Notwithstanding the above, the Government of Pakistan expresses its deep concerns and reservations on the manner in which the Government of the United States carried out this operation without prior information or authorization from the Government of Pakistan.

    This event of unauthorized unilateral action cannot be taken as a rule. The Government of Pakistan further affirms that such an event shall not serve as a future precedent for any state, including the US. Such actions undermine cooperation and may also sometime constitute threat to international peace and security.

    Pakistan, being mindful of its international obligations, has been extending full and proper cooperation on all counter terrorism efforts including exchange of information and intelligence. Pursuant to such cooperation, Pakistan had arrested several high profile terrorists.

    The Government of Pakistan and its Armed Forces consider support of the people of Pakistan to be its mainstay and actual strength. Any actions contrary to their aspirations, therefore, run against the very basis on which the edifice of national defence and security is based. Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies have played a pivotal role in breaking the back of Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in Pakistan as well as around the World. Most of the successes achieved by the US and some other friendly countries have been the result of effective intelligence cooperation and extremely useful military support by Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan and its security forces have resolved to continue their fight against terrorism till people of Pakistan can live in peace and security.

    Islamabad 03 May 2011
    ]]>     11484 0 0 0     Memories of an Indo-Pak Cricket Match http://candle-thread.com/newsline/memories-of-an-indo-pak-cricket-match/ Fri, 06 May 2011 11:46:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11515 It's been more than a month now since things boiled over with excitement in Mohali, but just because life has settled down and returned to normal doesn’t mean Majid Maqbool can forget the fiery emotional display put on by Indians during the ICC World Cup match against archrivals Pakistan. Of course, not everyone was so thrilled. [caption id="attachment_11516" align="alignleft" width="300"]Indians celebrate their win over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup semi-final in March 2011. Photo: PTI / The Hindu Indians celebrate their win over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup semi-final in March 2011. Photo: PTI / The Hindu[/caption] Every time a Pakistani wicket fell in the Indo-Pak world cup semi-final match on March 30, slogans erupted from the crowd in rapturous waves of sound. In Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar area, the spectators had assembled in a park to watch the match on a big screen. A slight possibility of a Pakistani batsman getting out, a ball missed, or a run scored by the Indian batsmen would stir up loud slogans of “Bharat mata ki, jai!” (“Victory for Mother India”) immediately followed by much louder shouts of “Pakistan, Murdabad!” (“Death to Pakistan”). In the second inning run chase, Pakistani batsmen followed each other quickly back to the pavilion. As it became clear that India was winning the match (and even much before that), the Indian tricolours came fluttering out on the streets. Young men, recklessly driving their bikes, furiously waved their Indian flags. Curiously, the boys would make stops near the Afghan restaurants and bakeries that have come to populate Lajpat Nagar locality. In the neighbourhood, the Indo-Pak semi-final match had whipped up a frenzy. The Afghans though, uninterested in the match, looked rather amused by the euphoria surrounding them. The boys shouted pro-India slogans in their faces and continued to aggressively wave their flags. The Afghan men would respond to the provocation with friendly smiles. After a few rounds of pro-India and anti-Pak slogans, combined with zealous flag-waving, the young men would speed away to join more bikers further down the road. The slogans would amplify into a mixed frenzy of victory shouts from balconies, whistles from passers-by and honking horns of vehicles. “B@!%&#*d Pakistani!” guffawed a shopkeeper, making a comment about Afghans who have come to earn their livelihood in Lajpat Nagar. “Hindustan ki roti khatay hain…” Interestingly, the Afghans of the locality happen to be his regular customers. And when there were no Afghan customers near the shop, he went on to say a few more unpleasant things about them to his fellow Indian customers, who seemed to agree. The shopkeeper had doubts about the loyalty of Afghans in the locality. He was certain that the Afghans secretly cheered for a win by Pakistan. However, the reality, at least in Lajpat Nagar, contradicted his claims. The Afghan bakers, as usual, sold hot Afghani naans to Indian and Afghani customers who lined up in front of them. The restaurant staff flashed smiles to the charged up boys on bikes and then returned to their work. They didn’t cheer for the Pakistan team. In fact, the Indo-Pak semi-final clash did not excite them at all. The cricket world cup was not their thing. Meanwhile, my friends and I assembled at a Kashmiri friend’s place in a small room of a rented flat. Away from home and being alone, there’s no fun watching an Indo-Pak cricket match. As such, we decided on watching it together. As the second innings began and Pakistani wickets began to fall, one of my Kashmiri friends complained of breathlessness. Another friend bathed twice, then sat shirtless to watch the match. And another friend, unable to sit quiet for more than a few minutes, would take frequent and impatient walks to the balcony, only to come back after puffing on a few cigarettes. The Pakistani wickets kept falling at regular intervals. The celebrations outside our balcony gained momentum. As more wickets fell, the slogans grew louder then faded out under the din of firecrackers – soon the air became flavoured by their smoke. Drumbeats gained tempo. Free drinks were passed around. The traffic jammed and overjoyed drivers honked horns. Seeing an imminent Indian victory, people went berserk, hugging everyone on the streets (except the Afghans, of course). As the Pakistani bowlers came out to bat, a dejected friend asked for the remote control. “I want to watch a movie now,” he pleaded, wanting to switch over to some entertainment channel. A couple more Pakistani wickets fell, he quietly left for his own rented flat, muttering a mouthful of his most choice abuses in Kashmiri – all reserved for the Pakistan team. Back home, except for the Indian troops, everyone was expecting the Pakistan cricket team to win. There was a curfew-like situation as the match began. And after India won the match, the Indian news channels kept going live to Kashmir – only to show celebrations inside the military camps. No footage of ‘celebrations’ on the streets was aired. Visuals of CRPF and Army troopers cheering for their nation near bunkers and inside military camps were repeatedly shown on news channels. These stations convincingly passed them off as ‘regular people.’ In the lead up to the match, the channels had again showed people (read: CRPF and Army personnel) praying for the Indian win. “Now, let’s go live to our correspondent in Kashmir to show you the celebrations of people,” the anchors of the leading news channels announced with delight after India qualified for the final. Their correspondents, waiting inside the military camps with mikes and cameras, would then go on to show the festivities playing out. Many CRPF troops, including wives of some, would gather in front of the camera, distribute sweets and express immense joy for the Indian win. Then all of them broke into an uninhibited victory dance in front of the camera. Sometimes, though, a moment of truth flashes unintentionally on the Indian news channels. And truth reveals itself inadvertently and at the rarest of places. On one of the leading news channel’s coverage of “Kashmir celebrates Indian victory,” the camera came to briefly rest on some young Kashmiri men in plain clothes who also happened to be inside the military camp. One of the men who came into view was tapping the keys of a piano to complement the celebrations of the troops. But his countenance spoke of his unwilling participation in the celebrations of the Indian troops. A few more Kashmiri men in plain clothes came into view as well – all of them wore the same expression. They did not look into the camera. Their body language and expressions were in complete contrast to the overjoyed troops inside the camp. There was no look of joy on their faces. Odd men out, they moved around awkwardly. Inside the military camp, these young Kashmiri men were clearly out of place. The unsaid said everything, the unspoken spoke louder.
    Find more articles on the ICC World Cup of 2011 and the semifinal match between India and Pakistan in our Sports section and the Sport Report blog.
    ]]>     11515 0 0 0     OBL and a Pakistani Citizen http://candle-thread.com/newsline/obl-and-a-pakistani-citizen/ Fri, 06 May 2011 11:52:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11521 I write this not as a journalist but as a common, 'apathetic' citizen of Pakistan who has withdrawn from the discourse on the dreaded OBL, who is now dead – we hope. How are Pakistanis responding to Osama Bin Laden's death? This is the question being asked in the western media. So as a Pakistani who is not defined by the Pakistan government, military, ISI, terrorist and banned outfits, right-wingers and sensationalist, conspiracy-mongering media, and whose existence the West conveniently blindfolds itself to, I want to say I feel relief, that I can finally say “good riddance,” but we Pakistanis know it's not something we have the luxury to feel, or are even allowed to feel right now. Why? Not because of threats by Al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban, etc. No. But because now, like so many other times when events of global significance take place, we must think and fear and dread and speculate about what will happen to us and to our country. So from being bombed back to the dark ages to more covert operations (both of which include more blood, more civilian casualties and, simply speaking, more death and destruction) this is what we're thinking about and expecting. So forgive us if we don’t join the US and the world in its triumph and victory dances. Because if you've forgotten, we're the outlaws, we do not stand on equal footing with the rest of the world, so how can we minions and lesser beings possibly join the rest of the world, shoulder to shoulder, in the celebrations? There is also anger and resentment directed at our government, military, agencies and whoever else is involved and supposedly not involved. There is a feeling of being cheated – yet again. Of being sold out, again. And of being played with and fooled, still. Truth be told, on all levels, I am sick of being stuck in the post-modern dilemma, where uncertainty reigns supreme and meaning (and truth) is forever deferred. It's tiresome and draining. On a personal level, I battle the journalist in me, who wants to absorb all that is being said on the issue, be it on TV, in the papers or on social media and obsesses over it knowing that the word play will lead to nothing groundbreaking. Facts will not suddenly reveal themselves. Moreover, the likelihood of an issue becoming murkier is greater. The outcome will eventually either be extremely predictable or remain inconclusive (to be concluded in books that will be written in the years that follow). And then there is the apathetic citizen in me who has been absorbing so much of the death, destruction, intrigue, but most of all confusion surrounding every “big” issue that I just want to withdraw and shut myself off to this world. There is also the urge, as a literature grad, to pull out Orwell's 1984 and Rowling's Harry Potter among others, and replace original names with those from the OBL saga. But most of all, I am sick of the distinctions that are just not being made in the western media between the Pakistan government, military, ISI, terrorist outfits and Pakistani citizens. Only an idiot will fail to note that none (of the above-mentioned) see eye-to-eye, or are confidantes of one another. I take offence to the term “Pakistan” being applied to each one of them without a disclaimer about who is being referred to – there is no collective representation. If anything, we are a divided nation, and so understand that and treat us as such. Be specific about whom you refer. Do not apply “Pakistan” to any group as a blanket term to imply Pakistan as a whole. There is no such identity, no such reality.]]> 11521 0 0 0 Video of the Day: Husain Haqqani on CNN http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-of-the-day-husain-haqqani-on-cnn/ Wed, 04 May 2011 12:00:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11528 haqqani-blitzer-cnn-2011
    Wolf Blitzer: Bottom line, you are happy bin Laden is dead? Husain Haqqani: You bet.
    The fact that this question has to be asked is not a good sign. Pakistan is on the hot seat. And for good reason. Osama bin Laden, the most wanted man in the world, was found living in a mansion near the scenic town of Abbottabad in northern Pakistan, just a stone's throw away from a major military training academy in Kakul, which has been repeatedly (over the last 24 hours) referred to as Pakistan's West Point. So Osama wasn't in a cave. He was living in a conspicuous house with 12-foot high walls topped with barbed wire. CNN's Wolf Blitzer, in an interview with Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, puts it this way:
    "This compound was a huge compound, bigger than all the other houses in the area, with a big wall around it. Didn't anyone from the ISI, the Pakistani intelligence service, or the military, the police go in there and see what was going on?"
    Watch the video below to see how Haqqani handles himself. While his defence is not bad, it is clearly not good enough. The ISI, Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, is in the business of information. The fact that it wouldn't be at least curious as to who was building a gigantic house with Tora-Bora-sized walls around it so close to a military site is surprising to say the least. Of course, Haqqani comes off much better than the bumbling prime minister of Pakistan who is shown in an interview clip from April 2010 talking about the potential whereabouts of bin Laden. Blitzer says the Pakistani PM was in "total denial." What's more worrisome is that PM Gilani actually appeared unprepared and clueless. Yes, Pakistan's name will be dragged farther through the mud in the days and weeks (and likely, months) to come, and Mr Haqqani will be the one getting his clothes dirty on the front lines. It's not an easy job. But then again, he probably knew that from the get-go. As someone once reminded me, when you nurture terrorists and militants as "strategic assets," at some point (and this happened a long time ago) they become strategic liabilities. And over the years, the cost has been a lot more than a little dirt and mud.
    Click play to watch the interview with Ambassador Husain Haqqani from May 2, 2011.
    ]]>     11528 0 0 0     Pakistan Foreign Ministry Issues Statement on the Death of Osama bin Laden http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistan-foreign-ministry-issues-statement-on-the-death-of-osama-bin-laden/ Mon, 02 May 2011 12:14:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11537 ministry-foreign-affairs-logoofficial statement by the foreign ministry in Islamabad. Note how the Pakistani government plays both sides of this event: it wants the world to know that it is against Al-Qaeda, has a history of fighting terrorism and cooperating with US and the international community, however, it will not admit any involvement in this particular operation, nor does it explicitly praise the operation or even admit to knowledge about it. The statement declares that the operation was part of "declared US policy" and implies that President Zardari was told about the operation after the fact, ostensibly trying to shield itself from all the people screaming about another violation of Pakistani sovereignty.

    Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan

    PR. NO.150/2011 Date: 02/05/2011

    Death of Osama bin Ladin

    In an intelligence driven operation, Osama Bin Ladin was killed in the surroundings of Abbotabad in the early hours of this morning. This operation was conducted by the US forces in accordance with declared US policy that Osama bin Ladin will be eliminated in a direct action by the US forces, wherever found in the world. Earlier today, President Obama telephoned President Zardari on the successful US operation which resulted in killing of Osama bin Ladin. Osama bin Ladin’s death illustrates the resolve of the international community including Pakistan to fight and eliminate terrorism. It constitutes a major setback to terrorist organizations around the world. Al-Qaeda had declared war on Pakistan. Scores of Al-Qaeda sponsored terrorist attacks resulted in deaths of thousands of innocent Pakistani men, women and children. Almost, 30,000 Pakistani civilians lost their lives in terrorist attacks in the last few years. More than 5,000 Pakistani security and armed forces officials have been martyred in Pakistan’s campaign against Al-Qaeda, other terrorist organizations and affiliates. Pakistan has played a significant role in efforts to eliminate terrorism. We have had extremely effective intelligence sharing arrangements with several intelligence agencies including that of the US. We will continue to support international efforts against terrorism. It is Pakistan’s stated policy that it will not allow its soil to be used in terrorist attacks against any country. Pakistan’s political leadership, parliament, state institutions and the whole nation are fully united in their resolve to eliminate terrorism. Islamabad 02 May 2011
    ]]>     11537 0 0 0     "The Guy who Liveblogged the Osama Raid Without Knowing It" http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-guy-who-liveblogged-the-osama-raid-without-knowing-it/ Mon, 02 May 2011 12:18:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11540 osama-bin-laden-mar04By now, everyone has heard the news of Osama bin Laden's apparent death in Pakistan at the hands of US special forces. Of course, besides the official story that the US stormed in, had a fire fight, Al-Qaeda's number one man was killed and no Americans or civilians were hurt, there was a man in Abbottabad tweeting about the noises he heard late last night: and his take paints a different story. Here's how Sohaib Athar, who lives in Abbottabad, started his tweets early on May 2:
    Helicopter hovering above Abbottabad at 1AM (is a rare event).
    Later he talked about a crash and the involvement of security forces in the area. Other people on twitter joined in on the conversation, and there were soon other observations being shared by people who claimed to be in the area and who also saw and heard things: two helicopters, where one was Pakistani. Here are some more of Athar's tweets after the helicopter he heard disturbed the peaceful Abbottabad night.
    A huge window shaking bang here in Abbottabad Cantt. I hope its not the start of something nasty :-S
    @smedica people are saying it was not a technical fault and it was shot down. I heard it CIRCLE 3-4 times above, sounded purposeful.
    Report from a taxi driver: The army has cordoned off the crash area and is conducting door-to-door search in the surrounding
    The world has (obviously) picked up on Athar's tweets (under the handle @ReallyVirtual). He's had so many people start to follow him that he had to filter out his email notifications from twitter. He's also getting numerous requests for interviews. Of course all this fame is accidental. Here is how the IT consultant has now described himself on twitter:
    Uh oh, now I'm the guy who liveblogged the Osama raid without knowing it.
    Other twitterers commented on his above statement, saying things such as "Expect a profile in @wired or @fastcompany" and "Welcome to notoriety." Here's one of his last tweets before trying to catch some sleep; it was a clarification to a question by one of his tweeples:
    @jovensclaudio The gunfight lasted perhaps 4-5 minutes, I heard. That was around 10 hours ago. There are no other gunfights that I know of.
    More than one helicopter, a crash that was also reported by Pakistani media in the early morning, the Pakistani army cordoning off the area: there are a lot of things that don't mesh with the official story by the US, or for that matter, the purposefully vague statements by the Pakistani government in which they say it was a US operation, and while the two countries share intelligence, the foreign ministry's official statement does not say that the Pakistan army actively assisted in this mission, though they imply they support the results of it 100%. For all of @ReallyVirtual's tweets, you can find him on twitter, here.]]>     11540 0 0 0     Mukhtar Mai Fearful For Her Security http://candle-thread.com/newsline/mukhtar-mai-fearful-for-her-security/ Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:11:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=14870 With the arrival of the acquitted men back in the village, Mukhtar Mai is now fearful for her security. The programme manager for the Mukhtar Mai Women’s Organisation and her spokesperson, Naeem Malik, tells Newsline that since the release of the five men on April 26, frantic requests were made to media and government senior officials to help avert any potential harm to her. There was a flurry of activity in the next 24 hours: Mukhtar Mai and her organisation made calls, sent out letters and even appealed to Rana Sanaullah on a live television show for security. MNA Sherry Rehman took up the matter with the federal interior minister; the National Commission on the Status of Women sent a letter of request to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the IG Punjab; and activists and citizens with links to anyone within the government and media tried to push the issue of Mukhtar Mai’s security. And finally, later in the day on April 27, the intervention produced results and six policemen were deputed outside Mukhtar Mai’s residence. Meanwhile, the acquitted, who on their release chanted slogans against Mukhtar Mai, were thrown a festive bash back home, and mithai was distributed. People will argue that this is but a natural reaction. After all, the Supreme Court found them guilty of no crime, and now they have returned home and been reunited with their families after some years: for them, it is an occasion to celebrate. As for Mukhtar Mai, they claim she is just overreacting. Overreacting because she was gang-raped? Or overreacting because she is scared that the acquitted will want to avenge their years in jail? Or maybe because in this country, not just in her case, but in many, it is easier for a person to commit a crime and get away with it, than to commit a crime and be punished for it. The crime that was committed against her is mentioned only in passing. That of course is not the important argument. What’s important for people is whether the threat to her is ‘real’: whether she deserves security. The common man knows exactly how the truth is moulded to suit personal and political agendas. But frighteningly, he is buying more and more into the dirty tactics of those trying to mould public opinion for their own gains. By stooping to character assassination, there seems to be a concerted effort to cast a shadow of doubt about Mukhtar Mai’s case and character. Be it TV anchors or government representatives, people are involved in the dirty game of victimising the victim and are aggressively hammering home the view that there is no credible case there at all. Rape survivors know only too well the dynamics of such a situation, especially when they are up against those with political clout. They also know what it is like to be promised aid by government officials and never hear from them again. To be the media darlings and then be dumped when they aren’t “newsworthy” anymore. Theirs is a daily struggle, and while they have the strength, they look for some respite to keep them going. Dismissive attitudes don’t help, especially not when the law enforcers and policemen are the first to taunt, saying to those who come to file an FIR for rape, “Barri aiee Mukhtar Mai banain.” (See also this article for an exploration of women-related legislation and misogynistic attitudes that exist in our society). Who knows how they will ridicule women who go to file an FIR for rape now, or whether they will go to file one at all. It took great resolve for Mukhtar Mai to agree to the review, because she had lost heart. But eventually she decided to persist in her struggle. This is what Mukhtar Mai had to say: “Please keep the issue alive. They have strengthened jirgas and waderas (feudals) back home and let down the poor women of Pakistan. Let’s fight it together.” So naturally, now that the acquitted are living only some miles away from where she does and have exercised considerable political clout, she has concerns for her safety, especially while the review process runs its course. But what it really boils down to now is public opinion: in the end, it is opinion and the mindsets that dictate the tone for justice. There is nothing criminals celebrate more than for their crime to not be considered a crime. So when murder and rape take place, don’t invent excuses for them. Call them murder and rape, and condemn them for what they are: atrocious acts against humanity. Acts that can be committed against any one us any day. But no one will care, because we certainly don’t when the same happens to others.
    From our archives:
    • The crime is only the beginning of a tougher life. There is the arduous legal route (see “The Legal Trauma of Rape”) which poses hurdles of its own, and social ostracism that rape survivors and their families have to contend with.
    Below are a few more articles that look at the lives of those affected by rape:
    For more articles on Mukhtar Mai, search our archives using the terms "Mukhtar Mai" or "Mukhtaran Mai."
    ]]>     14870 0 0 0     The Rapists are Free, But so What? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-rapists-are-free-but-so-what/ Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:59:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15129 As always, public opinion is divided on the subject of Mukhtar Mai’s verdict, as it is on many contentious issues. While many are saying that the release of the five accused is a huge let down and that the Supreme Court should have at least set a better precedent, others are saying the court takes into account only evidence and law, not public opinion. Rule of law, due process, and lack of evidence seem to be considerations in some cases, but not in others. In Mukhtar Mai’s case, everything right down to the fine nitty gritties has been taken into account lest innocent people be sentenced: e.g. the court concluded that insufficient light in the room in which the heinous crime was committed makes Mukhtar Mai’s identification of the rapists unreliable. But what kind of evidence was taken into account when Aasiya Bibi was handed a death sentence? Are we going to begin the separation again: the latter has to do with religion while the former does not, even though both were tried in the court of law. Should we understand that certain cases are tried one way, while others are done to another standard in a court of law? Are there no standard practices and procedures, but rather a system of picking and choosing rules according to subject, context and issue? Those reprimanding the people outraged by the acquittal must understand that this rage is directed at Pakistan’s criminal justice system, which has clearly failed. The outrage is at the glaring (and deliberate) loopholes in the laws and procedures in place to deal with rape that allow criminals to get away. The frustration exists because, once again, those with political clout have trumped the weak, because they have been able to work the failure of the system to their advantage. And the resentment and hurt stems from the fact that Mukhtar Mai stands wronged still. It is baffling that while there is sympathy and understanding for ‘innocent men being sent to jail’ – and this is among those from the media and the citizenry – there seems to be little sympathy for the woman against whom the crime was committed, the damage for which is irreversible. The fact that her rapists – for the sake of argument, whoever they may be – are on the loose, angers few. That they live as free men and can pose a threat to her life seems to be an even lesser issue. And so, while the legal issues of this matter must be left to those from the legal fraternity, the dismissive attitude towards Mukhtar Mai once again highlights what the popular trend in our society is: to trivialise the crime and batter the victim.]]> 15129 0 0 0 Mukhtar Mai to Seek Review of Judgement http://candle-thread.com/newsline/mukhtar-mai-to-seek-review-of-judgement/ Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:30:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15435 As such, he declares that "I have consulted with Mukhtar Mai, and we have decided that a petition seeking review of the judgement of 21st April will be filed soon. The petition will contain a full critique of the judgement." Below is the text of the press release that he sent to Newsline earlier this afternoon:

    PRESS RELEASE

    April 23, 2011

    MUKHTAR MAI CASE

    STATEMENT OF MR. AITZAZ AHSAN Sr. Advocate Supreme Court Advocate for the Appellant

    I am deeply disappointed by the 21st April majority judgment of the Supreme Court dismissing the appeals filed by the gang-rape victim, Mukhtar Mai. The majority judgment is manifestly flawed and, in material particulars, is not even based on the evidence available on the record. In drawing their conclusions, the learned majority judges have disregarded cogent evidence and failed to notice actual material on the records and the facts proved thereby. They have also misread the evidence that they have adverted to. The learned judges have also failed to take notice of the social backdrop, which was established on the record itself, and in the context of which the horrendous crime of gang-rape was committed, reported and investigated. The decision of the majority needs to be reviewed and recalled. I have consulted with Mukhtar Mai, and we have decided that a Petition seeking Review of the Judgment of 21st April will be filed soon. The Petition will contain a full critique of the judgment. Hence there is no need for me to make any other comments in the media on the subject. We are grateful to the people, the media, civil society and particularly the women of Pakistan for their committed support in this critical hour. Aitzaz Ahsan
    ]]>     15435 0 0 0     Demonstration and Review Appeal for Mukhtar Mai http://candle-thread.com/newsline/demonstration-and-review-appeal-for-mukhtar-mai/ Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:38:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15443 The anger and frustration felt by many sections of society over the recent Supreme Court decision that has allowed five of the six men accused in the gang rape of Mukhtaran Mai to go free is now morphing into action. Today, there will be a demonstration in support of Mukhtar Mai at the Karachi Press Club. Also, MNA Sherry Rehman called upon the government to file a review petition for Mai. Speaking in the National Assembly yesterday, she said, “It is imperative that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's government and party stand up for the victim to assist her in her hour of most desperate need. I appeal to President Zardari and the prime minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, to take urgent notice of this matter and instruct the attorney general to take up this case on her behalf so that the women of Pakistan have their confidence restored in the state. We may not be able to hold back the wave of violence against women all over the country, but it is important to act when we can, and where we can, so that impunity does not remain an everyday option.” A day earlier, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) issued their own strong statement expressing their “deep shock and disappointment” on the verdict and criticising the judical system as being “biased and inefficient.” Moreover, the NCSW alleges that evidence had been tampered with in the case. The group also openly worries that delays in trials like that of Mukhtaran Mai weaken the already precarious position of women in society: “The victim was raped in 2002 on the instructions of the local Panchayat,” reads the press release. “In 2005, the chief justice of the superior court took suo moto notice of the case. Despite the intervention it took more than nine years to come up with this decision, which is a source of concern for the women of Pakistan. It is feared that this decision might further strengthen the anti-women parallel legal and judicial systems and mechanisms in the country. We feel that the criminal justice system too is not pro-women and is patriarchal in nature. Impunity is the order of the day.” The full text of the NCSW press release is below.
    If you are in Karachi and want to take a stand, here are the details for the protest. What: Demonstration for Mukhtar Mai Where: Karachi Press Club When: Saturday, April 23, at 3pm
    And here is the statement by the NCSW:
    NCSW Press Release Islamabad   Date: 21-04-2011 Subject: NCSW and members of IHI disappointed at the verdict of Supreme Court in Mukhtaran Mai case The National Commission on the Status of Women and members of Insani Huqooq Ittehad, including PODA, Mehergargh, Aurat Foundation, Rozan, Sungi, Bedari, Ethno Media, Pattan and SPO convened an emergency meeting to express deep shock and disappointment at the verdict given by the superior court in the Mukhtara Mai gang rape case today. Although the judgment did prove that Mukhtara was raped because one accused did get life imprisonment, while others were acquitted. We are surprised to see why only one accused was punished and others were acquitted on a charge of ‘gang rape’. The Commission and members of civil society felt that this was the reflection of a biased and inefficient criminal justice system. This case has been a classic example of how the facts were distorted and documentation of the evidence was tampered with at all levels. The group expressed concern at the long delays to dispense justice. The victim was raped in 2002 on the instructions of the local Panchayat.  In 2005 the chief justice of the superior court took suo moto notice of the case. Despite the intervention it took more than nine years to come up with this decision, which is a source of concern for the women of Pakistan.   It is feared that this decision might further strengthen the anti women parallel legal and judicial systems and mechanisms in the country. We feel that the criminal justice system too is not pro women and is patriarchal in nature. Impunity is the order of the day. In cases of complaints women victims are burdened to provide series of evidences which is not possible for them. It is the responsibility of the police to do the investigation and come up with the requisite evidence.  Currently, methods of recording evidence by police are biased against women; and that is one reason that they do not get justice from the courts. There is also a need to look at the women’s representation in all those systems and mechanism dealing with matters of crimes and justice. Women’s lack of proportionate representation in lower and upper judiciary is paving the way for verdicts against women victims.  There is dire need to start a rational discourse on the lack of women’s representation within the courts. Today’s judgment has shaken the confidence and sense of security of women of Pakistan to stand up for their rights. It reflects a faulty investigation of the police and the loop holes that are left intentionally to side with the power brokers. The outcome of Mukhtara case discourages survivors of rape and gang rape to report. However, we are proud of Mukhtara Mai, who stood bravely against all intimidation and harassment and has refused to buckle under life threats. She has given a message of courage and hope to all women victims of our country. We consider her a role model for women of Pakistan. At the end we also condemn the insensitive and pathetic attitude of some sections of media, who were grinning at the verdict and clapped after they recorded the responses on the judgment. The owners and editors of these media houses are urged to inculcate responsible and sensitive attitude in the practices of such chauvinistic reporters.
    ]]>     15443 0 0 0     From the Archives: The Struggles of Women in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/from-the-archives-the-struggles-of-women-in-pakistan/ Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:33:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15528 The court dismissed all the appeals. Five of the six men accused of gang rape in the case were ordered released from prison. The outcome was surprising to many. Despite the sense of anger and frustration Mukhtaran Mai must be feeling now after a decade-long battle, she has so far publicly showed no despondency. After yesterday's verdict, her twitter feed announced that "No court can weaken my resolve to stand against injustice." Of course, Mukhtaran would not be the first women to suffer from injustice. Hundreds of women are murdered each year, and most are the victims of 'honour' killings. More women are kidnapped. Others are burnt, either victims of acid attacks or domestic 'accidents' involving a gas stove while cooking. Many more women are sexually harassed at the workplace or in public spaces. And then there are the other high-profile rape cases that have grabbed headlines and shocked and angered us in the past: Dr Shazia Khalid and Sonia Naz. Unfortunately, things do not seem to be improving. As stated in an Express Tribune editorial, 2010 gave women little to cheer about: "Thanks to the lethargy of the Senate, the Domestic Violence Bill was allowed to lapse while sections of the Protection of Women Act were nullified by the Federal Shariat Court. Rape and honour killings continue unpunished while women parliamentarians, who are most likely to speak out on these issues, are sidelined mainly because most of them were chosen on reserved seats." Sadly the increased awareness and discussions about the mistreatment of women in Pakistani society has provided little progress to their status. Tribal culture and backward traditions are steeped in misogynistic attitudes that can not easily be rinsed out of the mix. What's more worrying, though, is that there are signs these outdated and unfair attitudes seem to be becoming more entrenched, if not more commonplace. There is a long-overdue need for parliament and the judiciary to get serious about protecting women's rights and ensuring women's status as equal members of society through clearly worded and undiluted legislation, as well as consistently honest implementation of those laws. The case of Mukhtaran Mai is reminder of that. As the esteemed activist and commentator I.A. Rehman wrote for Newsline in 2005, "During the debate on the incidence of rape in Pakistan the government has tried to defend itself by cataloguing what it considers acts of great favour to Pakistan’s womenfolk. The flaw in this approach is obvious. No good acts that might have been done to promote the interest of women can erase the anguish and the shame that incidents of rape cause to Pakistani people every year. It is like telling a hungry and jobless young man to stop complaining because the government has built a motorway that runs close to his village. In any case, the government’s record leaves little to write home about." Below are a few articles from Newsline's archives that have tracked the struggles of women and the women's movement in Pakistan and show that despite all the energy and rhetoric applied to the cause, hateful and outdated attitudes have blocked the way forward like mountains separating an arid plain from a flowing freshwater river beyond.

    2002

    Twice Damned By Sanna Bucha A woman in Kohat alleges rape, but the court convicts her for adultery, and she is sentenced to death by stoning.

    2003

    Silence of the Lambs By Shimaila Matri Dawood While attempts to combat sexual harassment in the workplace are increasing both in Asia and globally, in Pakistan, the issue remains largely unaddressed.

    2005

    Portrait in Black By Sairah Irshad Khan Taking stock of the gains and setbacks for women in Pakistan given that “the incidence of physical, sexual or verbal violence within homes was thought to be amongst the highest in the world.” Shame on Who? By Hina Jilani It is the failure of the state to provide redress in rape cases that heaps shame upon our country. Rape of Reason By I.A. Rehman Musharraf’s thoughtless comments on rape victims fails to take ground realities into account.

    2007

    Women's Voices By Muneeza Shamsie Women writers get together to discuss how the web of censorship affects women’s voices. Rendezvous with the 'Others' By Aliya Salahuddin A filmmaker visits Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad in a bid to know the girls behind many a controversy up close. Can Paradise be Regained? By Khadim Hussain Once upon a time, festivals, freedom of movement for women, non-political maulvis, an efficient judicial system and a balanced political structure were all hallmarks of Swat.

    2010

    Pakistani Women Struggle for Equality at Work By Sabeen Jamil Securing equal rights for women in the workplace and in trade unions is an ongoing struggle.
    ]]>     15528 0 0 0     Prejudice and Stupidity on Full Display After Rape Verdict http://candle-thread.com/newsline/prejudice-and-stupidity-on-full-display-after-rape-verdict/ Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:58:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15546 Everyone knows of the Mukhtaran Mai rape case. Not just in Pakistan but around the world too people have discussed the infamous case and been appalled at the treatment of the victim at home. Remember former President-General Musharraf's comments on rape? Many believe those comments mirror the misogynistic attitudes of many in the land of the pure. Today, more cries of surprise and disgust are likely to be heard from international observers as five of the accused in Mukhtaran's case have been ordered by the highest court in the land to be freed. The announcement from Islamabad that the Supreme Court has upheld an earlier judgement by the LHC has also caused outrage here in Pakistan – but it appears only in some quarters. While activists and those sensitive to Mukhtaran's plight are angered, it seems there are many to whom the plight of women in general (often the victims of heinous crimes such as rape) means nothing at all. According to Anis Haroon, chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, who was there for the hearing, only three sentences were uttered with regards to Mukhtaran's case and it was dismissed (while the judgement consists of 90 pages). As the case stands, Abdul Khaliq, who was convicted and is considered by the court to be the main figure behind the crime, will go on to serve his jail term as per the Lahore High Court verdict, while the five other accused have been released. Haroon reports on the senseless questions she was asked by the media after the verdict. Here are some examples that she has shared with Newsline:
    Q: Is the verdict a failure of the government? A: It is the failure of criminal justice system. Q: You mean the present? A: We are referring to the judicial system. Q: Will you go for repeal in America? A: A stupid question. . . . And some more: Q: Where are your human rights? Why don't you feel for innocent people who are released? And another . . . Q: They were in jail for six years, why don't women have sympathy with them?
    These are just some. But the issue is not whether we should pick a fight or not, but it is about the attitudes that must be challenged. They go a long way in shaping the society. Sadly, as per norm, we victimise the victim. ]]>     15546 0 0 0     Faiz Ahmed Faiz as a Symbol of Resistance http://candle-thread.com/newsline/faiz-ahmed-faiz-as-a-symbol-of-resistance/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:03:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15582 Jashn-e-Faiz, organised by Citizens for Democracy (CFD) in collaboration with the Faiz Centennial Committee, National Academy for Performing Arts and the City of Karachi, was held on April 17. The event attracted crowds of students, activists and families, many of whom were there because they wanted to make a difference. It was clear that the approximately 30,000 people who showed up were driven by the event’s objectives: “to reclaim public space, promote religious harmony and counter extremist forces that have marginalised the constitutional rights of Pakistanis.” Advocate Aneela Malik, who works for the rights of children and labourers, said that she hopes good results will come out of events like these. The earlier part of the day had seminars on every topic from the war on terror to the effects of extremism on the working class. Manobhil, from Jamshoro, attended Sunday’s event and talked about a different type of problem: he has been fighting the case of the disappearance of his family at the hands of overlords. He said that he had gone on hunger strikes in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. When asked why he visits events like these, he said that maybe someone would listen if he gets the word out. jashn-e-faiz-handpainting-2011The National Students Federation, which is spreading awareness about secularism and the importance of the separation of state and religion, held a seminar titled 'Uncle Sam behind the Scenes.' One of the speakers, Mujtaba Zaidi, member of the Central Coordination Committee of the NSF said that there are two currents in our society: firstly, that fundamentalism is a threat to American imperialism, and secondly, that imperialism is not the threat that it is made out to be. He believes that in the divided country of Pakistan there are those who label liberalism as a “virus” and then others who proclaim that many mullahs are the problem because of the “poison” of extremism that they propagate. Another seminar, 'Tolerance vs Intolerance,' included a discussion on the Charter for Compassion by educationist and scholar Abbas Hussain. Other speakers, who were there as audience members, also spoke. Justice Fakhuruddin G Ebrahim, ex-Governor of Sindh, quoted Senator Hasil Bizenjo (who spoke before him): “Let us not tolerate the intolerant.” He added that if people are just sensitive to the suffering of others and show compassion, we will become a tolerant nation. 'Eco-Friendly Citizens,' a seminar held in the Hamara Mahol (Our Environment) area, highlighted the importance of recycling and how anyone could make a difference. Shahid Mehmood of Khuda ki Basti talked about a recycling project that he had initiated amongst a community of 20,000 people in the suburbs of the city. He taught them how to separate organic and inorganic waste, make compost heaps and grow vegetables in urban spaces. “It took eight years for this project to take off,” he said. “The most important thing is to know how to mobilise a community and give them practical solutions for tackling environmental problems.” jashn-e-faiz-dancer-2011The event had a cross section of people, representative of the diversity of Pakistan. Kausar Malik is a volunteer teacher at the Labour Square Camp in Gulshan-e-Maymar. The camp is for flood victims. Only in her early 20s, she teaches English, Sindhi and math to students from grades one to five. A flood victim herself, she said that instead of doing nothing, she decided she could make a difference by teaching. “I like attending seminars,” she said. “They are great places to learn.” Shehzad Mazar, a medicine distributor for Saifrob Corporation, commented on the perceived artificiality of such events. He was of the view that involving political parties was the way to make a difference, not such “VIP” events. Others questioned the event itself and how Faiz’s name could be linked to such a diverse programme that had little to do with celebrating his work — not that tributes were not paid to him. But it seems they missed the point. “The idea was to create a space for all kinds of activities and to have free and open discourse,” said Farieha Aziz, a CFD activist and a member of the organising committee. “Faiz Ahmed Faiz was a symbol of resistance and the many activities yesterday – even people coming out of their homes – were acts of resistance against the rising extremism in society where we are forced into being suspicious of people, barricading ourselves from each other and living in fear and under threat." And on that note, there were many people who deemed the event a success. Nehal Pervaiz, a mechanical engineer by profession is a dedicated enthusiast of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. He said that it is a sign of hope that there are so many people willing to make a change. “Just like a walk in the park is refreshing for the body, our minds took a walk of learning.” Despite the kinks in the organisation and management of the large event – and there were several criticisms voiced about communications and programme timings – the energy of the young volunteers kept the event going. It was a hot afternoon, but Faiz’s message of “bol ke lab azaad hain tere, bol ke sach zinda hai ab tak” could be felt in everyone’s dedication.
    Related links: Read the resolution passed by the CFD at Jashn-e-Faiz. For more information about the CFD and their work, visit their Facebook page, or the CFD website. See Amima Sayeed's photo album comprising vivid images of Jashn-e-Faiz.
    ]]>     15582 0 0 0     CFD Passes Resolution in Support of Freedom of Religion, Human Rights http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cfd-passes-resolution-in-support-of-freedom-of-religion-human-rights/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:07:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15587 passed a resolution based on the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and in line with the UN Charter at Jashn-e-Faiz held in Karachi on April 17. Among the many who endorsed the document were Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, Senator (Retd) Iqbal Haider, Arshad Mehmood, Sania Saeed as well-known musicians Laal, Farieha Pervaiz, Fuzon, Shehzad Roy and Strings. The full text of the resolution is reprinted below.

    JASHN-E-FAIZ

    RESOLUTION BY CITIZENS FOR DEMOCRACY (CFD)

    Full Length Version

    This 17th of April 2011, on the occasion of Jashn-e-Faiz, the Citizens for Democracy solemnly pledges to defend, to its utmost, the principles contained within the original vision of the Founder of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. We express our full adherence to the promise of the Founder that the government and people of Pakistan will “never be found lacking in extending… material and moral support to the oppressed… peoples of the world and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.” The principles enunciated by Mr Jinnah in his address before the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947, at Karachi must be fully endorsed and absorbed by due process into the constitution, and implemented in both letter and spirit without any delay by the legislative, executive and judicial organs of the state of Pakistan and its component provinces. The relevant extract from the Founder’s address is reproduced below: “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State… (the) fundamental principle (is) that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State…. We should keep (this) in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in (the) course of time, Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims – not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual – but in the political sense, as citizens of the State.” A few months before his death Mr Jinnah vowed to the nation: “Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending…support to the oppressed…peoples of the world and in upholding the principles of the United Nation’s Charter.” Adherence to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations is not optional for the government and people of Pakistan today. Indeed, we re-affirm, that it is a sacred commitment enshrined in the vow made by the Father of the Nation and re-attested in our signature affixed on the United Nations Charter. Our commitments to this Charter include: i) The preamble to the Declaration which emphasises: “… a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want…” ii) Article 2 which states that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion….” iii) Article 3 which affirms that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” iv) Article 7 which affirms that “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law…” v) Article 11 (1) which affirms that “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.” vi) Article 19 which affirms that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” vii) Article 28 which affirms that “Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.” It is the belief of this assembly of persons that the above mentioned entitlement to a social and international order in Pakistan, in which all rights and freedoms enshrined in the Declaration can be realized, is entirely lacking and that the government of Pakistan be strongly urged to respect the principles of the UN Charter and fulfil to the people of Pakistan the pledges made by the Quaid-e-Azam. faiz-image-cfd-2011Therefore – on the occasion of this massive tribute paid to Pakistan’s de facto Poet Laureate – Faiz Ahmed Faiz – on the occasion of his birth centenary, and in light of the vision of the Founder of Pakistan and our commitment to the UN charter, Citizens for Democracy call upon the government of Pakistan to respect and promote the human rights of all citizens. We demand the government must:
    • Protect the life, property and dignity of all citizens of Pakistan and minorities in particular
    • Ensure that any violence or incitement to violence, especially murder, is swiftly dealt with by the appropriate authority and false accusations of blasphemy are severely punished
    • Amend laws related to blasphemy that lead to violence and injustice.
    We appeal to the citizens and institutions of Pakistan to:
    • Be tolerant of the diverse opinions that make Pakistan such a vibrant society
    • Promote harmony between different communities, religions and ideologies.
    ]]>     15587 0 0 0     The Afghan Endgame: Is Durable Peace a Mirage? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-afghan-endgame-is-durable-peace-a-mirage/ Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:22:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9055 For a while now, there has been talk of an Afghan endgame and President Barack Obama’s recent announcement of a phased drawdown of US troops from Afghanistan beginning July 2011 is being interpreted as evidence of the beginning of the end of the long drawn out “great game” in this Central Asian country and its neighbourhood. However, there are those who believe that this will only be the beginning of another round of chaos in Afghanistan and the region. Afghanistan is not new to withdrawals, takeovers and regime changes; in fact, its history is littered with such examples: the withdrawal of Soviet troops in early 1989, the collapse of President Najibullah’s Communist regime in 1992, the coming to power of the Afghan mujahideen in 1992 and, later, the Taliban in 1996, and the 2001 fall of the Taliban regime and its replacement by the Hamid Karzai-led government installed by the US. Every time, there was promise of change and hope for peace and stability finally returning to this strange and fascinating country. But, each time, short durations of peace and normalcy were followed by long periods of violence and instability. It is difficult to visualise an endgame in an unpredictable place such as Afghanistan where the ongoing conflict in its different phases has been continuing for well around 33 years. Triggered by the Saur Revolution staged by the Moscow-backed Afghan army officers in April 1978, the conflict first pitted Afghan Communists against the mujahideen, then the mujahideen versus the Taliban and now the Taliban against an alliance of pro-West elements led by Hamid Karzai (comprised former Northern Alliance warlords and “reformed” mujahideen and Communists). The situation was further complicated due to the invasion of Afghanistan, first by the Soviet Union in December 1979 and then in October 2001 by the US. The two superpowers militarily intervened to remove unwanted regimes and install their Afghan favourites into positions of power. Yet another alien force became involved in the Afghan conflict with the arrival of thousands of foreign Islamist fighters from all over the world to fight on the side of the mujahideen, initially against the Soviet occupying forces, and then against NATO. From this chaos emerged Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda, which declared jihad against the US and Israel from its sanctuary in Afghanistan. The 9/11 attacks against the US brought western forces to Afghanistan in late 2001 to seek revenge from Al Qaeda and its Taliban allies and, now, 10 years later, the first steps have been announced to withdraw some of these troops under a timetable that would stretch until 2014. The presence of US-led foreign forces from 49 countries has not brought any stability to Afghanistan; rather, their prolonged presence has fuelled a strong resistance movement spearheaded by the Taliban and has provided them with a reason to continue waging war. But there isn’t much hope that Afghanistan will become a peaceful and stable country once the last western soldier has departed as planned in 2014. There is the danger that the drawdown of the 150,000 foreign troops – even if it is going to be in phases until 2014 – and the handing over of security duties to Afghanistan’s untried security forces as part of the transition could trigger a furious struggle for power between the many claimants to power, including the Taliban, and even spark a civil war among the ethnic-based armed groups. In fact, instability and the worry of a Taliban takeover could delay the withdrawal of NATO forces or prompt the US to retain a sizeable military presence in Afghanistan as it did in Iraq. Already, there is talk of the possibility of permanent US military bases dotting the Afghan landscape beyond the withdrawal year of 2014. The ongoing expansion of several existing US military land and air bases and the frenzied construction activity now underway cannot be an isolated occurrence. It is clearly part of the post-2014 military plans by Washington to station the US Special Forces and combat troops in four or five permanent military bases including the biggest one at Bagram for use against Al Qaeda, Taliban and other inimical groups, and in support of the Afghan government. The groundwork for this is already being done under the strategic alliance agreement being negotiated by the US and the Afghan government. Quiet negotiations between Afghan and US officials have been ongoing for some time now to finalise the strategic partnership agreement, with both sides keen to formalise their relationship. The Afghan government appears more keen to do so as it wants a guaranteed US military back-up support beyond 2004 to keep the Taliban and former mujahideen leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hezb-i-Islami and other armed opponents at bay in the event of the withdrawal of NATO troops. Those that have sided with the US are understandably concerned about their own future and survival due to fears that the armed opposition, particularly the Taliban, would be unstoppable once the foreign forces pull out of Afghanistan. Karzai and his supporters risk losing not only power but also their fortune and lives if left on their own to face a determined and ferocious foe like the Taliban. 000_Del485802The US is also keen to legalise its permanent military presence in Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban from taking over the country again and Al Qaeda from finding sanctuaries, even though the latter has been considerably weakened following the loss of bin Laden and several other stalwarts, and due to a lack of secure bases. The US must also have realised by now the benefits of military bases in Afghanistan close to the borders with China, Iran, Pakistan and the Central Asian countries, some of which have security-based ties with Russia. These bases serve as a window to these countries and are centrally located for use in emergencies. Besides, not far away are the rich oil and gas deposits in the Caspian Sea and the Central Asian republics that are likely to assume value in the times to come. More importantly, the US government officials and analysts have repeatedly articulated that it was a mistake to abandon Afghanistan after the Red Army’s withdrawal in February 1989 and allow its subsequent takeover by the Taliban and Al Qaeda. With their insistence that the same mistake not be repeated again, one could draw the conclusion that the US is likely to make arrangements to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan and in its neighbourhood to deny sanctuaries to groups violently opposed to it. Securing such a deal from the weak Afghan government won’t be a problem. President Karzai has been sounding off the Afghan people about the US wish for permanent military bases in Afghanistan and reassuring regional countries that such bases won’t be used against them. The US government functionaries, on the other hand, have been ruling out such a possibility, but their denials are unconvincing. Instead of referring to them as US military bases, these are now being mentioned as joint Afghan-US bases to dilute likely opposition to the idea. There has been some opposition among Karzai’s allies such as the Tajik warlord and water and power minister Ismail Khan, to permanent US bases, and Iran and China are understandably alarmed with the former making its opposition publicly known. Pakistan is watching the developments with concern as it knows that permanent US military bases in Afghanistan could mean permanent instability in the region. The Karzai government is working on a plan to convene the Loya Jirga, a traditional assembly of Afghan elders in times of emergencies, to seek advice on the issue of strategic alliance agreement with the US and its permanent military bases in Afghanistan. Loya Jirgas have been used by successive Afghan rulers to seek legitimacy for their rule and for the approval of major decisions – and manipulating decision-making at this platform isn’t difficult as the invitees are all handpicked. Upon receiving a go-ahead from the Loya Jirga, parliament’s approval could easily be obtained and the strategic partnership agreement with the US would officially be a done deal. However, such a move could also seal the fate of any chances of political reconciliation with the Taliban, who have pledged to continue their fight until the last foreign soldier leaves Afghanistan. In such a scenario, Obama’s decision to withdraw the 33,000 “surge” US troops by September 2012 and the subsequent announcement by the governments of France, Germany, Australia and other countries about their plans to start drawing down their forces won’t mean much in terms of bringing the Afghan conflict to an end. The peace talks being held with the Taliban at this stage are “talks about talks” and hold little promise of yielding a breakthrough. It is an unfortunate fact that durable peace in Afghanistan is more a mirage than a reality.
    This article was originally published in the July 2011 issue of Newsline under the title "The Afghan Endgame."
    ]]>     9055 0 0 0     Sheema Kermani Reminisces: "Folk theatre has been destroyed" http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sheema-kermani-reminisces-folk-theatre-has-been-destroyed/ Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:42:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9435 Stage legend Sheema Kermani had a chat with Newsline yesterday about new theatre groups for our upcoming report on exciting new troupes Cogito Productions, Aisa Karogai Toh Kaun Ayega and Firefly Theatre. But in the midst of discussing the future, she couldn't help but be nostalgic about what once was: “Folk forms of theatre that existed in this region have [now] been destroyed. In my youth, I remember that the public would go to the circus and watch the Nautanki that would come to the cities, but all of that has been systematically destroyed. Unless we bring these arts back to the people and allow them to evolve their own forms, I do not think we can talk about the cultural development of our country.” Do you have any memories from theatre groups from your youth? What traditions would you like to see these rising theatre groups incorporate? Leave your thoughts in the comment forum below. Also, look out for a discussion on the resurgence of young, accessible theatre groups in the September issue of Newsline.]]> 9435 0 0 0 Caged Ahmedi Refugees Fear Returning to Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/caged-ahmedi-refugees-fear-returning-to-pakistan/ Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:35:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9498 It is no secret that Ahmedis in Pakistan are treated worse than animals, the latter at least having the freedom to bark, meow, chirp the way they choose to. Even when caged, pets are generally loved and cared for. Ahmedis on the other hand receive hatred and indifference from a large segment of Pakistani society. On the one hand, the Mullah brigade has disseminated venom against Ahmedis nationwide (and abroad), while on the other, the state supports this bigotry by criminalising the very existence of Ahmedis through laws that can best be described as discriminatory and cruel. Since Ahmedis have been declared ‘Wajib-ul-Qatl’ (deserving of death) by numerous influential extremist groups, they are threatened on a regular basis by extremists living in our neighbourhoods. Ahmedi businesses are forcibly closed down, children harassed and homes attacked. False cases are registered, and with many interested in the prospect of hoors, false witnesses are readily available. Section 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code prohibits Ahmedis from calling themselves Muslim or act “in any manner whatsoever that outrages the religious feelings of Muslims.” This includes saying the Azaan, calling the Ahmedi place of worship a “mosque,” saying the greeting of peace, aka Salaam, reciting the Quran in public, or saying the Kalima. How these acts cause pain to the feelings of "constitutional" Muslims is beyond me, and how not saying any of this brings solace remains an even bigger enigma. Faced with such bitter two-sided damnation, what would a sane Ahmedi do, if not leave the country? Was the very pretext for Pakistan’s existence not the preservation of religious freedom? Would it therefore not be befitting of Ahmedis to campaign for a separate state on the same grounds? But since this would cause chaos and unrest in the land they call home, Pakistani Ahmedis patiently pray and continue to hope for better days. However, when persecution becomes overbearing for some, they are forced to resort to emigration, which is the Quran’s prescribed way to escape religious persecution (4:98). Such a group of desperate Pakistani Ahmedis availed a chance to escape to Thailand (legally) in late 2010. They were hopeful of better reception at the regional office of UNHCR in Bangkok. Pending applications for asylum, the group of 131 Ahmedis was placed in detention for “overstaying their visas.” In the face of uncertainty and horror, 35 Ahmedis agreed to be deported to Pakistan. The other 96 preferred to stay in detention rather than reliving the persecution back home. Mr Veerawit Tianchainan is the executive director of the Thai Committee for Refugees. At an honorary dinner in Pennsylvania recently, he spoke of the horrible conditions the detainees were kept under. Ladies had to take turns sleeping since there was not enough space in the cells for everyone to lie down at the same time. Faced with overcrowded living conditions, many children had only the floor beside the toilets to sleep on. One of the captives, a pregnant lady, later gave birth in these same conditions. Months into the detentions, human rights groups started noting and campaigning for the release of these refugees. Mr Tianchainan spearheaded a valiant effort to remove the Ahmedis from these inhumane circumstances. He explained how it took his team weeks of hard work that included a great amount of paper work, multiple phone calls and a period of fundraising to gather the huge amount required to bail the detained Ahmedis out and secure their release. It is no surprise why the Pakistani government did not negotiate for the release of these poor detainees. The state supports laws and tolerates, and in many cases endorses, behaviour that leads to such emigrations in the first place. The fact that the majority of the emigrants preferred the misery of detainment in horrible conditions in a foreign land to life at home is strong reason for shame and compunction, if we have any. Ahmedi emigrants fleeing Pakistan generally belong to one of two groups: those personally under threat, including new converts, and those who have witnessed such threats being carried out, especially in the form of the murder of close relatives. Each of the Ahmedi detainees in Thailand had a similar tale, and theirs have yet to come to a close. Angry at a “safe exit,” extremist groups have stepped up their mischief. Families still in Pakistan are now experiencing even greater harassment. The persecution continues unabated as a whole nation watches in silence and apathy. As the 96 refugees were released from the detention centre in Thailand last month, one child dreaded going back. “I don’t want to go back in that ‘big cage,’” she said. I can imagine that the mother’s reply would have been something like this: “At least we were treated like animals here, not any worse.”]]> 9498 0 0 0 Cultural Sovereignty and the Vibrant Nation http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cultural-sovereignty-and-the-vibrant-nation/ Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:19:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9625 Pakistan’s citizens demand sovereignty. They feel that it is routinely violated by drone attacks as well as by insurgents who attack Pakistanis indiscriminately. The problem is they are not getting any of their demands met and will probably not for sometime in the future. Nor do the citizens have powerful enough instruments to push the state to become more efficient in the short-term. Pakistanis are slowly realising that neglected and decaying state institutions cannot be repaired overnight. And they are very angry, frustrated and depressed. So, even though Pakistan faces a multitude of problems from the economy to the insurgency, its citizenry’s predicament is that there is no way to channel their frustrations into policy changes. Sovereignty has two components. The first one is political: the nation state. However autonomy does not just extend to territory. It encompasses something more than the soil of a country, more than borders on a map. It is the drive to go about doing what you have always done. It is the drive to witness and dwell, come what difficulties may (death, destruction, poverty), in the richness of life – in what we call culture. Without vibrant culture there can be no vibrant nation. When a nation loses one component, the other also starts to crumble. However this can also work in reverse, strengthening one can also strengthen the other. Territorial sovereignty can strengthen culture, but in times of crisis it is culture that can strengthen the nation even if its physical boundaries are violated. Culture is physical, in the colours we adopt to wear and the songs we choose to sing. But it is also spiritual, based in religion, philosophy and ethics, which highlight the moral trajectory of a nation. Most of us have grown up with some sense of Pakistani identity: what we call Pakistaniat. At the risk of defining it, I will simply say that an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty has an effect on a person’s identity as a Pakistani. We want to prove ourselves to the world, but we are constrained by our homes, jobs and families. Cultural identity provides us with an opportunity to protect our cultural space individually, and this can pay positive dividends in a national sense. The British realised this. Lord Macaulay, in his address to the British Parliament, on February 2, 1835, said, “I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage… for if the Indians think all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native culture and will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.” I am not calling for a rejection of Westernisation, English or the valuable progress Europe and North America have made in science. All culture must be able to shift and assimilate. But the people (especially the elite) must embrace local languages, values and thinkers. They must fashion new ideas from foundations that are familiar. Wear a Sindhi topi, learn to make a sajji in Balochistan, speak Pashto. Learn to read Urdu literature. Honour our cultural heritage (this does not mean growing beards or wearing niqabs), which dates back thousands of years. We must also widen our horizons when it comes to religious diversity. It is important to note that all great religions come from God, so there is no such thing as pre-Islamic, or at least there is nothing necessarily negative about pre-Islamic. We must move away from our apathy towards cultural monuments that are not Muslim in the classical sense. We must try and embrace the footprints of other religions and civilizations left in our country throughout history because it has left a mark on our subconscious. When cultural sovereignty erodes, it is difficult for people to realise that it is being taken away from them. It slowly eats away at people’s way of life. Yet cultural sovereignty is an individual act and an individual choice – no power can take it from a people, if they choose otherwise. This is in stark contrast to political sovereignty, which while influenced by public opinion, in nascent democracies, is usually practiced by the ruling elite. The events in the past few weeks have shown us that the state cannot project hard power (diplomatically or militarily). It is time that the citizens of Pakistan assert cultural sovereignty. In time, we can perhaps take back our political sovereignty as well.]]> 9625 0 0 0 Forcing Children to be Suicide Bombers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/forcing-children-to-be-suicide-bombers/ Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:24:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9632 child-suicide-belt-vestA Tragic Step Forward Violent extremists no longer need nor want the children they use to believe in their own deaths. Strapping them with bombs and setting them off is quicker, easier and certainly more cost-effective. Hot summer months necessarily consist of stereotypes, such as the stickiness of mangoes or the saltiness of seawater. For me, the months of June and July are constructed entirely of paper. Throughout the academic year, I maintain a list of books I want to read. Books that my schoolwork does not allow me time to sink into. This summer, my list ran on for pages. I couldn’t wait. The problem was I had no idea where to begin. A good place to start as any was Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan, a novel I first came across five years ago. Back then, I never really got past the first page. But this summer I did: I got past it and zipped to the very last one in a single night. All these years I had been wondering how it is possible for a writer to describe a train arriving in a station, jammed with corpses, and what kind of story a writer can build around an image so powerful. Perhaps the reason why I couldn’t put the book down was because it spoke to me of all the blood that was spilled and all the corpses buried in order for Pakistan to become its own nation. Weaved around the central motif of the train and its corpses was a complex story that raised questions about the place of women in society, the structure and role of government, the way we seek to achieve justice – questions that were raised back in 1947, but that are more urgent and pressing today. And that image itself, of trains running through the dark, is not one from this country’s past. When I put the book down and finally managed to sleep, it was not partition-era trains that haunted my dreams. Instead, there were children, gagged, drugged and thrown into the backs of cars, trucks, minivans; all of them headed to training camps tucked into the rugged hills of South Waziristan. I awoke from this, as if from the sound of shrapnel. When kids are kidnapped these days, it isn’t always for ransom. When two alleged TTP activists admitted recently that they kidnapped children from Karachi and sent them to Waziristan, where they are trained for suicide attacks, it betrayed a practice. I can’t offer any evidence about this practice, nor am I making any claims. Time and time again, though, the guilty limbs found strewn round blast sites belong to young boys. This, combined with the fact that training camps are known to exist, leads to the conclusion that it is at camps such as these where young male recruits are brainwashed into believing that strapping bomb vests on and blowing themselves up in order to kill others is the right thing, the only thing, to do. That this happens doesn’t shock me anymore. Well, it didn’t until I read of a nine-year-old kidnapped in Peshawar in late June. I had two reasons to be shocked. This nine-year-old was a girl and the militants who kidnapped her took her to no training camp. Instead, they tried to force a suicide vest onto her. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that militants have resorted to using little girls. They certainly had no respect for them when they bombed their schools in Swat. It is still somewhat hypocritical, though, to think of an entire gender as not good enough to educate yet good enough to use in their mission. Perhaps it is somewhat like an honour killing: to think of women as a stain to honour in general, and to use them as suicide bombers as punishment. Or one could look at it from an entirely different angle. Maybe militants are modernising themselves, and curbing discrimination on the grounds of gender. Maybe this is a tragic step forward. Of one thing I can be sure: this tactic is intensifying. Violent extremists no longer need nor want the children they use to believe in their own deaths. Strapping them with bombs and setting them off is quicker, easier and certainly more cost-effective. Truth be told, this newfound method bothers me. It highlights a complete lack of morality and courage. To the militants: if you’re going to blow the world up, do it yourself, don’t find nine-year-olds (girls or boys) to do it for you. And clearly you can’t believe in your mission enough if you don’t educate your recruits about it. A tragic step forward indeed, even for you.]]> 9632 0 0 0 Trying to Ban the Bible: Hypocrisy and Insularity http://candle-thread.com/newsline/trying-to-ban-the-bible-hypocrisy-and-insularity/ Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:33:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9638 It has been observed that religious parties often make issues out of non-issues in pursuit of petty aims. Sadly, their approach and rigid stance only invites more disharmony and violence in society. In their statement, the JUI-S did not specify whether they wanted a ban on the selected passages or the entire Bible. In any event, their demand to ban the Bible was not only against the inherent right of one’s freedom of choice but also goes against the fundamental right to religion enumerated in the Constitution of Pakistan. Article 20 of the Constitution (see below) clearly guarantees every citizen the freedom to practice and profess his or her religion. Moreover, it also preserves the right to maintain religious institutions according to one’s faith. Unfortunately, there is no dearth of social and religious myopia in our society. Emotions run high when it comes to religion and people fail to understand the implications of measures that may seem justified but can actually bounce back and be damaging. In most parts of the world, including Christian-majority countries, Muslims have justly been given liberty to preach their faith. Religious organisations are free to invite non-Muslims to Islam or revive the faith of born Muslims. They are also free to disseminate religious literature. If in foreign countries Muslims have the freedom to practice their religion openly, then why aren’t the clerics of the JUI-S ready to give Christians in Pakistan the liberty to read their holy scripture? Similarly, one must ask them how they would react if the courts in “western” countries move to ban the Quran. It won’t be logical to play the “Muslims are always a victim” card. In general, non-Muslims in the West are more open to reading the Quran compared to Muslims reading the Old Testament or the New Testament. There are various reasons that draw people to a study of the Quran. For instance, it may either be due to curiosity, or for a comparative and scholarly objective. Recently, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in an interview that he reads the Bible and Quran daily to be “faith literate” in today’s world. He also added that he wanted to understand some of the things happening in the world. “Jihad,” or holy war, is one concept that has been both quoted and misquoted from the Quran. With Blair, it seems he too was curious and wanted to discover firsthand what the Quran’s actual teachings regarding jihad were. The third US president and one of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, was also said to have studied the Quran. Some scholars believe he kept a copy of the Islamic holy book due to his interest in the study of natural law. He would often invoke the teachings of the Quran to criticise William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Law of England. Others claim that Jefferson studied the Quran in order to understand the religion of an enemy and to deal with Barbary pirates who would attack American merchants and sailors off the Barbary Coast. In 1786, while negotiating a treaty on behalf of the US government with the envoy of Tripoli, Abdrahman, Thomas Jefferson received a shocking reply. The ambassador claimed that the Quran sanctioned to enslave or kill all those “who should not have acknowledged their authority.” Despite that bitter reply, Jefferson didn’t try to ban the Quran but instead delved deeper into its study and identified the danger of neither reading the Quran in context nor without consulting supplementary texts. It makes an interesting thesis as to what factors drove non-Muslim politicians to study Islam in different times. In today’s time, one lesson religious parties in Pakistan can learn is that to engage in an effective and scholarly argument is possible only if their leaders and members indulge in a comparative study of religions instead of mobilising in the hope of banning the Bible.
    Article 20 – Freedom to Profess Religion and To Manage Religious Institutions Subject to law, public order and morality,— (a) every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion; and (b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.
    ]]>     9638 0 0 0     Zahid Hussain Becomes Pakistan Scholar at Wilson Center http://candle-thread.com/newsline/zahid-hussain-becomes-pakistan-scholar-at-wilson-center/ Sun, 19 Jun 2011 05:50:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10429 One of Pakistan's finest journalists has become the new Pakistan Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington — and he also happens to be a senior editor with Newsline. Zahid Hussain is an award-winning journalist and the author of two critically acclaimed books, The Scorpion’s Tale: The Relentless Rise of Islamic Militants in Pakistan — and How It Threatens America and Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam. He will be joining the Wilson Center in September 2011. The Washington-based non-partisan institution promotes dialogue and research in the study of world affairs. During his nine-month appointment, Mr Hussain will research and write a book covering security issues relating to Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. We wish our colleague well on this new challenge. Undoubtedly, though, all those who follow Pakistan closely will miss his accurate and trusted reporting while he shifts to DC.]]> 10429 0 0 0 What's Inside Newsline's June 2011 Issue http://candle-thread.com/newsline/whats-inside-newslines-june-2011-issue/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 06:51:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10492 Newsline's June 2011 issue is on newsstands. This is an issue you will want to get your hands on immediately. In this month's cover story, Newsline examines the nexus between jihadists and rogue elements in the armed forces. In "Dangerous Liaisons" by Sairah Irshad Khan it is revealed that the threat from within the army ranks is very real and points to one previously unreported attack within a Lahore garrison in 2006 that was carried out by a serving jawan. After a recent series of deadly attacks against military and police installations, Imtiaz Gul writes that never before has a review of Pakistan's intelligence-security apparatus been more urgently needed. Mohammed Hanif provides an "open letter" to the Armed Forces High Command in which he writes that "we finally agree that General Zia's domestic and foreign policies didn't do us any good….yet somehow, without ever publicly owning up to it,  the Army has continued Zia's mission." And while in conversation with Arif Rana, former DG ISI Hamid Gul says, "The Pakistan military and its agencies are in a state where they cannot recognise their real enemy." In "The Inner Conflict," Amir Zia says, "Time has run out. We must decide: are we with the terrorists, or against them?" In the Newsline Special Report "The Military's Expanding Frontier," Ayesha Siddiqa writes that the military's increasing ownership of foreign policy has made the Foreign Ministry virtually redundant. In other stories, we looks at how the government has helped the KESC privatisation project fail, and also we examine recent WikiLeaks disclosures and wonder if the disclosures will bring us any closer to accountability. Plus there is more:
    • Sujoy Dhar writes about India's new face.
    • Farah Zahidi Moazzam says that STD screening prior to marriage could give couples looking to marry vital options and save them a myriad heartaches.
    • Arshad Yusufzai writes that only 731 of the 20,000 men and women who suffer from AIDS in FATA are registered with the provincial AIDS Control Programme.
    And of course we have are regular look at books, movies and art across Pakistan. Get your copy of the June 2011 issue today.]]>     10492 0 0 0     Reactions to Killing of Unarmed Man by Sindh Rangers http://candle-thread.com/newsline/reactions-to-killing-of-unarmed-man-by-sindh-rangers/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 06:56:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10499 It has been a week since a group of Sindh Rangers shot an unarmed man in Karachi and watched him slowly bleed to death. Sarfaraz Shah, 19, was accused of theft. Initial reports alleged that he had been targeting people in Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park near the Boat Basin area of Pakistan's largest city and holding them up with a toy gun. Some reports say he managed to snatch a cell phone, others say a purse. Whatever the case, he was handed over to the Rangers present on the scene. They killed him. News of the tragic story travelled fast — thanks to the power of the camera. Cameraman Abdul Salaam Soomro from the Sindhi television channel Awaz recorded the incident. The video footage was released to the media. Immediately it was shown across television stations, posted on YouTube and shared on Facebook. The public uproar was huge. The government was forced to take notice of the extrajudical killing. As of June 14, police had arrested six paramilitary soldiers related to the incident who will be tried under anti-terrorism laws. The Supreme Court stepped in too. The apex court ordered the government to remove Major General Aijaz Chaudhry, head of the paramilitary in Sindh province, as well as Fayyaz Leghari, police chief of Sindh. Below Newsline publishes some reactions to Sarfaraz Shah's death and the video that rightly turned the killing into a national incident (and a moment of shame):
    Click on a link to proceed: A Terror of Our Own Desensitised to Violence: Vigilante Justice and Extrajudicial Killings
    ]]>     10499 0 0 0     Desensitised to Violence: Vigilante Justice and Extrajudicial Killings http://candle-thread.com/newsline/desensitised-to-violence-vigilante-justice-and-extrajudicial-killings/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:00:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10509 Last year in August, Mughees and Muneeb, two brothers were brutally beaten and killed by a mob in Sialkot. The entire scene was recorded on video and shown across the media. There were three questions that arose in my mind that day: where was the police? Why did onlookers allow this horrid thing to happen? And who in his right mind found this scene amusing enough to record? A week ago, a different video went viral. It showed an unarmed man being shot by a group of Rangers in Karachi. He screams, drops to the ground and begs for help for one minute and eleven seconds before he loses consciousness. He was still breathing when he was finally taken to the hospital, but eventually he died due to massive blood loss. His name was Sarfaraz Shah. He was 19. A cameraman for the Sindhi television channel Awaz captured the killing on video. By the next day, cameraman Abdul Salaam Soomro reportedly started receiving death threats. According to a report in Dawn, Zaryab Khaskheli, the assistant news director of Awaz, informed Interior Minister Rehman Malik as well as Sindh government officials about the threats, but no measures had been implemented. Violence is everywhere in Pakistan. And for every problem we face, we seem to favour a militant response. Thankfully, some leaders and activists from across the country spoke out against the extrajudicial killing of Shah. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the paramilitary men involved in this incident would be prosecuted, while AFP reported that Major General Aijaz Chaudhry said, “The incident is deplorable. The Rangers have no authority to kill any unarmed individual and they can fire only in self-defence.” Zohra Yusuf, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said in a statement that the killing was "yet another indication of law enforcement personnel becoming increasingly trigger-happy." Ali Dayan Hasan, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch in Pakistan was quoted by the Guardian as saying, "What we are seeing are visual records of what we have long documented, which is the culture of impunity within Pakistani law enforcement agencies, what is becoming clear is that the free-for-all, the culture of wanton abuse and killing, is becoming untenable in the age of new media and cell phone cameras." It’s time to ask ourselves many hard questions: for how long will we ignore that the people who have vowed to guard us citizens are a threat to our existence? Why do citizens take the law into their own hands? Why do onlookers either silently stand and watch crimes happen or blindly walk away? And why do authorities bestowed with our trust repeatedly break it? Too many people in our nation are desensitised to incidents such as the Sarfaraz Shah killing. They conveniently convince themselves that the guy deserved it because, well, he was a “robber.” What happened to the concept of being innocent until proven guilty? And if it still exists, who decides the innocent from the guilty? The man with the biggest gun? Yes, our judicial system is flawed. Justice is not easily attained: not for a common man, a Baloch dissident, a slain journalist or an assassinated provincial governor. But we can never condone extrajudicial killings and vigilante justice. Never.
    Related Post: A Terror of Our Own
    ]]>     10509 0 0 0     PML-N and Bigotry: The ‘Basanti’ Connection http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pml-n-and-bigotry-the-basanti-connection/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:10:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10523 While Jamaat-e-Islami might be the biggest party supporting the Talibani mindset in Pakistan, the PML-N seems to be certainly competing for the position. The legacy of Zia-ul-Haq lives among us today through these political parties. The vote bank of the PML-N is largely comprised of right-wing conservatives (unsurprising considering the demographic composition of the areas the party controls). Fearful of losing control, the PML-N has had a long record of appeasing the demands of rightists. In doing so, it has been guilty not just of uncountable accounts of serious violations of human rights but also of completely denying justice to the underprivileged segments of society. More than a decade ago, certain members of the Punjab Provincial Assembly demanded that the name “Rabwah” (the name for the only Ahmadi-majority city in Pakistan) be changed. Anti-Ahmadi Khatme Nabuwwat claimed that the word “Rabwah” was derived from the Quran and therefore only state-defined Muslims could use the word. The Punjab Assembly, headed by Shahbaz Sharif, surrendered to this contemptuous demand without hearing the opinion of a single resident of Rabwah. With the stroke of a pen, the city’s name was changed to “Chenab Nagar” very much against the wishes of its residents. Then in 2008, after fierce protests by the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba’s caused the expulsion of all 23 Ahmadi students from Punjab Medical College due to their faith, the PML-N government turned a blind eye. Fearful of upsetting the radical right, the careers of 23 competent medics were left to rot. Thanks to late Governor Salmaan Taseer’s timely intervention, the students were relocated to other institutions. Then in 2009, the shameful Gojra incident occurred where eight Christians were burnt alive. A mob of banned religious outfits was responsible for the carnage. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif refused to visit the victims. The threat of resignation from a Christian provincial minister, Mr Kamran Michael, as well as strong international protest forced Sharif to eventually rethink his decision four days after the brutal killings. kamran-michaelThe list of incidents of PML-N bigotry and chauvinism is unending. The party has had an unshakeable relationship with the violation of minority rights. Last week, bigoted leaders of the PML-N expressed major concern over Michael presenting the annual budget speech in the Punjab Assembly. And no, this was not because Michael stuttered like the king in The King’s Speech or had any problems with his fluency with Urdu or English. It was because he was a Christian. This was apparently such a critical issue that a “high-level” meeting was called and Michael was stripped of his position in the finance ministry. Once again, Shahbaz Sharif was the man behind the decision. The PML-N came under heavy criticism once again from local and international groups and was forced to reinstate Michael – and he eventually presented the budget on June 10. While this is the latest display of PML-N’s twisted mindset, it will not be the last. Shahbaz Sharif, like his brother, has had a long history of accommodating Punjab’s intolerant clergy, and causing immense pain to minorities. For example, many members of minority groups rot in jails in Punjab on bogus charges, their trials interrupted, their attackers acquitted. The reversal of the decision regarding Kamran Michael makes one thing clear: the PML-N is facing a serious problem. Now that the world watches Pakistan closely, the party leadership has an international audience to please. It is in a fix, struggling hard to decide between doing what is right and what is rightist. But then a friend tells me Shahbaz Sharif is a good man and the PML-N’s proclivity for bigotry is due to the preponderance of rightist members in the party. If this is the case, my advice to the chief minister would be best conveyed in the words my friend Taimur Khan likes to recite: “Basanti, in kutton ke saamne mat nachna” (Basanti, stop dancing in front of these dogs). But to be honest, I have very little hope that Sharif will stop dancing before his dogs.
    Click on play to start the video. Maybe Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif can be inspired by some old filmi wisdom re-done with a modern twist: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lasiEwoMKaU[/youtube]
    Tags: Ahmedi, Ahmedis, PMLN, Kamran Michael
    ]]>     10523 0 0 0     Should Federer Be Called the Greatest When He Can't Beat Nadal? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/should-federer-be-called-the-greatest-when-he-cant-beat-nadal/ Sun, 05 Jun 2011 08:32:59 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10574 There were probably legions of Fed-heads out there who had renewed hopes when after being down two sets, Roger Federer stormed back in the third set, winning the last five of six games. The momentum had shifted. Here's what a few people were saying on Twitter as Federer served out the third set of the 2011 French Open final:
    @atulkasbekar This ain’t over yet!!! Let's go five sets! Come On Roger! Believe!!! #FrenchOpen
    @tommypjr Pour another cup of #frenchopen coffee. We might be here a little longer.
    But momentum doesn’t last forever, it fades. It dies. Even FedEx can’t always keep the momentum on his side. While it is not easy to compare the tennis giants from different eras with each other, a case could be made (and has been made ad nauseam) that Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time. He has the titles, the records and the streaks to show for it. Moreover he has that effortless grace on the court. He has a complete game, flawless touch around the net and incredible athleticism for a guy who looks, well, incredibly un-athletic. You’ve seen those skinny forearms and wiry legs, right? Most of all though, he has the ability to stay focused and make the big shots in the big games. Of course on this day in Paris, he didn't bring his A-game to Roland Garros. And in those big moments, he collapsed against Rafael Nadal (see the IBM PointStream graph at the end of this post). The stats say it all:
    • Federer’s 1st-serve percentage was just 63; Nadal’s was 72.
    • Federer’s winning percentage on 2nd serves was just 39. Nadal’s was 51.
    And while Federer had more aces, less double faults and more winners, those winning attributes of his game couldn’t make up for his unforced errors:
    • Federer had a game-ruining 56 unforced errors. More than double Rafa’s 27.
    Worse still for Federer and his devoted international posse, Nadal was consistently strong throughout the match. The Federer-Nadal rivalry has now gone on for seven years. In their first meeting in 2004, a very young Nadal beat an already maturing Federer. Today the head-to-head record is lopsided: in 25 matches, the Spaniard has won 17, the Swiss just eight. Historically, Federer, as amazing as he is, loses to Rafa 68% of the time. And with another loss to Nadal, there was, unsurprisingly, more noise on Twitter questioning Federer's anointment as the “best ever.”
    @khlegm Nadal is proving, once again, that he’s just as good, if not better than “the greatest player of all time.” #FrenchOpen #Nadal #Federer
    @Tyler_Mills “Is #Federer the greatest player of all time, if he can’t even beat the greatest player of his own time?” Federer vs #Nadal 8 - 16 #tennis
    Make that 17 for Nadal, Mr Mills.
    french-open-unforced-errors-2011 His Undoing?
    A look at how Federer dropped unforced errors all over the court on Sunday June 5, 2011, in Roland Garros. Most of those errors were dropped in bunches, and right at the end of the first, second and fourth sets: the sets he lost. (The green arrows plotted along the green "momentum" line for Federer show where he hit those unforced errors).
    Graph sourced from rolandgarros.com.
    ]]>     10574 0 0 0     Video of the Day: Shahryar Khan Talks Militancy http://candle-thread.com/newsline/video-of-the-day-shahryar-khan-talks-militancy/ Sun, 29 May 2011 09:41:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10766 There's an interesting (and disturbing) video interview posted on IBNLive (and shared via twitter by writer @PatrickFrench2 and journalist @OmarWaraich) in which the host of the talk show “Devil's Advocate,” Karan Thapar, talks to Pakistan's former foreign secretary Shahryar Khan about militancy in Pakistan. They discuss the infiltration of the ISI and military by jihadis and terrorist sympathisers, as well as the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. The former diplomat admits to the unease in Pakistan and the “soul searching” going on about the failures of the military and government and the very real problem of ties between members of the armed forces and militants. But while he hints at the concern over rogue elements within the military, he defends Pakistan's military leadership, saying, “I believe that no ISI head would actually want to do something as drastic as Mumbai [26/11]. It would be so counter productive and it has proven to be counter productive. I don't think they would be engaged.” Of course, few people in Pakistan trust the ISI and the military, especially after the Osama raid and the attack on PNS Mehran, and so his words won’t make much impact. And as the conversation between Thapar and Khan goes on, it is clear that ISI-jihadi links are only part of the problem, and perhaps so is Mr Khan. Eventually, the tough questions by Thapar force an acknowledgement by Khan about the dreary current state of Pakistan: “I think there is no doubt that we have plunged the depths of governance, if you like. I think the problem here is that over the time we had civilian democratic government, we haven't gotten out of the idea, the sort of background, of the civilian government not being able to deliver. And as a result you have this precipice syndrome that Ahmed Rashid has referred to…” Sadly though, when talking about the “precipice,” the former foreign secretary doesn’t refer to religious extremism at all. Overall, he seems to downplay the very enormous danger of extremists and the extremist mindset. He says that the country's nuclear assets are safe (“The military and others are absolutely, totally focused that we would not allow anything to happen there”) and that the country's leadership will ensure that the jihadi-minded among the enlisted ranks “will no longer be allowed to have effective control” over sensitive military operations and assets. But can they be purged altogether? He wants IBNLive’s Indian viewers to believe so. He promotes the idea that the vast majority of the population and youth of Pakistan are against violent jihadi organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and wish to defeat terrorism. But then he says something that shows Pakistan is in a much bigger existential dilemma than he had admitted. While talking about the infiltration of security forces by violent extremists, he makes an awful statement about the murder of the Punjab governor in January 2011:
    “You have to distinguish the killing, assassination of one man like Salmaan Taseer, who stuck his neck out in the cause of blasphemy and various other religious causes, who was in a way, I'm sorry to have to say this, asking for it from the extremists. We have extremists.”
    The horrible statement announces three things about Pakistan to the world that speak louder than anything else he utters in the rest of the interview:
    1. Terrorists rule: Extremists in Pakistan will kill anyone who is a threat to them in any way whatsoever and they can't be stopped.
    2. Fear and resignation are pervasive: There is an acceptance in Pakistani society that certain issues such as the blasphemy law and religion can not be discussed openly and honestly, and that it is foolish to attempt to do so, and thus no one should address these topics.
    3. Even our ‘leaders’ have dangerous mindsets: As an intellectual, career diplomat and unofficial representative of the country, he still cannot categorically denounce the killing, the brutal violation of law and humanity, and the perversion of Islam.
    Nothing else he says in the interview matters: it doesn’t matter that he believes that university students want to ban militant groups and the public wants peace with India. What matters is that the militants and their intolerant, warped version of Islam de facto rule the country and are untouchable. If the government and its leaders can’t and won’t fight the violence, lawlessness and intolerance that has metastasised within Pakistan and targets its own people, how can it truly find a cure for those same elements when directed outwards? Where will the political leadership and establishment find the will to do that? And how can Mr Shahryar Khan say that there is “soul-searching” going on when he admits the nation can’t have open dialogue about some of the biggest issues tearing the country apart? Click play to watch the video from IBNLive below: ]]>     10766 0 0 0     Baking Memories http://candle-thread.com/newsline/baking-memories/ Sun, 29 May 2011 09:47:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10770 Let me say upfront that I am not a parent. I am sure I would make an absolute pig’s ear out of it. (And before I get asked, “Do you eat bacon?” by some strange reader, I suppose I had better change that to what is perceived as a more culturally appropriate animal. A goat’s ear? A camel’s ear?) Well, there you have it, I am sure I would make an absolute goat’s ear out of being a parent. So far be it for me to judge those of you who muddle through the sleepless nights and never-ending chores. However, I think that those of you who forgive your children for being absolute pains in the... well, camel, and come around to falling in love with them and doing fun stuff with them, are absolute champs! For there is nothing more amazing than those few memories (and it is just a few that do it) that make you reminisce fondly about childhood. Aunts and Uncles, Mums and Dads do those things for the kids in their lives that they remember from their own childhood. Thus are traditions born! When I was two, we moved out of Pakistan. My poor mother, who had never cooked a thing in her life, had to learn to cook and manage a house of four kids with no maids. It was at this point that she discovered Betty Crocker. I remember from a tiny, tiny age baking with my mum. She used to sing while she baked, “Mama’s li’l baby loves shortenin’, shortenin’, Mama’s li’l baby loves shortenin’ bread!” She used to bake a cake almost everyday. (My mum and my sisters also used to have un-birthdays for me, with peanut butter sandwiches, and I think the table was covered in a newspaper to make it festive!) bina-measuringspoons-bakingWhen we got older, my teenaged sisters and I continued to bake two recipes again and again from my mother’s now-battered, butter-covered, warped-paged, photocopied Betty Crocker Cookbook. Those are another set of very happy memories: hysterical laughter and hysterical hunger, with our long-suffering cook looking on while trying to clean up behind us and anticipate our every need. Happiness! So I urge you all, get baking with your kids. Encourage your kids to bake with each other. You can spread newspaper on your dining table and put the A/C on to beat the kitchen heat. Take out your ingredients and your measuring cups. Don’t use the ready-made mixes; all the fun of the measuring and mixing will have been sifted out. How beautiful is a cup of flour when you use a knife to get rid of the excess, leaving a perfectly smooth surface on top and a compacted shape that plops in to a bowl, almost retaining its form? How amazing is it when gooey butter mixes with icing sugar to form a lemon yellow, heavenly paste? And what about the way your hands smell after they have kneaded butter, vanilla and sugar together. The first time I dusted icing sugar over hot cookies and discovered that the sugar was still cool in the mouth after biting into the hot cookie was a real moment of revelation. It’s all like a yummy science experiment! (See more photos below). I was heartbroken when I found out Betty Crocker was not a real person. Of course now I think it is such a cool marketing gimmick. As Martha Stewart showed us, no real person can live up to the golden image of the domestic goddess. But really, if anyone is to be one, you need to be the domestic god/goddess in your kids’ life. So off you go… “Mama’s li'l baby loves shortenin’, shortenin’, Mama’s li'l baby loves shortenin’ bread…” Click below for one of the two recipes that we have obsessively baked through our lives. In it, we replace the nuts with coconut. Enjoy! Here's the link to the recipe for Russian Tea Cakes. But first, scroll down to see how my latest batch turned out. baking-russianteacakes-01baking-russianteacakes-02baking-russianteacakes-03
    All photography by Bina Khan
    ]]>     10770 0 0 0     More Questions Arise in US after PNS Mehran Attack http://candle-thread.com/newsline/more-questions-arise-in-us-after-pns-mehran-attack/ Fri, 27 May 2011 11:02:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10803 These days, though not for flattering reasons, Pakistan is regularly the focus of international headlines. The recent attack on the PNS Mehran naval base in Karachi has garnered more attention for Pakistan and raised more eyebrows about the stability of the nation. Like other places, the print media in the US criticised Pakistan’s alertness and ability to defend itself against terror, while questioning the motivation of its people in the fight against militancy. The fact that such a small group of militants could enter and engage what many people have long-believed to be one of the best-trained armed forces in the world for almost 17 hours raised “new questions about the military's preparedness,” wrote the LA Times in an editorial. These “new questions” are the second of back-to-back embarrassments that the Pakistani military establishment has had to endure. The stealthy nighttime raid by the US on Osama bin Laden’s hideout in the vicinity of Pakistan’s premier military academy (without the co-operation of, or a reaction from, the Pakistan army) was the first. An Associated Press report noted rising speculations of possible insider help in the attack on the Navy base. “The military is Pakistan’s most powerful institution, but it too has been infected by the anti-Americanism and Islamism coursing through the country over the last 10 years, especially in its lower ranks.” The report, published in The Washington Post, went on to suggest that Osama’s killing has only “exacerbated this anger among many soldiers.” For many, in both the US and Pakistan, the success of the May 22 attack on PNS Mehran also suggests some complicity from within the armed forces. And militant ties are something the US has been talking tough about recently, especially after the Osama raid. On May 27, during their visit to Islamabad, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Adm. Mike Mullen brought this up again. “The pair hammered home a warning that lower-ranking US officials have been making to Pakistan since the bin Laden raid: The billions of dollars in military and development aid that flow to Pakistan annually will dwindle if Pakistan is seen to play both sides,” reported Time.com. Interestingly, though there has been acknowledgment that sympathies for violent militancy are not widespread, there is also awareness that the militants do indeed have supporters among the public. The Huffington Post featured another story from the Associated Press that noted that even though the Pakistani Taliban and other militants lacked any significant public support in the country, authorities struggled to convince the public of the need to actively fight them: “The militants' identification with Islam, strong anti-American rhetoric and support for insurgents in Afghanistan resonates with some in the country.” We know that militants from certain terrorist groups are no less than trained commandos and have military-level training. But even if they did, would Taliban militants have a reason to target the Navy? Robert Mackey from the NY Times thought they had a reason. He wrote in his blog, “Well, despite the widespread assumption that the Pakistan Navy only patrols the sea, one Pakistani journalist pointed out on Monday that the navy’s chief of staff said recently that the service had used the American-supplied P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft destroyed in the attack to help fight Taliban militants ‘in the mountains.’” The US media reaction to all crises in Pakistan never fails to eventually focus on the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Even in the wake of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in December 2007, the security of the nuclear stockpile was questioned. The Islamabad correspondent for The Washington Post, Karin Brulliard, wrote about the sheer embarrassment the attack had caused to the Pakistan Military, and added, “The bin Laden raid also raised questions about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, and defence analysts said the Karachi assault renewed those doubts.” This time, though, even international leaders publicly echoed this refrain. The Associated Press reported that NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, during a news conference in Kabul, said that he was concerned about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. Pressure on Islamabad is definitely high. US Sect of State, Hillary Clinton, repeated in a recent statement that Pakistan needed to show more resolve in the fight against terrorism. She however praised Pakistan for eliminating “more terrorists than anyplace else in the world.” The media also highlighted the statement by Chief of Navy, Admiral Noman Bashir, on the lack of a security lapse and the sluggish response in evaluating the attack. “The civilian government has called a defence committee meeting for Wednesday, two days after the assault, showing a surprising lack of urgency. The military has remained silent,” noted Reuters. Make no mistake, the competency of Pakistan’s military is being questioned on all fronts. Amidst this humiliation for Pakistan in the international media, Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s description of the terrorists as “Star Wars characters” provided some comic relief (albeit, also embarrassing for Pakistan). In his NY Times blog, Robert Mackey reproduced a tweet from Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir: “I’m just glad he’s blaming the aliens and not us. That’s a huge improvement in our relations.” The media did point out, however, that many common Pakistanis do blame the assault on the US, Israel and/or India. Indeed, Pakistan is in the hot seat again. And the intense negative coverage and criticism of the country (no matter how appropriate) is, to say the least, an unpleasant experience for its citizens. If one thing is clear, it is that the common Pakistani needs to awaken to fact that the real threat to it is close, not far. To prevent any further decline of Pakistan’s image in the international arena will require Pakistanis to waste no time in making that identification.]]> 10803 0 0 0 Attack on PNS Mehran Reveals the Rot Within Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/attack-on-pns-mehran-reveals-the-rot-within-pakistan/ Mon, 23 May 2011 12:59:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=10864 One of the first mentions I saw on Twitter about the deadly attacks on two Karachi military installations on May 22 was from popular twitterer @Ali_Abbas_Zaidi. I first saw this tweet of his: Despite his minor typo at the end (it should have read Orion, instead of Onion), this tweet by Mr Zaidi is another example of the value and importance of Twitter in modern news reporting. It seems Mr Zaidi beat the big national news channels in obtaining information on the damaged aircraft. That tweet by Mr Zaidi was some time around (perhaps just before) 11pm. But actually, five tweets earlier and a few minutes before, he had already mentioned the damaged military aircraft: tweet-aliabbaszaidi-pns-1 tweet-aliabbaszaidi-pns-2       So, at the time, while the type of damage was unclear, it was clear that unknown militants had managed to infiltrate a military base in Karachi and damage a multi-million-dollar piece of machinery. Throughout the night, Mr Zaidi continued to tweet valuable insights about the events because of his sources within the Navy (former classmates). From elsewhere too, the tweets and news reports kept pouring in: more bomb blasts, ongoing firing, big plumes of smoke, the need for blood donations. Besides the obvious dismay of another round of heartbreaking attacks in Pakistan (and the shock of another GHQ-style attack), a multitude of questions popped up: how big was the blast, how many people have been hurt and killed, how many attackers were there, was this an inside job and was the P-3C Orion the main target and why? Here's how Lockheed Martin, the US defence contractor and aviation manufacturer who builds the Orion, describes their aircraft:
    The P-3 Orion is a peerless airborne hunter. Its reputation as the ultimate submarine finder was earned through more than 45 years of service, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to round-the-clock, patrols throughout the Cold War. With 435 aircraft in the worldwide fleet, the P-3 remains a relied-upon asset today and has proven to be remarkably well adapted for maritime patrol and support in recent world events including Operation Unified Assistance in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina and the BP Horizon oil rig disaster in the U.S. No other aircraft is better suited for these missions. The P-3 Orion is operated by 21 governments and agencies in 17 nations.
    According to Wikipedia, it has a price tag of $36 million. The Pakistan Navy ordered upgraded P-3 models (equipped with airborne early warning systems) from the US in 2006. These upgraded P-3Cs were delivered in early 2007 and 2010. The two planes delivered in 2010 from the US were formally inducted into the Pakistan Navy fleet at PNS Mehran (the site of the May 22 attacks) and are reported to possess anti-ship and submarine warfare capabilities with a large "bomb bay" to house missiles and torpedoes. In essence these aircraft are for maritime patrolling. And so the situation raises further questions. The terrorists ripping Pakistan asunder do not attack the country by sea. They come from within. They roam the mountainous regions that straddle Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have sprawling compounds in Muridke and brainwash young minds in the madrassahs of South Punjab. They have training camps in the lawless tribal areas and are said to be hiding out in the capital of the troubled province of Balochistan, Quetta. Why would they target aircraft at PNS Mehran that are designed to protect the country from a different enemy? And if this type of aircraft has the capability to carry nuclear missiles, wouldn't militants with their eyes on Pakistan's nuclear prize want to keep some of these assets around? What is the importance of focusing on an aircraft that does not seem to directly threaten them? Of course, everything seems to threaten the militants living among us: girls' schools, public markets, Muharram processions, peaceful Ahmedis and politicians who stand up for minorities. This could be another symbolic hit: an attack that targets the military men and equipment which have ties to the US. It could be an Al-Qaeda-type message to Pakistan to stop partnering with the West. But perhaps it is simply another sign of the brutal reality of the ideology of the Pakistani Taliban and other associated militant groups? Weaken the government, rattle the military and terrorise the people through violence. It has been proven over the years that the Taliban and its ilk will attack any military installation, any government installation and any public area in an effort to weaken, kill and intimidate. Why else would they continue to attack Navy installations? The work of sailors and those who guard Pakistan's coast have nothing to do with the Taliban holed up across the land, yet in late April militants also targeted three buses killing several Navy personnel and injuring dozens more. Still, at this point, these reasons for this attack are purely speculative. It is inevitable, though, that this paradox will get many commentators wondering about a foreign hand. It seems like it is already being hinted at. Shahzad Chaudhry, a defence analyst, told Express 24/7 (see video below) that the nation has to be careful about the intent of the attackers: "On whose behest are they undertaking such operations is something we need to be very worried about." For now, everyone should be very worried about the "how." How did the attackers breach security and easily reach the location of these aircraft in another very sensitive and heavily guarded military installation? Of course, at this point, it is too early to say anything in-depth about the how, the who or the why. So while Twitter provides us with what is on the surface (the whats and the wheres), and often gives us many impartial news sources, we still have trouble digging out the truth. Unfortunately, these mysteries are rarely resolved in Pakistan. One thing is for sure, though: something is terribly rotten in the state of Pakistan. There are holes and leaks and moles and radical freaks throughout the country: in the mountains, in the cities and within the nation's centres of power. Things could not be this bad (and continue to worsen) if it were not so.
    Click play to watch the video from Express 24/7: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3nf4Ceupms[/youtube]
    ]]>     10864 0 0 0     Rumsfeld Talks Frankly About Imperfect Relationship with Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/rumsfeld-talks-frankly-about-imperfect-relationship-with-pakistan/ Sat, 21 May 2011 07:28:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11031 Ruminating Rummy: Donald Rumsfeld from his always interesting press conferences during the George W. Bush years. Photo: AFP/File[/caption] An interesting interview with former US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Fox News. The always talkative Rumsfeld who loved to ruminate with the American press corps during the George W. Bush administration had some very practical and reasonable things to say about Pakistan, its role in the war on terror, the need to be measured and the nature of countries to act in their self-interest. Breaking off relations and cutting aid would be wrong, said Rumsfeld. He talked about how it is perfectly reasonable to believe that Osama bin Laden had no contact with Pakistani officials, and that he could very well hide without anyone in the Pakistan intelligence community knowing. He even said the same sort of thing could happen in Washington. As such, he talked about how all players should not be too reactionary, but should instead take a measured approach, realising that the relationship is imperfect and that the focus should be on the trajectory of the relationship and working on making it stronger. Of course, he conceded that there are most probably militant sympathisers within the military in Pakistan (somewhere). When asked by Greta Van Susteren if Pakistan was a good partner, Rumsfeld said this:
    "Is it possible when the signal goes out that we will make a raid in the tribal area that someone would tell the people up there? Sure, that's possible. In fact it is likely. It happens when the Pakistani military goes up to make a raid. They've had hundreds of their own people killed trying to be helpful in the war on terror. It is not a one-sided thing. I think Musharraf, when he made the decision to cooperate with us, took a bold step. They tried to kill him several times. Did he have perfect control over his government? No."
    He never sounded so fair during the Dubya years (about Afghanistan, Iraq or Pakistan), but then again, he's now more free to speak without spin. Ah, to be unburdened.
    Click play below to watch the video (length 6 mins 35 seconds):
    ]]>     11031 0 0 0     Hiding Behind the Drones http://candle-thread.com/newsline/hiding-behind-the-drones/ Fri, 20 May 2011 08:02:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11050 Down with the drones: Imran Khan has waged a war against drone attacks, and it seems to be resonating with Pakistani citizens.[/caption] Imran Khan promises to free Pakistan of injustice, poverty, homelessness, illiteracy and unemployment while empowering women and securing equal rights for religious minorities. But Khan's critics label him a Taliban sympathiser who garners support by using the anti-US card when anti-US sentiments already are high. Whereas Khan staunchly opposes the drone strikes in Pakistan and repeatedly blames them for rising terrorism in the country, critics feel he has not been vocal enough in condemning religious fanatics across Pakistan. And while he has not protested against suicide attacks on the civilian population, he is on his way to lead a second sit-in against CIA-operated Predator drones, this time in the country’s financial capital, Karachi. His claim: the menace of terrorism (which the US claims the drones contain) can be uprooted within 90 days under his leadership if the drones stopped raining ‘hellfire.’ Is the US really the reason for growing terrorism in Pakistani society? Are drones targeting innocent civilians? Would terrorism be contained if the drones were to stop? Drone attacks began in 2004. Only nine strikes occurred in the first four years of the program. Since January of 2008, however, there have been over 230 incidents of drone attacks in Pakistan’s north. But the history of terrorism in Pakistan precedes these events by decades. From the 1986 Pan Am hijacking in Karachi to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistan has been implicated in many acts of global terrorism. Even foreigners have found Pakistan a fertile haven for terror. As such, many international terrorists in recent history have been proven to either have trained in Pakistan or been arrested on its soil. Here are a few of those names: Waleed bin Attash of Yemen who killed 17 people in the 2000 USS Cole attack; Ahmed Ghailani of Tanzania who was responsible for the death of over 200 people in the twin US embassy attacks in Kenya and Tanzania; Khalid Sheikh Mohammad of Kuwait who masterminded the 9/11 tragedy; Umar Patek of Indonesia who killed hundreds in Bali; senior Al-Qaeda operative Abu Faraj al-Libbi of Libya; and now Saudi-born Osama bin Laden. Drone attacks motivated none of these people or events. The underlying sentiment was hatred of the West and US foreign policy elsewhere in the Arab and Muslim world, as well as a strong desire to cause harm. It was also the extremist belief that non-Muslim countries are Dar-ul-Harb and the world should be in a constant state of war until the domination of Islam. Even though Islam forbids suicide, some radical influential scholars have justified suicide bombings to meet this end. These suicide attacks, which Imran Khan believes are the result of drone attacks, had been sanctioned by extremist clerics in Pakistan much before the drones visited us. As shown in the graph below, not only can we not deduce a cause-effect relationship between drones and suicide bombings, we can clearly see that the latter have been far more deadly. (Text continues after the graphic). [caption id="attachment_11063" align="alignleft" width="300"]Is there a link? The number of deaths in Pakistan caused by suicide blasts and those due to drone attacks, from 2002-2010. Sources: The New America Foundation, CPOST and the South Asia Terrorism Portal. Is there a link? The number of deaths in Pakistan caused by suicide blasts and those due to drone attacks, from 2002-2010. Sources: The New America Foundation, CPOST and the South Asia Terrorism Portal.[/caption] With an escalation of the war on terror, suicide bombings have risen but the real motivation for these attacks remains a radical interpretation of faith and the prevailing anti-American sentiment. And while drone attacks may have contributed to rising anti-US sentiment in some quarters, they alone do not represent the entire source of anger towards the superpower. Besides, it is safe to say that some political parties have used drone attacks to stir up anti-US sentiment to use as a weapon against the sitting PPP government. Further, we cannot ignore the fact that hundreds of madrassas in the south of Punjab and in other parts of the country continuously indoctrinate children in this ideology, even recruiting them to become suicide bombers, promising paradise as the reward. Nor can we ignore that a spike in suicide attacks occurred in 2007 after the military operation at Lal Masjid in Islamabad – an operation that was carried out by Pakistani forces not US forces. In Jihad in Islam, Maulana Abul Ala Maududi writes, “Islam wishes to destroy all states and governments anywhere on the face of the earth which are opposed to the ideology and program of Islam, regardless of the country or the nation which rules it.” Fanatics take inspiration from such passages. Multiple terrorist outfits operating in the country also claim to find support for their actions in distorted interpretations of Islam. Lashkar-e-Taiba, the SSP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jaish-e-Muhammad and many more have been active for decades in Pakistan spreading violence within the country and exporting it abroad. Extremist ideology continues to be preached in seminaries such as the Darul Uloom Haqqania (aka the “University of Jihad”), the same seminary Imran Khan visited for support on his way to a sit-in in Peshawar a few days ago. The senior vice-president of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was also recently seen with Hafiz Saeed, the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawaa, the political and charitable arm of the banned LeT, condemning Osama’s murder. Osama was named a “Martyr of Islam” in the same rally. Imran Khan does condemn all forms of terror, but why does he fail to protest against these terrorist organisations and against their distorted teachings with the same vigour he employs when railing against US drones? And, ironically, why does he instead seek support from them? Where were the sit-ins against the ideology that led to the assassination of Salmaan Taseer or Shahbaz Bhatti? What if there were no drone attacks, would Taseer and Bhatti have been saved? Would the thousands that celebrated their death and forbade prayers at their death suddenly have become champions of interfaith harmony and preachers of pacifism? Would stopping drone attacks and fighting the war on our own stop extremism? The destruction from drones, as opposed to the thousands that have died at the hands of the militants, is considerably less. According to the New America Foundation, drones have killed a high estimate of 2,350 people, 1,880 being militants. Thirty-three of those were militant leaders. According to the Long War Journal, 1,879 leaders and operatives from Taliban, Al Qaeda and allied extremist groups have so far been killed with 138 civilian casualties. So, while not trivialising the tragic deaths of civilians, drone attacks have helped to eliminate hundreds of terrorists and prevent them from further tarnishing the image of Pakistan and Islam. The Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy (AIRRA) interviewed locals from the areas hit by drone missiles. Their results showed that most locals saw the drones as liberators from the militants operating in the area. Farhat Taj, a member of AIRRA, challenged American and Pakistani media to provide verifiable evidence of their exaggerated claims of civilian casualties and argued that since the areas were inaccessible to the government and media, the Taliban exaggerated numbers as part of a propaganda war to win the hearts of the citizens. Her challenge remains to be taken up. Contrary to the surgical strikes of the drones, military combat on the ground has caused a higher percentage of civilian casualties. Moreover, the drones that fly over Pakistani airspace once took off from Shamsi Air Base in Balochistan (though, there are reports that most now depart from Jalalabad, Afghanistan). As such, it would be more appropriate for Imran Khan to shift the sit-in to the GHQ headquarters in Rawalpindi. It would be even more appropriate to shift them to Jamia Haqqania, or Mansoora for that matter, places that have long endorsed extremism and spread it around the country. Imran Khan claims he can end the decades-long menace of terrorism by bringing an end to drone attacks. To that, I respond: if the aim of your sit-in really is to end terrorism and not just garner political support, Mr Khan, then I suggest a shift in site… that’s all.

    Vote in the poll below:

    [poll id="18"]
    ]]>     11050 0 0 0     Sharing the Pie with the King's Men http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sharing-the-pie-with-the-kings-men/ Thu, 19 May 2011 08:28:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11088 Survival is the end game: Asif Ali Zardari has wheeled and dealed to keep the PPP government alive. He should get some credit for keeping the country on the democratic path, says D. Asghar.[/caption] Four years ago, the idea that a man who had languished in Landhi jail for too long, lived under the shadows of his illustrious wife and was perceived as a political liability to the largest party of the country would emerge as its saviour and become the President of Pakistan was totally ludicrous. Yes, life is all about surprises, and this, in particular, turned out to be a rather rude surprise for many of the man’s diehard haters and detractors. Benazir Bhutto's untimely and ill-fated demise in Rawalpindi left the baton in the hands of a highly loathed and criticised Asif Ali Zardari. But he took the shattered party and using the slogan of "Pakistan Khappay" he ousted a rather cornered and paralysed former General. Timing perhaps was on his side. Or was it a gift of fate for years worth of incarceration for unsubstantiated charges. After almost a decade of a dictatorial regime, it was a strange coincidence that a man once remembered and scorned with the number 10 took the oath of the highest office of the land. Yes, democracy turned out to be the sweetest revenge for him. Endlessly plagued, chastised and demoralised by his detractors, he remained determined to rewrite a new chapter. Pragmatism replaced the usual victimisation of the rivals and dialogue not dislodge took the centre stage. The long and stained history of political enmity was buried and (it seemed) that bitter rival, Nawaz Sharif was invited to join hands. The Murree Declaration was signed by both. This was a follow up to the Charter of Democracy, envisaged by the late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. All was going well. However for a nation full of tragic and beleaguered political history, these festivities were fairly short lived. Thorny issues, such as the restoration of the Chief Justice and other partisan bickering, led to their divorce. The unseen-yet-most-powerful forces of the nation were delighted with this break up. If this union would have survived, it could have potentially dismantled the myth of their necessary dominance for good. In the end, it was the good old game and the forces in the shadows stood beaming with pleasure. Asif Ali Zardari and his list of political blemishes (real or perceived) may be long, but he deserves some credit for keeping Pakistan on the path of democracy after the 2008 elections. Even a fragile democracy is a million times better than dictatorial rule. In a fragile democracy, parties of common interests form a coalition to govern. Often the parties may be poles apart in terms of ideology, but circumstances bring them closer to form a rather weird alliance. Differences are hashed out, common grounds are negotiated and progress is achieved through dialogue. Left in the lurch without coalition partners, Zardari made some tough choices. Actually, it was more do or die. For him, joining hands with bitter adversaries created and crafted by the former President-General was a big gamble in the political casino. Once termed leaders of "The King’s Party" and "The King’s Men," the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, who were once considered bitter rivals of the PPP, were brought on board to save the withering coalition, even though these same brothers were once accused by him for being somewhat behind the murder of his wife. Survival is the end game and thus swallowing that bitter pill was necessary to remain alive. The deal was sealed with the usual give and take. Q Leaguers wanted ministries and the new role of Deputy Prime Minister. As the saying goes, everything was accepted and thrown in including the kitchen sink in order to bring the Q Leaguers on board. But what was termed as the "deal to strengthen democracy” was overshadowed by much bigger news – news that quickly drew people’s attention around the globe and in Pakistan: it was about a man and his “mansion” in Abbottabad. Nonetheless that didn’t change the minds of political pundits who have written off this alliance as a non-starter. The PML-Q camp that signed the dotted line has a history of opportunistic politics. They have deserted their former parties to go along with the pied pipers of the moment. This reality was perhaps factored into the equation when the PPP decided to yield to this arguably new political low. For those who have been watching all of these developments from the sidelines, it appears to be a very well thought-out plan. The PPP, despite its waning popularity, has the real players in its bag. On one hand it has the MQM in Karachi and urban Sindh, and on the other it now has the crutch of the Q League in the Punjab. Add to that the ANP in KP and in its own presence in rather volatile Balochistan. It seems like every inch of the political landscape around the nation has been covered. All this corners the PML-N and the reality of the matter is that it leads Sharif with no other option but to rally his former ideological partners on the religious right. Despite their never-ending rhetoric, the religious parties do not have a winning vote bank. With all the upheavals caused by the "honourable", historically they have been dismissed as a real political entity come election day. This leaves Mr Sharif with the emerging blue-eyed boy of the establishment, Mr Imran Khan. If truth be told, Mr Sharif will probably have to partner with the cricket hero to gain some mileage. Needless to say, the remaining Q Leaguers who did not go along with this deal will have to make a choice to jump in bed with Mr Sharif as well. Giving heed to his recent statements, Mr Sharif is playing safe on all frontiers. On one day he criticises the establishment for the Abbottabad security lapse, and on the other he chimes in with the message of Mr Khan, giving some anti-US statements pertaining to its affairs in Pakistan. The million-dollar question, which remains unanswered at this point, is where will all this lead? Will another leader return from his exile? Yes Mr Musharraf has made some announcements to make his comeback prior to March 23. But only someone with a really accurate crystal ball can predict which side will he end up with. It will be an interesting 2012. Clearly the manoeuvring has begun.
    Participate in the poll below: [poll id="18"]
    ]]>     11088 0 0 0     Shaping and Protecting your Corporate Image Online http://candle-thread.com/newsline/shaping-and-protecting-your-corporate-image-online/ Tue, 17 May 2011 10:05:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=11162 Bright idea: Corporate giants, such as Starbucks, are finding creative ways to use social media to shape a positive corporate image and attract new recruits. Source: Starbucks
    Bright idea: Corporate giants, such as Starbucks, are finding creative ways to use social media to shape a positive corporate image and attract new recruits. Source: Starbucks[/caption] It’s hard standing on the sidelines and just watch as your company gets bashed online. But doing so is vital in many cases. As a representative for your firm, you must know when and when not to react, and with what tone or information. And so must your employees. It’s neither uncommon nor unheard of that overzealous employees unintentionally (and even intentionally) reveal the organisation’s most closely held secrets in online forums. From a broader perspective, when it comes to Pakistan, poor pay scales and long working hours can create armies of disgruntled employees over time. This raises the disturbing potential for industrial espionage and is one reason that Helium and Shell Pakistan have blocked employee access to social media like Facebook and Twitter. To ensure that data privacy laws are upheld, it is advisable to revise and update external affairs policies and rules governing the use of social media that outline what employees can and can’t say on public websites, and decide on whose authority it lies to respond to customer comments and queries. Of course, a sensible strategy involves much more than simply worrying about what employees are saying. Communication departments also need to be proactive in shaping the right image online. And it goes beyond the product itself. Companies looking to differentiate themselves in the eyes of younger generations have used sites such as LinkedIn and XING to explore new avenues of recruiting and to spread a wider hiring net. Indeed, companies like Microsoft, Aga Khan University, SNL Financial and KESC have found success in hiring experienced candidates using LinkedIn’s job finder tools. Some businesses, such as Google and Starbucks, utilise YouTube for public relations and to generate positive sentiments about their respective work environments. While Google’s videos focus on the culture of innovation and in-office benefits, those of Starbucks focus on the career path needed to become, say, regional director or district manager. Starbucks also shows how back-end departments like global development, store design and field operations continue to play a vital role in the retail and image game, changing competitive competencies everyday.
    Click play below to watch Starbucks’ Global Development “behind the scenes” PR video: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMSWZwn2nhI&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
    The author works at Sociality360. Managers from the public relations division of that company provide guidance to their clients regarding reaction strategies to bad press and negative online comments in order to keep the company name and targeted brand in a positive light.
    Tags: social media, management, innovation, human resources, creative recruiting, brand management, damage control, communications
    ]]>     11162 0 0 0     Karachi: When will People Push Back to Reclaim their City? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/karachi-when-will-people-push-back-to-reclaim-their-city/ Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:15:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8095 The threads one hears and reads about online about the unrest in Karachi, specifically, and the fire burning in Pakistan in general, include mentions about the flight of capital and how people are moving out. And within those stories is frustration, especially from "civil society" and other activists both in and outside Karachi and inside and particularly outside of Pakistan, over why the people of Karachi don't just rise up and push back against the obvious culprits. I am from amongst the "people of Karachi." I am from an earlier generation that moved abroad because of "all this," directly or indirectly. Today, I do not have any immediate family in the city. But still, when Karachi throbs, our hearts beat in time to it. And when Karachi bleeds, our hearts bleed too. It is easy, though, to say that it is hard to believe how people can bear all that and not come out on the streets in protest. But Karachiwalay have been out on the streets since the first time the sound of jackboots were heard in the Islamic Republic. They have backed efforts to "fix" things, going back all the way to standing behind the Mother of the Republic (Madar-e-Millat) when she stood up to our first dictator. Still, one heard what one is hearing now — "Why don't they come out into the streets" — during the movement in support of the Chief Justice. One can make a pretty good case today (excuse the pun) that the CJ has been quite a disappointment in the case of Karachi today, can't one? From corruption in Hajj funds to sundry other things, the court has taken notice and "suo moto" action, but nary a word on the hundreds of people dying in Karachi over the last few months and years. Maybe the people of Karachi have a better sense of what will or will not pay dividends in terms of actually changing things for the better for the majority of the people of this Land of the Pure. Along the way, maybe in all they have seen, borne, and experienced, maybe the "people of Karachi", the teeming silent majority from Steel Town to Clifton and from Defense to Gulshan-e-Maymar learnt — and I dare say earned the right — to be just a little discerning about when to step out.]]> 8095 0 0 0 Saint or Hypocrite? Technology Can Confirm the Real Aamir Liaquat http://candle-thread.com/newsline/saint-or-hypocrite-technology-can-confirm-the-real-aamir-liaquat/ Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:40:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8129 “Everyone knows it is a world of technology. They have manipulated and tempered [sic] few clips and dubbed the abusive worlds [sic] in my voice,” tweeted Dr Aamir Liaquat in the aftermath of the recent video scandal (see the video below) that quickly went viral this past weekend. The video consists of several unflattering clips of the TV personality filming his show and reveals what many believe is Liaquat’s “true face.” Dr Aamir Liaquat’s official bio states that he is a renowned Islamic scholar, the executive director of television channel ARY Digital and the managing director of its Islamic channel, QTV. He was the host of “Aalim Online” on GEO TV and currently hosts a religious show on ARY. Drama is not new to Liaquat. He has been at the centre of multiple controversies, from getting a PhD in 20 days to arousing sectarian strife – including, but not limited to, a statement that led to the killing of three prominent Ahmadis in 2008 and involved abusive language targeted at Islamic holy personages. In the newly surfaced video, the publicly modest-looking Islamic scholar can be seen using abusive and derisive language in recorded outtakes of his programme. He is shown swearing, casually and routinely letting off the vernacular for “mother fu**er”, “pimp” and “sister fu**er,” etc., during conversations. The “Aalim” also appears to be big on Bollywood, for which he has quite a varied taste (“Ghalib movie dekhi hai?”). In one clip, he tries to remember a certain actor from a movie song who he says is notorious for rape scenes. The video gets particularly opprobrious and the histrionic Liaquat appears to take a deeper plunge into his sea of disgust when he shows cold insensitivity to a female caller’s question on “rape and suicide.” Anyone having the slightest bit of dignity and shame wouldn’t burst into a guffaw like that. The video also confirms that at least some calls in his former GEO programme were planted. Liaquat has claimed that the tape is doctored, and he is frantically pointing fingers in every direction. He initially blamed his previous employer (GEO TV), then said it was a conspiracy by those who did not want him to “spread the true essence of Islam in Ramazan,” and has lately also implicated groups that he said were against the finality of prophethood. But what most people are thinking about is not blame: it is whether, other than Liaquat's confused berserk behaviour, there is any evidence the tape is genuine. As soon as the video surfaced on YouTube, it was removed by GEO TV, who stating copyright claims. Quick they were, but late by modern standards. The video had been downloaded and was re-uploaded a gazillion times to multiple video-hosting sites. Interestingly, GEO kept pulling down the videos one after another in a hurried frenzy. They failed, but, in the process, furnished strong proof of the video’s authenticity. The tape’s credibility was further improved when the Aalim later verified that the clips were indeed taken from GEO’s archives. If it was truly GEO that had planned Liaquat’s defamation, the hot pursuit of the videos was indeed smartly scripted. aamir-liaquatNo one seems to buy Liaquat’s “dubbed” argument. An expert who wishes to remain anonymous stated that he believed the voice was indeed Liaquat's and that no level of expertise could manoeuvre the video to construct perfect synchrony between his hands (e.g. clapping) and lip movements and the words he uttered. There seems to be a very slight audio lag in later uploads of the tape, but the expert consulted said this was not surprising, given the repeated cycles of downloading and uploading the digital video has endured. But if it indeed was dubbed, nothing short of the release of the ‘original’ untouched version of the clips would serve as proof of Liaquat’s truth and innocence. With such significant humiliation, Liaquat could very easily take the legal recourse of having the ‘originals’ released. It would be interesting to see what he was actually saying while clapping his hands if not singing “hai agar dushman, dushman.” It would be of equal interest to see what he was actually saying when he made those crude gestures at 1:57 and 2:11 minute marks. Did he actually laugh at the woman’s question or was that cackle overdubbed? If Liaquat is in the right, he shouldn’t desist from providing us with these answers. The Aalim denies outright the tape’s authenticity and says anti-Islam elements are behind its release. Like Hamid Mir did in the recent past, Liaquat might succeed by exploiting the illiteracy and naivete of his listeners. The lack of accountability will only help. After all, his fake degree and his hate speech went unchecked in the past. However, in this world of technology, it is impossible for him to keep functioning for long. Unless he presents the ‘originals’ Liaquat will definitely lose most of his supporters on social media sites and many of the more discerning in Pakistani television audiences. Liaquat is either a saint or a hypocrite. In the interests of accountability, we must allow Liaquat the opportunity to prove his innocence (one more time). If he is blameless, whoever tailored the “fake” videos must be reprimanded (or made head of the Pakistani filmmaking industry). Ruining someone’s character is surely a serious crime. However, if Liaquat is hesitant to come forward with the ‘originals,’ he should be taken to account for the deception of millions on television and for continued hypocrisy in the name of faith. If any television channels continue to host him still, they should also be taken to task for fraudulent conduct and boycotted in protest. What will Liaquat say next? Was he cloned for the tape? It’s a world of technology, after all.
    Watch the video here:
    ]]>     8129 0 0 0     Pakistan Receives Guinness World Record as Birthday Present http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistan-receives-guinness-world-record-as-birthday-present/ Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:49:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8141 Patriotic citizens gave our country something to be proud of for its 64th birthday: the Guinness world record for the largest number of people singing a national anthem at one time in one place. Over 5,850 people from across socio-economic, age and geographical boundaries gathered in Karachi's Defence Stadium in Khadda Market Saturday night to sing 'Pak Sar Zameen' and earn (unofficially) our nation the award previously held by the Philippines. (The record remains unofficial because, contrary to reports, officials for Guinness World Records were not present for the singing and still need to confirm the results.) The chief organisers of the event were young professionals Abid Beli and Waqas Pai of the group ‘I Own Pakistan.’ Founded in 2008 and known for its efforts to counter negative perceptions of Pakistan, an issue close to the heart of many youths, ‘I Own Pakistan’ built a reputation via projects like a Facebook movement that managed to convince over 25,000 people to add a Pakistan flag to their profile pictures. Showcasing national pride goes hand in hand with the second key part of their patriotic refrain: urging people to set aside ethnic differences and define themselves first and foremost as Pakistanis. For this event, ‘I Own Pakistan’ brought together what some estimates place at around 6,000 individuals (the organisers stopped counting soon after they broke the record), using solely social media. The event was at risk of being cancelled just as people arrived on the night of the 13th, as torrential rains swept away large parts of the prepared stage area in the Defence Stadium. But using quick thinking and action, Beli and Pai managed to go through with their plans despite the inclement conditions. Szabist student Syed Ali Abbas, one of the attendees, states that he was motivated by a desire “to put aside the labels of Mohajir, Pathan and Pujabi [and] prove the importance of being part of a united Pakistan.” With ethnic animosities and provincialism rising up in every corner, particularly violence-filled Karachi, one can only hope that this importance can be made clear to the public at large soon. Newsline spoke to Abid Beli, the young advertising consultant who founded ‘I Own Pakistan,’ about the experience of organising a united effort to break a record for his country and the amount of spontaneous innovation it took to make his dream come true. 203251_689790839_7411005_n What was the significance of this event and what did you hope to achieve? We see videos, images and news reports constantly presenting the negative aspects of Pakistan. We do not deny that these exist. But we think it is equally important to bring together the best of Pakistan, and showcase that to the world. Breaking this Guinness world record is part of that effort. When did you first decide to break this record and why? My partner Waqas Pai came up with the original idea of getting a record number of people to sing our national anthem. When we checked with Guinness, we discovered that the previous record was held by India, where over 100,000 had gathered to sing ‘Vande Mataram.’ Accordingly, we started organizing an effort to bring together a larger number to sing ‘Pak Sar Zameen.’ But no venues in Karachi were willing to hold this number for security reasons. Meanwhile, I had done some research and realised that ‘Vande Mataram’ is not actually India’s national anthem. When I pointed this out to Guinness officials, they took note and moved the Indian record to a different category – the largest sing-along, but not the largest group singing a national anthem. That happened in late July. Suddenly, our competitors were the Philippines, and our target was lower and more achievable: over 5,300. What was your next move once you had the target of beating 5,300 in mind? We started to put things together rapidly. The DHA kindly agreed to let us use Khadda Market’s Defence Stadium for free, and Dawn News helped out as our media partner. We used our personal funds to set up stages, 16 tiers of speakers and appropriate lighting. Come 10pm on 13th August, the time we had put on the complimentary tickets distributed online, everything was set. We hear a crisis situation ensued. Tell us about how you dealt with it. At 10:25pm, it started to rain heavily. The thunderstorm ruined all our preparations. The 800 people who had already arrived started telling others not to come, and began to leave themselves. A decision was necessary and, after seconds of thought, I decided that the event should go on. We asked those who had arrived to stay and start contacting their friends via text, phone-calls or wireless internet, ensuring that those interested in attending knew that we had not cancelled the event. Meanwhile, 5 prominent TV channels sent reporters, including Express TV and GEO, agreed to broadcast information that our plans were continuing according to schedule. Within half an hour, people started coming again. We set up a makeshift mic system and managed to get 2 speakers working. Tickets, which people could either download online or receive at the gate (for free), were being counted. By 1 am, we had achieved our target. And so we sang. And what about publicity?  Guinness requires that one pay a licensing fee costing thousands of pounds for the right to advertise one’s effort to break a record. Since Waqas and I were paying out of our pockets, we didn’t have that kind of money. So all we used was the new media wave and word of mouth. How and when will Guinness confirm that you have achieved your goal and broken the world record? We sent them our ticket database, video clips and photographs on the evening of the 16th. In addition, television personality Faisal Qureshi and politician Marvi Memon, who were present at the event, have agreed to write letters of attestation for our accomplishment, which will also be forwarded to Guinness. We hope to have a confirmation within four weeks. [You can watch a video of the incredible event here.]]]> 8141 0 0 0 Imran Khan: Popular Leader "Can Already Sense" Victory in Elections http://candle-thread.com/newsline/imran-khan-popular-leader-can-already-sense-victory-in-elections/ Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:54:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8178 imran-khan-pakistan-politician-cricketerThe Independent carries a profile of Imran Khan today, a succinct analysis of the man everyone’s talking about but no one seems really sure of. Khan tells the British paper that he “can already sense” victory in the next elections. Such hubris is almost comical, reminiscent of Charlie Sheen and his “tiger blood.” Yet with much-flaunted polls showing high approval ratings for him over the summer (see graphic below), Khan does seem to have cause for celebration. Youth groups have upped the ante in terms of publicly supporting Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Facebook, Twitter and numerous online discussion forums. Meanwhile, the recent PTI rally in Islamabad is being promoted as further evidence of Khan’s grassroots support. Many of those dissatisfied with both mainstream political parties and hardline religio-political elements seem to have jumped on the PTI bandwagon and embraced Khan with open arms. What PTI supporters and the vast majority of foreign commentators conveniently forget is Khan’s virulent brand of nationalism, a passion that borders on paranoia and uses Islam to forge a united Pakistani identity. What is questionable in light of this is how strong a stance Khan is willing to take against others who manipulate Pakistanis in the name of religion and, indeed, whether he will eventually lapse into their ranks. Appeasing the far right could be a slippery slope under a government that relies on a staunchly conservative support base. On the other hand, categorically opposing groups that ostensibly share Khan’s goals of reducing American influence in Pakistan, and hence receive some sympathy from his supporters, will be difficult for the PTI chief to manoeuvre. His eventual stance on radicalisation is therefore something Western analysts in particular should be cautious about – will Khan bite the hand that writes so eloquently about his virtues? Also worth remembering is that one should take Khan’s confidence with a grain of salt. He has little experience in government, having never held a ministerial portfolio and only sitting in parliament for one term. While that leaves him free of the accusations and mistrust that come with governmental posts, it also means that political familiarity, the tide that turns votes towards specific individuals and families time and again in this country, is an advantage he lacks. Many in Pakistan predict that Khan will, at best, cut into the PML-N’s Punjabi support base in the next elections. Key among the reasons for this is the fact that the PTI often comes across as a one-trick pony – it is likely that few can name a single PTI leader other than Khan himself. The limited gains he is thus foreseen to make could hardly propel him into the Prime Minister’s residence The Independent claims he so ardently desires. pak-leaders-popularity-pew-pollAnd that’s the persistent issue: how much does Imran Khan really matter as a political player and not just as a throwback to a feel-good cricket era? As of August 16, the recent profile on him and his political ambitions remains in the sport and cricket sections of The Independent. Where voters have categorised him in their heads will make itself clear in due course.  ]]> 8178 0 0 0 A Tale of Two Murders: Searching for Equal Justice http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-tale-of-two-murders-searching-for-equal-justice/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:58:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8184 law_20scales_n8bu Without an independent and honest judiciary, all the rights guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution of Pakistan become worthless – mere words on paper. Pakistan’s constitution does guarantee equal rights to (almost) all its citizens but are these nugatory words or worthwhile promises? Here, we look at two recent scenarios to examine the country’s judicial system for the answer. This is a tale of two murders. In January 2011, Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Pakistan’s most influential province, was gunned down in Islamabad by a member of his own security team. The killer, Mumtaz Qadri, carried out the despicable attack in broad daylight. He confessed to the act and expressed pride in it. Hours into the killing, Qadri was elevated to sainthood and hundreds of rallies comprising thousands of people paid homage to what they called his ‘grand service to Islam.’ Those who came out to honour the criminal significantly outnumbered those who lit a candlelight vigil for the victim. The very upholders of law garlanded Qadri and received him as a hero. Seven months into the proceedings, no verdict has yet been reached on the case. One may ask what more evidence the courts are looking for to implicate Qadri in this heinous crime. Five months after Mr Taseer’s tragic murder, another killing gripped news headlines across Pakistan. An unarmed young man, Sarfaraz Shah, was killed at close range by a team of Rangers in Karachi. Video evidence of the brutality soon surfaced and six Rangers were arrested. Two months into case hearings, a verdict was reached. Shahid Zafar, the man behind the trigger, was recently sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in Karachi. The other men arrested (five paramilitary soldiers and one civilian) were sentenced to life imprisonment and heavy fines. Considering Shah’s case as standard, a verdict on Mr Taseer’s case should have been recorded five months back. This did not happen and nothing is expected to happen anytime soon. Unfortunately, Shah and Taseer were not equal citizens of the state. Talking of equality of its citizens, even murders are not equally treated in Pakistan. One was met with condemnation, the other with veneration. Now, coming back to our question: what evidence was lacking in Mr Taseer’s case that was available in Shah’s? None. If anything, the evidence in the Governor’s case was only stronger. However, it was not about evidence at all, it was about those who rule based on it. For decades, Pakistan has gradually and increasingly been infested by an extremist and intolerant right-wing movement. The chauvinistic mindset nurtured by President Zia exists openly in the form of parties such as the Jamaat-e-Islami today. The mindset has spread and made it to influential positions and institutions. The judiciary is one of them. This is precisely why a more extremist and bigoted interpretation of law prevails in the land. Anything remotely associated with religion is judged not by evidence alone but also in light of right-wing sentiment, which is displayed on the streets every so often. In cases like Aasiya Bibi’s, sentiment alone suffices as evidence. Justice in Pakistan has often been ignored in favour of appeasement to the (bay)ghairat brigade. Christians and Hindus, for instance, are deliberately marginalised even though the law promises equal rights to these groups. It did the same for Ahmadis, but a contradictory amendment by PM Bhutto and a subsequent ordinance by President Zia-ul-Haq explicitly bar them from being free and equal citizens of the state. This is another example of how right-wing sentiment overwrites justice and sanity in the land. Not many influential figures dare to boldly defy this tsunami of intolerance and bigotry in Pakistan. Not many have the courage to reclaim Jinnah’s free and just Pakistan from the intolerant lot that has taken it captive. Mr Taseer was one of the rare few. His ‘crime’ was sympathy towards the country’s persecuted segments and bold confrontation of the right-wing, the same right-wing that greeted his assassin in court with garlands and flowers. Not even his influential position and the fact that he belonged to the ruling party were good reasons to ensure him speedy justice. Imagine the plight of an ordinary man! These two murders prove the sombre fact that Pakistan’s judiciary will never be free as long as the status quo prevails. The words of Pakistan’s constitution that appear to respect the rights of all its citizens will continue to remain a mere ethereal bubble. The only way Pakistan could have an independent and virtuous judiciary is if more Pakistanis aspire to follow the brave example of Mr Taseer.]]> 8184 0 0 0 In Pakistan, Everyday Needs Are Ignored in the War on Terror http://candle-thread.com/newsline/in-pakistan-everyday-needs-are-ignored-in-the-war-on-terror/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:04:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8198 Terrorism is a global phenomenon. It is a plague that has inspired panic around the world. Thus, superpowers such as the US feel that it is imperative to curb the problem as fast as they can. Meanwhile Pakistan has, in recent years, become a synonym for “terrorist central.” It is no surprise then that most of the aid and assistance that flows into the country from foreign powers is directed towards curbing the growth of terrorist forces. Concentrating resources primarily on combating terrorism, however, comes with a great opportunity cost: helping the Pakistani people, whose lives are mired with problems ranging from malnutrition and illiteracy to power outages and inflation. And thinkers in the West are now awakening to this fact as well. Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars writes eloquently in the Huffington Post about facts that serve as a reminder of what we ignore when countering radicalism becomes our consuming obsession. Sixty million people are undernourished in this country, over 50% of Pakistan’s 70 million children are not in school, some Pakistanis face power outages for as long as 20 hours every day and everybody has to deal with double-digit inflation that is approaching 14% in an environment where salaries do not keep pace. It’s obvious that the citizens of this country are not happy. That’s not the surprise. What’s surprising is the fact that a writer finally decided to shed light on these issues that are just as pertinent, if not more so, for this country. People are dissatisfied, frustrated and resentful towards their government. Quite frankly, you can’t blame them. As of 2005, approximately 38.5 million people lacked access to safe drinking water, leading to a rise in waterborne diseases that claimed the lives of thousands. The sentiments that this inspires are fervent discontent and anger. And that’s just one of the several issues. Add a lack of food, adequate shelter and sanitation to the picture and you’ll start to see where all the bitterness comes from. These problems are not new to Pakistan. The fact that they have never been completely addressed or resolved makes these people feel as if they’ve been dismissed as an expendable collective. This outlook is both tragic and very dangerous. Millions of lives are being scarred by issues that Pakistan has faced for decades, while successive governments have chosen to pay closer attention to everything from diplomacy (or a lack thereof) to the courts. Meanwhile, desperation erodes the trust people place in the government they elect. And that is the point where extremist organisations step in as the so-called ‘guardian angels’ of the people who have been left with nothing. By promising (and sometimes providing) what the government does not give its people, these organisations can bring about a shift in ideology. So not only does the state lose support but also it unintentionally transfers it to organisations that challenge its very existence. It is high time that analysts and policymakers alike realise that ignoring the needs of the people to combat terrorism will not help. It will only exacerbate the issue they meant to stop in the first place.]]> 8198 0 0 0 The Case of Sarfaraz Shah: Has Justice Been Done? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-case-of-sarfaraz-shah-has-justice-been-done/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:18:59 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8228 Overwhelmed, the brother of Sarfaraz Shah promptly declared that “justice has been done” when the Anti-Terrorism Court recently sentenced Rangers officer Shahid Zafar to death by hanging and a fine of Rs200,000 for the murder of 21-year-old Shah on June 8. Life imprisonment sentences were meted out to five other accused paramilitary accomplices and a civilian private contractor who pointed the finger at Shah for robbery. Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso also decided that each of the six must pay Shah’s family Rs100,000. But the battle for retribution for Sarfaraz Shah’s family is not over. It has since been affirmed that this verdict will be appealed in the Sindh High Court by the defence counsel, based on procedural and legal specificities in the case that have yet to be exhausted. Significant attention has been paid to the case across the country, and demands for justice have been loud, organised and ubiquitous. The live video coverage aired on local TV channels and websites of Sarfaraz Shah begging for his life after being shot twice and then left supine on the street evidently disturbed the nation. Shah’s family believes that the Supreme Court’s taking suo moto notice of the incident and initiating investigations, on the heels of a nationwide outcry, is what led to their victory in the courts. But public consciousness in Pakistan is capricious at best. And in situations where a mass public outcry has not dogged them, law enforcers have not exactly instilled confidence in the people. The bestial murder of Salmaan Taseer by his own bodyguard, elite force commando Mumtaz Qadri, was met with celebrations in some quarters and a chilling quiet at large. While Qadri was garlanded as a hero, Salmaan Taseer’s family still awaits justice. Investigations into another case in May – of five unarmed Chechens, among them a pregnant woman, on whom FC personnel opened indiscriminate fire in Kharotabad – have confirmed that injustice was done. Though it is now known that the foreigners were not innocent and they may have had terrorist training, they were unarmed at the time and hence explanations defending the brazen and excessive gunfire only makes for derisory excuses. Little surprise that some now fear that firearms issued for the protection of civilians may actually endanger the public. The charge against the Rangers in Sarfaraz Shah’s murder read that the killing spread terror and created a sense of insecurity in the public, and hence fell under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. But the seven men charged are not the only law enforcers who might be disregarding the Act on a daily basis. Unless the public and courts are unequivocal in their condemnation of all acts of violence, fear and insecurity will continue to haunt our streets.]]> 8228 0 0 0 How Many Relationships will Pakistan Spoil Before it Cracks Down on Militants? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/how-many-relationships-will-pakistan-spoil-before-it-cracks-down-on-militants/ Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:33:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8255 Xinjiang region is China’s largest administrative division. It produces large quantities of natural gas, is home to most of China’s Muslim Uighur community and borders Pakistan, among other countries. And two weekends ago, it witnessed two bomb blasts in Kashgar, a key city. By August 1, news reports highlighted that Kashgar officials believed that the attacks were organised by Uighur militants working under Pakistani-trained leaders. The New York Times believes that this could represent “growing Chinese impatience with Pakistan’s inability to control radical groups operating within its borders.” Suddenly the ‘evergreen’ Sino-Pak relationship Pakistani politicians like to tout when they feel like distancing themselves from Uncle Sam seems shaky. And sharing a land border with our nation reveals itself to be not an opportunity for trade and development but a risk that one might wake up to learn that innocent civilians are dead. ISI director Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha was concluding a visit to Beijing just as the accusations began to make news. Pasha presumably had to smooth some ruffled feathers and, if the allegations were supported by the central government, feel the Chinese establishment’s ire. He is no stranger to this role: many believe that Pasha was in a similar position in July when he visited Washington just days after the US suspended $800 million in aid to Pakistan amidst doubts about whether the ISI and the government chose not to share information about Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad hideout. But Pasha’s job does not involve eternally apologising to slighted allies. It is about maintaining this country’s security and ensuring that groups like those training and nurturing violent militants are eliminated. International disdain should not be a prerequisite for him to realise that. As it loses more and more face on the international stage, the Pakistani government needs to evaluate how much it’s willing to sacrifice for the sake of pretending the militant problem does not exist. The costs keep getting higher and the gains look slim. Meanwhile, the country’s own military grows sympathetic to perspectives like those of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, which sees Pakistan as irrelevant when compared to the needs of the greater Muslim ummah. Will this latest rebuff be a turning point? If it isn’t, Pakistan stands to lose a great deal. China is an economic power that has helped Pakistan with armaments, port development, our satellite programme and more. The last time Islamabad got close to paying China back in meaningful terms was when Pakistani officials helped organise Nixon’s landmark visit to Beijing in 1972. Since then, as anyone but a hyper-nationalist who screams about China ‘stealing’ the profits of the yet-to-succeed Gwadar could tell you, our end of the relationship has been best-known for the brutal murders of Chinese engineers. Some warn against reading too much into these allegations. The view that Sino-Pak relations will remain on their previous path to closer intimacy does have some factual basis: China was, as mentioned above, a critical part of this month's launch of Pakistan's Paksat-1R satellite, and China has yet to issue any further statements about cutting investments. An article in Foreign Policy argues that this latest incident will be only a slight hiccup in Sino-Pak relations. Citing doubts about the validity of Chinese officials' claims, Arif Rafiq underlines the strategic importance of the Sino-Pak relationship to both parties. What those like Rafiq fail to note, however, is that China is not the questionable ally here: Pakistan is. So while the latter might be helpful to China in terms of developing landlocked Xianjing, the Chinese government has proved itself to have more than enough acumen to not depend on a country with crumbling institutions and security conditions that are pushing even local businesses into the red. China is thus unlikely to see Pakistan as the indispensable solution to its Xianjing problem. Such arguments resemble those once given for why the kind of Pakistan-US split we are witnessing today was characterised as unthinkable. Frustrations will continue to take their toll, just as they did with the Islamabad-Washington bond. The article also underscores shaky evidence about Islamic parties "treat[ing] their country's alliance with China as a sacred cow." True or not, this assertion seems irrelevant: extremist elements are hardly unified in their command and their views, and some factions have proved themselves to be more than willing to sacrifice Pakistan's long-term interests, whether out of incompetent planning or the fact that they prioritise what they see as the global Muslim interest more than the well-being of the Pakistani state. Even if one considers that no clear change in Chinese policies has occurred, the fact that Pakistan was specifically mentioned when blame for these attacks was apportioned is a sign of growing tension. Something might give soon — it is up to the establishment to ensure that it does not. And that requires changes in both policies and mindsets. Some on the religious right would argue that given the plight of Uighur Muslims, supporting their rebellion is Pakistan’s duty as a Muslim state. That school of thought would do well to remind itself of its equally virulent belief that Islam is a religion of peace, not violence, bloodshed and dead innocents. It is slightly absurd that with things as they stand, the biggest ‘gift’ we can give our ally is a preventive measure against an enemy we’ve helped prosper. But such are the twisted politics of our two-timing establishment.]]> 8255 0 0 0 The 10 Most Popular Posts for July 2011 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-10-most-popular-posts-for-july-2011/ Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:48:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8276 Here's a list of what were the most-read articles and blog posts on NewslineMagazine.com in July 2011. See what everyone else was reading and catch up on what you missed. 1.Hina Rabbani Khar Helps Reveal Media's Discriminatory Ways Our new female foreign minister is another victim of subtle gender discrimination, being judged not for her way with words but for her Birkin and pearls. By Akbar S. Ahmed 2.Interview: Shehrbano Taseer “It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better, but I have immense hope for Pakistan,” says Shehrbano Taseer. By Schayan Riaz 3.Struggling to Understand the CIA-ISI Relationship When it comes to assessing CIA-ISI ties, there are no safe assumptions. By Michael Kugelman 4.The PCB vs Afridi: A Poorly Played Cricket Drama The PCB’s bumbling antics have led to the loss of one of Pakistan’s most accomplished cricketers. By Khalid Hussain 5.Pakistan’s Defence Budget: Cloaked in Secrecy Will a breakdown of the 2011-12 defence budget set a precedent for a more transparent debate on army expenditure in parliament in the years to come? By Babar Ayaz 6.Music Review: Coke Studio, Season 4, Episode 4 In its fourth episode, Coke Studio performed its usual balancing act of simple pleasures and ambitious experiments – and did a fine job. By Danish Hyder 7.Interview: General Hamid Gul, Former DG ISI “The Pakistan military and its agencies are in a state where they cannot recognise their real enemy,” says General Hamid Gul, former DG ISI. By Arif Rana 8.Pervez Musharraf Chimes in on Rick Perry and 2012 US Elections And it shows Musharraf loves to talk just as much as ever before — he’s just a bit rusty at it. By Talib Qizilbash 9.Dangerous Liaisons Has the nexus between jihadists and rogue elements in the armed forces reached a critical mass? By Sairah Irshad Khan 10. Indo-Pak Relations: IEDs, Stones and Dialogue As India and Pakistan’s foreign ministers meet, it is a good time to explore exactly how healthy bilateral relations and the cross-border fight against terrorism are in the wake of the July 13 Mumbai blasts. By Uddipan Mukherjee]]> 8276 0 0 0 Tehrik-e-Niswan Highlights Fistulae and Related Prejudice http://candle-thread.com/newsline/tehrik-e-niswan-highlights-fistulae-and-related-prejudice/ Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:55:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8296 "I am convinced that it is not possible for Pakistan to develop unless women find an equal position in our society." - Sheema Kermani set-film-mae-jioungi-fistula Obstetric fistulae may be one of the biggest health issues in Pakistan that no one talks about. Thankfully, there is a small group of people trying to change that. Their new film publicises the plight and bravery of women living with this misunderstood condition. People from across socio-economic boundaries flocked to the July 30 premiere of Tehrik-e-Niswan's telefilm Mae Jioungi Sar Uttha Kay. The film relates the true stories of women living with obstetric fistulae, a horrible medical condition that carries with it extreme negative stigma in Pakistan. Directed by Anwer Jafri, produced by Sheema Kermani, shot by Jamil Akhter and guided by Dr Shehzad Syed, Mae Jioungi Sar Uttha Kay highlights the fact that fistulae are curable and that to shun a woman for having one is inhumane. An obstetric fistula is an abnormal hole that can develop between the rectum or bladder and the vagina as a result of prolonged, obstructed labour. Women with the condition are unable to control the flow of their urine or faeces, or both. In Pakistan, such women are often labelled impure. Thus, they face consequences ranging from being made to sleep outside their homes to being abandoned by their families and husbands. It has been 11 days since the premiere and this reporter has yet to find an article on the wonder that was this documentary. Considering the current priorities of many in the media, it was perhaps the lack of 'celebrities' or a 'high-end' crowd that caused the screening to be denied the recognition it deserved. The programme started with a three-minute slideshow on what obstetric fistulae are and how women in Pakistan are vulnerable to developing them. The risk is significant due to the low levels of obstetric care in rural areas, while the stigma they face once they have the condition can be crippling. The audience received information regarding women who have suffered fistulae and even those who have survived, while the slideshow also shed light on the campaign that is currently being lead by UNFPA to fight the fistulae in Pakistan and other countries. After the slideshow (and some frustrating technical difficulties) the film was screened. From child marriage and domestic abuse to the lack of basic healthcare, various aspects relating to the ill treatment of women with fistulae were painstakingly illustrated. The  film was also successful in highlighting the sorry state of women's rights, poverty alleviation and socio-cultural openness in Pakistan. This reporter sat down to talk with Tehrik-e-Niswan founder Sheema Kermani about her views on Mae Jioungi Sar Uttha Kay.
    What inspired you to make this telefilm? Tehrik-e-Niswan has been working on women's rights issues for the last 30 years. Pakistan is a patriarchal society where women's lives are not given importance – a woman is not an equal citizen and her place in society is at the lowest. We feel that unless women can live with respect and dignity, and are given equal status, no society can develop. Thousands of women die because of fistulae every year in Pakistan. Thousands are forced into seclusion and a life of humiliation and misery simply because they are suffering from fistula. Tehrik's work on women's health issues brought this problem to our attention. Dr Shershah, who has been a pioneer in helping these women recover and lead a normal life, asked us to make a stage play, which was then performed on many occasions in hospitals, clinics, medical colleges and community centres. Later that was made into this film. Where do you plan on airing this film? We hope to have it shown on different TV channels. Also, the film will be distributed to organisations working on rights issues. Amongst all the issues that exist in our country, why is it that the issue of women’s rights is your biggest concern? I think women's rights are one of the most crucial issues in this country. No society or people can move forward until the women of that society have an equal status. In Pakistan, women are more than 50% of the population but they are not able to live their lives to their full potential. I am convinced that it is not possible for Pakistan to develop unless women find an equal position in our society.
    ]]>     8296 0 0 0     Radio-Induced Repose http://candle-thread.com/newsline/radio-induced-repose/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:31:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8371 Radio stations seem to now see themselves as a slightly cheerier alternative to Prozac for the citizens of Pakistan, particularly those in Karachi. Newsline staffers, perpetually scouring the media and the internet for your benefit, have heard a number of DJs imploring Karachiites to keep their cool amidst the sweltering heat. Compassion and concern drip from their every faux-accented word. Cityfm 89 is leading the way in this socially responsible new initiative. They promise to “keep you calm during Ramadan.” Some sources claim that the channel has, in its wisdom and sincerity, even started to minimise the playing of louder rock and electronica music lest they push listeners’ blood pressure to dangerously high levels. This obsession with maintaining ‘calm’ might be more earnest than Orwellian – maybe some inner peace would be a good thing after the violence and bloodshed that were the hallmarks of July. It’s also possible, of course, that this is all an attempt to prevent the car crash rate from spiking as it does every Ramadan. We here at Newsline remain unsure. But we do know you can look forward to a lot of Dido and Coldplay on the airwaves for the next few weeks. At least angst-y teenagers will be content in their perverse way.]]> 8371 0 0 0 Gallup: US Muslims Satisfied with Lives and Hopeful about Future http://candle-thread.com/newsline/gallup-us-muslims-satisfied-with-lives-and-hopeful-about-future/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:44:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8388 A report released last week by the Abu Dhabi Gallup Center, a regional hub for the international polling organisation Gallup, provides extensive data about the lives of Muslim-Americans, including some facts that challenge conventional expectations of how Muslims in the US feel and how their fellow Americans view them. Muslim Americans: Faith, Freedom and the Future focuses on what the Muslim-American experience is like a decade after 9/11 “pushed [the community] into the limelight...from its place of relative anonymity.” Many in Pakistan bemoan the lot of Muslim-Americans, seeing them as a marginalised community targeted by neighbours, employers and governments alike. While Islamophobia plays a significant role in the lives of Muslim-Americans and daily battles have come to be taken for granted, this report suggests that the Muslim community in America is not only very patriotic but also hopeful:
    “While they continue to experience some perceived bias, both in their interactions with other Americans and in their exchanges with law enforcement, Muslim-Americans are satisfied with their current lives and are more optimistic than other faith groups that things are getting better.”
    Moreover,
    “While Americans in every major religious group rate their current lives about equally, Muslim-Americans are unique in the level of optimism they express about the future. Regardless of religious affiliation, Americans rate their lives about a ‘7’ on a 0-to-10 ladder scale and expect to be even more satisfied five years from now. No other religious group, however, expects things to improve as much as do Muslim-Americans. On average, they expect their lives to be an 8.4 out of 10 in five years.”
    At the same time, the community remains aware of how difficult the America-Islam relationship has become. The study evinces that the group reports lower levels of trust in the US military than other major religious communities and also shares a greater consensus that the Iraq war was a mistake:
    “While a substantial proportion of Americans of all major religious groups now see the Iraq war as a mistake, this view is most prevalent among Muslim-Americans (83%). US Muslims are also the most likely (47%) to believe it was a mistake to send forces into Afghanistan.”
    Perhaps the most surprising fact for those who tout Jews/Israel/Zionism as the ultimate defamers of Muslims is that Jewish-Americans are the second “least likely religious group to believe that Muslim-Americans sympathise with Al-Qaeda [after Muslim-Americans themselves],” with 70% of Jewish-Americans sharing in this trust (the number was 92% among US Muslims). Such sympathy may stem from the fact that Jewish people themselves are often unfairly associated with more radical members of their community. Whatever their reasons, Jewish-Americans seem to trust and respect their Muslim peers to an extent far beyond the feelings many conservative Muslims would ascribe to them. Jewish-Americans are actually more likely than Muslim-Americans themselves (66% compared to 60% of the latter) to argue that Muslim-Americans face prejudice. And 78% of American Jews agree with the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine that 81% of American Muslims support. From the American standpoint, the most significant finding may be that “Muslim-Americans are...the least likely major religious group in the US to say there is ever a justification for individuals or small groups to attack civilians.” In most other groups, the proportion that believes that assailing civilians can be justified is at least double the 10% prevalent in the Muslim-American community. Such statistics are highly useful in helping break down what remains of anti-Muslim paranoia and bias in the United States. A small but scary fringe of anti-Islam proponents remains on the national stage, exemplified by individuals like Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain. Cain has only recently apologised for prejudiced comments he made on the campaign trail about Islam being incompatible with the American way of life and his determination to never employ a Muslim in his administration. For now, with such statements condemned almost as soon as they are uttered, the Gallup report shows that Muslim-Americans as a whole “have rising life evaluations.”
    To read the original Gallup report that “explores questions of Muslim-Americans’ political, social, and spiritual engagement,” click here.
    ]]>     8388 0 0 0     Huge Risks Remain for 2010 Flood Victims in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/huge-risks-remain-for-2010-flood-victims-in-pakistan/ Sun, 07 Aug 2011 04:42:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8725 The destructive torrential floods that ravaged Pakistan almost a year ago caused the deaths of 2,000 people and displaced an estimated 20 million. The dire situation prompted international aid organisations, such as the UN and Oxfam, to intervene. Slowly but surely as the immediacy and shock of the floods faded, press coverage on the victims became rarer. But the fight goes on. In a report recently published by Oxfam, it states that the "humanitarian response could have been better." "Around 37,000 people affected by the 2010 floods are still living in camps in Sindh alone," writes Oxfam, "and across the country, many of those who have returned to their villages have inadequate housing, with some still living in tents. More than 800,000 families are still without proper homes and many flood defenses, such as river embankments, destroyed in last year’s floods, have not yet been properly repaired increasing the likelihood of breaches in future floods. For example, embankments in Sindh province have reportedly been increased by only 2 or 3ft rather than the recommended 6ft." Oxfam further states, "Two to five million people are likely to be affected by floods during this year’s monsoon season, according to the UN and Pakistani authorities. Hundreds of villages have already been affected and whole communities displaced by new flooding in Sindh and Punjab provinces in the last few weeks. River water levels are also rising in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa." However, there seems to be a lack of urgency within the government. A representative of the Karachi Relief Trust confirmed recently that government agencies have suspended any and all assistance to groups caring for flood victims, leaving these non-governmental organisations scrambling to find foreign donors. The victims of the floods can do little but wait at this point. All they have in which to seek solace is prayer and the compassion of private citizens, for their disillusionment with the government, which is supposed to be their saviour, is growing. Meanwhile, Rs495 billion worth of government revenue is going towards bigger, shinier toys for a military that's slowly being infiltrated by elements more loyal to the Taliban than the state. Anger is hence being fuelled by a hapless government unable to prioritise and protect its citizens. F-16s won't feed the hungry orphans whose homes, crops and families were swept away by the waters. Just in case the government would like some steps on where to focus its cash, Oxfam offers handy guidance: preventive measures, like early warning systems and more resilient housing. Below are some of its key recommendations for the federal government:
    • Ensure that the unmet early recovery needs of flood-affected people are addressed by investing adequate resources, particularly for housing and agriculture support.
    • Save lives and money by investing the initial $27m needed in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures, including reorganising and strengthening disaster management authorities, and mapping future flood hazards. This would avoid incurring the repeated costs of far more expensive emergency responses. This should be followed by sustained long-term investment to reduce risks including at least 1 per cent of all national development funding allocated to DRR, which could be drawn from increased tax revenues.
    • Define the mandates, roles, and responsibilities of government bodies responsible for preparedness, disaster management, and reconstruction at the federal, provincial, and district levels. This should ensure effective co-ordination between GoP institutions and with international actors throughout the response, recovery, and reconstruction phases.
    • Update the National Floods Management Plan, simplify and improve early warning systems, designate safe breaching locations, and mitigate risks by repairing flood protection systems urgently.
    • Reduce vulnerability to crises. The GoP should urgently co-ordinate a pro-poor reconstruction and development plan that is transparent and accountable and that includes reforms necessary to address underlying vulnerabilities of women, landless people, hard-to-reach communities, and minorities. This must be based on DRR and climate change adaptation principles.
    • Listen to the concerns of the Pakistani people by ensuring that affected communities and civil society, particularly women, are consulted on preparedness, response, and longer-term reconstruction. (Source: "Ready or Not.")
    Read more about the flood of 2010:
    Read more about the aftermath of the flood of 2010 and the situation one year on in Newsline's September issue, coming soon.
    ]]>     8725 0 0 0     Rebuilding the Caliphate, One Letter at a Time http://candle-thread.com/newsline/rebuilding-the-caliphate-one-letter-at-a-time/ Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:03:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8754 “HuT is a global political party,” writes Ayesha Umar in a Newsline report on the Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir. The party wants to “establish an 'Islamic' way of life in Muslim countries and to unify them under a caliphate.” And it has big designs on Pakistan. In fact, as part of its message it frequently points to Pakistan as an example of how democracy doesn’t work in Islamic countries. In an article posted on hizb.org.uk, the party explains what it sees as the failings of democracy:
    “Whilst the West has a history of developing checks and balances, fundamental problems exist in every secular democracy, advanced, emerging, large, small, western or eastern. They all show the same thing: they serve the elite and not the public; their politicians are largely corrupt; wealth remains confined to a tiny minority; and long-term challenges are consistently ducked – this is the reality of democracy.”
    But there is a difference between HuT and other Islamic groups in Pakistan that call for an Islamic caliphate: HuT professes non-violence. Its leaders seem to have chosen the pen over the sword. Their slick website and video messages preach that Islamic societies need a system of government that is based on the Quran and Sunnah, not ‘western’ constitutions. But their PR machine involves more than their clever use of the web. They seem to have their supporters busy getting the word out. Since June, Newsline has received numerous letters and article submissions from people talking about the need for governance by an Islamic caliph rather than via democracy. Hizb ut-Tahrir calls itself "The Liberation Party" in English, and that is exactly what it claims to promise: liberation from corrupt governance, liberation from Western dominance, liberation from poverty. The letters we have been receiving echo the same message. One suggested that far from being a threat to the world, a caliphate would be a source of progress and prosperity. It would fill a leadership vacuum in the Muslim world and provide stability, and that would be good for world peace. Moreover, this new leadership would be so intellectually invigorating, claimed the writer, that the caliphate would rise and the US would lose its standing as the world’s sole superpower. How this would happen was unclear. Between June 3 and June 26, one woman sent Newsline four distinct letters promoting the idea of the revival of an Islamic caliphate as the solution to Pakistan’s problems. Another man wrote us five times during the same time period. Incidentally the first and last emails of both the man and the woman letter writers occurred on exactly the same dates. On the surface, it looked like a coordinated effort. We received other letters and articles on the merits of the caliphate system during the months of June and July also. One was a mini-dissertation on the failures of democracy, implying democracy was an illusion. The author starts with the advent of democracy in Athens and covers a lot of historical ground making references to Galileo, Saddam Hussein’s presidential elections, elections in Kenya and the rise of Hitler; he goes on to quote John Adams and Winston Churchill, while talking about the philosophies of everyone from Plato and Aristotle to Thomas Jefferson and John Stuart Mill. Thinking that this in-depth treatise was very well constructed, as it was peppered with erudite references, and perhaps a bit too slick for an IT student from Peshawar whose initial letters to the magazine were riddled with grammatical errors, chat-room spellings and incomprehensible statements, I decided to Google a sentence from it. The search lead to me to a website where I found the original article. The website? Hizb ut-Tahrir’s official website in Britain, of course. The article was filed as a report under its “Solutions” section. But the solutions are unclear. There are mostly criticisms. And no talk of freedom. Below are excerpts from some of the other letters:
    Defeating the Global Food Crisis The global food crisis is a hot topic of discussion these days. The constant increase in food prices is alarming everybody. According to a report from the World Bank in February 2011, the rise in food prices have pushed approximately 44 million people into poverty in developing countries since June 2010. The World Bank food price index jumped 15% between October 2010 and January 2011… According to the World Bank hunger clock, 939 Million people are malnourished… Capitalism and democracy have badly failed to solve these problems. It seems that eventually, the global food shortage will catch up with everybody. The only way to beat this crisis is by implementing Islamic Shariah laws through an Islamic Caliphate state…it is not allowed for a citizen of an Islamic state to leave a piece of land in his possession useless for more than three years. Either he must construct a house, which he may use personally or rent out, or alternatively he can cultivate crops on it. The increased supply of crops reduces price… Mahwish Hassaan Lahore
    “What type of Islam do you want to implement?” This is the argument of the secular and liberal elite of Pakistan when Islamic systems of economics, governance, social justice, law, foreign policy and education are presented as solutions to rid Pakistan of its many crises. Actually, they fail to realise that Islam is a complete way of life… Islam gives us a mechanism to solve differences in opinion. In democracy, the majority opinion is binding when there is difference of opinion on certain issues. In an Islamic state, the ijtihad adopted by the caliph is binding; that was the reason the opinion of the first caliph Abu Bakr was adopted against those who were not giving charity although there was a difference of opinion on this issue. The argument “what type of Islam do you want to implement” is quite weak, and it is obvious that the solution to the problems of Pakistan is the formation of the caliphate system, not democracy and capitalism. Aamir Zeb Peshawar
    The Reawakening of the Abolished Caliphate It was in 1919 that Muslims of India, under the leadership of Ali brothers, rose to rescue the caretaker of the Muslim ummah: the Ottoman caliphate. The caliphate was already vulnerable, weakened by colonialists and at the verge of destruction… The Khilafat movement was weakened from within because of violent incidents committed by Congress…This affected the pace of the Khilafat movement and disappointed Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar. The final blow was made to that Khilafat movement when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk announced the abolishment of the caliphate on March 3, 1924. The abolishment of the caliphate at that time put an end to the Khilafat movement in the subcontinent. In the absence of Caliphate, there were extensive changes that were brought easily to the Muslims lands, such as the establishment of Israel, the killing of Muslims and occupation… Now when the Muslim ummah is suffering badly with foreign occupation and foreign interventions, and there is no political authority to sincerely back their case in the world, the global call for the caliphate has been reawakened with full passion. The awareness of Islamic laws as viable solutions in practical life is spreading massively. Additionally the political regimes in the Muslim world have failed Muslims whether it has been through democracy, dictatorship or monarchy. People are now fed up with these political manipulations to benefit the western neo-colonialists. Simply changing the faces in these political systems is now unacceptable. The Arab uprisings are an example of people demanding Islam as a system of life. The call of the re-establishment of the caliphate has awakened in the Muslim world, including Pakistan. S.M. Waqas Imam Karachi
    Pakistan Needs a New Alternative Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, is idealised by the youth of the nation these days. We see youngsters are becoming fanatic about Imran Khan. The majority of youth believe that Imran Khan will change the future of Pakistan. Some claim that he is the last hope for our country. When asked "Why?" they say, "Imran Khan is not corrupt," "Imran Khan founded Shaukat Khanum," and "Imran Khan will bring justice…" The youth are inspired by his claims of providing justice and equality to everyone. But the question that remains unanswered is this: how will Imran Khan bring justice? What is his agenda? Under which system will Imran Khan rule? If it’s democracy, then will the industrialists ruling over parliament ever allow him to take any steps that benefit the masses at the expense of their personal benefits?…Definitely not! The problem is that in the current system, law-making resides in the hands of a few people who make laws merely for their personal gains. This system allows corruption. Imran Khan can't do any good in the current system even if he wants to…Pakistan now needs a new alternative. The only alternative available to us is the Islamic caliphate system based on the Quran and Sunnah because the current democratic system is merely a failure. Mahwish Hassaan Lahore
    ]]>     8754 0 0 0     Searching for Closure: The Airblue Crash InvestigationSearching for Closure: The Airblue Crash Investigation http://candle-thread.com/newsline/searching-for-closure-the-airblue-crash-investigationsearching-for-closure-the-airblue-crash-investigation/ Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:04:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8802 Pakistan’s military and bureaucracy are the state institutions whose lack of transparency is best known. But Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is now arising as a challenger amidst the already swollen ranks of those who suppress the truth in this country. The authority has yet to release the details behind the tragic Airblue crash of July 28, 2010, a fatal morning for the 152 people who boarded flight ED202. The 146 passengers and six crew members left behind families who have yet to discover the cause of the crash that forced the untimely deaths of their loved ones. They seek closure in an attempt to find solace. Knowing the cause of what killed their family members and being sure such accidents are made less likely – via an honest investigation where the causes are reported and safeguards and solutions are then implemented – are critical elements of this. But the families of the victims have been kept in the dark. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the founder and chairman of Airblue, has claimed that it is the government's responsibility to make the results of the inquiry public. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the CAA states that the tragedy has been thoroughly analysed and the investigation report will only be released after the companies involved in the manufacture and design of the aircraft, including Airbus and International Aero Engines (IAE), as well as foreign aviation investigation agencies, such as BEA (France) and BFU (Germany), have the opportunity to review the report and provide their comments. In the same document, however, the CAA states that the government possesses the authority to release the report without the prior approval of the international aviation companies involved. And even if the findings are deemed to be incomplete while awaiting the feedback of international stakeholders, the Express Tribune has pointed out that the International Civil Aviation Organization does recommend sharing “an interim report on each anniversary of the occurrence, detailing the progress of the investigation and any safety issues raised” in situations when the “final report” takes more than 12 months to release. So where is the report then? Sadly, accountability and trust of those in the corridors of power is severely lacking in Pakistan. And so, many people believe a key reason for the delay of the release of the investigation report might be because of high-profile stakeholders who could potentially be damaged by it. The chairman of Airblue, Mr Abbasi, is a well-connected PML-N member of the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the CAA, which is responsible for air traffic control and navigation aid systems, is arguably keen to divert attention from itself – the government gets enough bad press – and given that on the morning of the crash the weather around Islamabad was far from perfect with rain and fog, everyone with a connection to ED202 is curious about all the interactions that morning between the pilot and air traffic control. But the plot thickens. The inquiry reports of the past 16 air crashes involving Pakistani commercial carriers, using aircraft made by producers as diverse as Boeing, Douglas DC and Airbus, have never been released. In this 2010 Newsline report, Zara Farooqui writes about some of these unpublicised reports:
    "The government has a history of concealing plane crash findings of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from the public eye. They are yet to make public the findings of three previous major plane crashes: the 1988 crash that took the life of General Zia-ul-Haq; the 2003 crash near Kohat that took the life of Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir and 16 other officials; and the 2006 crash at Multan airport that took the life of all civilian passengers on board. In the case of prominent public figures being involved, it is understandable why such findings may be concealed, but what, asked an unnamed CAA official in Dawn, stops the government from revealing details of crashes such as the Multan Fokker crash?"
    With little precedent for transparency, we now seem to have another unexplained air crash, pushing our grand total up to 17. And it is the grieving families and friends left behind that feel this injustice the most.

    *   *   *

    Here is what the International Civil Aviation Organization says in its Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation procedures (Annex 13 to the Convention to International Civil Aviation) about releasing the findings of accident inquiries:

    Release of the Final Report

    6.5 In the interest of accident prevention, the State conducting the investigation of an accident or incident shall release the Final Report as soon as possible. 6.6 Recommendation — The State conducting the investigation should release the Final Report in the shortest possible time and, if possible, within twelve months of the date of the occurrence. If the report cannot be released within twelve months, the State conducting the investigation should release an interim report on each anniversary of the occurrence, detailing the progress of the investigation and any safety issues raised. 6.7 When the State that has conducted an investigation into an accident or an incident involving an aircraft of a maximum mass of over 5 700 kg has released a Final Report, that State shall send to the International Civil Aviation Organization a copy of the Final Report.
    ]]>     8802 0 0 0     Paranoia, the Pakistan Army and Misconduct http://candle-thread.com/newsline/paranoia-the-pakistan-army-and-misconduct/ Sat, 30 Jul 2011 07:57:33 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8932 There's another news report circulating of an "officer" of a Pakistani security institution doing something bad. The report by Umar Cheema in The News states:
    "A serving army officer allegedly beat black and blue an award-winning music director, Sohail Javed, on Wednesday night in Lahore Cantt after a row which started after the officer’s son hit the car driven by Sohail’s wife with his bike. While Colonel Nadeem thrashed Sohail, the officer’s wife allegedly beat Sohail’s wife. Sohail has recently shifted from Karachi to Lahore and resides in Askari 10, a garrison housing society that affluent people generally prefer to live in considering it a better place on security grounds."
    The beating at the hands of Colonel Nadeem reportedly took place "in the office of Askari 10’s administrator." According to the newspaper, the administrator, who is a retired major, did not intervene and later said he could not get involved because a serving officer was involved in the incident. The alleged behaviour of the army officer is described further:
    "Sohail, who survived cancer and has already gone through two major chest surgeries, said that Colonel Nadeem didn’t listen to them and instead kept saying, “How dare you touch my son. I am a serving officer and I will not spare you now or in the days to come and whenever and wherever I will see your family, I will beat the hell out of you guys if need be; I will make sure you don’t live in Askari 10 in peace.”
    The reactions, very predictably, run to both the "How can the defenders of the nation DO such a thing?!" and the "Propaganda! They're just out to subvert our security forces!" directions. My own first twitter post on this simply said:
    Hey #Pakistan-is Be offended; be outraged; protest. But DO NOT say u don't know "How can an armywala behave like that with a civilian?"
    But you know the old saying: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you." Personally, I think a expanded version of that is applicable here: "Yes, they're paranoid, but yes, there's much wrong with that institution that we need to fix too. And yes, there are folks out to get them."]]>     8932 0 0 0     Poll: How would you stop the violence in Karachi? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/poll-how-would-you-stop-the-violence-in-karachi/ Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:38:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8992 According to a news report in Dawn, July has been the bloodiest month in Karachi since 1995. More than 200 people have been killed in the country's economic capital since the beginning of the month, and the spate of violence continues in several parts of the city. While notices have been taken, high-level meetings called and peace committees formed, none of these measures have put a stop to the bloodshed, not even the late but eventual deployment of Rangers and police in certain areas. We've heard enough of official statements. What we want to know is what you think: What in your view is the solution to Karachi's law-and-order situation? How does one put an end to this bloodshed? Post a comment and tell us what you think.]]> 8992 0 0 0 Ambassador Haqqani: “The Man Who Has An Explanation for Everything” http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ambassador-haqqani-the-man-who-has-an-explanation-for-everything/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:53:36 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9013 A lengthy Bloomberg.com profile of our man in Washington published on Tuesday July 26 discusses how difficult his job is becoming as the Pakistan-US relationship continues to sour and elements in both countries call for ties to be severed. The rift has deepened excessively following the May 2 raid that killed Osama Bin Laden (though doubts about the raid abound in Pakistan, according to a YouGov poll). Husain Haqqani’s job requires that he counter this development, which presumably demands all the negotiating skills that have helped him work his way across party lines and into a prime diplomatic position. Haqqani’s “elegant solution” to the Raymond Davis crisis (perhaps the first time blood money has been described as such) is pointed out as an example of his conciliatory style. But with “the American street [being] deeply frustrated” and Pakistani worries about “abandonment,” such tactics may have to be employed with increasing frequency. That an in-depth profile of a Pakistani ambassador is now considered a key news item is just one symbol of how omnipresent Pakistan has become in the American consciousness – and the feelings towards the nation are often far from positive. Maybe the old adage is true: “no news is good news.” Not being the subject of lengthy discussion and debate is the ultimate goal. Haqqani’s role, then, is to normalise relations to the point where Pakistan is at about the same level on the American panic scale as expired peanut butter. Yet even he, apparently called “the man who has an explanation for everything,” cannot do this without efforts for greater stability at home. And one must take into account a new, rogue element: will recently appointed foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar help or hinder Haqqani?]]> 9013 0 0 0 Hina Rabbani Khar Helps Reveal Media’s Discriminatory Ways http://candle-thread.com/newsline/hina-rabbani-khar-helps-reveal-medias-discriminatory-ways/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:00:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9020 hina-rabbani-khar-india Pakistan’s new foreign minister, 34-year-old Hina Rabbani Khar, arrived in India on Tuesday amidst a media frenzy. This was no surprise. Pakistan-India talks are a matter of national import in both countries, and round-the-clock updates on the minutiae of such meetings are de rigueur. But few Indo-Pak diplomats have garnered the kind of press Khar has. The website of Indian television network IBN currently features a photo-gallery of Khar looking “gorgeous.” Style blog High Heel Confidential praises her “simple” outfit, but pokes fun at her “crushed kurta.” The piece-de-resistance: a four-minute analysis of everything from the estimated value of Khar’s handbag to how she drapes her dupatta on Indian channel News 24 (see video below). Kashmir and the like didn’t really feature amidst such highfalutin commentary. It would be easy to turn this into a joke about an amateurish Khar: her inexperience, her youth, and her degree in hotel management. And yes, maybe she could do without that Birkin. But what her reception really represents is the fact that she’s hit the glass ceiling the way women all over the world do. Whether they're foreign ministers like Khar, writers like Fatima Bhutto or high-ranking political aides like Hillary Clinton’s “body woman” Huma Abedin, professional women who are young and in the spotlight are often judged on the basis of one standard: femininity. Their “beauty” and “style” are played up in article after article, becoming a critical part of their success. It’s not their professional achievements, then, that matter. It’s whether they conform to expectations about what a young woman should be like. If they do, and they can handle a career on the side, huzzah! The most patently ridiculous part of such gender-based expectations is how divorced they are from real-life success. Hillary Clinton managed to be a key political player during her husband’s time in office, a highly notable senator, the first female presidential candidate in US history and work her way into a prime post in Obama’s administration with a wardrobe that consists primarily of  putrid pantsuits. Noted activist Tahira Abdullah, a key part of the Pakistani feminist movement, is rarely, if ever, seen in an outfit more elaborate than a simple, printed shalwar kameez. Both have made inimitable marks on their nations’ histories. But then again, they never made it to Vogue or the fashion blogs. They never made for good photo-galleries. They had to become relevant using determination, guts and every talent they possessed. A double standard is clear: if you conform, that’s what will be played up. If you don’t, fight to the top and then we’ll cover you (funnily enough, Hillary Clinton is now occasionally deemed “elegant”). It is perhaps ironic that it’s the media’s treatment of Khar in particular that has highlighted its discriminatory ways. After all, many argue that Khar was chosen for the express purpose of projecting a softer image of Pakistan, and (in News 24’s words) “charm[ing]” foreign officials into maybe mistrusting Pakistan a tiny bit less. But Khar must have a chance to succeed before we dismiss her. She exists within an unfair system rife with gender discrimination many choose to ignore, claiming “all that feminist work has been done.” It’s time to change the standard. Let Khar and her peers be fashion plates, by all means. Kate Middleton could use the competition. But first consider them as what they truly are: professional women.
    Click play to watch the video of News 24's report on the style of Hina Rabbani Khar. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxchKWJ9ViU[/youtube]
    Related article: Indo-Pak Relations: IEDs, Stones and Dialogue
    ]]>     9020 0 0 0     Thin Cloth Now a Security Risk http://candle-thread.com/newsline/thin-cloth-now-a-security-risk/ Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:29:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9413 Looks like the Tehrik-i-Taliban has set its sights on a new target: un-Islamic kapra. An attack on cloth merchants in Wana on July 26 was motivated by a desire to crush the production of "clothes that don’t properly cover the human body," i.e. clothes made of thin, see-through fabric. What this represents is the TTP’s blatant disregard for consideration of others’ property as they pursue what they see as a holy mission. With the economic downturn in Pakistan dragging down profit margins from Karachi to the Karakoram cottage industry, attacks such as these make doing business even harder. Less business means less money. Which means more anger and, perhaps, in a supremely ironic move, more support for radical elements. Meanwhile, the Pakistani economy bleeds and more aid becomes necessary. Cue further anti-American hostilities. A self-destructive cycle is being created. This is not the first time the Taliban’s temperamental nature has led them to intrude on residents’ lives and livelihoods. Some of their barbaric actions, including perverse justice, have been caught on video. Moves to make beards mandatory in Bajaur and ban women from shopping in public areas preceded this latest move, and thus it is safe to assume other demands are inevitable. How much control the Taliban wants over the unfortunate residents of the areas it occupies remains unclear. But perhaps it's time to invest in some good lining?]]> 9413 0 0 0 Podcast: Discussing Emergency Relief after the 2011 Floods http://candle-thread.com/newsline/podcast-discussing-emergency-relief-after-the-2011-floods/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:51:05 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6406 As part of an ongoing partnership, Newsline and Teabreak.pk are combining resources to bring new forms of discourse and analysis to news-hungry audiences. On October 19, we launched the first session in a series of discussions titled “The Chat Room.” Session 1 of The Chat Room was all about the floods of 2011 that have devastated Sindh. The scale of this flood has been bigger than the 2010 floods in terms of damage in Sindh. Unfortunately, despite everything that happened a year ago, Pakistan seems to have reacted slowly and inadequately. In the first part of Session 1, a live online discussion was held that talked about the government response and medical relief efforts, as well as issues such as rehabilitation through interest-free loans and using technology to provide aid. In part two, we talked with Dr Awab Alvi and Karim Jindani, who were both involved in relief operations in Sindh, about the condition on the ground and how it compared to 2010. The activists discussed fundraising efforts — some groups say that as much as 80% of their donations have come from Pakistan — that have been much more challenging this year, the use of pre-fabricated homes, the use of social media in ensuring transparency with the use of donated funds and the need to invest in infrastructure projects that will protect these communities in Sindh from being washed away again during the next seasonal downpour.
    Click play below to listen to the podcast (22 minutes)
    ]]>     6406 0 0 0     The Chat Room: Live Discussion Today http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-chat-room-live-discussion-today/ Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:29:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6471 As part of the ongoing partnership between Newsline and Teabreak.pk, our two media companies are combining resources to bring new forms of discourse and analysis to news-hungry audiences. Today, we are ready to launch the first session in a series of live discussions titled "The Chat Room." Session 1 is all about the floods of 2011 that have devastated Sindh. The scale of this flood has been bigger than the 2010 floods in terms of damage in Sindh. Unfortunately, despite everything that happened a year ago, Pakistan seems to have reacted slowly and inadequately. Join us today at 5pm as we examine the disaster that is this year's floods, the government response to it and compare it all to what happened in 2010. Of course, we'll take a critical look at what we have learned (and what we should have learned from last year), including suggesting plans for improved preparedness for future years. Read on for more details.

    The Ch@t Room

    Session 1: The 2011 Sindh floods began during Pakistan's monsoon season in mid-August 2011. Heavy monsoon rains relentlessly hit Sindh, eastern Balochistan and southern Punjab. The floods have caused considerable damage: an estimated 434 civilians have been killed, with 5.3 million people and 1,524,773 homes affected. In the first session of “The Ch@t Room” we'll discuss the severity of the natural calamity, its affect on the economy and the long-term implications of climate change in our region. We will talk to experts and activists who have been involved in the humanitarian effort this year and in 2010. You can participate in this discussion by asking questions to our panelists and by answering polls. The live chat is scheduled to start at 5pm, Wednesday, October 19th. Session 1 will be moderated by Sana Saleem. The panellists are Dr Awab Alvi, Afia Salam, Usama Khilji, Dr Faraz Chaudry and Karim Jindani (bios below). Click here to go to our event page.  
    Get updates and more event details by connecting with us via Twitter: @NewslineMag @teabreakdotpk

    Moderator and Panellist Bios:

    Sana Saleem Sana Saleem is a blogger at Dawn.com, Global Voices, Asian Correspondent, The Guardian and her personal blog Mystified Justice. She recently won the Best Activist Blogger award by CIO & Google at the Pakistan Blogger Awards. She can be found on Facebook and Twitter. Aafia Salam Afia Salam has had a diverse career. When she was studying for her Masters in Geography, Afia had no idea that her future path would have so many forks and turns. From university in 1978, she ventured off into journalism. From there she would become Pakistan's first female cricket journalist, then move on to become an air traffic controller and then the creative head of three advertising agencies: Blazon, Argus and Blitz-DDB. But journalism worked its way into her blood. During her career, Afia served as both the editor of the country's only English-language monthly dedicated to cricket, The Cricketer, and the editor of an aviation and defence monthly, The Wings. She also edited Pakistan's first energy sector magazine, Energy Update. Eventually, she joined Pakistan's first English-language television channel, DawnNews. There she served as the senior copy editor responsible for the bulletin, headed the culture desk and was content manager for the daily flagship show, Breakfast at Dawn. Over the years, Afia has headed the Education, Communications and Outreach unit of IUCN Pakistan (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and has worked as an independent media consultant, content developer and media trainer. Recently, Afia has worked as a Programme Coordinator in Sindh for the Imran Khan Foundation, undertaking post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction work. She has been actively involved in relief work in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 floods in Thatta and Badin districts. Awab Alvi Dr Awab Alvi is a dentist by profession practicing in Karachi at Alvi Dental Hospital, he has specialized in the field of Orthodontics (Saint Louis University) and Microscopic Root Canal Treatment (University of Pennsylvania). He is also a TED Senior Fellow He has maintained a political blog under the pen-name Teeth Maestro, which has become a tool challenging the rampant corruption and terrorism that has plagued Pakistan. Dr Awab has emerged as a very committed civil society activist in Pakistan being the founding member of Peoples Resistance, which was at the forefront challenging the martial law of 2007. Awab has extensively used online social media tools, blogging, Twitter and Facebook to spread the message for a positive change in Pakistan. Dr Awab has been a very active proponent of online freedom of expression in Pakistan. He raised funds for the 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan via Help-Pakistan. In 2009 he collected over Rs3 million to provide relief to the millions of displaced people from the Swat valley. During the 2010 and 2011 floods, Awab and the OffroadPakistan team raised Rs220 Million ($250,000) to personally provide emergency relief to over 200,000 flood-affected people. Dr Awab has attended and spoken at a number of conferences, including Free Expression in Asian Cyberspace & Asia 21 in 2006, Global Voices Summits in 2008 and 2010, TEDIndia in 2009, TED 2011, TEDGlobal 2011 and also has had the honor to speak at the 2011 UK Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. He is also an organizer of TEDxKarachi. Dr Faraz Chaudry Faraz Chaudry is a doctor currently working at Shaikh Zayed Medical College Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan as a demonstrator in the department of pathology. He is an active member of the Young Doctor's Association GS, Rahim Yar Khan chapter, elected through an election in 2010. The Young Doctor’s Association runs a full-fledged campaign for the betterment of the healthcare system and campaigns against financial injustice within the medical system. The group also examines the government’s formal positions regarding the availability and quality of medicine it provides in hospitals in an effort to hold them accountable to both doctors and patients. The group recently led a campaign that lasted 43 days in Punjab and found support across Pakistan. Currently, Dr Chaudry is working with colleagues to improve health services in the country, including rural areas; part of this involves participating in public awareness campaigns about hepatitis and dengue fever. Inspired by senior doctors around him who had set up medical camps after the earthquake of 2005, Dr Chaudry has been heavily involved in flood relief efforts in 2010 and 2011. Last year, Dr Chaudry and colleagues formed a team of volunteers and started working to assist those affected by the floods. They treated more than 69,000 patients in seven camps in Bhong region and also donated medicine, rations and mosquito nets. This year, his team of medical volunteers worked in Sindh, mostly in Mirpur Khas, but also in Sanghar and Tando Adam, treating 25,000 people and providing rations, cash and mosquito nets. Current relief efforts are still on, even though he says, “We are falling short of resources.” Karim Jindani Karim Jindani is a IT consultant working in the Payment Systems domain. He has a BS and MS degree in Computer Science from FAST. Karim has had a long association with TPS (www.tpsonline.com) and pioneered many innovations in the e-banking industry in Pakistan and abroad for many banks and telecoms. His areas of interest include utilising different technlogies, especially mobile technology, to provide banking services to under-served populations. Other than his professional commitments, he is a founding member of YAKJA group. YAKJA (http://yakja.wordpress.com) is a group of individuals (mostly from IT industry) who got together in August 2010 to do their part in relief and rehabilitation work for people affected by the floods. After carrying out initial relief efforts, YAKJA undertook a rehabilitation project (pre-fabricated housing). The team collected Rs1.8 million rupees to carry out on-the-ground relief and rehabilitation work. The YAKJA team is again active this year and has so far collected Rs600,000 and performed relief work (ration distribution and medical camps). The spirit of YAKJA is to involve people from different backgrounds to work as a team and do ground work on their own. Karim is also working closely with TCF (The Citizens’ Foundation) and has been part of the TCF Rahbar programme. He believes strongly that sustainable efforts in the field of education is the only way Pakistan can address the problems facing the country today. Usama Khilji Usama Khilji is an activist and writer based in Islamabad. He has been involved in a cultural exchange as part of the YES Programme under which he represented Pakistan for a year in the US in 2005-06. He was also part of a regional peace initiative Pul-e-Jawan that involved citizen journalists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and India in Kabul in September 2011. He is the youth focus group leader of the Pak-US Alumni Network (PUAN), Islamabad chapter. Khilji is the Membership and Mentoring Leader of Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP), a youth organisation that works on leadership development and encourages community service by Pakistani youth. He has been leading the FLP flood relief effort since June 2010 that uses social media to garner donations. He is also the assistant director of the documentary Picking Up the Pieces that focuses on the impact of the floods on education in Charsadda, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. With an interest in research, Khilji has worked on research assignments at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Strategic Technology Resources (STR), Waqt News, and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI). He has also worked as sub-editor at the The Nation’s “World Focus” section in 2010. He is currently working as part of the Rule of Law Programme in Pakistan team at the Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme (CAMP). Khilji writes for various newspapers, magazines and blogs, all of which is archived at his blog (www.usamakhilji.wordpress.com), shared on Twitter at @UsamaKhilji, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UsamaKhiljiPK. On the side, he is pursuing a degree in politics and international relations through the University of London’s international programme.
    ]]>     6471 0 0 0     Communalism is a Bigger Issue for Muslims in India http://candle-thread.com/newsline/communalism-is-a-bigger-issue-for-muslims-in-india/ Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:04:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6543 By Sadiq Naqvi
    Professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, Prof Akhtarul Wasey has been regularly contributing to various Urdu publications. Here he discusses the intersection of India's Muslims, Anna Hazare, Narendra Modi and secular democracy.
    Why didn't Muslims come out openly in favour of Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal campaign? Corruption is a secular issue that affects everyone. But if the movement has been hijacked by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), then how can Muslims support it, knowing fully what the RSS and its affiliates stand for? Moreover, corruption is not the only issue in this country. Communalism is a bigger issue for Muslims. Why didn't Anna Hazare speak out against Modi's doings in Gujarat? It is easy for people to talk of rights, but they start stammering as soon as the issues of Muslims come up. Also, why is the India Against Corruption team silent on its funding? And did they try to talk to Muslims and take them into confidence before going ahead with the campaign? Muslims have bigger issues to deal with than just corruption.

    To read the entire interview, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     6543 0 0 0     Justice at last? How the Law was Upheld and Scorned http://candle-thread.com/newsline/justice-at-last-how-the-law-was-upheld-and-scorned/ Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:26:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6567 The much publicised and disturbing case of Salmaan Taseer’s assassination continued to evolve on October 2, 2011, when cold-blooded murderer Mumtaz Qadri was sentenced to death by Judge Pervez Ali Shah of the Anti Terrorism Court in Adiyala Jail, Rawalpindi. Qadri had confessed in court to having murdered Governor Taseer because of what the killer deemed to be blasphemous statements by the outspoken politician and businessman. Taseer was assassinated on January 4, 2011, at Kohsar Market in Islamabad, and his murder case was registered at the Kohsar Market Police Station by his son Shehreyar Taseer. The legal process in this case has been anything but swift, as it took 10 months for the death sentence to be handed down on Qadri, an armed guard in Taseer's security detail who shot Taseer in front of many witnesses and who has never once denied killing the man he was supposed to protect. But a verdict that should be hailed as a victory against this country’s widespread fundamentalist anathema is being branded as something of a national tragedy by many across Pakistan with intolerant and unforgiving religious beliefs. This has given rise to growing disillusionment and disorientation within the progressive few and intensive rioting and protests amongst the indoctrinated many. Perhaps most jarring is the reaction of the upholders of our law to this volatile situation. Pictured harassing Judge Pervez Ali Shah’s courtroom in an expression for their disdain over his objective decision-making, thousands of Pakistani lawyers reacted with fury, fuelled by sentiments void of logic and completely detached from the law. In a confusing frenzy in which Qadri was labelled 'Ashiq-e-Rasool' (one who loves the messenger of God) and Taseer’s murder was justified on the grounds of his 'un-Islamic' character and lifestyle, it is impossible not to be shocked by the attitude custodians of our justice system have adopted. Be it the oath they swore when they joined the Bar, or the thousand of tenets they memorised in law school that value justice, due process and the right to life, lawyers' hypocritical stance stands in stark contrast to the grounded and principled barristers in Pakistan's history, including the founder of our nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Furthermore, how can we expect our masses, and more specifically our youth, to respect the law, embody the constitution and uphold the sanctity of life when our very own lawyers, who are the so-called ‘arbitrators of justice‘, so easily dismiss it. It is indeed distressing to know that the plague of extremism has spread to those facets in our state that vowed to defend us from it. If this was not disconcerting enough, Judge Pervez Ali Shah has been transferred to the Child Protection Court Bureau in Lahore from the Anti Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi after ongoing harassment from not only the religious extremists but also his own colleagues in the legal fraternity. With brave men such as Salmaan Taseer forever silenced and judges such as Pervez Ali Shah being removed from the legal forefront, one shudders to think what the future holds.]]> 6567 0 0 0 Pakistani Cricketers on Trial in UK: Betrayal and Corruption http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-cricketers-on-trial-in-uk-betrayal-and-corruption/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:39:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7083 Inside a British courtroom, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif faced some harsh words from the prosecution. They were made out to be villains of the highest order, for they aren't men who plotted against their enemies, but instead are men who allegedly acted against people they worked with and called friends, including the entire sport they represented. Here is what the BBC's Alexis Akwagyiram writes about the scene inside the courtroom:
    The prosecution's case contained references to a "depressing tale of rampant corruption at the heart of international cricket." The defendants were accused of behaving in a manner that represented "a betrayal by them of their own team, their own board of cricket and, most damaging of all, a betrayal of the sport of cricket itself - and all for greed."
    Ouch! There is no doubting that the two Pakistani cricketers were caught in a very dirty and allegedly blatant illegal scandal. The world has seen the video and read the news report by the now-defunct tabloid News of the World — and the evidence is quite damning. But of course, a UK court and 12-member jury will be the ones to make the final judgment on their guilt or innocence. Still, in the trial that began today at Southwark Crown Court over an alleged betting scam from August 2010 that involved the cricketers, a third teammate, 19-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir, and sports agent Mazhar Majeed, Butt and Asif maintain that they are not guilty to two charges of conspiracy: conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments, and conspiracy to cheat at gambling. Both charges carry maximum sentences of seven years and two years in prison respectively. If the men are found guilty, holding them accountable and humiliating them will probably not stop the "rampant corruption at the heart of international cricket" that Prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee, QC, talked about. Yes, the guilty must be held accountable and harsh penalties need to be handed down, but dissuading players from being tempted by easy money with jail sentences is only part of the solution. Gambling in international cricket is big business. Hundreds of millions of dollars can be bet on single matches. And just like the game itself, the networks involved in the fraud-filled gambling are international too. Mumbai, Karachi, Dubai and London are connected via what Jafferjee called "influential but shadowy" bookies. They are unlikely to easily give up the obscene amounts of money they bring in. Here is a description of one Karachi-based bookie from a Newsline article by Ali K. Chisti:
    He lives a playboy’s lifestyle, with a luxurious property and flashy cars. “We rent out different flats around the city since what we do is totally illegal,” says Shah. “I have dozens of people in a room on phones all the time. When people say they will pay up over the phone, it’s as good as a contract. It’s all about trust in our business.” “The reason I’ve managed to do so well here in Pakistan is because people will bet on anything in cricket. Cricket is the perfect sport, much better than football, because there are so many aspects of a match you can give odds on,” he says.
    Making an example of the Pakistani cricketers and Majeed will, in the big scheme of things, do very little to rid cricket of corruption. Sure, it's a start. But everyone involved in this trial are small fish in a very large pond – and it's a pond in which large inequalities and oversights remain. In another Newsline article from earlier this year, Malik Arshed Gilani writes about the root cause of corruption in cricket:
    The ICC should therefore, through the member cricket boards, convince the various governments of countries involved in the practice to legalise the betting industries. This, in the first case, would considerably reduce what the illegal bookmakers of India do today. As very large sums of money are involved, the criminal mafia controls these syndicates that are based entirely on untaxed black funds. With no winnings officially recorded, the possibility for crime is considerable.
    Does the ICC have the resolve (and desire) to truly work with governments and law-enforcement agencies around the world to crack down on illegal gambling syndicates, or even reform the system when so much lucrative, untracked money is changing hands? Moreover, how do you stop corruption in countries where the government and police are just as corrupt as the people you are chasing?]]>     7083 0 0 0     Curbing the Dengue Epidemic: What the Government Should Do http://candle-thread.com/newsline/curbing-the-dengue-epidemic-what-the-government-should-do/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:57:36 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7099 Two things are vital during an epidemic. First, people should be aware of the disease and be able to utilise healthcare resources when needed. Second, unnecessary panic must be avoided so as not to overwhelm these same resources. The media, where it can help to educate the masses, can sometimes be counterproductive by creating excessive hysteria. Rather than exaggerate the dangers of an outbreak of disease, the media should emphasise essential public health measures to help curb the menace. The Pakistani media and the Punjab government both appear to be in a state of panic, which is contagious. The government has called in experts from Sri Lanka to help deal with the multiplying cases of dengue fever. The whole nation is grateful for this gesture of generosity by our friendly neighbour. As a medical scientist, however, I wonder what special expertise they possess that Pakistani doctors lack. There is no vaccine for dengue, no medical cure for the virus, the disease is self-limiting in the vast majority and requires timely administration of intravenous hydration, as well as blood and platelet transfusions for those who have contracted the haemorrhagic form. In case of shock, ICU care is critical. I am confident we have the ability and competence to provide such care. Instead of looking abroad for answers and being hostage to the media frenzy, the health ministry should be looking to establish effective models to help in the early detection, treatment and serial follow-up of patients with dengue fever. Medical literature describes several such models. When a dengue epidemic broke out in Rio de Janeiro in 2008, for instance, the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, sent a multidisciplinary team of volunteers with supplies to set up “hydration tents” across the city. A hydration tent covered an area no more than an average family house, included a waiting room with 20 seats, a medical office with two tables and one stretcher, a small room for blood count tests and a room for intravenous fluid replacement with 30 armchairs. The tent was open and operational around the clock. It was equipped with supplies for blood draws, intravenous solutions and an automated blood cell analyser that released results within a minute. It also had basic symptomatic medication for fever and vomiting. Each team, working in 12-hour shifts, consisted of four doctors (two internists and two paediatricians), three nurses, six nursing assistants, two administrative clerks and one lab technician. Primary care units, as well as city and state hospitals would refer patients to the tent. The routine procedure consisted of an initial screening, including vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, etc.) tourniquet test and blood sampling for a complete blood count (CBC). Once screened, the patients were seen by a doctor and evaluated clinically through a detailed history and examination. If clinical and laboratory data suggested dengue fever, the patient was assigned to one of three groups:  ORT (oral rehydration therapy), IVT (intravenous rehydration therapy) and DWR (discharge with recommendations). ORT consisted of supervised fluid intake; either at water fountains installed in the tent or by volunteers who constantly offered the patients filtered water. In addition, the patients received instructions about fluid ingestion at home. Patients were reassessed after rehydration (ORT or IVT) with a new CBC. Patients showing improvement were discharged and instructed to return if they experienced symptoms of disease progression. They also received an ID card (to present on revisits) with data on their blood work and vital signs. In case there was no improvement, patients received another course of IVT. If they continued to be refractory or worsened, they were transferred to a tertiary care hospital immediately. Studies show that the early detection of dengue, followed by intravenous fluid administration in patients with complicated dengue fever or dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), has a major impact on its overall prognosis. Also, the balance between the demand for a healthcare utility and its availability during an epidemic is invariably tilted in favour of the former. In a country like Pakistan where this equation is tilted at baseline, a further dip can induce widespread chaos. At the hydration tents, all DHF cases (about 3% of all patients seen) were transferred to tertiary care hospitals. Of note, there were no deaths reported among these patients. Equally noteworthy was the fact that 25% of all patients seen at the hydration tents were treated on-site, avoiding unnecessary referral to overloaded hospitals. Effective models, such as hydration tents, can prove vital in dengue epidemics. They can help shorten the waiting lines at hospital ERs, broaden access to health care, improve the shortage of hospital beds and allow early detection and treatment of severe cases. Implementing hydration tents as an emergency measure should therefore be a priority in the Punjab. This will help decrease deaths and improve health care access in the most simple and cost-effective way.  If materialised, I am confident this measure will prove to be a key factor in taming the current epidemic.]]> 7099 0 0 0 Will Qadri’s Death Sentence be his End? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/will-qadris-death-sentence-be-his-end/ Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:00:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7102 An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi passed a verdict yesterday that sentenced Governor Salmaan Taseer’s murderer to death. Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri’s crime was doubly heinous: he not only showered bullets on a fellow human but also brought disrepute to Islam by claiming to represent the religion in the act. He has no remorse and he would do the same if given a second chance, he claims. The Pakistani blogosphere is already replete with arguments in favour and against the death penalty. Many are happy that the brave Taseer family finally has closure. Others protest it as an attack on Islam. Just hours after the verdict by Justice Syed Pervez Ali Shah, a protest was carried out in Lahore labelling Justice Shah a non-Muslim and making him the target of filthy outrage. "Jawaniyaan Luta'ain gey Mumtaz Qadri ko bachayein gey" (we will sacrifice our youth to save Mumtaz Qadri) was the newly found slogan of this group. The madness did not stop at this. A speaker at the protest offered five million rupees in exchange for the judge’s murder. “Any brave soul?” he questioned. Sunni Tehreek leadership did not surprise us one bit either. “This decision was made to please the Jewish lobby,” said Tehreek leader Sahibzada Ata-ur-Rehman. Qadri is an iconic figure for the right-wing (bay)ghairat brigade. As such, his sentence is not the defeat of one man but that of a dangerous vision. What we must not forget, however, is that this deadly ideology will never be completely defeated without hitting at its roots. Today, Pakistan has unfortunately become a factory of Qadris. Sentencing one Qadri will not rid us of the factory that now has franchises in all parts of the country and is aspiring to become a monster enterprise. Take this video for instance:

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElooBfutKZo[/youtube]

      Mufti Hanif Qureshi, leader of the Shabab-e-Islami group, used the most vile language against Governor Taseer and invited his audience to kill him during a sermon, days before his assassination. “That rascal, scoundrel, apostate governor is uttering rubbish like a filthy dog,” he said. He went on to accuse Taseer of being a Sikh, showing his obvious contempt for non-Muslims. He accused the governor of blasphemy without any evidence and called for his murder. He made sure his message was clear to all, having the crowd echo the words “death” and “murder” multiple times. In this case, Mufti Hanif Qureshi was the factory and Qadri the product. And mind you, there are thousands of these factories all over the country that have taken us captive. It is these that must be closed down – and quick. It is very regretful that our authorities keep ignoring the open expression of hate and incitement to violence by so-called religious clergy. Instances to this effect are numerous and unending. For decades, extremist clergymen have been making calls for violence against Ahmadi and Shia Muslims and non-Muslim minorities within Pakistan. The state has remained silent. It has failed to protect its citizens against evident terrorism. If anything, it has – through its discriminatory laws – promoted such behaviour and endorsed extremism in the process. In an independent state with an independent judiciary, no one must be allowed to take the law in their hands. Hate speech must be checked. Speech that is hateful, threatening, abusive, or insulting, and which targets a person on account of skin colour, race, ethnicity and religion, must be forbidden. Unless this is taken seriously and unless hate factories such as Mufti Hanif Qureshi are checked and stopped from spreading hate and instigating open violence on Pakistani soil, a mere death sentence will not change us for the better. So, coming back to the question will Qadri’s sentence mean his end? No, it won’t. But it is definitely a bold step towards that end. If followed up with the institution of more stringent laws against hate speech and the instigation of violence, it could be the basis of vital change. Pakistan Zindabad!]]>     7102 0 0 0     To Heaven and Back: Summer in Skardu http://candle-thread.com/newsline/to-heaven-and-back-summer-in-skardu/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:50:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7146 When the call to board the flight to Skardu was finally made, my level of excitement matched that of the young children who flew out of their seats, clapping their hands and screaming ‘yes, yes’ upon receiving the welcome news in the airport waiting-lounge. Yes, the confirmation of a flight to Skardu is a cause of celebration. I had attempted a trip to the region on three consecutive days, many years ago, but weather conditions (actually monsoon) prevented me from ever making the trip. But this time, I suppose it was meant to be. There are few places left in Pakistan that are not plagued by the menace of terrorism or the constant fear of threats to security. Gilgit-Baltistan is one of them. Less than an hour after departing from Islamabad, we arrived in the land where the mighty Indus flows, where there are snow-capped peaks, rocky, barren mountains, grey sand dunes and lush green valleys, a land dissected by three mountain ranges and which boasts the world’s largest plains at an altitude of 14,000 feet. On the way to this land of wondrous beauty, we flew with the Karakoram Range on one side and the Himalayas on the other. And on the plane ride there, we even got a clear view of the Nanga Parbat – a rare sight otherwise. (See the photo slide show below). Our place of residence was the Khaplu Palace – approximately a three-hour drive from Skardu airport. Inaugurated in June of this year, this 19th century palace was restored by the Aga Khan Culture Service in Pakistan (AKCS-P) and entrusted to Serena Hotels for its management. After five years of hard work, the palace is now open to public. What’s interesting is the manner in which it was restored. Erected sometime during the 1840s, wherever possible, the original structure of the Khaplu Palace has been kept in tact. As part of AKCS-P’s "adaptive reuse and restoration policy," where the original structure or materials could not be preserved, materials from other ancient buildings were used to remain as true to the original form and culture as possible. And that’s not all. Local art forms such as music and pottery have also been revived. The clay soap dish in the bathrooms was a particular favourite, and a local potter was contracted to produce all such items of use and decoration. Since the trip was in Ramadan, the musicians were not present, however, we were told that they had specially been trained in local instruments to preserve the dying art and were going to be a constant feature at the palace residence. Pictures cannot reveal the splendour of the actual palace wing. Apart from a museum space, the rooms of the Raja and Rani too have been restored – which can also be booked by vacationers – and what a sight they are. Especially beautiful is the outdoor sitting area (see photograph below). The intricacy of work on the slabs on the ceiling is exquisite. Quiet and serene, surrounded by mountains with the Ghangche Nallah flowing at the entrance, the Khaplu Palace Residence is a must visit. Another of the Serena properties I had the opportunity to visit and stay at was the 400-year-old Shigar Fort, also known as the Palace on the Rock. As one enters this 17th century fort, in full view is a huge boulder protruding from the main structure of the building, and it is around this that the fort is built, hence the name. Originally the property of the Raja of Shigar – who is now an MNA and lives just opposite the fort – it was gifted by the Raja to the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in 1999 for restoration and received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for the Conservation of Cultural Assets in 2006. While the residences are a world in themselves with in-house museums, tours of the site (fort/palace) and lessons in history, culture and archaeology, as well as orchards to stroll through (which also provide fresh fruits such as apricots, plums and cherries for consumption at breakfast), there is a vast world waiting to be explored outside of them. The Deosai Plains are a wonder to behold. At an altitude of 14,000 feet – Skardu is at 8,000 feet – are lush green plains with a river flowing through them (see more photographs of the Deosai Plains and beyond here). As soon as we arrived we were greeted by marmots, animals that look like beavers – only they are furry and golden in colour. Marmots are known to be shy creatures, but not the one we met. As one of our companions alighted to get closer for a better shot, instead of fleeing, the marmot stood up on its hind legs and started screeching at the approaching figure! The entire trip was three days long, but they were a hectic three days. We visited Hushe valley from where we saw the Mashebrum peak. We visited the recently hit flood site nearby, where over 100 houses have been swept away and where there is still a water trail. But what really proved to be a blessing in disguise was the cancellation of our flight back home. Packed and ready to return back, we were informed that due to bad weather conditions, the flight had been cancelled and there was no guarantee that flights would operate for the next three days. It was a toss up between spending three extra days – could have even been a week – or making a road trip back to Islamabad. We decided on the latter and though many of us were sceptical about a 25-hour road journey, it proved to be the best decision. We had some of Pakistan’s leading tour operators and guides as companions and that is what made the road trip even better. Along the way, they pointed out various landmarks and shared interesting anecdotes. “Look at the small cave-like openings where you can see small figures, here they are mining for gemstones.... This place we’re passing through is called Waadi-e-Jinn.... This town was swept away in last year’s floods; see the marking on the stones, this is how high the water was.... This patch on the road was destroyed by a landslide.... This is where the Taliban had blown up a bridge and were driven out from.” Just as one touches the Karakoram Highway comes a landmark called viewpoint, better known as “Teen Paharon ka Sangam” (Where the three mountains meet). This is the meeting place of the Karakoram, Himalayan and Hindukush mountain ranges. All the way from Skardu till one reaches the Karakoram Highway, we drove with the Himalayan range on one side and the Karakoram on the other. There on, we drove with the Karakoram to our left and the Hindukush to our right. In Thakot, we bade farewell to the river Indus and the rocky, barren terrain, and greeted the lush green landscape. From Gilgit-Baltistan to Kyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab, not once was there an untoward incident. Not once were we targets of conservatism, terrorism or criminal activities. The only place in the entire journey we had to be cautious was in Chilas, which is infamous for bloodshed, sectarian violence and dacoits. Normally, no traffic is allowed to pass through between 8pm and 5am. Since we arrived in Chilas at nightfall and had to reach our hotel, we were made to travel in a convoy and with a police escort – standard procedure after dark. But this stretch, too, we covered safe and sound. I was awestruck by the breathtaking beauty and magnificence of the place, but then there were moments when I was filled with anger. From adventure tourism or tourism in general, to export of local fruit and dry fruit, from mining to setting up of power plants – there is huge potential for the development of industries in the region. Gilgit-Baltistan generates electricity for its own use. More can be generated for the rest of Pakistan. We passed by the site of the Bhasha Dam, a project yet to be completed. Additionally, more dams can be constructed. There are vast stretches of unoccupied, uninhabited land, so initiating macro level projects should be easier as relocating the locals would not be a cause for concern. This region is also a historian, archaeologist, botanist and geologist’s paradise. Up in Deosai and on the way, locals pointed out several plants that are used for medicinal purposes. There is tea growing in the plains of Deosai. The flora and fauna of the place merit a study in their own right. There are sulphur and granite deposits and an unexplored treasure trove of minerals and gemstones. While there are small, private companies at work, there are no large-scale projects. The tour operators have their own set of problems, a major one being the issuance of visas to foreign tourists – more so now. If it is the fear of the entry of another Raymond Davis to the country, the intelligence networks need to be improved so the people of the area are not deprived of their livelihood. The region’s mainstay is its tourism industry which, the tour operators reveal, is not earning even half of what it used to. There is abject poverty in the region. The introduction of such stringent visa policies and travel restrictions on foreigners and diplomats is leading to a decline in tourist traffic. The rest of the country is under siege; the one region that isn’t should be thrown open to holiday makers. It’s a totally different world up there. People wear smiles on their faces, raise their hands to greet passing vehicles and children wave out to passengers. They are not unduly concerned about people eating and drinking during Ramadan. There are no reproaches or even frowns; the tendency to create a hue and cry appears to be an urban phenomenon. Moreover, as a woman, you are not made to feel awkward and neither are their women confined to the chaar diwari. In fact, it is mostly women one sees working in the fields, in their usual modest attire – a shalwar kameez with the dupatta on their head. Says a local from Shigar, “Now we don’t even think of marrying them (the daughters) off before they’ve completed their education.” And he says it is the girls rather than the boys, who are excelling. This brief yet thorough trailer of the region has left me pining for more. I’d like to explore the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region the next time, and stay at the other restored heritage sites. Why not partake of the traditional hospitality? For more photographs from around Gilgit-Baltistan, click here.  ]]> 7146 0 0 0 Defining the Responsibilities of our Religious Leaders http://candle-thread.com/newsline/defining-the-responsibilities-of-our-religious-leaders/ Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:01:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7209 Common Ground between Unitarian Universalist and Muslims.” It makes a lot of very important and positive points. But one point made by the writer struck a chord with me and raised a point I have been thinking about:
    “Like the Unitarian Universalist congregations, Sunni Muslims (approximately 80% of the global Muslim population) choose their leadership at the local level and the person may or may not have chaplaincy training. Imam is simply the person leading prayers.”
    The way I see it, the Sunni understanding of Islam doesn’t give leadership of the community to aalims (scholars) or daa’ees (preachers). Under the Caliphate and other systems with an “Ameerul Momineen,” it was the other way around: the Ameer, the secular/executive leader, led Friday prayers. In fact, one thought that crosses my mind is that, especially with colonial rule and Ataturk’s abolition of the Sultanate, even the executive rulers (Sultans in Southeast Asia, the Sultan of Sokoto and his Emirs in West Africa) have only been left with some influence in the religious and cultural spheres. In the diaspora, especially in the US, we have turned to religious leaders for leadership of the faith community. And this fits in very well with the separation of secular and spiritual leadership that is part of the Western ethos, post enlightenment. (Leave aside the monarch in the UK being the head of the Church for now as an anachronism.) I think part of our problem as an Ummah (yes, I used that word by choice), especially in minority communities, is that aalims and daa’ees have been left with too much of the responsibility of leading the community. Until and unless our “lay” (a word that is ironic in the Sunni world) community members step up and take over some of that responsibility, the unhealthy state of our communities will not heal.]]>     7209 0 0 0     Ten Years After 9/11: What Needs to be Done Now? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ten-years-after-911-what-needs-to-be-done-now/ Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:37:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7766 It’s 9/11. Nobody needs to say more. Everybody knows what that means. So what is one to do? There’s so much going to be said about it being 10 years later and, specifically how Muslims and Pakistani-Americans are faring and what they are thinking, etc. But even in that regard, it might be instructive to go back to some of the material in the emails I sent out during that day 10 years ago. So, here’s a taste: The day started with a call from my brother at 7:11am Pacific Standard Time, telling me to turn my television on. The morning and a major part of the day were spent tracking down friends and family in the New York Metropolitan Area. Halfway through my morning, an Indian friend of mine who was on a project in NYC got in touch with me over Yahoo Messenger and requested me to call his dad in Delhi and reassure him. Everyone I knew in that area – and the Washington DC area – turned up okay. Physically, at least. As far as I know, no one I knew was flying that day. The last report came late in the evening – it was already night on the east coast – that concerned a cousin who my niece reminded me worked in New York City. At least a couple of times that morning when the CNN anchor said the doctors at St. Vinnie’s were asking for old clothes and shoes, I almost got up to collect some from the closet and take the elevator to the basement so I could get over to the other side of the building. The realisation that we no longer lived on 13th Street in Manhattan was instantaneous, but the feeling was real while it lasted. In the late afternoon, I found myself explaining over the phone to my eight year old niece that people do this kind of thing because they get really, really angry and when they get angry, they get violent, and that while violence is never a good thing, that’s just how some people are. A few things were going through my head. The first was that the “last time something like this happened, there were internment camps.” It is not at all a nice thing to contemplate, but there was a strong realisation that what happened after that other unspeakable tragedy – in Oklahoma City, the very year I moved to the US – had tempered the reaction to events. I guess I didn’t get the looks someone mentioned they were getting at work because I was the one in my office that shared the anxiety of the colleague that was trying to reach his sister, who was walking back to Queens from Manhattan. Along the way came “Special Registration” and long check-in times at the airport. Still a “non-immigrant worker,” I had to get up at an ungodly hour and turn up with a colleague at the kind of downtown government office one usually doesn’t have to deal with as an IT worker in the US. We exchanged spouses’ phone numbers in the waiting area – just in case. Ironically, when it was my turn to be “specially registered,” I found that the poor civil servant upon whom it had fallen to crosscheck my information (passport, visa, credit cards, etc) and enter it in a new database had difficulty just accessing it and offered to get me some coffee while he tried to reconnect with DC. It took quite a bit of self-control to hold back from at least making a crack about having a cousin that could help fix his computer. And then there was the time when we realised that the long check-in times we’d been experiencing were because my four-year old New York-born son was on “a list” and a couple of SFPD uniformed policemen had to be summoned to the SFO airline counter. When they turned up, I just pointed out who they needed to interview; I wasn't even flying that day. To the credit of the San Francisco Police Department, the officer took one look at the half-awake, flu-ridden young man whose passport he had been handed and said, “I guess we won't run the whole protocol.” But 10 years on, one paragraph stays relevant. And that was that both as a former resident of New York City (we’d moved just over a year before 9/11) and a Muslim, I would like to thank everybody for their wishes, support and understanding, both then and since. And I would also like to say that I understand the anger and the outrage. It really is time the silent majority of the Muslim population of the world did some introspection and stopped letting people that think girls getting an education (a religious obligation) is less important than a dress code (a recommendation). It is time to control not just how the religion is viewed but also, and more importantly, how it is practiced in the 21st century. So on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, as we all look back at the past decade, what has changed? One press person wrote to ask if there were lingering effects on the community. Well, maybe the increased activism in the community might have come anyway – but I have no doubt that it was accelerated. And as more than one recent article has pointed out, there has been an increased interest in Islam itself, both within those who already were Muslims, and by quite a few outside the faith. And a whole new generation of activists have turned to working with Muslim communities. Again, both Muslims and others. The then young Muslim woman who was an aide to Senator Russ Feingold, today heads up a legal advocacy group started by the National Association of Muslim Lawyers. Would that have happened if 9/11 hadn’t? Maybe. But maybe not as soon. And look at it another way: the phrase “racial profiling” was in the news in places like New Jersey where it was a big problem for the African-American community. But I am sure very few of the Muslim activists engaged with the issue today ever had the phrase cross their lips before September 11, 2001. So the word I would use isn’t “lingering.” It is “profound.” The changes since 9/11 have profoundly shaped the world we live in today. But as the continued relevance of words written 10 years ago shows, the elements that shaped them, and continue to shape them, have been with us all along.]]> 7766 0 0 0 Photo Gallery: The Handicrafts of Sindh, Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-the-handicrafts-of-sindh-pakistan/ Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:11:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7790 Sindh has many indigenous handicrafts that have, despite their beauty and heritage, been denied the limelight and exposure they deserve. In an effort to document these crafts, I embarked on a trip to interior Sindh in July 2010. My trip to Haala and Bhit Shah included visits to the factories and artisans who, day in and day out, work to create these beautiful crafts for us. Ajrak, kaashi (pottery), soosi (textile), Sindhi topi (cap) and jhundi (furniture) are some of the amazing items produced by these brilliant artists. These artisans have invested lifetimes and generations of experience, only asking for the basics in return: food and shelter. I met a man involved in dying ajrak. He was committed to his craft, but had one request: better infrastructure and support for the industry. His hands were dyed blue from the chemicals he is exposed to daily. Craftspeople like him are underpaid and overworked but remain sincere to their traditional art. Elsewhere, a potter I met compared his situation to slavery. He said he was forced to work indefinitely to pay off his grandparents’ debt to the factory owners. Below are photos from my travels within Sindh. ]]> 7790 0 0 0 Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Question that Remains and Haunts http://candle-thread.com/newsline/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-the-question-that-remains-and-haunts/ Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:51:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7825 "Obey or Depart," reads the headline of an article in Newsline about the job of Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. My whole generation faced this choice. We are the Children of Zia. We are Pakistan's "Gen X" — give or take five years. And faced with that choice, a lot of us — the bulk of my "mates," to borrow the Australian word — voted with our feet. Which is not to take anything away from those that stayed and struggled to keep on keeping on and yet be as true to themselves as they could. It wasn't easy for them. Some days I think they paid the higher price. Other days, I think we did. It hasn't been easy. For people such as the State Bank governors and others that stayed and the even fewer that worked within the system, or stayed and heckled the system from the outside (Nadeem Farooq Paracha comes to mind), they did what they could, when they could. And they took the flak, the mental, social and professional hits. Often those hits were to their reputations and their sanity. Not exactly from our generation, but in the first category, Husain Haqqani and Asma Jahangir come to mind. Ask any "aam" Pakistani about those two and you will hear what I mean. Or you might have those same reactions yourself and not need to ask. And, to use another example, NFP is in a category all on his own; both his struggles and his heckling have been very public. As a person of faith, I say God bless him. He did what the rest of us didn't. Looked at more personally, I have only two or three close friends from my graduating class that are still in Pakistan. One stayed, got an MBA, went into the finance industry and today heads up a bank in Central Asia. Another is in the army, trying to live the life of a conscientious, actively true-to-his-service-oath public servant that my father and a multitude of others of his generation led. But that's it. One. (And maybe one or two other not-so-close contemporaries I could find out about.) All the rest of our fathers made sure we earned "professional" degrees and then found pastures where the grass was green, and not as hard to find in terms of availability, as well as morality. But there are others. They are struggling on. And that's the word. From where I sit, I see a struggle. And I salute them; whatever the choices they made. They are in there, mixing it up and doing what we didn't do. And as my generation hits 40, and is hit with the introspection that comes with this phase of life (before we get back into the saddle and buy the mid-life-crisis vehicle — mine's a sporty bicycle), I have also been thinking whether what we did was the moral choice. Yes, we did well. I have friends, seniors and juniors from my engineering university that are now worth tens of millions of dollars personally — sikka ra'ijul waqth. And yes a lot of them give to charity. Boy do they give in charity! They support scholarships, they help build schools, they fund healthcare for the less privileged. Sometimes they even get organized enough to set up alumni organizations and do all of the above en masse. And we feel very moral and clean. When Newsline asked me to write a "Speaker's Corner" in 1994 (the one place for non-journalists to opine in those pre-blog days), I related very haughtily how, when asked if I wasn't just "deserting" ("Tum bhi bhag rahay ho?"), I retorted with a list of activist engagements I had had till then and the expectation that I would continue from afar — and truth be told, I have as best I could. Others have made other contributions to nation and society. I am thinking, for example, of Musharraf Ali Farooqui, who has spent a number of years as a starving artist in that Great Desi City of The North, Toronto, and has emerged as a major contributor to culture in our generation. But I do wonder, how can I sit with my iced tea on a beach in Hawaii (we're still middle class-bred Pakistanis, y'know?) and judge, for example, Buland Akhtar Rana for holding passports from two different countries? Do I not remember when, in our desperation to stay in North America, almost every one of my peers that lived in the US applied for "Landed Immigrant Status" in Canada while not really, well, landing there for long?]]> 7825 0 0 0 It is Time to Come Together and Save Ourselves http://candle-thread.com/newsline/it-is-time-to-come-together-and-save-ourselves/ Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:35:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7909 Death is nothing new. For years now, us Pakistanis have been deeply affected by the war on terror. My years at school were marked with bomb drills, not fire drills, as the Taliban expanded and extended past the North West Frontier and came closer and closer to home. I have heard blasts shattering windows and even those did not frighten me as much as the images that came to me Saturday morning as I sat reading the news: images of mutilated and tortured corpses showing up in body bags all over Karachi. This is the war I have feared all my life, and this is a war entirely our own. It is not a war that has built itself up using religion as a weapon. It is a war fought by people who love to hate. It is a war that is fuelled by what seems to me to be the hatred of nothing in particular. It is a war that is far too senseless for me to even begin to fathom. I turned on the television and forced myself to watch for news updates for an hour, a whole hour, without flipping the channel even once. I forced myself to look straight into the eyes of the mothers, the fathers, the wives, the children of the men whose blood has stained Karachi’s streets. I forced those numbers running along the bottom of the screen to be more than numbers. I gave each number a name, and I gave each name a face. I wanted to know these people and grieve for them as I would for family. For that is what we are, and I wish the killers knew it. We might speak different languages, and we might consider our ethnicities different from one another. We might support different political parties. But, there is one thing we have in common: being Pakistani. It should be enough, but obviously it just isn’t. As I continued to watch, I wondered where our army was, where our ‘leaders’ were. I wondered why nobody had bothered to put a stop to the ‘target’ killings – individuals are no longer targeted as much as entire ethnic groups are – that have been going on for months now. Eventually, I got my answers, unjustified as they were. One moment the camera was focusing on Karachi’s tear-streaked faces and then, in seconds it shifted. The faces were still there, still tear-streaked but the location had changed – to Peshawar. The bright text running along the bottom of the screen read, “Blast at mosque leaves 51 dead.” This time the blood was being washed from the mosque’s marble floor, instead of from the gravel of Karachi’s roads. It didn’t end there. Next were the floods that have devastated hundreds of homes in Badin. Everywhere it seemed, in every province, a different war was raging. I remember when the rioters stormed London last month. I remember thinking how a bit of Karachi seemed to have visited London. I was wrong to draw such a comparison. The rest of the world has the ability to recover, but how can we recover when our tragedies don’t stop? Where else in the world is a single country suffering from weekly blasts, daily target killings, devastating floods…the list goes on. We’re on our own here. For a minute I thought maybe our government was too overwhelmed, maybe all this is just too much for them to handle. I can’t, however, bring myself to sympathise with a government like our own; one that I believe has never tried hard enough. I couldn’t believe it when Interior Minister Rehman Malik said last month that the target killings were mostly a result of wives and girlfriends eliminating their partners. With statements like that can you blame a nation from refusing to believe that the government is trying at all? Can you blame a nation for longing for the military dictators of our past? I’m all for democracy, but this particular democracy, ours, has failed us. In fact, we’ve failed ourselves. Look at Anna Hazare, who has starved already for days on end, and who still refuses to eat until his country passes serious, tough laws against corruption. In the past days, I have seen people joining Facebook groups and Facebook events that call for a revolution. We, the people, we have great power. Look at Egypt and look at Libya. This is our country, and if we’re not going to rescue it, nobody will. Did you know that Karachi observed a day of mourning recently? That over 100 people were killed over a seven-day period? That tomorrow, we will probably wake up to find the death toll to have increased yet again? We can mourn alone, but we can also mourn together. Can you imagine each and every person, in this city, coming out onto the streets? Not necessarily to overthrow our government, or to demand a revolution. No. Can you imagine everyone coming out onto the streets, each and every Pakistani, to prove that we are of one nation, that we are one people and that we are all in pain? Let’s start there: let’s show our government and each other what being a nation means. Let’s find a leader who can really represent us, and a government who will work for us and with us. I think we have the ability to do something huge here. I think we can do it if we try. I think we can save ourselves.]]> 7909 0 0 0 Who Will Lead Pakistanis and Bridge Ethnic Divides? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/who-will-lead-pakistanis-and-bridge-ethnic-divides/ Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:00:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7936 One man, promising to fast unto death in protest against corruption, caused millions of middle class Indians onto the streets to fight corruption. Just one man. To try and eradicate corruption from a country where nearly every man has made a dishonest living is impossible. To try and eradicate violence, however, is not. The recent violence in Karachi, with a hundred people dead in six days, desperately calls for someone to take a stand. We hear repeatedly about the Pakhtuns being against Mohajirs, or the MQM against the PPP, but why, for once, can differences not be put aside for the sake of human lives? Can one man or, for that matter, one woman put themselves to a fast to get the masses out onto the streets as happened in India? The MQM is the only party protesting the killings in Sindh. Meanwhile, PPP leader and Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza engages in yet another useless feud, asking for Rehman Malik to be banned from the province. While this useless battle goes on, killings are continuing just across the bridge from Karachi's English-speaking bubble. The powerful turn a blind eye, time and again. But it is only a matter of time before the deaths penetrate deep into even their bubbles. Pakistan needs a wave of people to rise up and end provincial and ethnic divides — only then will these killings halt. The power lies with the people. They remain, however, mostly unaware of their potential strength. Who will be our Anna Hazare? Can Imran Khan or Abdus Sattar Edhi lead the masses? Call me an idealist if you must, but the Indians, as they trudge ahead, will tell you that empowering the masses works.]]> 7936 0 0 0 The Doctor Strikes Back http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-doctor-strikes-back/ Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:13:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7945
    The Aamir Liaquat video scandal has put the normally smug Aalim in a position of weakness and vulnerability. By Monday August 15 it was all anyone was talking about, discussing it over iftar, designing meme posters and being generally irreverent. A more serious segment of the population was promoting Dr Liaquat’s ouster from the spotlight. His credibility has been put in serious doubt, and many now label him a "hypocrite" for engaging in decidedly non-scholarly behaviour on the very set of his show. A lot is at stake for Liaquat. His soft-speaking but authoritative Aalim persona has won him fans around the country and has led to tangible benefits from a ministerial portfolio under Musharraf to a profitable business promoting products like Meezan cooking oil. One cannot forget the spoils from his media engagements. As Liaquat’s taste for flashy, overworked kurtas and the iPhone from which he tweets, evince he rather likes the good life. A threat to the stability of this status is something he has taken very seriously indeed. As a consequence, he has attempted to undermine the video multiple times since its release last Sunday. Three separate outlets for Liaquat’s frustration have presented the not-so-good doctor’s case for forgiveness: Liaquat’s statements on his Twitter feed the day after the video went viral, the arguments he presented on his ARY show on Wednesday and his most recent piece for the Urdu Daily Express, published on Friday. Below, Newsline traces the narrative of a man who seems acutely aware of his need for instant image control.
    The How Liaquat evidently took at least four minutes to read up on video editing, with the result that he parroted "dub," "dubbing" and "dubbed" on the August 16th episode of his show with the fervour of the newly informed. The idea of the video being “dubbed professionally” also featured on Liaquat’s Twitter account. Where Liaquat’s knowledge falls short is when he speaks of an “editing machine” on air. This sinister contraption is evidently capable of “manipulat[ing]” anything in our “world of technology.” Indeed, the "editing machine" (or "computer" for those readers more acquainted with hip, young lingo) seems to have the power to place “abusive worlds [sic]” at will. Liaquat should therefore presumably be glad he got away with just some obscenities in a video and was not subjected to the threat of a violent Jupiter. But what is consistent throughout the Aalim’s discussion of how he believes this video was made is his disdain for such “cheap tactics,” and his certainty that it was created by those who oppose him – the “they” he refers to time and again, in print, online and on air. The Who Liaquat has taken great pains to convince the nation that this video is the project of a massive conspiracy against him by competitors, minority groups and any other generally bad people (e.g. those who have, according to his column, ignored their namaazes to defame him). What he would have us believe is that the video’s release was motivated by "hasad" or envy. In his televised response to the scandal, Liaquat waxed eloquent about the dangers of such jealousy, citing a quote from H. Ali (R) to back up his argument. The fact that the smile Liaquat normally wears when analyzing Islamic injunctions looked more like a grimace at that moment only slightly detracted from his just-vague-enough defence. A rather conveniently timed phone call from Makkah gave Liaquat the opportunity to clarify what he would like his supporters to do at this juncture: “Go pray that God protects me from hasad and enemies.” And while he spoke generally then, he has been more than clear both in print and online about who he sees as his "enemies." GEO Liaquat’s relationship with the television channel that originally fostered him has been stormy since his departure for ARY. Now, it seems that – at least in Liaquat’s mind – they are actively battling. The shamed scholar told his television audience that the video was the “work of a channel that is jealous of me – you know it very well.” He bases this jealousy argument, as his Twitter feed reveals, on his assertion that “ARY ratings have eaten GEO ratings.” In this tale — which labours under the assumption that Liaquat is the crown jewel of any channel he appears on — GEO turns bitter and decides to lash out and attack its competitor by putting together the “fake video” from archival footage. Our man is nothing if not thorough. To appeal to those skeptical about the profit-hungry, capitalist-channel theory, Liaquat has trotted out an old trick that rarely fails those on the religious right. He is now publicly questioning GEO’s loyalty to Islam. A recent tweet stated that GEO’s “ethics and morals [must be] rotten and dead,” citing the channel’s decision to “air movies in which sahaba (ra) [sic] have been shown,” e.g. The Prophet and The Message. This strategy is a tad bizarre, though. After all, Liaquat was a GEO employee for many years. Was he not shocked by the channel’s ethical state back then? Additionally, this entire argument gets sticky when one remembers that GEO was responsible for the highly systematic initial attempts to suppress the video. As some commentators have pointed out, these clips, taken from Liaquat’s former GEO show, undermine not just the scholar but also the channel itself for hiring and publicising him. Liaquat would presumably say that GEO simply wanted to cover its tracks, and only really needed the video up for long enough to create a stir. Answers are easy to come by when one is weaving logic out of a conspiracy theory. Ahmadis Liaquat is a past master at accusing Pakistan’s much-maligned Ahmadi minority community of anything and everything. Unsurprisingly, the group became the ideal secondary scapegoat for his PR failure. Several tweets from the desperate doctor assert that “those who do not believe in [the] finality of [the] prophethood” played a key role in creating and spreading the video. Such a statement clearly implicates Ahmadis, who believe that the Prophet Muhammad was followed by another Prophet in the nineteenth-century. In Aamir Liaquat’s world, he is “safeguard[ing] the ideology of [the] finality of [the] prophethood” against this group. His accusations thus neatly weave a rather mythological tale (cue medieval music). Liaquat is trying to present himself as the last valiant bastion of truth against the hordes who wish to distort his beloved religion. It gets scarier. One of his tweets tells us: “the join hands with [that] channel.” It's not difficult to determine who the "they" are. This is just one more method Liaquat is using to pander to those who think Islam is being targeted. And if he succeeds in presenting himself as a defender of the religion, he may well retain a significant following. Few bother to realise that Ahmadis are simply regular Pakistanis, not conspirators. While such distrust continues to exist, it makes it easy for people like him to present a shockingly prejudiced and yet, for many, highly persuasive defence: 'the Ahmadis are out get to me for standing up for Islam.’ The Future Many have questioned whether Liaquat’s career can continue after this scandal. The man himself seems fairly certain that it will, drawing out similarities between his 'work' and the Prophet’s struggle, explaining that both faced hurdles set up by enemies. Herein lies the critical part of Liaquat’s narrative. Any cursory understanding of how religious loyalty works in Pakistan makes it clear that what the Aalim must do above all else is convince his audience that he plays a critical, indispensable role by “spread[ing] the true essence of Islam.” Comparisons to the most venerated human figure in the Islamic pantheon are his favoured method of doing this. If he can somehow make this seem like a home truth, he is golden – no accusations can touch one the public believes is “promot[ing] Ish-e-Rasool.” The critical factor in guessing the fallout of the Liaquat video affair is the composition of his audience. A large proportion, many agree, will most likely buy the doctor’s excuses and accusations, simply on the assumption that he is as loyal and true a Muslim as he claims. "Dubbing" has most likely already joined the vocabulary of such viewers. A small part of his viewers, though, will probably peter off. These are generally younger, more tech-savvy citizens, and they are very visibly using message boards, Facebook and Twitter to express their dislike for the man they now see as a hypocrite. They might come close to joining the ranks of the already converted: progressives, most of whom have condemned Liaquat for years and see this video as new evidence to back up their dismissal of his ilk. But one element remains. Some, it seems, remain unsure about what to believe. And it’s these (if you will) swing viewers that Liaquat now seems to be concentrating his efforts on. For the doctor continues to tweet defensively, and he published a lengthy article on the video scandal just last Friday, despite his assurances that the potential damage to his reputation does not matter to him. Perhaps realising that this demographic is unlikely to be satisfied with a blame game, he has taken on some personal responsibility. A seemingly humbled Liaquat wrote in the Daily Express that he never claimed to be the world’s most noble person (you could’ve had us fooled). Indeed, he goes on to say, the video does have some truth in it. Such a confession is not what the vast majority of analysts expected. It shows, at the very least, some semblance of the remorse people are urging Liaquat to show. Yet, inevitably, this admission comes with a caveat. Liaquat asserts that while the video may reflect some truth, there is no validity in its presentation of him. And out comes a new tale, one of reform and salvation. The video represents the "old" Aamir Liaquat. Post-2008, the "new" one is striving to be a better person. And so, the Liaquat logic triumphantly concludes, he deserves our sympathy in the face of what we must understand as bad memories, not evidence of inherent characteristics. “I will continue on my path,” Liaquat wrote on Friday. That he is building more and more walls to safeguard his still-healing image is clear proof of this. The Aalim is not leaving the building any time soon.]]>     7945 0 0 0     Gunshots Fired as Gaddafi's Eldest Son Talks to the Press http://candle-thread.com/newsline/gunshots-fired-as-gaddafis-eldest-son-talks-to-the-press/ Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:47:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7980 muhammad-gaddafi-libyaRebel forces stormed Tripoli, and it now seems like they are on their way to take full control of the capital. While the conflict is not officially over and Muammar Gaddafi remains at large, two of Gaddafi's sons are in the custody of the National Transitional Council (NTC). Gaddafi’s eldest son, Muhammad Gaddafi, spoke to Al-Jazeera over the telephone early on Monday morning. Al Jazeera English broadcasted a translated excerpt from the interview done by its Arabic sister channel. In the excerpt, Muhammad says he is under house arrest as rebel forces have surrounded his house. He also says he has been treated well. But then while talking about the conflict and his sadness over all the killing of Muslims by Muslims, gunfire erupts. He describes the scene, concern rising in his voice. Firing has started, he says. "They're inside my house." The gunshots continue. And then the phone goes dead. Al-Jazeera later reported that it received confirmation from the NTC that Muhammad had not been hurt. However, the fluid situation, uncontrolled emotions and lack of law and order witnessed there are all elements that will keep everything very unstable in Tripoli in the coming days.
    Click play to listen to Muhammad Gaddafi speak to Al Jazeera as firing commences in the background.
    ]]>     7980 0 0 0     Dishonourable Conduct: A Summary of the Infamous Aamir Liaquat Video http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dishonourable-conduct-a-summary-of-the-infamous-aamir-liaquat-video/ Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:17:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8001 On August 14, 2011, Pakistan’s independence was not the only topic of discussion across the nation. A sensational nine-minute video of Aamir Liaquat, the managing director of Islamic channel QTV, surfaced online and threatened to destroy the reputation of one of the country’s self-appointed ‘religious experts.’ Liaquat has claimed that the video footage has been tampered with and his voice impersonated as part of a smear campaign. For those of you who couldn’t see the video before GEO TV began its campaign to remove it from the Internet, haven’t seen one of the innumerable copies or simply can’t be bothered to subject yourselves to nine minutes of Aamir Liaquat, Newsline has assembled and summarised some unbecoming moments from the infamous video – enough for anyone to understand what all the fuss is about. Alfirst-584x438 Here we have a preening Aamir Liaquat swearing in truly un-Islamic fashion, mocking a fellow expert for his “Rishi Kapoor-style topi” and trying to recall the name of a "zabardast kalakar" with a charming penchant for appearing in Bollywood rape scenes with numerous women we feel much sympathy for. This portion of the video seems the most natural, as if Liaquat’s letting his rather greasy hair down. If this is what it’s like to have him as a chum, we think we’ll pass. Still, the speed at which he transforms from lecherous Liaquat to attentive Aalim does impress us. ALfourth-584x365 For reasons known only to him, a typically decked-out Liaquat is unable to contain his laughter as he is presented with a question concerning the serious issue of suicide in Islam. Despite the female caller’s evident concern, Liaquat and his guest seem to have found time for a chuckle. Or six. Looks like we missed out on the joke. ALfifth-584x365 And it sings! Liaquat isn’t averse to doling out entertainment, as his rendition of ‘Hum to teher pardesi’ shows. Rather sadly, he is the only one clapping. Perhaps he can use some of the free time he might soon have to take singing lessons. Still, we’ve got to hand it to him for his cinematic knowledge: “Ghalib film dekhi hai aapne?” he asks his companions at one point. Well, guys, have you? We hope so – the scholar who hasn’t looks much the worse for it. ALseventh-584x365 Clearly there’s a Jekyll-and-Hyde case going on here. When he’s on camera with that sickly sweet smile, it’s as if sugar wouldn’t melt in Liaquat’s mouth. But take away the spotlight and a shallow, abusive co-worker is revealed. One wonders how he could have missed Islam’s injunction to never be two-faced, particularly not for personal gain. It could be that he’s lost in his own reflection. ALeighth-584x365 Whilst in the presence of two seemingly mute fellow scholars, Liaquat berates a member of the crew for talking constantly. Somewhat ironically, Liaquat’s complaining voice is the only thing that can be heard. That, as one might expect, is something of a trend in this video.]]> 8001 0 0 0 SA Relief Reaches Out to Flood Victims but still Needs Your Help http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sa-relief-reaches-out-to-flood-victims-but-still-needs-your-help/ Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:33:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8014 This year’s monsoon has brought another round of flooding and destruction to parts of Punjab and Sindh. Villages have been cut off from neighbouring towns and people have been marooned with no homes, no crops and no supplies after torrential rains overfilled waterways and caused breaches in drains and canals. Emergency situations have been declared in several towns, and Badin district in Sindh has been hit particularly hard. Local groups and NGOs have been reaching out to provide help. SA Relief is one of them. Established in response to the devastating earthquake that shattered Northern Pakistan in October 2005, SA Relief has become a trusted disaster relief group that “will help coordinate, manage and disseminate data relevant to disasters in and around South Asia.” Even though it states that its core strengths involve information technology support and “forging relationships between donors and relief organisations,” the group does much more. During the 2010 floods that displaced 20 million people, SA Relief and its local partner Offroad Pakistan collected and distributed over $170,000 for flood relief efforts. And this year, the organisation has already “adopted three camps in Badin with the support of Nishat Welfare Organisation, which already has housed 1,000 IDPs.” Together, SA Relief and Offroad Pakistan put together an initial plan to provide IDPs with cooked meals for 15 days, from August 15 - August 30. Of course, everyone knows the crisis won’t end so soon, nor will it be over once the rain clouds disappear. NGOs had already warned that this year would also be devastating, estimating that two to five million people were likely to be affected by floods during the 2011 monsoon season. In fact, problems stemming from the flood of 2010 have still not been fully addressed. Oxfam estimated “around 37,000 people affected by the 2010 floods are still living in camps in Sindh alone” and said “an inadequate disaster management system” would hamper relief efforts this year even if the scale of the crisis was smaller than last year’s worst-ever floods. There are already some logistical challenges. Floodwater has hampered access to some villages, leaving only jeeps available to make it across tracts of “kacha land.” But small jeeps restrict the amount of cargo that can be carried. “Often one has to hire smaller Datsuns and drag them through water and mud,” says SA Relief. Looting is inevitable too, as villagers desperate for supplies swarm delivery jeeps like angry mobs. “It is very difficult to maintain discipline in these circumstances.” Newsline contacted SA Relief to get details on the situation in Sindh and determine what the organisation would like to see in terms of assistance. Founder Abdulrahman “AR” Rafiq, communications expert Sabahat Ashraf, and core organisers Dr Awab Alvi and Faisal Kapadia who are on the ground in Karachi coordinating relief work all chipped in to provide information that will help you understand what is happening in response to the floods in Sindh, and how you can help. sa-relief-logo What health issues pose the greatest risk to flood victims at this time?  The greatest risks come from exposure to the environment without the protection of a home, as well as from waterborne diseases that are the first to affect a waterlogged area, like Badin is now. Then there is the consumption of poorly prepared or tainted (often scrounged for) food as well as several hygiene-related issues and psychological damage, which comes hand in hand with fending for one's family on a meal-to-meal basis. What has been the effect to agriculture and livestock in the flooded areas?  Several local landowners claim utter destruction of the cotton crop and severe damage to rice as well as other crops. On average, a conservative estimate puts the damage to more than 50% of all crops. Livestock has been affected less, but reports on that are patchy and still coming in. What do people need most right now?  Immediate needs are cooked food, shelter and medical assistance. After meeting the immediate needs of the flood affectees, we intend to move on to the rehabilitation and resettlement of communities. The extensiveness of the project will depend on the remaining funds on hand. As of now, we have a myriad of possible projects that we would gladly share with potential donors (individuals or organisations). Potential donors can email us at pkfloods@sarelief.com. So, will SA Relief take donations in kind, or do you prefer cash donations at this time?  We prefer cash donations, however, if someone would like to make in-kind donations they can email us (see above). We’ll consider in-kind donations on a case-by-case basis. How fast will donations be put to work?  Our goal is to disburse the donations as soon as possible, ideally in a matter of days. The entire end-to-end distribution process is closely monitored by our team of volunteers, and donors can follow them via social medial and GPS channels through our sites, sarelief.com and HELP.pk. How much will Rs2,000 (just under $25) help?  The typical cost of a single person’s meal is 20 Pakistani rupees on the ground. Rs2,000 will feed 100 people for lunch or dinner. If translated into ration hampers, Rs2,000 will feed a family of four for one week. badin-floods-2011-pakistanWhat logistics problems exist in trying to reach people once the relief goods are secured? Distribution of care packets is done by our core volunteers who come from the Offroad Pakistan group. Distribution sites are picked in advance, and partnerships with groups on the ground are forged ahead of each mission. Thus far, there have been no serious issues such as a total lack of access or dacoits. Does SA Relief need volunteers around Sindh to help out with the relief effort? What kind of volunteers: unskilled, doctors and nurses? We can definitely use volunteers, both skilled and unskilled. If someone would like to volunteer they are encouraged to contact us (email provided above). What would you like the federal and provincial governments to do immediately?  We urge the respective provincial and federal authorities to come forward and manage the relief camps, as mandated by their respective charters. We are happy to act as advisors and consultants, however, we feel that the local, provincial and federal governments need to become more actively involved. It’s not a question of resources, merely a question of managing them in a manner than yields the most benefit to the citizens. We invite the government to join us, our doors are open. What should people do to spread the word about the crisis that is unfolding in front of us?  We encourage people to reach out to their friends, colleagues, family, schoolmates, and bystanders and make them aware of the dire situation in Pakistan. Tell them about the 2011 flood victims who, having barely recovered from the 2010 floods, are now faced with impending suffering once again, and in silence, muted by the world. And encourage them to donate as much as they ably can. What is the best way to make a donation to SA Relief?  The best way to make a donation is one of two ways: 1. Go online to sarelief.com and HELP.pk and make a credit card contribution (Visa or MasterCard) via our PayPal Payment gateway. US residents can claim their donations as a tax write-off to the Pakistan Science and Engineering Foundation (Paksef), which is the legal 501(c)(3) non-profit umbrella behind SA Relief. 2. If you are in Pakistan you can also submit payments directly to our Bank Al-Habib account. See here for details.]]> 8014 0 0 0 Spare a Moment for 1.2 Million Flood Affectees in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/spare-a-moment-for-1-2-million-flood-affectees-in-pakistan/ Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:37:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8021 Spare a moment for the 1.2 million left homeless, for all those forced to live in desperate, unhygienic conditions. Muted by world media, flood victims in Pakistan have fallen off the radar in 2011. Over a week has past and relief has been slow to reach people in the hardest-hit regions of Badin and Thatta in Sindh, Pakistan’s southern province. While politicians bumble around, attempting (or appear thereof) to find a solution for the 1.2 million flood affectees, the bell tolls noiselessly. Beyond Pakistan’s national news, coverage of the 2011 floods has been a silent movie playing out on the fringes of the international media (if at all). A few more weeks of radio (or print and TV) silence and the region will become as quiet and stone cold as international media outlets. The unmoved press, which has refused to cover the calamity in the region, may finally get to report on a wave of death due to curable waterborne diseases. Intense, speedy and wholehearted as the response has been among the compassionate and the aware, it has been far too noiseless. For Pakistanis, for humans and humanity, this is not a time for whispered crying, silent and ardent prayers, aimless grumbling and soundless emails. This is the time to spare a moment to HELP.pk. (See the related Q&A with SA Relief here.) It is not a moment to despair, panic, or show anger but to respond and resonate with your humanity and act accordingly. This is the time to broadcast the unbroadcasted. Time is of the essence, innocent lives are at stake. Children are living under dark clouds of hunger, sickness and disease. There have been no silent candle-lit vigils, protest marches or sit-ins demanding immediate and swift action from governments (or the international community), nor have there been fundraisers to increase the awareness of the latest dire situation and ongoing plight of the common man, woman and child in Pakistan. Over a million people have cried out for well over a week: cries of hunger and suffering, cries for the loss of livelihood and shelter from the remains of washed out homes, farms, shops. The requests are simple: a hot meal and clean drinking water. But the response has underwhelming so far. As such, the cries are cries of panic, pain and anger. That is a lot of noise ignored by the world media. floods-badin-sindh-2011The voices of the flood affectees must be allowed to make it out through us to the mainstream world media: TV, radio and newspapers. All because it is our duty as human beings, as compassionate and emotional beings to not let their suffering go in vain. So spare a moment out of your busy work schedule, your busy family life and your busy social life. Reach out to your friends, colleagues, family and schoolmates to make them aware of the dire situation in Pakistan. Tell them about the 2011 flood victims who, having barely recovered from the 2010 floods, are now faced with immense suffering once again, their cries for help ignored by the world. By doing so you will raise awareness and hopefully get people to act — and save lives. Please take a few moments to share this message with others. It does not take much to help feed an internally displaced person (IDP), provide clothing, medical care and shelter. Encourage people to donate to help provide temporary relief now as well as economic support to get the IDPs back on their feet again later. Here's how to help:  www.HELP.pk or www.SARelief.com. (Read the related article with a detailed Q&A with SA Relief here.)
    Below, press play to watch a news report by Shehryar Mirza of Express 24/7 that highlights the flood damage and displacement in interior Sindh: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgYTX9pRKaQ[/youtube]
    ]]>     8021 0 0 0     Balochistan: One Province, Two Wars http://candle-thread.com/newsline/balochistan-one-province-two-wars/ Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:19:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=8968 Pakistani missing persons families hold pictures of their missing people as they staged a demonstration in Karachi 10 December 2007. Scores of individuals and civil liberty groups observe the International Human Rights Day in Pakistan terming it the 'black day' due to imposition of emergency in the nuclear-armed South Asian nation. AFP PHOTO/ Asif HASSAN[/caption] Abdul Ghaffar Lango, an activist for Baloch nationalism, was abducted right in front of his wife on December 11, 2009. When his abduction was reported, the police told his family that he had been detained because of his political activities. Seven months later, his body was found covered with marks of brutal torture. It was a poignant symbol of the cruelty being inflicted on the Baloch population. Global non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on the role of Pakistani security forces in the disappearance of Baloch nationalists on July 28, 2011. "We Can Torture, Kill, or Keep You for Years" documents how the authorities have, since 2005, taken hundreds of people into custody without cause, ignoring their families’ pleas for information. "The government agencies that HRW found to be most involved in enforced disappearances in Balochistan are Military Intelligence (MI), the Frontier Corps (FC) and, to a lesser extent, the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB)," states the report. The HRW report is based on over 100 interviews with the family members of missing people, lawyers who’ve fought for their release, witnesses to abductions, human rights activists and former detainees. Such a scope allows the report to include many detailed accounts of horrifying "disappearance" cases. HRW found that most of the people abducted have been men associated with Baloch nationalist parties and movements, and that often the kidnappers "beat the victims and dragged them handcuffed and blindfolded into their vehicles." When not alone, victims have been beaten on the spot while those around them (sometimes family, the elderly and the sick) are held at gunpoint. One man recalls his time in a detention facility this way:
    "They beat me all over my body and on the soles of my feet with their fists and feet. They hit me for around one to two hours continuously in the morning, then again in the evening. At night they would not let me sleep or lie down, I was forced to stand. If I started to fall asleep they would hit me on the back and shoulders to keep me awake."
    HRW has supported the allegations levelled at official intelligence and security agencies in many ways, but this paragraph sums up the situation for most of the "enforced disappearances" it has examined:
    "In 31 of the cases documented by Human Rights Watch, witnesses described the perpetrators as armed men in civilian clothes, typically arriving in one or more four-door pickup trucks. The witnesses usually referred to these perpetrators as members of the “agencies” because of the circumstances of the abductions – often perpetrated openly in broad daylight, with the assistance of the police or FC personnel, in areas only readily accessible by security personnel. These suspicions of state responsibility were often then corroborated by information about their relatives’ whereabouts they managed to obtain after the disappearance."
    However, the military is not the only perpetrator of violence in the troubled province. Armed assailants, the HRW reveals, have now taken to attacking non-Baloch civilians. As the Baloch are made to feel more and more vulnerable because of their ethnicity, they are clearly becoming defensive and lashing out against those who belong to other ethnic groups. Much as we urban-dwellers try to ignore – until we need to use the plight of the oppressed province to pad our anti-government rants – Balochistan is as much a part of our country as any other province. As Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW, succinctly puts it: "All Pakistanis will pay the price if the government fails to protect Balochistan’s population from heinous abuses at the hands of the Pakistani military." You might "disappear" next.
    To read the report, including all the 45 cases it has documented, the incredibly detailed recommendations as well as separate letters addressed to Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, please click here.
    ]]>     8968 0 0 0     Corruption in 2011: Citizens Cry Out http://candle-thread.com/newsline/corruption-in-2011-citizens-cry-out/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:10:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5569 Every year Transparency International tells us a bit about our countries. For some countries the news is good. For many, the news is usually not. And it can be depressing. No one likes to hear about corruption at home, how their politicians and bureaucrats steal from the public purse, how people get into the public sector only to enrich themselves, or how their country languishes near the bottom, year after year, like Pakistan. On December 1, Transparency International (TI) released their "Corruption Perceptions Index" for 2011. Pakistan tied for 134th place out of 183 countries with a ranking of 2.5 (out of a possible 10, where 10 signifies very low levels of corruption). Eight other countries shared the unflattering position at number 134, deemed "less corrupt" than only 41 other countries in the survey (see some of the rankings below). So there Pakistan is again, considered to be highly corrupt. Of course, that is nothing new. But there are a few things that are new. And it has nothing to do with any change in position. We could tell you how Pakistan's rank has changed, but we won't. Because it is meaningless. The scores from year to year are not meant to be compared to previous years. "This is because the index draws on a country’s rank in the original data sources, rather than its score," writes TI. "A rank will always deliver only relative information – and therefore a ranking is a one-off assessment." What has changed is what citizens of the world are saying (publicly and loudly) about corruption. From across the Arab world to India, and from Brazil to Europe, people have been protesting the graft and theft among their leaders and bureaucrats (see "Corruption in Brazil"). Here is what TI writes in their report:
    "The 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that public frustration is well founded. No region or country in the world is immune to the damages of public-sector corruption, the vast majority of the 183 countries and territories assessed score below five on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean). New Zealand, Denmark and Finland top the list, while North Korea and Somalia are at the bottom."
    Another thing that has changed is what people are doing with the information provided by TI. A few days back, The Economist produced an infographic that charted the correlation between corruption and development. The magazine compared TI's corruption index with the UN's Human Development Index (a measure combining health, wealth and education). It confirms exactly what you would tend to believe: that developed countries (which often means stable and peaceful too) will generally be less corrupt. The Economist's infographic is below. After that, take a look at the 10 least corrupt countries, the 10 most corrupt countries and the 10 countries that make up the company that Pakistan keeps on the list.

    Corruption and Developmentcorruption-humandevelp-economist

                        10 Least Corrupt Countries in 2011 corruption-cpi2011-worst10  

    10 Most Corrupt Countries in 2011

    corruption-cpi2011-pakistan

    Corrupt Countries Among Which Pakistan Ranks in 2011

    [caption id="attachment_26010" align="alignnone" width="584"] Source: Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2011[/caption]]]>     5569 0 0 0     Corruption in Brazil: A New Zero-Tolerance Policy? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/corruption-in-brazil-a-new-zero-tolerance-policy/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:15:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5583 In many countries, if six cabinet ministers were forced to resign in less than a year because of corruption allegations, you'd expect that voters would be baying for the political blood of the top boss too. But not in Brazil. President Dilma Rousseff is not just surviving but doing better than anyone imagined. Her popularity is rising. Her approval rating hit 70% recently as the Brazilian public has been pleased with the way she has cleaned house. Voters seem to be ignoring the fact that the ousted ministers are all people who she chose to surround herself with. The seventh and most recent cabinet victim (the sixth one accused of corruption) was labour minister Carlos Lupi. He resigned this week over allegations that he accepted a free jet ride from a businessman whose company had picked up government contracts from Lupi's ministry. Ex-minister Lupi issued a statement denying the charges, saying that he is the victim of "political and personal persecution by the media." The video below from Al-Jazeera English recaps the anti-corruption drive in Brazil, naming some of the other top politicians to be forced out of office, while describing how an active and energised public has been instrumental in making change happen. The video is about three weeks old, so towards the end the reporter will refer to fresh allegations against Labour Minister Lupi. As stated above, those allegations have since become a public noose around his neck, and he is now gone from his post. Brazilians have stood-up and said they have zero tolerance for corruption, and in response President Rousseff seems to have initiated a zero-tolerance policy. Could the same thing ever happen here in Pakistan?
    Click play to watch the video: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtEu2l45MXg[/youtube]
    ]]>     5583 0 0 0     Bonn Conference Tries to Make Progress Without Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/bonn-conference-tries-to-make-progress-without-pakistan/ Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:15:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5663 In the days leading up to today's Afghanistan conference in Bonn, Germany, that hopes to chart out a stable path for the war-torn country, there wasn't much hope for progress. In fact the German press was downright negative. The AFP reported that German daily Die Welt wrote, "The entire future engagement of the international community is based on the hope that the peace process between the Afghan government and the Taliban will progress, and Pakistan is the key to this process." The Financial Times Deutschland was quoted as reporting, "The Bonn conference is turning into a farce...If Pakistan's cancellation is maintained, then the conference will be virtually pointless on many issues." People on Twitter seemed to agree and added other cynical points, clearly coloured by the backdrop of a grim global economy. "How much did it cost to get everyone to #Bonn2. Will anyone benefit as much as the haulers and hoteliers? #CommitAtBonn," asked @jeromestarkey, a journalist and photographer via the microblogging site. Still, the US maintained a brave face. The AFP reported the following:
    "I don’t think it (the boycott) will impact the conclusions of the conference in any way,” a senior State Department official told reporters on the condition of anonymity during the flight to Bonn from Washington on Sunday.
    Of course, if the major goal of the conference is to push forward negotiations with the Taliban, the key players at the conference may need a small miracle. According to Al-Jazeera (see video below) Taliban intermediaries, including the Taliban's ex-foreign minister as well as the former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, are in Europe but have yet to show up at the conference, allegedly asked to stay away by Pakistan. The report provides more support to the claim that Pakistan not only has strong links to the Taliban but has major control of the top leadership. And even further confirming that Pakistan is not interested in a peaceful political solution. But Bonn is not only about ending the fighting and providing an exit strategy for NATO. It is also about governance and democracy. Human rights, ensuring recent gender gains are not lost in any political compromises and implementing a viable, long-term economic plan are all issues being discussed in Germany. Everyone wants peace, but none of the above issues will be guaranteed if the fighting stops.
    Click play to watch the news video from Al-Jazeera:
       ]]>     5663 0 0 0     Imran Khan Declares Assets and is Immediately Challenged http://candle-thread.com/newsline/imran-khan-declares-assets-and-is-immediately-challenged/ Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:31:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5681 Imran Khan has raised the stakes in his pre-election electioneering by taking his anti-corruption campaigning to a new level. By declaring his financial assets on Sunday, he has set the bar and publicly challenged all political party leaders to do the same. It's a great move than can only help his marketed image of being the leader who is about hope and change. His swelling fan base is already praising the move and the man. They are calling him brave and a great leader, using words like "integrity." But Khan's opponents are already pushing back. The PML-N's Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan accused the PTI chief of holding back on his true assets. He alleged that the former cricketer didn't declare the value of all his land and has paid too little in tax over the years, saying his income from international cricket should have been taxed in the country in which he earned it. The PML-N politician also defended the Sharif brothers and insulted the political team around Imran Khan. So while Imran Khan's move was necessary for him to take on corrupt politicians head-to-head, his opponents will be gunning for him, looking for any opportunity to sully his name. Moreover, by taking the fight back to Imran Khan, they will be hoping to keep the spotlight off their own income statements and balance sheets. The media needs to put the spotlight on every political leader, and keep it on, until they all step up and face the scrutiny of the nation. And if Imran Khan has held back, he will have done himself some unnecessary damage. Here is a news video of PTI leader Imran Khan declaring his assets at a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday. It's a long segment, so for those in a rush, just watch the first 6:10:
    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcishyp7BGg[/youtube]
    ]]>     5681 0 0 0     Human Rights Watch Demands Improved Security for Shias http://candle-thread.com/newsline/human-rights-watch-demands-improved-security-for-shias/ Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:36:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5694 Muharram is always a tense time for Shias in Pakistan. Under the threat of attack by Sunni extremists, security during the month of mourning is incredibly high with Shia community groups working closely with local law-enforcement officials to protect men, women and children as they attend daily majlises and participate in Ashura day processions across the country. Road blocks and security checkpoints are set up around Imambargahs and are manned by vigilant local volunteers. In Lahore's walled city, getting to Nisar Haveli for nightly majlises involves going through several checkpoints (often four or five) involving metal detectors and pat-downs. In December 2009, deadly attacks rocked Karachi on Ashura: in total there were more than 100 people, injured or killed. While initial reports claimed that it was a suicide blast, it was later revealed that the bomb was detonated by remote control. And in Ramadan last year, bomb blasts in Lahore and Quetta caused dozens of casualties as Shias marked the death anniversary of Hazrat Ali (PBUH). A Lahore local involved with the planning of the public mourning procession told Newsline that police had "intelligence reports about something being planned." While security will never be foolproof, there is always more work to be done. In fact, there needs to be a greater commitment to protect minority groups and truly crack down on militant outfits. And this is exactly what Human Rights Watch (HRW) is pressing for in its latest report released today (reprinted below). “Shias in Pakistan should be able to participate in Ashura processions without fear of attack,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW. In 2011, HRW says there have already been at least 18 sectarian attacks on Shias. Many attacks have been on the Hazara community in Balochistan. "In Balochistan, where local militants challenge government authority, and elsewhere across Pakistan, law enforcement officials have failed to intervene or prevent attacks on Shia and other vulnerable groups," says HRW. Read HRW's full report below.
    Pakistan: Protect Shia Muslims Hold Accountable Extremist Groups Responsible for Killings  (New York, December 4, 2011) – The Pakistani government should urgently act to protect Shia Muslims in Pakistan from sectarian attack during the Muslim holy month of Moharram, Human Rights Watch said today.  In recent years, Sunni extremist groups in Pakistan have been implicated in a number of deadly attacks on Shia during Moharram, which in 2011 began on November 26.   Concerns are greatest for possible attacks on Shia processions marking Ashura, the 10th day of Moharram, which this year is on December 6. Ashura processions have been attacked each of the past two years. In December 2010, a grenade attack on a Moharram procession in the city of Peshawar killed one person, a child, and wounded 28. In December 2009, a suicide bomber killed 30 and wounded dozens of mourners at a Moharram procession in Karachi. On February 5, 2010, a double-bombing of a follow-up Shia procession killed 25 and wounded over 50. “Shia in Pakistan should be able to participate in Ashura processions without fear of attack,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Pakistani authorities need to address the severe danger faced by the Shia population with all necessary security measures. They can start by arresting extremist group members responsible for past attacks.” Human Rights Watch has recorded at least 18 sectarian attacks on Shia in 2011. Since Pakistan’s return to constitutional rule in 2008, hundreds of Shia have been killed across Pakistan by alleged Sunni extremists. Human Rights Watch research indicates that at least 275 Shias, mostly of Hazara ethnicity, have been killed in sectarian attacks in the southwestern province of Balochistan alone since 2008. On November 29, Mohammad Danish Alam, a Shia teacher at Balochistan University, became the latest victim of an apparent sectarian killing when he was gunned down by unidentified men in the Zarghoonabad suburb of Quetta, Balochistan’s capital. Local police reported that Alam, a science and information technology lecturer, was on his way to the university on his motorcycle when gunmen opened fire and killed him. On October 4, gunmen on motorbikes stopped a bus carrying mostly Hazara Shia who were headed to work at a vegetable market on the outskirts of Quetta. The attackers forced the passengers off the bus, made them stand in a row, and then opened fire, killing 13 and wounding 6 others. On September 19, near the town of Mastung in Balochistan, gunmen forced about 40 Hazara who had been traveling to Iran to visit Shia holy sites to disembark from their bus. They shot 26 dead and wounded 6. Although some of the Hazara escaped, gunmen killed another three as they tried to bring the wounded to a hospital in Quetta. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni militant group, claimed responsibility for this attack. Pakistani and international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have made numerous calls to Pakistan’s authorities to hold those responsible for the attacks to account. While authorities claim to have arrested dozens of suspects, no one has been charged in these attacks. “The ongoing targeted killings of Shia send a chilling message to all Pakistanis that their government won’t necessarily act to protect them,” Adams said. “The government’s failure to break up the extremist groups that carry out these attacks calls into question its commitment to protect all of its citizens.” Some Sunni extremist groups are known to have links to the Pakistani military and its intelligence agencies. Groups such as the banned Lashkar-e Jhangvi operate with impunity even in areas where state authority is well established, such as Punjab province and the port city of Karachi. In Balochistan, where local militants challenge government authority, and elsewhere across Pakistan, law enforcement officials have failed to intervene or prevent attacks on Shia and other vulnerable groups. Human Rights Watch called on Pakistan’s federal government and the respective provincial governments to apprehend quickly and appropriately prosecute those responsible for Alam’s killing, the September 19 and October 4 attacks, and other crimes targeting the Shia population. “Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders should recognize that their tolerance for extremist groups is killing their own citizens,” Adams said. ”They need to stop appeasing extremists and start holding them accountable.” For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Pakistan, please visit: http://www.hrw.org/asia/pakistan
    ]]>     5694 0 0 0     Veena Malik: Pakistan’s Next Top Spy? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/veena-malik-pakistans-next-top-spy/ Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:47:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5715 Not the original cover: After Veena Malik claimed the FHM cover was not authentic, the above  satirical cover popped up quickly on Facebook. Illustration: "Comics by Arsalan" on Facebook ‪Veena Malik has made news headlines once again. But this time it didn’t involve Bigg Boss or Mufti Sahib. Veena chose to bare (almost) all, posing nude on the cover of FHM India. When the magazine cover was unveiled, it seemed like every Facebook timeline on the subcontinent was engulfed with Veena posts, and earlier today Ms Malik was trending on Twitter. Those who are not familiar with Indo-Pak celebrities are wondering who she is, confusing her with Zayn Malik, a member of a British-Irish boy band that finished third on the seventh series of the X-Factor. Of course, those who have already been introduced to her media-magnet antics cannot forget who she is. Just the other day, after compiling a “Who’s Who List” in successful Indo-Pakistan film and media collaborations, I heaved a sigh of relief that Veena Malik was safely ensconced somewhere in southern India shooting a 3D horror movie with Telugu filmmaker Hemant Madhukar. While Veena escaped the wrath of “Mufti Sahib” in Pakistan, she’s now back in the limelight with this crazy new photograph, which could incur the rage of the nation’s premier spy agency whose name is ‘tattooed’ on her arm, and which will definitely enrage Pakistan’s self-appointed morality police. Already, Pakistan’s interior minister, Rehman Malik was quoted as saying that if Ms Malik did indeed pose nude, then “strict action” would be taken. If only corruption and terrorists were dealt with the same dedication. ‬ But whether it’s really a totally nude Veena on FHM India’s advance promo of its December issue cover (different versions of the cover have emerged: one with both her arms folded across her chest and her left leg lifted to avoid revealing everything; the second cover shows Veena with her left arm across her chest while she holds a hand grenade with her right hand and tugs at the pin with her teeth; both have the ISI tattoo), or the result of a good photo-editing job remains to be seen. Veena denies claims that the shoot involved complete nudity, stating she had allowed bold photography, but not so bold that she appears without any clothing at all. She is said to have conveyed her dismay to the editor of FHM. If her claims are true, FHM needs to be asked, “Why Veena and why now?‬” Of course, FHM’s editor, Kabeer Sharma, says the photograph is real and that he can prove it. Moreover, on December 3, the day after the first cover photo was released to the public, Sharma tweeted that “[I]'ve spoken to Veena and neither one of us want to fan this controversy further than it already has been. Do tweet feedbk on covers.” Unfortunately for both of them, especially Veena, there will be plenty of flame-fanning going on at home. ‬ While fans and haters on Twitter and Facebook are either gnashing into her with total disdain or inundating websites with messages of support, some comments definitely hit the nail on the head. “Will Veena Malik be joining PTI now that she has exposed her assets,” read one tweet circulating the twitosphere. “‬This Veena Malik thing is a CIA plot to divert attention from the NATO attack,” read another tweet. When the brave Veena Malik stood up to the morality brigade in Pakistan earlier this year and faced the conservative backlash, she was crowned a hero by many, including the liberal elite who praised her for her courage to take a principled stand. “She beat the mufti at his game,” said Pakistani writer Mohsin Hamid at the Karachi Literary Festival in early 2011. “‘I am a bombshell actress, that’s what I do, so back off,’ she said,” continued Hamid. “Let’s not kid ourselves, there is a degree of pernicious self-censorship in our society,” he concluded. ‪Right now opposing comments like “Haters are gonna hate” and “Go Veena” are inundating new media. Whatever the reality of this latest photo brouhaha, let's hope Veena Malik emerges from this new ‘scandal’ unscathed‬ and continues to do what she does best: which is to entertain. Meanwhile, the rest of the country should focus its energies on bigger issues than the entertainment thrown up by an actress and a foreign glossy magazine promoting "girls, games and gadgets."
    Read some of the top tweets being shared about "Veenagate" below:
    ]]>     5715 0 0 0     Newsline Film on the 2010 Floods to Screen in New Delhi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newsline-film-on-the-2010-floods-to-screen-in-new-delhi/ Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:58:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5732 Newsline Films continues to earn recognition for its thoughtful, in-depth documentaries. When the Rains Came, a documentary about the 2010 floods that devastated Pakistan, has been selected for the 6th International CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival and Forum in New Delhi. The 2011 film, which was produced for PANOS South Asia, focuses on the environmental and man-made factors that influenced the historic scope of the disaster. In the wake of the unprecedented catastrophe (over 20 million people affected, one-fifth of cultivatable land under water, millions of people displaced and livelihoods lost) debate about the country’s preparedness and the government’s disaster management competency was intense. However, “The environmental forces at play received only sporadic attention and this documentary investigates the role played by factors such as dams, deforestation, poor maintenance of waterways, and settlements on river banks in exacerbating the scale of the disaster caused by the floods,” say the filmmakers. Throughout the 24-minute film, director Nameera Ahmed ensures that interviews with experts clarify the technical issues related to engineering and the environment, while at the same time focusing the camera on the widespread human suffering across the country in villages and relief camps. rains-film-0516CMS VATAVARAN is described as “India’s home-grown international competitive and travelling festival of environment and wildlife films. Its birth was a direct response to unprecedented economic growth experienced by India in the 1990s as a result of game-changing reforms. In India’s boom decade, industrial, retail and income growth were no the only things to increase. So did environmental degradation, “particularly in tribal and rural areas,” write the organisers of the festival. “It was in this background that the idea of CMS VATAVARAN, India’s only environment and wildlife film festival and forum took wings.” When the Rains Came will be screened in New Delhi on December 7, 2011, and will be followed by an open forum panel discussion on climate change.
    Watch the trailer below: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWOfySHdKqs[/youtube] Film Credits Director: Nameera Ahmed Executive Producer: Tehmina Ahmed Producer: R Abdus Saboor Haider Production Company: Newsline Films Produced for: Panos South Asia Camerapersons: Umbreen Butt, R Abdul Saboor Haider and Imran Siddiqui Scriptwriter: Nilofar Ahmed Music Composer: Athar Saeed Editors: Wasim Mirza, Nameera Ahmed and Jibran Zuberi Narrator: Nameera Ahmed
    ]]>     5732 0 0 0     Of VIP Convoys, Security and Egos http://candle-thread.com/newsline/of-vip-convoys-security-and-egos/ Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:14:05 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5757 If cabinet ministers and party leaders are not putting up road blocks manned by AK-47-toting guards in their neighbourhoods, then politicians are halting traffic with their slithering convoys so that they can shift safely and effortlessly from their homes to their closed-door meetings and on to their favourite restaurants, and perhaps even Parliament when they are so inclined. At the end of the day, I can live with the inconvenience of the occasional delay, even though watching questionable ‘VIPs’ throw their weight around, pushing everyone else off to the side of the road and generally treating all and sundry as inconsequential microbes is blood boiling. The fact is I have (luckily) never been stuck behind a VIP roadblock in an emergency situation. The immorality of forcing ambulance drivers and those lying in critical condition in the back of their vans to wait indefinitely because you need to get to the airport, a press conference or a birthday party on an asphalt red carpet is obvious to a five-year-old. Nonetheless, every influential person who can do it, won’t blink an eye over it, and will likely defend their ‘right’ to do it. It is easy to understand, though, especially in a country like Pakistan with endless law-and-order problems, that VVIPs under threat of real danger need to secure a route before they venture out: bomb blasts and assassinations (both failed and successful) are sickeningly too common. But there’s a limit. VVIP movements in Pakistan are clearly inefficient, and without undertaking an empirical study, it seems fair to say that they are abused, with the privilege of these security protocols provided to too many people. Tuesday night, around 11pm, the Newsline van came to a dead stop behind three dozen other vehicles at the “Do Talwar” roundabout in Karachi. There were four of us inside. Police vehicles and uniformed men in the middle of the street could be seen blocking the road ahead of us. I wondered aloud if the president was in town. We asked an officer standing on the nearby median who was coming through. He claimed he didn't know. I was impressed with his reticence: an uncommon Pakistani trait. Five minutes later, there was no sign of a VIP convoy. Not even a siren in the distance. A peek behind us showed a sea of headlights. Traffic was backing up. A minute later, there was faint electronic wailing in the distance. A white police car was approaching. When it curved around the roundabout and passed us going the opposite direction towards the Clifton underpass, it was alone. One lone cruiser scouting the route, ensuring the “all-clear.” A minute later, another siren. This time it was a solitary motorcycle police officer. Thirty seconds later, the third vehicle from the police escort passed, this time a jeep with several men packed into the roofless back. And then, a few seconds behind this lead vehicle was the main convoy: jeeps, motorcycles, black sedans. As the cars scurried by tightly like a mixed pack of zebra and wildebeest on the Serengeti, I counted the vehicles: four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. I kept counting. There were three unmarked black sedans mixed in the middle: one presumably carrying the ‘VIP,’ the others probably acting as decoys. The count continued: 10, 11, 12, 13.  When the last jeep came around the roundabout, I uttered, “28.” Twenty-eight vehicles, but how many people were involved in transporting this ‘precious’ cargo? We had been held up for about eight minutes waiting for the convoy to pass. The pizza delivery guy next to us on his Honda two-wheeler had already called his handlers, instructing them that his next delivery was going to be late, before hiding his mobile phone back down the front of his pants. I wondered who among the hundreds of cars stuck at every intersection along the route was under real pain and stress because of the delay: who was trying to get to the hospital, home to see an ill child, or to another part of town in response to a friend’s cry for help? Many people have ranted about the excessiveness of VIP movements before. On a blog titled “Sehar Says,” Sehar Tariq writes, “In Pakistan, your importance is measured by the number of people who have to wait for you and the amount of time that they have to spend waiting for you. Small-time bureaucrats make a handful of people wait for at least a few hours before granting an audience. The really important people will make entire cities come to a stand still as their entourage zips around town.” I even came across a Facebook page called “Creating Awareness for unjust VIP or VVIP Movements in Pakistan,” though, the page is about more than VIPs and their egos. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of videos online showing VIP convoys and their flashing lights. A website called ChaltaTV.com has some citizen-journalist footage of what they claim to be an Asif Zardari convoy. A group of motorcycle-riding police lead the first sedan, which is surrounded by four jeeps. Then the main herd of vehicles follows. There are at least 70 vehicles in total. Watch it below. It’s a disgusting waste of scarce resources for a cash-strapped government with tens of millions empty-stomached citizens. And it makes a 28-vehicle convoy look frugal. I found out on Wednesday that Bilawal Bhutto was in town and chaired a meeting with senior PPP leaders the day before. Maybe he was at the heart of the convoy that raced past us at Do Talwar? If so, that means he has a long way to go before he hits the 70-car benchmark allegedly set by his daddy. But beyond the waste, misuse of resources and frustration caused to thousands of people everyday, how many people is one politician prepared to put in the line of fire to protect his own skin? How many decoys and human shields are expendable? Because as history has taught us, here in Pakistan, you rarely stop a suicide or terrorist attack, but simply hope to minimise the damage.
    Watch video footage of a VIP convoy in Pakistan from ChaltaTV.com:
    ]]>     5757 0 0 0     This Month in Tweets http://candle-thread.com/newsline/this-month-in-tweets/ Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:59:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5814 Newsline re-cap the burning issues and provide you with a sense of the Pakistani zeitgeist of November 2011 via 10 tweets culled from the twitosphere. november-2011-in-tweets]]> 5814 0 0 0 A Timeline to the Memogate Scandal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-timeline-to-the-memogate-scandal/ Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:34:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5856 It’s a bizarre and incredible scandal that is unlikely to fizzle anytime soon. In true Pakistani fashion, Memogate pits the ‘un-reinable’ Pakistani military machine against the nation’s civilian government, brings in the element of US meddling, re-ignites discussion about ISI-Taliban links, unleashes allegations of sedition by a diplomat and suggests that a weak civilian leadership, including the president, would do anything to save its hide. So far, the PPP government has promised an inquiry, and today the Supreme Court has promised to consider a petition submitted by the PML-N seeking a judicial probe into the matter. Below is a timeline of events for the scandal that has forced former Pakistan Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani to resign over charges that he dictated a secret memo to businessman Mansoor Ijaz that was to be delivered through private channels to US officials, seeking foreign intervention in Pakistani domestic affairs.

    Memogate Timeline

    May 2: Under the cover of darkness, US Navy Seals invade Pakistani territory, raid a private home in Abbottabad and kill Osama bin Laden without any response from the Pakistani military. May 10: A secret memo is allegedly delivered to US Admiral Mike Mullen through unofficial channels requesting US intervention in Pakistan in case of a military coup in exchange for a revamp of the civilian government that would replace national security officials and would eliminate Section S of the ISI, a special intelligence unit with ties to the Taliban. October 10: The Financial Times publishes an Op-Ed by US businessman Mansoor Ijaz in which he explains the motive of the memo in which he was allegedly asked to deliver: “The embarrassment of bin Laden being found on Pakistani soil had humiliated Mr Zardari’s weak civilian government to such an extent that the president feared a military takeover was imminent.” October 22: Lt General Shuja Pasha, director general of the ISI, flies to London to meet Mr Ijaz. November 9: Farahnaz Ispahani, media spokesperson for President Asif Zardari and wife of then Ambassador Husain Haqqani tweets, “The end result: a population raised on a diet of conspiracy. The wild claims of Mansoor Ijaz.” November 16: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, General Kayani and President Zardari meet at the Presidency in Islamabad to discuss the secret memo controversy. November 17: Mansoor Ijaz confirms to Dawn that Ambassador Haqqani “was indeed the senior Pakistani diplomat who asked me to assist him in privately delivering his message to Admiral Mullen.” November 19: Haqqani is asked to return to Islamabad November 19: A statement by Prime Minister Gilani’s office states that Haqqani has been asked to resign. November 21: The Pentagon confirms that former US National Secretary Adviser James Jones passed the memo to Adm. Mullen but the admiral “did not find the contents credible at all.” November 21: Farahnaz Ispahani speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, saying Mansoor Ijaz “is a foreign national who is blaming us and attacking Pakistan’s democracy.” She also states, “When the president and prime minister guide us to take a legal option, we will do so.” November 22: Haqqani resigns. November 23: Sherry Rehman is appointed as Pakistan’s new ambassador to the US. November 25: In a response to a tweet about a face-to-face meeting with Mansoor Ijaz in London, Husain Haqqani tweets, "Untrue, as there never was a meeting. Even he has never claimed it." November 25: Husain Haqqani responds to criticism on Twitter by tweeting, “Shouldn't it first be proved that I had anything to do with it, beyond 1 man's statements & media hype?” November 25: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar tells the BBC that suggestions that President Zardari is linked to the memo are “ridiculous” and an inquiry at “the highest level” will satisfy all parties and critics. November 28: The Supreme Court admits a petition authored by the PML-N that seeks a probe into the secret memo scandal.
    ]]>     5856 0 0 0     After 26 Years, No Justice: Still Waiting For Anderson http://candle-thread.com/newsline/after-26-years-no-justice-still-waiting-for-anderson/ Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:10:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5911 union-carbide-protest-indiaBy M. Reyaz While allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation​ (CBI) to once again seek the extradition of former Union Carbide chairman Warren Anderson in connection with the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, a Delhi Court observed in March this year, "The chronology of steps taken by the CBI from 1992 till July 2010 in the case reveals that the CBI was not sleeping over the matter and was conscious about its duties to bring Warren Anderson to book." Facts, however, tell a different story. Documents available with Hardnews reveal that the CBI and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) allowed the first extradition attempt to be delayed by bureaucratic hurdles, at least from 1992 to 1994. Correspondence between MEA and CBI from the period clearly shows that in those two years the documents could not be put in order for 'further proceedings'.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     5911 0 0 0     Ending Violence Against Women: 16 Days of Activism http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ending-violence-against-women-16-days-of-activism/ Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:30:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5930 The global campaign is on: The goal is to make the #16days hashtag a trending topic on Twitter to reach the widest audience possible and raise awareness about gender-based violence. November 25 marked the beginning of the 16 days of activism to end Violence Against Women (VAW). Yesterday, The Inter Press Service’s Gender Wire hosted a Tweetathon in collaboration with multiple civil society organisations to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV). Here’s what they wrote:
    “We will be tweeting throughout the day on Friday with an intensive campaign starting at 1400 GMT and continuing for several hours afterward. With your help, we hope to make the #16days hashtag a trending topic on Twitter to reach the widest audience possible and raise awareness about GBV and VAW. At the very least, we hope to spark meaningful discussions about these issues across borders and timezones, from Pakistan to Iceland and Nigeria to Uruguay.”
    Up until December 10, which marks the end of the 16 days of activism, on Human Rights Day, hashtags #16days and #VAW will be used when sending out twitter messages. 'Take Back the Tech – Take Control of ICTS to End Violence Against Women,' a global campaign, has been coming up with lists of daily actions to be carried out during these 16 days each year. Every day, a daily action is announced. For example, today, Day 2’s daily action is: "Violence is not our culture. Change it." The Take Back the Tech website reads: “Each daily action explores an issue of violence against women and its interconnection with communication rights, and approaches different communication platforms — online and off — in creative and tactical ways.” To find out more, visit their website. In Pakistan, the White Ribbon Campaign: Men Working to End Violence Against Women, has launched a “one-million signature campaign." It reads:
    I PLEDGE Never to Commit, Never to Excuse and Never to Remain Silent about Violence against Women.
    To sign the White Ribbon Campaign Pakistan’s pledge, click here. Uks, a research, resource and publication centre on women in media in Pakistan, is running radio programmes on issues pertaining to women over the course of the campaign on their website. Have a look here. Over the course of the remaining days, numerous organisations will be holding on-the-ground events as well making content available online. Look out for it.]]>     5930 0 0 0     Memogate Knocks Haqqani Out and Puts Rehman In http://candle-thread.com/newsline/memogate-knocks-haqqani-out-and-puts-rehman-in/ Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:13:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5973 In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Sherry Rehman was appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States. Ms Rehman replaces Husain Haqqani, who resigned after the "Memogate" scandal continued to grab headlines, embarrass the governing PPP and set off opposition leaders who have been screaming treason while calling for a Supreme Court inquiry. The Memogate scandal alleges that Mr Haqqani dictated an unsigned secret memo and passed it along through unofficial channels to the US government, asking for foreign intervention in Pakistan in case of a military takeover in Islamabad in the wake of the May 2 assassination of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. Talking to news reporters, Ms Rehman applauded Mr Haqqani for stepping down with grace and doing the right thing for himself and the government. And though it is rumoured that the lawmaker had long coveted a post in the foreign service, this current posting is arguably far from the job she envisioned: it is a tough job at an even tougher juncture in Pak-US relations. There are few people who would be jumping at the chance to sit in Washington and represent Pakistan at this point in Pakistan's history, especially when bilateral relations are so strained and mutual distrust is soaring high.
    Travel back with Newsline and rediscover a few of our past interviews with Sherry Rehman, as well as an article authored by her, to get a sense of the personality and convictions of the woman who is now Pakistan's top envoy to the US. From December 2010: Maheen Bashir Adamjee talks to Sherry Rehman about her proposed series of amendments to Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Read more. From March 2010: Newsline speaks with Sherry Rehman about gender equality in Pakistan. Read the full interview. From March 2005: Sherry Rehman talks about the fortunes of women in Pakistan and the role of women parliamentarians in building a fairer and safer environment for women in the country. Click here for more. From March 2004: "Women in the House" Sherry Rehman writes about her first year as a lawmaker and the impossible battles she fought when it came time to initiate women's legislation in parliament. She asks: "Why have women parliamentarians not been able to deliver on any of the promises that they made to themselves and others when they got sworn in as public representatives?" Read more here.
    ]]>     5973 0 0 0     On Husain Haqqani http://candle-thread.com/newsline/on-husain-haqqani/ Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:45:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6001 Tuesday night and Wednesday morning were dominated by the rumoured-for-a-few-days-and-now-finally-real resignation of Ambassador Husain Haqqani. After a few hours of sympathetic noises by me and others, a Pakistani-American expatriate observed that few others were fans of his. Here's what I said in reply:
    "He proved himself to be an intelligent and hardworking civil servant working to do the job he was given: to serve the interests of Pakistan in the US, and to serve us as Pakistani expats as our government's representative. Even the PPP/Zardari-allergic (and I say that with all due respect for his point of view, and share some of his critiques) Awab Alvi (Pakistan's most prominent blogger) gives him that. At another level, any middle-class intellectual and activist that stays engaged with the Pakistani system (unlike you and I, who have voted with our feet and, frankly, taken the easy way out) and tries to make a difference has my respect; and I openly say that about HH, Shaikh Rasheed, and many more. (Read a Newsline blog post on this at "Should I Stay or Should I Go.") Now politics and other shenanigans we can discuss."
    And let's. From what I have seen of the man and the professional, I doubt Mr Haqqani would participate in an amateur effort such as what Memogate is reputed to be. But maybe that is just plausible deniability. But even if we are to accept at face value the allegations made, just like the operative item in Zulfiqar Mirza's accusations against the MQM, it seems what was supposedly going on was requesting help from a global hegemon in reining in the unhealthy parts of our own body politic. The only thing I can fault in that is the stupidity of thinking global powers would do that if it was not at that moment in their own establishment's interests. Having said that, what gets lost in the personality and the he-said-she-said is that this is apparently, I am tempted to say obviously, again a "PsyOp" by Pakistan's security establishment to neutralize a challenge to their own hegemony. And that can't be said enough — especially given that it is almost completely missing from the mainstream chattering, on the media and out.
    Vote in our poll: [poll id="21"]
    ]]>     6001 0 0 0     How Germany Covers Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/how-germany-covers-pakistan/ Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:39:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6148 The western world seems to be redrawing the shape of the Middle East, and Pakistan is a part of it. Sadly, this geo-political redefinition has nothing to do with geography. In America, where I lived earlier, it was easy to term the lot of them ignorant idiots that needed to open an atlas. I now live in Berlin and was once asked by the online editor of a national daily to write about the Islamisation of the Pakistani media. First thought: boring. Second, I can’t do it from Berlin. She later sent me an email welcoming my future pitches from “the region/the Arab world.” This year I interned at a Berlin-based, national daily for six months. The newspaper has a large circulation in Germany and is part of a huge, right-wing media conglomerate. Expecting a thorough reporting culture, I was shocked at this newspaper’s often nonchalant attitude to editorialising and armchair reporting. Our Asia correspondent, based in Singapore, covered it all: Burma to Pakistan. Conversely, we had reporters in most major European cities. Much of the reporting, even from these European locations, is done at the desk by speaking to experts on the phone but, at least, they are there. Unless reporters are actually sent out into the field in Pakistan and until editors who know the region inside out challenge them, the problem of under-nuanced, incomplete and sometimes even factually incorrect journalism cannot be solved. Many of the editors at the newspaper have visited Pakistan, some for a couple weeks a couple years ago and possibly on a conference organised by a foundation. And it is from this view, I believe, that editorials and analyses are written. Much of what is written is about extremism. While they understand that there are “people like me” in Pakistan, the whole idea is slightly problematic. The idea is to dialogue with the standard “westernised” Pakistani like me, but it comes across as Eurocentric, selfish, and creating an “us and them” difference. So, extremism and Islam aren’t looked at with as much nuance as is needed. But for a country that has very little stake in Pakistan, there seems to be some effort to increase knowledge about it. My ex-editor once mentioned how he was contemplating an op-ed on how the Kashmir conflict had its influence on the current state of our North. I don’t know how that would have turned out, but I certainly appreciated the breadth of thought. What really hit home while working there was the power of media and the danger of irresponsible reporting and writing. Most Germans seem to know Pakistan and India were the same country and had been colonised by the British. In America, it would take a PhD in South Asian studies to be able to get that fact straight. Okay, I am exaggerating. But jokes aside, at an unconscious level, despite knowing the history of the country, the average German too tends to think of Pakistan as part of the Af-Pak region. When I mention growing up with Bollywood, wearing saris or eating Indian food, there needs to be a certain mental realignment before the information can be duly processed. That has to do with how the media covers it. Hardly ever is anything reported on Pakistan unless there is an Islamist, Taliban, or Al-Qaeda angle. And, more recently, Hina Rabbani Khar. Much of what is reported is close to the Afghan border. News such as the violence in Karachi is reported to me by my personal Karachi correspondent, a woman I call mum, because international media seriously underreports it. I wrote an opinion piece about my experience working at Newsline where women ran the show as opposed to the German publication at which I interned, which was managed mostly by men. It was happily published, but later, the editor-in-chief took issue with the piece, saying it was written by the “privileged woman” from a country of largely suppressed women. While I got mail from many women in the country who had experienced similar sexism, again many were sceptical, and I was often asked whether what I described was really the case in Pakistan. I think with reporters like Omar Warraich, Saeed Shah and Declan Walsh, reporting for high-profile western news media such as Time, The Economist and The Guardian, the quality of reporting from the region has taken a serious upward turn. While flipping through The Economist recently, I was particularly heartened by a piece called “Lights Out.” The lede to the story read, “Although Pakistan makes international news for terrorist attacks, anti-American demonstrations and its alleged support for insurgents in Afghanistan, it is the basic inability to switch on a light that is pushing this volatile country closer to the edge.” Exactly my point. I think stories like these that attempt to talk about the country’s other (and also grave) problems need to be reported. The solution is that editors need to be receptive to pitches like that and reporters need to be reporting what they see in the country rather than what they think the western world wants to see.]]> 6148 0 0 0 India and Bangladesh Work Together to Save the Tiger http://candle-thread.com/newsline/india-and-bangladesh-work-together-to-save-the-tiger/ Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:02:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6172

    By Akash Bisht

    The recent visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh – the first official visit by an Indian prime minister in 12 years – turned out to be a hollow affair after the two countries failed to reach a consensus on the crucial Teesta water sharing pact. It was the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's decision not to attend the crucial meet that eventually led to the Teesta debacle, despite the best efforts of the central government. However, one positive outcome was the decision to cooperate bilaterally for strengthening tiger conservation in the Sunderbans region. India and Bangladesh are among the 14 tiger range countries in the world, and with a considerable portion of the Sunderbans in Bangladeshi territory, this cooperation pledge by the two countries to save the tiger and this unique ecosystem has given a glimmer of hope to wildlife conservationists across the world. An excellent tiger habitat, the Sunderbans is the largest single forest unit in the world for the Royal Bengal Tigers. "Sunderbans is a unique ecosystem and what set it apart are the mangrove forests that dominate the landscape. The only tiger habitat with mangrove forests, it may soon be listed as one of the seven natural wonders of the world," says SP Yadav, Deputy Inspector General, National Tiger Conservation Authority​. The 'yet-to-be-signed bilateral agreement' mentions that the two countries have a common concern in the future conservation of the Sunderbans and accordingly wish to take certain bilateral initiatives for ensuring the survival and preservation of the tiger in this unique ecosystem.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     6172 0 0 0     Is the Anna Hazare Camp in Free Fall? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/6177-2/ Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:05:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6177 000_Del498171By Amit Sengupta It’s a free fall. And despite the allegations of financial corruption, open infighting and ideological disarray, Team Anna claims it is sticking it out. Addicted to TV grandstanding, they once again did a press conference on October 29 in Delhi, claiming "united we stand." There was nothing bombastic in the press meet, unlike their usual, belligerent media posturing. After the unsavoury events in recent times, stalking their ethical and political conduct, they have been rather circumspect. Gone are the muscle pumping, the chest thumping, and the usual warnings – like Arvind Kejriwal threatening to bring crowds “10 times” bigger than what the nation witnessed in August. Indeed, instead of self-criticism, this was Kejriwal’s response in defence of Kiran Bedi​’s financial conduct in repeatedly fudging huge air fare bills. While Anna Hazare has safely extended his ‘maun vrat’, what his critics dub as the ‘silence of opportunism’ in the face of difficult (often incomprehensible) questions, the split in the faction-ridden Hazare camp is wide open. Medha Patkar​ and Justice Santosh Hegde did not attend the meeting on October 29. Hegde has openly opposed the ‘Hisar line’; no one was consulted, he said. The ‘Hisar line’ was a give-away. It proved the totally authoritarian and unethical conduct of the Kejriwal coterie. “How can you oppose Congress and help two discredited and corrupt multi-millionaire candidates with a history of corruption?” asks an old associate.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     6177 0 0 0     So Tell Me, Who is Collapsing? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/so-tell-me-who-is-collapsing/ Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:03:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6374 hazare-rss-hardnews-2011By Badri Raina The campaign mounted by forces, homegrown and foreign, to discredit, damage and oust the UPA government at the centre in India has worked essentially along two planks: one, that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, not being his own man, has been prevented from carrying India into the next generation of “reforms” by Sonia Gandhi and her socialistic civil society spoilers;  and, two, that, not doing so, it must be declared that this has been the most corrupt Indian government post-independence. This essentially corporate agenda, buttressed by right-wing Hindutva organisations, has received thumping support from India’s corporate electronic TV channels day in and day out, to a point where the hypocritical upholders of the freedom of speech have tended to stifle, hound, and heckle dissenting voices on a plethora of debates mounted speciously by the said channels. The least thing attempted to be said on behalf of a malnourished, jobless, houseless, drinking-water-less, sanitation-less, health-care-less, redress-less India (some seven out of ten Indians if you like) has been sniggered at and dubbed a liberal-bleeding-heart conspiracy to keep the aspiring nation in the backwaters, tantalizingly out of reach of its superpowerly destiny.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     6374 0 0 0     Pakistani Activists Discuss Flood Relief in Sindh http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistani-activists-discuss-flood-relief-in-sindh/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:57:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6412 The world heard about the floods that affected more than 20.2 million people in Pakistan last year. And the world responded. But in 2011, the heavy monsoon rains that caused massive flooding again in parts of Punjab, Balochistan and, most notably, Sindh have been given only minimal attention by the media and the international community. Various reasons have been tossed about trying to explain this reaction (donor fatigue, scepticism about how donations are handled, government austerity measures elsewhere), but all that speculation matters little to the 8.9 million people in Sindh who have been affected. Newsline decided to shed more light on the plight of those in flood-affected areas by getting some activists together to talk about the current situation, how it compares to 2010 and what work still needs to be done. So on October 19, in conjunction with TeaBreak.pk, Newsline organised a live online discussion on the Sindh Floods 2011. Moderated by well-known blogger and social activist Sana Saleem, the chat involved people who have worked in flood relief and rehabilitation in Pakistan in 2010 and 2011. The panellists were Dr Faraz Chaudry, Usama Khilji and Afia Salam. Another discussion held offline with Dr Awab Alvi and Karim Jindani was recorded and can be heard here via a podcast. (Short biographies on all the guests can be read here). You can get an instant replay of the full online chat below.

    The Chat Room: Session 1. Online discussion covering the 2011 floods affecting Sindh, Pakistan

    ]]>     6412 0 0 0     Assessing the Damage of the Sindh Floods http://candle-thread.com/newsline/assessing-the-damage-of-the-sindh-floods/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:01:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6417 It has been easy to lose track of what is going on in parts of Sindh after this year’s monsoon season. Media attention has not been consistent, and there has been so much else happening in Pakistan, and internationally, that commands attention. But as of October 26, 2011, the situation on the ground continues to be horrible for the 8.9 million people affected across the province. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has tried to remind the world that it is the last thing a hobbled nation like Pakistan needed:
    “The latest floods arrived as millions of Pakistanis were rebuilding their livelihoods following last year’s monsoon floods, which were the worst in Pakistan’s history, having affected over 20 million people and damaged/destroyed 1.7 million homes.”
    When over 70% of the population works in the agricultural sector, floods that wipe out crops and cattle also wipe out lives, even if they do not do so immediately. “Millions of Pakistanis have lost their productive assets and livelihoods, especially farmers who have lost their current and future sources of food and income,” writes the FAO. “For many communities, the recent crisis has compounded losses from last year’s floods, which receded too late in many areas of Sindh to allow for planting of the rabi (spring) wheat crop. Damage to irrigation is also a major concern as around 80% of wheat planted in Sindh is irrigated.” Below is a short summary of the human and economic losses in Sindh due to the rain floods, as of October 26. As you can see, only 289,243 people have been directly assisted through relief camps. That’s right. Less than 300,000 people out of nearly 9 million affected: about 3%. Without homes and livelihoods, in the midst of disease, such as diarrhoea, malaria, eye infections and various skin diseases, much more help is clearly needed. Please locate and contact a local charity or international NGO that you trust, and find out how you can help.

    Summary of Losses Due to Floods in Sindh in 2011

    Total dead: 462 Number of villages affected: 34,477 Total number of people affected: 8,978,665 People in relief camps: 289,243 Crop area damaged: 2,166,623 acres Perished heads of cattle: 116,151 Damaged houses: 1,452,395 Source: http://ndma.gov.pk
    Related articles:
    ]]>     6417 0 0 0     Best Of Channel Surfing 2011: Pakistan's Top Serials and Sitcoms http://candle-thread.com/newsline/best-of-channel-surfing-2011-pakistans-top-serials-and-sitcoms/ Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:46:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4822 MasterChef or reruns of American sitcoms on StarTV. The past two years have been definitive in providing melodramatic entertainment in Urdu, and Pakistanis have gone beyond Bollywood for their required dose of melodrama. The Pakistani media featured strongly in my television viewing experience in 2011 – it is a fact that the revival of the Pakistani drama serial is well and truly happening.  I followed a few serials – with a sitcom or two thrown in – on several TV channels. At the end of the year, in newspapers and magazines everywhere, several Best Of lists appear to round up the year's offerings. A Best Of list may not be a definitive barometer of excellence but it does assist in outlining favourites. While we have channel-surfed every month to provide our readers a list of must-watches, here is our end-of-the year shortlist of the best television serials and sitcoms on Pakistani television in 2011. web-design-development-Candid-Sourcing (Hum TV) – continuing Directed by the talented Sarmad Khoosat, this is the most highly-rated TV serial in Pakistan at the end of 2011. Humsafar's popularity ratings are soaring, and actors Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan are the new darlings of TV drama fans, and have the best on-screen chemistry on television today. Newcomer, Naveen Waqar, also deserves mention for her strong role as the villainous interloper. Viewers are now waiting to find out how far the drama tagline – "How fragile is the bond of love?" – affects the relationship of Khirad and Ashar. Ek-Nazar-Meri-Taraf2-150x150Ek Nazar Meri Taraf (Geo Television) – continuing Brave themes make for engaging viewing and seasoned actors succeed in strong roles in a story about marriage, fidelity and loss. Nauman Ejaz as Qurban, the Sindhi landlord-turned-banker brings weight to an oft-repeated stereotype; he makes moves on his colleague's wife, Rubab (Mahnoor Baloch), who is unfaithful to an adoring husband (Babar Ali), as well as to her best friend, Qurban's wife (Nimra Bucha). Alongside, the tragedy of a young widow (Alishba Yusuf) intersects the serial to provide a social message, that widowhood is not a slur, and nor should a widow be thrown into isolation, as is done in the serial by the small-minded mother-in-law adequately played by Shamim Hilaly. The serial is currently caught in a miasma of breaking marriages and scarred relationships. 264717_107847669308499_104152569678009_71529_5792858_n-150x150Takay Ki Aaey Gi Baraat (Geo Television) – concluded A sequel to the popular Dolly Ki Aaey Gi Baraat, the drama's rough humour may cause a few cringe-worthy moments, but its hilarious characters and caricatures are a scream, and viewers have thoroughly enjoyed the cheeky dialogue and crazy antics of its star cast. Bushra Ansari as Saima Chaudhry, the fashion designer from Faislabad, is a befitting representation of the nouveau riche from deepest Punjab, and Ali Safina as Taka a.k.a Mushtaq is an excellent Punjabi dhugga. The directors kept up the hilarious pace via good dialogue and plot-line.   maaye-ni1-150x150Maayi Ni (ARY Digital) – continuing After the success of Meri Zaat Zara- e-Benishan, Samiya Mumtaz returns to stir up emotions in a tear-jerker of a role directed by young gun Babar Javed of Meri Zaat fame. Samiya is, once again, a woman hard-done-by-fate, a role she seems to have perfected down pat. The serial's theme, about the purity and unselfishness of a mother's love makes for melodramatic viewing, and Fahd Mustufa as her adult son, Huzaifa, behaves extravagantly to stir up past ghosts and upset his emotionally-starved mother. A suspension of disbelief is required in much of the viewing, but then, that's what melodrama is all about. hpg2710_daddy-150x150Daddy (ARY Digital) – concluded This serial did not get as much press coverage as it should have. Directed by Misbah Khalid on location in Islamabad, it tackled an unusual theme in the Pakistani serial repertoire – a father who takes care of his home and family, while his wife pursues her higher education abroad. Sajid Hassan and Samiya Mumtaz were a great onscreen match as married couple Jahanzeb and Anya, and the supporting child/youth stars in the roles of their children succeeded in making a realistic onscreen family.  Khayyam Sarhadi was cast as Sajid Hasan's father – his last TV serial role. He died before the last episode was aired.   bulbulay-sitcom-cropped2-150x150Bulbulay (ARY Digital) – continuing This comedy of errors – which has arrived at a very successful formula for comic relief – gained further popularity in 2011. The cast of just four people – slapstick queen Hina Dilpazir as absent-minded Momo, Nabeel as himself, Ayesha Omar Khan as Khubsurat and Mehmood Aslam as Mehmood sahib – are comedy central, and even though many people may wince at the cheap jokes they crack and their rather bizarre behaviour, writer Ali Imran has succeeded in creating formulaic dialogue for each character which definitely sells! Here's to more crazy episodes of this slapstick sitcom. jal-pari-150x150Jal Pari (Geo Television) – continuing A story that breaks with tradition, Jal Pari is penned by playwright Sarmad Sehbai, portrayed on the mini-screen in feature film style by director Sarmad Khoosat, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's melodious song adds to the overall romantic feel. Neelam Munir is Shaista, a girl who wants to escape her lower-middle class roots and her family's ill luck, by hook or by crook. She hankers after a better life, and uses all those who cross her path to move ahead, including her university professor who trains her in etiquette and English diction. While her sister suffers the fate of a second wife to a rough and tough street merchant, Shaista moves into a corporate world where flirtations with her rich boss become a norm. With a star cast including Adnan Siddiqui, Nauman Ejaz, Mahjabeen, Adnan Tipu and Hina Bayat, Jal Pari is the definitive story of the pitfalls of ambition.   sanjha-150x150Sanjha. The Sunset (HUM TV) – continuing The beauty of this new serial lies in its inclusion of original locales and socially relevant themes reminiscent of Indian art house cinema. Also, actress Suhaee Abro is perfectly cast as a young village girl from Sindh, who arrives in the big city under a misconception. Directed by Farooq Rind, with a soulful soundtrack sung by Sanam Marvi, this serial projects an overriding theme of the ills of prostitution and an underworld of human trafficking deploying innocents to Pakistan's large cities, and the debasement they have to suffer. It also stars film actress Resham, former model Seemi Pasha and veteran actor Nauman Ejaz.

    ]]>     4822 0 0 0     Social Media, Politics and Democracy http://candle-thread.com/newsline/social-media-politics-and-democracy/ Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:42:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4921 Newsline brings you a selection of articles and blog posts published on social media and its impact on politics and democracy. Going the New Media Way... Follow the Leader: Politicians Take On Social Media (December 24, 2011) This Month in Tweets (November 30, 2011) The Guy who Liveblogged the Osama Raid Without Knowing It (May 2, 2011) Ten Great Tweets after Mubarak’s Non-resignation Speech (February 2011) The New Media Revolution (January 31, 2011) Pakistani Writers and Bloggers React to Salmaan Taseer’s Death (January 5, 2011) The PTI and Social Media Twitosphere on the Karachi Jalsa  (26 December 2011) Connecting the Youth: Young Pakistanis Flock to Imran Khan (29 November 2011) To Ban or Not to Ban... Facebook Ban Dismissed for Now (May 14, 2011) LHC to Consider Permanent Ban on Facebook (May 8, 2011) Another Major Round of Censorship and Blocked Websites in Store? (January 14, 2011) It’s not about Facebook… it’s about facing the world (June 30, 2010) Who’s Afraid of Citizens’ Media? (June 29, 2010) Pakistani Citizens Demand their Right to Speak without “Fear of Threats” (May 31, 2010) Critics of Facebook Ban Face Nasty Battle (May 21, 2010) After Facebook and YouTube, Will Pakistan Block Everything? (May 21, 2010) Opening up a Pandora's Box: WikiLeaks WikiLeaks: The Truth and Learning from our Mistakes (16 June 2011) WikiLeaks Awards: And the Winner is… (31 January 2011) Home Truths: Wikileaks and Pakistan (14 January 2011) Julian Assange Voted Man of the Year in Poll (25 December 2010) Video: Interview with Julian Assange by AJE (24 December 2010) Taking Activism Online Ending Violence Against Women: 16 Days of Activism (November 26, 2011) The New Face of Activism in the Information Age (December 9, 2010) The Facebook Revolution (August 17, 2009)]]> 4921 0 0 0 Photo Gallery: PFDC Makes Fashion Statement in Lahore http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-pfdc-makes-fashion-statement-in-lahore/ Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:07:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4940 Newsline has narrowed down some of the best of what the designers had to offer.]]> 4940 0 0 0 The Opportunism of Team Anna http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-opportunism-of-team-anna/ Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:00:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5024

    By Amit Sengupta

    When small timers with shallow visions and transparent political opportunism, turn megalomaniacs, and the TV channels love it, the entire country has to suffer their bouts of hysterical, low brow, morbid melodrama. This is because, as many observers believe, beyond the belligerent, dogmatic and arrogant posturing, the one-dimensional agenda is fascist and negative, driven by sinister political forces working on a Rightwing Hindutva putsch; propelled by corporate, World Bank​ and Ford Foundation lobbies to delegitimise radical struggles and legitimise the NGOisation of Indian politics in the name of good governance.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     5024 0 0 0     The Chat Room: Social Media and Democracy http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-chat-room-social-media-and-democracy/ Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:11:17 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5031 As part of the ongoing partnership between Newsline and Teabreak.pk, our two media companies are combining resources to bring new forms of discourse and analysis to news-hungry audiences. We are all set to launch the second session in our series of live discussions titled "The Chat Room." Session 2 is all about the role and impact of social media on democracy in Pakistan. We have all seen how social media was used during the uprisings in the Arab world in 2011, and closer to home we have seen the PTI use social media extremely well to reach out to potential young voters. But can social media transform democracy in Pakistan? Join us Friday at 8pm as we examine how social media is affecting democracy in Pakistan. Is it a game changer, or will its real impact actually be much smaller here than many commentators (and young social media users) would have us believe? As moderator, blogger and activist Sana Saleem will get our esteemed panellists to answer the following questions:
    • How has social media affected the dynamics of politics and political campaigning in Pakistan in recent years?
    • Can social media change power structures?
    • Can social media break down divides, or is it still a elitist platform?
    • Can information communication technologies be used for transparency in governance and transparency during policy making?

    The Ch@t Room

    Session 2: You can participate in this discussion by asking questions to our panellists and by answering polls. View a list of our panellists and read their bios below. The live chat is scheduled to start at 8pm, Friday, December 30, 2011. Join in here for the discussion on Social Media and Democracy: Friday, December 30, 2011, at 8pm PST.
    Get updates and more event details by connecting with us via Twitter: @NewslineMag @teabreakdotpk
    Panellist Bios for Session 2: Social Media and Democracy Amir Zia Amir Zia has worked for some of the leading national and international media organizations in a career spanning more than 20 years. He writes mainly on the Pakistan economy, politics and extremism. Currently, Zia is associated with one of Pakistan's leading English-language newspapers, The News, as Group Business Editor. Before joining The News in March 2010, he served as Director News & Current Affairs of Urdu-language private news channel SAMAA. He has also worked for The Associated Press of America, Reuters and Newsline. He has also been the Karachi correspondent of Gulf News. Zia has received two APNS Awards for best stories on economy and general news in 1997. He was elected secretary of the Karachi Press Club in mid-1990s. Born in Karachi, Zia got early education from Nasra Secondary School. He obtained a Masters' degree in English Literature from the University of Karachi in 1990. Imran Ghazali Imran Ghazali is a graduate of Ohio State University in Columbus. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in spring 2009. Imran started his political journey as an activist for the lawyers movement. He has been a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) since 2004. Imran works in the Web Management team of PTI and also leads the Social Media team of PTI. Jehan Ara Jehan Ara is the President of the Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES (P@SHA). She has been spearheading efforts at P@SHA for the past eight years during which time she was responsible for developing the P@SHA brand and for creating linkages between P@SHA and local and international partners. Jehan has 29 years experience in marketing, communications and interactive new media in Hong Kong, the Far East, the UAE and Pakistan. She is a motivator, an entrepreneur, a social activist and a strong propagator of  extending the power and use of Information and communication technologies beyond pure traditional business, to empower and enable communities. She is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences and at colleges and universities across Pakistan and the region. She also writes for various industry publications.]]>     5031 0 0 0     Photo Gallery: Remembering Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007) http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-remembering-benazir-bhutto-1953-2007/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:13:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5123 To commemorate the fourth death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Newsline went through its exclusive archives to create this photo gallery.

    The images provided on this page are owned by Newsline and should not be reproduced, sold, or manipulated in any fashion. If you wish to share these images please be sure a link is provided back to this site.
    In January 2008, Newsline published an issue dedicated to Benazir Bhutto and her tragic assassination. Here are some of the articles from that special issue:
    Here are more articles on Benazir Bhutto published in Newsline since her death:
    ]]>     5123 0 0 0     Twitosphere on the Karachi Jalsa http://candle-thread.com/newsline/twitosphere-on-the-karachi-jalsa/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:27:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5141

    People thought Imran Khan had done well for himself at PTI's Lahore jalsa earlier this year, in October, when more than 100,000 people showed up to support the former cricketer-turned-philanthropist-turned-politician. However, December 25 set a new record for PTI as approximately 500,000 travelled to the Mazar-i-Quaid to support the party. Newsline was live tweeting throughout the jalsa and we weren't the only ones. To get a sense of how various fans, critics, journalists and  PTI members felt about the event, we have put together a list of their tweets.

    ]]>     5141 0 0 0     Behind the Scenes Look at the Karachi Jalsa http://candle-thread.com/newsline/behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-karachi-jalsa/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:42:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5143 The PTI Karachi jalsa's turnout was impressive. Although the official count is not yet known, crowds seemed to exceed the number of people at the Lahore jalsa held earlier in October. Attendees at the Karachi jalsa later shared that the event was well organised and that there were no security concerns – a remarkable accomplishment considering Karachi’s reputation for unrest. However, whether we were there in person or watched from the comfort of our living rooms, few of us have any idea about what it takes to organise a jalsa. Newsline spoke to Arsalan Taj Ghumman, president of the Karachi division of the Insaf Student Federation (ISF), to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the jalsa preparations. On the Thursday before the historic event, Ghumman returned home far past midnight after receiving Imran Khan at the Karachi airport along with hordes of other supporters. But these late hours are not unusual for PTI student volunteers. Ghumman says, “There are many student volunteers who attend classes in the morning, join us at the PTI camps at noon and then at night help with other campaign activities that range from editing promotional videos to distributing stickers. There are days I go to bed at 8am and then wake up three hours later to get back to work.” When I expressed alarm at these long hours, Ghumman laughed it off. “There are volunteers who don’t go home for days.” The mobilisation campaign for the jalsa was multi-faceted. Apart from the various camps set up across the city to spread awareness about the party and the jalsa itself, the PTI sent formal invitations to approximately 60 politically-neutral organisations such as the Pakistan Youth Senate and the Pakistan Youth Forum. The student volunteers got special permission to campaign inside malls where they distributed pamphlets and stickers. They sold Imran Khan t-shirts at Sunday bazaar. And then there were the phone calls. Asking Ghumman about the automated Imran Khan phone calls made to unsuspecting Karachi residents in the days leading up to the jalsa, he shared that a similar tactic had been employed in Lahore in October. For the Lahore jalsa, a PTI supporter who worked in telecommunications came up with the idea of automated calls and took the initiative to get more people interested in the Lahore jalsa. Noting the success of this strategy, the PTI decided to make it a part of their campaign once again and more than 300,000 calls were made per day. Ghumman, emphasising the dedication of the volunteers, shared that they worked around the clock although they were not provided with food or accommodation. While it is encouraging to see young people galvanised and excited about politics, it does make one wonder if their efforts are being appreciated. When Imran Khan was making his speech at Mazar-i-Quaid, Ghumman was briefly caught on camera standing a few feet behind him. But his efforts, along with those of other volunteers, are generally overshadowed by the big names that are at the helm of the party. I asked Ghumman if he thinks the volunteers’ efforts are appreciated. “It is really encouraging when people come up to us and ask for stickers and posters for their families." He told me about a chaiwallah who promised free tea for as long as they were campaigning in exchange for an Imran Khan t-shirt. Then there was another incident when he and a few PTI members were at an upscale café in Zamzama and a patron, discovering their association with the party, paid their bill for them. “The public is very supportive and has given us a lot of respect,” he adds. Talking to Ghumman, one becomes aware of a different side to the party than one sees in the headlines. It is often easy to be sceptical of Imran Khan’s idealism or to criticise some of the party’s political stances. But seeing so many young people pin their hopes on the change their chairman promises, one deeply hopes that Imran Khan delivers in the end and that these volunteers’ efforts are not squandered away.]]> 5143 0 0 0 Imran Khan: Stumbling on the Political Pitch http://candle-thread.com/newsline/imran-khan-stumbling-on-the-political-pitch/ Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:49:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5148 The PTI’s Karachi jalsa shows that Imran Khan has some serious momentum. Every week, more big-name politicians are joining hands with him in an effort to make his growing party a serious political contender. National polls are still many moons away, but that has not, and likely will not, stop Khan and his PTI from storming forward with aggressive campaigning. But is there substance to Imran Khan’s platform? Or are his positions filled with inconsistencies? Commentator D Asghar believes Imran Khan is like a gifted conjurer whose fans are too enamoured by the spectacle he produces to even consider the smoke and mirrors that share the stage. Read his article below. pti-jalsa-karachi-dec2011After 15 long years, Imran Khan has finally come out of the commentary box, so to speak. He says he is finally ready for a real political innings. And now, what was otherwise an aging non-entity of a party called PTI has received a few botox shots via the dissidents of other parties. Imran Khan, the cricket hero and philanthropist, has become the darling of many TV talk shows as a politician with serious heft. Using this platform, he has been criticising the so-called status quo. In his line of fire have been the usual culprits, the PPP and PML-N. Both, according to him and his followers, have plundered the national wealth. To his followers, he is no less than a messiah in disguise who is ready to relieve Pakistan of its biggest menace: corruption. Khan’s PTI is the cleanest, and he can perform magic where all others have failed. In reality, though, his party seems to be the newly laundered version of the old PML-Q. His sudden rise can be attributed to the successful dharnas (sit-ins) in Peshawar and Karachi. The anti-American Khan is of the view that all the ills of Pakistan are due to the US invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan. His rallies displayed “Say No to Drones” banners, and his fiery speeches criticised the current regime and its allegiance to US policy. It is amazing given that these drones were flying in General Musharraf’s era as well, yet Mr Khan did not resort to any sit-ins or street action at that time. Even after his sit-ins, there were other drone attacks, but apparently sit-ins were more of a passing fad. Typically long-term strategic foreign policy is carried over from government to government, regardless of who is in the saddle. Imran Khan is fairly familiar with the region and knows that the incumbents are continuing the policy of their predecessor. Besides, being an astute political commentator, he is completely aware that, when it comes to foreign policy, the civilian government has to tread a fine line. And I’m sure it is rather obvious to him and the rest of the country who draws that line. By inheriting Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Khan has done an about-face on his anti-American rants. Needless to say, both these men were the once recent foreign ministers and share some blame for the policies that Khan has highlighted and tried to capitalise on. But like any other member of the opposition, Mr Khan loves to gain political mileage at the expense of the current regime. His mantra of “hope” and “change,” primarily borrowed from Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, seems to be a big ploy of hot air. His Minar-e-Pakistan rally in Lahore, which was touted as a political tsunami and “game changer,” may be nothing more than a hoax. What baffles many observers is the political jugglery of immense proportions. It seems as if Khan’s followers believe he is a Superman and will propel Pakistan forward, full throttle, with some application of his supernatural strength and speed. What they badly fail to realise is, that even if Mr Khan becomes the prime minister, it’s not him but the legislators who can ensure that real change occurs. The fact is, no matter what, in order to reach Islamabad, Imran Khan will have to wheel and deal with other political parties. More recently, he has taken any and everybody into the PTI’s “hall of fame.” He has finally come to terms with the fact that a campaign runs on “electable candidates,” whether those candidates may be feudal landlords or age-old bureaucrats, because in the end, his one-man show cannot garner enough seats to carry him to the finish line. Khan’s leanings towards the religious right are no hidden secret. Typically that segment does not carry much strength when it comes to real change or action of any worth. It turns out to be a hotchpotch of parties who come under the banner of religion and disintegrate rather quickly. In case he has any doubts about this, all he needs to do is revisit the history of the PNA, IJI and MMA. To bank on their support will be quite a futile exercise, even though his supporters are a cross of the ideologically confused pseudo-liberals and fundamentalists of the right. As they say, the devil is in the details. At this point in time, those details are still murky. How does he intend to throw away the so-called begging bowl? What magical macro- and micro-economic policies does he intend to introduce that will boost GDP, reduce unemployment, minimise inflation and increase foreign investment? Above all, how will he be able to eradicate the distasteful icing of corruption from this economic cake? And here is a grim reminder for Khan and his followers: they should be holding their criticism and disdain for some of the other political parties in the current arena. When and if his time comes, he will have to form a coalition with the same old time-tested faces. That’s a ground reality, and ignoring that would be nothing less than stupid. Remember, presumably he is running to be prime minister and not king. It’s going to be more of the same under a different name. Being “Kuptaan” in cricket is easier than playing the real game on the political pitch.    ]]> 5148 0 0 0 Photo Gallery: Imran Khan the Politician http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-imran-khan-the-politician/ Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:23:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5170  The Lahore jalsa on October 30 was a huge success for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. A crowd of nearly 100,000 gathered to hear Imran Khan and since then the party has enjoyed both growing momentum and growing membership (new members include Shah Mehmood Qureshi, formerly of PPP, and Javed Hashmi, formerly of PML-N). After years of being the underdog, PTI is now finally in the limelight. But on the eve of the Karachi jalsa, the question on everyone's minds is will Imran Khan once again stir crowds the way he did in Lahore? Will the people of Karachi greet PTI with open arms? One thing for certain though is that both PTI and Imran Khan have come a long way since 1996 when the party was first founded. For retrospection,  Newsline has assembled a photo gallery of Imran Khan from its exclusive archives along with recent quotes by him which reveal his thoughts on Pakistan's political landscape and the country's future.
    The images provided on this page are owned by Newsline and should not be reproduced, sold, or manipulated in any fashion. If you wish to share these images please be sure a link is provided back to this site.
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    ]]>     5170 0 0 0     Humsafar: A Cinderella Story http://candle-thread.com/newsline/humsafar-a-cinderella-story/ Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:28:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5375 "Humsafar. Do not disturb." This was a friend's Facebook status last Saturday evening, a few minutes before an episode of the serial aired at 8pm PST on Hum TV. Now, midway into the story, Humsafar fans are hooked to the television on Saturday evenings (or the re-run on Sunday morning), and with nearly 100,000 fans on Facebook, there is also a palpable buzz in the cyber world, pre- and post-airtime. It seems as if people have an insane amount of time obsessing about the story and the stars. A recent example of Humsafar madness: a cartoon posted on Facebook by The Desis.

    HumsafarReactions-300x293The question that dominates the show's ongoing episodes is: what makes Humsafar all the rage? Could it be any of the following:

    One of the hottest on-screen couples the mini-screen has seen in a while: Mahira Khan as Khirad and Fawad Afzal Khan as Ashar whose good looks succeed in appealing to the romantic in all of us.

    The stereotypes are engaging: Khirad is the ideal goody-two-shoes, simple, desi girl, in contrast to Sara, the manipulative, uber trendy modern female who is obsessed with Ashar, the Ivy-League graduate with a great job and all the perks of a silver-spoon upbringing.

    A Cinderella story always sells: It's a familiar tale of a poor-little-girl in a big, rich home; Mahira Khan as Khirad has the ideal waif persona.

    The tension feels all too real: Atiqa Odho as the evil mother-in-law contributes to the strain; a good job by Sarmad Khoosat who is proving to be a skilled director.

    It's not just melodrama: An admirable attempt to dramatise the emotional toll of rejection: both Khirad and Sara face Ashar's chilly disdain.

    It has an old-fashioned feel: Some of the characters are quite archetypal, similar to those in old Bollywood movies.

    The title track is catchy and deep: Singer Quratulain Baloch is excellent; her voice tugs at the heartstrings.

    Pakistani dramas versus Bollywood: This round goes to Pakistan.

    Humsafar has proved to be engaging viewing over an entire season. The serial has managed to maintain some tension and excitement, and the unpredictable twists in the plot continue to surprise.

    On that note, please don't disturb me at 8pm on Saturday evening – I'll be watching Humsafar.

    ]]>     5375 0 0 0     Photo Gallery: Lake Manyara and its Wildlife http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-lake-manyara-and-its-wildlife/ Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:01:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5386 Monkey business: Baboons roam in large packs across the Lake Manyara reserve. This one has bitten more than it can chew. Photo: Talib Qizilbash It is considered a good place to be introduced to the East African safari. Wildlife enthusiasts drive in and out again in just a couple of hours, following a circuit that hugs the water's edge. With lush jungle and grassy plains teeming with life, the conservation area is said to provide a taste of what the region has to offer. But in reality, the national park is more than an introduction, more than just a taste. Ernest Hemingway wrote about this northern Tanzanian ecosystem in the most favourable terms: "The loveliest I have seen in Africa," quotes one source. The macho American author loved Africa and became enamoured with big-game hunting after a visit to the region in 1933, when Tanzania was called Tanganyika. Today, big-game hunting is out and conservation is in across East Africa's national parks. And while Lake Manyara National Park is overshadowed by the surreal Ngorongoro Crater, the romantic Serengeti and the famous Maasai Mara in south-western Kenya, the wildlife reserve has the potential to unveil nature that remains hidden, or even nonexistent, elsewhere. Seeing a leopard in the wild in Tanzania is not easy. Big cats can be seen, for sure. Lions and cheetahs seem to be easier to find. But the leopard is a elusive, solitary creature. Well camouflaged in its preferred hiding spot, high up in shady trees, the leopard is most likely watching tourists from its perch unbeknownst to the binoculared visitors desperately looking to spot its spots. But on our first day of our African safari, our open-roofed jeep pulls up behind two other vehicles parked on the side of the dirt track. Cameras and binoculars have zoomed in on a leopard almost 100 metres away. It sits still on a thick branch of a twisting, ancient tree. Then it raises its head, and its thick tail, python-like in length, hangs and sways in the air. "It's rare to see one here," says our guide Stanley. "You are very lucky." (See the sidebar below on Africa's "Big Five."). Lake Manyara is known for its uncommon tree-climbing lions, its calm and regal tree-munching elephants, its over 400 species of birds, its huge hippos and its grey baboons that can be found moving around in large gypsy packs. Scores of baboons can be seen together at one time: large alpha males screech and chase rivals as groups of females surround younger members, both cute toddlers and sparsely haired infants who stay attached to their mothers' sides. Stuffing their mouths with the rich grub on the jungle floor, baboons have no problem sharing their space with the black-faced vervet monkey, the antelope who search for sustenance in the same areas, as well as with the jeeps of people who stop beside them and watch intently, with the naked eye or through a lens. Below are a few samples of what our lens captured at Lake Manyara.
    The Big Five When people talk about safaris in Africa, they inevitably talk about the "big five." At Lake Manyara National Park, the big five animals are all there. It's not easy to track each one of them down in the same afternoon, but if you have a bit of luck on your side, well, then never say never. Of course, there is much more than the big five. But what are the big five African animals? If you think the giraffe and hippo make the list, you would be wrong. Here's the official big five list:
    • Elephant
    • Rhinoceros
    • Lion
    • Leopard
    • Cape Buffalo
    ]]>     5386 0 0 0     The Curious Case of Kasur's Kursis http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-curious-case-of-kasurs-kursis/ Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:24:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5404 Imran Khan has made many promises to Pakistani voters. He has claimed that if the PTI wins the elections he will ensure that all politicians pay their taxes. He reassured Pakistanis that power (the kind that heaters and air-conditioners run on) would be increased using sustainable energy. He also said that once he has power (the kind that politicians run on), he would free Pakistan from the chains of subservience to America. But unfortunately, the Chairman was rather powerless when it came to protecting the chairs at his jalsa in Kasur on December 20th. Images of attendees fighting with each other as they ran away with nearly 25,000 chairs made instant headlines and Twitter was buzzing with jokes at the PTI’s expense. Here are just a few: @NadeemfParacha: As IK lashed against ‘looters’ in a rally, the attendants run away with the chairs. Black comedy at its best. @cpyala: Kasur rally shows the importance of proper pronunciation. See what happened when the emcee said "Three chairs for Imran Khan!?" @needroos:  I must say, #PTI does keep its promise. It unleashed a tsunami, and all the chairs were washed away. @Karachies: ATTENTION Free Chairs available December 25 – Mazar-e-Quaid Don’t forget to grab yours!! Contact #PTI #Karachi Imran Khan took this chair-stealing incident in stride and later remarked that in a country with extreme poverty and rising costs, it’s only a matter of time before chairs and tables are stolen right from people’s homes. While it is certainly tempting to make fun of the PTI, the sad truth is that this incident reflects the level of destitution in Pakistan and should serve as an embarrassment for all politicians – not just Imran Khan. The chair-looting incident was a low point but it is probably not going to do much harm to Imran Khan and the PTI’s rising popularity. However, with the Karachi jalsa just a few days away, the Pakistani public patiently awaits to see if the Chairman's campaign will lead to the PTI winning some seats or to losing even more chairs.

    ]]>     5404 0 0 0     Questioning the Army's Loyalties http://candle-thread.com/newsline/questioning-the-armys-loyalties/ Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:13:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5421 000_Hkg5613584Osama bin Laden’s elimination, which though still shrouded in mystery, the Pakistani security establishment looked bruised and battered. The outpouring of criticism from all sides left it with no option but to beat a retreat and watch on as allegations and demands for accountability piled on.  Never before had the military and its intelligence outfits suffered such public humiliation. But with the November 26 attack by US-NATO gunships on the Salala Border Post in Mohmand the military has got a chance to bounce back. While the dismissal of ambassador Husain Haqqani – via the Memogate scandal – provided the army a huge chance to recover from the May 2 indignation, the Mohmand attack has catapulted the military back into a position of dominance, perhaps also subordinating, for the time being, the proceedings of the Abbottabad Commission that is agonising to reach the truth through people who matter. The entire nation is justifiably outraged over the brazen US-NATO attack, and demands to review the relationship with the United States are echoing all around. Some mavericks – clearly out of synch with the intricacies of global geo-politics – even want to snap ties with Washington. But the primary question flowing from such demands revolves around Pakistan’s internal political dynamics and the pre-dominant intrusion of the armed forces in national politics. A second question that arises out of the military’s role relates to accountability. A majority of Pakistanis deal with this issue in a rather cursory way that is manifest in how the private media handled the Memogate issue: instead of critically looking at all possible aspects of this scandal, most tended to hold Haqqani responsible for the controversial memo that Mansoor Ijaz claimed to have authored under instructions from the former ambassador. Based on claims by Ijaz, all criticism of Haqqani narrowed down to the accountability of an ambassador. Legal experts even quoted various articles of the constitution to press for Haqqani’s trial – Article 6 states that any person who “attempts to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance... the Constitution by any unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.” 000_Par6218549 One of the proposals contained in the controversial memo suggests that the president of Pakistan would appoint White House-nominated ‘independent investigators’ to conduct an “independent inquiry into the allegations that Pakistan harboured and offered assistance to Osama bin Laden and other senior Al Qaeda operatives.” This falls under the purview of Article 42  since it is a violation of the president’s oath who swears to “bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan,” and undertakes to  “discharge duties and perform functions honestly and faithfully, in accordance with the constitution and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of Pakistan.” The president also undertakes not to “allow personal interests to influence official conduct or official decisions’’ and “preserve, protect and defend the constitution.” Viewed against the present concentration of attention in the media and otherwise, it looks as if these constitutional provisions apply only to civilians. This focus obviously obfuscates the issue of across-the-board accountability. For instance, one of the questions that the current crisis kicks up relates to those Pakistani coup-makers, who abrogated constitutions and violated their oath, removing elected governments.  Is it fair to demand accountability or trial for treason for the functionaries of the civilian government only? For example, under General Pervez Musharraf, for at least a couple of years, American soldiers would transit through Islamabad and Karachi International Airports without immigration procedures. This is not hearsay, but is based on an account given by senior government officials who were dealing with the American delegations at that time. The Marines on board C-130s would disembark the plane, go on board the vans waiting at the tarmac and speed off to their hotels in Islamabad, without even going close to the immigration counter. Wasn’t that a glaring contravention of the Pakistani constitution and its laws that General Musharraf willfully permitted, using his absolute power? The GHQ League was then equally complicit in Musharraf’s carte-blanche to the American army. The coup of October 1999 and the Kargil fiasco in the summer of the same year are two glaring examples of how the armed forces manage to contravene and circumvent the constitution. 000_131159547high-placed military officials, including coup-makers and their abettors? The principle of loyalty to Pakistan and the invocation of Article 6 must be applied across the board and not selectively. Whoever contravenes the constitution, or breaches his or her oath, must face the law. The Supreme Court, for example, has adamantly pressed for the implementation of its ruling on the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). What about the present army chief who, as the then chief of Pakistan’s ISI, was instrumental in crafting the NRO. The apex Court’s decision to admit Nawaz Sharif’s petition over the Memogate scandal also raises eyebrows for the simple reason that it continues to sit over Asghar Khan’s petition against the ISI’s role in successive elections, and its funding of anti-PPP alliances? When will the chief justice pull that case out of the cold storage to dispel the impression that Pakistan’s highest court also feels helpless vis-a`-vis the ISI?  While all Pakistanis must stand up to challenges against the country’s interests from varied sources, they must also press for the accountability of all those involved in running the state. The onus of such accountability does not rest on civilians alone, who often operate in an environment distorted by the armed forces’ predominance. This is not to exonerate civilians from their responsibilities but to underline the need for just and equitable accountability. Unless civilians can demonstrate integrity and real commitment to the state and its people, it will be very difficult for them to upstage an omni-present military establishment. Creating a balance between civil-military relations requires trust and uprightness on both sides, and in the absence of that, the military establishment will continue to enjoy its predominance over politics in the country.
    This article is part of a larger cover story on the internal dynamics of civilian and military power players and  originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Newsline under the headline "One Law To Rule Us All."
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    ]]>     5421 0 0 0     Right-wing FFA Proves that Extremists and Fear are Everywhere http://candle-thread.com/newsline/right-wing-ffa-proves-that-extremists-and-fear-are-everywhere/ Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:33:06 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5479 Lowe’s, Islamophobia and American Values all-american-muslim-showThe world’s second largest hardware chain, Lowe’s, proudly displays the slogan “Let’s Build Something Together” on its website. Founded in 1946, Lowe’s is ranked amongst the top 50 corporations in America. The company recently pulled its ads from an American reality television program, All-American Muslim, centred on the lives of five Muslim families in Dearborn, Michigan – the largest Muslim community in the United States. Lowe’s acted under pressure from rightist groups, most notable being the Florida Family Association (FFA). This group’s stated goal is to “defend, protect and promote traditional, biblical values.” In an email message sent to advertisers of the All-American Muslim show, the FFA said, “[This] is propaganda that riskily hides Islam’s true agenda which presents a clear danger to American liberties and traditional values.” Hate groups have exploited isolated events, promoted negative stereotypes and directed their malicious propaganda against various American groups at different points in history. Islam is the newest addition to the list that includes African-Americans, Catholics, Jewish-Americans, Japanese Americans and German Americans. Islamophobia is prevalent in the United States. Recent polls show that two in five Americans feel some prejudice towards Muslims. Muslim-Americans have been the victim of multiple hate crimes, have been subject to rigorous security checks and have been denied flights and forced off planes. Women wearing headscarves and men with beards have publicly been called “terrorists.” Protestors have shouted “go home” and “leave the USA” outside Muslim-American community centres, even though America is their home. Muslim-Americans have also been accused of being disloyal citizens. Even as Muslims across America voiced their relief on Osama’s death, the walls of Maine’s largest mosque were spray painted with the slogan “Osama Today, Islam Tomorrow” the night after he was killed. A few conservative groups have long propagated hatred against the Islamic faith. As such, FFA’s attack on Islam is not new and definitely not surprising. It is the ease with which Lowe’s caved in to the open bigotry that is. This is probably the first time that a company of this size has willingly chosen to discriminate against the Muslim-American community. America was founded on the ideals of equality and religious freedom. It is these very values that Lowe’s has ignorantly attacked. It is very relevant therefore that Congressman Christopher Murphy from Connecticut took the issue to Congress. He stated in his speech, “Yes we face threats from a fringe sect of radical anti-American Islamists. But there’s no debate that the millions of patriotic peace-loving Muslims who live in this country have no connection to that movement and do nothing except strengthen the fabric of our nation.” He continued, “Now maybe you think that this is just a minor sideshow, and Congress shouldn’t be talking about it on this floor. I submit to you that you’re dead wrong. This is a major American company rubberstamping basic, foundational bigotry against a major American religious group. This nation was founded on the premise of religious freedom, and this body should never remain silent when a group of people is marginalised just because they worship a different God.” David Caton, the Executive Director of FFA, lamented on national television that All-American Muslim shows “advanced Islamic Fundamentalism.” When asked what specific scenes he had objection to, he complained, “it is the absence of the radical side of the Imam’s proposition of Shariah Law that is most concerning.” It is interesting to note the symbiotic relationship that exists between propaganda groups such as the FFA and radical elements working in the name of Islam. These hate groups thrive on the existence of radical elements who in turn largely refer to these same groups when recruiting and radicalising others. Any portrayal of Muslims as normal peace-loving citizens breaks the bubble and therefore poses an obvious existential threat to anti-Muslim hate groups. This is exactly why the FFA and other anti-Muslim groups are desperately working to prevent public education of common Americans on Islam and its true values – peace and justice. Islamophobes blame Muslims for not speaking up and being complicit in the crimes of a few radicals. When they speak up, they are shunned and forced off the television for “not being radicals.” How hypocritical and bigoted! Congressman Christopher Murphy rightly said in Congress, “This kind of anti-Muslim sentiment not only endangers our nation’s soul, it endangers our national security. And so here’s my message for the folks at Lowe’s who made this decision, and frankly anyone out there of sound mind who is considering getting behind this growing anti-Muslim bigotry: You’re better than this!” And here’s my own message for Lowe’s: “Sure, let’s build something together – anything but a prejudiced America, for God sake!” There is a lot for Pakistan to learn from this episode. We need courageous and righteous politicians like Congressman Christopher Murphy who stand up for Pakistan’s founding values of religious freedom and equality for all and who openly express their disgust for hate groups that advocate for violence against Pakistan’s own minority groups. Pakistan has an abundance of FFAs. It needs a Murphy.
    Click play on the video below to see Aasif Mandvi of The Daily Show deliver his (lighter) take on the controversy:
       ]]>     5479 0 0 0     A New Law for Women http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-new-law-for-women/ Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:15:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5501 poor-women-1-mar05

    Kudos to the individuals who bore the responsibility of passage for this necessary legislation: authors Donya Aziz, Marvi Memon and Nilofer Bakhtyar, and several civil society and human rights activists and organisations, specifically those who lobbied for the women's movement in Pakistan and raised their voice against discriminatory laws and practices against women since 1981.

    This new legislation decrees that hate crimes against women and cultural norms to shackle them will be punishable by law. In a unanimous move, Pakistan's Senate passed two women's bills: both bills seek to amend Pakistan's Penal Code of 1860, and the Code of Criminal Procedures, 1898.

    The Anti-Women's Practices Bill (Criminal Amendment Bill) 2008 aims to curb the practice of forced marriage and marriage to compensate for crime (Badl-e-sulah, Vani and Swara), as well as marriage to the Holy Quran, and punish those who deprive women of inherited property via illegal means.

    The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention (Amendment) Bill finally recognises acid attacks as a crime punishable by law, with a minimum punishment of 14 years in prison and a maximum of  life imprisonment.

    While women's rights are safeguarded in this new legislation, only its correct implementation will qualify it as valuable for the women of Pakistan. Through its proper implementation, women who have suffered the aforementioned crimes will be adequately recompensed and receive justice. "This law is like an expensive Mercedes that cannot run without petrol," said Barrister Shahida Jamil, a lawyer and politician, while speaking to the press recently.

    Women's rights activists agree that unless the strong arm of the law becomes active, unless people are punished by the justice system for the crimes that they commit and unless there is a will to enforce the law by the powers that be, even the best legislation will remain just a piece of paper.

    It's a tall order in a male-dominated society, inured in cultural tradition and norms, where religious fanatics and fundamentalists stand with daggers drawn in women-related matters and where the scourge of a corrupt bureaucracy, especially police officers and their ilk, deter the proper implementation of the law. These are the very same men who rage and storm when the likes of Veena Malik bare all, but remain silent when women are given away to the enemy to compensate for a hate crime and when victims of an acid-throwing crime demand justice.

    One can only hope that this umbrella of protection endorsed by the law will fortify women against hate crimes, serve as an adequate deterrent and, in case of crimes committed, provide speedy justice to Pakistan's most vulnerable women in the best way possible.

    ]]>     5501 0 0 0     Blog Row,The Water Cooler http://candle-thread.com/newsline/blog-rowthe-water-cooler/ Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:27:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5511 By Ratna Raman Were she alive, Silk Smitha would be 51 on December 2, 2011, the day the biopic distributed by Balaji industries and starring Vidya Balan is slated for release. In the 1980s, when Silk Smitha shone on celluloid, things were rather difficult for a female aspirant. For one thing the censors were very censorious. So were societal norms. Women on screen were presented only in a series of binary oppositions: good or bad, chaste or slutty, heroine or vamp, beautiful or ugly, and this was the fortuitous combination that always made it past the censors. The distributors and producers were a pragmatic lot. If a story needed to be told, it needed an unblemished and chaste heroine. However, to sell, fleshpots were a primary requirement. Silk Smitha fitted this market need admirably.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
     ]]>     5511 0 0 0     Research Says Money Can Buy Happiness http://candle-thread.com/newsline/research-says-money-can-buy-happiness/ Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:11:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5540 Money can’t buy happiness. It’s a ridiculously overused saying. You hear it all the time, even from your parents, and it’s probably followed by its even more clichéd sister, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” It’s the message those movies give you in which the poor main protagonist, who is constantly complaining about having no money, suddenly gets rich, only to discover that all the money in the world can’t fill the sad, sad hole in his heart. It’s not like the message is incorrect. After all, clichés become clichés for a reason: because there is a grain of truth in them. And if I had to bet, I’d probably say that a person with healthy, fulfilling relationships would be happier than a person with an obscene amount of money in his bank account and no friends. But recent studies show that there are ways in which money can increase your happiness. In fact, these researchers say that if money isn’t buying you happiness, then you’re probably not spending it right! Here are five ways in which you can use your money to give you greater pleasure. Spend money on others Research suggests that we think that spending money on ourselves will make us happier than spending money on other people. As is often the case, we are wrong. There is evidence from several studies that suggests otherwise. For example, in one study, participants were given $5 and $20, and it turned out that those who spent that money on others were happier than those who spent it on themselves. Also, people who spend a greater proportion of their income on donations and charity are happier than those who spend more on themselves (Dunn at al, 2011). But why? Why is it that spending money on other people gives us such pleasure? Well, one reason that pro-social spending is good for our happiness is that it makes us feel good about ourselves. It helps us form a self-image in which we are generous and large-hearted, which makes us happy. Also, spending money on others helps cement our social relationships, and people with stronger social ties are generally happier. Buy more experiences instead of material things In an experiment conducted by Leaf Van Boven from the University of Colorado and Thomas Gilovich from Cornell University, participants were divided into two groups. One group was asked to write a description about a material purchase (a gadget, clothing, etc) that made them happy. The other group was asked to write about an experiential purchase (a meal out, tickets to a concert, etc) that made them happy. Their happiness was measured before and after they wrote these descriptions. A week later, the same participants were called and asked to read and reflect on their description, and their happiness was measured then, as well. Results showed that thinking about experiences gave the participants more pleasure than thinking about material purchases. Van Boven and Gilovich also discovered that people spend more time thinking about the experiences they purchased rather than the tangible items they bought for themselves. The reason why buying experiences is better than buying material things is that experiences improve with time. You can think about past experiences in the abstract and so those experiences can take on a symbolic meaning in your memory. On the other hand, purchases are harder to think about in the abstract. A car you bought will just be a car. Another reason why experiences give greater pleasure is that experiences have more social value than purchases. Experiences tend to improve our social relationships, which in turn makes us happy. Also, it is more socially acceptable to talk about experiences. For example, you are a lot more likely to want to punch a guy who goes on and on about the latest iPhone he bought than a guy who keeps talking about his trip to Paris. Pay now and consume later Having something to look forward to greatly increases our happiness. It’s not just common sense, it has been found to be true in research (Bryant 2003). The power of anticipation in boosting our general well-being is incredible. That is why our modern consumer philosophy of “buy now and pay later” robs us of pleasure. Part of the pleasure of purchasing something is the anticipation of actually getting it. There is a part in our brain that thinks that we would be happier if we got it right away. But that part is like a greedy, starving six-year-old in a room full of candy. Basically someone not to be trusted. It is easy to think that what you lose in anticipation, you’ll gain in reminiscing. But this doesn’t seem to be true. The pleasure people get from anticipation is greater than the pleasure they get from their reminiscences (Van Bowen and Ashworth, 2007). This is partly due to the Zeigarnik effect, which says that something is going to stick in your mind as long as it’s unfinished, or not obtained. Once it is completed or achieved, you tend to forget about it. But while it is still in the future, your mind keeps mulling it over. In this way, Internet shopping is actually beneficial (its other major benefit is that it allows you to shop in your pyjamas) because it makes you pay right then, but you actually get your hands on your purchase later. Waiting for good things is fun. It is, as Dunn calls it, “free pleasure.” Beware of comparison shopping Buying shampoo these days is a nightmare. You walk into a store and there are about a thousand different shampoos for a thousand different hair types. There are herbal shampoos, two-in-one shampoos, shampoos for dry hair, silky hair, silky-but-sometimes-frizzy hair. In short, the quantity of choices you are faced with when you want to buy something is mind-blowing. Making comparisons between different products is supposed to help us get a better deal. But it doesn’t always work that way because our mind has a nasty habit of making a big deal out of irrelevant differences. In a study conducted in by Morewedge et al (2010), participants were asked to predict how much they would enjoy a potato chip. Half the participants were in a room that had superior snacks such as expensive chocolate bars, and the other half were in a room with inferior snacks, like crackers. The people in the superior snack room predicted that they would enjoy the potato chip less than those in the inferior snack room. Later, it was found they liked the potato chip exactly the same, no matter the surrounding snack. The lesson to be had here is that comparisons mess with your mind. When we go shopping for a car or a chocolate bar, we tend to make a big deal out of the differences between similar products. In reality, the difference in our enjoyment is much smaller than we imagine. Psychologists suggest that comparison shopping is more trouble than it’s worth. Going crazy choosing between features or models won’t make much of a difference. In fact, these small differences can actually make you spend more money than you want, when you can buy a cheaper product that will likely give you the same amount of pleasure. Buy many small pleasures instead of a few big ones In 2008, Nelson and Meyvis conducted an experiment in which they had participants massaged for three minutes. Half the participants were given one continuous massage while the other half had a 20-second break in between. Surprisingly, the latter group enjoyed the massage more. This was because the break prevented them from getting accustomed to the massage. Acclimatising or adaptation is the enemy of happiness. Once we get used to things, they give us less pleasure, and after awhile we start taking them for granted. But if you keep doing small, different enjoyable things, you’ll get more pleasure and you will be overall happier. As such, people who are able to savour the small things in life are happier. People who are richer tend not to savour the small things so much, which is why they aren’t as happy as you would think, despite the mansion and the Ferrari (I know, your heart bleeds). So the next time you want to splurge on that designer dress? Spend the money going out to that cheap café around the block with your friends a bunch of times instead. It will make you happier. The research says so.]]> 5540 0 0 0 The Idea of Dev Anand http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-idea-of-dev-anand/ Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:45:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5553 DEV_ANAND_27DFR_BAA_855420a-300x150By Javed Naqvi One of the unspoken attributes defining their calibre among the older Indian actors was that they all spoke excellent Urdu, which was advertised for a variety of reasons as Hindi cinema. On the other hand, most of the younger lot, if we are sensitive enough to notice, can't pronounce their own names properly, more so if they happen to be one of the popular Khans. Amitabh Bachchan​, Rajesh Khanna and most other superstars of recent vintage were atrocious with their pronunciations. Nasiruddin Shah​ and Om Puri​ stand out among the rare exceptions with correct sheen and qaaf. They knew how to say the words in their lines. Ditto for womenfolk: the younger ones have lost the feel for the spoken word and I don't believe it has anything to do with their more evolved sense of gyration. I hear Hema Malini sends her actor daughter to an Urdu teacher to improve her diction, which only underscores the problem.

    To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.

    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     5553 0 0 0     What's Inside: A Preview of Newsline December 2011 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/whats-inside-a-preview-of-newsline-december-2011/ Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:58:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5561 Newsline’s December 2011 issue is about to hit newsstands. Here’s what you will find inside. In this month’s cover story, Fahd Husain highlights how the events of November 2011 have transformed the political battlefield in Pakistan. Imran Khan and his “PTI tsunami,” Memogate and the NATO strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers have all vastly altered the dynamics between the nation’s political foes at a time when all parties are strategising for the coming elections. The outcome of the Memogate scandal, whatever it may be, will leave a permanent imprint on the domestic political landscape. Aman Azhar provides a sneak peek into some of behind the scenes goings-on and examines how the explosive scandal has the potential to reduce the presidency to ashes. Also available in the issue is an analysis of India and Pakistan’s precarious relationship from two different perspectives. First is an exploration of the subject by respected Pakistani journalist Ghazi Salahuddin. This is followed by an overview of Indo-Pak relations by renowned Indian journalist Nirupama Subramanian. Elsewhere in the magazine, look for an exploration of the ugly side of cricket: corruption. Match-fixing in the sport has risen over the years. Newsline has an interview with famous cricketer and coach Rashid Latif, who first brought the issue to light over a decade ago. A profile on the famous political cartoonist Feica reveals his journey to becoming a much talked about artist. Also this month, Newsline gets busy grading children’s extracurricular activities and picks the best options out there. There’s been a lot of buzz on the fashion scene about the Sania Maskatiya label, so check out our photo spread and see what everyone has been chattering about. Of course, there are our must-read reviews of the latest movies and most-anticipated books. Look out for your copy of Newsline at your local newsstand.]]> 5561 0 0 0 2012 Resolutions Unplugged http://candle-thread.com/newsline/2012-resolutions-unplugged/ Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:17:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4886 Asif Ali Zardari: I will not fake another illness (what if they send me to a Pakistani hospital next time). 2. Yousuf Raza Gillani: I will drive myself to work this year (especially when the cameras are rolling). 3. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry: I will pass another suo moto on Atiqa Odho (Bearer, get me another drink). 4. Shah Mehmood Qureshi: I will be loyal to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (at least until I find something better). 5. Husain Haqqani: I will not plot to change the government on my Blackberry (maybe I'll switch to an iPhone). 6. Nawaz Sharif: I will abide by my slogan "Go Zardari, Go" (but maybe not at election time). 7. Imran Khan: I will not use cricket analogies anymore (until I've been bowled out). 8. Altaf Hussain: I will not reveal my political alliances (parday mein rehnay do...). 9. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani: I will always protect Pakistan's borders (oh, wait, did they just get Mullah Omar). 10. Veena Malik: I will not do another FHM cover shoot (maybe, I don't know, let's see).]]> 4886 0 0 0 Imran Khan: On Politics in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/imran-khan-on-politics-in-pakistan/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:37:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5347 By

    Kiran Nazish

    In a free-wheeling interview to Hardnews, published in the Indian magazine’s February 2012 print issue, cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan, describes his political vision,  his desire for the end of the feudal and VIP culture in Pakistan and how accountability is the basis of democracy.   To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.  
    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     5347 0 0 0     Newsline Documentary To Be Screened at LUMS International Film Festival http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newsline-documentary-to-be-screened-at-lums-international-film-festival/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:01:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5361 Newsline Films documentary Kis Say Munsafi Chahain will be screened at FiLUMS 2012, the international film festival hosted by the LUMS Media Arts Society, which is to be held on February 10-12. The documentary was previously screened at the Film Southasia Festival 2011 in Kathmandu, Nepal and was also selected to be part of the Traveling Film Southasia 2012. Made in association with the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), the investigative documentary follows the travails of workers in Karachi, Pakistan’s urban and industrial hub. Through their stories, the documentary illustrates the problems faced by workers, from sexual harassment at work to denial of minimum wages. The Labour Courts in Pakistan were set up to provide workers access to justice. But they suffer from serious shortcomings, and these emerge in a series of interviews with workers, union representatives and legal experts. The full crew is listed below. Director and Producer: Tehmina Ahmed Associate Producer: Umbreen Butt Camera: Umbreen Butt/ Saboor Haider Editor: Umbreen Butt/Talha Mansoor Ahmed Script: Umbreen Butt Sound: Athar Saeed Production House: Newsline Films Produced in association with the Pakistan Institute for Labour Research and Education (PILER)]]> 5361 0 0 0 Interview: Shadab Zeest Hashmi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-shadab-zeest-hashmi/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:03:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5365 The Baker of Tarifa. Set during and after the Arab Empire of Spain, the poems initially paint a picture of an empire in which the spirit of tolerance fostered enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge; the later sections, dealing with the re-conquest of Spain by Queen Isabella, show how war dehumanises people and lays waste the achievements of civilisation. There are many parallels to be drawn, whether intentional or unintentional on the part of the poet, to our own times. A former student of Lahore’s Kinnaird College, Shadab Zeest Hashmi completed an MFA from Warren Wilson. She has been the editor of the Magee Park Poets Anthology since 2000, and currently edits Contemporary World Literature, an online journal of international writing. Currently nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Hashmi’s poems have appeared online as well as in print journals. Hashmi lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and sons.   Q: What brought about your interest in literature, more specifically, poetry? A: When I was old enough to master the alphabet, I used to play scrabble with my grandmother and my brothers and I loved arranging the letters on their miniature wooden “bench.” My reading was very limited at the time but I was endlessly fascinated by the visual magic of words. Apart from the visual fields of language, I was also drawn to its sonic fields. My father had an extensive collection of LPs, so music from various traditions and songs in different languages must have poured into my psyche too. Creative expression was generally encouraged at home and I remember painting, play-reading, and writing stories for the radio in my elementary school days. When I wrote my first serious piece as a teenager, my mother noted that it was too lyrical to be considered prose, so I promptly lineated the piece and called it a poem. I suppose my inclination towards lyricism comes from a deep interest in music. Q: Which poets have inspired you? A: I’ve always been attracted to poets whose writing draws from history and myth or whose main concerns are humanistic. Iqbal, Bulleh Shah and Faiz may all be worlds apart in form and style but I find each to be spiritually dynamic and stylistically original. I’m inspired by how boldly they question the status quo, how deftly they fuse rhetoric with lyricism, and how powerfully they utilise paradox, engaging the reader on various levels as they negotiate spirituality with the intellect. There is a long list of western poets I admire for the same reasons – Keats, Lorca, Yeats, and among contemporary poets, Eleanor Wilner, Robert Bly and many others. Q: Your work has often dealt with identity and attempted to unite the East and West. Do you consciously look for such references or linkages, or does this occur intuitively? A: I’m very interested in discovering overlaps between cultures and how these links emerge when mediated by language and teased out through different art forms, especially because Urdu is a hybrid language and I grew up thinking of its sounds and where they came from: the crisp, “heated” sound from Arabic; the tender, lyrical sound from Persian; and the earthy, summery sound from Sanskrit. My grandmother, a professor of English Literature, taught me the names of Greek philosophers in English and Urdu, apart from stories of the prophets in the Quran, stories from Shahnamay, and those written by Shakespeare, and George Bernard Shaw. It was fascinating to learn two languages side by side, both doorways to the classics: English to the Greco-Roman and Urdu to the Arabo-Persian. This parallel learning gave me access to discovering these civilisations, how they’ve collided, cooperated and competed in history. At the level of discovery, you may call this preoccupation with cultures an intuitive move, while the crafting of poems and choice of themes are conscious. Piecing together parts to make patterns is perhaps a sign of my spiritual leanings, my insistence on figuratively mapping every member of the human species on one family tree. Kipling was wrong when he said of the East and West that “never the twain shall meet” – they have met in peacetime and war, in art and trade, through poetry, painting and film, and what an undeniable wealth of inspiration there is in the apparent disparities and the underlying commonalities. If the two weren’t compatible, their interaction would not have produced such friction, points of connection, such provocation and fodder for art and literature. Q: What was the inspiration for Baker of Tarifa? A: When I was a student at Reed College, I stumbled upon Iqbal’s poem on Cordoba while researching “Urdu” for a Psycholinguistics class. Soon after that, I attended a concert by the Al Andalus Ensemble and found out that the civilisation of Al- Andalus is known for moments of inter-faith tolerance, known in Spanish as “convivencia,” a legendary period of harmony between the Abrahamic people. When I first began writing the poems in this collection, about 15 years ago, I was mostly interested in unravelling the mystique of Al-Andalus. I went to Spain twice with my husband during this period and started collecting my research material including books, photos and music. Q: The first section of your collection celebrates the flowering of intellectualism and tolerance that was the stamp of the Arab Empire in Spain. But the book’s most significant characteristics are lyricism, empathy, the horror of war and genocide, of which the latter could be metaphors for recent conflicts? A: As you’ve pointed out, the book attempts to poetically recreate both the making and the falling apart of this great civilisation. The resemblance of Al-Andalus (711-1492) to our times is mind-boggling, not only in the way inter-faith tolerance (or the lack thereof) plays itself out but also the incredible reversal of the status of Muslim achievements in all fields of knowledge, art and technology. It’s a little known fact that Muslims were the first to introduce the West to simple things like paper and sugar, board games, deodorant, street lights, hygiene manuals for street vendors, and that they were crucial in developing the fields of medicine and technology in Europe. Their influence on modern technology and modes of thinking is undeniable and was deliberately concealed due to the Inquisition’s long reign of terror and intellectual oppression. I agree with you that the poems that deal with tragic conflicts and the trauma of persecution allowed more of my personal response to the present political climate to seep in, but this subliminal energy came later in the process. Q: In ‘Montage’ and ‘Etymology,’ you examine the roots of words to explore the way they have developed in different languages, creating certain attitudes, even prejudices between the characters of the Abrahamic faiths. A: I look at language as being organic. It grows, absorbs influences, is enriched by diversity of thought and has an amazing generative power. It may also become stagnant and end up decaying. Language is, in many ways, a reliable indicator of the collective achievements of a people as it tracks quite accurately their intellectual, spiritual, socio-political history. It also reflects the points of convergence and divergence between users who are ethnically diverse, hence exposing their connectedness as well as deep-seated prejudices. Carrying the organic analogy further, words have complex, in-built “genetic” structures that bespeak their genesis in tandem with the genesis and growth of ideas. More important than this cerebral aspect of language, is its visceral aspect because poetry, to me, is about emotional precision, which can only be reached when we exploit the visceral power of language. Q: What is the focus of your next work? A: My next collection Kohl & Chalk is based on my experiences of travelling, being a young Pakistani mother living in America and the recent wars. But I’m still under the spell of history and my work-in-progress has a historical theme.]]> 5365 0 0 0 A Year of Awakenings http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-year-of-awakenings/ Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:31:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5463 The Beginning of the End? News of the World, a British tabloid magazine which was part of Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate, News Corporation, was accused of engaging in phone hacking in pursuit of news stories since 2006, but it wasn’t until this year that the full extent of their operation was revealed. Once reports came out that the phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowlar and victims of the 7/7 London bombings were also accessed, public outcry against News Corp and Murdoch, as well as boycotts by advertisers led to the closure of News of the World in July after 168 years of publication. 02Int_events01-12London Burning In August, following a peaceful march held in Tottenham, North London, to protest the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan by the police, riots broke out in London and eventually spread to other parts of England. The riots, which went on for several days, were characterised by rampant looting and arson attacks of unprecedented levels. Five people, including three of Pakistani origin, died and an estimated £200 million worth of property damage was incurred. Several reasons, ranging from unemployment to sheer criminal opportunism, have been cited to explain the riots. 03Int_events01-12From “Waity Katy” to the Duchess of Cambridge In the biggest royal event since Prince Charles married Lady Diana in 1981, the entire world watched as Prince William, the future King of England, married his college sweetheart, Katherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, London, in April. The day of the wedding was declared a public holiday in England, as over 5,000 street parties were held throughout the country to celebrate with the happy couple. 04Int_events01-12A One-Man Movement Anna Hazare, the 74-year-old Indian social activist with a Gandhian air, became the face of the ongoing anti-corruption movement in India in April when he went on an indefinite hunger strike to exert pressure on the government to pass a stringent anti-corruption law, as outlined in the Jan Lokpal Bill. This fast led to nationwide demonstrations in support of Hazare and the campaign, and the government agreed to table the bill in parliament, where it is currently still being debated. 05Int_events01-12END OF CAREER At the beginning of 2011, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was the respected director of the International Monetary Fund, as well as the leading candidate for the 2012 French Presidency. All of this changed when, in May, a hotel maid accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room. He resigned from his position at the IMF four days after his arrest. Although charges against Kahn were dropped due to a lack of conclusive physical evidence and doubts about the maid’s credibility, the scandal seems to have put an end to his political career. 06Int_events01-12EU: On Its Last Legs? Since the fall of 2009, the European Union has been struggling with an ever-increasing crisis over its enormous debts. This year, the crisis reached a crescendo and by August, European leaders were struggling to come to an agreement about the best course of action to be taken. The financial crisis eventually became a political one, with governments of Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Italy being ousted and tens of thousands took to the streets in Greece and Spain in protest. 07Int_events01-12The 1% Against the 99% Inspired by the persistence of Egyptian protestors, a Canadian activist group, Adbusters, initiated the Occupy Wall Street movement to protest against economic and social inequality in the US, with over 200 protestors camping out in New York’s financial Wall Street and refusing to leave. Since its initiation in September, the movement has gained momentum, spread to numerous cities in the US and around the world, and is still ongoing. As the movement is leaderless and largely unstructured, it is unclear whether it will have any lasting political effects. But the persistence of the occupants alone has made it a significant event of 2011. 08Int_events01-12A Season of Revolutions At the end of 2010, a vegetable seller in Tunisia set fire to himself when the police seized his cart. His act of desperation set in motion a series of pro-democracy rebellions across the Middle East. Following the uprising in Tunisia, unrest spread to Algeria and then to Egypt, where millions of young protestors took to the streets to demand the resignation of Egyptian president, Hosni Mobarak. In February, after 18 days of mass protest, Mobarak stepped down from office. Protests moved to Syria and Yemen, and the unrest led to a civil war in Libya, which ended with Muammar Gaddafi – the Libyan dictator of over 42 years – being overthrown and later killed in October. Nature Wreaks Havoc While 2010 was termed the “Deadliest Year in a Generation,” this year was not far behind in terms of natural disasters. From the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March to the floods in Thailand in October, 2011 brought with it many calamities across the world. 09Int_events01-12Hurricane Irene In August, a powerful Atlantic hurricane hit the United States East Coast, leaving extensive flood and wind damage in its wake.       10Int_events01-12Earthquake and tsunami in Japan In March, an earthquake of 9.0 magnitude hit Japan, causing more than 15,000 deaths. The earthquake, which was the most powerful to ever hit Japan, also resulted in a major tsunami of over 30 metres, which brought destruction along the Pacific coast of Japan’s northern island   11Int_events01-12Thailand Floods Floods ravaged Thailand during the monsoon season, affecting more than 12.8 million people. As of December 2011, many areas remain under six feet of water.   12Int_events01-12Horn of Africa Famine A severe drought has swept over the entire East African region since July, causing a food crisis in Somalia, Ethiopia and other countries in and around the Horn of Africa. This famine threatens the lives of more than 13.3 million people.]]> 5463 0 0 0 The Chat Room: Exploring the Political Future of Musharraf in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-chat-room-exploring-the-political-future-of-musharraf-in-pakistan/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:22:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5597 The Chat Room: Episode 3 Topic: Is there any political future for Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan? When: Friday, February 3, 2012 @6:30pm Where: teabreak.pk Who: Moderator Farieha Aziz is joined by panellists Senator (R) Iqbal Haider (Lawyer), Nadir Hassan (Journalist), Jawaid Iqbal (Public Relations Expert), Ahmed Raza Qasuri (APML member and Advocate)   After several weeks of promises and plans at the waning end of 2011 and the first weeks of 2012, Pervez Musharraf cancelled what he had been hoping would be another coup: a successful return to Pakistan. Theformer military ruler has not been back to the country since he was forced from power more than three years ago. His imminent return was to allow him to fight general elections within the next year. Hanging over his head are threats of arrest from the present government for his role in the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007, for allegedly failing to provide security on the day Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack. But he is also an accused in the murder of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti, who was killed in 2006 after a standoff with the Pakistan military. Being unable to return is an embarrassing turnaround for the former military dictator who evolved from army chief to civilian president during nine years of power. He is the same man who launched the offensive in Kargil in 1999 and plunged Pakistan into war with India. He was also known as America’s favourite dictator when he was pulled into the centre of international politics in the aftermath of 9/11 and became a key strategic partner of the US in the region. Towards the end of his tenure, his status as US ally became increasingly tenuous as his government was accused by the West of having continuing links with the Taliban. Musharraf was also accused of making secret deals with the US allowing the superpower to take unilateral action on Pakistani territory. Was Musharraf’s fatal flaw a desire for too much power? On November 3, 2007, he suspended Pakistan’s constitution and used emergency powers, unconstitutionally, to sack judges in Pakistan’s highest court. The former president also signed the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in October 2007, which granted amnesty to politicians accused of corruption. In December 2009, Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared the ordinance null and void. At the end of January 2012, Pakistan’s Senate passed a resolution calling for Musharraf to be charged with treason. A bid to become an elected leader of the people is a desire close to Musharraf’s heart, as seen from his writing and speeches, including his book In the Line of Fire, in which he claims he is “a man of destiny.” Right now his newly founded political party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) is struggling to win support from voters in Pakistan. In the third episode of The Chat Room (a Newsline and Teabreak.pk co-production), our panellists discuss Musharraf’s desire to remain in Pakistani politics and the realities that hinder his return. (Extra: To see replays of our past live discussions, please check out Episode 1 on the 2011 floods in Sindh and Episode 2 on social media and democracy. There is also a bonus podcast that accompanies Episode 1).   The Ch@t Room Episode 3: You can participate in this online discussion on Pervez Musharraf by asking our panellists questions and by answering polls. View a list of our panellists and read their bios below. Click here to go to the event page.  
    Get updates and more event details by connecting with us via Twitter:

     

    Meet our Moderator and Panellists

    Moderator:  Farieha Aziz Farieha Aziz is a Karachi-based journalist and teacher. She joined Newsline in 2007, rising to assistant editor. Farieha was awarded the APNS award for Best Investigative Report (Business/Economic) for the year 2007-2008. She has a masters in English from the University of Karachi. You can find her on twitter @FariehaAziz.   Panellists:  Senator (R) Iqbal Haider Senator Iqbal Haider is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan with a strong interest in human rights. He has served as attorney general and is a former federal minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Nadir Hassan Nadir Hassan is a journalist based in Islamabad. He has worked at Newsline and the Express Tribune. Syed Jawaid Iqbal Syed Jawaid Iqbal has extensive experience in the PR and media industry in a career spanning more than 30 years. JI, as he is known in the industry, is President and CEO of CMC (Pvt.) Ltd and is also founder and chairman of Moderates, a private sector think tank founded in 2003 with a view to strengthen tolerance, interfaith harmony and democracy. Apart from public relations, JI has appeared on national and international media and has written and spoken on political affairs, regional developments, foreign policy and the media. He has also conducted numerous interviews with politicians and heads of state and has served on the board of various regional forums. JI interviewed General Pervez Musharraf on the completion of his government’s 100 days, incidentally conducting the first-ever interview with a serving head of the Pakistan government, exclusively recorded by Pakistan Television, in the history of the country. Sahibzada Ahmed Raza Khan Qasuri Barrister Ahmed Raza Qasuri is a member of the All Pakistan Muslim League and he is an advocate for the Supreme Court.]]>     5597 0 0 0     Discussing Social Media and its Role in Democracy http://candle-thread.com/newsline/discussing-social-media-and-its-role-in-democracy/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:25:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5602 Newsline and TeaBreak.pk co-producedepisode 2 of The Ch@t Room, our ongoing series of live online discussions that explore the key political and social issues of Pakistan. Episode 2 was all about social media and democracy. In it, well-known blogger and activist Sana Saleem took on the role of moderator and asked our esteemed panellists to answer the following questions:
    • How has social media affected the dynamics of politics and political campaigning in Pakistan in recent years?
    • Can social media change power structures?
    • Can social media break down divides, or is it still a elitist platform?
    • Can information communication technologies be used for transparency in governance and transparency during policy making?
     
    If you missed it, you can catch a replay of the entire show on Teabreak.pk: click here to proceed.  
    ]]>     5602 0 0 0     Of Heroes and Villains http://candle-thread.com/newsline/of-heroes-and-villains/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:27:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5605 By Akash Bisht   Agneepath is a pleasant departure from the Karan Johar brand of mushy, pompous, high-end designer cinema that caters only to the wealthy and NRIs. Debutant director Karan Malhotra has shown glimpses of genius with his brilliant treatment of a 20-year-old script that many directors would have avoided touching. “The movie would still be a hit even if it wasn’t called Agneepath,” says a film buff.   To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.
    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
     
    Keywords: Agneepath, Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood, Chikni Chameli, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor
    ]]>     5605 0 0 0     Why I Chose Karachi University http://candle-thread.com/newsline/why-i-chose-karachi-university/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:32:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5608 wahan ka crowd itna ajeeb hota hai yaar!” People either assume I failed to get into other (read: better) universities, or that since I’m a girl, my parents didn’t want to waste money on me by sending me to other (read: better) universities because they’d marry me off as soon as possible anyway – I’m still debating which assumption is more insulting. All through my last year of A-Levels, getting into a good university was at the front of everyone’s mind. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s one of the most important decisions you make in your life, a decision that will determine the direction of your career. That is why I found it surprising how little importance people my age gave to the idea that you should have a genuine interest in what you’ll study in university. They were more concerned with what university has a better reputation or a “better crowd.” Many tried to convince me to give the admission test for IBA. The fact that I had no interest whatsoever in business administration, and would much rather study psychology and literature, fazed no one. “But it’s IBA,” they’d insist. “Who wouldn’t want to get into IBA?” Of course, there are many reasons why people don’t think very highly of Karachi University, despite the fact that it is ranked by the Higher Education Commission as one of the top three universities in the country. Firstly, it is rife with political activity – the kind of political activity that supports lawlessness and guys with batons running at each other, or tearing examination papers to shreds. Also, to be honest, it is pretty rundown. Don’t expect air-conditioned classrooms, and expect a fair amount of paan ki peek on the walls. But it’s also not as bad as people might think. The occasional bout of violence does occur, but the students I talked to here did not, for the most part, think it was that big of a deal. “Yes, we heard administration block mein koi scene hua tha, but we completely missed it,” and, “Oh yeah, one time we saw groups of guys running at each other with danday, so we hid out in our department until it was over,” are some of the things they said, always with a laugh. They laughed. That’s got to mean something. Maybe I’m being too much of a glass-half-full person, but a little excitement in life can’t be that bad, right? Also, nobody talks about the good things: the faculty is highly qualified. They’re all either PhDs or on their way to becoming PhDs, so you can be sure that they know what they’re talking about. There are 53 departments and 20 research centres and institutes, including research institutes on space astrophysics, marine biology, molecular genetics and clinical psychology. The languages departments include Japanese, Italian and Persian. There is even a space observatory inside the campus! The university has been a training ground for a long line of people who went on to become distinguished in their respective fields. Notable alumni include A. Q. Khan, the scientist renowned for being the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear program, Ibn-e-Insha, one of the best humorists and poets of Urdu, Haseena Moin, the playwright behind the famous television dramas Dhoop Kinaray and Ankahi (among others), Muhammad Taqi Usmani, a well-known Islamic scholar, and Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan. There is also the three-storey library (although a bit dusty). It has 350,000 books, some dating back to the 17thcentury. The library is also home to the personal collection of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. And if the old and dusty books did nothing to sway you, can we take a moment to talk about the food? There is a lot of good food around. From French fries and chaat to biryani and chicken tikka (which the guy, I kid you not, barbeques right there in front of you), you can find pretty much anything you want to eat somewhere in the campus. I already tried the infamous aaloo kay samosay, and they really are as good as everyone says they are. And the people. The people are like they are everywhere. Despite the various backgrounds from which they all come, all the girls appreciate the attractiveness of Humsafar’s Fawad Khan (seriously, that guy can rock the angry-young-man-with-the-clenched-jaw look like nobody’s business). They are regular people, people who complain about the cancelled classes and laugh when the nerd of the class makes a fool of himself. You can find common ground with every one of them. Of course, the downside of choosing to go to Karachi University despite everybody’s “warnings” means I can’t really complain. I can’t whine on Facebook about how the first class scheduled at the crack of dawn got cancelled because, well, bus nahi ho rahi. I can’t go on and on about how guys came in with batons and told us all to leave our exam papers on our desks and run along – both things, let’s face it, are more or less an inevitability – because everybody will just smirk and say knowingly, “Aur jao Karachi University!” My friend, when I told him I was going to Karachi University, said to me, “Try not to get yourself killed, would you?” Here’s to not getting myself killed, devouring aaloo kay samaosay and walking 10 miles everyday. And possibly getting an education and bagging a degree somewhere in between.]]> 5608 0 0 0 Profile: Documentary Filmmaker Samar Minallah Khan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/profile-documentary-filmmaker-samar-minallah-khan/ Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:38:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5611 undesired infamy when she was labelled as an ‘Islam dushman(enemy)’ by the Taliban, after she released the notorious Swat flogging video in 2009, and was forced to go into hiding. Hundreds of villagers and militants were a witness to the public flogging of a girl, whose screams still resonate with the same urgency as they did two years ago. Samar received several death threats and her credibility was questioned specifically by the Taliban, whose spokesman at the time denied the authenticity of the video. Samar also alleged that the commissioner of Malakand was complicit in the flogging crime, just so that the Taliban could establish their sway over Swat province. “When the Swat debacle ensued, I didn’t feel the level of danger till much later,” says Samar, who reiterates that the flogging incident was just one of a thousand more such incidents, which included beheadings and public floggings. “The rumour circulating after I released the video was that suicide bombers were out to get Samar Minallah,” she says. “I paid a huge price for speaking out against a human rights violation – it was emotional torture. Tele-preacher Aamir Liaquat Hussain dedicated a whole programme to me in which four maulvis issued fatwas against me, claiming that I had maligned the name of Islam. They lambasted me for not raising a voice for Dr Aafia, saying that even her sister objected about this – it was horrific to see their petty but dangerous objections,” she says. Samar maintains a positive attitude despite that traumatic period in her life. “The positive aspect of this experience is that one becomes strong after all the bashing. I believe I serve as a role model for my children. Speaking the truth is now a habit, and there are more rewards than there are impediments,” she says. Samar founded Ethnomedia – a not-for-profit independent media think tank – some years ago, which aims to challenge mindsets and fracture the silence via the truth transmitted through film. Samar has raised the bar to combine activism and film, and chases an issue as soon as it demands notice, without waiting for funding. With her focus on ‘ethnographic filmmaking’ she ‘embeds’ herself in the social world of her documentaries, and approaches subjects without the predetermined ideas of an outsider to provide a view from within. She believes her anthropological training holds her in good stead here. Her debut documentary in 2003 that received national acclaim was Swara: Da Zhwand Mairman (Swara: A Bridge over Troubled Waters), about the Pakhtun practice of swara, where a young girl is given as compensation to the enemy’s family in an attempt to resolve a dispute. Samar’s sensitive depiction of the young girls affected by this practice, as well as an effective narrative, was ground-breaking. This was an area where no one had ventured before. She challenged patriarchal norms to speak to the girls herself and her initiative paid off when the documentary was used as evidence in the first-ever case on swara petitioned in Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Samar’s depiction of Pakhtun society is the most natural outcome of her culture and upbringing. The daughter of a bureaucrat, Samar grew up between Islamabad and Peshawar, but also spent many childhood holidays visiting her father’s ancestral village, Sirikot, in the Hazara district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “I went so often to the village and spent time with the villagers; this, to me, was a normal childhood. When I was older I realised the differences between us and that made me uncomfortable. But I believe that I’ve crossed that bridge via my films because their content impacts the lives of girls I grew up with. They didn’t have the same freedoms and opportunities I was given,” she says. Samar is sentimental about this: “I speak for them via my films, these friends of my childhood, because they might not be able to speak for themselves. We completely relate to each other as women, even though our lives are now so different. My father always told me, you are one of them,” she says, “and that’s something I don’t forget.” Samar combines her filming practice with teaching. Armed with an MPhil in Anthropology from the University of Cambridge, she currently teaches gender and media studies at the Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad. She also lectures a mixed student body at the Allama Iqbal Open University, the Civil Services Academy and the Police Academy in Islamabad. The purpose of the increased teaching assignments she explains succinctly: “I want my message to get to the right people, those who work with the citizenry on the ground and can help them change their lives.” Samar does not digress into platitudes, nor does she use her work as a self-promotional device to gain leverage in the corridors of power, here or abroad. She is a refreshing change from the more media-hungry breed of filmmakers, who may compromise the truth to gain fame. In her case truth and justice are the primary concerns, the rest is secondary. “I’m not plugging an agenda, nor am I out to appease an international audience,” says Samar. “Frankly, I don’t want to get to that level.” She continues: “My audience is the local people, especially those who appear in the documentaries themselves. Because of this my work is more rewarding,” she says. She is concerned with ensuring that any social message she propagates through her work reaches the people whose lives she films. “I make documentaries that are culturally sensitive so that they can be screened in the rural areas,” says Samar. She takes her film back to her subjects and the people who affect their lives, and believes this is the only way to bring the change we would like to see. She enlists the support of civil society organisations working in the area to provide projectors, laptops, TV sets or whatever it takes to screen the documentary. “I would like to see amateur filmmakers understand the documentary medium and attempt to work like activist Indian filmmaker Anand Patwardhan. The objective should be to film locally for the people, improvise with what you have. Once you localise your work, people begin to trust this medium and if you show the people who you interview what you have filmed about them, then you’ve done your job. If you are even slightly hesitant to show your subjects your work, I believe you dishonour them. I would not like to exploit people, and in the case of Swara (2003), I took my work back to the jirga and to the village,” she says. The jirga law on swara dictates that the compensation of a young girl to the enemy’s family will end the dispute permanently. In the documentary, a Malik (a Pakhtun or Hazara tribesman) explains that this is done so – in case the crime was murder – that the killings do not go on for generations. However, in reality the girl spends the rest of her life fanning the hatred of her enemies with her presence in their home, and the filmmaker poses the obvious question: “If a girl is a symbol of honour, then why the decision to abandon her to the enemy’s family?” “I personally got involved during the filming of Swara,” says Samar. “If you try to save a girl, the entire jirga turns against you,” she says. “But I stood up to that pressure and, in fact, on live television, I told the PPP’s federal education minister, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, that these girls were as important as he was, and should have the same opportunities as any privileged girl in the country.” On December 12, 2011, in a historic win for all women and human rights activists in Pakistan, The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2011 spearheaded by MNA Donya Aziz (PML-Q), which declares anti-women practices punishable under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), was passed by Pakistan’s Senate, and now awaits to be turned into a law. It imposes an imprisonment of a maximum seven years and a fine of Rs 500,000 on anyone who compels a girl to enter into swara and declares all similar practices punishable by law. In a unanimous decision, the Senate also passed The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill. Samar is very grateful to her family for their encouragement of her work, especially while confronting subjects considered taboo and dangerous. “My husband has always been supportive and has consistently advised me to do something worthwhile and do it for a good cause,” she explains. Her home environment has also provided her the right stimulus: Samar’s siblings are activist celebrities in their own right. Her brother Athar Minallah was the crusading lawyer in the nationwide anti-Musharraf lawyer’s movement, and was spokesperson for Pakistan’s chief justice. Her sister Fauzia Minallah wears several hats: she is a political cartoonist, artist, author, conservationist and activist. It seems that a zealous streak runs in the family and is clearly evident in Samar’s persona. “When I started making documentaries there were only certain types of documentaries being made in Pakistan – mostly they were promotional videos of companies, and a few pieces were on select social issues. I also wrote for Newslineover a decade ago and I believe the writing experience helped me pen material for film. I don’t have filmmaking training, and I believe you can make a film without fancy equipment,” she says. 02Samar01-12Samar challenges traditional entrenched norms using the film medium, and her latest documentaryKuch Khwab Hain Meray (I Have a Dream) advocates the rights of the child, with reference to child domestic labour in Pakistan. In this film, the children relate their own story on camera. Samar spent seven months researching and documenting the yet unheard voices of these children via local people in communities in Karachi, specifically in the upscale Defence and Clifton areas, as well as in Quetta. She was shocked to discover that 90% of child domestic workers were girls. “It is tragic to see young children as young as six years old working in educated homes,” she says. “These children are exploited, they live in the fear of being sexually abused, they don’t get salaries,” she says. “And this is perpetuated by educated people. The double standards of society are evident,” she says. “Have you seen how some families take their servants to McDonalds and feed their children but not the children who work for them?” she proclaims in disgust. Samar also reveals a shocking statistic: just last year, 10 children died in their employers’ homes, out of which nine were girls. She is enraged that there is no law on domestic child labour and that very few pressure groups lobby for children’s rights. Screenings of this film started in December 2011 and Samar hopes this will help to change the way people think and act. “When we interviewed these children, each one of them said that our dearest wish is to go to school; our achievement is that two girls from the lot we interviewed have managed to join school – These are the small joys of my work,” she says. Dark-Side_Migration01-12The Dark Side of Migration (2009) The documentary focuses on human trafficking and describes how girls are bought and kidnapped from Khyber Pakhtunkhawa to be used in Lahore’s red light area. Filmed in various parts of Pakistan, the documentary also follows the stories of child camel jockeys from Southern Punjab and Pakistani labour smuggled across the border from Quetta in containers and trucks.     Dar_Pa_Dar01-12-266x300Dar Pa Dar – Where the Heart Lies (2005) This film describes the real horror of ‘collateral damage’ in Afghanistan, post 9/11. Samar documents the impact on women and children in Torah Borah and the state of women refugees at the Sheendand Refugee Camp in Kohat.           Allahu01-12Allahu: A Lullaby for You, My Daughter (2008) This docu-song is sung both in Dari and Pashto and is picturised as a prayer of success for the Pakhtun girl child. The lyrics are: “Become clever and educated/ Respect and serve mankind/ Ready for the challenges of life/ Learning makes the journey of life easy.”     Bibi_Sheerinay01-12Bibi Sheerinay – Where Honour Comes From (2004) ‘Bibi Sheerinay’ is a song of tribute to rural women. It praises the unrecognised economic and social contribution of Pakhtun women in these lyrics: “From dawn to dusk you work/without rest or sleep you toil/selflessly you spend your life caring for others.”       Against_Odds01-12-247x300Against All Odds: Acid Attacks and Dowry (2010) Samar meets people burdened under the most prevalent but least punished social crime – the scourge of dowry, which though considered a benign custom relegated to the realm of personal matters, is actually a culturally sanctioned form of violence against women. With the help of the Acid Survivors Foundation in Pakistan, this documentary also portrays the stigmatisation of women disfigured by acid attacks, a horrendous crime against women which is now punishable by law.    
    This profile was originally published in the Annual 2012 issue of Newsline under the headline “Walking the Talk.”
    More interviews and profiles of Pakistani filmmakers:    ]]>     5611 0 0 0     Movie Poster Warehouse: Dumb and Dumber http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-poster-warehouse-dumb-and-dumber/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:35:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5634 This poster was originally published in the Annual 2012 issue of Newsline as part of the feature “Movie Poster Warehouse.” More posters:  ]]> 5634 0 0 0 Jimmy Engineer: A Life More Acknowledged http://candle-thread.com/newsline/jimmy-engineer-a-life-more-acknowledged/ Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:15:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5641 In Search of My Master, compiling the works of the legendary artist and written by art critic and author Marjorie Husain, was launched with a media-savvy event on January 27 at the DHA Golf Club in Karachi. Ardent fans, art junkies and influential personalites, such as Atiqa Odho and Javed Jabbar, gathered to celebrate the non-conformist, who cited his challenge against the pre-conceived norm of artistic success based on formal education as one of the drivers behind his innovative art. The event kicked off with an exhibition featuring the artist’s popular works, including a tribal series depicting rural life with strong social undertones, an architectural series that featured an amalgamation of famous historic sites and the Indo-Pak partition series. Corporate giants ICI Dulux and Bank Al Falah sponsored the event in which the book’s publisher, Pervez Iqbal, paid homage to the prolific artist’s achievements, while Marjorie Husain revealed the unique communal experience of writing the book. The launch event garnered accolades and gave a glowing tribute to the life and works of one of Pakistan’s most widely celebrated artists.]]> 5641 0 0 0 Pakistan’s Spin Zone http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistans-spin-zone/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:31:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5684 Benazir Bhutto didn’t stand up, poke her head out of her SUV’s sunroof and wave at the crowd, then the former prime minister would have survived that attack. Remember the story about the lever on the SUV’s sunroof that gave her the head trauma and which was deemed to have caused her death? Forget about the video footage of the ruthless man pulling the trigger just a few feet away. Or the bomb blast. How dare she go out in the open to meet other human beings when she was forewarned by “militants” in October 2007 in Karachi? How about our real “Lion of Punjab,” Salmaan Taseer? Only if he kept his views and convictions to himself and had not been so vocal about the plight of minorities, he would be tweeting as usual. Never mind that infamous TV anchor, asking him pointed questions and making him out to be an enemy of Islam, and later on, all and sundry joining in to create the false impression that Governor Taseer was being blasphemous. How about the so-called religious leaders giving fiery sermons and declaring him a “munafiq” and a “blasphemer?” Another fallen hero is the late Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti. But if he had refrained from carrying the message of Governor Taseer about being considerate towards our minorities, then he too would have still been alive. Forget about the fact that the late Bhatti was marked for death because he was a Christian, a PPP minorities minister and showed solidarity with a helpless lady, who till this day is behind bars. Saleem Shahzad would be giving us insightful stories as usual, only if he would have not vowed to get to the bottom of PNS Mehran incident. It was all his fault. The people knew very well and were told that “certain extremists” were behind the attack on our naval base. Adding insult to injury was the fact that he was abductedwhen he was on his way to participate in a television interview to provide his professional opinion. But it was his own fault after all: why didn’t he just keep all the investigative reporting confined to his laptop? What about the Sialkot brothers? Mughees and Munib, who were brutally murdered by an angry and ruthless mob, invited the wrath upon themselves. Both brothers were of ‘shady character’ and were accused of stealing.No wonder they received the ‘speedy justice’ by the crowd, right on the spot. There was no Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad. He died a long time ago and was buried somewhere in Afghanistan. This was all malicious propaganda aimed at maligning Pakistan. Well the evidence to the contrary and the wives of the fallen leader came from the same compound. Some of our dear anchors denied it all outright and gave it the opposite spin, as usual. It must be clear as day to almost everyone by now that we have a prevalent spin that we get to hear, see and read. It’s either the victim’s fault, or there is a malicious conspiracy being hatched by our enemies. We sell this spin through our ‘free’ and often mindless media, all day long. People buy that spin like suckers. After all, it’s always the victim’s fault to expect civility and fairness from our society. We have reached the depth of decay. Rather than showing sympathy towards the victim, we invent the “if only factor,” to provide the masses a whitewash: we tell the nation “we are perfect,” “we never make mistakes” and it’s always “someone else’s fault.” The whole world is conspiring against us. The whole world is afraid of the only ‘righteous’ and ‘truly Islamic’ nation in the world. We are the citadel, the unshakable, the valiant, following the righteous path of God. When discerning minds challenge the rhetorical spin, they are often labelled as foreign agents, stooges,beyghairat and, above all, traitors. If people buy the lame spin, then they are deemed model citizens. If they think otherwise, they are enemies of the state. Sadly, even many so-called educated people who have seen the rest of the world get sucked into this whole imaginary narrative. This begs a very serious question: how do you change a rotten status quo? What can you do when the ‘enlightened’ ones are brainwashed and believe there is an outside evil force conspiring against the one and only Pakistan. The only silver lining is social media and some independent publications that remain brave, the ones that provide an alternative, honest view on the nation. Theirs is a very reasonable attempt to start to treat this mental epidemic, a way to challenge the authenticity of the widely peddled narrative. The road is long and the challenges monumental. Sadly, no one can make this spin zone go bankrupt. It seems as if the deepest pockets fund it. And it would be wise to ponder who has the deepest pockets in our otherwise destitute nation.]]> 5684 0 0 0 Photo Gallery: Pervez Musharraf http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-pervez-musharraf/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:49:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5704 Newsline thought it would take a look back at the man who has always prided himself on never shying away from a challenge. Here, we chronicle the multi-faceted persona of Pakistan’s former leader in a photo gallery that portrays the evolution of Musharraf from military man to dictator to civilian president, with accompanying links to articles on Musharraf and his years in power. Click any photo to begin the slide show:  ]]> 5704 0 0 0 Absolut Justice http://candle-thread.com/newsline/absolut-justice/ Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:06:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5787 Justice Chaudhry – a hero of heroes and a darling of the opposition and media alike – lived up to his reputation when, despite all the pressing work of administering justice on scores of high profile political and not-so-political cases, he initiated a suo moto action against Odho. The artist allegedly got preferential treatment from the customs staff at the Islamabad Airport and was apparently allowed to walk away with the heavy load of two liquor bottles in June 2011. Now it’s Odho’s responsibility to prove her innocence. Odho’s repeated assertions that she doesn’t drink and was framed in a ‘crime’ she never committed, holds no ground. However, proverbial ‘blind justice’ will take its course. All of Odho’s dreaded powers and influence, which she enjoys as an artist and a woman in Pakistan, won’t work as everyone is equal in the court of law. Even mighty feudal lords, tyrant tribal chiefs, dishonest businessmen and industrialists, corrupt bureaucrats and politicians and the dreaded men in khaki appear like pygmies and their crimes small, compared with Odho’s allegedly serious crime of carrying two bottles of liquor in the country. Just imagine how many people could have got drunk or tipsy from the liquor in these two bottles, and created a law-and-order situation or maybe even a security challenge. Let Odho say whatever she wants in her own defence, including her claim that she was unaware of the illegal package. Her trial – and a probable conviction – will serve as a lesson and a stern warning to all those who violate and trample the law in every city, town and village of Pakistan, all the time. Yes, we should all hail and salute our honourable, honest chief justice and the judiciary for this achievement, which will help establish the rule of the law in this land of the pure. There are some foolish people who say that Odho should have been allowed to walk free following the confiscation of the two bottles, as happens in the case of 99.9% of the passengers, who are caught by our hardworking and vigilant customs staff. Since the Odho example, all those well connected air travellers, who smuggle liquor in their hand luggage upon returning to the motherland from Dubai, Bangkok or other foreign destinations, must have stopped this practice. The honourable members of the judiciary must be aware of the fact that in the pre-Odho case days, passengers walked away with bags full of liquor – all sorts of Scotch, single malts, whites, reds, golden etc. ‘Unconnected passengers,’ who carried only a couple of bottles escaped from the airport with the sheer force of their confidence. If caught, they would haggle with custom officials and usually get out by sacrificing a bottle or two, or parting with some foreign or local currency. The connected ones often received an official escort at the aircraft door and walked away with trolley-loads of liquor. Following the chief justice’s suo moto – and Odho’s indictment – all this must have stopped. The fruits of Odho’s case won’t remain confined to airports alone. The parties and evenings of other high and mighty, along with the ordinary ones, in every strata of our society must have gone dry following this case. Even New Year celebrations will be in line with the law and the customs and values of this Islamic Republic, with only hot Indian and western dance numbers to give people a high on a cold December-January night. The honourable chief justice must also be aware of the fact that many key lawyers, including some veterans who remained at the forefront – and on his right and left – in the famous lawyers’ movement struggling for his reinstatement, are known not just for possessing liquor, but for drinking it too. The chief justice can ask a veteran and knowledgeable lawyer, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, about it under oath. He will learn the truth from Ahsan, and we pray to his Lordship to initiate a suo moto against them as well. Action against possessing and drinking liquor must take precedence over all the other crimes, including child-rape and murder, religious extremism and terrorism, gun running, drugs, smuggling, graft and corruption etc. All these can wait. Possessing and drinking liquor is the mother of all crimes. It needs to be sorted out first and foremost, and the case against Odho will go a long way in establishing the rule of the law in the country. It will set a precedence and underline the fact that all are equal in our beloved chief justice’s court. We also hope that with Odho’s indictment, bootleggers will stop selling locally manufactured legal liquor to Muslims. The sales of local liquor manufacturers must have taken a big hit, and in recent days they must be thinking of closing shop. Ours is a society of hypocrites who cheat by appearance. It is good to know that everyone, from the chief justice down to the magistrate who indicted Odho, is waging a holy war against this hypocrisy. Our numerous poets, writers, artists and journalists, who drink and can’t think of an evening without it, must be in a state of doom and gloom seeing Odho suffer. People like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Habib Jalib, Sadeqain, Ahmed Faraz, Josh Maleehabadi and host of others should thank their stars – if they can – that they lived and died long before Justice Chaudhry’s court existed and suo motos took place. What General Zia-ul-Haq could not accomplish with his hudood and anti-liquor laws, Justice Chaudhry will accomplish with a suo moto.]]> 5787 0 0 0 The Mysterious Ways of the Pakistani Police http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-mysterious-ways-of-the-pakistani-police/ Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:08:33 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5804
    This blogpost was originally published by the author on a personal webpage under the headline “A Thana Story.”
    ]]>     5804 0 0 0     What’s Inside: A Preview of the Annual 2012 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/whats-inside-a-preview-of-the-annual-2012/ Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:17:05 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5809 Newsline’s Annual 2012 bumper issue is about to hit newsstands. Here’s what you will find inside. In this month’s cover story Fahd Husain and Imtiaz Gul analyse a line-up of events in 2011 that impacted Pakistan’s internal security and foreign policy imperatives and overshadowed the crippling economic crunch faced by Pakistan’s 180 million people. Additionally, Aman Azhar provides an insight into the anti-US sentiment and anti-government chants which formed the rallying cry of a cabal of religious groups, including some terrorist organisations, who joined together to form a coalition called the Difaa-e-Pakistan Council. Also available in the issue is an analysis of the State Bank’s annual report, which makes special mention of the issues of governance and sends out a red alert to the government to fix the economy before Pakistan faces an economic collapse. There’s been a lot of buzz over TV star Atiqa Odho’s crime of carrying two bottles of liquor on a flight. Amir Ziaexplores what her indictment says about the rule of law in the country. This month Newsline has pulled out all the stops and you will find must-read profiles and features on: One seasoned supermodel, two documentary filmmakers, four rising stars of Pakistan, five contemporary artists and seven emerging photographers. Elsewhere in the magazine, take a look at some of the politicians and public figures who made the honour roll offame and shame as well as the list of “Spats of the Year.” Moreover, Newsline asks Pakistani writers for three tips on how to survive in Pakistan in 2012. Look out for your copy of Newsline at your local newsstand.]]> 5809 0 0 0 Cricket: A View from India http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cricket-a-view-from-india/ Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:57:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5813 By Sandeep Kumar The Sydney loss is the sixth consecutive defeat on foreign soil including the whitewash in England. Ignore the performance against West Indies and it is crystal clear that the Indians have not achieved anything post their World Cup victory. If we sideline matches against West Indies then it won’t be wrong to say that team India has achieved nothing after their World Cup triumph. And neither the players nor the management has been able to explain this dismal consecutive performance. Perhaps, it is time for some tough decisions.   To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.
    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     5813 0 0 0     Newsline Editorial Staff http://candle-thread.com/newsline/newsline-editorial-staff/ Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:05:20 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5827 Here’s a look at January 2011 and some responses to the death of the former governor: Martyr to the Cause: Salmaan Taseer’s murder is an indicator of the growing religiosity and an extremist mindset in society. Lone Crusader: Salmaan Taseer: Love him, hate him, take or leave him… It was impossible to ignore the larger-than-life Salmaan Taseer. Pakistani Writers and Bloggers React to Salmaan Taseer’s Death: In this sad time for Pakistan, when justice, reason and compassion are in short supply, here are a few voices from the Pakistani blogosphere who have stood up for Salmaan Taseer’s shared values and are railing against the madness that seems to be strengthening its hold on the country. How Will the PPP Deal with this Murderer: Today, we find the need to ask whether committing a murder is wrong. Is the ruling PPP deliberating over the same question? Pakistan’s Real War is with the Poisonous Mindset Within: The ugliness of fundamentalist thought has become so bloody stark that it seems to have completely overtaken simple human decency and civilised actions. Pakistani Citizens Show that this is Our Country too: Promoting the “Rally Against Fear” on Facebook, one of the citizen organisers says, “Join hands to take responsibility for your country. Come out of your homes. Show that this is our country too.” Pakistanis Take a Stand and Leverage the Law: While the governor’s death and the reaction that has followed have instilled fear in the hearts of many, there are still people who refuse to “cower” and let the tyranny prevail. Citizens and Political Forces Unite Against Oppression and Disinformation: Previously there were scattered voices waging the fight, alone or in small groups – mainly members of civil society. But all that has changed now. Political parties and groups, and workers unions have come together and joined hands with civil society.
    Newsline covered the blasphemy law debate extensively. Below are articles and blog posts that were published.  December 2010  Pandora’s Law: The Blasphemy Law is a danger to all Pakistanis, but a repeal is unlikely. Interview: Mairaj-ul-Huda Siddiqui: A top leader with a religious party defends Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law. Interview: Salmaan Taseer: The Governor of Punjab speaks out against Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law. Interview: Sherry Rehman: The MNA explains her proposed amendments to the Blasphemy Law. Interview: Iqbal Haider: The lawyer and former politician argues that the most barbaric and inhumane practices are being propagated in the name of religion in Pakistan. Interview: Dr Khalid Zaheer: A respected religious scholar discusses blasphemy and the death penalty And here you can view some statistics that succinctly show the fatal reach of the controversial law: Chilling Statistics on Blasphemy and the Law February 2011  The cover story deals with Pakistan’s growing ideological divide and asks if Jinnah’s inclusive and democratic vision of Pakistan can prevail over Zia’s theocratic vision. This comprehensive 16-page report features articles by Zahid Hussain, Khaled Ahmed, Dr Khalid Zaheer, Zohra Yusuf and Fouzia Saeed, while Rahimullah Yusufzai looks at the case of a maulana in Peshawar who got away with inciting violence and murder against ‘blasphemers.’ Also inside, you’ll find a Special Report by Farieha Aziz. In it she explores case studies on the misused Blasphemy Law, plus the origin and history of Sections 295-B and 295-C of the controversial law. The Ideological Divide by Zahid Hussain: Will Jinnah’s vision of a democratic Pakistan prevail over Zia’s vision of a theocratic Pakistan? I Could Be Killed Too… by Khaled Ahmed: What strategy should the liberals adopt when extremists are adopting intimidatory tactics to stop civil society from confronting them? TV Channels or Electronic Pulpits? by Zohra Yusuf: By promoting religiosity, the media has become an ally of the mullah in spreading bigotry and intolerance. Divided We Fall by Dr Fouzia Saeed: With civil society divided into two extreme groups, is it possible to achieve a unity of purpose among the citizens of Pakistan? Blinded by Faith by Rahimullah Yusufzai: The maulana of a waqf-managed mosque in Peshawar exhorts people to kill the “blasphemers” and gets away with it. In the Name of Religion: Case studies reveal the ulterior motives behind the framing of blasphemy cases against innocent individuals. Religion or Politics?: Sections 295-B and 295-C have been misused more than any other law in the chapter on “Offences Related to Religion” in the Pakistan Penal Code. Newsline traces their origin and history. Interview: Mansoor Raza: “Equal punishment should be given to the accuser who lodges a false FIR.”
    March 2011 Another Martyr to the Cause: Extremists take the life of yet another person attempting to put a stop to the misuse of the Blasphemy Law and secure the rights of minorities. April 2011
    No Reprieve: Just over three months into the new year and already numerous blasphemy cases, murders and acts of vigilantism on religious grounds have been reported. Interview: Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch: “Minorities are collateral damage in the battle for Pakistan’s soul.” October 2011 Will Qadri’s Death Sentence Be His End?: Handing down a death sentence may stop one man, but it will not stop the mindset that the remorseless murderer represents. Justice at Last? How was the Law Upheld and Scorned?: In a confusing frenzy in which Qadri was labelled ‘Ashiq-e-Rasool‘ and Taseer’s murder was justified on the grounds of his ‘un-Islamic’ character and lifestyle, it is impossible not to be shocked by the attitude custodians of our justice system have adopted.
    ]]>     5827 0 0 0     Book Review: Ode to the Theatrewallis http://candle-thread.com/newsline/book-review-ode-to-the-theatrewallis/ Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:11:31 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5833 Forgotten Faces: Daring women of Pakistan’s folk theatre, Dr Fouzia Saeed, author of Taboo! explores the world of folk theatre and its populace, men and women who created a make-believe realm cherished by many – a subject that has never been considered worth exploring before. Tracing the history of Pakistani folk theatre, with a particular focus on the lives of women who played significant roles in this field, this book offers a fascinating glimpse of an art form that has, sadly, been dying out in Pakistan. The subcontinent has a rich history of various forms of theatre as South Asia has traditionally been an oral culture, with storytelling as one of its main modes of transferring cultural knowledge. This storytelling, along the way, took the form of folk theatre – among other expressions of collective sharing of ideas, thoughts, human values, sentiments and emotions. Unfortunately, this indigenous form of expression has seen a downfall in Pakistan in the last couple of decades. Saeed’s book is, in effect, a tribute to a particularly vibrant aspect of our cultural heritage that is now fading. The book, in a handy coffee-table format, is a publication of Lok Virsa, the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, an organisation that has worked for the revival of folk theatre in recent times. Saeed chose to write about folk theatre because she feels that “our society is dangerously neglecting its traditional and classical performance arts.” Interspersed with remarkable photographs which depict the lives of the performers, both onstage and off, this book vividly captures different aspects of these folk artistes’ lives. From the munshis who helped illiterate actors memorise their lines, to the theatre owners who often married their top female performers in order to ensure their involvement in their theatres, Saeed’s book is filled with colourful characters, whose extraordinary lives keep the reader’s interest piqued. She describes in vivid detail the complex system of loyalties, relationships and emotional motivations that determine the dynamics of a theatre team. 02folk_theatre12-11A significant part of the book is dedicated to detailing the lives of women who have played important roles in the history of Pakistani folk theatre, particularly Bali Jatti, who was one of the most popular folk theatre artists for almost three decades. Known for her bold actions onstage, including her tendency to hurl obscenities, Bali Jatti developed a distinctive genre of performance that combined existing modes of theatre performance with a unique form of audience interaction. Saeed chronicles the life of Bali Jatti in great depth, based on her extensive interviews with the star. Saeed does her best to present folk theatre from the perspective of the women involved. The difficulties faced by these women as they tried to find their place in the largely male-dominated world of theatre represent the struggle of women in our society in general. The picture portrayed is that of many contradictions, as on the one hand these women led lives of great glamour onstage, that mesmerised audiences who showered them with appreciation, while on the other hand they had to cope with the stigma associated with performing women that was prevalent in the larger society. Despite being such important members of the theatrical team, these women weren’t even allowed control of the money they earned, as almost all of it – including the monetary inaam given to them by audience members – was in the hands of the men in their lives, be it their fathers or husbands. In the case of the ones who were married to theatre owners, payment wasn’t even made in the first place. Whereas onstage these women were strong and powerful, captivating their audience with riveting performances, behind the scenes they were often victims of domestic violence, as wife-beating was common in the community. In writing this book, the author draws heavily from her own research that she conducted in the late 1980s, when the last vestiges of folk theatre were struggling to survive. Saeed spends some time recounting her experiences as a researcher. Her account of the way she followed these nomadic groups through the rural towns of Punjab and Sindh, and how she persistently approached various members of the theatre community to convince them to share their experiences with her, is laudable but somewhat distracting, as it takes away from the essence of the subject matter, which is the lives of these people. In such instances, one is left wishing to get back to the actual stories, instead of reading about how these stories were recounted to the author. 03folk_theatre12-11Nevertheless, it is clear that the book is exceedingly well researched. Saeed draws upon the experiences of many different people in order to paint a vivid picture of the life of a folk artist. Everything, from the way these people lived together in erected tents, forming a sort of extended family, to the ways in which certain members of the audience could request a meeting with female performers behind the scenes by giving award money to them, is detailed here. Forgotten Faces does have certain shortcomings. A structured analysis, for instance, of the reasons for the decline of folk theatre culture is lacking, and it is rather vague in charting the rise and fall of this art form through history. Also, the text could have done with better editing and removal of typographical errors. However, despite these limitations, it achieves its true aim: to celebrate and honour the lives of people who devoted themselves to the performing arts, and paved the way for future generations to do the same.]]> 5833 0 0 0 Highlights of Pakistan’s Batting Against India http://candle-thread.com/newsline/highlights-of-pakistans-batting-against-india/ Sun, 18 Mar 2012 08:10:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4966 see Looking Ahead: India vs Pakistan). And it came to fruition in the match against India. Out came Hafeez and Jamshed to open to innings for Pakistan and what a start they got off to! Even better was the ease with which they smashed deliveries away for boundaries. Here are some highlights of Pakistan’s batting innings: 224-run first wicket partnership between Hafeez and Jamshed which is now Pakistan’s highest opening wicket partnership against India. Between them, Hafeez and Jamshed scored 21 boundaries – 19 fours and 2 sixes. The two openers also made their maiden ODI hundreds against India. Shahid Afridi achieved his 7000-run milestone. Even Younus Khan, who had been pretty dormant till now, scored 52 runs. Pakistan set a target of 330 –  329 being the highest total in any match so far in the Asia Cup. Quite a feat for a team that is not popular for its batting!
    To view our pre-match discussion on today’s game with cricket experts, click here
    ]]>     4966 0 0 0     The Chat Room: Let’s Talk Cricket – India vs Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-chat-room-lets-talk-cricket-india-vs-pakistan/ Sat, 17 Mar 2012 08:12:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4971 The Chat Room: Episode 4 Topic: Let’s Talk Cricket – India vs Pakistan When: Saturday, March 17, 2012 @7:00pm Where: teabreak.pk Who: Moderator Farieha Aziz is joined by panellists Venkat Ananth , Sandeep, Osman Samiuddin and Fahad Hussain. The Ch@t Room Episode 4: You can participate in this online discussion on the upcoming India vs Pakistan match by asking our panellists questions and by answering polls. View a list of our panellists and read their bios below. Tweet using hashtags #LetsTalkCricket and #IndvsPak if you want your Tweets to be aggregated by us now and during the chat. Be a part of the discussion and send us comments and questions for our panellists here.
    Get updates and more event details by connecting with us via Twitter:

    Meet our Moderator and Panellists

    Moderator:  Farieha Aziz is a Karachi-based journalist, teacher and is the C.O.O. of Bolo Bhi. She worked at Newsline from 2007-2012. Farieha was awarded the APNS award for Best Investigative Report (Business/Economic) for the year 2007-2008. Find her on Twitter @FariehaAziz. Panellists:  Venkat Ananth Venkath Ananth is an India-based Yahoo! cricket columnist. You can find him on Twitter @venkatananth Sandeep Kumar Sandeep Kumar is a sports reporter and the Web Coordinator at Hardnews, a Delhi-based magazine. You can find him on Twitter @jrnsandeep Osman Samiuddin Osman Samiuddin is a sports writer with The National in Abu Dhabi. He is the former Pakistan Editor forESPNcricinfo. You can find him on Twitter @OsmanSamiuddin Fahad Hussain Fahad Hussain is an Economics graduate from the University of Birmingham. He is an ardent Pakistani cricket supporter, he also enjoys writing about politics, business and economic affairs. You can find him on Twitter@Fahad_89
    Remember to join Newsline, Teabreak and our panellists today, March 17, at 7pm. Click for link here 
    ]]>     4971 0 0 0     Sinfully Delightful: Chocolate Festival by Weldon Moms http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sinfully-delightful-chocolate-festival-by-weldon-moms/ Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:24:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4986 4986 0 0 0 Looking Ahead: Pakistan vs India http://candle-thread.com/newsline/looking-ahead-pakistan-vs-india/ Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:26:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4991
    Join Newsline and Teabreak for Session 4 of The Chat Room, Let’s Talk Cricket, on Saturday (March 17) at 7pm for a discussion on the upcoming India-Pakistan match. More details will be made available soon.
    ]]>     4991 0 0 0     Food Diary: Traditionally Cooked Seafood http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-traditionally-cooked-seafood/ Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:38:39 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5040 surmai (mackarel) is steeped in spices, cooked to perfection, and served with yellow rice and achar.  Garnished with ginger, green chillies and curry leaves. [caption id="attachment_5043" align="alignleft" width="880"]Traditionally Prepared Fish Garnished with Curry leaves and Chillies Traditionally Prepared Fish Garnished with Curry leaves and Chillies[/caption] weblog2p2-150x150Last Week’s Food Diary: Sugar Rush  ]]> 5040 0 0 0 A Book Like Alice http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-book-like-alice/ Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:58:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5054 By

    Aakshi Magazine New Delhi

    At Delhi’s India Habitat Centre, where Pakistani author Mohammad Hanif was in discussion with Indian TV anchor Barkha Dutt, he asserted that “When I write a book, I am not sitting down to make a political statement.”   To read more, visit Hardnews by clicking here.  
    For more on our media partnership with Hardnews in India, click here.
    ]]>     5054 0 0 0     No Laughing Matter: Saying No to Rape Jokes http://candle-thread.com/newsline/no-laughing-matter-saying-no-to-rape-jokes/ Sun, 04 Mar 2012 11:03:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5107 The Office tweeted, “I’m on @ConanOBrien tonight. I’m going to not ‘rape’ Andy, but consensually ‘take’ him, you know?” New York magazine’s “This Season’s Many Rape Jokes on TV” covers the jokes being cracked and laughed at in sitcoms (see video below): Luckily, there are people left in this world who believe that rape is not something to be joked about but rather eliminated. A group of five gender studies students at SZABIST, in collaboration with KarachiTips, have started a campaign against rape jokes using Facebook and other social media in hopes of changing the mindset of people.Newsline spoke to Mohammad Abdullah, one of the founders of KarachiTips. “I have worked a lot with various NGOs, and we started KarachiTips with the intention of promoting the culture of Karachi. When this group of five approached us at KarachiTips with their idea, it was a topic of great interest for all of us. I myself once tweeted a rape joke and a friend of mine from Islamabad pointed out how it wasn’t all that funny. With this campaign we wish to change the mindset of people in hopes that they see the insensitivity that lies in a mere joke that includes the word ‘rape.’” This initiative is laudable and it looks like it will go far. It has already made an impact with 1,000 “Likes” on its Facebook page in less than a week. People from all over the world are thanking the students for spreading awareness and others are confessing to their own insensitive use of the word “rape.” Fizza Shahid, one of the students behind the campaign, says, “For our gender studies action project, my group (Sachal Mughal, Sheema Khawar, Yasal Munim and Munira Hirwani and I) had to pick an issue, and we chose to focus on rape culture because it is a taboo topic in the society in which we live. We decided to specifically focus on rape jokes for the sole reason that it is not funny to make humour out of one of the most violent crimes that exist in our society. By calling it ‘dark humour’ we think we’ve justified it enough, but it isn’t humour to begin with. We want to create awareness regarding the seriousness of the situation that surrounds the word ‘rape.’” This campaign is a step towards a revolution: one against jokes that are a symbol of stupidity and ignorance.  
    Visit the page on Facebook set up by SZABIST students and KarachiTips here. 
    ]]>     5107 0 0 0     Chef’s Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo from Cafe Blue Ginger http://candle-thread.com/newsline/chefs-recipe-fettuccine-alfredo-from-cafe-blue-ginger/ Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:07:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5117

    Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken and Sun-dried Tomatoes

    Ingredients:

    250 grams dry fettuccini pasta 100 grams butter 1 cup fresh cream salt and pepper to taste half a teaspoon of garlic salt sea salt to taste a few leaves of basil 150 grams grilled chicken fillet, sliced in long strips 3/4 cup grated Romano cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 50 grams sun-dried tomatoes

    Directions:

    1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or untilal dente. Drain.
    2. In a large saucepan, melt butter with garlic salt, add cream over low heat.
    3. Add sea salt, pepper. Stir in cheese over medium heat until melted; this will thicken the sauce.
    4. Add pasta to sauce. Keep stirring it.
    5. Add grilled chicken pieces, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil leaves.
    6. Must use enough of the pasta so that all of the sauce is used and the pasta is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately.
    7. Garnish the dish with few strips of sun-dried tomatoes, grilled chicken pieces and basil leaves.
    - recipe provided by Hussain Tariq
     
    Cafe Blue Ginger 17 C, 2nd Zamzama Commercial Lane Phase 5, DHA Karachi, Pakistan telephone: (92.21) 3537.0861; 3537.0862
    ]]>     5117 0 0 0     A Knorr Adventure http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-knorr-adventure/ Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:13:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5122 Kay Adventures. The event took place at the SOS Children’s Village in Lahore on January 24. In collaboration with Gup Shup, the event included the launch of the second season of the 3D animated Urdu adventure cartoon series as well as two edutainment books for children, Plus Ka Jadoo and Toh Boltay Kyun Nahi, which will be distributed free to a target 200,000 children in Pakistan, through Knorr’s Corporate Social Responsibility partners, Idare-e-Taleem-o-Agahi, The Citizen’s Foundation, and Alif-Leila. For the entertainment segment of the evening, the first episode of the latest season of the animated series was shown to the students of the SOS School. The ever-popular Shehzad Roy, who sang the theme song of the series, was also there to sing and interact with the children. The cartoon series has continued its trend of celebrity voice-overs and the latest season includes voice-overs by Khalid Anum, Adeel Hashmi, Beo Raana Zafar and Arjumand Rahim.]]> 5122 0 0 0 Fabric Fashion: Shamraf Launches Second Outlet http://candle-thread.com/newsline/fabric-fashion-shamraf-launches-second-outlet/ Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:41:05 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5200 Newsline that several designers in the past have bought embroidered fabric from Shamraf for their own brands. The store will be launching another branch soon at the Dolmen Mall on Tariq Road and will expand further by opening branches in Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad later on this year.]]> 5200 0 0 0 Movie Poster Warehouse: Of Gods and Generals http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-poster-warehouse-of-gods-and-generals/ Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:45:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5210 This poster was originally published in the Annual 2012 issue of Newsline as part of the “Movie Poster Warehouse” series. More posters:  ]]> 5210 0 0 0 An Oscar For Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/an-oscar-for-pakistan/ Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:18:00 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5220 Newsline profiled Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and chronicled her filmmaking career. In February we wished her the very best as she headed for the 2012 Oscars in Los Angeles. Today we thank her for taking Pakistan centre stage for all the right reasons and for her inspiring speech (quoted below) as she accepted the 2012 Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject) for Saving Face. “To all the heroes working on the ground in Pakistan, including Dr Mohammad Jawad, who is here with us today – the plastic surgeon working on rehabilitating all these women. Rukhsana and Zakia, who are the main subjects of the film, whose resilience and bravery in the face of such adversity is admirable, and to all the women in Pakistan who are working for change, don’t give-up on your dreams – this is for you.”]]> 5220 0 0 0 Food Diary: Sugar Rush http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-sugar-rush/ Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:40:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5240 Last Week’s Food Diary: A Taste of Japan ]]> 5240 0 0 0 Smart Move: HTC Expands in Pakistan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/smart-move-htc-expands-in-pakistan/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:43:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5254 5254 0 0 0 In Peacock Hues: The New Designer Outlet at Port Grand http://candle-thread.com/newsline/in-peacock-hues-the-new-designer-outlet-at-port-grand/ Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:58:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5259 Ayyan and Irajstrutted down the ramp in street-style clothing by Deepak Perwani, followed by a peacock-inspired collection by celebrated designer Rizwan Beyg. Pomme Amina Afzal, the woman behind this unique fashion venture, explained that she wanted the Peacock Lounge to be a place where people could socialise and shop at the same time, and occasionally enjoy their “bursts of fashion” in the form of fashion shows. The store, she informed, will “stock on merit” since she did not want the Peacock Lounge to be like some of the other boutiques that stock up everything that comes their way. She was determined to stock outfits keeping in mind the “the talent and creativity of the designers and their ranking in the fashion world.” The store features veteran designers Sonya Batla, Rizwan Beyg and Deepak Perwani and newer talent like Sanam Agha and Sania Maskatiya.]]> 5259 0 0 0 Movie Poster Warehouse: The Shining http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-poster-warehouse-the-shining/ Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:17:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5276 Newsline as part of the “Movie Poster Warehouse” series. More posters: ]]> 5276 0 0 0 Ashes to Ashes? Analysis of the Pakistan Cricket Team’s Losses Against England http://candle-thread.com/newsline/ashes-to-ashes-analysis-of-the-pakistan-cricket-teams-losses-against-england/ Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:45:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5281 Afridi yet to come, Pakistan could still have backed themselves to bag the match. Misbah played a characteristically patient but sensible innings to propel Pakistan, and Akmal provided excitement in the innings with a couple of elegant boundaries. His contest with Steven Finn, who has looked threatening with his seam and control in the series, was enchanting. However, as has happened many times in the past, Akmal succumbed to his aggression. He attempted to follow up his boundary over point in the previous delivery with another four through the covers but instead found the diving hands of Samit Patel at extra cover. Akmal, who was expecting anything but a dismissal, stood his ground as the catch was referred to the 3rd umpire, Simon Taufel. After taking his time, viewing the catch from several angles, Taufel decided that there was no reason to give the benefit of doubt to Akmal and adjudicated that it was a clean catch. Pakistan’s batting powerplay, which had injected momentum into the run-chase, turned into a net loss, and not for the first time either. [caption id="attachment_5282" align="alignleft" width="300"]Pakistan's Shahid Afridi. Photo: AFP Pakistan's Shahid Afridi. Photo: AFP[/caption] With Afridi and Misbah at the crease, however, and with 72 needed from 67 deliveries, Pakistan was still very much in contention. Afridi looked rather spasmodic – even by his standards. He had a couple of swings without much luck and had a close call when he was dropped by Broad in the 43rd over in what would have been a blinding catch. The required rate was climbing, and some boom-boom magic was desperately required. Afridi obliged in the 44th over from Samit Patel, with a six over long-off, and followed up with a powerful boundary through extra-cover, giving ten runs from two balls. Pakistan, however, squandered the opportunity with just one run from the next three deliveries. Still, the required rate had been brought down with 44 runs from 36 balls. All that was needed from this pair was perseverance, maturity and strike rotation. However, Afridi capitulated to Afridi-ism as he attempted to smoke Anderson out of the park, missed and lost his middle and off stumps. With Misbah there and the required rate still in reasonable check, Pakistan was still in the hunt. However, that changed the moment Afridi’s replacement Abdur Rehman walked in. Rehman faced four dot balls as he kept softly dabbing and missing Anderson’s off cutters, leaving Pakistan with 44 runs to win from the last five overs. Misbah exquisitely cut away Broad’s first ball of the 46th over for a much-needed boundary before taking a single from the next ball, only to enable Rehman to repeat his antics from the previous over with another four dot balls and a generous wide. What did that leave Pakistan with? Thirty-eight from 24 balls. In the 47th over, Misbah could not find the gap; Rehman scored a single, faced two more dot balls (including one off a free-hit) and lost his off stump to a swing-and-a-miss on the last ball, walking off with one run from 12 deliveries. Rehman’s dot-ball galore put too much pressure on Misbah as he top-edged Broad, only to be caught brilliantly by Kieswetter and all but ended Pakistan’s hopes of a successful run-chase. The rest of Pakistan’s tail had some fun with a couple of tantalising boundaries, which made Pakistani supporters feel they could have won if Ajmal or Gul had been sent ahead of Rehman, who before this match was known as an all-rounder! At the end of the day, Pakistan was undone by Cook’s brilliance and England’s bowling discipline. But batting fragilities and the management’s perplexing decision to continue with Umar Akmal, who clearly does not have the wicketkeeping ability to perform at the international level, proved to be the deathblow. Adnan Akmal must be brought in for the next match. The dilemma, however, is who Adnan Akmal will replace. Given Younus Khan’s continued poor form in the ODIs, he deserves the axe as much as anyone else. Imran Farhat, even with his 47, hasn’t done enough to justify his continued selection in the ODI XI. However it is unlikely that Pakistan will proceed with such a course of action. Continuing with Akmal, however, who dropped Cook at 28, would be a disaster. It may also be an enterprising idea to bring Hammad Azam, a talented 21-year all-rounder, who starred in Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup team in place of Aizaz Cheema. [caption id="attachment_5283" align="alignright" width="300"]Pakistan's captain, Misbah-ul-Haq Pakistan's captain, Misbah-ul-Haq[/caption] Pakistan must also betray its traditional monotonousness with the batting order. Umar Akmal could be brought up the order to provide some momentum in the middle overs, and Asad Shafiq who has generally been a consistent ODI performer should not have been dropped for the 2nd ODI. Batting has been Pakistan’s traditional Achilles heel. It was exposed in the Test Series on several occasions, but Pakistan’s world-class spin attack was enough to atone and cover up failings with the blade. These structural problems must, however, be addressed. Misbah, Afridi and Younus (all in their 30s) will retire within the next five years. Pakistan must look forward, groom and discover a genuine all-rounder to replace Razzaq, hone the skills of young batsmen in the country’s talent-pool and help Mohammed Aamir return to international cricket. Pakistan needs him as badly as he needs a second chance. Pakistan also needs some better luck with the toss!
    This post was originally published as a note on Facebook.
    ]]>     5281 0 0 0     Food Diary: A Taste of Japan http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-a-taste-of-japan/ Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:06:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5291 5291 0 0 0 Pakistan-India Trade: Are Stronger Economic Ties for Real? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistan-india-trade-are-stronger-economic-ties-for-real/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:13:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5294 Reuters, ”It’s not peace that will lead to trade, but trade that will lead to peace… The direction is right but the speed is not fast enough.” Both India and Pakistan need to hear this message. And it seems like government officials from both nations can’t avoid it. With a visit by Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma to Pakistan this week, there has been a lot of talk of improving economic ties, and industry leaders on both sides of the border have been pushing leaders to make some breakthroughs. But it is unclear what truly new developments will emerge from Sharma’s meetings with his Pakistani counterpart, Amin Fahim. Pakistan already granted India Most Favoured Nation status last year, which was a necessary step towards normalising trade relations. Before this week’s trade meetings, though, there have been promises of visa reform, and soon Pakistan is supposed to supply India with a “negative list” detailing the goods that cannot be exported from India into Pakistan. The hope is that Pakistan will prepare a small list of non-tradeable goods as opposed to the current, not-so exhaustive “positive list.” A small “negative list” will be seen as a major step forward, and in the eyes of India, it will show Pakistan’s willingness to move ahead seriously on the trade front. Will Pakistan make the bold step? And will stronger, more open trade practices emerge between the two countries because of it? Tell us what you think. Participate in the poll below.  
    Vote in our poll:
    Do you believe that the current trade talks between India and Pakistan will lead to a new era of enhanced economic cooperation?
    • Yes (51%, 276 Votes)
    • No (33%, 179 Votes)
    • Undecided (16%, 46 Votes)
    Total Voters: 536
     ]]>     5294 0 0 0     Break the Silence: Fighting Sexual Harassment Together http://candle-thread.com/newsline/break-the-silence-fighting-sexual-harassment-together/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:47:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=5622 dupatta because of a man who cannot take his eyes off of me. I am a woman and my body defines my life. AASHA (Alliance Against Sexual Harassment) defines sexual harassment as “any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when it interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.” Recently, I attended a seminar on sexual harassment at SZABIST, presented by Dr Fouzia Saeed. The way she addressed the room full of young adults was awe-inspiring. She made witty remarks, gave relatable examples and, above all, spoke of her own experiences. The author of the bestseller Taboo stood at the rostrum and questioned the norms of our society, the very society in which a prostitute is slapped with bad words and negative labels while the man who visits her is subject to none. She asked, if there’s an area called the “red light area” where all the prostitutes live, then what is the name of the area where the “other” people live? With one thought-provoking statement after another, Dr Saeed was on a roll. She addressed the issue of respect: why is a woman’s tarnished, but a man’s intact in the same circumstances. And she asked how a woman in this country is socialised into being scared of going out in the evening, or alternatively, having a male chaperone accompany her if she does. The ways in which women are abused and harassed in Pakistan are seemingly endless. Women have acid thrown on them, they are assaulted by their in-laws and they are victims of incest, but when a woman claims that her husband raped her, it is so hard to believe. But if rape is when someone forces himself or herself sexually on to someone else, then a husband who does that to his wife commits rape. Then there are those cases that we hear everyday and to which we conveniently shrug our shoulders: cases in which women are constantly text messaged by ‘friendshippers,’ harassed by horny men with phone calls late at night, bullied after turning down proposals, and bombarded with unwanted suggestive comments and inappropriate emails. These things are seen as normal: jokes are cracked about the ‘friendshipper’ who emails, calls, stalks and texts; he’s famous for his harassment tactics. But what of the women who face men like this? I doubt it’s fun to be woken up by a phone call at 4am by some low-life, drained-of-dignity loser who felt like testing his luck to see if there’s a woman on the other end. Dr Saeed said that society behaves as if it is the woman’s fault that she is born with her female body, and laughingly suggested, “Tau hum lohe ke tent pehn ke phireingai?” She shared her experiences and has written about them in her new book, Working with Sharks, which she was inspired to write when she saw that women were being subjected to, and giving in to, the same kind of sexual harassment she faced while working for the United Nations. The harassment in the workplace has women fearful of senior male colleagues brushing up against them, angry with the uncomfortable ogling, and worst of all, scared of filing a complaint. It is impossible to say how many women are harassed annually in Pakistan. Comprehensive statistics are not tabulated, and even if they were, many women would be uncomfortable reporting or even talking about the harassment they experienced (though, some people are working towards changing that: read about Raahnuma). It is clear, though, that the number is not small. In an article in the Huffington Post from 2009, one Pakistani psychologist who counsels victims of harassment admitted that she sees “about 50 to 70 women per year.” That is the tally from just one psychologist in a nation of 180 million people. You see, we ask ourselves what has changed in all these years in our country. We are still fighting for women, and sexual harassment still prevails. But in Dr Saeed’s time, the term “sexual harassment” was not even allowed, and moreover, this behaviour was only deemed to be a nuisance. Today, however, there are laws against sexual harassment, thus making it a crime. But is that progress enough? Even though we have moved a step forward with the approval and application of The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Bill, we need to remember that that is just one step. There is an entire ladder to climb and the only way we can do that is if we climb it as a society and pay heed to the harassment women face instead of shunning them, labelling them and neglecting them. “I’m counting on your generation, you have access to the whole world, right in front of you,” said Dr Saeed. It’s time we end the “witch concept,” the concept of burning the idea of equality and the people who question the norms of society, those norms that suppress one to uplift the other. It’s time our society stands in solidarity and joins hands in the movement to liberate people in general and to do away with sexual harassment. Sexual harassment laws are not for women, but for people. “Let it be clear that this movement is not against men,” said Dr Saeed. “It is against [unacceptable] behaviour.”]]> 5622 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: Desert Queen http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-desert-queen/ Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:07:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4543 Girls Gone Wild. After which, poised at the corner of the stage, pointing a Kalashnikov at the audience, she challenged the crowd with her characteristic flamboyance, “Hello Abu Dhabi,” shouted the diva. Next up was Revolver, a femme fatale’s take on love from her  twelfth and latest, deftly-titled album MDNA, also the name of her current tour. Blood and bullets splattered across expansive LED screens throughout the song, which during other singles such as Radio and Gang Bang displayed impressive vivid imagery, including cartoon graphics and whimsical patterns, quite hallucinatory in their effect, coupled with seamless dances and elaborate acrobatic performances from her entourage. The lighting and sound equipment on stage was set-up by 120 technicians, all of whom, along with the equipment are reported to be flown to each destination of Madonna’s MDNA 2012 World Tour in  three Boeings’ 747. This is the singer’s first concert appearance in the UAE. Cementing her position as the ultimate pop diva, Madonna took a jab at singer Lady Gaga’s Born this Way – there was a recent controversy about the song being derived from Express Yourself – by performing both singles consecutively in a fiery display and mockingly ending the sequence with She’s Not Me. Catty as ever, at 55, Madonna’s message was clear: she could give most contemporary music counterparts a run for their money. Fans looking forward to some of the icon’s older hits would have met with disappointment as the singer, in what seems to be an attempt to get the attention of a relatively younger crowd was quite stingy about singing older hits. But, Material Girl and Vogue were performed with sheer brilliance, not just in terms of tenacious vocals but also stage execution and costumes. In the former, Madonna marched out with a 15 plus entourage in the English Massed Band style, and in the latter, set atop sleek vertical white pillars, clad in a black corset atop a crisp white shirt with trousers, which she consecutively undid in the next few songs to finally reveal the famous Jean Paul Gaultier cone-shaped bra. With ‘no fear’ tattooed on her back and a male dancer grazing her body, Madonna seductively sang Erotica. In what was the most anticipated concert of the decade for people in the Middle East and South East Asia, there was a huge audience from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, apart from several other countries. In Pakistan, corporations and agencies went all out to out-do each other to sell attractive promotional packages to the event, which included private entrances to the concert site and free drinks at the VIP bar. However, as the concert drew to a close some twenty minutes before the regular two hours – and in spite of the almost studied grandeur of the performances – many first-timers could have felt mildly cheated that in this concert in Abu Dhabi, no time at all was spent on the pop icon’s extensive musical oeuvre. Well, maybe next time!]]> 4543 0 0 0 Food Diary: Crab Gratin http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-crab-gratin/ Wed, 30 May 2012 14:44:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4567 Last Week’s Food Diary: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cake ]]> 4567 0 0 0 Food Diary: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cake http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-peanut-butter-and-chocolate-cake/ Wed, 23 May 2012 17:03:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4595 Last Food Diary: A Taste of Burma]]> 4595 0 0 0 The Chat Room: Minority Report http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-chat-room-minority-report/ Tue, 22 May 2012 17:10:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4605 The Chat Room: Episode 5 Topic: Spaces for interfaith dialogue are shrinking. Is it too late to turn things around? When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 @7:00pm Where: teabreak.com Who: Moderator Maheen Irfan Ghani is joined by panellists Zohra Yusuf (Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Pakistan), Mangla Sharma (Chairperson Pakistan Hindu Council) and Kashif Chaudhry (Newsline blogger).   During the 2010 floods, many victims from Ahmadi, Hindu and Christian communities were discriminated against in aid distribution. In 2011 alone, 24 Shia lawyers were targeted by extremist organisations. And just yesterday, a 160-year-old Hindu temple was vandalised in Peshawar. In Pakistan, Ahmadis can theoretically be sentenced to death for publicly professing their faith and our school textbooks only further preach distrust towards minority communities. How can a religion that preaches patience and tolerance be used as an argument for persecuting innocent Pakistani citizens? And how can a state that is meant to protect all its citizens continue to deny the minority communities their due rights?  
    Panelists’ Bios:
    Zohra Yusuf: Human rights activist and advertising guru, Zohra Yusuf, won the 2011 APNS award for her feature titled‘TV Channels or Electronic Pulpits.’ Zohra is the current Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and bureau member of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR). She is also the creative director at Spectrum Y&R and has helped steer the creative development of the agency over the years. Zohra also continues to write extensively on the media and human rights issues for various publications.
    Kashif N. Chaudhry: Kashif N. Chaudhry is a graduate of King Edward Medical College in Lahore and is presently completing his medical residency at Mt Sinai Hospital in New Jersey. He is a physician by profession, currently completing his residency training in internal medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine’s Englewood Hospital Program in New Jersey. Kashif is a regular contributor for various American newspapers and Pakistani publications and has written extensively on the struggles of religious minorities.
    Mangla Sharma: Mangla Sharma is the Chairperson of the Pakistan Hindu Council. She was previously  the city councillor of the Karachi District and has been a social worker for several years.
    Here are some Newsline articles and blogposts that provide insight on the issues faced by the minority communities of Pakistan:
    ]]>     4605 0 0 0     Classic Movie Review: Rear Window (1954) http://candle-thread.com/newsline/classic-movie-review-rear-window-1954/ Mon, 21 May 2012 17:13:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4608 Rear Window. L.B. Jefferies (Jimmy Stewart) is a photographer confined at home after breaking his leg at an auto-racing event. With not much to do at home, Jefferies takes to spying on his unsuspecting neighbours – a hobby that soon proves to be rather dangerous. Jefferies notices suspicious behaviour in the apartment right across the courtyard from his and becomes convinced that a woman has been murdered by her husband. Unfortunately, he has no evidence. He convinces a friend in the police to investigate and finds out that the suspect’s name is Thorwald and that Mrs Thorwald is allegedly travelling. Jefferies does not buy any of this and, with the help of his girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) and nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter), does his own sleuthing to prove that he was right all along. The whole film is shot from inside Jefferies’s apartment – thereby closely aligning the audience with him as he peers at his neighbours through binoculars. The characters are aware of their voyeurism and wisecracking nurse Stella even scolds Jefferies saying, “We’ve become a nation of peeping Toms. What people ought to do is get outside their own house and look in for a change.” The film’s legacy can be seen in the many remakes and spoofs it has inspired including a 1998 made-for-television movie adaptation starring the late Christopher Reeve and the Steven Spielberg film Disturbia (2007) starring Shia LeBeouf.]]> 4608 0 0 0 Beauty Tips: Surviving the Summer http://candle-thread.com/newsline/beauty-tips-surviving-the-summer/ Wed, 16 May 2012 17:40:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4631 4631 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: Interview: Risham Syed http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-interview-risham-syed/ Tue, 08 May 2012 18:17:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4661 Q. In the ‘Seven Seas,’ you entwine the intricacies of contemporary geo-politics with the 19th and 20th century cotton trade route of the British Empire. How is present day economics influenced by political history and how have you expressed this through your artwork? A. The cotton trade of the 18th and 19th century was a starting point for this work. The work speaks of the role of imperial powers and how geo-politics are manufactured.  The base cotton I used for all the quilts were from Lahore, the local cheap cotton that we use for bed sheets, and incidentally, the popular ones in the market are the prints with a European sensibility. With this vantage point I connect history with the present where imperial powers in the form of multinationals continue to control economies. I also embed a narrative of a local rebellion against the imperialist power that happened in 19th or early 20th century, within or around a port city Q. Each of the seven quilts represents a port city such as Izmir in Turkey, Mumbai in India and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. How important is symbolism by use of texture, technique, layering and other methods and how does each play a role in the narrative? A. The base material, as I’ve already mentioned, is cotton from Lahore. I travelled in the region and obtained embroidered fabrics and handlooms from each country. I also had the current maps of each region printed on to the local cotton. Having this vantage point of the current, I layered it with embroidery and handloom which has its roots in local traditional culture or history. For example, I used white-on-white jamdani for the back of the Chittagong hill tracts (Bangladesh) quilts. This was a form of revival with roots in the centuries old Bengali tradition of muslin-making. The British are allegedly reported to have chopped of the thumbs of muslin weavers to control the production of muslin. The layering of the embroidery is done to highlight a narrative of local rebellion. For example in case of the Chittagong quilt, I have a map of Chittagong hill tracts where the famous Bengali freedom fighter Surya Sen hid from the British forces. Sen led a nation-wide rebellion against the British and was finally caught and hanged. On the quilt, I used a big panel of kantha embroidery from Dhakka, which usually has figures that depict a communal activity. These cut-out figures were then appliquéd on my quilt to create a people’s army for Surya Sen. I also layered the quilt with  photographic prints, like Surya Sen’s portrait, and buttons from old European army coats from a second-hand market were used to indicate the movement of the British forces. dscss-300x190Q. The Abraaj Capital Art Prize allowed you to work with an established curator. How is this experience unique and how is it valuable to an artist? A. This was the first time that I worked closely with a curator. It was good to have someone talk to about one’s work and give an objective view. We had our differences of opinion but we talked through them and worked around them. Q. What are the challenges and artistic luxuries that an artist could enjoy in proposal-based projects? A. The proposal was accompanied by examples of work I have done in the past, and so there was a general idea of the direction that I was proposing to take.  From there onwards I was free to work on the project and I thoroughly enjoyed that experience. It was often challenging since I had to meet certain expectations, but then I guess one has to trust one’s gut and enjoy creating the artwork! Q. Your work has been showcased in art galleries around the world including the Talwar Gallery in New York and the Devi Art Foundation in Gurgaon, India. Was this your first venture in the Dubai art scene’? How would you compare it to more mature markets in Europe and North America? A. I have exhibited at Art Dubai before. Dubai is fast becoming an important centre for art from the region, which was evident at the Global Art Forum, a series of art talks, where speakers of international fame and repute spoke in Dubai at the end of March this year. Given the short time period within which the art scene of Dubai has flourished,  one must give it another few years and if things continue to grow, it will be comparable to more mature international art markets.]]> 4661 0 0 0 Food Diary: A Taste of Burma http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-a-taste-of-burma/ Wed, 02 May 2012 18:26:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4670 Last Week’s Food Diary: Big Shrimpin’]]> 4670 0 0 0 Sunflower Guerrillas: Plant Some Sunshine http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sunflower-guerrillas-plant-some-sunshine/ Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:54:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4681 Why Sunflowers? Sunflowers are not only loved for their bright and vibrant colours, they are also valued for their ability to improve the ground soil by acting as a green manure and by suppressing weed growth. The stunning flower is rich in nectar and pollen that attract beneficial insects, especially butterflies, and improves bee forage in the summer. A single sunflower plant looks just as striking as when these massive flowers are bunched together in a group. The best part is that sunflower seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin E. Since sunflowers are native to Pakistan, seeds are very cheap and available in most general and horticulture stores. Sunflowers are drought resistant which makes them ideal for Karachi. And birds love to eat them. How to plant sunflower seeds? Simply use a screw driver or a fork to loosen the soil. Add a handful of fresh compost if the patch is too sandy. Now simply sow your seeds two inches deep and cover them with soil. You might want to put a sign there just to know where exactly you planted the sunflower seeds. Water the space well and then come back to see the progress in a week’s time. Some seeds will sprout in a day or two, while some will take as long as two to three weeks. Blooming time depends on the variety you get. Some dwarf sunflowers will flower in two months and the huge six-eight feet tall flower heads will develop in three to four months time. How you can participate? Do it solo or make a group. You can plant sunflowers anytime during the day. Luckily May 1 is a public holiday so you don’t have to worry about the timing and traffic. If you recruit your friends, you will be able to cover a larger area as a group. Make sure you send us your photos, videos and most importantly share your experience with us at Crops in Pots. What you will need? All you need is some sunflower seeds, something to dig with, water and some compost. If you join us in Karachi (the venue will be announced on our Facebook page), Caritas will have free seeds for you. How to select a spot? The idea is to beautify your roadsides, ugly roundabouts, weedy tree pits, a neglected neighbourhood garden or simply any spot that can use a bit of brightness. Ideally, the spot should not be too dry and sandy so that the sunflowers aren’t weeded away. Pick a spot that is near your work or home or a street, which you pass by every day, so that you can easily stop by and water your plants. Some more ideas: -Use coconut husk along with compost to retain moisture -If you feel watering can become an issue, then you can use an empty plastic bottle with a hole in the bottle-cap. Cut the bottom, invert it and fix it near your plant, fill it with water. It will keep dripping for a few days. -If you don’t know which variety you are planting, don’t worry! Trust me this will turn out to be very exciting. -Make this a family or friends get-together or host an event in your school. This can become an excellent community activity for your NGO as well. -Take a picture with your sunflowers and show it to everyone! Don’t forget to tag us! Our country needs some brightness and lots of bright sunflowers growing around us will definitely make a difference. Become a guerrilla gardener this summer, and sow some brightness across your town! Happy gardening!]]> 4681 0 0 0 Theatre Review: Koel http://candle-thread.com/newsline/theatre-review-koel/ Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:09:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4695 Koel was definitely one of the best. It explored themes of loneliness, the need for love and one man’s struggle to fight against both. An adaptation of a television play by Dr Enver Sajjad, shown on PTV in the ’90s, Koel is the story of Dr Waheed (Adnan Jaffar), a world-renowned physicist whose groundbreaking work in the field of science garners him a horde of admirers but who is quite alone in his personal life. Holed up in his study, Dr Waheed has nobody to keep him company apart from a faithful butler (Kashif Hussain) and a koelwhich never sings. Dr Waheed believes love is a useless emotion, guaranteed to bring heartache, and is thus quite satisfied with his life of solitude. Or so he thinks. Enter Zarina (Farheen Zehra), a science student who has admired Dr Waheed from afar, is desperately in love with him and proceeds to pour out her heart to him. Dr Waheed laughs off her advances but finds himself increasingly restless after the encounter. He reaches out to Dr Ghazala (Nimra Bucha), his psychiatrist, in order to figure out his aversion. Director, Kulsoom Aftab (who also played Zarina’s friend, Shehla), did a commendable job to bring Dr Enver Sajjad’s characters to life on stage. The dialogue was sharp and witty, and though it bordered on the philosophical, it never become too wordy or intellectual for the audience to lose interest. The themes of love and passion, which could have come off as melodramatic, were handled with grace. Symbolism was incorporated into the storyline with subtlety, in the form of the koel which sings immediately after Dr Waheed’s encounter with Zarina, echoing his awakening to the possibility of love. Adnan Jaffar stole the show with his stellar performance. His body language, gestures and expressions added depth to his character, and made his anguish and bewilderment seem genuine to the viewers. The set design, sound effects and lighting also enhanced the overall experience. The set design was impressive, with a very effective use of space. The lighting helped create different moods required for each scene, and unique sound effects gave an almost eerie quality to the scenes. There could have been additional interaction between Dr Waheed and Zarina, as the one scene did not seem enough to learn more of Dr Waheed’s aversion to human affection. But this lack of explanation adds a little mystery to the storyline, leaving some aspects to the audience’s imagination. Overall, Koel was a delight to watch and left the audience thinking about it long after it was over.]]> 4695 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: License to Kill? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-license-to-kill/ Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:53:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4705 Dubai has the third-highest death rate from traffic accidents in the world preceding neighbouring countries Saudi Arabia and Oman. Living in this large, complex and culturally rich-metropolitan city has its challenges. One of them is speed.
    Recently, a friend told me of a 21-year-old Pakistani girl, whom she knew, who had died in a freak accident on her way to work in Abu Dhabi, travelling on a familiar route she had taken for the past five years. The car, she says –and evident by pictures in the local newspaper – displayed gruesome damage almost as if run-over by a bull-dozer, except that she had actually run into a tree.  In 2010, Emirates 24-7, a UAE-based newspaper reported that there was a car accident every 4.5 minutes in Abu Dhabi. Dubai’s third deadliest highway, Sheikh Zayed road, was home to a 150-car collision in 2008, the worst ever in its history, that killed four people and injured over 300. In March this year, a nine year-old boy was killed in a traffic accident when a car moving at high speed crashed into the stationery car and the boy was thrown out of the window – he died instantly.The Shariah law is practiced in Dubai and in case of severe injury of victims in accidents, the accused stands to wait in jail, his/her fate decided by the fate of the victim. If the victim dies and if his/her family agrees, they can be paid blood money or dhiyya to redeem the accused. There is no trial.In 2009, an intriguing case of blood money was reported when a Lebanese woman, who was also nine-months pregnant, was fined USD 540 blood money for ‘accidentally’ killing her fetus in a traffic accident. The blood money was paid to the fetus’ ‘successors’. In a cruel twist of fate the mother not only had to grieve her unborn child’s traumatic demise but she had to grudgingly deal with the moral complexities of being ‘accidentally’ responsible for the alleged crime.
    Since 2007, in an attempt to control alarming accident figures, the Dubai police actively undertook a stringent accident-combating program – in 2007, 332 deaths were caused by car accidents alone. Some of these measures include a Western point-system on traffic penalties, whereby accumulation beyond a limit could lead to license confiscation. Traffic laws were amended to include punishments for driving under the influence of alcohol – a zero-tolerance law. And depending on the severity of the accident, a jail-term could range from a couple of months to three years, and fines could total between Dhs 20,000 to 30,000. As part of an aggressive campaign to control reckless driving speed in Dubai, the government also installed state-of-the-art digital speed cameras, every two kilometers on its major highway’s with heavy, progressive fines imposed on the number of speeding tickets.
    To acquire a license in Dubai is a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. A UK/US/Canadian passport holder can have their licenses converted to a Dubai license, in spite of the UK’s right-hand driving system. Asians have previously found it difficult to pass driving tests and most have to resort to taking a driving ‘course’ that can total to a whopping Dhs 3,000 to 5,000 financial outlay. Money, however, is an unlikely hindrance to most residents in Dubai. Many high-speed addicts, who can afford to pay for this deadly luxury, are said to put aside a monthly allowance for speeding fines. A case in point, an Emirati teenager who is said to have accumulated Dhs 70,000 worth of fines on speeding alone, in just one year. Fancy cars are as common in Dubai as rickshaws are in Pakistan. There is a growing appetite for the finest, exotic cars companies in the Arab, as well as in the luxury-loving expatriate population – such as Bugatti design custom-made special edition cars. Arrogance is evident by harassment on the road and status stereotyping is practiced by tail-gating, or flashing headlights to bully terrified inferiors out of the way, or overtaking lesser, ordinary cars – in Dubai this could be a brand-new Honda Civic. Most accidents in the UAE are caused by male drivers whose chauvinism on the road often induces road games between drivers. A general lack of respect, even impatience towards traffic rules, exists in Dubai. Shockingly, pedestrian deaths are 25% of accident fatalities. The RTA (Road and Transport Authority) has developed specific campaigns such as educational workshops across schools, colleges and organisations to promote driver awareness. Text messages are sent to the driving public to remind them of their social responsibilities. Emirati business man, Khalaf Al Habtoor, expressed his disregard for traffic fines, and categorised them as ‘hidden charges,’ with the long-term aim of discouraging investors from relocating to Dubai. “You drive at 80 km/h and when do you reach work? Tomorrow?” he said.
    ]]>     4705 0 0 0     Dubai Dispatch: The Eagles Rock http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-the-eagles-rock/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:30:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4734 4734 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: Gourmet Gathering http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-gourmet-gathering/ Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:58:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4757 th year at the Dubai Media City from March 15-17. The festival allowed food-junkies to indulge their palates at affordable prices from a high-end line-up of 26 restaurants from across the city. Famous restaurants included London’s  favorite The Ivy, a local Lebanese chain the Times of Arabia, Giorgio Armani’s Armani Peck which offers Milan’s finest cuisine, the American Chinese giant P.F. Chang’s and another British favorite, Rivington Grill. While a festive atmosphere prevailed throughout the three-day, packed event, the warm weather also contributed to attracting greater crowds at night. Children and adults, both, relished scrumptious food and drinks; some sprawled in the grass while others swayed to popular music belted by local bands on stage. The European food appliance company Miele, in collaboration with top celebrity chefs from all over the globe, conducted live classes for the food academic. Notable chefs included Francesco Dimonte from Armani Peck and Food Network’s television personality, Aarti Sequeira. The Palm Jumeirah, home to one of the most expensive restaurants in the world, the famed Nobu, offered the public an opportunity to sample its signature dishes such as Nobu’s Sashimi Salad in small portions at a fraction of the price. My personal favorite though was the divine almond granita, an almond slush at its simplest with a unique, balanced blend, detectable and satisfying. Though branded by some as a relatively elitist event, with a charge of almost Dhs 70 per day (approximately USD 23), not covering food or drinks, it is still an excellent way to experience the best of what Dubai has to offer in way of diverse fine cuisine.]]> 4757 0 0 0 Food Diary: Big Shrimpin’ http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-big-shrimpin/ Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:03:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4761 Last Week’s Food Diary: Peachy Keen]]> 4761 0 0 0 Cricket: Fame and Fortune http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cricket-fame-and-fortune/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:58:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4791 By Sandeep Kumar, New Delhi It is common knowledge that changes in time and format have helped cricket become a money-minting source of entertainment associated with glitz and glamour as much as skilled performance. With the popularity of the T20 format and the Indian Premier League (IPL), cricket – like all big business – today involves big money, and by extension, all the murkiness that surrounds the pursuit of lucre. When two teams clash on the cricket fields, there’s now too much at stake in the world outside – huge amounts of money to be made or lost.]]> 4791 0 0 0 Food Diary: Peachy Keen http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-peachy-keen/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:03:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4795 Last Week’s Food Diary: Sugar and Spice]]> 4795 0 0 0 Imprinted http://candle-thread.com/newsline/imprinted/ Thu, 10 May 2012 06:37:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4815 Newsline narrows down the best of what the designers have to offer in their Spring/Summer collections. To begin slideshow click on any photograph:]]> 4815 0 0 0 Food Diary: Sugar and Spice http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-sugar-and-spice/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:14:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4884 Last Week’s Food Diary: Dum Keema]]> 4884 0 0 0 Food Diary: Dum Keema http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-dum-keema/ Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:47:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4930 dum keema is the perfect choice for any desi dinner. Cooked in a handi  and marinated in papaya and traditional spices, this spicy savory dish can be prepared at home and still stand tall next to any Burns Road creation.  Serve with warm, fresh naan if you’re in the mood for a dhaba-style meal. fooddiary3pt21-150x150Last Week’s Food Diary: Traditionally Cooked Seafood]]> 4930 0 0 0 What Went Wrong in the Match Against India http://candle-thread.com/newsline/what-went-wrong-in-the-match-against-india/ Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:07:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4958 4958 0 0 0 Interview Preview: With Mira Nair and Mohsin Hamid http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-preview-with-mira-nair-and-mohsin-hamid/ Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:33:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4202 Mohsin Hamid’s award winning novel, now a film, which Variety magazine calls “the hot-button 9/11 themed thriller,” and which director Mira Nair in an exclusive interview to Newsline calls a “political thriller,” it is exciting to see that in less than 24-hours the film has generated a huge buzz on mainstream and social media. Just a few weeks before the movie’s world premiere at Venice, I spoke to Nair on the phone in Kampala, Uganda, which besides New York and New Delhi, is one of the cities where the director has a home. Mira was excited about her New York and Lahore-based thriller. She spoke in detail of her love for Lahore, Pakistani music and her desire to portray the rich, cultural heritage of Pakistan and that she saw Hamid’s novel as “a springboard for the dialogue between the subcontinent and America.” Venice was where Nair’s rich adaptation of The Reluctant Fundamentalist first unveiled itself with the most of the cast in attendance: Riz Ahmed as Changez, the film/book’s protagonist, Kate Hudson as Erica, Liev Schreiber as Bobby, Kiefer Sutherland as Jim. The film also features Pakistani singer and actor, Meesha Shafi, and veteran Indian actors, Shabana Azmi and Om Puri. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), (September 6 -16, 2012), features next on The Reluctant Fundamentalist’s calendar of appearances. Toronto will be a special place for Nair to have her North American premiere which unlike Cannes and Venice, is the largest publicly attended festival in the world, with the most film-savvy audiences I have ever seen. In 2007, I was a coordinator assisting the South Asian programmer at TIFF and witnessed how Bollywood arrived at TIFF at huge gala screenings with the pomp and flair for which it is famous; how independent cinema from South Asia, mainly India, continues to capture the hearts of open-minded and empathetic audiences; and how Toronto’s largest visible minority – the South Asian one – laps up each and every story from their corner of the world. In 2007, Pakistani director, Sabiha Sumar brought her short documentary Dinner with the President: A Nation’s Journey to TIFF. It was the only film at the festival from Pakistan, with Pakistani-themed content. People I met, including my colleagues, wanted more from Pakistan, to learn more about this country that has been zeroed in on the world’s radar this whole decade, through a less stereotypical medium – film. In 2006, Mira Nair brought the adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel The Namesake, to Toronto. Audiences wept and laughed as Nair painted the story of a Bengali couple who cross oceans to live together in distant America. In my conversation with Nair, she said this story was about “the immigrant condition, perhaps, and generational conflict – much more in the family zone.” Six years later, Nair describes her new film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist as “a political thriller; it’s really about what is going on in the world today, this wall, this schism between East and West,” she tells me in her interview with Newsline. Venice has already seen it, Toronto has a lot to look forward to and Pakistan awaits it in the near future. Read more about The Reluctant Fundamentalist in our September, 2012 issue to learn of what novelist Mohsin Hamid and director Mira Nair have to say about their experience of making the film.]]> 4202 0 0 0 Food Diary: Breakfast Burrito http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-breakfast-burrito/ Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:11:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4297 Spicy scrambled eggs with pepper jack cheese, wrapped in a  toasted tortilla, and topped with sour cream and salsa fresca. This savoury dish is muy sabroso and can be found at the Balans Café. The restaurant chain is located in several places in London and Miami. FD17-150x150Last Food Diary: Chocolate Fondant]]> 4297 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: Pilgrim’s Progress http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-pilgrims-progress/ Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:15:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4302 I had arrived in Medina, the second-holiest site in Islam and home to the Prophet’s grave, before beginning the seven-hour journey by bus to Mecca. The Saudis have a randomly organised system of transportation called SAPTCO that offers bus rides from Medina to Mecca every half hour – the station is located across the Masjid-e-Nabwi mosque. The drive to the bus station was organised by our enterprising hotel manager in Medina, who stopped a wayward car, spoke to the driver for less than half-a-minute, after which the gentleman abandoned what I could only assume was his earlier destination, and instead lazily drove us to the station nearby. After a series of hiccups on account of a clearly disorganised conveyance system, we were finally on board our bus an hour after the scheduled time, and at the mercy of our temperamental, rash driver who thankfully deposited us some eight hours later, close to dawn, at the gates of the Kaaba. When you are in Mecca, on your way to Al Haram, where the Kaaba is situated, what greets you first is the Abraj Al Bait, a majestic if imposing structure reaching into the sky with its Empire State Building-esque pinnacle. The Abraj Al Bait is a complex built at the reported cost of a staggering USD 15 billion, and is currently the second tallest building in the world, surpassed only by another Arab technological high-achiever, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai.  The Bait also holds other impressive records: it has the largest four-faced clock – 45 metres in diameter, with a 72-foot minute hand and a 55-foot hour hand.  The Bait is also the tallest hotel in the world. The clock glows in an electric green light at night with its LED inscription, ‘Allahu Akbar’ visible from several kilometres away, facing north, south, east and west. At the top of the Bait’s tower is a crescent made of fiber glass mosaic gold and the crescent was reportedly divided into 10 parts to move it to Mecca. Whispering ‘Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik’ (here I am oh Allah, here I am), I cautiously made my way into the Haram, anxious to catch my first glimpse of the epicenter of the Muslim faith. And my first gut reaction to the vision of the Kaaba was a fierce protectiveness, for there is an absolute sublime perfection in the Kaaba that engenders feelings such as these.  The divisions within the faith are, however, less sublime. The Saudis religious credo has been documented in a recent issue of the New Yorker by Basharat Peer aptly titled: Modern Mecca. The article points out the increasing influence of Wahabism, a conservative branch of Islam developed by an 18thcentury Muslim theologian, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, which discourages the preservation of historic sites such as the Prophet’s (PBUH) house and those of his companions in order to prevent polytheism and idolatry which Wahhab believed was fostered by sacred monuments. Opinion on this controversial and sensitive matter is divided in the Muslim world, but those subscribing to the Wahabi doctrine have ensured that in Saudi Arabia, at least a certain dogmatism prevails  which often engenders the destruction of the Muslim heritage.  For example, the house of Hazrat Khadija was toppled to accommodate the expansion of the Grand Mosque, over which a bathroom complex was built; the Hilton hotel stands atop the house of Hazrat Abu Bakr- the Prophet’s (PBUH) closest confidante and first caliph. The Abraj Al Bait itself stands on the Ajyad fortress that was built in the late 18th century to protect the Kaaba from invaders. The Saudis dismiss the outcries against the demolition of sacred structures, sometimes citing economic reasons as an excuse.  They maintain that old structures need to make for new ones that will provide accommodation for the ever-increasing pilgrim population: Mecca hosts over 10 million pilgrims each year and this number is expected to rise to over 25 million by 2016. In response to these projections, the Gulf Air Civil Authority (GACA) raised over USD 4 billion earlier this year for further re-expansion of the Jeddah airport. The ambitious Haramain High Speed Rail project, built at a total cost of USD 9.3 billion, will eventually transport over three million pilgrims from Medina to Mecca each year, replacing the currently limited and cumbersome transport options of buses, taxis and personal vehicles. The project, now in its third phase, is expected to be completed later this year. These justifications notwithstanding, in a forum devoted to Mecca and its current advancements, some visitors of the kingdom criticised the Abraj Al Bait with its ‘oversized’ clock as a ‘Big Ben’ and others saw in the new building and structures coming up a New York and Las Vegas wannabe style ethos that is completely alien to Saudi culture. It is true the Kaaba is surrounded by cranes and skyscrapers: a dizzying testament to The Kingdom’s pursuit of tourism.  Amid prayers, one can now hear endless traffic and the sounds of construction as Saudi Arabia continues in its quest of malls, hotels and food franchises.  There can be no doubt that The Kingdom is clearly now setting itself up as a hospitality centre for tourists from the Middle East akin to entertainment hubs like Dubai. One of the pilgrims I came across at Mecca, a slight gentleman from Lahore, told me quite animatedly of his travel plans, which included a one-week five star hotel stay in Mecca followed by a short ‘cool off’ stint in Dubai before he headed home with his family. Against this backdrop, the pilgrimage may never be quite the same.]]> 4302 0 0 0 Food Diary: Chocolate Fondant http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-chocolate-fondant/ Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:18:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4305 FD16-150x150Last Food Diary: Summer’s Sweetest]]> 4305 0 0 0 Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-the-dark-knight-rises/ Sat, 04 Aug 2012 15:21:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4309 Batman Begins released in 2005, no, even before that, with Batman & Robin failing disastrously in 1997 – well, that film has finally arrived. With Batman Begins, director Christopher Nolan proved that it’s possible to make the Batman story watchable again, grounding it in reality and going back to the origins of this legendary character. With the second film, The Dark Knight, Nolan outdid himself and delivered movie history in the making and, arguably, the best superhero film ever. He was of course greatly aided by Heath Ledger’s unforgettable, blistering performance as Joker. Now, with The Dark Knight Rises, Nolan ends this trilogy with the pitch that the third part may just be the best one. Does it work? Does this film meet all one’s expectations to surpass the previous two films? Well, not entirely. It’s peace time in Gotham City, eight years after Harvey Dent’s death and the night that Batman disappeared. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a recluse (obviously), and his business is faltering. His trusted valet and father figure, Alfred (Michael Cane) is the only person who is in contact with him and constantly urges him to go back out in the world. He also can’t bear to see Bruce Wayne’s pain and he certainly can’t stand the thought of having to bury another member of the Wayne family. Soon a mysterious figure called Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) enters Bruce’s life. She is a master thief and seductress and proceeds to become the bridge between the billionaire and terrorist Bane, who has reached Gotham City with one purpose alone, wanting to reduce it to ashes. (Tom Hardy as Bane is no Heath Ledger, but it’s hard to act with one’s eyes only and he does it exceptionally well). After eight years, Bruce Wayne is now forced to become the Batman once more and fight Bane and his army of mercenaries. Like always, he is aided by Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and this time they are joined by young police officer, John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Without giving away any plot-spoilers, nothing seems to go as planned for Batman/Bruce Wayne. He has an interesting love-hate relationship with Selina Kyle, he must bring down a physically superior Bane, and he is constantly confronted by his past. He also has to consider a potentially prosperous future, business-wise and personally, in the form of Wayne Enterprises board member, Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard). Nonetheless, the film never matches expectations. The first half is very weak; Bruce Wayne is supposed to be in pain, but this never comes across convincingly – even though he’s got a slump and a beard, he’s still too smug to be considered broken. The Batman vs. Bane fight is a highpoint and the portions after that, cleverly linking intoBatman Begins’s storyline, are easily the film’s best. Wayne’s fall and his eventual rise are cleverly structured, however, what eventually happens to the Bane character, courtesy the film’s writers, is disappointing. In this third episode of the Batman franchise the trilogy comes to a fitting, adrenaline-filled finale. Chris Corbould deserves special mention for special effects and the Bat, the flying Batmobile, is memorable. Every role is filled by a marvellous actor or actress, so surely The Dark Knight Rises is the ensemble cast film of the year, notThe Avengers. But, seen as an individual film, The Dark Knight Rises is incomplete without the first, BatmanBegins, which is actually still the best of the trilogy – yes, even better than The Dark Knight. The ending of The Dark Knight Rises shares some DNA with Inception, Nolan’s last film, and the viewer can decide for himself what to make of it. The film is fun in parts and exciting in others, but because it has a weak first half and an uninteresting character arc for Bruce Wayne, it is ultimately flawed.]]> 4309 0 0 0 Colour Me Beautiful: Kemon Hair Products Launch http://candle-thread.com/newsline/colour-me-beautiful-kemon-hair-products-launch/ Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:47:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4334 4334 0 0 0 Interview: Mehreen Rizvi-Khursheed at Bonhams http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-mehreen-rizvi-khursheed-at-bonhams/ Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:17:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4346 How would you evaluate this year’s Modern and Contemporary South Asia Art sale at Bonhams? It went off pretty well, under the circumstances. On the day it seemed that some of the Indian pieces would not sell. Despite the scare, we are the only auction house this season to have had a record price on any artist, but it has been very, very, tough. The Sotheby’s sale was the next day and Christie’s followed a few days after. They had a similar sort of result in terms of percentage sold, but, of course, they had higher-value Lots. However, bar a few works that went way over the estimate, in their sale and in ours, the market is not like it was in 2007 and early 2008 when Lots were going five, six and ten times more than the estimate. Gulgee’s 1965 work titled ‘Buzkashi,’ which depicts Afghanistan’s national sport, was one of the highlights of this section, more than doubling its upper estimate to make £61,250. Please comment. The Gulgee is a very rare work that went triple of the high-reserve price because it is an exceptional painting. I have seen a lot of works by Gulgee with collectors and in his museum, but nothing like this has come up in the market so far. What was the criterion for this particular selection of Pakistani contemporary art? I have been in the business about 20 years and this is not a curatorial process. We are not putting together an exhibition. At an auction house, it’s a commercial enterprise and we are at the mercy of the people wanting to sell their artwork. I am not at liberty to find the best Pakistani art, but we attempt to source the best works of the top artists that do well at auction, mainly the masters. It is a gallery’s job to exhibit contemporary artists, but if we obtain a few good pieces, then we’ll put them in as we did for this sale, since we have a wide base of collectors that collect contemporary works. How do you put a good sale together? Predominantly, a key impetus to putting a good sale together is artwork in private collections, all over the world. Since we are dealing with an international market we look for works which have not been seen, are new to the market and which dealers haven’t got. We look for works that have just been sitting on people’s walls for the past few decades – those are the items that do well. Gulgee’s ‘Buzkushi’ was bought by an American visiting Pakistan sometime in the late ’60s or early ’70s, and it had been with him in Washington D.C. since then. No one had seen or heard about it but we were able to get the painting. Bonhams, and auction houses in general, need to specialise in similar purchases because that’s when we see the best results. And that’s what we try and do over and over again. How do you source paintings from private collections? Well, mostly through word of mouth. Also, most sources know Bonhams and they come to our worldwide network of offices which is fairly vast. Maybe they go to our competitors first, but since we are an established name for Pakistani masters and get the world record prices for Pakistani art, they usually come to us. We are the leaders in Pakistani art, we get the best prices and get the maximum number of Pakistani artists at our auctions. This time the ratio of Pakistani art matched Indian– it was half and half. How do you tell the real from the fake, especially masterpieces by deceased artists? To authenticate an artwork, for example a Sadequain, we take the opinion of three or four people, collectors and other artists who have worked with him. If there is even one percent doubt we will not add it to our sale. If authenticity is questionable, once the artwork is in the catalogue, we would immediately take it out of the auction. Our regular collectors know this. In Pakistan, there are no estates for these artists, so we have to complete the authentication process ourselves. Only Sadequain has an estate based in San Diego and we do incorporate their opinion. Authentication is an extremely lengthy process, especially for the price that we achieve for some of these artists. Another gallery or auction house may not have the time to email images to five different people, for a £15,000, Sadequain! But we go out of our way to do this, and that is why we have established our name in Pakistani art. We conduct very, very stringent tests, even going so far as to do a comparative assessment of his handwriting. For a Chughtai, we would also conduct similar consultations. Of course, provenance is a major issue with someone like Chughtai. It is a policy at Bonhams that we provenance who the work belonged to, we encourage our sellers to put their names in and when we are allowed to, we always disclose the owner’s identity in our catalogues and on our website. Chughtai’s watercolour, ‘Untitled (Girl with Instrument)’, belonged to Justice S.A. Rahman’s collection and was gifted by the artist to him, so there is no question about its authenticity. An ‘Untitled,’ oil painting by Gulgee was sourced from the Noon family, who even gave us a photo of Gulgee in their home, photographed with the painting on sale. The more evidence and history we can show our clients the better. That’s what we concentrate on. We try to get the best work from the best collections, which would never be on the market otherwise and, therefore, we get the best prices. And when we get the best prices, we get the next auction with Pakistani art together. And since I am from Pakistan, this objective is very dear to me. Are international buyers wary of buying Pakistani art? International collectors don’t want to buy in Pakistan because they are aware of the fakes floating around in the market, especially the masters, such as Sadequain, Jamil Naqsh and Chughtai. But with us, they know that we will have authenticated the piece and provide a guarantee. Is the situation similar for Indian art selected for auction? There are not so many fakes in the Indian market, for example, so it’s very easy to put together a sale. But in our market, there are more fakes than there are real, of Chughtai, Allah Bux, Bashir Mirza even Jamil Naqsh, who is alive. We take a lot of trouble to source Pakistani art and authenticate it. Which organisation or dealer or gallery would put in the effort to authenticate a £15, 000 Sadequain compared to a £150, 000 M.F Husain? It takes a lot of effort to get these pieces authenticated. I get at least two dozen emails a week with photos of fake Sadequains – no serious art organisation will put up with that. I have refused several original pieces because of the proliferation of fake Pakistani masters. Why, then, would serious collectors consider Pakistani art when there’s such a choice out there? What is the difference between Indian and Pakistani art at auctions? The price points between Indian and Pakistani art are very, very different, and quite far from each other. Pakistani art is good and prices are increasing slowly and steadily. But they need to go up a lot more and a lot quicker. Will Bonhams feature Pakistani artists in larger numbers each year? If we find good quality, authentic pieces, then of course we will put a good sale together. We were lucky this year that half the number of Lots were Pakistani, but it may not be the case every time. I am hoping to do this again next year but the quality of the work has to be very good since our collectors won’t settle for anything less. How are fakes in the Pakistani art market affecting Pakistani art sales in the international market? A great painting by Sadequain should be priced a lot higher, especially when you compare it to the worldwide prices of say Chinese or Russian art or art from emerging markets or Middle Eastern art. While international collectors are wary of this market, even if they like the work, Pakistani collectors don’t seem to have a problem buying a fake. I have a very hard time understanding why they do this. There is a whole network of art collectors, fakers and gallery-owners, because wherever there is a buyer for a cheaper, fake work then, of course, there are going to be sellers and makers. This spoils the integrity of the real art market and in other countries there would be laws against it – it’s a criminal offence. And I have to reiterate here that these are serious collectors who proudly display their fakes. I don’t know when it became alright to do this. Sometimes the real works are mixed in with the fakes. Buyers need to be more knowledgeable about this because they may not even be aware of purchasing a fake. What does this have to say about us as a nation and as a people? It shows that everything goes. If you really want something and can’t get the real thing, then put up a poster, but please don’t get a fake. I don’t know which galleries are doing this since I don’t come to Pakistan that often, but it will have a very negative long-term effect in the international market. It perpetuates a negative image of the country’s art, especially that of the younger, newer contemporary artists who are trying so hard to break into the international art world. Works by Pakistani masters and young contemporary artists have sold at fantastic prices at art sales in the West. How does this profit artist and country? With the negative there is always a positive. If we weren’t selling them, no one would be selling them, there would be no record price and no one would be writing about it. International art aficionados would not know who the Pakistani masters are, they would never see them. There are no museums to go and see them, they are not in any museums in the UK and they are not even seen in the museums of Pakistan. Where would you go and see an early work of Gulgee and where would you go to see a good Sadequain? How many people go to the National Art Gallery in Islamabad, especially international collectors and the international press? How have you increased your buyer base? We’ve found that online bidding has widened the market and opened it up to younger, newer collectors. Online images are even better than in a catalogue and one can also see the close-up of each painting. This has allowed people, who would never consider buying art at an auction in London, to think about it. The Bonhams preview at Art Dubai, this March, also helped sales and there were several people who bid from Dubai, but not as many as we had hoped, considering we previewed there. When Bonhams had auctions in Dubai, wealthy Pakistanis were active bidders but it’s harder, of course, to get them to bid in London.
    Pakistani art at London’s leading auction houses this summer: Under the Hammer
    ]]>     4346 0 0 0     Classic Movie Review: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes http://candle-thread.com/newsline/classic-movie-review-gentlemen-prefer-blondes/ Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:32:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4351 How would you evaluate this year’s Modern and Contemporary South Asia Art sale at Bonhams? It went off pretty well, under the circumstances. On the day it seemed that some of the Indian pieces would not sell. Despite the scare, we are the only auction house this season to have had a record price on any artist, but it has been very, very, tough. The Sotheby’s sale was the next day and Christie’s followed a few days after. They had a similar sort of result in terms of percentage sold, but, of course, they had higher-value Lots. However, bar a few works that went way over the estimate, in their sale and in ours, the market is not like it was in 2007 and early 2008 when Lots were going five, six and ten times more than the estimate. Gulgee’s 1965 work titled ‘Buzkashi,’ which depicts Afghanistan’s national sport, was one of the highlights of this section, more than doubling its upper estimate to make £61,250. Please comment. The Gulgee is a very rare work that went triple of the high-reserve price because it is an exceptional painting. I have seen a lot of works by Gulgee with collectors and in his museum, but nothing like this has come up in the market so far. What was the criterion for this particular selection of Pakistani contemporary art? I have been in the business about 20 years and this is not a curatorial process. We are not putting together an exhibition. At an auction house, it’s a commercial enterprise and we are at the mercy of the people wanting to sell their artwork. I am not at liberty to find the best Pakistani art, but we attempt to source the best works of the top artists that do well at auction, mainly the masters. It is a gallery’s job to exhibit contemporary artists, but if we obtain a few good pieces, then we’ll put them in as we did for this sale, since we have a wide base of collectors that collect contemporary works. How do you put a good sale together? Predominantly, a key impetus to putting a good sale together is artwork in private collections, all over the world. Since we are dealing with an international market we look for works which have not been seen, are new to the market and which dealers haven’t got. We look for works that have just been sitting on people’s walls for the past few decades – those are the items that do well. Gulgee’s ‘Buzkushi’ was bought by an American visiting Pakistan sometime in the late ’60s or early ’70s, and it had been with him in Washington D.C. since then. No one had seen or heard about it but we were able to get the painting. Bonhams, and auction houses in general, need to specialise in similar purchases because that’s when we see the best results. And that’s what we try and do over and over again. How do you source paintings from private collections? Well, mostly through word of mouth. Also, most sources know Bonhams and they come to our worldwide network of offices which is fairly vast. Maybe they go to our competitors first, but since we are an established name for Pakistani masters and get the world record prices for Pakistani art, they usually come to us. We are the leaders in Pakistani art, we get the best prices and get the maximum number of Pakistani artists at our auctions. This time the ratio of Pakistani art matched Indian– it was half and half. How do you tell the real from the fake, especially masterpieces by deceased artists? To authenticate an artwork, for example a Sadequain, we take the opinion of three or four people, collectors and other artists who have worked with him. If there is even one percent doubt we will not add it to our sale. If authenticity is questionable, once the artwork is in the catalogue, we would immediately take it out of the auction. Our regular collectors know this. In Pakistan, there are no estates for these artists, so we have to complete the authentication process ourselves. Only Sadequain has an estate based in San Diego and we do incorporate their opinion. Authentication is an extremely lengthy process, especially for the price that we achieve for some of these artists. Another gallery or auction house may not have the time to email images to five different people, for a £15,000, Sadequain! But we go out of our way to do this, and that is why we have established our name in Pakistani art. We conduct very, very stringent tests, even going so far as to do a comparative assessment of his handwriting. For a Chughtai, we would also conduct similar consultations. Of course, provenance is a major issue with someone like Chughtai. It is a policy at Bonhams that we provenance who the work belonged to, we encourage our sellers to put their names in and when we are allowed to, we always disclose the owner’s identity in our catalogues and on our website. Chughtai’s watercolour, ‘Untitled (Girl with Instrument)’, belonged to Justice S.A. Rahman’s collection and was gifted by the artist to him, so there is no question about its authenticity. An ‘Untitled,’ oil painting by Gulgee was sourced from the Noon family, who even gave us a photo of Gulgee in their home, photographed with the painting on sale. The more evidence and history we can show our clients the better. That’s what we concentrate on. We try to get the best work from the best collections, which would never be on the market otherwise and, therefore, we get the best prices. And when we get the best prices, we get the next auction with Pakistani art together. And since I am from Pakistan, this objective is very dear to me. Are international buyers wary of buying Pakistani art? International collectors don’t want to buy in Pakistan because they are aware of the fakes floating around in the market, especially the masters, such as Sadequain, Jamil Naqsh and Chughtai. But with us, they know that we will have authenticated the piece and provide a guarantee. Is the situation similar for Indian art selected for auction? There are not so many fakes in the Indian market, for example, so it’s very easy to put together a sale. But in our market, there are more fakes than there are real, of Chughtai, Allah Bux, Bashir Mirza even Jamil Naqsh, who is alive. We take a lot of trouble to source Pakistani art and authenticate it. Which organisation or dealer or gallery would put in the effort to authenticate a £15, 000 Sadequain compared to a £150, 000 M.F Husain? It takes a lot of effort to get these pieces authenticated. I get at least two dozen emails a week with photos of fake Sadequains – no serious art organisation will put up with that. I have refused several original pieces because of the proliferation of fake Pakistani masters. Why, then, would serious collectors consider Pakistani art when there’s such a choice out there? What is the difference between Indian and Pakistani art at auctions? The price points between Indian and Pakistani art are very, very different, and quite far from each other. Pakistani art is good and prices are increasing slowly and steadily. But they need to go up a lot more and a lot quicker. Will Bonhams feature Pakistani artists in larger numbers each year? If we find good quality, authentic pieces, then of course we will put a good sale together. We were lucky this year that half the number of Lots were Pakistani, but it may not be the case every time. I am hoping to do this again next year but the quality of the work has to be very good since our collectors won’t settle for anything less. How are fakes in the Pakistani art market affecting Pakistani art sales in the international market? A great painting by Sadequain should be priced a lot higher, especially when you compare it to the worldwide prices of say Chinese or Russian art or art from emerging markets or Middle Eastern art. While international collectors are wary of this market, even if they like the work, Pakistani collectors don’t seem to have a problem buying a fake. I have a very hard time understanding why they do this. There is a whole network of art collectors, fakers and gallery-owners, because wherever there is a buyer for a cheaper, fake work then, of course, there are going to be sellers and makers. This spoils the integrity of the real art market and in other countries there would be laws against it – it’s a criminal offence. And I have to reiterate here that these are serious collectors who proudly display their fakes. I don’t know when it became alright to do this. Sometimes the real works are mixed in with the fakes. Buyers need to be more knowledgeable about this because they may not even be aware of purchasing a fake. What does this have to say about us as a nation and as a people? It shows that everything goes. If you really want something and can’t get the real thing, then put up a poster, but please don’t get a fake. I don’t know which galleries are doing this since I don’t come to Pakistan that often, but it will have a very negative long-term effect in the international market. It perpetuates a negative image of the country’s art, especially that of the younger, newer contemporary artists who are trying so hard to break into the international art world. Works by Pakistani masters and young contemporary artists have sold at fantastic prices at art sales in the West. How does this profit artist and country? With the negative there is always a positive. If we weren’t selling them, no one would be selling them, there would be no record price and no one would be writing about it. International art aficionados would not know who the Pakistani masters are, they would never see them. There are no museums to go and see them, they are not in any museums in the UK and they are not even seen in the museums of Pakistan. Where would you go and see an early work of Gulgee and where would you go to see a good Sadequain? How many people go to the National Art Gallery in Islamabad, especially international collectors and the international press? How have you increased your buyer base? We’ve found that online bidding has widened the market and opened it up to younger, newer collectors. Online images are even better than in a catalogue and one can also see the close-up of each painting. This has allowed people, who would never consider buying art at an auction in London, to think about it. The Bonhams preview at Art Dubai, this March, also helped sales and there were several people who bid from Dubai, but not as many as we had hoped, considering we previewed there. When Bonhams had auctions in Dubai, wealthy Pakistanis were active bidders but it’s harder, of course, to get them to bid in London.
    Pakistani art at London’s leading auction houses this summer: Under the Hammer
    ]]>     4351 0 0 0     Dial An Ambulance http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dial-an-ambulance/ Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:41:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4353 4353 0 0 0 Less is More http://candle-thread.com/newsline/less-is-more/ Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:48:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4359 4359 0 0 0 The Big Summer Read http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-big-summer-read/ Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:50:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4362 4362 0 0 0 The Land of the Pure? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-land-of-the-pure/ Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:35:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4385 draconian blasphemy laws in place which are an antithesis to the philosophy of the creation of Pakistan. But don’t worry, we’re protecting a single tribe of people who, due to tourism and other externalities, are being enlightened to the wonder that is Islam and are slowly converting. Speaking of tolerance and the blasphemy laws, we have a Nobel Prize laureate, Dr Abdus Salam, who won the Nobel Prize for physics but subsequently left Pakistan in 1974 because of the very same blasphemy laws whichdecreed Ahmedis as non-Muslims. Pakistan lost its best scientist – the one who gave us nuclear energy and a space programme. But what do we know about honouring a national hero? Moving on to greener pastures, opium cultivation in Pakistan is also at an all time low and according to a  UN report in 2008,  opium cultivation has been completely wiped out by the Pakistani authorities. Despite bordering Afghanistan, a country which produces  nearly 90% of the world’s opium  (USD 30 billion worth in 2012), opium is trafficked through Pakistan to the rest of the world. Also, marijuana grows wild and unrestricted in Pakistan, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and is not regulated by the government. So why bother going to Amsterdam at all? Pakistan has only had one notorious serial killer, Javaid Iqbal, who killed over 100 boys (20 other he claimed to have killed, were subsequently found alive). He was tried and sentenced to death and although he did die in prison, he was not executed by the government – his body was found in his cell. The autopsy report states that he was strangled, but police officials claim that he committed suicide by poisoning himself. We may never know the truth. But the positive side of this is that we caught and tried a serial killer. Pakistan also boasts the Karakoram highway, previously known as the Silk Route, considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world.  It does have an unpredictable terrain with surprise landslides that lead to vehicles  falling off the edge, but it is the highest paved international road in the world, at about half the height of Mt Everest and is 1300 km long. The Karakoram highway took nearly 20 years to be completed and its construction was a Pak-China collaboration. It took the lives of 910 Pakistani labourers and 200 Chinese men. With an efficient road system that borders multiple countries, Pakistan also plays host to the world’s largest refugee population. Despite the fact that a large amount of people leave Pakistan for foreign climes quite regularly to never come back again, there are still places in the world worse than Pakistan , from where people come here as refugees. There are approximately 44 million displaced people worldwide. Pakistan hosts approximately 2 million of them, a majority of whom are Afghans that came during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s. Better to be a refugee haven than a war-torn country. On that note; Pakistan Zindabad!]]> 4385 0 0 0 The Sky is the Limit for Usman Riaz http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-sky-is-the-limit-for-usman-riaz/ Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:53:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4395 Ruckus. A black and white film, Ruckus has no dialogue, just sounds. The sound of stomping feet, passing trains, hands thumping on barrels and the clinking of bottles make up the sound-track of this video, featuring Faiza Kazi. Ruckus is mostly set in a warehouse and Usman Riaz admits he has drawn his inspiration from the musical Stomp – a theatre production of “choreographed percussion.” The cast of the film worked for 13 hours straight to get the continuity and the quality needed for this 10-minute film, whose soundtrack features in this album Usman performed live for the audience and played the audio-visual tracks of his music at the launch. One of his more haunting pieces was Descent Into The Ocean Floor. It is the second movement of a three-movement piece. It is “about drowning and sinking” and “is meant to have a dream-like quality,” he says. Many of his pieces are a progression, “with elements of the previous piece in them.” Usman has been selected as a TED (technology, entertainment, design) fellow and will be taking Ruckus to Edinburgh for TED Global later this summer.]]> 4395 0 0 0 Toronto Dispatch: Only Graduates and Truckers Welcome http://candle-thread.com/newsline/toronto-dispatch-only-graduates-and-truckers-welcome/ Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:04:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4402 Toronto's urban mix: Canada's larger cities attract more newcomers.[/caption] The reforms, to ensure immigrants do better in economic terms and integrate faster into Canadian society, are going to have an impact on where immigrants come from – i.e the source countries. In 2000, Pakistan was among the top ten source countries with 14,000 people entering as immigrants to Canada, the third highest number after China and India. But Pakistan’s immigrant numbers fell soon after and the country is now no longer in the top ten source countries. The reforms could further impact Pakistani immigration. While language requirements favour western European countries, and could benefit India and Pakistan, and might make it tougher for applicants from non-English speaking countries like China, reducing the numbers in the family reunification category is likely to affect Pakistanis or Indians who tend to bring in parents and other relatives unlike people from western nations. Immigrant employment rates have been on the decline for decades and entry income levels have been lower for many years compared to the general population. Immigrants from Iran, Pakistan and China tend to have lower income levels than the general population. Since the rising immigration from Asia, 2004 arrivals are three times more likely to have low incomes compared to the general population. By contrast Europeans do better than others in finding jobs and earning well. In times of economic crisis in Europe an effort is made to attract people from that part of the world. Provinces are actively recruiting and agencies hope young people from Greece and Spain among other Europeans, will consider moving here. They also have the skills to fill the current need for construction workers, truckers and oil field workers. Kenney says the reforms are based on studies his department has carried out to determine what kind of immigrant is successful and what kind is not, as well as what the public is willing to accept. The reforms have generated much discussion with some people wondering whether Canada should show a preference for those immigrants whose culture and social systems match the Canadian ethos more closely to make integration easier, while others press for diversity, which also helps trade ties grow. Business groups ask the government for more manpower to satisfy labour requirements. Another view is that Canada’s demographic needs require reinforcement via immigration. Some suggest that Canada has the potential to become a bigger economic force and bringing the population up to as much as a hundred million, would go a long way towards achieving this. However, there is still a small segment of the population that believes Canada is overwhelmed by immigrants. They say they were never consulted about the immigration policy and that the influx of new people is changing the appearance of cities. There might be some substance regarding their concerns. Midday last week for several blocks not a single white skinned person was visible in Mississauga’s downtown, a neighbouring city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The people walking to and fro appeared to be made up of entirely one ethnic group: South Asians from the Indian subcontinent. Canada has too many immigrants and yet not enough.]]> 4402 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: Interview: Khurram H. Alavi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-interview-khurram-h-alavi/ Sat, 07 Jul 2012 12:31:41 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4418 Newsline met him recently in Dubai at the Middle East Film & Comic Con Festival (MEFCC), the largest pop culture festival in the Arab region and sister to the New York Comic Con in Dubai. The event showcases various segments of pop entertainment such as science fiction, fantasy, animation, collectibles, comic books, video games and pop art.   Q: What is the Film & Comic Con Festival in Dubai all about and what did you do there? A: This event is hugely popular in the United States and to host a first-of-its-kind event in Dubai will open doors for the immense talent in our region.  I was invited to conduct a one-hour workshop on the step-by-step process of sculpting digital superheroes. The subject of the study was ‘The Silver Surfer’ from Marvel Comics.   Q: What is the skill-set that you bring to an animation movie or toy collectible? A: For an animation production, my role is most prominent in story development, character development and related production processes. I am presently working as a consultant for such projects. For collectibles and toys, my responsibility is for the digital sculpture of approved artwork from the client. Q: What edge does a ZBrush specialist like you, have over regular 3D generated software and how does it contribute to character results? A: ZBrush removes all technical restraints. It’s like playing with clay, the only twist is that it’s digital. Software like ZBrush helps you save a lot of time when exploring character designs and ideas. The latest installment of ZBrush allows artists to successfully use it for various production processes as well. Ideally, though, 3D Artists should be fluent in mainstream software, and should also be able to specialise in sculpting software like Zbrush or Mudbox.   Q: Tell us about your work with Marvel, Disney, Warner Bros., SONY and Sega? A: It’s been an amazing experience so far. Right now I am working on a statue line for Thundercats for Warner Bros. For Disney, I’ve had the privilege to work for toy lines on some of their upcoming projects. One, in particular, is a project by visionary director, Tim Burton. For SEGA, I have worked on statues for the ever popular Sonic the Hedgehog series. Last but not least, I’ve worked with Bowen Designs on various 1/6th scale statues for Marvel Comics. It’s a lot of hard work with a lot of sleepless nights, but it’s most certainly worth the effort! There are many other licenses that I am working on, but I cannot disclose their names for the time being. Q: Where does the current animation/collectibles industry in Pakistan stand in terms of international standards? A: There is no collectibles  industry  in Pakistan. However, the animation industry does show improvement in terms of the number of projects and their output. In terms of international standards, we have a long way to go regarding investment and a professionally-trained workforce. This field desperately needs senior directors to understand and respect the process and costs involved in bringing ‘quality’ animated content to life. Animation productions demand careful planning way ahead of time. This means that you start planning your project months before you intend to produce it. Not ONE month before! Khurram-H-Alavi1-200x300Q: Since most animations are based on international comic characters/sagas, have you ever looked into digital renditions of Pakistan-based comics that are on a rise? A: Yes, I saw a group promoting their comic book called Shamsheer at the Middle East Comic Con. They were well received at the event. The creators of the series were artist, Salman Nasir and writer, Zakaullah Khan. They are presently looking for publishers. I am also keen to develop titles that cater to our local population. As with all production related projects, a large amount of investment is required and that is where Pakistan falls behind. The mindsets of our investors must evolve to accept the value and diversity of the medium.   Q: How do you feel about the growth of the local comic industry in Pakistan in relation to future animation projects? What are the interesting possibilities you think we could explore in terms of themes and characterisations? A: In order for the comic industry to rise in Pakistan we need publishers to invest in them. If they do, then it will pay-off in the long run. Globally, we see dozens of characters and identities being turned into big budget films and animated movies. Surely, there was a time when these characters and ideas were nothing more than a sketch on a piece of paper. There is some magic that happens when you read a comic book and it lies in the ability of this medium to take you, visually, to a world that knows no bounds. It opens up your mind creatively, just like a book does – only it’s more informal in its communication. It is a medium that desperately needs to be explored in this country.   There is a lot of room for animated shows in local TV programming. Likewise, there are many themes that can be explored similar to what channels such as Baby TV, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon usually conceive. But we need investors to make it work. At the moment, animated shorts are made locally to sell products. Yes, it has opened up the market but we certainly need to explore more story-centric ideas and go beyond the term ’product.’ Q: You are currently working with Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy on her next animation venture. What is the project about and what is your role in it? A: This is my first venture with Sharmeen and it is a great challenge. We are truly trying to change mindsets here and aim to offer the Pakistani audience an original and inspirational show. I am the creative consultant on the project and will oversee all animation production processes starting from preproduction (story development and character development) to final output. The aim is to apply my experience and knowledge to local projects in order to improve the final result.]]> 4418 0 0 0 Food Diary: Summer’s Sweetest http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-summers-sweetest/ Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:37:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4423 topped with the summer’s most-anticipated fruit itself. This tasty treat can be found at the french-style deli, Xander’s Cafe. fdfosure-150x150Last Food Diary: See Food and Eat It]]> 4423 0 0 0 Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s Fifteen Minutes of Fame? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/raja-pervaiz-ashrafs-fifteen-minutes-of-fame/ Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:58:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4435 th prime minister, which means that this country has had a new prime minister every 3.8 years on average. Not terrible, but not perfect either. Ashraf’s term will most likely be short-lived, not only because the elections will be held in early 2013, but also because everything points in that direction. It seems that he is nothing more than a scapegoat for Zardari and the rest of the government. Raza Rumi, the director of the Islamabad-based Jinnah Institute, puts it best when he says, “Obviously the PPP will not choose its best for this stint. They will choose people who can be dispensed with.” Ashraf appears to be an immoral, corrupt and flagitious character in the eyes of the everyday man. He is not immensely qualified and is possibly the worst choice right out of the gate – which is a difficult feat to accomplish, considering that Pakistani people do not seem to be very fond of most politicians in the current government. Most of them have either been proved corrupt or are alleged to be so. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is no exception. In fact, both Prime Minister Gilani and President Zardari have been to prison for corruption charges. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was previously the minister for information technology. Before that he was the minister for water and power, where he oversaw the import of short-term power stations or ‘rental power’ which produced little energy for the cost of millions and for which he is facing investigation for alleged corruption. This has earned him the nickname ‘Raja Rental’, a title that is regularly chanted by his political opponents in the parliament. “Degree honi chayay, original ho ya fake.”  These infamous words spoken by the chief minister of Balochistan, Aslam Raisani, probably ring true in Ashraf’s case. As far as we know, Ashraf received a BA degree from the University of Sindh in 1970. His professional career, before politics, was in business and agriculture. It makes one wonder if he was better suited for the job of the minister of agriculture. Despite ‘humble’ beginnings, Ashraf’s political career started in 1988 but it did not start very successfully. He lost his first parliamentary elections in 1990 and then again in 1993. Third time lucky didn’t work for him either and he lost again in 1997. Finally our new prime minister hit jackpot in 2002 and later in 2008 – unfortunately the country was not as lucky as him. Many Pakistanis are outraged that Ashraf is the new prime minister but despite the local anger, our esteemed allies appear to have full confidence in the Pakistani leadership. A US State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, told reporters, “We are pleased that the leadership issue appears to have been settled.” Well, that settles it for us, of course, until the next elections.]]> 4435 0 0 0 Movie Review: Dark Shadows http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-dark-shadows/ Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:55:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4509 Edward Scissorhandsin 1990, his seminal, and frankly, best film to date, Burton’s filmography spells out cinematic oddities one after the other; be it a pre-Scissorhands film like Beetlejuice or his re-imaginings of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or his 2010 magical fantasyAlice in Wonderland. His repertoire also includes gothic horror films like Sleepy Hollow and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and somewhere in between the popular and somewhat different Big Fish. Another man who shares Burton’s visions is Johnny Depp. One of the things Depp loves to do, when he isn’t being a pirate in maybe the daftest franchise of all times, is to repeatedly join his friend Burton in whatever project that is to be filmed next, especially eerie melodrama. This time around – the eighth collaboration between director and star – it’s the rather bizarre Dark Shadows and bizarre is an understatement in this case. It’s the 1760s and playboy Barnabas Collins, heir to a wealthy family fortune built via a fishing business, breaks the heart of their servant Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), who in fact is a witch. She kills Barnabas’ true love Josette DuPres (Bella Heathcote) and turns him into a vampire; apparently that is quite possible, sans neck-biting. She then chains him up in a coffin and he is apparently doomed to eternity. That is until 1972, when modern construction workers come across his coffin. Once freed, Barnabas finds his way to his old manor in the town of Colinsport, Maine, where the rich Collins family, his distant relatives now live and run the fading fishery (a great cast including Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloë Grace Moretz). There he also finds Dr Julia Hoffmann (Burton’s wife and regular collaborator Helena-Bonham Carter), a mysterious doctor to the young David Collins – she claims to see ghosts. Barnabas, now a vampire, is confronted by his past in this contemporary setting. The young David’s governess, Victoria Winters, turns out be a reincarnation of sorts of his old love Josette (both played by Bella Heathcote) and Angelique, the witch who cursed Barnabas in the first place, is still around, and still lusting after Barnabas. Dark Shadows is based on an equally strange, American gothic TV series of the same name from the late ’60s and early ’70s, which also featured odd creatures aplenty. The series produced over 1000, yes, 1000 episodes and so it’s a feat in itself to have adapted a two-hour film from those countless episodes. But, whether it’s a good film is another story altogether. While the first half is watchable due to the curiosity factor, it’s the second half, and especially the totally senseless and somewhat predictable climax, that makes viewing worse. The film has some very good performances; Depp obviously but he’s always good. Eva Green as the evil witch is the real scene-stealer and the two actors make the most of a very patchy screenplay. Michelle Pfeiffer as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard does a great job of running the family home. Pfeiffer, apparently a closet fan of the original supernatural soap opera, called Burton herself when she found out the he was making the cinematic version of her favourite series. The cinematography is good throughout, especially some of the early sequences. It’s sad, because a better story and screenplay would have been a good combination alongside some consistently beautiful, scenic shots. In conclusion, this film is an acquired taste; fans of such films might just like it but if you really need a Burton fix, I suggest you go back and re-watch Edward Scissorhands or Big Fish, if you must.]]> 4509 0 0 0 Food Diary: See Food and Eat It http://candle-thread.com/newsline/food-diary-see-food-and-eat-it/ Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:59:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4532 Last Food Diary: Crab Gratin]]> 4532 0 0 0 Pervez Musharraf Chimes in on Rick Perry and 2012 US Elections http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pervez-musharraf-chimes-in-on-rick-perry-and-2012-us-elections/ Sun, 22 Jul 2012 06:04:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=9462 rick-perry-pervez-musharrafThe famously blunt and outspoken Musharraf seemed unsure how to answer Blitzer’s question at first, but then opened up, as his instincts have directed him to do over the years, saying that he did think Perry would make a run for President: “I did get that impression.” Within seconds, though, the normally super-confident ex-army general wasn’t so sure about his decision to share those thoughts and seemed to publicly apologise in advance to Perry: “I hope I’m not violating the code of confidentiality that he wanted to maintain about that aspect.” Blitzer says: “You did violate it, it’s already been violated.” It’s safe to say Musharraf won’t be getting invited over by any other US presidential candidates before they publicly announce their candidacy.
    Watch a video clip from the interview below in which Wolf Blitzer asks Pervez Musharraf about Rick Perry:
    ]]>     9462 0 0 0     Cover Story: The Death Diaries http://candle-thread.com/newsline/cover-story-the-death-diaries/ Mon, 03 Nov 2014 08:28:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2110 wajib-ul-katl or “worthy of killing” in the aftermath of an attack that left eight Hazaras dead. Despite these openly violent assertions, the government of Pakistan continues to deny the existence of a genocide against Shias. As such, there are no official statistics on the number of victims, which would be a key component in understanding the level and frequency of violence perpetrated by sectarian militants. It is difficult to assess the level of political or military support these sectarian groups enjoy. “Being Shia has become a crime in this country,” says Ali, a member of the Shia community. “And while Shias have been targeted the most, in Pakistan no minority is safe. Ahmadis, Sikhs and Hindus are all under threat just for being who they are. As a Shia person, I wake up every morning with the thought that it could possibly be my last.” Px18-125-e1418938057587-584x370-4The Ahmadi community, too, has increasingly become a target of brutal attacks. Anti-Ahmadi sentiment is so prevalent among Pakistanis that even members of the community who should be hailed as national heroes are vilified. People are all familiar with the desecration of the gravestone of Professor Abdus Salam, an Ahmadi and a theoretical physicist whose work provided evidence of the Higgs boson and earned him a Nobel Prize. The discrimination is especially appalling because it is mandated by the state. In 1974, then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto oversaw an amendment to the Constitution that declared Ahmadis to be non-Muslims in the hope of  securing the support of religious political parties in the upcoming elections. And as the Pakistani state formally became more Islamic during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime in the 1980s, it further curtailed the community’s rights. Ahmadis are now prohibited by law from proselytising, making the call to prayer, describing their houses of worship as mosques or even identifying themselves as Muslims. In fact, in order to obtain a passport, all Pakistani citizens have to sign an oath declaring that Ahmadis are not Muslim. Seven Ahmadis have been killed in 2014, most recently in July when a 55-year-old woman Bashiran, a minor girl Kainat and a 7-year-old girl, Hira, were killed and eight others were severely injured when an angry mob attacked and burnt five houses, a storage building and several vehicles over alleged blasphemy. The Pakistani judiciary has been woefully ineffective in punishing acts of terrorism, especially when the victims have been religious minorities. One need only look at the case of Malik Ishaq, a co-founder and leader of the LeJ, who has been arrested and released from jail several times, despite being implicated in the murder of hundreds of Shias. Perhaps understandably: sectarian groups often target judges and prosecutors in order to intimidate the court and its officers. Dictator General Zia-ul-Haq is widely held responsible for creating these sectarian militant groups to use as proxies in Kashmir and Afghanistan in the 1980s. The groups have long since turned their violence inward toward Pakistan’s religious and ethnic minorities.  Many fear the pattern from the 1980s may now be repeating itself as Syria witnesses an influx of Pakistanis entering the country to fight alongside anti-Shia militant groups opposing the Bashar al-Assad government. This could wreak havoc on Pakistan in the long term when these battle-hardened operatives return home and turn their guns on the nation’s minorities, especially Shias. Additionally, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a Zia [caption id="attachment_2112" align="alignright" width="484"]Leader and co-founder of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Malik Ishaq. Leader and co-founder of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Malik Ishaq.[/caption] protégé, has been accused of being soft on these groups while leading his socially-conservative political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). This claim was given credence by the fact that the PML-N was distributing a monthly stipend to Malik Ishaq’s family while Ishaq was in jail for one of his 44 different criminal charges relating to 70 murders – many of them Shias. Disturbingly, there is growing cause for concern on account of the anti-Shia rhetoric increasingly seeping into mainstream politics. For example, Maulana Ludhianvi, the leader of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), recently won a National Assembly seat. In campaigning for the seat, Ludhianvi promised, “At the moment I can raise a voice for my anti-Shia mission only at a local level and from my local mosque. But when I get the microphone in the [National] Assembly, the whole nation and the whole world will listen…” Terrifying as those words might be, perhaps it has finally got some people thinking. Even though the administration has not openly acknowledged the potential for genocide against Shias, there are indications that the government, or parts of it, is taking note of the growing problem. For example, earlier this year, the Ministry of Interior admitted to the Senate that more than 2,000 Shias have been killed in sectarian attacks over the last five years. Similarly, the Punjab provincial police have begun targeting “sectarian outfits,” which recently resulted in the arrest of suspects believed to be involved in 18 attacks that left 16 Shias dead. Syed Ali Ahmer, a spokesperson for the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), speaking to Newsline, called for a targeted operation to specifically tackle sectarian killings. “We want a Zarb-e-Azb-like operation against the ASWJ and all other groups involved in the killings,” he says. “The entire country is affected by terrorism, why is the operation only taking place in North Waziristan? There should be a countrywide operation, especially in Karachi.” While an operation in Karachi has been well underway for over a year to rid the city of criminal elements, Ahmer believes that the Karachi operation is mere farce. “The Karachi operation is nothing but a ‘political drama’ staged by parties involved in the power game,” he maintains. “They just want their committees to be reinstated; they do not want peace. No one is concerned about the citizens. Both the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and  the  Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are allies. They’re just fooling the masses. They fight to hide their corrupt practices. The masses will reject them if we have free and fair elections.” Pakistan and the international community at large have a responsibility to protect populations vulnerable to genocidal acts, and the first step towards this protection is realising the scope of the problem. If the government of Pakistan were to recognise that anti-Shia attacks are early warnings of a campaign that has the potential to endanger the lives of more than 20 million Shia citizens, it could begin collecting official statistics on Shia murder rates. It could also use already existing legislation criminalising hate-crimes to prosecute members of these groups. In addition, the government could utilise the powers that were recently granted to it under the anti-terror laws to tackle the sectarian violence. At the same time, the international community could assist with resources and scholarly advice while applying diplomatic pressure to force Pakistan’s government to more vigilantly punish and prevent anti-Shia campaigns by terror groups. Failing all of these, Pakistan’s Shia Community may prove to be the next great diaspora. Hiba Mahamadi and Waleed Tariq contributed to the research and reporting for this story.
    This article was originally published in Newsline’s October 2014 issue as the cover story.
    ]]>     2110 0 0 0     Jaipur Journal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/jaipur-journal/ Sun, 01 Feb 2015 19:59:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3166 kavita’ (poetry) and film. Not surprisingly, the highlight of the festival and easily the most popular sessions were those featuring Bollywood personalities. ‘Gaate Jaye Banjara: Film Songs – Urdu, Hindi, Hindustani’ with Javed Akhtar in conversation with Priyanka Chaturvedi was one such packed session in which the transformation of film songs over the ages was discussed at length. However, with so many inspiring choices each day, it was difficult to decide which session to attend and which to forgo. Of those particularly worth mentioning was the session on ‘A House for Mr Biswas’ with Hanif Kureishi, Amit Chaudhuri and Paul Theroux as speakers and moderated by Farrukh Dhondy. The session focused on the V.S. Naipaul novel written 53 years ago, which Theroux described as “The most complete book I have read since Dickens.” Much to the audience’s delight, a visibly moved Naipul was carried up to the stage on his wheelchair to say a few words. Another highly informative session of particular relevance to modern times, introduced by William Dalrymple, was that of ‘God’s Traitors: Religious Terrorism in Elizabethan England’.  Jessie Childs presented her eye-opening research on religious extremism as perpetrated by Protestant Christians against Catholics. It seems barbarism is not restricted to any one religion. Of particular interest to Pakistanis was the session on  ‘Faiz and Kaifi – A Poetic Legacy’ in which Saleema Hashmi and Shabana Azmi reminisced about their respective fathers. The session was only open to delegates, so this was a salima-584x438treat to attend. Another interesting lecture was cleverly titled ‘Selfie: The Art of the Memoir’ which focused on four brilliant authors,  Anchee Min, Mark Gevisser, Brigid Keenan and Joanna Rakoff,  who spoke of their autobiographies in conversation with Basharat Peer. ‘Wanderlust and the Art of Travel Writing’ was yet another not-to-be-missed session with Paul Theroux, Charles Glass, Samanth Subramanian, Sam Miller and Brigid Keenan in conversation with William Dalrymple. For me, of course,  the highlight of the five day event was the launch of the book ‘Flavours of the Frontier: Forgotten Recipes from Dera Ismail Khan’ which has been edited by myself.  This Gourmand Award-nominated book in the category of ‘Food and Peace’ boasts recipes, for the first time ever, in Urdu and Hindi. Viewed as a bridge between the two neighbouring countries, the book was launched with a dialogue between Kamnaprasad, the Indian TV personality, documentary film-maker and Urdu activist, and Moneeza Hashmi, GM International Relations HUM Network and daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Even the unexpected thunderstorm on the first two days of the festival could not dampen the enthusiasm of the guests, who were kept dry and entertained thanks to the efficiency of the organisers.  This was truly a memorable event.]]> 3166 0 0 0 2014 Through The Lens http://candle-thread.com/newsline/2014-through-the-lens/ Thu, 29 Jan 2015 04:50:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3174 3174 0 0 0 Photo Gallery : Imran Mir Book Launch http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-gallery-imran-mir-book-launch/ Mon, 26 Jan 2015 05:30:03 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3187 3187 0 0 0 Writer’s Choice http://candle-thread.com/newsline/writers-choice/ Thu, 22 Jan 2015 06:35:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3215 In the age of the internet and short attention spans, authors and publishers often bemoan the dying interest in reading. Even so, there’s still nothing quite like snuggling up with your favourite book. Whether it acts as a catalyst in changing your perspective – seeing the world through the eyes of another – or as a form of escapism, you’re never quite the same person you were before picking up a book. We ask a handful of Pakistani authors to tell us about a book published this year that they particularly enjoyed reading and would recommend to others. Here are five to add to your reading list. Soniah Kamal is the author of The Isolated Incident. She has written for various publications, including The Huffington Post and The Missing Slate.

    Bombay Talkies

    Bombay-Stories-by-Saadat-Hasan-Manto-150x150Matt Reeck and Aftab Ahmed’s English translation of Saadat Hasan Manto’s work, Bombay Stories, is delightful for its crisp and accessible language, and for putting Manto’s stories set in Bombay in one place. Manto lived in pre-Partition Bombay for over a decade and considered it his spiritual home, referring to himself as “a walking talking Bombay (mein chalta phirtaa Bombay hoon).” In fact, he makes an appearance in many of these stories himself, such as ‘Rude’ and ‘Mammad Bhai,’ thus conflating fact with fiction. This collection gives us a full meal of Manto, the man and his Bombay, not only in the form of characters such as Sarita, Khushiya, Stella Jackson, Saugandhi and Mozelle, but also in the narrow alleys and one-room chawls, clingy saris and wrinkled lungis, tongas and taxis. The ‘translators note’, an essay on Manto’s life and times, included at the end of the collection is also worthy and informative. Bombay Stories is a must-read collection for anyone who enjoys great storytelling and a look at Bombay before it became Mumbai.   SabaImtiaz-Newsline-150x150Saba Imtiaz is a   journalist and writer. She is the author of Karachi, You’re Killing Me! and the forthcoming No Team of Angels.      

    War is Hell

    Rohini-Mohan’s-The-Seasons-of-Trouble-Life-Amid-the-Ruins-of-Sri-Lanka’s-Civil-War-150x150It would be easy to mistake Rohini Mohan’s The Seasons of Trouble: Life Amid the Ruins of Sri Lanka’s Civil War for a fictional novel, simply because the incredible level of detail, the storytelling and the narrative seem almost impossible to achieve through reportage. That is how good this book is. Words like ‘vivid’ and ‘searing’ are used so often in book reviews that they’ve lost their meaning. But there is little else to describe The Seasons of Trouble. It manages to capture the pain and tragedy of war, but is written so well that you are forced to peel your fingers from your eyes and read on. Set in Sri Lanka against the backdrop of the civil war and its aftermath, the book sees Mohan following a number of characters – from Mugil, a young Tamil Tiger whose sense of purpose and conviction begins to wane and waver as her own personal life takes centre stage, to Sarva, a young boy caught up in – what will be familiar to Pakistanis – the web of enforced disappearances, indefinite detentions and state harassment. Mohan’s account of their lives is incredibly detailed, making one believe without question that she is right there as Sarva’s mother fights to find out where her son is, or by Mugil’s side as she sits in a bunker rife with decay and disease and thinks about survival. This is a book everyone should read: to learn how to report, to understand a complicated war, and that war reportage isn’t about casting people in right versus wrong or ‘with us/against us’ moulds, but to write about people whose lives continue to be impacted by what they’ve seen and experienced long after the victory bells have rung. Nafisa-Rizvi-150x150Nafisa Rizvi is an art critic and independent curator. She has authored The Blue Room.
         

     In Full Bloom

    Apricot-Bloom-150x150Apricot Bloom is one of those books that melts the heart and makes you yearn to discover the magnificence of your country. But it is not a book of pretty pictures. Tariq Alexander Qaiser visited Baltistan in April 2014 to “see the cherry bloom and arrived in time for the apricot.” That the land is barren, punitive and breathtaking can be seen through the set of spectacular photographs that the author brought back with him. But Qaiser, profoundly moved by the landscapes he had witnessed and experienced, knew his creative intervention had to extend beyond the handling of a technologically advanced instrument. As the images raced around in his mind’s eye like a film on a loop, he began to write verses about his experience. And this is the gratifying essence of the book, which I have relished. Written in simple but expressive words that resonate with the emotive association of man and land, it seems like the most natural outcome of such an exhilarating journey. For the author, an architect by profession who has never written creative prose in either English or Urdu, let alone poetry, the book is testament to Qaiser’s creative sensibility and his outlook as a person who is a seeker of beauty and as a consequence, of simple existential truths. maniza_naqvi-150x150Maniza Naqvi is a novelist and short-story writer. Some of her works include Sarajevo Saturdays, On Air, Mass Transit and Stay With Me.      

    The Discontents of Empire

    97802411469102-150x150Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever?by Dave Eggers is a brilliantly written novel about a young man named Thomas, who kidnaps several individuals who represent or have in one way or the other directly or indirectly shaped his life and that of his best friend. His hostages include a Congressman, an astronaut, a schoolteacher and his own mother. He chains his hostages to poles in several different barracks in an abandoned military base. Thomas politely questions them about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the police brutality, the failed education system, the corrupt government, child abuse and so much more. We finally get a story of an American holding America accountable for itself. In my opinion, Dave Eggers is the only American writer today who is worth reading. IMG-20130724-01243-2-150x150Zeenat Mahal is a romantic fiction writer. Three of her novels have been e-published and she is currently promoting her latest novel, She Loves Me-He Loves Me Not.      

    Cosmopolitan Concerns

    51ANLe4-k2L-150x150I was familiar with Elif Shafak’s work long before she became my supervisor in my MFA dissertation at Kingston University, London. My association with her only increased my respect for her as a person and a writer. Her sharp insights were always dressed in utter kindness. Elif’s latest book, The Architect’s Apprentice, is an excellent example of her grip on the craft of writing and her intelligence as a storyteller. It is also a testament to her plurality as a contemporary writer, which she so values and propagates. Elif’s universe is populated with men and women from all over the world. That is the obvious multiculturalism in her books. But there are many more subtle layers, like history and philosophy, literature and religion that form an intricate leitmotif in her books. The city of Istanbul always looms large either in the background or in the forefront. This city of oxymorons and opposition is a treat to watch through her eyes. In her latest book, we see Jihan, a mahout from India find a place in Istanbul, in the Sultan’s palace. This Istanbul is the counterpart of modern-day London. It is the capital of the world, where people of all nationalities find themselves rubbing shoulders for survival. Reading her books, especially this one, is like gazing at a miniature mural. There are tiny windows into individual lives that all miraculously link together to form one holistic frame. Read this book, if you like to lose yourself in a world that is both familiar and unfamiliar.     +  ]]>     3215 0 0 0     Photo Essay: Little Goa http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-essay-little-goa/ Wed, 24 Dec 2014 18:18:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3238 3238 0 0 0 Home Pretty Home http://candle-thread.com/newsline/home-pretty-home/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:50:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3375 3375 0 0 0 Interview: Zara Peerzada http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-zara-peerzada/ Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:21:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3405 Blood of Hussain, Chambaili), Zara – with her chiselled features, perfectly arched eyebrows and long, loose curls – is stunning to look at. Speaking to her, however, one gets a sense early on that she would like to be recognised for more than that. Ather Shehzad, who the model works exclusively with for her fashion shoots, describe her as not just a “beautiful girl,” but “very smart” and “a sensible model.” 2013 was a particularly good year for the Lahore-based model; she graced the covers of numerous fashion and lifestyle magazines. Known for her eclectic fashion sense, she’s also a regular feature on numerous fashion blogs. From being the face of Luscious cosmetics to high-fashion women’s wear Muse, textile giants Al Karam and, most famously, starring opposite Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui as the National girl, Zara Peerzada seems to be everywhere – and yet, there remains an exclusivity about her. She remains just on the fringe of mainstream success, but that won’t be for long. How did you enter the world of modelling? By complete accident. I never really wanted to model; I was always more of an academic person. One day, a photographer saw me at a fashion show and asked me to get my portfolio made, and I thought, ‘Why not, what’s the harm?’ It was around the time I was applying for college. I was booked for my first shoot right after. I was apprehensive at first. I felt I would be taken less seriously as a person, because of all the negative stereotypes associated with models. However, once I started working in the industry, and gaining credibility and attention, I began using it as a platform to do all the other things I had wanted to do. You’ve done a lot of shoots and magazine covers, especially in the last year. Do you feel you’ve become a household name at this point?  I think I’m very well known in the fashion circle, but to become a household name, there is a certain amount of commercial and television work one has to do. And I’m just waiting for the right project. Sometimes, I am approached by people who are familiar with the fashion world. They’re very complimentary about my work, which always feels great. But it’s not like I get  recognised when I step out of the house or in the supermarket, or anything like that. I’m also quite petite in person, so people don’t always recognise me from my shoots! Have you done the runway? [caption id="attachment_3406" align="alignleft" width="389"]MG_0714cmyk-389x584 Photograph: Muzi Sufi[/caption] I’ve done a few, not any big shows. I’m 5’2” – possibly the shortest working model. For the runway, they require a certain stature to be able to carry off the clothes. Which of your shoots were fun to work on? From the commercial work, it would have to be my first major campaign, which was the face of Luscious in 2011. They really let me be myself for that. It’s always great to work with Muse as well. Apart from that, I really enjoy doing more experimental work. There’s this one shoot I did with Fatimah Shah, an upcoming filmmaker/director, when it was raining heavily outside. We  decided to go for a walk; she had just brought her camera along and I had a guitar in hand. I took off my shoes and we started shooting impromptu with this amazing theme as the backdrop. How would you describe your fashion sensibility? Are you brand conscious?  To be honest, I’ve never really believed in brands. I find fashion in the oddest of places, which is also where I derive my inspiration from. Some outfits of mine, which people have liked the most, have actually been from landa bazaar or from some shady corner store. I want to show people that fashion is everywhere and in everything, and it doesn’t have to come with a label attached to it. You’ve starred in Hatak, a play based on a short story by Manto, and we’ve also had a glimpse of your acting skills in the National commercial. Is this the direction you are headed in?  It’s a direction a lot of people expect me to go in, but I don’t believe acting is something you inherit from your parents. I want to take time to develop that skill, to see if I’m actually good at it, before I accept a bigger project. Acting is something I really do care about, and I’d like to be able to do justice to it. Your family must be very supportive of you? Yes, they’re all artists themselves! My parents have raised me and my siblings to think for ourselves. Even when I was younger, most of the bigger decisions – where I wanted to go to school, what I wanted to do in life – these were left up to me. Obviously, they were there for guidance, but they really let us pave our own way. Do you feel being part of the Peerzada family has helped you in the industry? It always has. When you start out, and I suppose this is true for any industry, people may try to take advantage of you. I feel I was safe from a lot of negative things because of the Peerzada name, and I feel I have also gotten a lot of respect for the same reason. It’s a great environment to grow up in. [caption id="attachment_3407" align="alignnone" width="880"]MG_0643cmyk-584x389 Photograph: Muzi Sufi[/caption] What are some of your other interests, outside of modelling? I love travelling, seeing the world. Pakistan is so strikingly beautiful. Last summer, I camped out at the Deosai Plateau. I felt such peace there – at one with God, nature and myself. Another one of my favourite places is Kalash in Chitral. I love nature, the mountains and hiking. I’m not really into the concept of luxury travelling; I don’t want to go to a new place and just stay at a hotel. I like a more backpacking environment –  that’s how you really get a feel of the land and the people. I’ve done some charity work as well, and it’s something I would like to continue doing. I believe anything you can do with your hands to influence someone, on a person-to-person basis, can really make a difference. I don’t believe in paper-pushing and going through organisations, because I don’t really see the change, or see where the money is going… You are active on Twitter and tend to be quite vocal in expressing your political opinions, which is unusual for a model.  I’ve also been reprimanded for it, by the way! Apparently, a 21-year-old girl’s opinions can be intimidating for some. I’ve literally been told, ‘You’re a model, so hush!’ You’re not supposed to have opinions.’ I find it funny. But yes, I feel people tend to get offended very easily or read too much into things. As a journalism student, are there any issues or causes you’re interested in, in particular?  A lot of my projects and research have been about integrating the performing arts (and the arts in general) into our education systems and society, to sensitise us as a nation. We’re thrown these facts and figures and information through news channels, and we don’t necessarily understand what they mean. There’s a lot of hate and misunderstanding going around, so I’d like to integrate more emotion into how we’re communicating. What projects do you currently have under your belt? I may be shooting a short film in India soon with a director named Sara Singh. Apart from that, I have some big modelling campaigns coming up, as well as some commercials, but I’m not allowed to speak about them just yet.]]> 3405 0 0 0 Pakistan’s Privatisation Party http://candle-thread.com/newsline/pakistans-privatisation-party/ Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:55:10 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3491 Every government since 1990 was religiously betrothed to privatisation.  But Nawaz Sharif has a thirst for privatisation that is unmatched. In 1999, Nawaz Sharif had set up a privatisation commission headed by General (retd.) Saeed Qadir, but a separate commission was set up for the accelerated privatisation of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). His government was in such a hurry to privatise WAPDA that he refused an offer from the World Bank for technical assistance and financing to prepare a programme for its privatisation. Instead, the government awarded a contract to an international consultant, the Independent Resources Group, to prepare the plan for its privatisation. It would be appropriate to study the implication of not accepting technical assistance from the World Bank. When a government accepts a loan from an international bank, it has to award all the contracts under International Competitive Bidding. However, in the event of self-financing, the government can power through and award contracts to preferred parties of its own. In the case of Independent Resources Group, which was awarded the contract for preparing the privatisation plan of WAPDA and Oil Gas Development Company, it was affiliated with a big industrial group in Pakistan based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa having a major interest in oil and gas. It is the privatisation of the Nawaz Sharif government that the people of Pakistan, the consumer societies and regulators have to be wary of since he believes in an unbridled private sector that was in practice in Europe during the 19th century. Currently, 32 units have been selected to go under the hammer, which include, the Convention Centre in Islamabad, two hotels owned by the PIA Investment Ltd namely Roosevelt Hotel in New York and Hotel Scribe in Paris, and the Government Holding Private Limited (GHPL), which owns interests in dozens of oil and gas producing blocks in Pakistan. In the power sector, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Jamshoro Power Generation Company (JPGC), Northern Power Generation Company  (Muzaffargarh Thermal Power) and Lakhra Power Generation Company are to be privatised. Futhermore, 25 per cent of PSO, 36 per cent of SNGPL, 60 per cent of SSGC, 85 per cent of OGDC, 78 per cent of PPL, 20 per cent of Mari Gas and  60 per cent of Pak-Arab Refinery are to be sold off. Over the last 25 to 30 years, successive governments have innovated processes of privatisation. Pakistan would be the first country in the third world to be controlled by big business, a senior government official familiar with the process observed. When Nawaz Sharif started privatisation in Punjab, and sold off sugar mills owned by the Punjab Industrial Development Board, they were sold along with liabilities with the result that Pasrur Sugar Mill was sold for one rupee because the new owner had also assumed its liabilities. However, the new owners refused to pay the liabilities on one pretext or another. Thus, in the ’80s and ’90s, liabilities remained with the government while the assets were transferred. In many instances, in this mode of privatisation, several successful bidders went to court saying that the assets had not been transferred to the new owner. A prominent example of this is the privatisation of PTCL. The real estate on which PTCL offices sit all over Pakistan were not transferred to the new owner. As a result, Etisalat, which bought PTCL, refused to pay US$ 1 billion solely based on these grounds. SOLD-p18reeifc01k5s19m2vomruk15h4-300x256There were rumours of corruption in the privatisation of numerous corporations such as Muslim Commercial Bank by the PML-N government, Kot Addu Power Company by the PPP government and Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) by the Musharraf government. The privatisation of Allied Bank and Pakistan Steel Mills by the PPP government, however, was reversed by the Musharraf government. In the ’90s, when the PPP government privatised Pakistan Petroleum Limited to Sadruddin Hashwani, the government of Pakistan bought the shares sold by Burmah Oil. Several cases of corruption have gone unnoticed, for example the divestiture of 10 to 40 per cent working interest in nine oil and gas fields owned by the GHPL undertaken by the Musharraf government in 2000. Working interest refers to a form of investment in oil and gas drilling operations in which the investor is directly liable for a portion of the ongoing costs associated with exploration, drilling and production. In a similar fashion, working interest owners also fully participate in the profits of any successful wells. GHPL was set up in 1995 to take over the government’s working interest in different blocks awarded for the exploration and development of oil and gas in Pakistan. When a foreign or domestic company sought a license for exploration in Pakistan, it signed a concession agreement that envisaged a working interest by the government of Pakistan in the development of the block. However, under reforms introduced in the energy sector in the ’90s, this requirement was removed. In October 2000, the Musharraf government decided to divest the government’s working interest in nine oil and gas fields for which a consortium of Gaffney, Cline and Jardine was appointed financial advisor. Their job was to ascertain the value of the nine fields and  bring the transaction into the market. The nine fields that were sought to be divested included Minwal, Pirwali and Turkwal operated by Pakistan Oilfields Ltd with a government working interest of 17.5 to 20 per cent, while the remaining four blocks were operated by Union Texas and Orient Petroleum Inc belonging to Sadruddin Hashwani. These included Badin-1, which is a collection of 35 oil and gas fields in 21 mining lease areas, in which the government had a 40 per cent working interest and Badin-2, with a 25 per cent working interest. The chairman of GHPL protested over the valuation of Badin-1 based on the appraisal by the consultant. He was swiftly shown the door and the block was sold to a joint consortium of British Petroleum and Orient Pakistan of the Hashoo Group for Rs 6.4 billion. Badin-2 was also sold to the joint venture of British Petroleum and Orient Pakistan for Rs 503 million. The deal was financed in a circuitous manner by OPIC of the United States which gave US$130 million to Remington Capital Holdings to finance the acquisition of nine oil and gas concessions being privatised by the government of Pakistan. The successful bidder for the concessions offered was British Petroleum and Orient Pakistan. sThe PML-N government has also ear-marked GHPL for the divestiture of its assets, block by block and well by well. GHPL currently has a working interest in 90 joint ventures, including 59 developed and productive leases. It is intriguing that the privatisation commission list does not make any mention of a bid by the PML-N government in July 1992 for the sale of 49 per cent shares of SNGPL to foreign and local investors. The offer aimed to sell 29 per cent of the shares to the general public and 20 per cent to a foreign gas company. British Gas, NOVA Corp and a French gas company showed interest but the negotiations failed. The sale to the general public was also under-subscribed and the underwriter, Muslim Commercial Bank, decided to pick up all the shares, making it a major shareholder in the SNGPL. Maple Leaf Cement was privatised to Nishat Mills, Pak Cement and White Cement went to Mian Jehangir Elahi, D.G. Khan Cement to Tariq Sayeed Saigol and Dandot Cement to the Employees Managment Group. But, they have ended up in two groups; Tariq Sayeed Saigol and Mian Mohammad Mansha. China Fertiliser was sold to the Schon Group,  which has gone into exile because of alleged irregularities relating to the privatisation. A large number of privatisation transactions relate to small divestments of government shares in PIA, SNGPL and SSGC and it is not possible to ascertain who owns the largest chunk of shares in these companies. However, as additional chunks are downloaded on the stock exchange, the prospect of a takeover by an individual or group of individuals cornering the largest chunk becomes a possibility. This prospect is likely to grow, as the incumbent PML-N government opts to privatise through divestment, as observed by many experts.]]> 3491 0 0 0 The Fair Affair http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-fair-affair/ Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:17:25 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3560 Goray rang ka zamana kabhi hoga na purana, gori dar tujhay kis ka hai? Vital Signs have been saying it for ages so why are we so surprised when Zubeida Apa announced that its time we all had a fair share at becoming Fair? Gora rang is the ultimate Pakistani dream. Just ask the expectant mother who consumes milk by the gallon, hoping her newborn will take on its colour, the mum-in-law who makes light skin a prerequisite for her son’s bride-to-be, or the men who find Deepika sexy but Katrina Kaif the take-home, meet-mummy type. Gora Pakistan is nothing to be ashamed of.  After all, isn’t that what every Pakistani wants? To shine chittafrom the outside despite a blackened heart or whatever else that lurks beneath the layers of over-bleached, peeling white skin? Why the shor and the sharaba, the uff tauba? Why the outcry that her claim to change our racial characteristics is a set back to a society trying to stop dark skin discrimination. Who asked you to in the first place? Afterall what has poor Zubeida Apa done that’s so shocking? Merely put aside her Masalaydar Dhoohadar Keema Aloo Bengan and listened to what people have been asking her on her show for ages, “How can I become fair?” And when she does come up with a mass-market solution, what does she get? Bricks and bracks by the same people who are rushing to buy her whitening soap even as they blast her for promoting color-coded racism. Fair and Lovely, Ponds, Mod Girl, even some unknown types like Faiza have been pushing harmful skin lighteners for ages. So why the outpouring of hatred when our own Apa Jee does it? Just because she didn’t target the lone darky but tried to change the racial characteristics of the whole country? So unfair! True, the other brands have not openly declared that being dark is a national offence. But implying that it’s better to be lighter is more or less the same thing. Atleast Apa is daring enough to own up that to be dark is to be inferior – a complex she has set out to put right. One must admire Apa Jee’s courage in trying to do collective good by reinventing the wheel – that is changing our racial features. So where is the racism in all this? Perhaps it is the foreign hand at it again. Across the border, a lady called Nandita Das has been misleading people that Dark is Beautiful. Her slogan is Stay Dark, Stay Beautiful. According to her, the pursuit of fairness pressurizes people into desiring the unattainable – like an obsession with size zero for which our South Asian body shapes are not structured. Little does she know that is exactly what Zubaida Apa is trying to fix. No longer is being fair an unhealthy, unachievable obsession. Thanks to her whitening soap we are barely a step away from turning into a Stepford society of whiter than white clones of each other. Its not a healthy glow that counts, its how deeply eroded and bleached white your pallor is, Ms. Das! The competitors have also joined forces with the Enemy. Have you heard how some of these Aamina Sheikh type unapologetically dusky dames, are going around saying Fair is not Lovely? I think they are actually Fair and Lovely agents trying to promote the competition in a very subtle way. Have you noticed how lightly they say ‘is not’ and how loudly they shout Fair and Lovely? And that Saeen toh Saeen chap is another self appointed activist against the Gora Pakistan drive. Apparently he has taken it upon himself to launch a Kala Pakistan campaign to oppose Apa’s. Last I heard Ali Gul Pir wanted to raise the dead by renaming Gora Kabristan as Kala Pakistan. Some people will do anything for attention! I feel sorry for poor misunderstood Zubeida Apa. Infact I apologise to her on behalf of all those ungrateful baboons who have been interrupting her cookery shows with requests not of recipes but of fairness potions (Meri shadi nahin ho rahi, jaldi say batain rang saaf karnay ka tareeqa?) and now that she has poured all her energies into a bleachy skin eroding soap they are berating her for calling them kala in the first place. But you know how it is, never call a madman mad… Anyhow, Apa must ignore these misguided people who can’t digest her new avatar as saviour of the kala kolotas,and carry on creating more and even more powerful whitening substances. Why just skin, lets bleach our hair, teeth, tongues, eyebrows, palms, toenails, intestines, afterall one can never be too white. I say lets give the Scandinavians a run for their money. They’ve had the monopoly on being Brite white, way too long. Afterall if we can score at cricket, go Nuclear, hide away Osama, then being white is no biggy! If America can have a black President, we can have a white voter! And after all this effort to lighten our complexions, if they still harass our Apa Jee, know that she has become a scapegoat. After Bilawal Bhutto and GEO TV, it is now her turn. As it is the blame game is our nation’s second favourite pastime. The first and most popular one being hypocrisy. Having said that, Zubaida Apa, is also partly to blame. Has she not heard “when in Rome do as the Romans do?” She is in a way responsible for this backlash. She has broken a-not-so-secret code. And that is the unwritten rule of never voicing what we really mean. Call it takalluf or jhooth or simply denial, its a crucial part of our daily life. How could she let down the all important principal of hypocrisy? So many of our national institutes are built upon it. Everyday governance, trade, politics, history and clergy all rely upon it. If even a single brick is dislodged from this hypocritical structure, the whole nation is in danger of collapsing! How could she take such a chance and voice that which was deep in our hearts but never publicly acknowledged. That’s almost like admitting to the Americans, yes we knew where Osama was all along but didn’t want to tell you. One of the observations my nine-year-old son made when he first moved to Pakistan was that, “people in Pakistan don’t always mean what they say.” Not something he would have observed like an anthropologist had he grown up here. It’s a given thing. People say what they don’t mean and mean what they don’t say. The fidgety girl opposite you commenting on how beautiful Aamina Shiekh is with her caramel skin or how bewitching Bipasha Busu’s dusky skin looks, is most likely getting late for her own whitening facial. The mother who tells her daughter its ok to be who you are is probably looking for a fair bride for her son, the doctor who says at a seminar that young girls with dark complexions in this country suffer from self-esteem issues probably promotes fairness injections at his clinic. And where there is hypocrisy, there is shallowness. We are obsessed with our appearance. Nevermind what happens beyond the four walls of our whitewashed residence, nevermind that there are potholes down the road or a whole basti of impoverished poverty stricken people right behind our palaces. We look good (and whitened). Our lawn joras are designer. Our blowdries immaculate. Our Filipinos imported.  And that’s what matters. However now that Apa has, by default, dared to call Pakistan Kala, she must bear the consequences. Zubeida Apa has unleashed a monster. Hundreds of these Feminist types have come out against the Gora Pakistan (wishful) campaign and are voicing their dissent. And from what it looks like they seem comfortable in their (unbleached) skins. They don’t have blowdries to worry about, or nails that get easily chipped. And their help is local. These, Zubaida Apa, are the most dangerous type. What more can I say? Poor Apa Jee tried to help them, but she forgot, kalay hain to kya hua, baray dil walay hain. Given the rage and response against her campaign, if even five per cent of it is from the heart, I’m afraid I have to say, ab hoga kisee ka mu kala!]]> 3560 0 0 0 Interview: Dr Samia Mehrez http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-dr-samia-mehrez/ Sat, 31 May 2014 09:07:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3563 Revolution Is My Name, on the anti-Mubarak uprising in Tahrir Square in January 2011. Dr Mehrez also has two volumes of the Literary Atlas of Cairo to her credit which are meant to be literary maps of the city. In this interview, Dr Mehrez, who was invited as a delegate to the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF), speaks to Newsline about literature, politics and the uprising in Egypt. What brought you to Pakistan? The Lahore Literary Festival brought me to Pakistan. I was delighted to be invited as I had always dreamt about coming here. Some of my dearest school friends are from Pakistan. There’s a diplomatic connection, because we studied at the International School in Cairo and have been in touch, but we are meeting after a long time. We (in Egypt) have so many affinities with Pakistan, so to be able to come and be introduced to this magnificent culture at the current moment in both countries… I was listening to the opening speeches at the LLF and were there to be a similar event in Egypt, the same issues would be discussed: violence, conservation, losing our cultural space, etc. So you were here to talk about Naguib Mahfouz? I was here to speak about Egypt, Cairo and the Arab literary scene, as well as the politics of the novel. Mahfouz was a ‘bouncing boy’ for the purpose. The LLF organisers decided the panel on Mahfouz; I didn’t want to speak about Mahfouz and I thought to myself, ‘Let us move on from Mahfouz now!’ In one panel at LLF, you spoke specifically about Mahfouz’s Cairo Trilogy. Is it really his most important work? Don’t you think his novel, Chitchat on the Nile, is more relevant in Egypt’s current situation? Also, another Egyptian novel recently translated into English, is Tewfiq al-Hakim’s Return of the Spirit, which actually talks about a military takeover and was much loved by Nasser. Why don’t we ever hear of such novels? The Trilogy may not be Mahfouz’s most important work, but it marks the climax of his career and established him as a novelist. Prior to his career, the novel was looked down upon as a frivolous enterprise. Even if Trilogy is not his most relevant work for Egypt today, it is an important one. We don’t get to hear about other writers because the flow of cross-cultural conversations is such, that many of these writers have fallen off the global map. That’s why I talk about a South-South dialogue. [caption id="attachment_3564" align="alignright" width="300"]Dr Samia Mehrez at the Lahore Literary Festival. Dr Samia Mehrez at the Lahore Literary Festival.[/caption] How would you describe the current situation in Egypt? The situation in Egypt is fluid, but optimistic in the long run. It looks pretty dismal at the moment, darker than the Mubarak era. But on the cultural level, there is no turning back. People can fight. Perhaps the only significant statement from Sisi was: “Egypt is a young woman. We have a population 60 per cent of which is under 25.” Mobilising their energies, they are subverting hierarchies and conventions. These things cannot be taken away from the people anymore. Are Egypt’s present political circumstances conducive to more revolutionary art, culture, literature and poetry? We have been bombarded with stuff: street art graffiti, theatre, the independent music scene, the visual arts scene, the literary scene and cinema. Young film-makers have been making films over the last five years on limited budgets. There are several films made by women, including Asham by Maggie Morgan. A movement for making films in hard times is growing. There is a drop in people stepping out of their homes, but tremendous digs are being made at the bureaucracy and censorship, and all this is a part of the revolution. Why is it that some of the country’s best known intellectuals like Nawal El-Saadawi, Khaled Fahmy, Hazem Kandil, Alaa al-Aswany and Sonallah Ibrahim are supporting the new regime in Egypt? We have to look at the context of the movement and understand that what happened on January 11, 2011 created two major players: the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and the Egyptian army. No third party has emerged over the past 60 years. To speak about a secular constitution is a fallacy. The uprising put it to the test, and the few figures that emerged e.g. El Baradei were shot down. He was presented as a traitor. Egyptian intellectuals today are willing to give the MB a chance. Al-Aswany was not against the MB. Even a prominent secular activist like Alla al-Fattah voted for Morsi. But the experience of having the MB in power was nightmarish. The only other player in the field is the army. A former diplomat, Ezzedine Choukri, has recently written a novel titled Bab Al-Khurooj. It speaks about the uprising in Egypt and has predicted every regime ruling in Egypt over the next nine to 10 years. He has tried to show that revolutions are not made in just 18 days. They are like rollercoasters, with ups and downs, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Who are some of the recent Egyptian/Arab writers from the younger generation you would like to recommend to Pakistani readers? Hamdi Abou Golayel, Somaya Ramadan, Mona Prince, Ahmed Alaidy, Mansoura Ezz El Din, Yasser Abdel Latif and Hamdi El Gazzar, but there are many more.]]> 3563 0 0 0 In Memoriam: Najma Sadeque http://candle-thread.com/newsline/in-memoriam-najma-sadeque/ Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:31:48 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3636 3636 0 0 0 Media Wars: Where Do You Stand? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/media-wars-where-do-you-stand/ Sat, 26 Apr 2014 11:28:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3664 On April 19, senior journalist and Geo’s lead anchorperson Hamid Mir was attacked in Karachi. While he was at the hospital undergoing treatment, a pre-recorded video message was aired on Geo. This video had been given to younger brother Amir Mir by Hamid Mir himself, with instructions to make it public knowledge should anything happen to him.
    What has followed on television channels is a war of words – and more. Rifts have emerged between media groups. Allegations have been levelled. Clear lines have been drawn – for and against different parties. As consumers of news and talk shows, what is your take on how this has unfolded? Below are a few questions we would like to get your input on:
    Q. What is your view on the manner in which the attack was reported and the discussion handled on various channels over the next few days?
      Q. Where does one draw the line between damaging ‘national interest’ and the ‘image’ of state institutions, and holding them accountable?  Q. What is and should be PEMRA’s role in all this? Should it take notice by itself or only act based on complaints? Q. As matters now stand, what course of action should be taken by all involved?
    ]]>     3664 0 0 0     See No Evil http://candle-thread.com/newsline/see-no-evil/ Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:51:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4066 Innocence of Muslims video that has provoked religious sentiment – and bloodshed – not just within the country, but across the globe. I have not seen the ‘short-film’ itself, firstly, because of my own personal discomfort with what is clearly sacrilegious material.  Additionally, the video has been widely trashed because, apart from its offensive subject, it is said to be a poorly and haphazardly produced piece of work. In fact, it has been rubbished by officials and newspapers in the West alike. That should have put paid to this sordid affair. Instead, the film has just given people in the Muslim world one more reason to settle scores with each other. The video is being used to resolve personal vendettas simmering among civil, official and opposing religious factions in Muslim nations such as Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. Once again thus, more crime and sin, murder and mayhem are committed in the name of religion. And this against the backdrop of the Rimsha Masih case where a land-grabbing mafia used an intellectually challenged child from the minorities on a trumped-up blasphemy charge to further its own agenda. In Pakistan, a country that has just witnessed the massacre of almost 300 people in a horrific fire, and continues to be bedevilled by economic and social corruption, a widespread abuse of human life and lack of governance, do we not have enough to deal with already? In 2006, in response to a petition filed under article 184(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Supreme Court ordered the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to adopt necessary measures to block sites with blasphemous content. This was the direct outcome of the cartoons depicting the Prophet (PBUH) published in a Danish newspaper in 2005. In a floundering judicial system where human rights issues are often dismissed altogether or delayed ad nauseam, the only issues that seem to elicit speedy justice were related to wounded Islamic sentiments. Invariably it is the poor who are at the receiving end, and under the guise of religion, political and personal scores and commercial agendas are settled. But, with this new storm over the offending film, advocates of free speech in the western world have also been given some food for thought. Denial of the Holocaust – the claim that the widespread extermination of Jews by any ‘intent’ or ‘official’ German policy did not occur – is deemed illegal in many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France and Germany, among others. There is a prison sentence of between 1-3 years for this ‘crime’ in most of these countries. And while this ‘offence’ is not deemed illegal in the US or Canada, it does engender protests and demonstrations, not to mention instant protests and condemnation in the corridors of North American power. Numerous arguments have been heard over the years on the pros and cons of terming the holocaust denial as a legal offence, including the outrage expressed by proponents of free speech and the contention that denying the holocaust cannot be considered a person-worthy offence since there is no direct threat to anyone’s life. One of the interesting points raised in support of this law is the charge that holocaust denial. Is ‘discriminatory’ and ‘damaging.’ Apart from being vague and generic, this premise directly opposes the very concept of freedom of speech and entitlement of personal opinion. I support the peaceful protests across Pakistan to the film.  Each one of us is certainly entitled to express our opinion. But do we need the government to tell us how to feel? And is our faith so weak that something as horrendous and trash-worthy as this film can shake it? Did we really need yet another public holiday? And we all know now much love for our Prophet (PBUH) was witnessed that day in Pakistan. Or is the government’s pandering to the religious right just an another way for the government to appease them since elections are on the anvil? Predictably, YouTube will soon be restored. Meanwhile, all our protects have succeeded in doing is having shut down the country for one more day, causing the loss of 26 precious lives and many times that number losses in revenue. We want to hear no evil, see no evil, but evil we will do.]]> 4066 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch:Interview with Sardar Abdul Qayyum, Owner of BBQ Tonight http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatchinterview-with-sardar-abdul-qayyum-owner-of-bbq-tonight/ Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:04:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4069 Newsline caught up recently with Sardar Abdul Qayyum, the enterprising, yet shy owner of this unique Pakistani success story.   How did the idea and consequently the restaurant come about back in 1988? My elder brother, Sardar Abdul Rahim, returned from Kuwait in 1986 and we bought a small place, just 12,000 square feet, in the Boating Basin to open a restaurant. We thought of Boating Basin because of its popularity as a food street with many eateries but none that had the hygienic environment and good quality food that we planned to provide. We thought it would do well. What were some of the hurdles you faced while setting up BBQ Tonight? It took a while to develop a routine as it would with any new business, but there were no major problems. We owned a supermarket called ‘Hassan Store’ and ‘Star Video’ movie rental outlets before opening the restaurant. We made BBQ Tonight customers in hand from these two businesses as we had made a trusted name because of those small ventures. The name spread through word of mouth and initially we only attracted customers from Defence and Clifton. Initially, finding efficient, trustworthy staff was a bit of a hurdle. That problem was solved later when we started our own training sessions for the staff we hired. BBQ Tonight is now a world-wide franchise with outlets in Dubai, Nairobi, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. What is the secret behind the success of the restaurant? The secret behind our success is vision, commitment, timely updated growth and teamwork. We have a very efficient team of workers. BBQ Tonight opened its branch in Dubai last year but one would have expected an earlier opening with the high number of Asian population here. What happened? My brother was a partner at BBQ Delight and we did not want to open BBQ Tonight to compete with his restaurant. Now, he is no longer a partner there.  Is the menu in Dubai exactly the same as the one offered in Karachi or have you made any changes to cater to taste palettes in Dubai? Yes, the menu does vary a bit. We have more basic, homely foods for Pakistanis living abroad, especially those who miss traditional meals. Items such as, Daal Makhani, Curry Bazaar Bengan are included in the menu of our Dubai franchise as well as all the other franchises abroad. We also included novelty dessert items such as  Gulab Jamans and Jalebis at our Dubai  branch for the same reasons. Screen-shot-2012-10-04-at-9.57.11-PM1-300x141What is the restaurant capacity of BBQ Tonight in Dubai? BBQ tonight in Dubai has a capacity of about 250 people and it caters to approximately 600 people on a busy weekend. Which has been the most challenging franchise to set-up so far? The Singapore franchise definitely. Chefs and waiters need to be college graduates to work in Singapore. Hardly any of our staff in Pakistan are graduates and it was difficult for us to find the qualified staff for that franchise. There were also restrictions on obtaining work visas and we were initially only allowed to send three workers. After some time, when the restaurant became slightly popular, we got permission to send three more workers. Do you maintain complete control over the franchises? Yes, we are trying to maintain control over the franchises. We do this through technological softwares such as point of sales software. It is important for us to keep a strict surveillance over our franchises for quality control. We have special staff hired in all the locations of our franchises and they keep a regular check over the operations. We take complaints very seriously and we go into deep details to rectify any complaints. Much has been said about the almost ‘family-like’ treatment of your employees such as provision of quality medical facilities. How important is the employee to BBQ Tonight’s success? Our workers are our strength and we work hard to keep them motivated. Various types of uniforms are appointed to represent authority, each post such as  waiters, head waiters, floor captains and supervisors have a different coloured uniform to motivate them to strive for the better. We provide several motivational prizes such as employee of the month etc. Mainly, we ensure that our employees get medical facilities, transportation, housing, and unlimited food for their daily meals. Advances are given when required and we not only have hygienic toilets for our staff, we even have bathrooms and changing rooms in case they want to shower. We hire our staff by shifts; there is a morning shift and an evening shift. Our restaurant is open from 12 noon till 2 am and it would get very tiring for our staff to be there around the clock. Our morning shift starts from 8am and ends at 4pm. While our evening shift is from 4 pm to 2 am. We have no staff union. We share things and we take employee advice. Every member of our team is a key player and without a good team you cannot do business. How have you employed manpower in the restaurant in Dubai? We have sent the staff from Karachi itself. We over-staff in Karachi,which just requires 500 workers but we have 700, just so that we can train staff to send them to our franchises. We make sure that we hire professionals to train our staff. Can you describe the employee hiring and training process?  Whenever we want to hire a new cook we have a three-month trial period to do dishwashing. This is a very physically trying job and we want to see if the employee is tough enough to handle it. We prefer to hire fresh, raw employees for chefs who do not have experience from other places so that we can train them our way. It often happens that if we hire some over- qualified, the employee has their own accustomed way of handling themselves and they are rigid and not accepting of our methods. If we see that the applicant is educated and has passed his matriculation exams, we prefer to hire them to be waiters as they will present themselves well to the customers. The basic traits we look for while hiring is that the employee should be tough and determined. We look for physically fit and young candidates who can pick up things easily. We observe the employees we have hired for 3-6 months when they are washing dishes and we evaluate if they have the potential to move forward. The best way to judge someone is by giving them responsibility. If we see the potential, then we start training and we promote the employee. We have many different tasks to be done in the restaurant, for example, cooking, cleaning, driving, waiting on tables, and managing. It is important for us to hire the right person for the right job. Things begin to get messed up if we make the wrong decision while delegating. The restaurant business must feel like home to you. What advice would you give to aspiring restaurateurs on what it takes to not just develop the popularity you enjoy but also to maintain it?  What is the ‘right-mix’ for a successful restaurant? The key to success is that we make our customers feel at home from the minute they enter parking till the time they have finished their dinner. Most of our regular customers know us personally and they patronise us. They have told us that they actually get a feeling of ownership when they eat at BBQ Tonight. Apart from quality of food, we have provided other services to make our customers feel special. We were the first ones to start valet parking at a restaurant in Pakistan. We have provided wheelchair, ramps and toilets for the handicapped. We have a clean  and hygienic environment with good, healthy food. BBQ Tonight mainly caters to families and big groups. Customers are most concerned about atmosphere these days more than anything else. We make sure that there is no rowdy crowd and no disturbance. We feel that it is our responsibility to make our customers feel safe and comfortable. My suggestion to aspiring restaurateurs would be to take care of their staff, not compromise on raw material and make the customers feel very special. What are your favorite restaurants in Karachi and Dubai? In Karachi it’s Fuchsia. I am fond of the Shabestan, an Iranian restaurant at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Dubai. What is your personal favorite BBQ Tonight menu item? The Fish Tikka. What does the future hold for BBQ Tonight? We have plans to expand to Jeddah, Mecca, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Toronto, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in the next two years. Mostly when people open Pakistani restaurants abroad they deviate from their origins and give it an Indian or Mughal name. Wherever we have opened, we have maintained our Pakistani identity and by the grace of God we have done well. We have a huge Pakistani flag lit up on the facade of our Karachi branch and we have the flag printed on our parcel boxes too. Our goal is to not only make our restaurant famous but also make our country proud. Whatever we are today is because of Pakistan. A meal you could eat every day if you had the choice? That would be a nice and simple Chicken Tikka.]]> 4069 0 0 0 Classic Movie Review: Harold and Maude http://candle-thread.com/newsline/classic-movie-review-harold-and-maude/ Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:22:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4079 Harold and Maude, a delightfully dark, unapologetically weird thrill of a film that prods at the heart of the human condition – love. Harold Chasen (Bud Cort), 20, typifies post-teenage angst and is plagued by a combination of boredom and neglect. His primary hobbies include staging hilariously outrageous suicides (impaling himself with a hara-kiri knife was particularly gory), and attending funerals, often those of strangers. It is at one these funerals that Harold meets Maude (Ruth Gordon), 79, whose youthful, energetic and life-loving personality serves as the antithesis to Harold’s nihilism. The more time Harold spends with Maude, singing, rescuing trees and terrorising policemen, the more acquainted he becomes with the joy of living for the sake of living. This feel-good aspect of the film has been delineated very tastefully; full of heart and devoid of preachiness. Visually, the film is quite a treat. Asbury’s use of the San Francisco Bay Area, with winding roads and eerie architecture, fits well with the Gothic nature of the film. The quirky costumes and sumptuous set design display an almost uncompromising attention to detail – fans of Wes Anderson, take note. Cort, as Harold, delivers a performance that should have got him more than a Golden Globe nomination. He expresses himself with restrained emotionality, paired with occasional bursts of petulance and even insanity, and creates a character that is menacing and gracious at the same time. Gordon, as the effervescent Maude, proves to be the heartbeat of the film, constantly amusing and impressing with her histrionics. A special mention must also be reserved for legendary musician Cat Stevens, who provides the soundtrack for the film. Indeed, his tracks, beginning with the gorgeous ‘Don’t be shy’ and concluding with the heart-wrenching ‘Trouble’ serve as important plot devices. – Armaan Sayani]]> 4079 0 0 0 A Chronicle of Attacks on the Pakistan Army http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-chronicle-of-attacks-on-the-pakistan-army/ Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:52:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4098 Dawn, revealing that one of the high-profile suspects is an ex-serviceman. The serviceman in question is most likely Adnan Rashid, who was also earlier involved in a 2004 assassination attempt on Musharraf. Another suspect was revealed to have been involved in the Pakistan Ordnance Factory suicide attacks.]]> 4098 0 0 0 Confessions of a Male Pakistani Supermodel http://candle-thread.com/newsline/confessions-of-a-male-pakistani-supermodel/ Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:46:08 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4108 Male models may appear to be the fashion industry’s unwanted stepsisters but there have been a handful who made a place for themselves at the top of the pecking order (see sidebar below). And if we’re looking for the Pakistani male supermodel, one person who certainly lives up to the moniker is Nomi Qamar. Back in 1995, Qamar was discovered at a party by stylist Shahzad Hafiz. Prior to that, Qamar had no interest in modelling but that little nudge into the fashion industry was all he needed. He soon went on to become one of Pakistan’s biggest male models and after appearing in everything from fashion shows to music videos, he decided in 2002 to try his hand at producing. He, along with his brother, helped launch the fashion channel Style Dunya, which later joined hands with HUM to become Style 360. Qamar still does modelling projects on occasion but after nearly 17 years of walking the ramps and posing for fashion spreads, he much prefers to be the one behind the camera. Qamar has seen it all and he’s certainly not afraid to tell us exactly what he thinks about the industry… Nomi on Money in Male Modelling: Fashion_strip09-126“When I started working it used to be a joke. They’d say ‘kaprey leh kar karlo’ (just take the clothes and do the work). My first shoot was with Ather-Shahzad for which I was paid only a thousand rupees. For my first ramp show, which in a strange reversal had HSY as the choreographer and Khawar Riaz as the designer, we rehearsed for a month and I was only paid Rs 1,500. This was the nineties though and the pay scale has since improved. However, male models still get paid considerably less than the female models. The only way out of it is to become a personality, a celebrity – if you can do that you can charge a lot more. Today I’m in a position to be selective about my projects and I charge more than a lot of the girls. On Agents and Stylists: “It’s getting really pathetic. There are no guidelines, no networks for male models and agents such as Khawar Riaz mint money off the skin of their models. He doesn’t even give 20% to the models. Instead of helping the models grow, the pioneers are actually exploiting them.” On the Casting Couch: “It happens all over the world and it happens here too. Our eyebrows only go up because we like to think that we’re Pakistani and Muslim and therefore above such practices. In fact, some of the stylist and photographers share the young male models as ‘gifts’ with each other. However, I will say that I know people who do great work and don’t do such things. Also, if two people are willing to go with the casting couch business then why is it such a big deal? Kisi aur ko kia masla hai? Why are we so scandalised, specially since it happens everywhere else too?” Nomi on the Lux Style Awards: “I think awards are great because in this country we don’t recognise talent, and most of the time we’re just watching all the terrible news on Khabarnama. But the Lux Style Awards are just Frieha (Altaf) and her friends. They’ll give the award to whoever they are on good terms with. I do think we should have award shows but the jury must be authentic and transparent.” On Men’s Fashion and the Average Pakistani Man: “Pakistani men, from the big cities to the smaller towns, are definitely interested in fashion. Now someone’s style might consist of wearing a taweez or having karhai (embroidery) on his clothes but at least men are starting to think about their looks. I think Men’s Fashion Week is also a great idea but a lot also depends on how it is executed.”]]> 4108 0 0 0 Toronto Dispatch: Art Provokes Dialogue http://candle-thread.com/newsline/toronto-dispatch-art-provokes-dialogue/ Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:57:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4119 Image and Identity: Being Ethnic (South Asian). The exhibition represents the work of several photographers settled in Canada, whose origins are in Pakistan and India. The show, curated by Toronto-based Ali Adil Khan and Asma Arshad Mahmood, opened in August as part of a larger South Asian festival called Mosaic. It is described as ‘an exploration of the way we form our public identity… define our ethnicity, and illustrates a natural desire for an identification and relationship to the past.’ Naureen Shah, who sold one of her photographs on opening day – a study of a prostitute preparing herself for her appearance in public – explains why she identifies with the subjects of her work: the men and women she photographed in places like a mental asylum in Karachi and in the alleys of Peshawar. “We are minorities here and they are minorities there, outsiders to society, just as sometimes we are outsiders to society here, don’t you think? I’m so fluid. These photos express my identity as a woman and I see myself in each of these people,” she says. Shah participated in another exhibition recently, titled Naked Stare of a Pakistani Man, which was shown at the Industrial Art Gallery in Toronto in July. She was unfazed that the exhibit offended many Pakistanis who saw it as an unfairly sweeping statement. Back at the Promenade Gallary, Asif Raza’s photograph of slums show narrow lanes between the walls of the homes in a dirt poor area, with small boys looking out from doorways. He says the photos made people uncomfortable because these particular alleys are situated close to wealthier urban centres. “In Pakistan most people thought they were inner city slums, but all this is much nearer than most people would like to admit.” He believes it is his purpose in life to point out what we tend to ignore in Pakistan and concludes that the past will always be part of his identity. “My parents migrated to Pakistan from India and I migrated from Pakistan to Canada. Should I lose my identity to become completely Canadian? Canada encourages multiculturalism and acknowledging our roots,” he says. While it is easier to exhibit together under the South Asian umbrella, particularly on this occasion, other opportunities do exist in Canada for these photographers. “While a combined exhibit has its own comfort levels, I am also working on an individual exhibit on statelessness, about the millions of so-called Pakistanis in Bangladesh, the Biharis, who have no rights, no schools, no bank accounts and no papers. I want to bring attention to their plight. There are no boundaries to identity, only curiosity and innovation,” says Raza. The co-curator of the Mosaic exhibit Asma Arshad Mehmood believes that non-South Asian visitors prefer photographs that show diversity rather than scenes of poverty. In that context the exhibition was eclectic: Asif Rehman’s photos were of Canadian Muslims engaged in their daily activities, Fozia Baloch’s work portrayed fully-veiled women and Amin Rehman’s series critiques the ship-breaking industry in South Asia and the hazardous waste it creates. In August, another exhibition called Pakistan NOW! Resurgence and Subversion in Art, at the Fourth Eye Gallery in downtown Toronto, curated by Ameena Chaudhry and Ali Adil Khan was also a must-see. “The subject matter is often controversial, dealing with politics, religion and the demons summoned from within. What’s evident is the sarcasm and subversion as new South Asian art enters the Western spotlight,” the curators write. The show featured young and adventurous Pakistani neo-miniaturists, who though trained in the techniques of Mughal miniature art, turn the genre on its head by introducing surreal dimensions to the traditional format. Sumeira Tazeen’s massive, ruby red painting reminiscent of traditional miniatures was a stand-out. The painting of a garden in intense red was inspired by Rumi’s poetry. The work is inspired by the Persian verses of tales of animals from the Masnavi, as well as Quranic verses that relate to animals, and identifies them with elements of the human psyche.  “This is Rumi,” Tazeen pointed to Persian writing on one side of the frame as she described her painting to this scribe, “This is the poetry taken from the Masnavi, and here are Quranic Arabic verses referring animals. Here is the lion. The message is that we get to the garden by killing the animal, our inner animal,” she says. [caption id="attachment_4122" align="alignleft" width="207"]Shiblee Munir: 'Once Upon a Time in History, God with Facebook' Shiblee Munir: 'Once Upon a Time in History, God with Facebook'[/caption] A modernised version of the traditional Mughal miniature was Shiblee Munir’s ‘Once upon a time in history, God with Facebook,’ a depiction of elephants, horse riders and other figures in burnished gold tones.  The show also featured Naureen Rasheed’s dancing figures, Aakif Suri’s floating human and hairy animal limbs, Kausar Iqbal’s  burqa series,  art on paper hanging off threads by Sana Kazi, symbolically drawn rupee notes by Reeta Saeed, Romessa Khan’s black and white whorls and rusting enameled tin sheets arranged in an abstract fashion by Shahzad Hassan Ghazi. Though the gallery only sold a few pieces on opening night they were expecting more sales in the days to come.  The gallery owner believes that there has been a revival of interest in art from the subcontinent, mostly from younger Pakistanis or South Asians. Some of the Pakistanis present at the gallery were ambiguous about the show, recognising the high quality of the work but not drawn to the social statements behind certain pieces, even though a few viewers found echoes of colonialism in some of the art work. Ameena plans to organise more exhibitions featuring new and edgy artists from Pakistan and other south Asian countries. Six Women, an upcoming exhibition in September features contemporary female artists of South Asian descent The aim is to garner appreciation from a local audience and continue to make a mark in Toronto’s contemporary art world.]]> 4119 0 0 0 Interview: Parveen Saeed, Founder of Khana Ghar http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-parveen-saeed-founder-of-khana-ghar/ Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:48:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=4188 What inspired you to start Khana Ghar? I started this work 11 years ago when I learnt that a mother had killed her children herself due to extreme poverty. Her children had gone hungry for a few days because she did not have enough money to feed them. Where is Khana Ghar located? It is located in Khuda ki Basti, Taiser Town. I found this to be an ideal place because it is specially developed for daily wage labourers. When I started, the town was quite deserted, but gradually it was occupied by poor people, mostly daily wage earners. 01Khana_Ghar08-12Who serves at Khana Ghar? The food at Khana Ghar is served by two children. What does a meal consist of? We serve daal, vegetable curry, Kabuli chanay, karhi on weekdays and meat curry on ­­Sundays. The helpings constitute a plate of curry and a roti for each person. Who are the people who come to Khana Ghar? They are mainly daily-wage workers such as factory labourers and widows, orphans and old people whose children have abandoned them. We also serve women who work as domestics in homes, as well as their children. Who funds Khana Ghar? I began this work from my own house and at that time I had no idea that it would grow so much. As time passed, I realised I needed a larger work force and additional support. My relatives and friends had already helped me immensely from the inception. Now, many more people voluntarily contact me to offer their support. Who cooks for the people? Do you cook yourself? I have one female worker who cooks curry and for the tandoor we have three male workers. Initially, I would cook but as the workload increased, I appointed a female worker to help me out. Actually, the basic purpose was to generate employment. Do you serve breakfast as well? Due to a shortage of funds, we are only able to serve lunch and dinner. Do you have a separate kitchen for your family? Yes, I have my own home and kitchen. 02Khana_Ghar08-12How do you take care of your family? When the head of the family supports you, your work will find its way, and it becomes very easy to focus on what you want to do. I have two daughters, one is married and the other one is about to graduate. Tell us something about your background and your education. My father worked in T&T and I spent my childhood in the PECHS. I have four brothers and two sisters. I did my matric from the PECHS Model School, and my intermediate and Bachelors from PECHS Government College. Later, I did my masters in journalism from Karachi University. I was interested in writing and dreamt of becoming a great writer one day. How many people do you feed in one day? We serve almost 2000 people each day, mashallah. How many hours a day do you devote to Khana Ghar? I have to devote at least two to three hours a day. I usually come to the site in the afternoon or in the evening. What inspires you to do this work? The fact that the people we are feeding cannot afford to arrange even one square meal a day for themselves and their families. That is my motivation. Do you feel it’s possible to defeat hunger? Hunger can never be eliminated until and unless the government plays the role it should be playing. As for us, neither do we have any sponsors nor do we claim anything [from any agency]. If anyone wants to help, they come to us voluntarily.]]> 4188 0 0 0 Fat and Fabulous http://candle-thread.com/newsline/fat-and-fabulous/ Sun, 22 Mar 2015 11:19:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1485 Healthy DietThe question now is how to differentiate between good and bad fats. It’s actually quite simple. The good fat, that’s unsaturated fat, doesn’t solidify at room temperature. So olive oil, sunflower oil, flax seed oil, avocado oil, nuts, Omega 3 and Omega 6 all fall into this category. As for bad fat, or saturated fat, you’ll find that it solidifies at room temperature. You know what I’m talking about: Cream, cheese, animal fats, processed meats and baking chocolate are just some of the sins you should keep your body away from. Piece of advice: If you’re going mad over the difference between good fat vs. bad fat, just go nuts: that’s peanuts, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, to name a few. After  explaining my Fat Facts, Ayesha understood that fat is unfairly treated as the underdog among all macronutrients. And that, too, without a fair trial. If you have been following the same diet plan and fitness regime for years without a core understanding of your goals, I know that it can be really frustrating. After all, what should your ‘next steps’ be? How do you navigate the twists and turns in your long term nutritional planning? Fortunately, Ayesha got it. She understood that her body needed to be fuelled by the appropriate amounts of good fats, proteins and carbs to increase metabolic activity so that she could reduce her body-fat percentage. Let me rephrase that more simply: Ayesha understood that she needed the good fat to burn the bad fat away. Today, Ayesha is well on her way! Not only has she lost 4 kg out of her 6 kg goal, but claims that her anti-aging cosmetics and creams are finally beginning to work. Best of all, she looks 10 years younger and is all set to start a new chapter in her life. Note: Please consult your dietician or your wellness coach before embarking on a new diet plan.]]> 1485 0 0 0 Guide to Flawless Skin http://candle-thread.com/newsline/guide-to-flawless-skin/ Fri, 20 Mar 2015 11:28:47 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1493 Eye area: Discolouration colour                    Colour Corrector Blue                                            Peach Purple                                         Yellow Brown                                         Peach Darker skins – Brown                 Orange General Complexion Skin tone                                         Colour Corrector Red (including pimples)                 Green Yellow                                            Mauve To lighten face                               White Grey/green on mature skin           Pink/peach Darker skin – dark areas              Red to orange Dull skin                                        Pink So now that we know the correct colours to apply, how does one actually go about creating the illusion of flawless skin? Here’s a step by step guide to follow when applying a colour corrector. Liquid/cream colour corrector application: 1. Prepare skin for make-up application by washing face. 2. Apply a moisturizer of choice on to face and neck. 3. Use a primer of choice to apply over face and neck. 4. Apply liquid/cream colour corrector in areas needed (just as you would apply a concealer, apply on affected area and fan out edges). 5. Apply foundation but be sure not to drag over colour corrector. Instead stipple – a dabbing motion on top of colour corrector so you don’t spread the color corrector from where it is placed. 6. Apply concealer. 7. Set it with a finishing/translucent powder.   Powder colour corrector application: 1. Prime/prep skin. 2. Apply foundation. 3. Apply concealer. 4. Apply pressed colour corrector powder (typically to hide slight redness of face with a green powder). 5. Set it with a finishing/translucent powder. Although these are the quick fixes to negate discolouration, there are many natural remedies that can be used to effectively lighten our marks. Natural remedies work at a slower pace but DO work if they are used consistently. It takes a matter of weeks, and even months, but the effects are very visible long term! Here are some which I have picked, used and believe that work the best. Natural remedies: 
    1. For brown spots, wash your face with extra virgin olive oil and use warm water to rinse.
      1. Rub lemon/lemon juice on affected area at least twice a day.Coconut-milk-300x220
      2. If the top layer of the discolouration is rough, apply castor oil to area at least twice a day.
      3. Include Vitamin-C enriched foods in your daily diet e.g. tomatoes, bell peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli.
      4. Rub a slice of potato daily on area affected.
      5. Apply red onion juice on to affected area for about 10 minutes (helps reduce freckles as well).
      6. Apply rose water on to face after a bath or washing your face (long lasting benefits, strengthens skin and keeps it firm as well).
      7. Use extracts of fresh coconut milk on discoloration marks (added benefit: smooth skin).
      8. Use extracts of papaya juice on discoloration marks (helps remove pigmented layers of skin with every use).
      9. Rub cocoa butter on affected area after a bath or washing your face.
      Make any of these natural remedies a part of your daily beauty regime and enjoy the benefits. For a quick fix, experiment with the make-up tips and see what works for you.
    ]]>     1493 0 0 0     Movie Review: PK vs Oh My God http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-pk-vs-oh-my-god/ Thu, 12 Mar 2015 11:38:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1505 Oh My God, starring Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar, and 2014’s Amir Khan-fronted PK. Both films use unusual premises to satirise religion, and both do it with varying degrees of success, PK is decidedly the better of the two. Oh My God (adapted from the popular Gujarati play, Kanji Viruddh Kanji – which is evidently inspired by the Australian film, The Man Who Sued God) revolves around Kanjibhai Mehta (Paresh Rawal), an antique-store owner who does not believe in God and is full of scorn for anyone who does. When his shop is destroyed in an earthquake, and the insurance company refuses to cover the costs on the grounds that he isn’t covered against accidents caused by “an act of God,” Kanjibhai decides to sue both God and the insurance company, insistent that one or the other must pay for the damages. Representing God in court is an assorted bunch of sadhus, maulvis, priests, and holy men – people Kanjibhai refers to as God’s “salesmen” with their “dhanda” being religion. Over the course of the court case, Kanjibhai makes an argument against blind faith and the growing commercialisation of religion. Along the way, he acquires a new houseguest, who happens to be none other than a modern-day incarnation of Lord Krishna himself (played by Akshay Kumar). The premise of PK is similarly kooky. The film begins with PK (Amir Khan), an alien from a distant planet, landing in the middle of the Rajasthani desert wearing nothing but a large glowing necklace that will bring back the spaceship that will carry him back to his planet. This being our crooked world, the necklace promptly gets stolen, and with it any chance of PK returning home. In his pursuit of finding the necklace, PK repeatedly gets told he should ask God for help and thus he begins his search for this mysterious entity everybody seems to believe in. Along the way, he meets a well-meaning bandmaster (Sunjay Dutt) and a TV reporter, Jaggu (Anushka Sharma), who decide to help him. While both films’ premises are outlandish but entertaining, of the two Oh My God uses its premise much less effectively. The idea of suing God doesn’t propel the narrative forward as much as it should; instead, it often becomes a vehicle for Kanjibhai to go on his rants against religion. The arguments he makes are compelling, but they are a bit all over the place.  It is unclear what their aim is: is he criticising how organised religions make money off their followers, or how having faith makes you a stupid person, or is he in fact emphasising God’s existence by asking him to pay? While watching Kanjibhai taking manipulative religious leaders to task is heartening, and Rawal does a great job of it, you still wonder how what he is saying is relevant to his winning the court case. Download-OMG-Oh-My-God-Full-Movie-In-HD-2-584x328 On the other hand, PK’s questioning of the mindless rituals of religion which have very little to do with faith, makes perfect sense in the narrative and propels the story forward in clever and unexpected ways. In fact, making PK an otherworldly being, with a clean slate and no prior beliefs, was a brilliant move because only such a being could question the fundamental tenets of human society credibly. PK also benefits from clearly establishing a distinction between having faith in a higher power and following the inane ritualistic trappings of organised religion – criticising the latter but avoiding being scornful of the former. Both films are also different in the kind of humour they employ. In Oh My God it is biting and harsh, and filled with scorn. This works occasionally – some scenes where Kanjibhai attacks religious leaders for the way they essentially peddle religion for profit are hard-hitting and on the mark – but at other times its shrill tone is joining on the nerves. The religious leaders, too, are dangerously close to cartoonish caricatures. On the other hand, the humour in PK is low-key and more compassionate. It draws attention to the seemingly crazy things one can do for religion, but does so cleverly. This approach, in fact, renders the criticism more effective. It also doesn’t hurt that Amir Khan is in excellent form, playing up the child-like innocence of PK without letting the character veer into caricature. However, PK is not perfect either. While the first half is skilfully constructed, with the perfect blend of humour and narrative momentum, the film falters in the second-half. There is a hurriedly tacked-on love story that makes little sense and adds nothing to the narrative; also, it becomes a tad preachy towards the end – a trait it shares with Oh My God. But despite their flaws, both films are significant because they articulate a growing need to question the manner in which religion is being used as a divise force to create distances between people.  Both films emphasise how alike everyone really is, despite their beliefs – an idea that is extremely relevant in a world that is riven with dissension and intolerance today.]]> 1505 0 0 0 Movie Review: Taxi http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-taxi/ Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:43:31 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1510 45 Years; Pablo Larrain’s bleak church critique, El Club; and Sebastian Schipper’s monumental, 140-minute one-take wonder, Victoria. In the end, jury president Darren Aronofsky along with his fellow jurors Daniel Brühl, Bong Joon-Ho, Martha De Laurentiis, Claudia Llosa, Audrey Tautou and Matthew Weiner, decided to award the Golden Bear, the festival’s highest honour, to Jafar Panahi for his film Taxi. Panahi is no stranger to the German capital’s prestigious festival. In 2006, his movie Offside was nominated for the Golden Bear and won the Grand Jury Prize. Incidentally, Yash Chopra was a member of the jury then. Seven years later, in  2013, Panahi’s Closed Curtain was again nominated for the Golden Bear and won Best Screenplay. In 2011, Panahi was meant to be in the jury (alongside Aamir Khan), but he had been sentenced to a 20-year ban on leaving the country two months prior, in December 2010. While his earlier documentaries, This is not a Film and Closed Curtain were both great works of a frustrated mind and artist, Taxi is a more lively and vigorous piece of cinema. Think about it: it’s been four or five years since the Iranian authorities have made it illegal for Panahi to make movies. And he’s made three in that time period, all having been showcased at major festivals around the world. There’s simply no way for anyone to stop him finding creative ways to make and release projects. Panahi is a lover of cinema and Taxi is the best cinematic love letter one can make, given the restrictions. And that anyone would be angered at a film as humane and harmless as this is outrageous. Panahi plays himself here, or does he? He has ingeniously cast himself as a taxi driver, whose vehicle serves as a sort of Production Company. His passengers are ordinary people, or they might be actors, as this line is blurred on more than one occasion. In a way, Panahi is making several films with Taxi, within his taxi. Each passenger is a film itself. There’s the desperate woman, whose injured husband needs to be transported to the hospital immediately (action thriller), there are the two superstitious women holding a bowl with goldfish, needing to be at a holy shrine at an exact time (religious satire), or there’s the bootleg DVD seller, who recognises Panahi and thinks he’s figured out that Panahi is shooting a film inside his car (comedy). But who is to say that the DVD seller isn’t an actor himself? jafar-panahi-233399l-584x431 There’s also Panahi’s own niece, Hanna Saedi, who turns out to be quite a decent performer. She needs to make her own film for a school project, but there are certain restrictions. She must, for example, at all costs avoid “sordid realism” and Panahi can’t help but smile. He smiles a lot, which is endearing to watch but never does he demand sympathy. This is the greatest strength – more than a piece of political resistance, Taxi is an entertaining piece of cinema. It can be seen and appreciated by anyone without the knowledge of Panahi’s history and it still works. Of course, solidarity with Panahi might have been one aspect of Taxi winning the Golden Bear, but above all, simply put, it has been awarded because it’s the best film, not best political statement. Saedi made it to Berlin for the awards night, as Panahi still isn’t allowed to leave Iran. All this time after she drove through the streets of Teheran with her “director uncle,” capturing what would become a gem of a film, the little girl got to triumphantly hold the golden trophy and wave it in the air. And then she broke down in tears. It was a touching moment and a fitting climax to the Berlinale, a festival that has championed and recognised a truly important work of art. Taxi proves that Panahi’s ban is a farce and that it must be lifted.]]> 1510 0 0 0 Berlin International Film Festival http://candle-thread.com/newsline/berlin-international-film-festival/ Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:48:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1526 Life, Bill Pohlad’s musical biopic Love & Mercy on Brian Williams from the Beach Boys, Ava Duvernay’s important film on Martin Luther King Jr. called Selma, and Simon Curtis’ art restitution picture, Woman in Gold. Also, for the first time, the Berlinale Special section chose to include several episodes from upcoming television shows in its programme, such as Better Call Saul and Bloodline. And most important, or despicable, whichever way you choose to look at it, Sam Taylor-Johnson’s adaptation of E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey had its world premiere in Berlin.It certainly helped the festival that almost all these films had major stars, who fortunately attended the screenings as well. Out of all these biopics, I would pick Love & Mercy as my favourite. Brian Williams, who is responsible for hits such as, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, is shown in two time periods, running parallel to each other. The young genius is portrayed by Paul Dano and the older Williams is played by John Cusack. It’s a fresh approach for a music biopic in particular, as Brian Williams’ life is seen both from before his tumble descent into drug abuse and after, but never really during. Dano and Cusack complement each other very well, and the scenes where Williams comes up with tunes seemingly out of thin air are electrifying.Another electrifying film, but for different reasons, is Selma. Every frame screams topicality and Martin Luther King Jr.’s spirit is captured very well by Ava Duvernay and her cast. It’s a retelling of King’s relentless efforts to ensure equal voting rights for blacks and whites during the mid-60s. David Oyelowo, perhaps the most underrated actor working today, gives a career-defining performance as the American activist. He’s English, by the way, and so is Carmen Ejogo, who plays his wife Coretta Scott King. Tom Wilkinson, who plays American President Lyndon B. Johnson, is English too, is Tim Roth, who is cast as Governor George Wallace in the film. The acting by these four Brits is top-notch and much like Love & Mercy, Selma is also an unflinching look at King, and in no way attempts to glorify him. There are echoes of what is happening in America today and that is what makes a film like this all the more important. Woman in Gold is a rather predictable film, but Helen Mirren is in top form here and that makes it eminently watchable. She plays the real-life Maria Altmann, a Holocaust survivor who took the government of Austria to court to reclaim a famous Gustav Klimt painting. The said painting was a portrait of Altmann’s aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer; the Nazis had confiscated it from her home in Vienna before World War II. Altmann employs young lawyer Randol Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds), grandson of composer Arnold Schoenberg, to help her get the painting back. It’s a film that doesn’t need unnecessary thrills, like a chase on foot during Vienna, or sweeping speeches in a courtroom but Helen Mirren is the red thread that holds everything together and she is a joy to watch. As expected, the portrait of Maria’s aunt is recovered and hangs in the Neue Galerie, New York now. One man who became famous for taking portraits was Dennis Stock. The photographer didn’t just take any portraits, he captured James Dean before the actor became the legend that he is. Anton Corbijn’s Life revolves around this reluctant friendship. Sensing something special when Stock (Robert Pattinson) met Dean (Dane DeHaan) at a party, the former asked the latter whether he would spend some time with him, so that he could do a photo essay on him (for Life magazine, hence the title). Dean wasn’t particularly interested, and generally comes across a bit of a lazy bum here, not interested in acting or fame, but Stock’s relentless pursuit softened him. They eventually got together and some of the most iconic photos of Dean were created, such as the one of him in a rainy Times Square. It’s easy to see the appeal of a film like this, the appeal of exploring a myth when it wasn’t even there. Corbijn himself was a photographer before he started making films, but Life is quite dull. There’s hardly any tension between Stock or Dean and that makes the proceedings a bit uninteresting. Even though Pattinson is quite good as Stock, this film didn’t quite absorb me. Corbijn has made great films before, such as Control or last year’s A Most Wanted Man, but sadly Life isn’t at par with those works. But still, nothing is as bad as the film, Fifty Shades of Grey. Many critics say that the film manages to salvage the book. But that’s totally besides the point. Possibly it’s better than the book, but it’s still garbage.  And there are no two opinions about that.]]> 1526 0 0 0 The Curse of the Liquid Diet http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-curse-of-the-liquid-diet/ Tue, 17 Feb 2015 11:53:55 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1532 Letter From a Wellness Coach

    Every morning, I wake up and look forward to seeing my turkeys (that’s what I call my clients) improve their muscular systems. But there’s one muscle they have a habit of leaving at home and away from the gym. Their brains.

    Liquid detox plans are enjoying raging popularity and have become an integral part of every fitness regime. These regimes wrongly believe that detox means to rid you of one macro-nutrient or another. Or to put you on a meal plan made up of ‘green’ juices — which range from all shades of red, orange and purples. Oh yes, and the 50 shades of greens.

    I’m not saying that juicing is bad for you. It isn’t. But, for starters, ask yourself,  was your body made to live on a diet of liquids? If you answered correctly, then you already know that there is no happily ever after in liquid diets. They have a way of  nutritionally drowning you.

    Your nervous system will fail to function without B6, B12 and other B vitamins that are vital for your mental well-being. They are natural IQ-makers and boosters. Sadly, these vitamins are not amply available in liquid diets. But they are substantially present in whole grains, whole wheat pastas, multi-grains and unrefined carbs. When you drink yourself into a state of vegetation, you deprive your body of all the nutrients that need to be active in your system in the first place.

    Think of it this way. Enamel is a composite of calcium and all the minerals that are sourced from chewing fruits, vegetables and hardy foods. Digestion starts from the mouth. By depriving yourself of these edibles, you are weakening your internal organs (that includes your brain); not to mention your gorgeous smile. So even if you are an enviable size zero, your attitude, personality and well-being will also score zero if these vital nutrients are missing. That’s  a no-sum game.

    PicsArt_1424107185891-3-584x328

    Now I don’t’ want to bore you with facts and figures, but I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to think through the decisions you make with respect to your lifestyle. Liquid diets are not only a deprivation but are also traumatic for your digestive and nervous systems.

    Here’s why:

    • By telling your brain that there’s nothing to eat (i.e. foods you can chew on with your teeth), you are forcing your body to wring every nano-ounce of nutrition, as fast as possible, from liquids — which, as we now know, carry insubstantial amounts of vital nutrients.
    • What happens next is a horror-story in the making. Your brain surrenders. It gives up on itself, on its natural instinct for survival, for as long as your liquid detox is in use — which is normally for a week to ten days. But then, once your liquid diet is over, and your body is artificially nutrient-deprived, the enzymes in your digestive system begin attacking the organs around it including the walls of the stomach. That’s how ulcers are born. And ulcers are the first indication of deeper, psychological wounds which can range anywhere from issues of self-esteem to depression.
    • Moreover, when you return to eating normally, you send mixed signals to your brain through your digestive system. And  your brain, like any CPU, asks EAT or DELETE? Sadly, both occur leading to a system malfunction. The body will eat more because it’s been deprived of real food for so long. But it will also not digest the food its eaten because it will automatically store it as fat. Saving it for another spell of potential deprivation.

    Now is the time to wake-up and listen to your body. It will tell you to keep it simple and avoid these fat-gaining liquid diets — which look so appealing on the outside  yet wash you out on the inside.  We get fat because we ignore the needs of our stomach, loading and unloading it with unforgivable trends, fads, and dietary conveniences. The truth is that if over-eating is a crime, then deprivation is punishment.

    Whenever you’re tempted to choose a convenience diet , consult a qualified nutritionist. I, for instance, detox my turkeys through real food — without depriving them of the macro-nutrients which are vital for their well-being. A diet ought to be a long term way of thinking. It should be sustainable and transformative for your mind, body and soul.

    ]]>     1532 0 0 0     Vows of a Make-up Artist http://candle-thread.com/newsline/vows-of-a-make-up-artist/ Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:03:26 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1542 Women are constantly in need of professional make-up services as we keep up with the shaadi season (that seems to stretch year round), balls, galas, brunches, committees, teas etc. We have a booming make-up industry with new salons and spas opening up on what seems to be every other block. But I often find myself questioning the level of sanitation and hygiene that is practised here, which was, in fact,  the  first lesson that was taught to me as a make-up artist.
    Having studied make-up artistry in Toronto, Canada,  and having worked there for two years, I can see a visible difference in the way the art is practised there and here in Pakistan. Our duty as make-up artists is to provide the best of our services in accordance to what we have been taught and through what common sense dictates. As a client, I would be rather upset (to put it politely) to see how carelessly some make-up artists use their talents; which in turn could have adverse effects for a client.
     It has not been long since I have moved to Pakistan and  worked alongside other make-up artists. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to ply my trade on some of our A list local celebrities. Much to my surprise, the majority of them have not been used to proper, hygienic standards,  and these are people who wear heavy make-up on an almost daily basis. Yes, guaranteed it would add on minutes to application time but is it not more than satisfying to know that you aren’t going to wake up to some eye infection from an unclean eye pencil, acne from an unwashed make-up brush or smell some achaar on your makeup artist’s hand? (yes, this has happened in front of me!)
    Here are some pointers for  clients to look out for when having make-up applied professionally. These simple tips will  guarantee that you leave the salon  looking glamorous but without any unwelcome repercussions.
    • Make sure the make-up artist either washes his/her hands or uses hand sanitiser before touching your face – the skin on our faces is the most sensitive. I, for one, do not like it when people touch my face because you never know how clean their hands are and what oils/dirt they are bringing to your face.PicsArt_1424011239247-300x228
    • Always take a look at the hair/bristles of the    make-up brush –  as a professional, it is our duty not to use one make-up brush on two faces without sanitising it! Are there remains of make-up on the brush  before it has even touched your skin once? If so, then ask your make-up artist how and when was the brush last cleaned. If they say yes but you are unconvinced, a good way to test is to ask them to rub it on a plain tissue and see if any product comes off onto the tissue. (However, there are times when there is a permanent colour on the brush from makeup that does not come off even when washed!)
    • How are eye pencils and mascaras sanitised before being used on different clients? The only way that we can sanitise any eye liner/pencil (also lip liner) is to have it sharpened and then cleaned with at least 70%+ alcohol. This is done usually by dabbing some of the alcohol on to a tissue and then wiping the product with it. This sanitises the product and makes it brand new for the next client. However, for mascaras, the first time a make-up artist double dips the wand into the product, the whole product is unsanitised! The only way to keep a mascara clean is to use disposable wands. From my browsing through makeup stores here, I have unfortunately found no place that sell these. A viable solution to this would just simply be to carry your own mascara.
    • PicsArt_1424022552487-300x168How do we use lipsticks/stains on various clients?  The most hygienic way to keep lipsticks and lip stains sanitised is to use a palette knife to scrape off some of the colour and use a brush to apply it. This would mean that there would be no contact from a clients mouth to a make-up product that has been used by numerous other clients as well!
    • How are powder products sanitised?  With any form of a powder-based product (eye shadow, blush, finishing powder etc.) the top layer of it is wiped with either a paper towel or a tissue. This helps to remove any excess oils that have been left there through use and sanitises it for the next person.
    • Is the work area clean and are the products stored properly? This is usually a great indicator in seeing how much importance a make-up artist gives to sanitation and hygiene.
    Of course, working with make-up gets messy  but at the start of an appointment do take a look at how clean the work area is. Make-up artists are all about improving appearances and should set an example with their own!]]>     1542 0 0 0     One Day Wonder http://candle-thread.com/newsline/one-day-wonder/ Thu, 28 May 2015 11:57:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2155 Untitled-1 Soon  after Ali’s promotion, rumblings were in the air that head coach Waqar Younis was the key force behind the decision. The reason cited was  Ali’s ‘non-interfering and calm character’ and his purported ‘yes-man’ approach. Ali could certainly be a candidate  for captain had the team management groomed him for some time and given him proper chances in the ODI side. But Azhar had played a mere fourteen ODIs by March 30, 2015 (the day when he was appointed ODI skipper) . And he had  last played a one-day match in January 2013 before taking charge this year. It’s interesting to note that Ali’s ODI strike rate had always blocked his chances of making it in the limited-overs format. Modern day ODI cricket is evolving so fast that even an average strike rate of 40 for a player  doesn’t make much difference to overall team performance. It was a regular feature of the Pakistan side under Misbah to see the skipper standing out as the lone fighter in matches, while his team mates failed to make their presence felt. A new captain has now been  installed but the script remains the  same.  Ali himself performed well in all three matches against Bangladesh, but the rest of his team  faltered. Obviously, team management needs urgent attention. This is no time to play favourites and any player who is under performing should be shown the door to jolt him out of any complacency. Pakistan put up a good show against Zimbabwe in the first ODI by scoring 375 , the highest score at home.  But in turn, Zimbabwe also crossed the 300 mark, reaching 334 with only five wickets down. This raised some questions about whether the team had a definite plan to contain Zimbabwe and was the captaincy up-to-the-mark? Competitive cricket can never be played on a pitch that is a batsman’s paradise, where the impact of even very good bowlers is neutralized. This is exactly what happened at Gaddafi Stadium. Moreover, the role of a captain is to inspire the team, to infuse fighting spirit. A calm, composed nature doesn’t necessarily warrant success. Perhaps a more aggressive approach is the need of the hour.  ]]> 2155 0 0 0 Opening New Doors http://candle-thread.com/newsline/opening-new-doors/ Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:08:35 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2159 Another remarkable story is that of Rubina, who did her diploma from GVTC Gulbahar and is now running a boutique in Hasthnagri, a well-known Peshawar market. This is so small feat, surrounded as she is by male shopkeepers. In an environment where women are not encouraged to get an education or vote, she is successfully running an independent business. Drawing the folds of her voluminous white shawl around herself, Rubina talks about her struggle. “In the beginning it was very difficult. I am doing something which doesn’t fit into our cultural norms, but my family’s support was enough for me to fight the odds. Now my sister helps me run the shop and we have an advantage in the fact that women feel comfortable coming here to shop. And if any alterations are needed I do it on spot for my customers,” explains Rubina.  “I enjoy this work, I cherish the day I decided to get this dress designing diploma. I already knew how to stitch but they taught me to be creative and how to design, using buttons, embroidery, lace, etc.” Rubina hopes that attitudes towards girls will change once people see what they can accomplish.  “ I think in our society it’s very hard for girls to get an education. I come from Sawabi and our parents don’t focus on educating or training girls to earn a livelihood. But I think it’s high time our parents reconsidered.” “I know this change won’t happen overnight. It might take ten years.  But if people just start thinking, for the sake of their children’s welfare, then our city, our province and our country will flourish.”

    The old red-brick building housing the Gulbahar vocational training institute for boys beckons visitors into its cool, shady interior in the blistering midday heat. Here  Syed Haider Ali is busy at work.  Haider lost his left leg in a bomb blast in Kisakhawani Bazar . He is about to complete his diploma in men’s tailoring. “After the bomb blast, when I realized that I would have to live with this  disability I went into a depression,” he recalls. “Being the eldest  child I felt responsible for supporting my family. It was my father who suggested that I join this course  and become a skilled tailor.” Haider will soon complete the course but he has already started working with another tailor in the evenings.  ”I am earning about 400 rupees per day  and I will soon set up my own shop.”

     At the government  polytechnic collage on Gari road,. Zaid Kaleem talks about his journey so far and hopes for the future. He belongs to a family of blacksmiths and business is flourishing.  ”But I told my father that I wanted to enrol for technical education and learn more about machines,” says Zaid. ” I know how to manipulate steel but there is so much more to learn. Now I am in final year of my diploma and after this I will do my BSC.”
     A new world of possibilities has opened up for these young people. The challenge is to make such opportunities available to the youth all across the country.
    ]]>     2159 0 0 0     School of Rot? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/school-of-rot/ Thu, 11 Jun 2015 07:54:50 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3000 introducing a uniform system of education  throughout the country, integrating religious teachings with the contemporary, mainstream education’. In other words, he envisions a madrassah -influenced educational system being implemented in Pakistan. The maulana is seemingly oblivious to the rising sectarian tensions, religious extremism and economic strife pervasive in the country. But maulana sahib too is a product of this system. The practice of revisionism and adding a religious hue to text books started in Bhutto’s time, intensified in Zia’s era and was given an added momentum in the Musharraf’ years. This has put Pakistan on a dangerous path. No matter how much money we invest in education, our horizons will not broaden as long as our children are taught to believe in the superiority of their own faith, to suspect minorities and present faith inspired counter arguments. Our textbooks glorify the battles between Muslims and Hindus. The Hindus are represented as uncivilized heathens who are shown the light by Muslim invaders. And they are always treacherous. Nowimagine being a Hindu child in a Unknown-1Pakistani classroom. In our secondary level social studies textbooks, the Muslims of Pakistan are always described as descendants of the Arabs, Turks and Persians. No link with South Asian races is ever mentioned. Educational institutions aside, is questioning our values  deemed acceptable in any forum? The examples  of Salman Taseer, Shahbaz Bhatti and Sabeen Mehmud pop up as a warning. Question and you will share the same fate.  The message is clear and in response many pens stop. Many cerebral cogs cease to work. What sort of educated aalim is the hugely popular Aamir Liaquat Husain who spewed vicious comments about the Ahmadi community on live television? Extremism is a natural by-product of the way we are moulding minds and it rears its ugly head across our religious spectrum. The alleged murderer of Sabeen Mehmud was an IBA graduate, but more so he was a product of this culturally constrained educational and social machinery. When confronted with facts, which threaten to unravel everything you have been taught to believe, turning to violence is only but natural. The scenario unfolding on Pakistani social media is not a model of tolerance either. Users either vehemently endorse a view or oppose it. Everything is seen in a George Bush-esque black and white perspective. The vitriol that is spewed out, the hate that is generated, the number of unfounded accusations leveled, gives an insight into the mind of a presumably educated and tech-savvy Pakistani – the so called future of our nation. Every respected journalist has discussed the exploits of Imran Khan’s social media supporters. Say anything about PTI and its trolls will likely harass you and insist that you take your words back. Even worse, you will find many extremist organizations like ASWJ using social media accounts with impunity and spreading their toxic ideology amongst impressionable  young minds. Intolerance and subservience to the existing moth eaten culture has brought Pakistan to the state where governance without the patronage of criminal activities is impossible and where votes are still determined by caste, creed and connections and not on party manifesto.  ]]> 3000 0 0 0 Art Review: Uldus Bakhtiozina http://candle-thread.com/newsline/art-review-uldus-bakhtiozina/ Wed, 17 Jun 2015 08:32:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3041 ‘Aren’t you a little too young to be a storm-trooper?’[/caption] Next, a storm-trooper mid-ballet.It starts out fine with a white storm-trooper mask, that universal identity totem of teens. He even wields some- thing like a gun, it seems. Only, it’s a flower. Things get stranger from there on. A bird-like child’s torso, a tutu’s bell and white stockings. Rustam is a Tartar teenager. The youngest of the models in the 30-strong and ongoing series, he just turned 14 this year. His profession? Student. His secret? He wants to be a dancer. During school hours, he plays it safe and dons a mask of anonymity. Come home time, however, he dashes off to dance practice, with dreams of a dance career in his heart. The irony of the works is of the laugh-out-loud sort at times. Like when Iron Man becomes Ironing Man. The model is another Nikita, this time a graphic designer who moved to St Petersburg from a small village. His looks, effeminate by societal standards, cast a doubt about his sexual orientation. He lives with the stigma that he isn’t straight. Then there’s the dreamy- eyed chef who kneels in prayer to cupcakes in front of a cooking range, swooning over them as if they were forbidden manna. The cupcakes are dark and have Satanic symbols iced in white onto them. He bites into them intoxicated. He’s also noticeably and unusually well built for a chef. The mystery? He has two professions which are almost mutually exclusive, and he is equally passionate about them. Fitness instructor and pastry chef. [caption id="attachment_3044" align="aligncenter" width="461"]‘Roses are red, violets are blue, religion is cheaper than dinner for two’ ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, religion is cheaper than dinner for two’[/caption] These youngsters are part of a community of young Romantics who live secret inner lives at odds with societal standards. They’re in Russia, but they could be anywhere, really, with different faces and different names, and fires of different dreams burning inside them. As they open up to Bakhtiozina, the result is a series of dramatised moments of truth: the subjects unmasked and vulnerable, alone with their deepest burdens and desires. Bakhtiozina is no stranger to their battles. “I’m one of them,” she tells me, speaking from St Petersburg, shortly after her return from Mexico. “Every day, when I walk my dog or go to buy something at the supermarket, I feel the sword of judgment dangling on my head. It starts with superficial things, like the way I dress or how I choose to colour my hair, and goes down to really personal matters, like why I’m not married yet. It’s dangerous to make a statement. You can expect anything from a snide remark to being hit with a stick.” [caption id="attachment_3045" align="alignnone" width="880"]‘Fighter bride’ ‘Fighter bride’[/caption] In fact, she boldly uses her own person as a model to poke fun at a social taboo – ‘old maid,’ the accursed woman who has dared to deviate from the ‘righteous’ path ordained mostly by those who are trapped beyond redemption themselves! Her ironic self-portrait as a ‘Fighter Bride’ with a wrestler’s mask, waiting wistfully in a back garden with overgrown grass blades, hits home with a bang. “A lot of women around me still see marriage as the end of a road. They see the husband as a kind of sponsor or a mentor, a money machine to milk. And are not interested in working after marriage.” Her battle cry is this, then: We matter, our dreams matter, and the size of our dreams matters. Her own dreams have made her something of an outcast in her native Russia. Twenty-eight years old, Bakhtiozina was born to a Russian Muslim father and a mother who was a Ukrainian-Russian Jew. At 21, she moved to London to pursue studies in graphic design and photography, after having studied politics back home. She then decided to return home to Russia, to address issues that bothered her. “There is very little tolerance for individuality in Russia, even today. The gatekeepers are still used to the Soviet idea of sameness, and everyone looking and behaving the same.” The portraits are modelled on a series of 19th century works by the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood, the bad boys and girls of the Victorian age, anathema to its stiff-lipped prudence. In the original works, the models pose in exaggerated poses, swooning and enraptured. In an ironic recasting that nails her simple but bold message, Bakhtiozina casts her contemporary troupe in the poses occupied by prissy Victorian women. She amps up the drama, so that the final pictures feel like a walk through a dream zone, with the characters in trance, un-beholden and free. [caption id="attachment_3046" align="alignnone" width="880"]‘We fight for a good husband’ ‘We fight for a good husband’[/caption]
    The pictures punch you in the gut.
    With unwavering childlike courage, they harp upon obvious but overlooked questions. Questions that would make any assembly of grown-ups squirm: On whose terms are you living your life? How free are you? What are your dreams? How big are they? Is there a Romantic hiding inside you? We’re half way through the new year, and now is as good a time as any to turn inwards and ask ourselves the questions that matter most, before we are too far gone for our own good. Photos by the artist
    ]]>     3041 0 0 0     Upcoming Films: Bin Roye http://candle-thread.com/newsline/upcoming-films-bin-roye/ Sun, 14 Jun 2015 08:38:45 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3051 Momina Duraid has the golden touch when it comes to television and all eyes are on whether this also translates into cinematic gold. Co-directed by Momina Duraid and Shahzad Kashmiri, sneak previews of the songs and the film trailer are all looking good. HUM Films recently organized an unveiling of two videos from the film as well as a brief question and answer with the cast and crew of the film. The music of the film was also recently released while the film will hit cinemas this Eid. To watch the film trailer and view songs go to http://www.binroyethemovie.com/]]> 3051 0 0 0 A Pakistani Doctor in Nepal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-pakistani-doctor-in-nepal/ Wed, 20 May 2015 11:11:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3063 Photos by the author  View photo gallery here 

     
    ]]>     3063 0 0 0     Avengers: Age of Ultron http://candle-thread.com/newsline/avengers-age-of-ultron/ Thu, 07 May 2015 11:17:02 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3081 Avengers: Age of Ultron with expectations of a great score, art-house direction, or even intelligent dialogue. On the contrary, you watch these movies simply to enjoy some action, and perhaps the visual effects. And unless you’re one to buy into the Marvel universe, you recognise them for what they’re supposed to be: fun, mindless, popcorn movies. But second time round, even that isn’t the case. While the first part of the Avengers was an entertaining watch, Age of Ultron was bland, tiresome to sit through – basically an overall snooze-fest. The opening scene of the movie might be the best in terms of action and the way it’s filmed, when the entire gang of do-gooders are fighting off the bad guys in a stunning forest somewhere in Europe. Other scenes of the movie don’t quite hit the mark, such as the unnecessary fighting scene between the ever-broody Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and the irritatingly arrogant Iron Man (played by handsome Robert Downey Jr), which just causes complete and utter destruction – for nothing. We know they’ll reconcile soon after, and maybe the fight was a method to knock sense into each other, but really they should have used up all that energy fighting off the movie’s boring, robotic villain: Ultron. The visuals for the fight sequence between them was as impressive as it can get for a mindless, 3D movie. The CGI was of course up to par, as it should be. It’s a 3D film after all, and that is seriously all this movie had going for it – but that too, only to a certain degree. The audience is introduced to quite a few new characters, two of which are Quicksilver – a two-toned blonde-haired boy who moves faster than wind, and Scarlet Witch – a greasy-haired (she could give Professor Snape a run for his money with those locks) girl who has the power to mess with one’s mind to a point of complete and utter paranoia. The pair are siblings who turn from bad to good, reducing the chance of a potentially interesting threat to the Avengers. They initially support Ultron, until they realise his plan of action is to make the human race extinct. Cobie Smulders, who plays agent Maria, describes each as: “He’s fast, she’s weird.” And of course all such movies have the cheesiest dialogue and cringe-worthy “jokes” in between fight sequences. The love story, which lacked any sort of chemistry – whether it was the lifeless, unconvincing flirtation or the kiss — between Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and The Hulk, had ridiculous dialogue about the two wanting to “disappear” to which one would think, “Just disappear already, please.” And there was the banter of Captain America’s usage of the word “shit” in the opening scene, which later became a painful running joke between The Avengers throughout the movie. Ultron himself is quite dreary, and doesn’t seem too threatening. Neither does his army of evil robots. Maybe if he had the twisted siblings on his side he’d have had a more foreboding presence. Confusing, bland, overkill, Ultron is not a fun movie to watch.]]> 3081 0 0 0 Dancing to their Own Tune http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dancing-to-their-own-tune/ Fri, 29 May 2015 11:24:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3084 The chief ustad  Munawar Ali Khan instructs them to get ready for the class and they start tying ghungrus onto their ankles. The master sings ‘Tha Thin Thak Tha Thin’ and students move to the rhythm. One step forward. Another backwards. One arm high in the air, the other behind the body. “Classical dance is vanishing from Pakistan. When we learnt it, there was a passion and a lot of people were interested in this art. Now there are very few,” Khan explains to me as he takes a break from the class. ”Some girls and boys from very rich families or then girls from a very modest background are the only ones interested in this art now. The more affluent come because of their fascination with the art while the  poor come to learn the skill to further their careers in theatre and movies.” “As this art disappears from Pakistan, so does our respect. There is no longer any honour in  classical dance, nor is there any money. But we are bound to perform our moral duty to transfer this art to the younger generation,” says Khan. He takes a deep sigh and pauses. I engage a student in conversation, the girl who had arrived first for the class. ”We are cousins,” says Zeenat pointing towards the other girl Zareen. “We are learning this art to become dancers for parties, stage dramas and ultimately movies,” she reveals shyly. ”My mother and my aunt are both ordinary dancers and still live in our old residential area of Tibi gali. We want to aim higher, work in the movies and live in a posh area in better conditions,”  explains Zeenat. ”Our dream is to become the most successful heroines of the Pakistani film industry,” adds Zareen. IMG_08561-300x200But for Sheena, an O level student from Lahore’s upmarket Model Town locality, classical dance is a fascination. ”I was so mesmerised seeing a girl dancing at a mehndi function that I decided to learn this art,” enthuses Sheena. ”But it’s hard for me to come here every day. I have to concentrate on my studies and can’t waste my time in traffic jams on the way to this academy. I would request ‘Master Ji’ for a class in my area or at my house.” But for Master Munawar Ali Khan and his friend tabla maestro Zafar Dilawar, it’s a compulsion to keep this academy going in the ‘red-light’ area of Heera Mandi. ”It’s easy to work here because everybody knows us. In other areas people may create problems because of music and dancing  and mixed classes for girls and boys.” ”Even here, policemen disturb us and question the late-evening classes. But because the head of the local police station knows us personally, so he provides help.” As Khan speaks, a smart young boy Asif Kanwal continues to practise his steps. ”I want to become famous like Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak and Naheed Siddiqui,”  he tells me. ”It’s not an easy thing for a man to wear ghungrus and dance. People look down upon you but I am determined to achieve my goal whatever I have to go through.” “It needs time, devotion and a commitment for life,” emphasises Khan. Outside in the street, the sun is now sinking on the horizon. The fog may appear again tomorrow but will clear for the sun as the day progresses. Sadly, Master Munawar Ali Khan doesn’t know when the fog will lift over the arts in Pakistan.]]> 3084 0 0 0 Giant Leap for Mankind http://candle-thread.com/newsline/giant-leap-for-mankind/ Tue, 19 May 2015 11:47:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3093 Mars One project, we are already looking to establish colonies on Mars. All over the world there has been a renewed interest in space, an interest  fuelled more by economics than just a passion for exploration. From asteroid mining to tourism, private companies are investing to make space travel cheaper and, thanks to our fast evolving technology, cost per space launch is decreasing. But where does this leave countries like Pakistan? Yes, terrorism is a huge issue, education needs an overhaul, democracy needs to strengthen its roots, moderation in views and freedom of speech needs to be encouraged, and a massive incentive is needed to resolve these issues. Perhaps we can believe in something bigger than ourselves. What is that big dream, that goal around which we can all rally? Let us dream then. Space, is not the final frontier (with apologies to Star Trek fans). It’s the beginning of a journey where the benefits far outweigh the costs. Space exploration has been hugely beneficial to us and I am not even talking about the the discovery of new planets, galaxies, far flung quasars or how all of this came into being. I am talking about the technology behind your Google maps, your internet, your computers, your powdered drinks, your water purification systems, your ultrasound machines. Look around, you owe all of this to space industry. Had humans not decided to take that ‘giant leap’, our tech industry would have been much poorer. Pakistan too needs to take this giant leap. The need of the hour is not skills, it’s not resources. It’s the dream for a better future. We all think of a better future in individual capacities but not as a collective endeavour. It is time to seriously think about the future of our country. Developing a space industry is neither an alien idea nor is it something that Pakistanis haven’t dreamt of before. In fact our space programme owes its existence to the tireless efforts of Dr. Abdus Salam. But we have failed to realize his dream. The rockets which were supposed to carry scientific payloads were turned into deliverers of destruction, thanks to our obsession to become the Fortress of Islam. Our space agency Suparco lags woefully behind its regional neighbors like Iran (comparison with China and India would be ludicrous). Also, there is a lack of interest shown by our establishment to develop the space program. Space sciences in Pakistan are usually taken to be determinants of our lunar calendar and the prayer timings – that’s on the layman level. While Suparco is only interested in its GIS, remote sensing and agriculture support capabilities. Its vision for 2040 is to develop capabilities to indigenously produce and launch satellites, that too by 2040 when humans will have already colonized Mars on a limited scale and when scientists might have already discovered signs of alien life forms. Clearly, this vision needs to be reassessed. But where there is a lack of vision in our establishment, the efforts of organizations like KaAS (Karachi Astronomers Society) and SGAC Pakistan (Space Generation Advisory Council), and other space enthusiasts are a breath of fresh air. NASA’s Global Reach: Pakistan received a very positive response and it showed that our students are interested in space technologies. At the same time, while the efforts by small local organizations and foreign partners is commendable, a much larger initiative is needed to create  positive widespread awareness about the need for a robust and dynamic space programme. Suparco has to realize the huge responsibility that has fallen on its shoulders and act on it. And we as a nation have to support it. In the words of  JK Rowling; “There are times when you have to choose between what is easy and what is right.” For space exploration in Pakistan, this is one of those times. But first let us dream, for the dreams of today are the realities of tomorrow.]]> 3093 0 0 0 Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You… http://candle-thread.com/newsline/coming-soon-to-a-theatre-near-you/ Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:34:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3099 Bombay Velvet Set in Bombay of the 1960s, this Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma starrer is one of the more eagerly awaited films this season. In fact, there is already some buzz that the film is tipped to be part of the Cannes Film Festival. Based on historian Gyan Prakash’s book, Mumbai Fables, the film tells the story of  a boxer, Johnny Balraj, and an aspiring jazz singer, Rosie and charts the highs and lows of their professional and personal lives. There is already some buzz that the film is tipped to be part of the Cannes Film Festival. Getting the period sets, costumes and hair and make-up just right has been one of the more talked about aspects of the film. Anushka Sharma, for one, was  reportedly determined to get her look just right and underwent upto four-hour make-up sessions. And if the stills from the movie area nothing to go by, the effort was worth it. There was also some talk about the film being renamed “Mumbai Velvet”, which doesn’t quite have the same ring,  by the Indian Censor Board. But thankfully, the original name was retained in the end. Director turned talk-show host turned actor Karan Johar also plays a supporting role in the film while former screen siren, Raveena Tandon, puts in a cameo appearance as well. Director Anurag Kashyap  seems to have modelled his film on the Hollywood gangster movies a la the Al Capone days but hopefully there will be enough of nineteen sixties Bombay in this film to give it an authentic Indian mood.    

    Mad Max: Fury Road

    mad-max-150x150Director, producer and co-writer, George Miller comes up with the fourth sequel to his Mad Max saga. It has been 30 years since the last Mad Max film was made and Fury Road is already receiving the thumbs up from fans of the franchise. Thirty years on, not surprisingly , Mel Gibson, the original Mad Max Rockatansky, has been replaced by actor Tom Hardy who has some pretty big shoes to fill. The film also stars Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa, a female warrior-type who teams up with our hero in the post apocalyptic world of the Mad Max films. Pursued by  demons from his past, Mad Max is found roaming an expansive desert when he comes across Furiosa who is leading a small band of women, escaping from an evil gang-leader. Replete with high octane explosions, car chases and enough grotesque villains, spouting profanities as can be expected in a world with no social order, Fury Road promises a thrilling ride to fans of the genre. The film will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May but it is an out of competition screening.  

    Piku

    piku-poster1-embed-150x150Starring the gorgeous Deepika Padrone, the charismatic Amitabh Bachchan and the extremely talented Irfan Khan, Piku certainly boasts a winning combination. Directed by Soojit Sircar, this romantic comedy centres around the relationship between Deepika, who is the Piku, of the title, and her hypochondriac father, played by Amitabh Bachchan. Piku is a Bengali architect living in New Delhi. Although educated and beautiful, any would-be suitors for the daughter are kept at bay by the fact that they will have to assume responsibility for the father as well. Piku finds herself taking a road-trip to Kolkata with her cantankerous parent along with Irfan Khan, who runs a taxi service, and who plays her love interest in the film. Deepika  is said to have learned Bengali to make herself more convincing in the role, Mr Bachchan of course speaks the language fluently. The film also showcases the city of Kolkata, and those familiar with it will be able to spot some well loved landmarks.  ]]>     3099 0 0 0     The Wild and the Wonderful http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-wild-and-the-wonderful/ Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:08:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3105 Nida Azwer got the show rolling with her ‘French Trellis’ collection. Inspired by vintage and classical design elements, the collection featured mainly nude hues. Model Amna Ilyas started the show in an intricately embroidered ivory-coloured cape and matching cigarette pants. The colour palette was the collection’s biggest strength: off- white, ivory and beige exude an aura of ophistication.
    Next up was the Bank Al-Falah Rising Talent display. Four fashion students showcased their creations. While their efforts were commendable, most, if not all, of the clothes were not wearable.
    Hasan Riaz does get some points for originality, though. He used denim, suede and leather to create a warrior look (not exactly a spring-summer col- lection) with one model even wearing an inverted basket on her head. But the line was creative, and his handbags even drew appreciative murmurs from the audience. The Lala Textiles collection was rather bland. Unfortunately their crinkled lehengas and long kurtas, flowing pants and long kameezes, were not par- ticularly in line with current trends.
    The queen of prints, Sania Maskatiya’s collection was intended as a tribute to the unsung heroes of design – the karigars. And even though models wore print-on-print-on-print, the look was anything but tacky. Most pieces were multi-coloured, with the occasional black and white geometric patterns. FNK Asia used a lot of white in a collection that had a Grecian but modern vibe. Lace was a common embellishment. It also showcased several colourful, bohemian-inspired pieces that the label is known for, in vibrant hues of mandarin yellow and blue in peasant style, pleated dresses. Madiha Raza’s ‘Spring Myth’ tried to be bold and creative, but the ensembles did not grab the eye. The highlight 03RishmaShakir-395x584of her fashion presentation was Maheen Khan walking the ramp to a standing ovation.
    Sealing day one’s rather dull exhibits was Sadaf Malaterre, a designer known for her minimalistic philosophy. Opting for lilac-lavender shades with off-white and hints of brown here and there, Malaterre kept true to spring’s pastel palette using pearls and frilly detailing to embellish.
    DAY 2 Veteran menswear designer, Amir Adnan was the first to showcase on Day 2 with his ‘Shah Zaday’ collection. Bejewelled ties and bazoobands, printed brocade and baroque jackets and waistcoats, this collection was for the daring man. Pastel colours, printed pants with pearls, embroidery and lace details, crop tops, rope-belted tunics and cigarette pants, both eastern and western wear, Sanam Chaudri’s collection was every woman’s envy. Jafferjees had an unexpectedly on- trend show, with a modern take on looks from the ’60s and ’70s. Models walked the runway with colour-blocked clutches, tasselled earrings, printed boho-inspired matching jackets and pants, lots of polka dots, leather- fringed bags and also a vanity case. Abdul Samad’s ‘Uptown Funk’ was a menswear-only collection with emerald-green, tangerine and aquatic tones, as well as more gothic colours with lots of black and white geometric patterns. Some looks were half-decent, but the plaid overall was a big no. The highlight of his show: Zurain Imam, Hasan Rizvi and Shehzad Roy walked the ramp. Rizvi even did a bit of a jig.
    ‘Primavera’ by Zaheer Abbas stole the show on Day 2. With pieces mostly in white with intricate gold and rose-pink embroidery, the look was both regal and modern. The white chiffon and organza dresses, and the midi skirts with birds printed on them were perfect for a summer’s day. Retailer of menswear brands from around the world, Caanchi and Lugari showcased casual looks for men from their ‘Bugatti’ collection. Lots of well fitted polos, rolled-up pants and chinos, loafers and lace-up boat shoes were spotted on the ramp. Gul Ahmed went all out at this year’s FPW. Using the popular white and gold combination, the label gave traditional ensembles a contemporary makeover: the collection featured heavily embroidered floor-length jackets teamed up with off-white simple lehenga-cholis. 33ZaraShahjehan-389x584The King of embroidery himself, Fahad Hussayn brought to the ramp his ‘Dominionatrix Decoded’ collection. Hussayn’s outfits displayed lots of drama, intricate details and were occasionally a bit gaudy. The moss green bustier with dull gold detailing was an interesting imitation of a ribcage, and was accessorised with gothic, other-worldly headgear. Day 3 Iman Ahmed of Body Focus Museum was the first to showcase on Day 3. Her ‘Sartorial Philology and the New Nomad’ collection was an ode to tribal culture. It comprised mainly white ensembles, and bold, oversized accessories, including stacked white bangles, metallic arm- bands and chunky jewellery. The collection included flowing capes, long, open-fronted jackets and loose pants, as well as crop tops and skirts, some in darker colours like red, gold and bronze. Next came Levis. Compared to Ahmed’s bold opening statement, this collection was far too plain to arouse any interest. There were some rather dull, pale blue dress shirts for men and women, paired with ripped faded jeans. The only wow factor in Levis’ exhibit was their showstopper; Wasim Akram. Somal Halepoto offered much needed relief with her colour-popping ‘Just Glam’ collection, in pinks and purples. Shimmery gold material was used for three-quarter pants and a poncho shirt to offset sheer jackets in black and white or elephant-printed pants. Like the Body Focus collection, Yousuf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ)’s was also accessorised with massive pagris, flag poles, large beaded necklaces, all inspired by traditional Sufi attire. Using just three colours – red, black and white – the designer nevertheless managed to impress. Flowing red dresses and tang pajamas with massive gathers draped the female models, while the men walked out in loose-fitting pants and kameezes. YBQ’s showstopper was HSY, dressed in a black shirt with frayed ends. Wardha Saleem’s ‘Lotus Song’ collection offered a stark contrast to YBQ’s dramatic one. With summery pastel blues, peaches, pinks and golds, it featured eye-catc ing embroidery and embellishments. Cigarette pants, dupattas styled artfully to look like capes, floral belts and bell sleeves dominated the look. Saniya Maskatiya was next, this time showcasing her lawn collection for Al-Karam. She managed to turn regular lawn into formal, evening wear. The collection comprised knee-length kameezes, straight cut, printed and flared pants, kaftans with high necks and off-shoulders, and jackets, giving life to the average lawn jora. Inaaya by Naushaba Brohi was a minimalistic collection in classic colours. An all-black jumpsuit with an embellished 10HassanRiaz-2-143x300net shrug, an eastern take on the working woman’s suit, harem pants and plenty of skirts. Brohi’s show-stoppers were the person behind the brand’s name – daughter Inaaya – and Mashal Chaudri of the Reading Room Project.
    03Rizwanullah-177x300Day 3 wrapped up with HSY’s ‘High Octane’ collection, boasting suits for the trendy, modern man. The models paced down the ramp to fast-beat music, dressed in slim-fitting trousers, ties and dress shirts printed with outdated checks but also more contemporary polka dots. A camel-coloured leather jacket and a cream-beige ensemble were the standouts. Day 4 The final day kicked off with Sonya Battla’s collection, ‘Manora.’ The digitally printed, high-neck, off- and bare shouldered tops in varying shades of blue were strongly reminiscent of the ocean. Ripped jeans and the use of ragged edges lent the collection a ’90s teenage grunge look.
    Next in line was Syed Rizwanullah for Fifth Element, the official distribution partner for Swarovski in Pakistan. The all-white, elegant collection rendered the jewellery the star attraction. Models, sporting diamante-encrusted eyebrows and Swarovski jewellery, walked out in cream saris, draped dresses, Grecian one-shoulder gowns, as well as slim-fitted cigarette pants and palazzos. Rizwanullah’s embroidered, white net trousers and net bodice for a silky white gown, definitely stood out. 05HassanRiaz-267x584Maliha Chaudhry designed Daaman’s spring/summer ’15 collection. It consisted of some classic blue shirts with white stripes paired with white capris, as well as some flared net shirt dresses and cutwork and net crop tops. Zara Shahjahan’s ‘Forever Boho’collection started out with flowing skirts and maxi dresses in a light summery material with large floral prints and tassels, and then wrapped up with some très chic, east- meets-west evening wear: A full-length black dress with traditional Sindhi mirror-work on the bodice and along the hemline, and slim-fitted black pants paired with a cream open-front floor-length jacket, with floral prints. Deepak Perwani drew the most applause, with Pooja Bhatt and Ali Azmat walking the ramp for his ‘La Dolce Vita’ collection. Featuring digitally printed silk in regal reds and majestic blues with the odd purple and lime green thrown in, it was a blend of maxi dresses and jumpsuits, halter tops and printed silk trousers.  
    ]]>     3105 0 0 0     Make-up Myth Busters http://candle-thread.com/newsline/make-up-myth-busters/ Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:19:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3117 Most of us have been dabbling with make-up since we were teeny tiny toddlers and were found pawing around our mother and grandmothers’ dressing tables. We have learnt a lot from watching them apply their make-up and have definitely been influenced by them. Today, however,  we are bombarded with products for practically every beauty need, and most of us have come to follow our own routines and procedures on how and what make-up we apply.
    Here we will be busting some of the most popular make-up myths, which should be of help to anyone looking to make the most out of their makeup routine!
    Myth 1: Use the inside of your wrist to match foundation 
    False! – The best place to test for the right foundation colour is on the jawline (preferably during the day time as daylight is the harshest light for makeup).
    Myth 2: Makeup causes skin to break out
    False! – If the brushes you are using are clean, the makeup isn’t expired, the product suits your skin and you regularly wash your face before sleeping there is NO excuse for skin to break out!
    Myth 3: Pumping the mascara wand will get most out of the product 
    False! – Pumping the wand back and forth into the mascara will create a breeding ground for bacteria in the tube. A better, more hygienic way to get the product on the wand is to twist it inside the tube. (Note: mascara should be changed at least every 3 months).
    Myth 4: Only night cream can be applied at night time 
    False! – The only difference between a day and a night cream/moisturizer is that the day time moisturizers
    mascarascontain a level of at least SPF 15+ for protection against the sunlight.
    Myth 5: Makeup doesn’t expire
    False! – If only this were true! Unfortunately, like everything in life, makeup has an expiration date. Any products you have for over two years should be thrown out on basis of hygiene and anything that starts to smell different/funny should be trashed as well!
    Myth 6: Waterproof mascara is fine to use on a daily basis 
    False! – Waterproof mascara has a different and harsher formula that it is made up of as it is formulated to last longer on our eyelashes. This isn’t designed as a daily use product and could cause damage to our lashes (i.e. causing them to break easily due to extra stiffness of the waterproof mascara formula)
    Myth 7: Concealer should always be lighter than your foundation
    False! – When going for a natural, flawless look the concealer should match the foundation. Concealer is a product used to hide blemishes that the foundation can’t. Therefore it should not be used as a highlighter.
    Myth 8: Concealer should be applied before foundation
    False! – As mentioned above, concealer hides blemishes that the foundation cannot. So, the foundation should be applied first and then the concealer is applied on top.
    Myth 9: Bronzer can double-up as a contour powder
    False! – A bronzer is great to give a sun-kissed glow to the skin with its orange undertone. However, contour powders have a grey undertone in them allowing us to create hollows that look more natural.
    Myth 10: Only use colours that match your skin tone
    False! – Although using colours that match our skin tone are great for a daytime and/or natural look, now more than ever before women are daring to use all sorts of colours on their face. The two things we must remember to pull off any color is to use a shade of the color that suits our skin tone and to wear it with confidence!
    ]]>     3117 0 0 0     End of Freedom? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/end-of-freedom/ Sat, 18 Apr 2015 14:32:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3123 Shabash, government. Applause! Suppose you’re a teenager who has a fight with a friend, or you have an arch-nemesis as many of us do at that particular age. You somehow manage to get your hands on their phone and you see that this rival of yours has photos in their phone which their parents would disapprove of.(Because who hasn’t sneaked a cigarette when the folks aren’t home, after all? People like me who don’t want to put cancer sticks in their mouth is who, but that’s beside the point.) You decide that a good way to get back at this person is to show their parent(s) that image, but you want to be sneakyUnknown-2 about it so you won’ get caught. Fortunately, your rival uses Snapchat! And so you send a ten second photo of your rival smoking a cigarette or wearing a sleeveless dress to their parent(s), using said rival’s phone. Acts such as these are of course, more common with teenagers, it’s an unfortunate part of growing up and children can be incredibly cruel. But thanks to the new bill, this teenager could, according to Section 3, be “punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees or with both.” This is what people need to understand, that the reason this law is so outrageous is that it can be used to criminalize teenage delinquency or ordinary acts in everyday life! Since when does the state have the right to punish our children for misbehaving as they go through their rebellious teenage phase? Since when does the state have the right to interfere in our personal lives and challenge how we raise our children? Since when does the state have the right to punish you for playing petty pranks on our peers? I’m not justifying the act, but imposing monetary fines or sending someone to jail is definitely a situation that calls for the famous quote from the movie ‘The Anchorman: The Legend of Tom Burgandy;’ “Boy, that escalated quickly.” Have you heard of how Russia has outlawed celebritiy memes? Now, Russians won’t be able to create funny memes of celebrities or public figures, because it has become a crime. This sounds really ridiculous, and we should thank whichever gods we do, or don’t  believe in, that in Pakistan, we have more freedom than people living in oppressive countries like Russia. You might want to hold that thought right there. Thanks to Section 16 of this highly intelligent law, creating a humourous meme about Aamir Liaquat or everyone’s favorite Bhai, or the cyber-stalking clause would become a crime. Can you imagine living in such a country? I certainly can, because that will be what happens if the passage of this bill isn’t halted immediately. This bill is supposed to safeguard us, protect our rights, but instead, it is gleefully dancing its way all across said rights, because people do not understand how legal language can be used to create loopholes which allow ordinary everyday acts to be criminalized, thus creating an environment of fear and oppression. Clause 16 addresses the problem of sexually explicit media being disseminated without a person’s consent. One would assume that this is a good thing, but a closer look at the clause tells a different story. The crux of the clause rests on the statement that, any communication is disseminated “conduct, without the express or implied consent of the person in question.” The purpose of this statement is to clarify that disseminating sexually explicit content involving a person without gaining their consent to publicize this material, and with the intention of humiliating or blackmailing the person, is a crime. The problem here is  the issue of implied consent. What exactly is implied consent? How is “implied” consent actually consent? The answer is that it isn’t. When we talk about rape culture, we talk about how consent given under the influence of drugs or alcohol does not count as explicit consent, or how a pre-existing relationship with a person does not mean that they have implicit consent to perform sexual acts when p19-a_24.img_assist_custom you are unable to consent to the act, for example if you’re asleep. Or in cases of date rape where previous sexual relationships are used as an alibi to justify “implied consent.” In all these cases, so-called implied  consent is not morally, ethically, and in most cases legally considered as actual, explicit consent. Is is therefore highly illogical to insert any concept of implied consent in a clause which is supposed to protect people from sexual cybercrimes. Logically, the clause should simply say “without the express/explicit consent of the person in question.” By inserting implied consent in this clause, the geniuses behind the cybercrime law have created a loophole which would allow perpetrators to get away with committing sexual cybercrimes. As if problematic language wasn’t bad enough, there is nothing in this clause which allows someone else to represent the aggrieved party in a case of sexual cybercrimes, or to file a case on their behalf, unless the victim is a child. Considering the socio-cultural implications for women who come forward in cases of sexual crimes, is there even a point to creating a specific legal clause on sexual cybercrimes, when women are not guaranteed privacy in the process? Another gem in this proposed law is Section 18 on cyber-stalking, which says that taking someone’s photos without permission is cyber-stalking. So the next time I’m at a public event such as Karachi Literature Festival, and I am annoyed by photographers who do not ask me before taking photos of me browsing through book stalls, I can simply file a case against them accusing them of cyber stalking. Sure, the liberals might claim that a court of law would throw out such a case, but I’d still have managed to harass the photographer not to mention the financial cost of hiring a lawyer.  So he’d definitely think twice before taking photos of people without their consent at public events. God bless the cybercrime bill! And the next time someone sends you a link on a Facebook message asking you to fill out a survey or share a link to help them win an online competition, remember; the proposed cybercrime bill has a clause on spamming which is so vaguely worded that even that Facebook message would count as spam, and  you can always teach your friend a lesson by filing a case against them. And then there is Section 31. Glorious, awe-inspiring Section 31. “Power to issue directions for removal or blocking of access of any intelligence through any information system” is a barely veiled way of legalizing censorship. It would “ remove any intelligence or block access to such intelligence if it considers it necessary”; and if that isn’t bad enough, the reasons which would be grounds for legally censoring content are even worse. “In the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, commission of or incitement to an offence.” So in other words, if you want to debate on Islamic theology in a peaceful manner, you’re most probably harming the glory of Islam. If you point out the links between intelligence agencies and militants, or if you express sympathy for the oppression of the Baloch, your right to free speech will effectively cease to exist, because your opinion must be censored for  the “integrity, security, or defence of Pakistan.” If you want to criticize Saudi Arabia for the flogging of Raif Badawi, you risk harm to “friendly relations with foreign states” and you will be censored. Basically, if you even breathe in when you’re supposed to breathe out instead, you’ll be censored. No one wants to read the dry, dull language of a law. No one wants to read an even duller analysis of a law. Most people would struggle to understand legal language, or understand why there is a problem with the language or clauses of a law, and that’s understandable. But none of the examples given in this article are fanciful exaggerations. They are realistic scenarios of how the various flaws of this law can be exploited, and how the problematic clauses of the law would impact ordinary citizens, if that is, the law is passed. Therefore it is of vital important to create awareness of how this law violates our rights, and to push back and demand that the proposed cybercrime law be redrafted. There is no denying that there is a definite need for a cybercrime law, but it must be one that is comprehensive, progressive, and safeguards the rights of Pakistan’s citizens, instead of violating those rights. If this bill actually becomes a law, then we would lose many of our freedoms. Pakistan might be the country where YouTube is blocked, but we have greater freedom online than many other countries throughout the world. We should be pushing for more freedom and  better legislation to protect us, rather than accepting that we are destined to become the new China. Not on our watch, we won’t.]]> 3123 0 0 0 Movie Review: Mission: Impossible http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-mission-impossible/ Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:36:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1445 Guardian review for Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation, filmmaker Jonathan Romney writes that even after completing its fifth instalment, the blockbuster film-franchise leaves him pining for the “mathematical cool” of what was admittedly a “rigorously formulaic” original television series in the 1960s and ‘70s. The film adaptation, although equally formulaic, projects a more scintillating notion of the inner workings of intelligence organisations. Clever infusions of clumsily conceived scripts with high-octane drama, preposterously inventive technology, Hollywood’s exotic notions of the rest of the world, and archetypically attractive superstar leads in deliciously extravagant disaster settings, produce the certifiable box office successes of the Mission: Impossible series. Considering the fantastical nature of every other element of these films, it is indeed ironic that Tom Cruise famously performs his own stunts for the Mission: Impossible franchise, due to a supposed fixation with authenticity. In the latest release, he astounds by hanging off the door of an airborne military aircraft, diving off a 120 foot ledge, and simultaneously holding his breath and dodging a rotating crane in a deep underwater vault. Although each of these scenes did prompt me to cross my fingers tight, none was as breathtaking as the Burj Khalifa stunt that Cruise pulls off in the previous instalment, Ghost Protocol. Rogue Nation picks off on the note that Ghost Protocol concludes. It chronicles the adventures that Ethan Hunt and his team of IMF (Impossible Missions Force) agents undertake in order to first unveil, and then eradicate, the maliciously enigmatic ‘Syndicate’ – a group of lapsed government intelligence personnel who are already presumed dead. Hunt and his associates, Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), and William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) must unite for this perilous quest without the resources of the IMF, which is denounced, disbanded, and absorbed into the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) at the behest of CIA Director Alan Hunley (introducing Alec Baldwin into the franchise). Tom Cruise, once again, convinces the audience of the ultimate physical and moral invincibility of Ethan Hunt with élan. He exudes the unrelenting confidence of an idealistic bastion of humanity with utmost sincerity, allowing the audience to gleefully overlook, and even marvel at, the spectacularly destructive consequences of his many pursuits.  Pegg and Stickell reprise their roles as the quintessential sidekicks. While Pegg is able to deliver some one-liners, which are delightful and hackneyed in equal measure, adeptly, Stickell’s role is, in spite of his veteran presence in the series, too insignificant to affect an impact. Brandt’s genuine predicament, as he finds his loyalties divided between his former IMF associates and the CIA, could have provided, for Renner, the ideal opportunity to arrest the audience’s attention and build apprehension with his every move. However, the show is stolen by Eva Faust, another morally ambiguous character, who is portrayed with utmost sophistication by Swedish actress, Rebecca Ferguson. Faust’s elegant entry into an exquisitely executed scene at the Vienna State Opera presages her towering presence throughout the narrative. Her uncertain allegiance is so convincing that the audience, which is made to be emotionally invested in her from the onset (much like Ethan Hunt – his marital status remains a matter of concern), never finds itself trusting her completely. Yet, as a woman who is fierce in her intelligence and sophisticated in combat, she has aptly been distinguished, by critics and audiences alike, as one of the best conceived female characters in this category of filmmaking. For this, we must be grateful to writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, in spite of his inability to raise the franchise above expectations. Equally riveting is Sean Harris’ Solomon Lane, who captures perfectly the tenor of a textbook super-villain by balancing his raspy intonations with poker expressions. I only wish that the writers, or even the actor, had worked the dynamic of Lane’s questionable former nobility as a member of the British Intelligence, to bring to his character that disturbing vulnerability, which made Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight so viciously iconic.   One of my greatest grievances against Hollywood filmmakers is their incessant penchant for portraying the global east in an archaically generalised image.  A simple ‘google search’ of Casablanca (the ‘exotic’ foreign sight of the team’s exhilarating adventure) would suffice to show that Morocco’s principal port city is, in reality, a teeming metropolis; not the dune-covered bazaar town that has been depicted in the film. It is thus ironic that, in the same week that ‘Humans of New York’s’ Brandon Stanton garners widespread appreciation for his meticulous effort to debunk western-media-propagated myths about the global east (i.e. Pakistan), another creative venture attains both critical approval and millions at the box-office (from countries including Pakistan) for reinforcing the same, ignorant clichés that Americans and other Hollywood-goers have been subjected to for decades. Although we could choose to condone the unapologetic ignorance of such films as mere ‘popcorn entertainment,’ it is actually crucial for consumers of popular media to question the stereotypes that are being sold to us in the guise of news, and worse still, entertainment.]]> 1445 0 0 0 Mystical Lands and Milky Ways http://candle-thread.com/newsline/mystical-lands-and-milky-ways/ Fri, 24 Jul 2015 11:25:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2138 The snaps taken during this trip were all about the three photographers’ personal experiences and they aimed for compositions that weren’t the usual calendar-like clichés. Instead they captured the essence of the valley and what they loved about it. There is a story behind many of the photographs. One of them is of men standing on two boats trying to tie them together, with a lake and mountains in the background. The lake was previously a village, but it was destroyed by a flood – villagers now use the flooded area as a means of transportation. They join two boats together and transport trucks on them, thus using the natural disaster that destroyed their homes as a way of earning revenue. Among my personal favourites is an image of a Thai monk, wrapped in an orange robe, facing a vast stretch of land standing atop a mountain – a single being amidst the massive landscape. The stark contrast of the deep orange robe against the cool blue sky and light grey hues of the terrain, makes the image extremely powerful. Another interesting photograph is of a shop with little objects resting on the window sill, rugs lying outside and a clear blue sky reflected in the window – so simple and yet so mesmerising. I was awestruck when I found out that the Milky Way could be seen from Hunza, and while the human eye can only see it in black and white, the camera captured its myriad colours. A shot of it was taken from the rest house terrace in Sost and, according to the photographer, it took over an hour to capture. Ali plans on holding more exhibitions similar to this one in the future, that focus more on his team’s personal experiences. He also wants to move away from the mode of taking photographs that just look “pretty.”  ]]> 2138 0 0 0 And the Stones Came Tumbling Down http://candle-thread.com/newsline/and-the-stones-came-tumbling-down/ Mon, 02 Nov 2015 10:28:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2882 To our horror, there were no cars on the other side of the blockade. So now we were faced with a five kilometre walk in the rain that had continued unabated. Then suddenly, a rickety old black car appeared and on reaching the blockade started to turn back. I asked the driver of that car if he could take us to Pattan. He did not hesitate for a second. My wife sat in the front and myself and our other companion sat at the back. There was  already  another passenger sitting there. During the drive back, the inside of the windscreen was all fogged up but the driver appeared quite oblivious and didn’t seem to care whether  or not he could see the road ahead. But it was making me very nervous so I asked my wife  to clean the windscreen and she kept wiping  it with her bare hands. The driver said it didn’t bother him but to me it mattered that we proceed horizontally rather than vertically down the valley.  After having miraculously escaped the  rockslide unscathed, I wanted to stay that way. The gentleman brought us to an inn aptly named Kohistan tourist inn.  He ordered tea, paid for it and told the manager to look after us. Then he  left. I quickly reserved ten rooms knowing full well that the rest of our 18 strong group  would eventually arrive. And so they did before the evening.  Our little inn was by a roaring stream that was used to generate electric power and so we had uninterrupted supply during our stay. We had a fairly comfortable night after the day’s traumatic experience.  On the 27th morning we started enquiries as to when the roads would be cleared so that we could continue our journey. The FWO teams were out by 0700 clearing the smaller blockages while bulldozers were expected to arrive later for the big boulders. We started our journey at 1030 a.m and wound our way through many cleared blockages  and reached Rawalpindi at 10 p.m. In the end, it was only prayers and the infinite mercy of the Almighty that we escaped unscathed from this ordeal.]]> 2882 0 0 0 The Day the Earth Shook http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-day-the-earth-shook-2/ Fri, 30 Oct 2015 11:48:44 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2894 But the most persistent memory is the smell. It never leaves you. I can still smell the iodine from the hospital that day when the ground shakes if a big truck goes by. Then the smell of dead flesh that was in the air is still fresh in my mind. Flashbacks are occasional. I get palpitations thinking about it. I realize that I may have some degree of PTSD (post Traumatic Stress disorder). We could have run out. We could have left the kid on the table. He would have died had we left him. We would all have died if the hospital came down. We were not suicidal. Neither were we exceptionally brave. So why did we stay?]]> 2894 0 0 0 A Walk Through Shanghai http://candle-thread.com/newsline/a-walk-through-shanghai/ Thu, 26 Nov 2015 13:19:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2914 Newsline provides a glimpse of one of the most happening cities in the world.   Photos by the author]]> 2914 0 0 0 From Venice With Love http://candle-thread.com/newsline/from-venice-with-love/ Sun, 11 Oct 2015 18:24:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2927 Blanka, a heart-warming story about an orphan who joins forces with a blind singer to eke out a fortune on the streets, is listed as being from Pakistan. It’s an error. We rushed to the screening and made our way into Sala Casino, only to be deflated by news of Pakistan’s representation, or lack thereof. But that disappointment aside, the 72nd Venice International Film Festival offered an extravaganza of ideas and images exploding on screens all over the various venues at the Lido. India treated viewers with several offerings a day, ranging from the classic Pyaasa to Visaraanai and the documentary For the Love of a Man.Visaraanai is a fictionalised account of two true stories stitched into one masterful tale. It is based on a book by an ordinary rickshaw driver who was rounded up by local police and detained and beaten for 13 days without proof. The film won Amnesty International’s award at the festival for shedding light on police brutality in India. According to Paolo Bertolini, who serves on the Venice film selection committee, “Visaaranai daringly touches on human rights issues, as well as on police and political corruption, and does so in a way that is never didactic or tedious.”  Director Vetri Maran says “Maybe the critics will say that the violence is gratuitous. Why didn’t he just let us imagine this? But this sort of brutality is inconceivable. And from the research I did with police officers, this is only a fraction of what goes on.” Director Bahadur Bham Min from Nepal won the Critics Week best film with  Kalo Poth, which delves into the politics of the region. Of the Afghan films, Krigen, was the most interesting.  This is a court room drama about a good man’s split-second decision to save his soldiers life under fire, and the ethical consequences of that decision.  Iran and Turkey also emerged with several strong offerings. “There were actually a couple of submissions from Pakistan, but they didn’t make it to our selection,” said  Paolo Bertilini. “As for the process of selection of films from  images1the Indian subcontinent, as in previous years, I was in charge of the scouting and pre-selection. Films came to me through different channels: on the one hand, the contacts I have in the region, on the other, through direct submissions to our main office.” Bertolini affirmed the role of the NFDC in India in promoting their films.  “ I visited Mumbai in June, and thanks to the kind collaboration of NFDC, we held a session of pre-selection screenings, where more than one hundred titles (including feature length films, documentaries and shorts) were submitted to my attention.” Every few hours shoals of critics, journalists, Venetians, industry folk and fans of solid story-telling converged on the cafes and bars surrounding the festival, debriefing visitors on how to get extra tickets, and deconstructing the films. Then, of course, there is the red carpet phenomenon, where teenage girls in animal-print tights were seen hyperventilating because they just saw Johnny Depp. We dodged these misguided creatures as they run hysterically around the venue, attempting to get a selfie with the star. On a particularly harrowing day, Winter on Fire chronicled the political uprising in Ukraine. The American drama, Spotlight, told the story of how a Boston paper exposed a sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church. This was followed by another American film, Beasts of No Nation, about the horrors of war in an un-named African country. After this intense marathon, half the people we spoke to had been left emotionally drained. One began to hanker for the humour, the wit in story telling. images-5We found it in another offering from India , For the Love of a Man.  The film succeeded in intellectually engaging the audience without turning them semi-suicidal. This is a documentary about the fans clubs that glorify South Indian film star Rajnikanth. Viewers are introduced to orphan brothers who have fashioned their entire life, family and business trajectories on their role model. “Rajnikanth has an almost God like status, he is revered in Tamil Nadu,” explains producer Joyojeet Pal, who is currently a professor at the School of Information in Michigan Ann Arbour. “So when Rajnikanth plays a farmer and talks about respecting those who sweep our streets and clean our sewage, Tamils listen. Parents want to model their children on this film character.”  Rajnikanth the real man pales in the back ground, the screen star is the reality for Tamils.  Joyojeet continues, “I found parents who were farmers, who knew nothing about information technology and who wanted their children to learn how to use computers because they saw Rajnikanth in a role where he worked on a computer. His influence is pervasive, although he remains reclusive.” Director, Rinku Kalsy said the phenomenon of fandom is so fascinating that “ The more the team researched and filmed, it was no longer a choice, we had to bring this story to the screen.”  The film follows Rajnikanth’s fans calling for him to run for political office, we see his fans distraught when he is ill in real life, we are introduced to small time gangsters who cleaned up their lives after joining a Rajnikanth fan club and we hear how a man mortgaged his wife’s jewellery to raise funds to promote the star whom he considers a deity. “All the chief ministers in Tamil Nadu have come from the cinema industry, they were all stars before they were elected to office, that’s the power the fans can give you.” From France, Aleksandr Sokurov unfurled a magnificent canvas, sketching out what happens to collective memory and art as he traces life at the Louvre Museum during the German occupation of Paris in Francofonia. The American-New Zealand drama, Free in Deed, is a film that will resonate with the masses in Pakistan and perhaps our policy makers who have ignored their  needs for so long.  It is the disturbing account of a faith-healer whose attempts to heal a child actually lead to his death. Jake Mahaffy’s film was screened towards the end of the festival, when most of the celebrities and critics had already packed their bags for flights to the Toronto Film Festival. LikeVisaaranai, the reason it worked so well was that the premise was based on a real-life story of tragic misuse of power. Superstition and religion intersect and reinforce beliefs that can obscure good sense and rationality. We see this in the frustrated and desperate masses in our country who turn to pirs and fakirs. Organisations that deal with mental health across Pakistan, like Mashal, Karawan-e-Hayat, Hands and Basic Needs routinely deal with people who have spent their life savings on healers because they have limited access to medical help. Every morning as we dashed from our lodgings in the Rialto, through the narrow, charming streets of Venice, over fairy tale bridges, dodging the city’s patient residents and hordes of tourists across San Marco to the San Zaccaria water-bus stop B 20, to settle into a series of storytelling sessions, images of Pakistan zipped through my head. Between figuring out the distance and time it would take to run from one screening to another, parallels from the film’s messages began to percolate in a parallel world where Pakistan could and should be using the medium of film as a tool to educate and entertain its masses, where traditional methods have failed. In Beasts of No Nation, I was reminded of the children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who told us stories about how extremists recruit them to blow themselves up. During Winter on Fire, I thought of the activists who risk their lives to bring change to Pakistan and the police brutality that they are subjected to. And as Spotlight unfolded, I wondered which Pakistani newspaper would be courageous enough to bring out an investigative piece about systemic sexual abuse in similar faith-based institutions. Flip – a more elegant alternative to the more frequently uttered four letter expletive – we’re late! There was a lot of flipping at the Venice Film Festival. Flipping through the film listings that promised a week of intellectual immersion, flipping the accreditation badge the right way for the layers of security to see, bouncers flipping out over festival-goers lack of tickets on top of regular industry accreditation, the festival-goers flipping out in turn over the baffling ticketing system. images-1With an abundance of films on every screen, it was difficult to choose between them and the complex system of ticketing didn’t make it any easier. But we were determined to seek out the most diverse offerings from the world over, and the listings were pregnant with promise. Some of the best films we had the good fortune to wander into were the French L’Hermine, a pithy take on a district judge dealing with the everyday issue of child abuse and falling in love with a juror in the process. Then there was the Australian film, Tanna, a tale of forbidden love in a tribal South Pacific setting. Although dealing with grass-skirt-wearing tribals, the film’s message about change is a universal one. One cannot help thinking Pakistan needs to shake off its obsession with religion and war so that the creative community can step up and produce pieces that work to influence policy and people. Pakistan’s government needs to understand that film is one of the most powerful ways to disseminate messages and change perceptions. The government needs to provide encouragement, mentoring and financial support to filmmakers who are ready to take on experiments like the gritty Visaaranai. The film is a searing and unflinching exploration of the truth. And at least India is having a healthy dialogue about its issues on the international stage. But countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were prominent only by their absence.]]> 2927 0 0 0 The HONY Effect http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-hony-effect/ Wed, 19 Aug 2015 06:32:33 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2941 I have followed HONY for quite some time on Facebook. I am an aspiring photographer and street work fascinates me. I find it very intimidating to go up to a complete images stranger and ask their permission to capture their “being” in a photograph. Brandon makes it look easy and natural. His work speaks for itself and now people feel honored to be represented in his blog. So, when one day I opened up my Facebook page and saw a “desi” face on HONY’s website, which sure enough was from Pakistan, my heart skipped a beat.  Brandon was in Pakistan. From the very first image of Pakistan that appeared, what greatly intrigued me were people’s comments. How did people abroad view Pakistan through the HONY lens. As I went through hundreds and sometimes thousands of comments, I realized that a phenomenon was developing. The boundaries and borders that existed in people’s minds about Pakistan and Pakistani people were coming down faster than the Berlin Wall. People from different countries were actually saying positive things about Pakistan. People wanted to come to Pakistan and experience its beauty and culture. Comments from India were most overwhelming. There was so much cross border love and affection flowing around. At the very least, the Indians recognized how similar we are with common issues and values. There were times when I would find tears flowing down my face, seeing the love being expressed for my Pakistan. It was finally being seen as a country where “normal” beings live. A country one may want to experience for themselves. This was huge. Not since maybe the fifties or early sixties had the international community looked at Pakistan this way. Remember when foreign royalty, presidents and other dignitaries would line up to visit Pakistan? Princes used to study in our universities and PIA was the premier airline of the world. I felt something of that old pride and joy coming back when I was reading these blogs. Unknown-2Than something even bigger happened. The blog turned into a cause. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that a part of me wished that HONY would only focus on the good and beautiful side of Pakistan. I was afraid of what else he might capture. And he did. Brandon soon began to come up with pictures of the hardships and struggles of the common people. Images and stories of poverty, drugs, marital abuse and bonded labour started to surface. Once again, I kept a keen eye on the commentary from the public, the people who have never experienced such horrors in their daily lives in the West. The response was very supportive. In fact, some fund raisers were initiated to help these souls. The most prominent example is that of bonded labour campaigner Syeda Ghulam Fatima. Because of HONY’s blog, more than a million dollars were raised in less than three days. People were tripping over each other to donate to her cause. Brandon had put taboo issues in the limelight for Pakistanis  themselves to face and acknowledge as well. Personally, I was very moved with the story of a Lahori woman, photographed in a yellow dress holding her beautiful little daughter. She had left an abusive relationship, was homeless and was infected with  the Hepatitis C virus. She was so desperate for the future of her child that she was going to give her up for adoption but was unable to go through with it. Even more touching, a young man was trying to help her.  But with very limited resources and a family of his own to support, he was finding it very difficult. An uproar erupted in the woman’s support. We bombarded HONY with requests to re-locate her and help interested people get in touch with her. As a result, the woman has been traced and is now being rehabilitated. She will be given shelter, employment and treatment. Overnight, Brandon had become a social activist. HONY had become a tool for change. Pakistan can do that to you.]]> 2941 0 0 0 Women At Work http://candle-thread.com/newsline/women-at-work/ Mon, 31 Aug 2015 07:31:29 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2954 a share of 2.07.percent Working women in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain highly marginalized with 0.15 and 0.62 percent shares respectively. “Even though women are visible in the workspace in Pakistan, there is resentment against them in public spaces. Men, in fact, are the biggest barriers for women in the public sphere,”  says Zoya Rehman, a gender activist from Bytes for All. She further emphasizes the need for the female workforce to grow because  when an increasing number of Pakistani women make an impact and speak from a position of power, the more their voices will be valued. Interestingly, while the Punjab may have the largest female workforce as compared to all the  other provinces, it pays the lowest average monthly wages to working women, which equals to 7,105 rupees. Of the 12.92 percent, around 8.18 percent are drawing up to 5,000 rupees a month on average.  Only 1.31 percent are  drawing more than 15,000 rupees a month. Women’s participation in the country’s socio-economic uplift from Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is below one percent collectively in terms of their employment share. Most of these women fall in the slab of those drawing more than 15,000 rupees a month. The pattern determines that in these two provinces, it is only the relatively more educated and affluent women who manage to come out of their homes to work Similar to patterns in the Punjab, the maximum number of working women in Sindh also belong to the lower and middle classes who are drawing between 5,000 and 10,000 rupees a month on average. WW-1-475x584 It is interesting that in comparison to urban areas, women from the rural areas of Pakistan are more active outside the home. The main reason seems to be that they are more needy but some experts argue that the rural communities are actually less conservative than urban areas. However, this argument becomes invalid considering the number of human rights violations and repressive acts against women seen in these communities, such as honor killing,wani, swara, etc. In rural areas, 18.35 percent women work outside their homes to earn bread for families. However, their average monthly income is less than 6,000 rupees. In comparison, in urban areas, 12.60 percent women get the opportunity to work but they draw up to 12,500 rupees a month on average. “Pakistanis need to realize that if more women work, the economy will grow and families will become more financially sustainable and prosperous,” says Zoya.  We must get rid of false notions about religion forbidding women to work outside the home. She argues that Islam grants women more rights than Muslims realize.  And women must exercise these rights publicly and unapologetically.]]> 2954 0 0 0 Bouncing Back http://candle-thread.com/newsline/bouncing-back/ Wed, 29 Jul 2015 20:21:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2975 2975 0 0 0 Interview: Sarah Belal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/interview-sarah-belal/ Mon, 27 Jul 2015 20:25:23 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2978 From the lower judiciary to the superior courts, all have rejected pleas that Shafqat Hussain was a juvenile when he kidnapped and murdered a seven-year-old boy. Why do you and your organisation still insist that Hussain was a child when the crime was committed? Why would the entire system conspire to send Hussain to the gallows? Firstly, I want to note that Shafqat’s conviction – which is extremely unsound – is for kidnapping and accidental killing, and not for murder. But to answer your main question: No plea relating to Shafqat’s age was ever taken before the lower judiciary, due to the incompetence of the lawyers representing him and Shafqat’s own ignorance of the law. The issue was first raised before the Supreme Court in a review petition filed in 2007. The Supreme Court did not make a determination of fact on the issue of juvenility, but instead dismissed the petition without consideration on purely procedural grounds. Currently, there is no clear mechanism for the courts to consider new evidence or arguments after all ordinary appeals have concluded in death penalty cases. This is true not only where the evidence relates to issues like juvenility, but also where there is evidence relating to numerous other issues, including innocence. The only thing approaching an age assessment to date has been the FIA inquiry, which consistently dismissed or ignored evidence in support of his juvenility and covered up a wide range of key evidence relating to Shafqat’s age, and has been called “prima facie illegal” by the Islamabad High Court. It’s also worth noting that although Chaudhry Nisar has claimed that, “The inquiry that I have conducted was to verify [the] claim of age,” there are two different reports from the FIA (one provided to the media and one to Shafqat’s lawyers) which nonetheless both state that: “The objective of the enquiry is not to determine the age of Shafqat Hussain.” It is my job as a lawyer to represent my client’s interests to the best of my ability and to explore all available avenues to do so. No human system is infallible and I believe that we should have mechanisms within our legal system that recognise this and allow for new evidence to be given full consideration where there is a risk of a serious miscarriage of justice, as there are in the vast majority of other common law jurisdictions. The Justice Project has alleged that Hussain confessed to the crime because of torture. Why do you fail to take into account the fact that he was caught red-handed when he came to collect the ransom money and it was on his information that the body of the victim was found? Shafqat was not caught red-handed while collecting the ransom money – not even the prosecution has alleged this, as is confirmed by the trial court documents. He was arrested from his residential quarters at Nafees Plaza over 42 days after Umair went missing. The statements of all the prosecution witnesses and the trial court judgment confirm this. Police torture is widespread in Pakistan – as many police officers will readily admit. Although the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act both contain safeguards to prevent evidence that is not independently verified from being used in court, the police have developed a number of notorious tactics to get around these provisions. Shafqat has consistently raised the fact that he was tortured into giving a false ‘confession,’ something which is corroborated by the scars still on his body and a medical report from Dr Frank Arnold, an internationally respected expert in this field. Despite the fact that the issue of torture has been repeatedly raised in this case it has never been properly investigated, meaning that Pakistan is in breach of our international obligations under the Convention Against Torture, and providing yet another reason that Shafqat’s execution would violate international law were it to go ahead. There have been allegations that some NGO workers, in their zeal to protect Hussain’s life, circulated his childhood photograph rather than the one when he was arrested. They also forged documents to show he is underage. The two pictures of a teenaged Shafqat on JPP’s website are the last pictures his family had of him before he left for Karachi. We, as his lawyers, were never provided with photos from the time of his arrest. It is utterly false to suggest any documents were ‘forged’ by NGOs. All the documents which we have referred to were issued by official government bodies. The real question is why the Pakistan government has seized, and is refusing to release, Shafqat’s school records, which may hold clear evidence that he was a juvenile when arrested. Do you feel that you pleaded a wrong case and created an unnecessary controversy? No. As I said earlier, the government continues to withhold key evidence, which could prove that Shafqat was a juvenile when arrested, notably his school record. They have also consistently refused to investigate the torture he was subjected to in order to force him to make a false ‘confession.’ We would stress that Shafqat is just one of many cases of injustice – hundreds, if not thousands of other Pakistanis have been tortured by the police, or convicted as children. A figure quoted by the respected NGO, Ansar Burney Trust, finds that almost 60 per cent of people facing the death penalty in Pakistan are actually innocent. We need a calm, reasonable debate about these issues in order to ensure we are not sending the innocent to the hangman’s noose. Many quarters in Pakistan say that Hussain’s case is an attempt to undermine the entire judicial system of Pakistan. Your comment? Our aim in working on this case and others is to strengthen both the judicial system and the rule of law in Pakistan, by ensuring everyone has access to a proper defence. Our legal system – just like every other system in the world – is not perfect, which means that miscarriages of justice can and do happen. It is my job as a lawyer to work within that system to ensure that where mistakes are made, they are addressed, so that in future, such miscarriages of justice can be avoided. The greatness of Pakistan’s common law legal system is its ability to adapt and change to ensure that there are adequate safeguards in place to protect the fundamental rights enshrined in the very first chapter of the constitution – that is what we are seeking to uphold and to strengthen. Why is there an impression that many of our NGOs are more concerned with the rights of terrorists, killers and child abusers rather than those of victims and their families? We, of course, have huge sympathy for the victims of terrorism and other serious crimes. We agree that those who commit such crimes need to be brought to justice. However, we believe that it serves no one if innocent people are hanged for crimes they did not commit. As long as police torture is tolerated in Pakistan, this will be not just a risk but a certainty. At present, the flaws in our system mean that the poor and the vulnerable are often wrongly accused and convicted, while the real perpetrators roam free.]]> 2978 0 0 0 Editor’s Note http://candle-thread.com/newsline/editors-note/ Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:29:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2982 awam with slogans of roti, kapra aur makan. Democracy is not about occupying thrones – and it is most certainly not about grabbing land in the country and buying swanky penthouses in London, Paris and Dubai. It’s about delivering makans and more to the masses, here, in Pakistan.]]> 2982 0 0 0 In Search of a Home http://candle-thread.com/newsline/in-search-of-a-home/ Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:43:02 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2990 It has, meanwhile, been made clear to the Rohingya who have found sanctuary in neighbouring countries that the gesture is temporary. The saga of the vessels inevitably dredged up comparisons with the fate of European Jews in the 1930s, when shiploads were turned away by one port after another. A conference in late May in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, received a video contribution from the financier George Soros, who noted that a visit in January to a Rohingya settlement reminded him of his youth as a Jew in Nazi-occupied Europe. “You see,” he declared, “In 1944, as a Jew in Budapest, I too was a Rohingya.” Soros added that the settlement he had seen was a ghetto, an “involuntary home to thousands of families who once had access to healthcare, education and employment. Now they are forced to remain segregated in a state of abject deprivation. The parallels to the Nazi genocide are alarming.” One offer for resettling all Rohingya, on the basis of their religious affiliation, came from Gambia in West Africa, the smallest country in the continent. More practically, the Philippines offered sanctuary at least to the boat people, and even the United States offered to pitch in. Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, on the other hand, have been extremely reluctant to accept long-term responsibility for Rohingya refugees. This is understandable in some respects, given that these countries – like Bangladesh – already have enough problems of their own. But if there ever was a case for exceptions to be made, the Rohingya surely fit the bill. From the US to Southeast Asia, the stress has broadly been on persuading Myanmar to change its attitude towards the Rohingya. It has largely been a softly-softly approach, though, purportedly in order to minimise the chances of setbacks in the country’s gradual transition from military rule to some form of democracy. There is thus little chance that the sanctions lifted or eased in recent years will be reimposed. That arguably makes sense in some respects, given that the authorities in Myanmar have rarely reacted well to international pressure, and it is perfectly feasible that precipitate action would, if anything, exacerbate hostility towards the Rohingya. At the same time, however, what are the chances of Myanmar altering its mindset in the absence of constraints on its behaviour? What most certainly will not help is a mid-June statement from what The Independent described as “the Pakistani Taliban’s most hardline faction,” which called on the Rohingya to “take up the sword and kill in the path of God.” Inevitably, outpourings of this variety feed into the propaganda whereby the Rohingya are seen not just as an alien entity, but a dangerous one to boot. On a global scale, amid a refugee movement that, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has risen above 50 million for the first time since World War II, the Rohingya are but a drop in the ocean. Southern Europe is at the receiving end of thousands of refugees each week from the Middle East and North Africa, large numbers of whom drown during the relatively short passage from one land mass to another, largely because rickety, overloaded transport is provided by operators who seek to profit from the desperation of growing segments of humanity. The European Union has contemplated, but not yet undertaken, military action against people-smugglers in Libya, which has turned into a virtually lawless state since Nato forces played a crucial role in ousting the Gaddafi regime. Large numbers of those who are willing to risk a watery grave hail from Syria, where the ongoing conflict has spawned millions of refugees. A great many others hail from countries about which much less is reported in the news, such as Eritrea. In late June, meanwhile, a stowaway fell to his death from the undercarriage of a flight from Johannesburg to London. It wasn’t the first such incident, and probably will not be the last. The level of desperation that drives such behaviour is almost impossible for most of us to contemplate. It’s also all too easy to overlook the fact that it was primarily “economic refugees” who made a success of distant colonies such as America and Australia. The latter’s prime minister recently said “nope, nope, nope” to the prospect of accepting any Rohingya refugees. Tony Abbott has staked his reputation on stopping the refugee boats, and his regime claims to be doing the asylum-seekers a favour, but recently faced embarrassment when it was was unable to deny having paid people-smugglers, in at least one instance, to turn back a boat headed towards the Antipodes from Indonesia. It is hard to say whether the Rohingya would have encountered a less hostile reception in nearby or distant lands had they not been Muslim, although one can hardly ignore the fact that they have faced rejection in Indonesia and Malaysia, too. But, while the Gambian offer is touching, it is the Rohingya’s status as an egregiously beleaguered segment of humanity that should attract our attention, concern – and action.]]> 2990 0 0 0 Moonstruck! http://candle-thread.com/newsline/moonstruck/ Fri, 17 Jul 2015 20:48:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2995 roza would be on June 18. Possibly, we will have the same controversy at the end of the month as well. The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will assemble again and search for the Eid moon, Popalzai will see it a day before, and Pakistanis will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on two different days, just like we had two different start days for Ramzan. This has been going on since the formation of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. On certain occasions, Pakistan has even celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on three different days. It is difficult to recall a single year when the entire nation started fasting on one day, or celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on the same day. The dates of Ramzan and Eid-ul-Fitr have always been controversial. So, what is the use of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee? Nobody takes it seriously and it is a burden on taxpayers. While people elsewhere have landed on the moon, our clerics still continue to quibble over its sighting. Allah has said in the Holy Quran that He has set a system that allows the moon, the earth, and other planets to revolve around their orbits with precision, without interfering in each other’s functioning. We need to understand and analyse the Quran and assign the task of charting the moon’s phases to scientists instead of clerics. Science can tell you about the moon’s movement with precision many years in advance. Better still, we should follow the Saudi schedule for Ramzan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. At least that way Pakistan will fast and celebrate Eid on the same day across the country.]]> 2995 0 0 0 Double Whammy http://candle-thread.com/newsline/double-whammy/ Sun, 28 Jun 2015 08:03:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3009 kundas – Pakistan’s own, and rather ingenious, brand of electricity theft. And, as expected from any new ownership, some aspects of the power supply problem improved with the change of leadership while others didn’t. Power supply has been a problem in Karachi ever since I can recall. But, last week we had no power in our neighbourhood for more than four days. Karachi also experienced heat like I’ve never known it. The city recorded temperatures too high for it to handle. Air conditioners were stretched beyond capacity and slowed down significantly and only boiling water flowed out of taps and water dispensers. During this heat wave, our air conditioners barely had time to prove their worth. We lost power at 5 am on June 18 and had only one nearly 24-hour stretch of uninterrupted electricity until June 22, which was interrupted by a 15-minute cut in the middle of the night. Fasting in these conditions only makes it harder. On the flip side, however, the essence of fasting also imbues patience, at least for me. But things are much easier for me than most people living in Karachi. I live in a nice neighbourhood and was born to upper-middle class parents. After four days of frustration and eating sehri and iftari in candle light, I did manage to get my voice heard. I wrote an email to the leadership at KE, finding their names on the company website, double-checking on LinkedIn and figuring out the email addresses, based on the address of a former employee with whom I had corresponded long ago and hunted up in my inbox. Of the six people I copied on the email, only one email bounced back. I guess I still remember some tricks from my reporting days. I also sent the email to the web editor of a Pakistani news site. The news site is not a necessarily well-respected source of news, but the editor was a teacher when I was at high school over 15 years ago. The remnants of an often-misplaced deference to teachers, that is a deep feature of South Asian culture, trumped the credibility of the site and I sent him my letter to be published. Of course, the heat must have also been getting to my head. Screen-Shot-2015-06-29-at-1.53.44-PM-584x539 It was a Sunday afternoon when I hit ‘send’ on my gmail browser, reaching out, in virtual space, to KE’s top brass. Within a couple of hours I had received an email response from the CEO himself. He copied two colleagues in charge who followed up within minutes. Electricity was restored and we were given an honest appraisal of the fault lines in the electricity cables in our area. We were informed of the possibility of a repeat performance and how to report and follow up in case of one. The phone calls from KE employees were followed up by an email apologising profusely for the problems we faced and thanking my family and myself for our suggestions on how to improve the situation. My family’s faith in humanity and corporate electricity restored, we broke our fasts with chicken kebabs and bhel puri from Ghaffar Kabab House and Nimco – and, all this under 400 watt light bulbs in an air conditioned room. After four days of no electricity, I allowed myself the luxury of a cheat meal. Meanwhile, in a bizarre vein of journalistic irresponsibility that I am not used to, my letter was published as a ‘report’ on the website of a mainstream news channel, in which a fictional reporter quotes me using the words from my letter. It was ‘journalism’ like I have never known it anywhere in the world that I have been published – the US, Nepal, Germany or even this publication. A few hot words later, during which I asked the editors to remove my piece (they refused to do so because it had already been shared many times and was clearly good for their business), they restored my original letter with a glaring typo in the second sentence and a prominent and very dangerous inaccuracy in the blurb. The typo stands somewhat corrected (after I posted in the comments section of the piece and tweeted about it), and the piece was shared over 1,000 times on Facebook. But the errant blurb reads: “A resident of Karachi has written a letter to K-Electric regarding the load shedding in the holy month of Ramazan.” The word ‘load shedding’ is the very crux of the problem. It is apparent from reports in the media, social media and my conversations with other Karachi residents that people continue to think the power cuts in Karachi during the heat wave are the result of load shedding. Load shedding is a system by which Karachi’s electrical supply corporation engages in scheduled power cuts to ration electrical supply during times of shortage. The shortages have often resulted from corruption and bad planning in the past. In order to address the situation, it is important to stop misaddressing the problem. Load shedding is something Karachi Electric has the power to control with a flip of the switch that will restore power. But what my family experienced during the first week of Ramzan is a deeper problem: it was an infrastructural breakdown that cannot be fixed by flipping a switch. The difference is not a question of semantics; the difference is significant. As I write this, wars are being waged on KE offices. I spoke to a KE executive yesterday who reported a mob attack at the facility that houses his offices. So long as we blame the corporation and believe that they are engaging in deliberate load shedding, we will not be able to work with the system and ensure maximum output from the infrastructure. The longer we attack their offices, the longer we’ll be without power. At this point, the safest bet is to empower them to empower us, no pun intended. kesccc-640x480-584x438 The cause of the breakdown can be ascribed to many different factors. One factor is, of course, KE’s incompetence, inefficiency and lack of foresight. Another is the unprecedented temperatures that Karachi has experienced these last few days. And the third is the thoughtless and careless abuse that every single one of us has inflicted on our city. I know people living in huge houses and driving fancy cars who engage in electricity theft. I also know that we’re not considerate about preserving resources for other citizens. We lack civic sense. Ultimately, despite suffering from no power for over four days, I respect the professionalism, civility and courtesy that I received from KE. The employees I interacted with seemed genuinely interested in helping, they called us back to check if our issues were resolved and responded to our countless phone calls, taking the time and trouble to explain in detail exactly what was going on and how they were trying to improve the situation. I found them disingenuous and honest. Our electricity has come and gone even after this experience, but the employees we are in touch with have been untiring in their attempt to help us. Of course things could be better and processes and service could be improved, but I also observed that KE has evolved and improved over the days we’ve suffered the heat and power crisis. Ultimately, I’m heartened much more by a trying-and-failing-and-still-trying private corporation than an untrained, unschooled and irresponsible media, which I am more often than not convinced, does more harm to our country than good.]]> 3009 0 0 0 Book Review: The Spinner’s Tale http://candle-thread.com/newsline/book-review-the-spinners-tale/ Sat, 27 Jun 2015 08:07:27 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3016 3016 0 0 0 Movie Review: Dil Dhadakne Do http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-dil-dhadakne-do/ Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:09:51 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3019 Dil Dhadakne Do. Let the heart beat. When your children become adults, let them make their own decisions. Let them fall in love, let them work where they want, let them explore, let them make mistakes. More importantly, give them space to breath. And always communicate: it solves existing problems and keeps new ones from arising. These are the ideas director Zoya Akhtar touches upon in this case study of a highly dysfunctional Indian family. The film centres on the Mehras – a wealthy Delhi family that enjoys the finer things in life. The head of the family, Kamal (Anil Kapoor), is a self-made businessman who has a penchant for infidelity. Unsurprisingly, he has a troubled relationship with his wife Neelum (Shefali Shah), who chooses to stick around despite the knowledge of her husband’s indiscretions. Together they have two children: Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra), a talented entrepreneur who is miserable in her arranged marriage, and Kabir (Ranveer Singh), a happy-go-lucky guy who reluctantly partakes in the family business. In celebration of Kamal and Neelum’s 30th anniversary, they all take a 10-day Mediterranean cruise with their friends and family. The first half of the film showcases the lives of the Mehras and their friends – the Indian elite in all their overindulgence and shallowness. They gossip, engage in social politics, and get involved in scandals that make the morning dailies. It is an intriguing portrait of vanity and excess, but a tad on the dry side, with little meat to make it interesting. In the second half, however, the superficial exterior is peeled and we are taken into the depths of the complex family dynamic of the Mehras. When Ayesha and Kabir attempt to wrest control of the steering wheel of their lives from their parents, they are met with stiff opposition. Kamal and Neelum are stubborn in their ways and adamant that they know what is best for their children. Bound by tradition and cautious of the prying eyes of the world, they make decisions for their children that will best serve their image as upstanding members of India’s high society. But in this mad desire to appease others, they fail to see that Ayesha and Kabir are miserable. As the film smartly points out, a key component in Kamal and Neelum’s poor relationship with their children comes down to their lack of communication. This is particularly evident whenever Kabir talks to his parents: he starts off by trying to say what he wants, but soon backs down and gives in to their expectations. Scenes like this allow us to share Kabir’s frustration, and one keeps thinking that this family would not be not be so dysfunctional if dialogue and deliberation were more openly encouraged. And this is the point of the film, to emphasise the value of communication and importance of being candid. It is only when Kabir and Ayesha finally engage in a meaningful conversation with their parents that Kamal and Neelum realise the folly of their ways, and acknowledge that their children are adults, capable of making their own decisions. Dil Dhadakne Do is as lively as it is relatable thanks to brilliant performances by the cast. Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah are wonderful as Kamal and Neelum Mehra and make the tension in the family palpable. Priyanka Chopra also puts in a restrained performance, conveying the misery of her marital life with subtle signs. But the real star of the show is Ranveer Singh as Kabir. He is hilarious without overdoing it and is loveable through and through. His chemistry is perfect with all his co stars, especially Anuskha Sharma as Farah Ali, a free-spirited dancer with whom he falls in love. Dil Dhadakne Do is a well-acted, well-written film that forces the audience to think about the consequences of denying young adults the freedom to learn from their own mistakes. This is an important issue – especially in South Asia – and one that should be discussed in all households.]]> 3019 0 0 0 Social Success http://candle-thread.com/newsline/social-success/ Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:15:15 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3023 . Sheikh Rasheed is also in the contest with a huge public following of over a million (1,058,559). PPP patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari follows close behind with his audience numbering 9,54,000. Unknown1The second tier of politicans with an impressive following on Twitter include PTI’s Arif Alvi at 4,57,000 followers. Then there is PPP’s Sharmila Faruqui with 3,84,000 followers. Sherry Rehman also  has 3,43,000 following her. Imran Ismail of PTI has 1,26,000 followers. Syed Ali Raza Abidi of MQM has 46,000 followers and Irum Azeem Farooqui also of the MQM has 11,000 followers. In contrast, the sitting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif does not own a Twitter account nor does the incumbent President Mr. Mamnoon Hussain. In fact, all of the old guard, like former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, MQM chief Altaf Hussain and l others have kept away from the Twitter phenomenon. It appears that while they all pay lip service to the concept of change, this older generation is not in the vanguard of any significant change in this context at least. UnknownMeanwhile, Director General ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa, has over one million followers on the social media website which he uses to make key institutional announcements. In fact, his tweets make headlines before the ISPR’s official release makes the news. Coming to international leaders, the Twiplomacy study citing data as of 24 March 2015, explains that the “five most followed world leaders are U.S. President Barack Obama with 57 million followers of the U.S. president’s campaign account. Pope Francis has 20 million followers on his nine accounts in different languages. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the White House Twitter account follow behind. The report explains that while Barack Obama is the most followed world leader, he is  dwarfed in terms of retweets per tweet by Pope Francis who averages almost 10,000 retweets for each tweet sent on his Spanish account. This is against 1,210 for each tweet sent by Barack Obama. Coming back to Pakistani politicians, they not only need to enhance their Twitter presence and participation, but their tone could be perhaps be more conversational when engaging with the general public. Imran Khan may be the most active Pakistani politician on Twitter, but he too maintains an official tone. He often tweets about political announcements or statements with regard to party affairs. Overall, with regard to social media PTI seems to have the edge over its rival parties. However, it’s a common feature that our politicians generally reply to tweets   praising them or those castigating their opponents. They tend to ignore critical messages directed towards them (even those offferring constructive criticism). social-media-icons-300x216What was the significance of the #sign before Twitter turned the world upside down with the hashtag (#) revolution? It may be noted here that US President Barack Obama had hired a team of social media professionals ahead of his re-election to analyse tweets and other trends spiraling on the social media. It was undoubtedly a key tool during the US elections and instrumental in President Obama’s win. Obviously, social media penetration in Pakistan is much lower as compared to the other countries mentioned. Still, it could certainly be a useful source of communicating with and educating the public. And our leaders participation and interaction with the public can be viewed as a barometer to assess their level of  social responsibility and popularity.]]> 3023 0 0 0 Lost Girl http://candle-thread.com/newsline/lost-girl/ Tue, 01 Sep 2015 06:16:15 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3208 FullSizeRendereven provided her a sanctum in a little mandir in an upstairs room at the Edhi Centre. This is where Geeta goes to pray and pour her heart out. “We celebrate all her festivals, whether Holi or Diwali. I arrange for sweets and snacks on Diwali and rang on Holi. Everyone joins in.” The true religion at the Edhi Centre is that of humanity and kindness. The simple wisdom and unparalleled goodness of the Edhis cuts through all the rigid indoctrination and self-righteousness that pervades society today. In the same spirit, Geeta is also often seen prostrating herself on a prayer mat  and celebrating all the Muslim festivals. However, while she no longer runs away in the hope of reaching home, Geeta has never stopped yearning for her family. “Not a day passes that she doesn’t think of them,” says Mrs Edhi. “Where can I get her family from? Many visitors have come, some families even came to claim her but they were all false leads.” After the release of Bajrangi Bhaijan, Geeta became the centre of media attention, rekindling her hopes of finding her family. She has appeared in television morning shows and on the front pages of newspapers. Even Salman Khan has apparently taken notice and issued a statement first expressing great surprise at the parallels and hoping that the Indian government tries to help her. “I watched the film with Geeta,” says Mrs Edhi. “ She liked it and was thrilled when the girl is returned to her family. But I told her Salman Khan gets beaten up a lot to make it happen. I can’t do that for you. I’m old.” Bilquis Edhi says that she could arrange a good marriage for Geeta with someone of her own religion. But she won’t hear of it. “ So I have left her alone. I really hope and pray her dreams come true.” Mrs Edhi is stoic and completely in empathy with the girl’s desire to return home, even though she has done her best to nurture Geeta. Her only caveat in life, and quite unrelated to this incident, is the theft at the Edhi Centre that has still not been resolved. “Our money was never returned to us, except a small portion.”As for Geeta, there is no better publicity than Bollywood, with its finger set firmly on the pulse of the people. There couldn’t have been a more effective forum for telling Geeta’s story. Who knows, she may yet have a Bollywood ending too. ]]> 3208 0 0 0 Social Network http://candle-thread.com/newsline/social-network/ Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:04:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3466 and fan pages makes it easier for media organisations to gauge public interest, and with the feedback facilitation offered by social media, journalists can address public demands and queries more efficiently. Not surprisingly, political leaders as well as government officials have turned to Twitter to engage with the masses. Social media has not only impacted journalism but it also intensifies the exchange of political ideas in crisis situations. It is encouraging impulsive, democratic decision-making which is not only visible to leaders, but to the public as well. Often a Facebook, ‘like,’ or ‘following’ a user on Twitter is considered to be a statement in itself rather than an act of personal choice. The importance of developing ‘trends’ on social media has also become a vital tool in any movement. A trend imagesis started to grab attention and give a feeling of wider purpose to the people who are following the trend. When people actively create and promote a trend on these websites, they are telling themselves that they have a voice, and with their voice, they can express opinions, and perhaps influence the opinions of others. Due to this increasing influence on empowerment and civil participation, most activists seek social mediums to grab attention and instigate political movements. Hence, social media can be both constructive  and destructive when combating Unknown-2issues. It gives a forum to people of different backgrounds to engage in stimulating conversations and offer different perspectives. However, social media can also aggravate situations  since messages can be interpreted the wrong way, leading to more misunderstandings that could have been avoided. Khaula Jamil is a great example of someone who has used the influence of social media positively.  Creator of Humans of Karachi, Khaula Jamil turned to social media to initiate movements like the ‘Cleanup Challenge.’ “There is no doubt at all that social media plays a huge role in movements that involve getting a crowd together or spreading awareness,” she says. “The easier the click of the button becomes, the more civil participation you can expect.” Pakistan’s English news sites get about 20% of their traffic from Facebook and Twitter, with Twitter averaging barely 3 to 5% of this total traffic. The Urdu news sites get 50 to 60% of their total traffic from Facebook and Twitter, with Twitter forming about 3 to 5% of that number. In other words, the Urdu audience is heavily reliant on Facebook for information, and very actively uses it as a platform to obtain news, as compared to the English speaking/reading audience. Moreover, while the number of social media users crossing over to the sites forms 20% (English) to 50 to 60% (Urdu) of total traffic, on the actual platforms i.e. on FB and Twitter, there is up to 50 times more engagement, i.e. reading, sharing and commenting of the news bits shared by media. The news bits are usually photos containing a short excerpt with links back to the site. This means that most of the conversation and consumption of news is on the social media platforms themselves, not on the news sites. This also means social media news consumers are receiving very tiny bits of information, and that is generally more than enough for them – very few actually click any links provided for details. It is undeniable that social media and agenda-based online journalism are playing an ever increasing role in swaying public opinion. However, social media is not bound by editorial policy and so there is high potential for misuse. Hence, legal literacy and media reform coalitions are required to control and monitor the concentrated use of public forums and online communication. Social media is a powerful tool. How we use it is up to us.]]> 3466 0 0 0 Movie Review: Fantastic Four http://candle-thread.com/newsline/movie-review-fantastic-four/ Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:14:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=3472 Chronicle (2012), the Fantastic Four are back, with a millennial make-over. Anyone who has watched Chronicle would instantly recognise strains of the director’s signature style. The upside to this movie was the way Trank enabled the actors to play their roles as real, relatable, compelling people; despite the rather generic script they were handed.Fantastic Four had the ‘origin’ element down pat as we are introduced to young, pre-teen, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm as they attempt to make a self-invented teleporter work, effectively shorting out an entire neighbourhood’s power. Trank’s penchant for the ‘boys club’ is ever present as the team dynamic mostly revolves around the guys, to the point that they completely forget about Sue Storm (Kate Mara), who doesn’t even get to hop on the Power Express to planet Zero. Instead, she gets her powers after a freak explosion takes place when the guys return. The cinematography was a bit lacklustre, as far as the CGI effects go. The only scene that stands out, in terms of visual effects, was the electric blue inter-dimensional portal connecting Earth to planet Zero. Hollywood’s staple blue-beams-shooting-from-the-sky are a fixture in every other superhero flick we’ve seen in the past decade (with the exception of the Dark Knight trilogy, of course). Adding to that, the indie-realism didn’t work well with the Fantastic Four theme in terms of the build-up to the final not-so-epic battle; which had a rushed, mechanical feel to it. When it comes to individual performances, Reg E. Cathey played Dr. Franklin Storm as the mildly exasperated father once more, reprimanding his gearhead son, Johnny Storm, designation: amateur street racer. The character arc that Sue and Johnny go through when Frank lies dying, is very poorly done. Disney could actually give them pointers, as they made tear-jerking cinematic history with Mufasa and Simba, post-stampede. We also see Reed’s character evolve from the bespectacled, slightly nervous science geek to a determined young man played to perfection by Miles Teller, all the way down to the steely look in his eyes when he’s brought back into protective custody. Jamie Bell did well as Ben Grimm and we get a bonus glimpse of the origin of The Things catch phrase “It’s clobberin’ time!” There were some pretty obvious goofs, such as Sue Storm’s hair getting considerably blonder for unknown reasons when they were training at the facility. On the bright side, Mara’s take on Sue Storm was much better than Jessica Alba’s in terms of rendering Storm’s intellectual prowess on screen, with great dead-pan dialogue delivery in some scenes. Victor Von Doom (Toby Kebbell) is your basic arrogant, vitriolic gamer/genius who makes you love-hate him until he decides to fry Dr Storm. However, the CGI on Dr Doom’s post-transformation suit was an atrocity. On paper, Fantastic Four hasn’t got the entertainment quotient down to a tee but one shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss it.]]> 3472 0 0 0 The T20 Debacle http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-t20-debacle-2/ Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:03:40 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=88 It seems strange that between them, captain Afridi, coach Waqar Younis and the team management couldn’t settle on an effective opening pair. Pakistan launched 39-year-old Rafatullah Mohmand who averages a mere 25.41 in domestic T20s. The questions raised in cricketing circles were mainly concerned with his age and only a few inquired about his domestic record on the basis of  which he was given preference over other players like Haris Sohail, who has an average of 38.11 in the format. Besides the selection of openers, this series should have been treated with utmost importance to prepare for all three departments – batting, bowling and fielding. But it didn’t seem that way. Moreover, confusion still persists whether the Pakistan team will feature Sarfaraz Ahmed or Muhammad Rizwan as wicket keeper in the plan for the world T20. In the third T20 against England, Pakistan had almost got through with 2 runs needed off one ball. But Sohail Tanveer fluffed the shot and somehow managed to extract a single on a bye. It was also Tanveer who dropped three easy catches in one match each, raising questions over his fielding and fitness. The team management should recognize obvious failures, as Pakistan’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed did after the team lost the second T20. He didn’t shy away from admitting the poor fitness level of players, even though he left himself open to criticism for not addressing the fitness issue earlier. Since Pakistan will be playing the World T20 in Asian conditions, it has a chance to do wonders and make history. Our team still boasts some firecrackers of T20 cricket like Sohaib Maqsood, Emad Wasim, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz and Muhammad Hafeez. Let’s not rule out pace prodigy Muhammad Amir, who has completed his sentence for spot-fixing charges. Making a return after five years, Amir is now giving roaring performances in domestic and foreign T20 leagues that must not be disregarded. Pakistan Cricket Team Players Shahid Afridi and Umer Gul Pakistan is set to participate in the World T20 in India early next year. This series will probably mark the last appearance of veteran Shahid Afridi in international cricket. Afridi adds valuable experience to the side. It was under Afridi’s leadership that Pakistan made it to the semi-finals in the 2011 World Cup. New players cannot do wonders on their own in a big event. Afridi is required to lead his team from the front – like he did in the World T20 in 2009. For now, selectors need to shun the the experimentation mode and  pick the best eleven for the upcoming mega event.  ]]> 88 0 0 0 Theatre of Promise http://candle-thread.com/newsline/theatre-of-promise/ Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:22:13 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1416 Time Stands Still Play From L-R: Hammad Sartaj as Jamie, Ishtiaq Rasool as Richard, Sonia Ashraf as Sarah and Malika Zafar as Mandy. Written by Donald Marguiles and set in Brooklyn,  Time Stands Still is the most contemporary play of the bunch and was delivered in English which is unusual for NAPA. That said, the cast did a tremendous job in addressing the themes of journalistic truth and ethics in the play. The protagonist Sarah (Sonia Ashraf) is a strong feminist character, by turns glib and scathing in her criticism but then revealing her fragility and vulnerability in the final devastating scene. As a war photographer,  she has learned to depict atrocities without any  show of emotion. But then there is the dilemma: shouldn’t she step in and try to change the reality? This is the question posed to her by Mandy (Malika Zafar), the young girlfriend of her editor Richard (Ishtiaq Rasool). Mandy is an effective foil to Sarah, the sunshine to the older woman’s gloomier world view. Feminist themes are strong in the play. While Sarah does not want to marry Jamie (Hammad Sartaj), her boyfriend of eight years, nor does she have any desire for children, Mandy is the exact opposite. Sarah is mocking of Mandy’s choices, but one can see her error in chiding the younger woman for wanting a conventional lifestyle.  A play heavy on conversation but able to convey a New York sensibility, Time Stands Still was overall the best play from the theatre festival. Special kudos to Ashraf for her incredible work as Sarah, who slowly reveals her fractured soul in a superb display of masterful acting. Here Lies a Noble Man Sunil Shankar as Iago Sunil Shankar as Iago Here Lies a Noble Man employed a unique concept that was executed extremely well. Directed by Hammad Sartaj, the play was in fact a mash-up of key scenes from Macbeth and Othello. This treatment is unheard of but the news is just out that the Spymonkey Production Company is making a supercut play of all 74 scripted deaths in Shakespeare so maybe NAPA got there first. Translated into Urdu, no easy feat when it is Shakespeare, Sartaj’s direction kept the integrity of both plays intact. His direction of Desdemona’s acceptance of her death and Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness was pure poetry. Sunil Shankar as Iago was so deliciously vile ,it was a pleasure watching him deliver his lines. Extremely minimal with just the use of lighting and props, Here Lies a Noble Man proves that Shakespeare is indeed for all ages and languages. Interestingly, Sartaj chose to seat the audience on the stage itself where they were very close to the action. Kudos to the ladies (Sonia Ashraf, Shabana Hasan and Asiya Alam), because in a play dominated by men, they held their own. Special mention must be made for Meesam Naqvi as Macbeth and his animalistic energy in playing the part of the Thane of Cawdor. Hatim Tai Hammad Sartaj as the Prince of Egypt, Jinn and Thief Hammad Sartaj as the Prince of Egypt, Jinn and Thief I will be honest. I knew nothing about Hatim Tai going into the play and had to Google it. That said, director Farhan Alam’s approach in creating a folksy, magical atmosphere achieved the desired effect of launching the playgoer on a magical journey. His use of rubber balls that had little lights in them was especially effective in creating an effect of spells through the smoke machine. Hatim Tai is the story of a Yemeni prince who has to go on a journey to find the answers to seven questions. Kashif Hussain as Hatim Tai was pleasant and lovable while Hammad Sartaj was terrifying as the belligerent Prince of Egypt, Jinn and the Thief. However, I think this was the weakest play in the series because these folk tales, with their outdated jokes and crass humor involving transgenders and women, do not translate well in the 21st century. Ghosts Kashif Hussain as Oswald and Muzaina Malik as Mrs. Alving Kashif Hussain as Oswald and Muzaina Malik as Mrs. Alving Once again I had no idea what Ghosts was about except that it is a play by Henrik Ibsen. Mrs. Alving (Muzaina Malik) is trying to forget how her negligent husband did wrong by her. Her only joy is her son, Oswald (Kashif Hussain). but trouble is afoot when he finds himself falling for Ms. Engstrad, the illegitimate daughter of his father whom Mrs. Alving has taken in. Hussain’s decision to turn this play into a dance movement was perhaps the most artistic choice seen in the festival. His dancers created doors, balconies and hallways all through their own bodies. This minimalistic approach was sparse and stark and created the required feeling of doom that was about to befall the mother and son. The lighting and shadow work was excellent and bodies moved in one fluid movement. Overall, The Young Directors’ Theatre Festival had something for everyone and was an excellent step in showcasing NAPA students’ exceptional talents.]]> 1416 0 0 0 Return of the Prodigal http://candle-thread.com/newsline/return-of-the-prodigal/ Sat, 26 Dec 2015 10:01:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1461 In the latest volte-face, commentator Ramiz Raja who was among the most vocal opponents of Amir, until he was appointed brand ambassador of the Pakistan Super League, has now altered his view. He is now suggesting that the PCB resolve the Amir issue through negotiations. Until recently, he had been openly clamouring  that Amir should never again be included in the national side as had brought shame to the country. At the same time, it has been heartening to see some cricket greats like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis (Pakistan team head coach) and Mushtaq Ahmed standing by Amir and calling for ‘another chance’ to be given to the young bowler. As for Hafeez and Azhar, the duo may have apprehensions that Amir’s inclusion will also pave the way for Salman Butt, hence challenging the positions of the Pakistan team’s current  openers. It was surprising  to see ODI captain Azhar Ali  appearing in the media and openly voicing his opposition to Amir’s return. This surely warrants some disciplinary action from the PCB. The cricket board is apparently finding a way for Amir’s return to the team, while on the other hand, some key players are exploiting the issue in the media for their own gains. The ball is now in the PCB’s court. One thing is for sure – Amir is destined to make his way into the team sooner or later in the wake of his remarkable performance in other leagues. It would be in the greater interest of  team Pakistan if the pacer is included in the final squad for the World T20 scheduled in India next March. T20 captain Shahid Afridi has a fair idea of his team’s strength as well as the importance of the upcoming mega event. That is why  he is lending his silent support to Amir. The PCB will also face the challenge of ensuring Amir’s  sustainability in the ODI and Test teams once he does make a comeback since skippers of both the formats have openly disputed his inclusion. It is time for the cricket board to show some leadership as well as diplomacy and resolve this dispute for the good of the national team.]]> 1461 0 0 0 Turkish Connection http://candle-thread.com/newsline/turkish-connection/ Fri, 04 Dec 2015 10:19:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1469 Zeher-e-Ishq, at a press conference on December 2. The panel was headed by Khalid Khan, the director of the film; Sultana Siddiqui; the Consul General of Turkey, Murat Mustafa Onart as well as veteran actor Shakeel. The head of the film department at Hum, Badar Ikram was also in attendance. Khalid Khan explained that the film was based on the Masnavih by Rumi and the subject matter of the film dealt with themes of divine love, Sufism and tasawuf. He was hopeful that this collaboration between Turkey and Pakistan will bring back the golden era of movies in Pakistan. Sultana Siddiqui added that Hum Films was committed to supporting new ideas and young talent and was therefore keeping an open-door policy for anyone who might want to venture into the field. Sixty five projects are currently in the pipeline for the network. Badar Iqram further added that Hum Films was very proud of its pilot project, Namaloom Afraad and Bin Roye, the latter of which opened in 22  countries. He said Bollywood films open in 70 countries and if Pakistani films can open in one-third that amount, then they have almost made it and there is always room for aiming higher. The Consul General of Turkey, Murat Mustafa Onart said that in the four years he has been in Karachi, he has seen a positive change in the city and is hopeful to see the start of many more projects like these. Details about the movie’s budget and date of release were, however, not yet given out.]]> 1469 0 0 0 The T20 Debacle http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-t20-debacle/ Thu, 03 Dec 2015 10:55:09 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=1472 It seems strange that between them, captain Afridi, coach Waqar Younis and the team management couldn’t settle on an effective opening pair. Pakistan launched 39-year-old Rafatullah Mohmand who averages a mere 25.41 in domestic T20s. The questions raised in cricketing circles were mainly concerned with his age and only a few inquired about his domestic record on the basis of  which he was given preference over other players like Haris Sohail, who has an average of 38.11 in the format. Besides the selection of openers, this series should have been treated with utmost importance to prepare for all three departments – batting, bowling and fielding. But it didn’t seem that way. Moreover, confusion still persists whether the Pakistan team will feature Sarfaraz Ahmed or Muhammad Rizwan as wicket keeper in the plan for the world T20. In the third T20 against England, Pakistan had almost got through with 2 runs needed off one ball. But Sohail Tanveer fluffed the shot and somehow managed to extract a single on a bye. It was also Tanveer who dropped three easy catches in one match each, raising questions over his fielding and fitness. The team management should recognize obvious failures, as Pakistan’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed did after the team lost the second T20. He didn’t shy away from admitting the poor fitness level of players, even though he left himself open to criticism for not addressing the fitness issue earlier. Since Pakistan will be playing the World T20 in Asian conditions, it has a chance to do wonders and make history. Our team still boasts some firecrackers of T20 cricket like Sohaib Maqsood, Emad Wasim, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz and Muhammad Hafeez. Let’s not rule out pace prodigy Muhammad Amir, who has completed his sentence for spot-fixing charges. Making a return after five years, Amir is now giving roaring performances in domestic and foreign T20 leagues that must not be disregarded. Pakistan team in T20 Pakistan is set to participate in the World T20 in India early next year. This series will probably mark the last appearance of veteran Shahid Afridi in international cricket. Afridi adds valuable experience to the side. It was under Afridi’s leadership that Pakistan made it to the semi-finals in the 2011 World Cup. New players cannot do wonders on their own in a big event. Afridi is required to lead his team from the front – like he did in the World T20 in 2009. For now, selectors need to shun the the experimentation mode and  pick the best eleven for the upcoming mega event.]]> 1472 0 0 0 The Day the Earth Shook http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-day-the-earth-shook/ Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:25:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2498 The relationship between a doctor and patient is interesting. It is more than just business. It is symbiotic. It is an emotional connection and a dialogue. It is, in fact, very difficult to explain. Money cannot buy it. Nor can one be forced into it. I had arrived in the KPK region within five days of the 2005 earthquake. I had been unable to sit back and watch things happen from a distance. Something more concrete had to be done. Something more than just fund raising. Boots needed to be on the ground. When I arrived in Abbotabad, I was supposed to hook up with SIUT's team of kidney doctors and the dialysis unit but a big aftershock had rendered the medical college building very unsafe. They were taking their units and patients elsewhere. So, I looked around and made my way into a big tent and announced my intention to start helping. In 15 seconds, I was in action. By evening that day, we had moved all our patients into a local hospital with proper operating room facilities. I was in the Operating Room assisting the surgeon on a kid with a broken leg. Screws were not all the way in yet when the walls began to move and the overhead light shook. There was this almost inaudible rumble, a sort of background grumble that one only feels rather than hears. Something like a very big dog standing behind your neck waiting for you to turn. Those few moments in which we did not know if the hospital would collapse over our heads or not seemed like an eternity. We held our breath, the shaking stopped and then we went back to work. No one talked about it. Not the OR team, not the patients, not the families. We all just went about doing our jobs. We were volunteers. None of us abandoned our posts. This happened multiple times during my stay in Abbotabad. The anticipation of impending disaster is what gets you. The aftershocks are worse than the real jolts. But the most persistent memory is the smell. It never leaves you. I can still smell the iodine from the hospital that day when the ground shakes if a big truck goes by. Then the smell of dead flesh that was in the air is still fresh in my mind. Flashbacks are occasional. I get palpitations thinking about it. I realize that I may have some degree of PTSD (post Traumatic Stress disorder). We could have run out. We could have left the kid on the table. He would have died had we left him. We would all have died if the hospital came down. We were not suicidal. Neither were we exceptionally brave. So why did we stay?]]> 2498 0 0 0 ‘Actor in Law’ comes to town http://candle-thread.com/newsline/actor-in-law-comes-to-town-2/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 07:54:49 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2856 Na Maloom Afraad, comesActor in Law, a ‘social comedy’ from director, Nabeel Qureshi and producer, Fizza Ali Meerza. The cast of the movie Actor in Law produced by Filmwala Pictures met the media in Karachi. The cast includes the venerable Om Puri with Fahad Mustafa, Mehwish Hayat and Aly Khan. The atmosphere throughout the meet was easy-going and fun, where the cast and crew talked about their roles in the movie, and whether it would be a spiritual successor to Na Maloom Afraad or not.  The veteran actor, Om Puri was completely at home as he answered questions about making a film across the border. It was only natural that he would be doing that, he said. He also had no worries going around Karachi in the director’s two wheeler with just a briefcase and a file in his hands. Expect to see this movie in a cinema near you Eidul Azha 2016.   Pictures and text courtesy of Starlinks PR.n]]> 2856 0 0 0 The Past is Present http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-past-is-present/ Fri, 25 Dec 2015 11:41:12 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=2901 parathas and omelettes appeared in front of us. Rounded out with sticky sweet doodh patti, the meal was enough to keep the group going for the rest of the ride. Reaching the stepped sandy formations around the Princess of Hope, we almost felt that we were in a Western movie and any moment cowboys would ride around the next strut. The landscape was tinged with a longing for the river that ran along it but was now only a dry trench. We hiked up the steep climb, the ascent so slippery due to the sand that we were forced to hold on to each other, but the climb brought the group closer together. Our next stop was the Kund Malir Beach, and like all water bodies that bring joy, time spent along the coastline was obviously all the #instagramgoals. This is where we were going to have lunch but the karahi wasn’t ready and people were getting angry. The small makeshift restaurant was not the cleanest place and a lack of clean running water added to our hygiene woes. At this point it was 2.30 p.m. and many of us were tired from all the sun and sand. But we still had our last stop left: the Hingol National Park. A light fall sun peeked out from behind the large, rock mountains drenching the plants between them in a dazzling light. As we made our way along the trail, bright orange flags tied to trees marked the wishes, hopes and dreams of those that had visited before. Foliage that had grown around the streams created pockets of serenity between the mountains. A Hindu mystic enticed us into his lair, regaling us with stories of the proud king Hingol who had wreaked havoc upon the land and after whom the Hingol National Park is named. As five o’ clock neared, it was time to start our journey back to Karachi, where the roads went from being empty to full of traffic. It was 10 at night by the time we neared our meet-up spot along Rashid Minhas Road, an hour after the estimated arrival time. The day had been well spent, in the company of friends and no cell phone signals to fill the void.]]> 2901 0 0 0 Falling on Deaf Ears? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/falling-on-deaf-ears/ Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:52:30 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16612 16612 0 0 0 Moeen Faruqi at Canvas http://candle-thread.com/newsline/moeen-faruqi-at-canvas/ Fri, 18 Mar 2016 07:45:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16627 16627 0 0 0 Photo of the Week http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-of-the-week-2/ Thu, 17 Mar 2016 08:13:16 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16636 mush-584x438On Wednesday, The Supreme Court allowed former President Pervez Musharraf to travel out of the country for medical treatment. The federal government had earlier placed his name on the Exit Control List (ECL), after he was indicted in a number of high profile cases. However, the former army chief and president could not leave for Dubai last night after his staff was informed at the airport that his name had still not been struck off from the exit control list.]]> 16636 0 0 0 Who Will Take Home the Cup? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/who-will-take-home-the-cup/ Mon, 14 Mar 2016 13:42:37 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16661 Who will win the T20 World Cup?
    • Pakistan (100%, 2 Votes)
    • India (0%, 0 Votes)
    • Bangladesh (0%, 0 Votes)
    • West Indies (0%, 0 Votes)
    • Sri Lanka (0%, 0 Votes)
    • South Africa (0%, 0 Votes)
    • New Zealand (0%, 0 Votes)
    • England (0%, 0 Votes)
    • Australia (0%, 0 Votes)
    • Zimbabwe (0%, 0 Votes)
    Total Voters: 2
    After considerable uncertainty and despite security concerns, the Pakistan team finally headed for India for the T20 World Cup.  Newsline has conducted a poll asking readers who they think will take home the T20 Cup]]>     16661 0 0 0     Art, Women and Emotions http://candle-thread.com/newsline/art-women-and-emotions/ Fri, 11 Mar 2016 13:46:02 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16665 16665 0 0 0 Dubai Dispatch: Pakistan Goes Unplugged http://candle-thread.com/newsline/dubai-dispatch-pakistan-goes-unplugged/ Mon, 07 Mar 2016 07:40:21 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16708 Komal-Rizvi-Ali-Zafar-300x300The mood then shifted from folk-funk energy to some pure sufi music with Sanam Marvi taking the stage. Armed with a harmonium and an impressive squad of musicians, Sanam sang some of her best tunes that night. From Koi Labda to the haunting Manzil-e-Sufi, the  mystical tunes of devotional sufi music and traditional qawalli enthralled the audience. Coming at a fitting time with the Pakistan Super League also making its mark in the cricketing arena, some well-known celebrities from the sport’s world were spotted at this musical event as well. Among others, Wasim Akram, Atif Aslam and  Ali Zafar were present, lending some star power to this intimate evening that displayed Pakistan’s novel brand of folk-fusion and sufi-mystic music at its finest.]]> 16708 0 0 0 Going for Gold http://candle-thread.com/newsline/going-for-gold/ Sat, 05 Mar 2016 08:18:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16731 16731 0 0 0 Team on the Run http://candle-thread.com/newsline/team-on-the-run/ Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:24:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16734 Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Asia Cup has stirred an untimely debate over selection  for the World T20 squad, with some quarters clamouring for captaincy change right before the big tournament.
    The Asia Cup T20 in Bangladesh was generally being viewed as a testing ground and launching pad for some young Pakistan players  who had performed well in the Pakistan Super League. But the team’s weaknesses  were badly exposed in Dhaka’s competitive playing conditions.
    Pakistan opened their Asia Cup campaign against India and promptly crumbled  to the opponent’s average bowling line-up. The batsmen could only put up a meagre 83 on the board. The drubbing could have been even more humiliating had Amir not bowled a splendid spell to shake the Indian batting early in the innings. The paceman grabbed three wickets in the powerplay to restore some pride to Pakistan.
    Pakistan’s dismal performance continued in the next two games against the UAE and Bangladesh. Mercifully, Afridi’s side overpowered the UAE but it was not as convincing a victory as it should have been. The batsmen, especially the top order,  were badly exposed yet again. Then came the do-or-die match against Bangladesh. Pakistan won the toss and batted first only to be battered by the home team’s bowling.
    In the T20 format, an aggressive batting attack  has become the mandatory approach, but Pakistani players could not hide their below-par batting technique and ended up reeling before the bowlers. To everyone’s surprise, Pakistani batsmen played 58 dot balls in a match against India. Similarly,  53 dot balls against UAE and 50 such balls against Bangladesh. On average, the team consumed only 60-65 balls out of 120. That’s a record of sorts.
    Pakistan will be facing top teams like Australia, New Zealand and India in its World T20 group matches and the current performance of Afridi’s men leaves a big question mark hanging over their preparation for the mega event. In the three matches of the Asia Cup, only Sarfaraz Ahmed and Muhammad Amir showed some spark, leaving other team mates way behind.
    Even captain Shahid Afridi demonstrated no sanity with the bat in any of the matches to inspire his players. The Pakistan Cricket Board needs to consider whether players can improve their performance when the skipper himself appears reluctant to change his approach to the game. Legendary batsman, Javed Minded, has also raised questions about Afridi’s performance and bluntly stated that the skipper can no longer be trusted as a reliable performer.
    pk4-584x396
    Meanwhile, surprises continue to unfold in the selection saga. In another hasty decision, team selectors have reportedly called Ahmad Shahzad for the World T20 to replace out-of-form Khurram Manzoor. If they do so, the selectors will be reneging on their earlier decision to drop Shahzad from the two major tournaments due to bad form.
    The World T20 is just a week away and any last-minute changes, especially replacement of senior players, will plunge the team into further turmoil. A major revamp in the team is inevitable,  but let it come into effect after the T20 World Cup. Who knows,  the unpredictability factor may yet play a positive role in Pakistan’s favour.
    ]]>     16734 0 0 0     The Wall That Gives http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-wall-that-gives/ Fri, 26 Feb 2016 09:27:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16739 8-584x388 The man behind the Super Savari Express, Atif Bin Arif, saw a Facebook post shared by Tofiq Pasha, a well-known horticulturist in the city, of a Wall of Kindness in Peshawar. He gave a call to Pasha and said “let’s do it.” Three weeks later, in the back lane of the Karachi Gymkhana, Arif and his team initiated a Wall of Kindness, right outside their office. 6-388x584“We put up the wall near our office so we can actually manage it and do what we have to do,” said Arif. “The idea behind the wall is to bridge barriers.” He added that they put up festive lights around the wall so people can spot it at night also. Observing people who were sending bags full of garments, Pasha added, “As soon as we put up our first bag of clothes today, it was taken away but each time the rod started looking empty, a car would stop and drop off more clothes.” 7-2-584x388 Using #sharethelove and actively posting details on their Facebook page, Jahanzeb Saleem, Head of Operations at the Super Savari Express said they took this initiative as a corporate social responsibility. 4-584x446]]> 16739 0 0 0 Not So Turkish Festival ? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/not-so-turkish-festival/ Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:43:28 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16751 Pic-6-199x300There was nothing grand, nor too Turkish about the Port Grand Turkish Festival. Held from February 19 to 21 at Port Grand in Karachi, the Facebook page for the event clearly stated that, “Port Grand will be dressed in spectacular Turkish themes, with exhibits that will be enabled by a large contingent of artists, performers and culinary specialists all specially flown in from Turkey to mesmerize the audience.” Pic-4-300x199However, the event was as local as it could get. There was hardly any Turkish food to be seen anywhere, instead stalls of OPTP, Burger King and fried samosas were set up. No Turkish coffee but chai was being sold. At the entrance, one was greeted by obviously local men dressed as dervishes in white robes and with red caps. People expressed their disappointment on the event’s official Facebook page. Pic-2-388x584 (1)The only element of Turkey was a shop selling colourful wall hangings and decorative lights as well as painted Turkish pottery. Doner Kebabs were also available at a stall. There was a shop selling beautiful paintings of dervishes and famous Turkish sites but the artist sitting outside was drawing sketches of General Raheel Shareef and Shahid Afridi! The entry fee for the festival for Rs. 500 per individual with some even demanding a reimbursement! Pictures were later shared of Turkish musical performers but as the event started at 5 p.m. and went on till midnight, people who went in the first half were deprived of the performances as backstage work was in process at that time and some of the performances were at night time only.]]> 16751 0 0 0 And the Oscar Goes To… http://candle-thread.com/newsline/and-the-oscar-goes-to/ Tue, 16 Feb 2016 09:52:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16759 The Hateful Eight. In the film, Warren may well be asking for just a ride, but in a metaphysical way, it may well be Samuel L Jackson asking White Hollywood whether they have room for one more actor. Whether White Hollywood can accept Jackson and other black actors’ right to rightfully claim ‘a seat at the table’. And that’s not just any old table. It’s the table where all the big decisions are made. It’s the table where all the scripts get the green signal. It’s the table where all the studio bigwigs get to decide how many, if any, people of color get cast in a movie. A look at the Oscar nominations this year suggests that the question seems to have fallen on deaf ears. For the second time in a row, not a single actor of color has received a nomination in the four acting categories. It would be easy to accuse the Academy Awards of racism now, but this is just one manifestation of a more complex problem. As Spike Lee pointed out shortly after the nominations were announced, “We’re not in the room. That’s how you fundamentally change stuff.” Even though Lee is boycotting the Oscars, it’s this point that should be addressed first and foremost. Any anger at the Academy’s failure to recognize non-white actors should in fact be directed at the system itself. Also, it shouldn’t end at black actors. Where are the nominations for Benicio del Toro, or Oscar Isaac? Why is Michael Pena regularly snubbed? Does anyone in the Academy not watch the films Golshifteh Farahani has been doing the past few years? As far as this year’s edition is concerned, most of the winners seem to be pretty much decided. It’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s year and he should be getting his first Oscar after, well, all this time and all those internet memes. He’s given it his all in The Revenant and it looks like this year’s campaign will pay off. Ironically, if there is one film where it’s not really about the performance, but in fact about the cinematography and direction, it’s this film. Which is why Emmanuel Lubezki and Alejandro Gonzáles Innárritu should be amongst the winners this year, Lubezki for a third time in a row, Innárritu for a second. For the Best Actress category, it’s Brie Larson’s statuette to lose, given her winning streak so far. She is mighty good in Room, aided tremendously by Jacob Tremblay as her son. Were it any other year, Saoirse Ronan would win for her impeccable, nuanced and very intelligent performance as Eilis in historical drama Brooklyn. oscar-nomination-best_actor-composite-today-160114-tease_bdcada127a4d59ed57d9695776579cd9.today-inline-large-584x328 So much of the Oscars is about momentum and whose year it essentially is and no other actress currently embodies this better than Alicia Vikander. She was captivating in Ex Machina, a terrific science-fiction film for which she should have been nominated over her turn in The Danish Girl. But she’ll take it, and win for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance is what holds the film somewhat together. The only blemish is that she’s clearly the lead actress of the film, not a supporting actress. The best Supporting Actor nominations are very varied and perhaps the only out of the acting nominees where it could go either way. There are two very good performances from actors in ensemble films, Mark Ruffalo and Christian Bale. Sylvester Stallone’s return to the Rocky franchise in Creed was a pleasant surprise, as he forms the emotional core of the film. Tom Hardy is the only one who seems a bit fancifully nominated for his villainous performance in The Revenant, which was very good but not as good as some actors who’ve been snubbed, such as Idris Elba for Beasts of No Nation. Looking at all these actors, Mark Rylance’s beautifully underplayed performance in Bridge of Spies might have the best chances of winning. Coming to the biggest award of the night, it could be that the Academy splits between Best Director and Best Film. While Innárittu is set for the former, the top prize could well go to Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight, not a perfect film by any means but certainly the most important and by turns most impressive, looking at what it set out to do and eventually achieved. What makes Spotlight so good is its script, which should be winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay too. The other writing Oscar, for Best Adapted Screenplay, is an intriguing prospect due to Aaron Sorkin’s no-show for Steve Jobs. It could go to either Emma Donoghue’s Room, adapted from her own bovel or Carol, by Phyllis Nagy, adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s book. And then there are the two categories, which in a broader sense are on par with the Best Film category and in fact shouldn’t necessarily be separated. The Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, which will probably go toSon of Saul. And then there’s Inside Out for Best Animated Feature Film of the year, but given very strong competition by Charlie Kaufman’s stop-motion wonder Anomalisa. Looking at both these film, who in their right mind wouldn’t nominate them for Best Film of the year? Clearly, the Oscars still have a long way to go.]]> 16759 0 0 0 Winning League? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/winning-league/ Wed, 10 Feb 2016 10:54:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16792 images It should also be recalled that former Sindh Sports Minister, the late  Muhammad Ali Shah, had organized a match between World XI and Pakistan XI in Karachi, featuring some prominent foreign stars like Sanath Jaysuria, Andre Nel, Justin Kemp, Riccardo Powell and others. The match was held in October 2012 – a year when the law and order situation was actually worse compared with today. Since the PSL project has already taken off, the PCB should plan in advance to bring this league home next year. A large fan turnout can never be guaranteed anywhere except on home ground and this is a very important feature for any league to succeed. images-3But this minor caveat aside, and better late than never, the PCB has shown considerable  initiative. One can expect more upgrades and improvement in the PSL structure in its future editions. The commercial success of the PSL primarily depends on broadcast rights, ticket sales and sponsorship rights. In this regard, I was amazed to see some local fans ridiculing the Indian Premier League on social media following the PSL launch. Let’s be honest. There can be no comparison between the two leagues for various reasons, including players’ pay scales, sponsorships, target audience and other incentives.  IPL offers prize money of $ 6million and the PSL offers $1 million – and that’s no surprise given the financial position of the two boards and economies of the two countries. Meanwhile, the PCB must also ensure  that the PSL meets its key target of finding and honing local talent. It would be disappointing if consistent performers on the domestic circuit like Shahzaib Hasan, Mukhtar Ahmed and Khalid Latif keep warming the benches as we have seen in the initial matches. The timing of the PSL could also be a blessing in disguise for Pakistani players as the World T20 is scheduled to kick off early next month in India and the team will encounter more or less similar conditions in the neighbouring country. It is crucial that the cricket board identifies the emerging talent from the 17-day tournament and provides them a fair chance in the national team. That is how the PSL will serve as a real catalyst for change in Pakistani cricket.]]> 16792 0 0 0 Karachi’s Mean Streets http://candle-thread.com/newsline/karachis-mean-streets__trashed/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:23:36 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6317 Photo: AFP[/caption] Although the government claims to have identified and arrested some of the perpetrators of the Shershah killings – members of the deceased Rehman’s Dakait’s criminal gang in Lyari, now under the stewardship of another known mobster Baba Ladla – the MQM still remains suspicious of the intentions of its coalition partner, the PPP. It maintains that the latter is working in a “nexus with the ANP,” to destroy the MQM. The party also has issue with the recently formed Amn Committee in Lyari, which it dubs “a criminal enterprise” created to work against the MQM. The party’s website states: “MQM has strongly condemned the unrestrained violence in Karachi by the terrorists of ANP and the Peoples Amn Committee installed by the government of Pakistan Peoples Party.” Provincial Interior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza for his part denies any connection between his party and the Amn Committee, declaring that members of the MQM were not just present at the launch ceremony of the group, but, in fact, chief guests at the occasion. The ANP, meanwhile, is still bitter about the conflagration on May 12, when 90 Pakhtuns were killed allegedly by MQM activists in incidents graphically captured on camera, and subsequent target shootings of Pathans have done nothing to defuse its ire. Accusations, counter-accusations and recent arrests notwithstanding, there are widespread allegations by diverse civic bodies of government patronage of criminal gangs, particularly in Lyari, and of the ANP’s criminal element for the PPP’s own vested interests – among them land-grabbing. [caption id="attachment_6319" align="alignright" width="300"]Above the law: Weapons are commonplace in Karachi and are carried openly in the streets. Above the law: Weapons are commonplace in Karachi and are carried openly in the streets.[/caption] Political commentators are of the view that apart from monetary yield, the illegal acquisition of land also fits in with successive governments’ bids to increase their electoral mandates. “The PPP’s allying with the ANP in Karachi is not just to neutralise the MQM, but also to acquire land in conjunction with a party that is synonymous with the land mafia. By distributing land among new settlers and allocating plots to select groups, the current administration is actually increasing its hitherto limited vote bank in Karachi,” says one analyst. Land-grabbing has other dangerous dynamics. It leads to the ghettoisation of communities with residents often fighting for space and whatever limited infrastructure there is. As evinced by bloodbaths past in Orangi and Qasba Colony, often these altercations result in bloody conflict – and this in large part owes to a heavily armed citizenry. Due to the steady stream of arms pouring into Karachi, serving since the ’80s as a conduit for weapons from the West for one or the other war being fought in Afghanistan, large caches of weapons found their way to the local arms bazaar. Besides the more basic Kalashnikovs, current arsenals reportedly contain sophisticated mortars and Uzis. With federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik himself acknowledging that there are over 30,000 illegal arms licenses in the city – and each can fetch up to 10 weapons – the prospects for peace any time soon appear dim. While the provincial interior ministry has laid out a deweaponisation plan alongside a witness protection programme, talk of an imminent crackdown in Karachi has engendered more scepticism than optimism. Although Sindh Interior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza unequivocally states that the operation will be “even-handed” and “across the board,” and recent arrests belie his links with the Lyari criminal network, apprehensions continue to mount in MQM circles. “This is a get MQM operation under the guise of a non-partisan clean-up of the city. It evokes terrible memories of the army operation in Karachi in the early ’90s,” says an MQM legislator. [caption id="attachment_6320" align="alignright" width="300"]Photo: AFP Photo: AFP[/caption] The recruitment to Karachi’s police force of what MQM activists contend are 2,500 PPP supporters – with 500 of these belonging to Lyari – and over 1,000 transfers of police personnel, is also viewed as a vehicle by which the government will put the squeeze on the Muttahida. Said MQM Senator Farooq Sattar, “The PPP in Sindh is using the police as its personal handmaiden.” How Operation Clean-Up 2010 plays out, only time will tell. Meanwhile, the city waits to exhale.
    Newsline speaks to the major stakeholders in Karachi and some concerned citizens for their take on their city at war and peace.
    ]]>     6317 0 0 0     Murder Mystery http://candle-thread.com/newsline/murder-mystery__trashed/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:56:42 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6672 The News: “We are involved in a very complex investigation and looking at various theories.” With a political refugee murdered – one who had several charges against him, including a bounty of millions of rupees on his head – in their jurisdiction, this was undoubtedly a nerve-wrecking case for the British police. The responsibility of the investigation was subsequently shifted from Scotland Yard police to the Counter Terrorism Command, which confirms reports that detectives believe the murder may have been politically motivated. Senior Scotland Yard detective Neil Basu said police were “keeping an open mind as to the motive behind the attack” but were “doing all they possibly can to catch those responsible.” A number of witnesses have already spoken to the police, but on September 23, Farooq’s widow made an impassioned plea to the public, urging other eyewitnesses to come forward and help the police identify the suspects, “Someone, somewhere knows something about my husband’s murder,” said Shumaila, breaking down into tears. Ever since the news of Imran Farooq’s assassination was flashed on TV screens nationwide, reporters have been struggling to make sense of the killing of Altaf Hussain’s right-hand man. The question uppermost in everyone’s mind is: who killed Imran Farooq and why? Farooq reportedly lived a modest life as a pharmacist in London on a quaint apple-tree lined street and, according to his parents, travelled without any bodyguards, unlike his boss Altaf Hussain. Therefore the police haven’t entirely ruled out that this may have just been a random mugging case. But not many MQM-watchers are willing to buy that story. As founder member and ideologue of the MQM, Pakistan’s third largest political party, Imran Farooq had a somewhat intriguing past. First convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Central Coordination Committee and former secretary general of the party, Farooq had been Altaf Hussain’s right-hand man for nearly three decades. A migrant from Bihar, Farooq held a medical degree from Karachi’s Sindh Medical College and began his political career as a founding member of the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation in April 1979, which was converted into the MQM in 1984. The soft-spoken, bespectacled politician was known to be a strict disciplinarian in the party ranks, but on the floor of the National Assembly he was lauded for his charismatic speeches in chaste Urdu, interjected with couplets from famous poets. Farooq was also the author of a party booklet containing the party’s history and a code of conduct for distribution among MQM members. Old friends within the MQM remember Farooq for his intellect and his fondness for poetry, but there was also reportedly another side to him – and a disturbing one at that. “He was a ruthless operator, who personally supervised the drill-machine-in-the-kneecap sessions with the boys whose loyalties became suspect, and he could order a kidnapping or an execution without raising a brow or his voice,” wrote Mohammad Hanif in a Newsline article in September 1999. The MQM rejected this charge as being part of a campaign by the army to malign him. Farooq allegedly had 60 cases against him, and bone-chilling details of torture cells run by the MQM appeared in local newspapers, implicating Farooq, but he continued to dismiss them as being fabricated and exaggerated. During Operation Clean-up in 1992, a notorious PPP and state-operated crackdown against the MQM, many members of the MQM were reported missing, or went underground – and so did Farooq. No one knew of his whereabouts, but there were stories of his sightings in a Balochistan village, in Dubai or eating biryani at Sabri’s in Karachi. However, according to several newspaper articles, it was clear that Farooq ran the party from “hiding.” And in a Godfather-like climax, seven years later, he surfaced at London’s Heathrow airport in 1999, only to be taken under Altaf bhai’s wings again. In his interview with Newsline in 2003, Imran Farooq gave away nothing of his time spent in hiding. “The story of my suffering, my life in hiding, and exile is a very long one. As far as my escape from hiding is concerned, I do not wish to disclose it. I want to help other victims of state brutality,” said Farooq. What was important was that chote bhaiwas back in the MQM fold and was to serve the rest of his life in exile in London, or more specifically in Edgware, North London. There was one change though. Farooq had gone from the churidar-clad, bearded leader-in-the-making to a suited comrade, and, more importantly, there were rumours, soon enough, that he was drifting away from the MQM supremo. This was not the first-time that Farooq was at odds with the party. He was suspended from the core committee for six months, prior to 2003. In the 2003 interview with Newsline, Farooq maintained, “My suspension was according to the rules and regulations of the party. In the MQM, no one is above its rules and regulations.” It is also known that in recent years, Farooq had been suspended from the MQM, twice, and according to a statement of Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, given to a local channel, Farooq had not been seen at important meetings in London. Some sources reveal that Farooq and Hussain barely spoke to each other, except on a few occasions. It’s not surprising then that some sources are even going to the extent of laying the blame for Farooq’s murder at MQM’s doorstep, much to the party’s chagrin and dismay. Incidentally that is not the only rumour doing the rounds. A breakaway faction of the party, the Haqiqi, is also being viewed with suspicion. Conspiracy theorists maintain that the Haqiqis may be trying to disband the MQM in London by murdering Farooq. Another rumour floating around is that Farooq was trying to join forces with General Musharraf in London but Musharraf claims he didn’t even know Imran Farooq. Pakistani Taliban, the usual suspects in any murder mystery, have not been left out either: it is being alleged that they may be behind this heinous crime, as the MQM and the Taliban are sworn enemies. All this remains conjecture at the moment, with no evidence to back it up. Farooq was a key player in the MQM and was a treasure-trove of MQM’s secrets. Describing Dr Farooq, Raza Haroon, a member of MQM’s central coordination committee, said the party had lost one of its “most senior and experienced people.” He also specified that Farooq was very much a member of the party, but he had been busy with personal matters of late. Be that as it may, it has emerged that Imran Farooq was never invited to the high-level MQM meeting held in London just before his death, which could be because he was “no more in the party,” to quote a London Post article. Imran Farooq’s murder has clearly perturbed the authorities in London, and they seem focused on uncovering this mystery – one of many in Imran Farooq’s suspense-filled life.]]> 6672 0 0 0 Today, In Print http://candle-thread.com/newsline/today-in-print__trashed/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:02:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6675 (See gallery below). Tongue-in-cheek and caustic at the same time, Sophiya Khawaja’s ‘Ignorance and Deception’ (drypoint, chine colle), a print of a girl licking candy, appears to critique drug abuse among ill-informed youth, but it can also be interpreted as a scathing comment on the political conditions we live in. Her ‘Evil Tower’ and ‘Precious Situation’ also allude to an explosive, precarious, booby trap-like situation. The works possess linear strength, and figurative components are rendered with confidence. An NCA graduate, Khawaja also did her Masters programme under a Fulbright scholarship, from the Rhode Island School of Design, USA, and is presently a lecturer at NCA, Rawalpindi. Mohsin Shafi, in his photo-etched prints, has made prominent use of Arabic calligraphy, and his subversion of the veil as a shroud clearly enunciates female suppression as a consequence of extremist fundamentalist ideologies. Shafi is currently enrolled in the Masters programme at NCA. ‘Tangled,’ a collograph of a marionette caught in a twirl of strings by Hassnain Awais spells disorder and seems open to several interpretations as well. An etching and aquatint series titled ‘Samandar Mauj’ by Hajra Haider depicts how the sea is encroaching on habitable land and pushing mankind further inland. Other than interpreting this as the unfolding of an ecological disaster, the ebb and flow of the tide can even be applied metaphorically to the flux in life. Hajra Haider is currently working with IVSSA’s Print Department. Another etching and aquatint series, ‘Towers of Silence,’ by Wardah Alam, comments on the trials and tribulations of isolation and insularity of the self and society at large. A product of NCA, Alam is teaching in NCA’s Post-Graduate Centre for Multimedia Arts. Blurred, repetitive images of the human figure in drypoint, summed up as ‘Dislocation’ by Saba Raza Khan, reference her close association with an Alzheimer’s patient. Naveed Sabir and Sarah Zahid’s collographs subscribe to the real and the imagined world in content while Sadaf Farooq likens the complexities of life to the geometric twists and turns of roller coaster rides. The artworks in ‘Printoday’ were coherent enough to be read at a number of levels, but the aesthetic presence and workmanship standards were variable. If this project aims to become an annual event, then greater emphasis on not just content but also quality of prints can strengthen the impact of this otherwise well-coordinated effort.
    Click on any photo to begin the slide show:
     ]]>     6675 0 0 0     Sex, Lies and Religion http://candle-thread.com/newsline/sex-lies-and-religion__trashed/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:04:22 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6686 Buddha of Suburbia (1990). And, more recently, Nadeem Aslam skillfully depicted the pathologies of a Pakistani community in the north of England inMaps for Lost Lovers (2004). Yet, whatever the individual merits of these books, they still offer a rather one-sided picture of the Muslim experience in Europe (if there is such a thing at all). What is missing is the view from other European countries, most notably France and Germany, where the ‘problem’ of Islam and the integration of Muslims has obeyed different historical imperatives and taken quite distinct forms. Indeed, one suspects that the highly successful marketing of South Asian immigrant literature in the English-speaking world has (unwittingly) contributed to the marginalisation of these non-English voices almost as much as the simple challenges of translation. To take a case in point: between a Salman Rushdie and a Tahar Ben Jelloun, there can be little doubt about who enjoys greater notoriety in the English-speaking world. The reasons for this imbalance are complex – and I certainly do not want to diminish the value of literature that deals solely with the experience of Muslims in Britain. But the end result is very often a repetition of themes, images, metaphors and personalities. Fortunately, the translation of authors such as the Algerian Leïla Marouane offers us an imaginative, funny and intelligent way out of this problem. Her book The Sexual Life of an Islamist in Paris gives us a pungent portrait of the strictures of the Algerian household, the repressed life of the good Muslim boy, and the cracks in France’s republican model. As a sketch of Muslim and Algerian life in France, it is masterful – and it provides an exciting new angle from which to view literature that has dealt with similar questions in the British context. The book’s central plot revolves around Mokhtar, a successful forty-something Algerian-born, Paris-educated businessman. The novel opens with him making the decision to buy a new apartment inside Paris – a momentous decision for a man who has, until now, lived at home in the arms of his overwhelming mother. In some ways, the move away from home is the final stage in a long process. As Mokhtar was growing up, he was the perfect son: a good Islamist, with a perfect knowledge of all the suras and hadith, committed to his religion and his family. By the time we meet him, however, he has mostly lost his faith and cannot bear the oppressive confines of his mother’s house in suburban Paris. By choosing to move away, he rejects both the depressing stereotype of the impoverished Franco-Maghrebi Arab he has fought so hard to escape, and the tentacles of his judgmental family. His choice of neighbourhood in the city – St Germain des Près – is highly symbolic: it is the heart of the affluent, white and bourgeois Paris. But he does not simply want to move up the social ladder and live in an expensive apartment: Mokhtar also wants to lose his virginity. With this goal in mind, he goes in search of women in St Germain’s chic cafés, hoping one day to conquer a real woman rather than fantasise endlessly about females. Much of the novel’s plot is built around Mokhtar’s encounters with members of the opposite sex, which afford Marouane a wonderful opportunity to deconstruct the sexual repression of the Franco-Algerian male, as well as sketch a series of picturesque women, most of whom turn out to be of Algerian origin. Predictably, Mokhtar fails to conquer any of the women he meets and, as he falls deeper into depression, he becomes haunted by an ever-growing number of fantasies. He imagines his mother calling him 15 times a day; he imagines the pert breasts of the lily-white estate agent who sold him his flat; he dreams of rediscovering the Islam he abandoned… By the end of the novel, dreams and reality have blurred into one. We no longer know what is pure pathology, what is ‘reality’ – we do not even know who is narrating, although the frequent references to a narrator going by various female names beginning with ‘LM’ suggests that Marouane wants us to see her as the observer. And what a wonderful observer she is! Mokhtar himself comes across as a complex, multi-faceted figure, at once the repulsive stereotype of the North African Muslim man – misogynistic, sexually repressed, dismissive – and, at the same time, a confused, immature young man uncertain of his role in his family and French society. The secondary cast of characters is equally diverse: all kinds of first- and second-generation women carrying their own baggage and, more often than not, leading the hapless Mokhtar astray. Marouane is also a perceptive observer of French society. We are reminded of the fiction of colour-blind republican integration when we discover that Mokhtar had changed his name to the ridiculous “Basile Tocquard” when he was young. And there are some wonderful lyrical moments as Marouane expresses the deep roots and complexities of the Franco-Algerian relationship. In a memorable passage, one of her characters says, “For us Algerians, Paris had no secrets. Algiers was an extension of Paris … Paris received its echoes and waves, as if the scirocco wind was blowing across the Tuileries Gardens.” There can be few more evocative descriptions of two centuries of French colonial history. If anything, Marouane’s feel for her context and language is too acute to survive translation. The translator, Alison Anderson, has done an excellent job with a text that was clearly full of colloquialisms and French references, but there is still a noticeable heaviness to certain phrases. However, the author’s caustic humour remains intact. We can easily picture Mokhtar fantasising about pearly women in his oval bathtub or imagine the excessively pious French convert who marries his sister and delights his mother. On every page, there are small insights into France and its image of itself, refracted through the lens of immigrant life. In an interview in the Algerian daily El Watan in 2007, Marouane explained that the book was, in part, a response to the birth of her son. She wanted to write a letter or cautionary tale warning him of what would await him as the son of an Algerian woman growing up in France. In fact, what she has produced is a fable for a whole generation of second-generation Muslim men in France and beyond. Unlike Hanif Kureishi, who in much of his work celebrates the raw power of sex and the (male) libido, Marouane’s The Sexual Life of an Islamist in Paris punctures this sexual bubble and leaves us with a picture of fractured identities, male pathologies and hypocrisy. At a time when the question of the headscarf and the burqa has focused so much attention on Muslim women, Marouane’s study of the Franco-Algerian Muslim male is a welcome change. It reminds us that in Europe (and elsewhere), the responsibility for any reform of Muslim practices and values rests squarely on the shoulders of men.]]> 6686 0 0 0 Promoting Entrepreneurship http://candle-thread.com/newsline/promoting-entrepreneurship__trashed/ Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:11:56 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6694 6694 0 0 0 Justice Derailed? http://candle-thread.com/newsline/justice-derailed__trashed/ Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:16:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=6697 Express Tribune: “The judge applied all the enhancements that he possibly could.” Sajjad maintained that according to the judge, Dr Aafia’s offences were hate crimes, motivated by her antipathy for America; she attacked US officials, thus the official victim enhancement, and she “lied” on the witness stand, hence obstruction of justice enhancement. “As much as these enhancements seem extraordinary,” continued Sajjad, “they pale in comparison to the aptly described ‘ceiling shattering’ terrorism enhancement … it appears that while applying this enhancement, due process of law was not followed. This is because earlier the judge had refused to admit the evidence presented by the prosecution to prove Dr Aafia’s intent to carry out terrorist attacks in the US. How ironic and contradictory is it then that the same judge enhanced Dr Aafia’s sentence on the basis of a charge for which evidence was not even admitted?” Following the verdict, calls for a mistrial have reverberated across Pakistan on the grounds that not only is the sentence disproportionate to the crime, but also because there have been several procedural discrepancies. It is widely believed that the evidence was not substantial enough to carry such a conviction. More than anything else, Dr Aafia’s trial has been a media trial. Since her disappearance in 2003 to her reappearance in 2008, her subsequent arrest, trial and conviction, little has been established as fact. But the stories emanating in the press, though speculative, have come to be accepted as fact in the public realm. Depending on which side of the divide the reading public comes from, in one part of the world Dr Aafia is the “daughter of Islam” and “daughter of Pakistan,” and in another, she is “Lady Al-Qaeda” and “terror mom.” While Pakistan has been castigated in the western media for its “unquestioning” acceptance of Dr Aafia’s family’s version of the story – that she has no ties to Al-Qaeda, was picked up by Pakistani intelligence agencies, handed over to the Americans, detained at Bagram and subjected to torture and rape – outside of Pakistan there is an almost unanimous and unquestioning belief that Dr Aafia does indeed have links with Al-Qaeda. In a jury trial, conjecture, surmise and perception play a significant role, says Omair Mohsin, an Islamabad-based legal expert who has a doctorate in law. It is widely believed that Dr Aafia’s in-court behaviour, speech against Jews, Zionists, and the judge and jury, and her remark, “Death to Americans” while allegedly shooting at the US officials (with only US soldiers’ accounts as proof), worked against Dr Aafia. With the media at a frenzy with the story, the judge and jury could not have been entirely oblivious to popular opinion – all of which proved to be her undoing. According to Mohsin, the defense lawyers can get a significant part of the jury removed if there is any indication they are biased. Then why did the Pakistan government-appointed defense team not initiate any such action, especially when their client also expressed these concerns? Dr Aafia was “dragged through an illegal trial, the process of which was flawed from beginning to end,” according to Yvonne Ridley, the British journalist/filmmaker who was captured by the Taliban, voluntarily converted to Islam and was subsequently released, her story catapulting her to fame in 2004. She dubbed Dr Aafia the “Grey Lady of Bagram.” Ridley has also accused the US of “throwing the Geneva conventions out the window” in Dr Aafia’s case. Ridley maintains there are FBI log sheets that prove Dr Aafia was not “offered” consular access, neither was she informed of her rights to these services. “The US stands guilty of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by failing to afford a Pakistani citizen – in this case Aafia – the right to consular access,” she states. However, what constitutes consular access or services? The Pakistan government did hire a team of lawyers to represent Dr Aafia, and paid a sum of two million rupees as fee. Dr Aafia however, was not happy with the lawyers. She stated several times during the February 2010 court proceedings, that they were not her lawyers. According to Babar Sattar, an Islamabad-based lawyer, there are grounds for an appeal here: unfair trial, biased jury and error in sentencing. But, Sattar maintains, the errors need to be firmly established. According to him, a Pakistani citizen can indeed be tried by another country’s court, but under certain circumstances, and depending on the jurisdiction of the court. What needs to be identified in this case, he maintains, are the following: Does this case fall under the jurisdiction of a US Federal Court? Was due process followed in the application of law? And is there a sentencing error? Sattar feels it would be better to go into appeal before seeking repatriation, as repatriation entails serving the jail term in one’s own country. If the sentence is indeed unjust, then an appeal is the way to go, as it deals with errors in sentencing, jurisdiction and the application of law, which could lead to a different sentence. However, Sattar concedes that the success rate of appeals in the US ranges from five to seven per cent – not a cause for great optimism. Dr Aafia’s sister, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, wishes to appoint her own lawyers for the appeal, as she too is not satisfied with the government’s appointees. And, according to her, this is not the first time she has been let down by the present government. Dr Fowzia reveals how Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, used to call her mother every day to reassure her that Dr Aafia would be home soon. However, according to Dr Fowzia, “no formal request was lodged with the US [for Aafia’s repatriation] before September 21.” Repatriation, says Sattar, is a three-step process. There has to be a request from the state (in this case Pakistan). The request has to be approved by the sending state (the US), and the offender also has to approve it (i.e. Dr Aafia has to give her consent). As matters stand, the US is not willing to consider the request unless the Pakistan government signs two international treaties on prisoner exchange: the Council of Europe Treaty and the OAS (Organisation of American States) Treaty. Dr Fowzia has reservations about this and has asked the government not to do anything in haste. “I don’t want the Pakistan government to sign something that entails long-term consequences for the country and its people. If the treaties facilitate the US picking up prisoners from Pakistan based on suspicion, then I don’t want them to sign it. That would be equivalent to releasing Aafia from a smaller prison and putting her in a bigger one. Somebody like Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman should review the treaties, they should be deliberated upon, and then a decision should be reached. Besides, how do we know that if Pakistan were to sign the treaties, that Aafia would be returned to us?” she asks. 02Aafia10-10Is Pakistan’s request to repatriate Dr Aafia as a “goodwill” gesture as reports suggest the government has done, naiveté on its part, arising from ignorance of the legal framework? Is it incumbent by law for Pakistan to be a signatory to these treaties to facilitate a prisoner exchange process? Or is this another strong-arm tactic by the US to intimidate Pakistan and other would-be terrorists? “The government should have commissioned a fact-finding mission to determine the innocence or guilt of Dr Aafia before taking a position. How could the PPP government adopt a policy position on the matter without looking into the facts of the case?” asks Sattar. “The parliament did not set up any such committee.” Public pressure clearly prompted the government’s rather delayed reaction when parties such as the MQM, that had hitherto remained silent about the issue, suddenly joined forces with Dr Aafia’s family, echoing a clamour of protest by the PML-N, the PTI and religious parties and lobbies. In the face of these protests, the government suddenly found itself on the backfoot. However, as Sattar says, the need for a mechanism is imperative for the long-term, to deal with similar cases if they arise in future. He certainly has a point. It is unarguable that public opinion at home alone will have no bearing on Dr Aafia’s case. The outcome will ultimately be decided in a US court.]]> 6697 0 0 0 Karachi Astronomers Society http://candle-thread.com/newsline/karachi-astronomers-society/ Wed, 06 Apr 2016 05:57:01 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=7913 7913 0 0 0 Location: Mirpur Sakro, Sindh.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani.";}i:1;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:86:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2-MudVolcano-MilkyWay.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:177:"Caption: The Summer Arm (Sagittarius Arm) of Milky way being set behind the Mud Volcanoes.
    Location: Balochistan, Pakistan.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani.";}i:2;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:82:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/3-Summer-MilkyWay.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:168:"Caption: The Summer arm of Milky way galaxy in the early morning with Planet Venus.
    Location: Ranikot Fort, Sindh.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani.";}i:3;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:82:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/4-Winter-MilkyWay.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:163:"Caption: The rising winter arm of Milky way galaxy with the Andromeda galaxy.
    Location: Ranikot Fort, Sindh.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani.";}i:4;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:85:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/5-Moon-Mercury-Venus.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:169:"Caption: The rising crescent Moon, Mercury and Venus during the 5 planets alignment.
    Location: Ranikot Fort, Sindh.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani.";}i:5;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:75:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6-Pleiades.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:260:"Caption: The brightest and largest star cluster in the night sky; Pleiades also known as Seven Sisters (Suriyya) is the open star cluster about 444 light years away from Earth.
    Location: Mirpur Sakro, Sindh.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani";}i:6;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:81:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/7-Orion-Nebula-1.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:258:"Caption: The brightest and largest Nebula to be seen from Earth in the night sky; Orion nebula is the stellar nursery where stars are being born and is 1400 light years away.
    Location: Mirpur Sakro, Sindh.
    Photographer: Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani";}i:7;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:79:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8-Two-Crecents.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:210:"Caption: This is a very rare event where we had two crescents in the Sky. One is the Moon (right) and the other one is planet Venus (left).
    Location: Mirpur Sakro, Sindh.
    Photographer: Ebrahim Haq";}i:8;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:75:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/09-The-Sun.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:114:"Caption: Swirling Plasma of our star "The Sun".
    Location: Karachi, Sindh.
    Photographer: Sajjad Ahmed";}i:9;a:2:{s:3:"url";s:75:"http://candle-thread.com/newsline/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10-Jupiter.jpg";s:4:"desc";s:168:"Caption: The largest planet of our Solar System "Jupiter" at opposition when it is nearest to Earth.
    Location: Karachi, Sindh.
    Photographer: Sajjad Ahmed.";}}]]>         The Text of the SC Decision for the Mukhtaran Mai Case http://candle-thread.com/newsline/the-text-of-the-sc-decision-for-the-mukhtaran-mai-case/ Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:43:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15541 By now you've heard about the latest verdict in the Mukhtaran Mai case. To many, the fact that the Supreme Court of Pakistan could render such a judgement (see below to download the full 90-page decision) to release five of the accused is confusing. It seemed like the facts of the rape case were well known and established, witnesses had been produced and the main accused, Abdul Khaliq, was proven to have not acted alone. But only Khaliq remains in jail. Recently, Aitzaz Ahsan told Newsline's Zara Farooqui that the recent appeal by his team for Mukhtaran Mai against the Lahore High Court verdict had gone well:
    “In the cross-examination, the accused admitted to the [award of the punishment by the] panchayat, they admitted to taking her into a room, they admitted to her coming out of the room without any clothes on, and they admitted to her walking in public without any clothes on.”
    Undoubtedly, he, like Mukhtaran Mai, and many across the nation, will be angry over the outcome. Comments on the Internet and on twitter show the disgust that people feel. Here are a few tweets: From @ZEEMANA
    Mukhtara... with you We shall cry! @beenasarwar http://thinkloud65.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/mukhtara-we-cry-too/ #pakistan #MukhtarMai
    From @r_sufi
    #MukhtarMai may not have been given justice, but she sure as hell invokes the lawyer in all of us.
    From @embley
    Acquittal instead of exemplary punishment. Sad and shameful, but after all it is Pakistan we are talking about. #mukhtarmai
    From @pakstruck
    If you were on that Long March for an independent judiciary..... I suggest you continue walking #MukhtarMai #Pak... http://bit.ly/hGvGRW
    From @madeehai
    yeah sure go ahead looking for justice for the dead (zab case) while the living dont get justice (Muktaran mai) it makes me sick #pakistan
    From @mukhtarmai
    No court can weaken my resolve to stand against injustice
    Amazingly, as Newsline's Farieha Aziz points out, many in the media not only seemed to support the decision but had no understanding of the justice system, government or, for that matter, reality. One reporter asked Anis Haroon, the chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, "Will you go for repeal in America?" In the end, this is what the court ordered on April 21, 2011:
    In view of the majority decision, all the noted appeals are hereby dismissed. The suo moto action initiated by this Court vide order dated 14.3.2005 in the matter is also discharged. Therefore, all those who were arrested pursuant to the order of this Court dated 28.6.2005 if not required in any other case be released forthwith. Abdul Khaliq, however shall be released after serving his sentence as awarded to him by the learned High Court, the benefit of Section 382 Criminal Procedure Code extended to him by that Court is also maintained.
    Understanding the court's final decision (it was a two-to-one decision where the dissenting judge actually convicted five men of zina, but where the majority judges only found one man, Abdul Khaliq guilty of rape) might seem impossible for many people. But reading the judgement does clarify and confirm some issues. Ostensibly, some statements and analyses within the judgement could leave readers surprised. (Even the dissenting judge made some surprising conclusions: read the second last excerpt listed below in which it seems like it has been concluded that the room in which Mukhtaran Mai was raped was dark — too dark to see clearly). A link to the full judgement can be found at the end of this post. To start, though, here are some excerpts from the judgement of the majority judges: From item #27:
    What is the basis of the lady doctor’s opinion that she was raped? Yes, she was subjected to sexual intercourse, but the question is whether by one person or forcibly four as the prosecution has set out.
    From item #28:
    The DNA and/or group semen test in this case was of immense importance which could have scientifically determined as to whether the intercourse with the prosecutrix was committed only by Khaliq or by a group of person. Therefore, in our considered view, the benefit of this omission should go to the accused, rather the prosecution.
    From item #33:
    While concluding we share the view of the Courts that no case for abduction was made out by the prosecution, notwithstanding the distance; we are not convinced that prosecutrix was taken to the room as has been alleged by her.
    And here are some excerpts from the judgement of the dissenting judge, Nasir-ul-Mulk: From item #29:
    The contradictions of the prosecution case mentioned in the impugned judgment and also highlighted by the learned defence counsel are not so significant as to render the entire prosecution case false. Some of the contradictions between statements of the prosecution witnesses about minute details of the various stages of the episode, from the detention of Abdul Shakoor right up to the commission of rape, spreading over several hours can be attributed to the hectic activities and tension between the two groups, particularly in the complainant’s camp. Even otherwise the contradictions taken into consideration by the High Court were mainly with reference to the statements made by the witnesses to the fact finding enquiry, which were never proved.
    From item #31:
    The Panchayat thus approved and facilitated the commission of zina-bil-jabr.
    From item #33:
    The complainant had charged four accused for gang rape; Abdul Khaliq, his brother, Allah Ditta, Faiz Muhammad and Ghulam Fareed. All the four were convicted by the Trial Court under Section 10(4) of Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hadood) Ordinance, 1979 and each of them sentenced to death. For the reasons afore-stated, rape by Abdul Khaliq stands proved beyond shadow of doubt. He was the main figure in the entire episode, playing the lead role from locking up of Abdul Shakoor to dragging the complainant to his house.
    From item #33:
    As regards Fayyaz accused, undisputedly a resident of Rampur, and not a mastoi, the defence case has been that he was mistaken for another Muhammad Fayyaz, resident of Mirwali, a mastoi and cousin of Abdul Khaliq.
    From item #33:
    The complainant was subjected to rape in a room in the house of Abdul Khaliq at around mid night. The prosecution evidence is completely silent about the source of light in the room. The site plan carries a note by the investigating officer that he was informed that it was a moon lit night, thereby tacitly confirming the absence of electric light in the room. The complainant had charged four accused for the rape. The only sentence for gang rape under Section 10(4) of Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hadood) Ordinance, 1979 is death. The complainant’s allegation of being gang raped may not be false but in such a situation where one of the accused, Fayyaz, is being given benefit of doubt and acquitted of the charge of rape, and there was no light in the room where the incident took place, it may be unsafe to convict the other two accused of offence under Section 10(4) of Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hadood) Ordinance, 1979.
    From item #35:
    The High Court, as observed above, erred in holding that the delay in lodging of F.I.R. is fatal to the prosecution case; that the testimony of a rape victim requires corroboration. The Court had overlooked that there was corroboration of the complainant’s testimony. The Court failed to give due attention and weight to the testimony of the victim of the rape and its findings were considerably influenced by its erroneous view about the role of P.W. Maulvi Abdul Razzaq. The High Court was not entitled to use, and that too extensively, for the purpose of highlighting inconsistencies in the prosecution case, the statements recorded by Mirza Muhammad Abbas (P.W.6), during the facts finding inquiry...
    To download the full 90-page decision, click here.
    Updates and changes have been made to this post since it was originally published. Last updated on May 28, 2011.
    ]]>     15541 0 0 0     Russian Rhapsody http://candle-thread.com/newsline/russian-rhapsody/ Wed, 27 Apr 2016 05:55:34 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15787 krasnyi,’ which once meant ‘beautiful’ but has come to mean ‘red’ in contemporary Russian. It is said that the Red Square began as a shanty town of wooden huts that was the abode of criminals, drunks and peddlers. Their low status forced them to live outside the boundaries of the medieval city. At the end of the 1400s it was cleared on the orders of Ivan III, and it became the location of public executions. It was also known as ‘Fire Square’ to recall the number of times medieval Moscow burned. However, in the 20th Century the Red Square became most famous as the site of official military parades held to demonstrate to the world the might of the Soviet armed forces. Since Perestroika, Mikhail Gorbachev’s reformation movement within the Communist Party during the 1980s, the Red Square has been increasingly used for classical music performances, rock concerts, fashion shows, festivals and other art-related large scale projects. In the process, the brutal and bloody history of the square has been all but forgotten. The prime example of the architectural style that Stalin proscribed is the tall Gothic Seven Sisters buildings – the skyscrapers of Russia. The former Hotel Ukraina, now known as the Radisson Royal Hotel, is one of those ‘Seven Sisters.’ The gleaming domes of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour located atop a hill on the northern bank of the Moskva River a few blocks southwest of the Kremlin, are visible from a distance. With a height of 103 metres, it is the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world. The original church was destroyed and then re-built in 2000.  In the 1920s, Stalin wanted to demolish the Church. His idea was to build a huge monument – a palace – in its place. In 1930, the golden domes, sculptures and other remnants from destroyed Soviet monasteries kept inside the Cathedral were removed and the marble walls were used in nearby Moscow metro stations. However, the construction that was started before World War II had to be stopped due to the Nazi invasion. The steel was used in bridges and other significant buildings. In 1995, after the Russian Orthodox Church received permission from the government, construction of the new Cathedral began.   On a beautiful square in downtown Moscow, not too far from the Kremlin, is the Bolshoi Theatre. The temple of Russia’s culture, the Bolshoi is one of the world’s biggest opera and ballet theatres. The original theatre, then known as Petrovsky Theatre, was built in March 1776, but was burned down. The present structure with the magnificent chariot of Apollo over its portico, a symbol of eternal movement of art and life, was opened in January 1825 as the Bolshoi Theatre. The beautiful building in classical style is decorated in red and gold inside. Its five-tier house is renowned for its size and excellent acoustics. There is gilded stucco and murals on the ceiling, from which is suspended a magnificent crystal chandelier. The theatre seats over 2,000 people.   The Moscow Metro was one of the USSR’s most extravagant architectural projects. There are close to 200 metro stations in Moscow. It is one of the cheapest and most efficient – and the world’s fourth busiest – transit systems in the world. The stations are lavish “palaces for the people.” Stalin, the iron-fisted Soviet leader, had ordered the metro architects and artists to design structures that would encourage commuters to look up and admire the stations. After Stalin’s death in 1953, his images were gradually withdrawn from the Moscow Metro, and sculptures, mosaics and reliefs were removed. The new stations that were built during the time were devoid of any stucco work and mosaics, but fortunately, the original architecture of the early stations was left intact. The Komsomolskaya Station (1935) has tall pillars and an imposing Baroque ceiling with paintings. Mayakovskaya is considered to be one of the most beautiful stations in Moscow. The station features graceful columns faced with stainless steel and pink rhodonite, white ufaley and grey diorite marble walls. There are 34 ceiling mosaics by Alexander Deyneka with the theme ‘24-Hour Soviet Sky.’ The flooring pattern is of white and pink marble, and there are 35 niches – one for each vault. This station became an air raid shelter during World War II, and on November 7, 1941, Stalin addressed a mass assembly of party leaders and ordinary Muscovites in the central hall of the station.   The Ploshchad Station is decorated with no less than 76 sculptures.  These are arranged thematically showing children, parents, students, athletes, farmers, industrial workers, hunters and soldiers.   Novoslobodskaya (1952) is best known for its 32 stained-glass panels done by Latvian artists. Each panel is set into one of the station’s pylons and illuminated from within. On one end of the platform is a mosaic by Pavel Korin titled ‘Peace throughout the World.’   The Russian or ‘Matryoshka’ dolls are famous nesting dolls. The first of these were made in early 1890, inspired by souvenir dolls from Japan. A set of Matryoshka dolls consists of a large wooden doll that can be pulled apart to reveal another figurine inside. Take that apart and another will emerge, and so on. The number of dolls can vary from three to 20. They are typically made of wood obtained from linden trees.   This photo feature was originally published in Newsline’s April 2016 issue.]]> 15787 0 0 0 Festival of Lights http://candle-thread.com/newsline/festival-of-lights/ Wed, 27 Apr 2016 08:01:57 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15908 Untitled7-438x584ever to a city as resilient as Karachi. Bearing in mind this philosophy, also advocated by the late founder of T2F, Sabeen Mahmud, the T2F team collaborated with patrons, supporters and those involved in creative pursuits  to organise the Creative Karachi Festival this weekend at the Alliance Francais. Previously held in 2014, this second edition was a weekend-long affair that lasted from one in the afternoon till ten at night on each day.  ”Although things were different after Sabeen’s death, as it takes time for things to pick up after the founder goes, our brilliant new director Marvi Mazhar has been amazing and we’ve worked hard for months in order to put on this festival,” explained Asad Alvi, one of the festival organizers. “The event was very well received and people were very emotional as this was Sabeen’s gift to Karachi,” he added.  ”People came for her, for what she believed in, which is theatre, art, poetry, literature and movie-making.” He also pointed out that this second edition has been more expansive as it featured 160 plus artists while last time the number was around 50. Untitled4Further, this time the festival had two new additions i.e. lively panel discussions and indie film screenings. The event transformed Alliance Francais into a giant ‘non-stop party in the park’, with art and music seeping out of every corner – from the garden to the Upper Art Gallery, Film Room and Library. Whereas the garden was festooned with fairy lights and multi-coloured umbrellas hanging overhead, giving the venue a Mary Poppins feel, the courtyard’s roof looked like the top of a delicious French apple pie, with white banners woven together to create a lattice pattern. The venue hosted an amalgamation of visual artists, film and documentary makers, writers, poets, dancers such as Suhaee Abro, Sheema Kirmani and Joshinder Chaggar, contemporary and traditional craftsmen, qawwaals such as Subhan Nizami and brothers and Saami brothers, and musicians such as Zoe Viccaji, Sara Haider and The Sketches to name a few. On both days, the music section of the festival was hosted by Ali Gul Pir of the catchy ‘Saeen tou saeen’ song fame. There was also stand-up comedy by Shahzad Ghias and others. The event was popular amongst families since it also featured children’s story-telling as well as dramatic readings and ‘Selections from Satire’ by Nadeem F. Paracha. Moreover, one of the biggest attractions of the festivals was the Karachi Astronomer’s Society’s ‘Jupiter Watch’ which had people forming long queues. Of course, no good event is complete without food, and there were myriad choices from Wingitt, Chai Wala, Nandos, Dominos, Sugaries and others to take care of this.   Untitled3-389x584While the tremendous effort to pull off such an event was evident everywhere, three aspects of  this vibrant cultural event deserve special mention. First is, the ‘Music to my Eyes’ exhibition. It was a compilation of album artwork depicting the evolution of music art in Pakistan through the years. Curated and collected by Humayun Memon, Samya Arif and Sana Yasir, it was first exhibited at the Lahore Music Meet a few weeks ago. Usman Ahmed, a volunteer at the CKF and active member of T2F, said that the response to it was overwhelming.”People possibly in the thousands came in to view the music covers ranging from the 60s to the modern era.” The eye-catching array of coloured covers almost had an Andy Warhol-esque appeal from afar, and a closer look revealed famous personalities on these album covers, from Allama Iqbal to Arif Lohar. Untitled5-438x584Second, was a silent film entitled ‘Hellhole’ by Islamabad based film-maker and photographer, Mobeen Ansari. Hearing Mobeen’s life story before the film was screened was in itself an inspirational experience. Challenged with the loss of hearing when he was three years old, he later discovered the magic he could create through his lens.  He has remained drawn towards capturing ‘raw human emotion.’ The film correctly states, “In this city of millions, some are invisible,” as it chronicles the life of a conservancy worker – more commonly known as gutter cleaners – called Pervez Masih as he goes about his daily job. Lastly, was the talk given by Dr. Pierre-Alain Baud (a.k.a ‘Pyaroo’) on his book ‘Nusrat: The Voice of Faith.’ Pyaroo has spent the last 25 years visiting Pakistan. Residing near the French Alps, Pyaroo’s first encounter with the legendary qawal was in 1985 when he was in Paris by chance, leaving the day after to pursue a PhD in Dance in Mexico. However, he attended Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s concert that day and from then onward, there was no looking back. He told us how he and his friends managed to befriend Nusrat and was invited by him to accompany him to Italy for a week. He later became a guest of Nusrat in Pakistan and through him met with many distinguished people and had an interesting variety of experiences. One very important message he left audiences with was to  ”Go back to our roots.’   Untitled6-438x584All in all, the purpose of the Creative Karachi Festival was to make Karachi a more ‘creatively conscious’ city as Sabeen envisaged, and the outpouring of people and success of the two day event was  testimony to that.]]> 15908 0 0 0 Gently Does It http://candle-thread.com/newsline/gently-does-it/ Tue, 26 Apr 2016 08:37:38 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15952 5-300x300 fills the room as the children clap and sway in unison to the music. The performers act out the words of the song with exaggerated gestures and funny noises and urge the children to do the same. Sheer joy, and fun and energy reverberates across the room, even spilling outside to enliven the silent corridors. And with Dheeray Bolo’s brand of fun, comes a whole load of learning as well. Started by a group of young Islamabad-based teachers and musicians, Dheeray Bolo is a unique storytelling project which aims to promote Urdu learning, making it fun and approachable and attractive to children who may be struggling with the language. “Our aim is to rework the Urdu curriculum with this programme which targets ages 2 to 12, ” says Rohail who can be seen belting out songs and is now in charge of the project’s marketing. With English being the medium of instruction in most schools and inundated by excellent teaching materials, fiction and music for children in the English language, many children are losing touch with our native tongue and compromising an intergral part of our identity. Along with their books, Dheeray Bolo releases songs to accompany FullSizeRender-245x300their books as well and are currently in Karachi to regale schools here with their unique brand of learning through music. “We are not an NGO, we do not have any funding because we didn’t want to be associated with any group,” says Creative Director Nadine. Instead, this group of friends forged ahead, armed with a common pool of creative ideas, enthusiasm and their own savings. They write and compose their songs, and come up with stories for books like Aliya Chaliya, about a little girl who can talk to animals and loves to hang out at her grandfather’s grocery store. Colourful and fun, the books easily engage children,teaching colours, opposites or just telling stories.”We would like to make the books cheaper and can do that if we increase our print volume. I wish we had a TV show , then our music would be free and available to all,” says Nadine. “The response in Karachi has been tremendous,” says Rohail. “We have been touring schools and also done some outreach programmes for schools form lower income areas. Those are the children who we really need to target.”  Rohail is a professional musician who has toured with his band  ”But the kick we get out of performing for these children is just the best.” IMG_8630-584x438As the session picks up pace, the children get louder and the excitement grows. The little concert winds up with a rousing rendition of Dil Dil Pakistan, in which the team lets the audience take the lead. Someone whips out a Pakistani flag and as the children’s voices swell it makes for an emotion-laden finale. Rohail takes the opportunity to talk to the children about our flag and what the white strip in it symbolises. With the children’s rapt attention focused on him, his words must sink in. The message of harmony and love is simple, but one which needs to be reiterated constantly in the present day.      ]]> 15952 0 0 0 New School on the Block http://candle-thread.com/newsline/new-school-on-the-block/ Fri, 22 Apr 2016 09:09:18 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=15980 IMG_8598-438x584There is a palpable air of excitement. A group of bright, scrubbed young faces greet guests and  usher them proudly into their new school premises. It is the inauguration of the Rana Liaquat Ali  School in Shah Faisal Colony, part of the extended community project that is run here by the Rana Liaquat Ali Craftsmen Colony. The NGO works entirely with locally raised funds and the RLCC team has worked tirelessly to realize their dream of a school that sets the bar high. The children guide us around the new custom built school which features airy classrooms, a  library, a computer room and  lab facilities. Nida who is in grade 8, tells us she loves science and wants to be a doctor. Her father works as a security guard in a factory and her mother stitches at home to supplement their income. Taha, also in class 8,  likes English best. With the sunlight glinting off his glasses, he isn’t sure what he wants to be but for the present is genuinely happy to be part of this school. “We have waited earnestly for this day for the last 7 years,” says Shahida Ibrahim, who is Educational Coordinator at the school. Herself a retired teacher from Habib Girls School, Ms Ibrahim explains how the school began modestly with only 45 children. ” Our biggest challenge is that we train our teachers but then they leave, either getting married or moving on to more lucrative opportunities.” Despite considerable odds, the school has come along way from a a very basic pre-primary school to the present impressive building which  will each year accommodate a new class upto the intermediate level. The school staff is firmly committed to mainitaing standards, conducting  regular teacher training programmes and limiting the numbers in each class.  The teachers are trained to use role play and interactive teaching methods, steering them away from the traditional rote learning approach. “We have a long waiting list ,” says project coordinator Hamida Khokar. “But we don’t want to compromise on this.” The school does charge a modest fee to those who can pay but  education is free or further subsidized for those who are identified as non-affording. “They are given uniforms, shoes and books as well,” says Ms Khokar. IMG_8592-584x438Little Nida shows us around the library where she tells us that they borrow a book every week. “If I don’t understand some words, I use a dictionary.” Then we discuss the book we have read . ” In fact, reading is given great emphasis here. “We have a reading programme. The children read for 15 minutes each morning in English or Urdu besides their regular library period,” explains Ms Ibrahim. The majority of the children who study here are from low income households and are often poorly nourished so  the school decided to start a milk programme as well. “”Each child is given glass of milk with Rooh Afza every day,” says Ms Khokar. Extra curriculars like art and theatre are also beginning to be explored with the school celebrating cultural days, holding a sports day and science exhibitions. “We recently participated in a theatre workshop conducted by Aahung about gender roles,”adds Ms Khokar. “The play was written and acted by our teachers and children and we won first prize.”      ]]> 15980 0 0 0 Trailer: Dobara Phir Se http://candle-thread.com/newsline/trailer-dobara-phir-se/ Thu, 21 Apr 2016 10:29:52 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16034 Dobara-Phir-Se-poster-231x300Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se will soon be hitting cinema screens. Written by Bilal Sami and boasting an impressive cast which  includes Adeel Husain, Hareem Farooq, Sanam Saeed, Ali Kazmi, Tooba Siddiqui, Atiqa Odho, Shaz Khan, Musa along with many others. Set between New York and Karachi, this feel-good romance showcases both the cities that the director, Mehreen Jabbar,  calls home. Follow the links below to get a first glimpse of what’s in store.   To watch the first teaser click here: https://www.facebook.com/ARYFilmsOfficial/videos/782437545225533/]]> 16034 0 0 0 Photo of the Week: Cat Wardens http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-of-the-week-cat-wardens/ Sat, 09 Apr 2016 04:55:02 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16187 JPMC-cats-438x584]]> 16187 0 0 0 Girl Power http://candle-thread.com/newsline/girl-power/ Fri, 01 Apr 2016 07:36:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16384 women-650x340-584x305According to the website, the PCB annually spends a budget of approximately 110 million rupees for the promotion and development of the game, both at the domestic and international level. The cricket board further claims to have improved women’s cricket during the last nine years and claims that “now the game is recognised at par with the men’s level.” If the sport is recognized at par with men’s cricket, why is  the PCB  lagging behind in promoting it on equal terms, even on its website?  It is time for the cricket board to shun lip-service and transform their words into action. The girls in green have surely earned it.]]> 16384 0 0 0 Into the Abyss http://candle-thread.com/newsline/into-the-abyss/ Sun, 27 Mar 2016 09:08:43 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16490 Islamabad-based  photojournalist, painter and sculptor, Mobeen Ansari has tried to follow the path less trodden. His aim has been to promote a positive and often unseen side of his country through his photographs. Challenged with loss of hearing at a very early age, Mobeen has always been keenly observant of his surroundings and expresses himself through different mediums. He has traveled across Pakistan and focuses on places off the beaten track specially South Punjab and Wakhan Corridor in the far North. His photography book, Dharkan: The Heartbeat of a Nation, featured portraits and stories of iconic people and unsung heroes of Pakistan. He is currently working on another publication, White in the Flag, based on religious minorities in Pakistan.
    Mobeen’s first film, a documentary titled Hellhole, continues his quest of trying bring to the fore marginalized people who are still nevertheless an essential part of our national fabric. The film follows the lives of sanitation workers in Karachi who perform an essential service yet are often denied respect. Hellhole explores their lives and the hazards they face in their profession.
    The film will be screened in Karachi at The Second Floor on April 24th. It will be part of the Creative Karachi Festival.
    Below is the link to the film’s trailer.
    ]]>     16490 0 0 0     Photo of the Week http://candle-thread.com/newsline/photo-of-the-week/ Wed, 23 Mar 2016 10:26:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16526 IMG_3477-584x438]]> 16526 0 0 0 Blast From the Past http://candle-thread.com/newsline/blast-from-the-past/ Wed, 23 Mar 2016 21:48:14 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16573 16573 0 0 0 Six Reasons Why Pakistan Lost at Eden Gardens http://candle-thread.com/newsline/six-reasons-why-pakistan-lost-at-eden-gardens/ Mon, 21 Mar 2016 00:00:32 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16598
    Losing to India in every World Cup game always bewilders Pakistani fans with a common question popping up in their minds: “Why do we always break down against India in ICC events ?” Some cricket enthusiasts favour conspiracy theories hinting at ‘political influence’ surrounding Pakistan-India matches. Whatever the reason, the  result remains the same every time.
    However, this time round Pakistan was in a comparatively better position than India (in terms of players’ form after a remarkable victory against Bangladesh in the World T20 opener). Still the players could not keep their nerves and eventually collapsed.
    Here are six reasons that I believe were instrumental  to Pakistan’s drubbing.
     
    1. Poor pitch reading
    Pakistan’s bad day began with a bad decision. Before the match kicked off, there was a heavy downpour at the Eden Gardens leaving mositure in the pitch. This was enough evidence that spinners would have a major role in the game. How come captain Shahid Afridi (having played 520 international games and head coach Waqar Younis with experience of 349 international matches) failed to read the pitch correctly?
    The team even dropped promising left-arm spinner Imad Wasim and picked pacer Muhammad Sami in his place. Though Sami didn’t disappoint, but it was a pitch that had more to offer spinners. Indian spinning duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravendra Jadega had Pakistani batsmen cluelessly shuffling on the crease. That was enough to see what the pitch was all about.
    2. Dot balls
    The game was reduced to 18 overs due to a delayed start because of rain, but Pakistan couldn’t demonstrate the necessary aggression despite batting first. Batsmen played 38 dot balls and badly struggled in rotating the strikes, unlike the previous match against Bangladesh when our team players dominated the bowlers outright.
    3. Reliance on pacers on a spin-friendly track
    Pakistan had set meagre  119-run target for the mighty Indian batting side. Afridi had seen the amount of turn spinners were getting on the pitch. But the skipper stuck to his mechanical approach and attacked with two fast bowlers (Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Irfan) in the powerplay.
    This approach revealed the skipper’s defensive approachr or perhaps his fear of failure. Afridi could have attacked the Indian batting with Malik instead of Irfan. One over could have made all the difference, but the captain was too nervous to take a chance.
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    4. Failure to build pressure
    Muhammad Sami almost brought Pakistan back into the game by dismissing Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on back-to-back deliveries in the fifth over. It was a moment that shook the Indian dug-out. But Pakistan couldn’t keep the momentum going and failed to build pressure with tight bowling.
    One more over from Amir at that stage could have challenged the opponent’s batsmen. But the captain was in no mood to do something out-of-the-box to surprise the Indian batting. Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli collectively added 61 runs on the board and that turned the tables on Pakistan.
     
    5. Free license to Kohli
    Pakistan is well aware of the brilliance of Virat Kohli and his outstanding record against them. He is undoubtedly a master player who can rotate strikes against any bowling attack.
    Did Pakistan have any plan to contain Kohli ? Apparently not. He fluidly scored runs, took doubles and singles while our bowling attack passively waited for him to self-destruct with a bad shot, but that didn’t happen.
    6. Mental block
    The body language of the Pakistani players showed little confidence or aggression throughout the game. Since March 1992 till date, Pakistan has lost 11 World Cup matches (both ODIs and T20s) to India. It is ironic that while the team recognizes this failure to cope with pressure, they have never addressed the lingering problem.
    Bad team selection, captaincy failures, lack of consistency in performance and internal rifts seem to go hand in hand with the Pakistan team, and the failure to check these problems is eroding the sport from within. Simply changing faces in the team and cricket board will not cut it. It’s high time we tackle all these issues in earnest.
    ]]>     16598 0 0 0     Go Fawad! http://candle-thread.com/newsline/go-fawad/ Mon, 21 Mar 2016 00:40:07 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=16602 16602 0 0 0 The Leaky Cauldron http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed/ Tue, 19 Apr 2016 06:46:54 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12036 meetha paani” supply in areas like Nasir Colony. A few months ago, the KWSB began a drive against these illegal water hydrants, yet the drive has only been “partially successful,” according to sources at the KWSB. Despite the crackdown, illegal water hydrants, popularly known as the “tanker mafia,” continue to operate with impunity. So who controls them? Najmi Alam says, “There are some people from the police that are involved in it, along with some influential people. This mafia could not operate without co-operation from the police.” With KWSB’s drive against illegal hydrants still underway, the utility has asked the home secretary for an extension of Section 144 imposed on illegal hydrants, which stipulates that there will be a bar on the illegal hydrants, and their movements will be restricted by the concerned Station House Officers. With no solution or end to the problem in sight, it seems that DHA residents will continue forking out thousands of rupees every month and stocking up on their blood pressure medication when dealing with water tanker suppliers, just to ensure they have running water, one of the basic necessities of life. Salma Warraich, a resident of Phase IV, is seething with anger. “If I wanted to live in the desert, I would move to Bahawalpur, and I am fairly certain they have better amenities there than in DHA. Every house in our street gets two tankers per week to overcome the water shortfall. To make matters worse, the quality of DHA’s water supply is awful; I’m actually losing hair because of the water DHA sends our way.” To top it off, it seems the situation is poised to take a turn for the worse. According to KWSB sources, the DHA has yet to ask for a direct water supply line for the currently under-development Phase VIII. “We understand they were going to divert the desalinated water from the Cogen plant for Phase VIII, but that’s non-functional again, so we have no idea what’ll happen when Phase VIII’s residents move in.” Qizalbash is extremely worried about the state of affairs and what the future will hold for DHA’s water supply, “What’s going to happen when residents start moving into Phase VIII, which is as large as all the existing DHA phases put together? As developers of the area, it is their job to ensure the basic amenities like gas, water, etc. If they don’t fix the problem now, we will face an unparalleled shortage of water in all of DHA.”]]> 12036 0 0 0 New Space, New Ideas http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-2/ Tue, 19 Apr 2016 18:59:24 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12379 12379 0 0 0 Lost in Translation http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-3/ Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:17:19 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=12649 12649 0 0 0 I’m a Pakistani, Get Me Out of Here http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-4/ Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:27:04 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13523 13523 0 0 0 Travelling Eye: Qamar Bana http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-5/ Sat, 23 Apr 2016 21:40:53 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13652 13652 0 0 0 Reporter at Large http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-6/ Sun, 24 Apr 2016 08:29:11 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13687 13687 0 0 0 Drawn to Diamonds http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-7/ Sun, 24 Apr 2016 18:13:46 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13805 13805 0 0 0 On Shaky Ground http://candle-thread.com/newsline/__trashed-8/ Sun, 24 Apr 2016 20:46:58 +0000 http://candle-thread.com/newsline/?p=13936 13936 0 0 0