Showing posts with label Politics And Current Affairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics And Current Affairs. Show all posts

Sunday, May 17, 2009

LTTE Chief Prabhakaran Shot Dead - Sri Lanka Army‎

Tamil Tiger Supremo of Tamil Eelam Velupillai Prabhakaran has been shot dead by the Lankan troops, the Sri Lankan army has said. The LTTE chief Prabhakaran body has also been found by the Sri Lankan army, which has identified the body. This news first announced by Sri Lanka Government channel (today).

Prabhakaran and his top aides came out of their last hiding place in a small convoy of van and an ambulance and tried to drive out of the war zone, but were gunned down, he said. The army is withholding an official announcement till a DNA test of the bodies is conducted.

The Tamil Tiger chief was killed with two others, who are yet to be identified but believed to be his closest associates - LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman and Sea Tigers' chief Soosoi.

The deaths of the top LTTE leaders came a day after Tamil Tigers conceded defeat saying the decades-old battle has reached its "bitter end" and they have decided to "silence" their guns. The army said that its special forces had encircled Prabhakaran, Pottu Aman and Soosoi who were boxed into a 100m x 100m area.

Following the reports of Prabhakaran's death, the police bandobast has been stepped up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State, India.

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Saturday, May 16, 2009

We Want Peace

WE WANT PEACE - featured in "The National Newspaper" :
"Gaza rap track is an internet hit" - The National Newspaper

A peace song written and recorded by a Dubai-based(Pakistani) rapper in response to the recent conflict in Gaza has become an internet hit.

The track, We Want Peace, was recorded by Nasir Akmal, who performs under the name of Jihad.

He collaborated with several US musicians to put together the song, which aims to draw attention to the situation in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a whole.

The National reported on Akmal’s project in January, when the artists were beginning the recording. It was completed last month.

Yesterday it was the fourth most popular song on the hip-hop website hiphopdx.com, where it has been played more than 70,000 times. In total, it has been played or downloaded more than 100,000 times.

“It’s a blessing to see so many people getting behind the song and its message,” said Akmal. “To witness this success really reinforces that pushing a positive message still has its place in our world today.”

The idea for the track came after Akmal saw images of dying Israeli and Palestinian children during the Israeli assault on Gaza in December and January. “I had to at least try and do something about it,” he said. “Now our song is out there.”

It has also been crowned Everything 3.1 song of the month - May 2009.

Make Sure U Check It Out & Spread The Word!

Click here to Get this Song!!! (:

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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Taliban on the run says Pakistan

Sunday, May 10, 2009 » 09:21am

Pakistan's military say an offensive in the north has put militants on the back foot.

Pakistan's military said an offensive in the north has put militants on the back foot after a pledge from President Asif Ali Zardari to eliminate the Taliban.

Warplanes pounded rebel hideouts in the Swat valley, an ex-ski resort where up to 15,000 security forces have been deployed under orders to crush extremists in an escalating conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands.

Together, helicopter gunships and ground forces killed a total of at least 55 militants in various locations in the valley, including 15 in the town of Mingora, the military said.

'They are on the run,' the army said in an earlier statement.

But the statement added that Taliban fighters were 'trying to block the exodus of innocent civilians by preventing their departure through coercion, IEDs (improvised explosive devices), roadblocks with trees and even (making them) hostages'.

Jet fighters and helicopter gunships heavily bombarded militant positions and hideouts in Venai Baba, Namal, Qambar, Peochar, Fiza Ghat, Tiligram and Chamtalai, a senior military official said.

'Large number of militants were killed, including hardcore elements and many militants injured. The operation is in full swing,' the official said.

Meanwhile a suspected US drone fired missiles at a compound used by militants in South Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan, killing up to 10 militants and injuring others, officials said.

The military said Friday an air and ground offensive to crush the Taliban in the northwest killed more than 140 militants.

It was impossible to confirm the death tolls independently, given ongoing operations across three districts which began late last month when the hardline insurgents advanced to within 100 kilometres of Islamabad.

Meanwhile, fresh troops were entering the Malakand district which neighbours Swat valley, a local military official told AFP.

People fleeing the area, however, have accused the military of also killing civilians in the fierce bombardment.

Aftaba Begum, 60, told AFP in Jalala refugee camp near the town of Mardan that she had fractured her leg as shells from helicopter gunships hit Mingora three days ago.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on a state visit to the United States, has pledged to eliminate the Taliban.

'This is an offensive - this is war. If they kill our soldiers, then we do the same,' Zardari told PBS public television Friday during a visit to Washington.

Pressed on whether Pakistan's stated goal of 'eliminating' militants meant killing them, Zardari replied: 'Eliminate means exactly what it means.'

The UN refugee agency has warned up to one million people have been displaced in northwest Pakistan, with tens of thousands streaming out of Buner, Lower Dir and Swat, registering in camps or sheltering with families.

The government has said it was bracing to cope with half a million people displaced by the fighting.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told a press conference after meeting his cabinet on Saturday that the army would minimise civilian casualties while the government would look after those displaced by the conflict.

'It is our resolve and it is the resolve of the armed forces that there should be minimum collateral damage and the operation should be over as soon as possible,' Gilani said.

'The operation will continue till the elimination of extremists.'

Gilani announced the setting up of a 200 million rupee ($A3.31 million) fund for the displaced and said cabinet ministers would donate a month's salary each.

The fighting has sunk a controversial February deal between the government and an Islamist hardliner that aimed to put three million people under sharia law in a bid to end the Taliban uprising.

Critics said the deal emboldened the Taliban and have welcomed the renewed military offensive, which also has broad public support.
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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Pak army called in to eliminate terrorists: PAKISTANI PM

Updated at: 2220 PST, Thursday, May 07, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday said the armed forces have been called in to eliminate the terrorists in Swat and Malakand Division.

In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister also said that one billion rupees have been provided for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.

He announced employment will be provided to one member of a family which has lost any of its member at the hands of terrorists.

The Prime Minister said the above decisions were taken after holding consultations with the political parties and other stakeholders.

He said although the government adopted the path of talks and negotiations to resolve Swat issue the terrorist elements continued to challenge the writ of the government.
“We went ahead and implemented Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in the Malakand Division in line with the long standing demand of the locals,” he said and added that later President Asif Ali Zardari also signed the NAR.

However, he said, all these steps failed to bring about peace in the region as terrorists kept targeting the set ups of paramilitary forces and other security personnel.
“This situation required taking of some decisive steps,” the Premier said.

He appealed to the nation to stand united and extend its complete cooperation to the government in the fight scourge of terrorism.
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55 militants, 6 civilians killed in Swat: officials By Hameedullah Khan

Thursday, 07 May, 2009 11:45 PM PST
Trucks carrying Pakistan army soldiers on their way to the Swat valley, in Mardan near Peshawar.—AP

MINGORA: Fifty five militants and six non-combatants were killed while several others wounded as aircraft and artillery pounded militant positions in different areas of restive Swat valley on Thursday.

Official sources said that jetfighters, gunship helicopters and artillery bombed and shelled different areas of Swat included Bin Baba, Ziarat, Khwazakhela, Kuza Bamkhela, Malam Jabba, Shamozai, Kabal, Shagai and Zara Qilla overnight and on Thursday.

They said fifty five militants including Ibne Aaqil, brother of Matta sub-division commander Ibne Amin, was killed and several others sustained wounds in the gunfire, bombing and shelling. Ibne Aaqil was the second commander after his brother Ibne Amin.

Six civilians were also reportedly killed in the day-long gunbattle.

The ground forces have took positions in their respective areas but no forward movement was made. Sources said fresh military reinforcements were on the way via Shangla and Malakand to Swat. The full-fledged operation is likely within next twenty four hours, they added.

Over three lakh (0.3 million) Swatis have migrated to downward districts of Frontier province when the local administration declared relaxation of curfew from 7:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday.

The people of upper Swat district are still trapped in their houses as they have not get timely information about curfew relaxations, a local said, adding: ‘The telecommunication system, electricity, and water supply had been suspended to most of the localities in district.’

Men, women and children taking advantage of easing the curfew they residents came out of their houses catching cars and vehicles while some of them on foot.

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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

'No' to Bangalore, 'Yes' to Buffalo - Barrack Hussein Obama

Barack Obama torpedos Bangalore -- again
5 May 2009, 1235 hrs IST, Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN


WASHINGTON: There he goes again, bashing Bangalore. ( Watch 
Obama's new mantra: No to Bangalore, Yes to Buffalo-Business-Videos-The Times of India 

Not for the first time, US President Barack Obama invoked India’s much-celebrated economic hotspot, which has become an all-encompassing metaphor to describe everything from job loss to globalization, to rally Americans for a protectionist cause. 

At a White House event on Monday to unveil tax reforms aimed at forcing American multinationals to pay corporate taxes -- and keep jobs -- at home, Obama lashed out at the current US system, saying it encouraged paying ''lower taxes if you create a job in Bangalore, India, than if you create one in Buffalo, New York.'' 

The US President’s beef wasn’t really with Bangalore; the barb was aimed more at US firms and their wily ways. But Bangalore has become a catch-all term to hang US economic woes on. Obama has done it at least three times. 

Bangalore has lent its name to many things in history, from a torpedo made during World War II (depicted in the movie Saving Private Ryan) to a stealth destroyer built for the Indian Navy. There was even a race horse named Bangalore that took part in the Grand National Derby in Liverpool in 1842. 

But none of them have gained as much currency as the neologism ''Bangalored,'' a term that has galloped into dictionaries to describe loss of jobs due to offshoring. 

For a while, the city might have felt good at the international attention. But with repeated -- and accusatory -- use, especially by the US President, it is starting to sound like an abomination -- or should that be an Obamination? 

Across the world, long time natives of the city -- present company included -- are frequently thrown words (or looks) tantamount to ''aren’t you the guys taking away our jobs?'' when the place of origin is disclosed. 

On Monday, Obama was at it again, banging up Bangalore (when it could well have been Beijing or Bucharest if he was so into alliteration) and buffing Buffalo, a city in upstate New York that thrives on foreign tourists because of its proximity to Niagara Falls. 

The crux of the Obama argument is that under current US tax code, American corporations with subsidiaries in foreign countries can defer paying US taxes on the profits of those subsidiaries until the money is transferred back to this country. 

As long as those earnings are plowed back into the foreign subsidiaries (which firms do, creating more jobs there), they can avoid paying taxes indefinitely. If the money is brought back to the US, corporations can subtract foreign taxes already paid. 

The Obama plan unveiled on Monday would, among other things, prohibit US firms from receiving foreign tax credits on income that is not subject to US taxes. It will also end a provision that lets the firms legally shift income from one foreign subsidiary to another, thus perpetually ducking taxes. 

As a result, companies such as General Electric, Google, Intel, and Hewlett-Packard, all of which have operations in Bangalore, will lose tax credits and be forced to pony up more tax dollars to Uncle Sam. 

Whether the multinationals, which get more bang -- or Bangalore -- for the buck outside the United States in terms of productivity will take this lying down is another matter. Congress has to approve the plan, and not all lawmakers are in its favor. Past attempts to pass similar laws have failed. The multinationals may yet torpedo it with stealthy lobbying.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

ISLAM Is Peace! Talibans?

O! My Pakistan I Love You!!!

What these extremist elements A.K.A Talibans are doing in PAKISTAN, are they helping us? No!!! They are just killing us.. They think only they are muslims, but i am sure they even don't know the basic of ISLAM.

What THE QURAN Says About Talibans Like People.
Sura / Chapter Al-Baqara, verse 8 to 12!!

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ (٨) يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ (٩) فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ (١٠) وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ (١١) أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ (١٢)

Urdu Translation:


English Translation:

And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not. (8) They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. (9) In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie. (10) And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only. (11) Beware ! They indeed the mischief-makers. But they perceive not. (12) .

Now I want Talibans to Come up and Answer!!

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Extremists TALIBANS want to impose their agenda on people: President Asif zardari

Updated at: 1123 PST, Tuesday, April 21, 2009

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has resolved to build Pakistan in accordance with the dream and aspirations of the great visionary Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

President Zardari in his message on the 71st death anniversary of Allama Iqbal, said Pakistan can be best built by understanding Islam in the light of Allama Iqbal’s teachings and by refusing to let armed militants impose their interpretation of Islamic thought and morality on the people through guns and bullets. “This indeed is the best tribute we can pay to Allama Iqbal today.”

President Zardari said Iqbal was the great poet philosopher who first envisioned a separate homeland for the Muslims of the South Asian sub continent.

The freedom and independence of the people of Pakistan living as an independent nation is in no small measure due to the great vision of a great visionary Allama Muhammad Iqbal, he added.

The President said today, as never before, the message of Iqbal has been misunderstood as some elements are using force to deprive the people of their hard earned freedom and independence.
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Friday, April 17, 2009

I want my country(Pakistan) back

Friday, April 17, 2009
Author: Sehar Tariq


Eight years ago I boarded a plane to the United States to come to college. I was 17. As I left, my father hugged me and told me to never come back because he believed that soon Pakistan would not be a country fit for me to live in. I told him he was trying to save money by not having to buy me tickets to come home. We laughed it off. I hugged him goodbye and that day my father and I began our great debate about the fate of Pakistan . Abba told me to stay away. I defied him every time. I came home twice a year. I only flew PIA. I refused to do an internship in the US I worked every summer in Pakistan . I moved back when college ended. I started work in Pakistan . I worked two jobs because there was so much to do and not enough time to do it in. I was inspired and energised. I was hopeful and optimistic.

Today I am neither. And I have lost the debate with my father about the fate of Pakistan. The Parliament by endorsing the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR) has heralded the end of Pakistan as I knew and loved it. Today, the elected representatives of the people turned Pakistan into Talibanistan. Today we handed over a part of the country to them. I wonder how much longer before we surrender it all.

Today we legislated that a group of criminals would be in charge of governing and dispensing justice in a part of Pakistan according to their own obscurantist views. They have declared that the rulings of their courts will be supreme and no other court in the land can challenge them. They have also declared that their men that killed and maimed innocent civilians, waged war against the Pakistani army and blew up girls schools will be exempt from punishment under this law. A law that does not apply equally to all men and women is not worthy of being called a law. Hence today we legislated lawlessness.

What was most disturbing was the quiescence of the Parliament to this legislation. The utter lack of debate and questioning of this ridiculous legislation was appalling. The decision was not informed by any independent research or expert testimony, and to my knowledge none of the parliamentarians are authorities on matters of security, rule of law or regional conditions in Swat. This signals disturbing possibilities. Either our politicians are too afraid to stand up to criminals or maybe they don't possess the foresight to gauge the national impact of this action. There is no hope for a country led by cowards or fools.

How can one be hopeful about the political future of a country where the will and the wisdom of politicians becomes hostage to the threats of barbarians? How can I be optimistic about a country where doyens of the media like Ansar Abbasi hear the collective silence of the parliamentarians as the resounding support of the people of Pakistan , but are deaf to the threats issued by the Taliban to anyone opposing the legislation? How can I feel secure in a country where the army, despite receiving the largest chunk of our resources, cannot defeat a bunch of thugs? How can I expect justice when there are different laws for different citizens, and I as a woman am a second class citizen? How can I be inspired by a country where there is no culture, no music, no art, no poetry and no innovative thought?

How can I be expected to return to a country where women are beaten and flogged publicly, where my daughters will not be allowed to go to school, where my sisters will die of common diseases because male doctors cannot see them? How can I be expected to call that country home that denies me the rights given me by my Constitution and religion? I refuse to live in a country where women like me are forced to rot behind the four walls of their homes and not allowed to use their education to benefit the nation. By endorsing the NAR and giving in to the Taliban, Parliament has sapped my hope and optimism. Parliament has dealt a deathly blow to the aspirations of the millions of young Pakistanis who struggle within and outside the country, fuelled by sheer patriotism, for a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Pakistan .

When there is no hope, no optimism, no security, no justice, no education, no progress, no culture � there is no Pakistan . Maybe it is because I am the grandchild of immigrants who was raised on stories of hope, patriotism and sacrifice that even in this misery I cannot forget that Pakistan was created to protect the lives, property, culture and future of the Muslims of the Subcontinent. It was not established to be a safe haven for terrorists. We fought so that we could protect the culture of the Muslims of the Subcontinent, not so that we could import the culture of Saudi Arabia . Our ancestors laid down their lives so that the Muslims of the Subcontinent � both men and women - could live in a land free of prejudice, not so that they could be subjected to violent discrimination of the basis of sect and gender.

Maybe it's because I'm competitive and I don't want to lose the debate to my father, maybe I am afraid to lose the only home I have, or maybe because I love Pakistan too much to ever say goodbye � I hope we can remember the reasons why we made Pakistan, and I hope we can stand up to fight for them. I hope we can revive the spirit of national unity of 1947 and lock arms to battle the monster of the Taliban that threatens our existence. Talibanistan is an insult to my Pakistan . I want my country back. Pakistan Paaindabad!
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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Bhutto - still our guiding spirit

Saturday, April 04, 2009
By Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani
The writer is prime minister of Pakistan


The Holy Quran ordains that martyrs never die. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, thus, lives in the annals of history, through his deeds and through his political philosophy. Decades after he mounted the gallows, he refreshes our minds like the morning breeze.

The most towering political personality of our recent history, he demonstrated immense courage in taking initiatives in the late 1960s and early 1970s to strike at the roots of a hackneyed system that was based on exploitation of the people by a handful of men.

When he founded the Pakistan People's Party in November 1967 the people, who believed that the exploitative system must be overhauled through drastic changes, expressed their support to the party which promised a moderate, modern and progressive Pakistan, socio-economic justice and an egalitarian society. The PPP then caused a phenomenon - the rise of a new breed of political workers drawn from all walks of life and different shades of opinion.

This was a major political movement in the country's history. It has continued to sustain itself and, despite conspiracies and repression let loose by dictatorial regimes, it has grown manifold. Even today, Shaheed Bhutto and his revolutionary programme are a major reference of commitment to pro-people ideals. On the other hand those who opposed him and his political thought find themselves in disarray and political confusion.

The people of Pakistan are lucky in the sense that they witnessed with contentment Shaheed Bhutto's illustrious daughter, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, pick up the political thread where the great leader had left it. She showed the same exemplary courage and commitment in advancing the political legacy of Shaheed Bhutto. She took the torch of democracy and justice into her hands and continued the endeavour to achieve the dream of her illustrious father – the empowerment of the exploited.

She too embraced martyrdom in her struggle to defeat dictatorship. Continuing the great mission of Shaheed Bhutto is now the obligation of the PPP leadership and workers.

I personally feel proud sitting in the chair which Shaheed Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had occupied to serve the people and to take historic decisions and steps to improve and promote the image of Pakistan as a democratic nation.

Historians, political analysts and commentators attach great importance to the era when our party's founding father was leading the turmoil-ridden country. They pay tribute to Shaheed Bhutto for his vision and foresight, his statesmanship, his charisma and his sharp understanding of issues. They describe that period as the most meaningful in our history.

The unanimous constitution adopted in 1973 was a task which only Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto could accomplish and the world witnessed this event with keen interest. The making of the constitution was one of the happiest moments of our political life. It was a great step forward. Constitutions had also been made and enforced in 1956 and 1962, but they had died their logical death because they had neither enjoyed popular support nor had been debated in parliament. Even the opinion of provincial leadership had not been sought. In contrast to this, the 1973 Constitution was a passion with Shaheed Bhutto. Its drafting and approval by parliament was the result of his patriotism, his commitment to the people, his enlightened thought and his deep sincerity. He held negotiations with the national and provincial leadership, convincing them about the importance of having the basic law for a country which had long been without a constitution. Although the constitution since then has been amended drastically and held in abeyance several times, it has an inherent strength that no despotic ruler has been able to weaken.

The supremacy of parliament was another political and democratic area which was very close to Shaheed Bhutto's heart. He made no compromise on his commitment to the state institutions, and the pre-eminence of parliament was his paramount concern. He never ignored parliament as he thought his political strength lay in taking it into confidence. He also held the armed forces in deep respect and wanted them to become the best in the world.

Every page of our history and every inch of our homeland bear a deep and illuminating impact of his revolutionary message and the dynamic political ideology he gave while launching his own political organization. He made all Pakistanis love their homeland, created an awareness in them of their inviolable rights and made the people feel that no one should infringe upon their self-respect. He went to meet the people in areas where no one had gone before.

Shaheed Bhutto founded the Pakistan People's Party at a time when the media was forced to follow a dictated policy and was not allowed to tread an unconventional path. This was a time when impartial and independent TV channels were not permitted and PTV was not allowed to cover events without government instructions. Even the newspapers more or less ignored the launching of the PPP. They reported big PPP rallies in single-column news items. But the great leader knew the art of mobilising public opinion. He intensified his political campaign and made it so effective that it directly reached the masses. His objective was clear and his voice powerful as he led his campaign like a crusader who has unshakable faith in the power of the people. He cherished the desire to take the country and the people to new heights of progress and prosperity. His contact with the people was direct and consummate. His bond with them was too strong to break.

Shaheed Bhutto established a stable democracy, strengthened state institutions and brought basic changes in the dispensation of socio-economic justice.

His ability to foresee the future was immense. He saw dangers rising in South Asia and ventured to make his country's defence impregnable. He decided that Pakistan must acquire nuclear technology, not only to defend itself from external threats but also for speedy development in all spheres.

This also means that Shaheed Bhutto had rightly felt that Pakistan was capable of providing leadership to the Muslim Ummah in the circumstances that were distressing and that made all Muslims feel concerned about their future. Within the country, the government of Shaheed Bhutto started a massive programme of infrastructural development and helped the provinces in that task with a mind to strengthen the federation as envisioned by the 1973 Constitution.

Who can forget the Second Islamic Summit Conference held in February 1974? This proved to be such a representative conference of the Islamic world as never witnessed before. The decisions of this conference were far-reaching. Also no one can forget that Shaheed Bhutto was the first leader who initiated socio-economic development in FATA, so that this underdeveloped but fertile territory was brought at par with other areas of the country. The dream he saw was the welfare of the down-trodden people living in these backward but most splendid valleys whose scenic beauty has no parallel in the world.

We are now trying hard to restore peace in these areas and resume their development as envisioned by our great leader. We strongly feel that the best tribute we can pay to him on his 30th death anniversary is that we transform Pakistan into a moderate, modern and progressive society, which was the hallmark of the Shaheed's era and which served as a source of inspiration for the Muslim world and the rest of the third world.

The repressive and oppressive dictatorial regime which followed the enlightened period of Shaheed Bhutto led the country towards obscurantism, which gravely threatens moderation and progressive thought.

But as the custodians of the enlightened political thought of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, we can combat such dangers with the power of commitment and conviction.

Today, we pledge solemnly to the founding father of our party, and to the people, on behalf of our government, and in my own personal capacity, that we will combat extremism and sectarianism with the help of the political ideology of Shaheed Bhutto, by taking steps to ensure the restoration of peace and progress in the country. We pledge that we will realise the idea of Pakistan as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam and Quaid-i-Awam.

Jiye Bhutto!!!
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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Nation of Pakistan-A message to my Country men

by ahmer!

How long before they realize they have killed 300000 for their 3000, and that too courtesy a charade they nearly pulled off and now its Marriott. Lets go down memory lane and see how others have been effected. Figures double to what I narrated. We still have hope, lets wake up. We could well be next, we are, they say it all day, we choose to ignore.
Try tallying all losses, civilian, three countries, and this number is less. And besides we live the 911 they experienced once. Our children aren’t safe, our families face the real heat. And unfortunately when buildings melt, transponders melt, we have never found a passport miraculously un-burnt that leads us to a war in some third country, from blood sucking vermin’s we enjoyed in Looney tunes, we dread the Oil sucking vermin’s that would go to any length to rape and victimize our nations, our generations all in the name of relief.

IT ALL STARTED FROM MY STATUS UPDATE ABOVE:
We elect, we re-elect, taken for a ride, memory spans trip like a counter every two years, new faces (revamped) new memories, new mistakes, new consequences, or is it? It’s a chain. We are the only nation that believes in refurbished leaders, sent packing courtesy contractual obligations, or self exile; they all end up at the same factory. Striking new deals, selling us long before selling their campaigns to us. Common man doesn’t know, nor will he, but why? For half the nation chooses not to make them selves heard. We hear the newly transplanted hair duo and third rated self acclaimed martyrs who have to sell out their fathers name to become a sellable commodity amidst the masses, make claims, of restoration of judiciary, electricity, food, shelter and you name it, they have a slogan for any problem, like FDA has a pill for every symptom. They keep on advertizing till you one day say, yeah I have that, I should go get it.

Common man, what does he do? Where does he go? Me, you, the people next door, or that distant bystander. Where does he go? Who does he go to? You choose not to support each other. Those I mention above throw the “160 million’s support” (Sola Crore Awam)slogan at you a dozen times a day and you believe it. Wake up. Half the nation doesn’t vote. That gives us a simple majority in the parliament if we were to stand for each other. The rest of the vote being divided amongst various parties, we would in fact have more than that.

How many more explosions do we need, how many more. Don’t look towards the west, don’t run there either. They are going down as the educated and privileged there are no less illiterate than us when it comes to policies, their leaders, their banks. The Federal Reserve Bank there isn’t owned by them. Its 16 people, wonder why the policies happen to be inclined towards one country. They themselves are hostages, how and why would they help? Can they? They have printed more bills than the gold required and are a century ahead of the deficit on the printing front. They suck Oil today for they need another collateral. FROM THE BLOOD SUCKING VERMINS WE ENJOYED FROM LOONEY TUNES, WE HAVE AN ALL NEW BREED OF OIL SUCKING VERMINS, MOLESTING AND VICTIMIZING OTHER NATIONS FOR THEIR (FAILED POLICIES) IN THE NAME OF RELIEF.

Claims of not negotiating with terrorists shall remain claims. They are a personal aide to the real terrorists, economic in nature or otherwise. Back in the day these were referred to as the middlemen for the fairer gender that were on the market. Today popular belief leads you to believe its some man wearing a velvet coat and driving a burgundy car with gold rims, but really it is who we see, telling us, trying to educate us, as to how badly we need their services to sort our misery.

So come to think of it we aren’t all that different from the majority there, so they would understand too if we rise today. They are as much hostages to their captive leaders as we are to ours. We have something in common. The mere difference being we are acquainted to grain and they are to waffles. They drive thru a franchise, it is thrown from planes here, 60kilo bag on a 40 kilo man. We are next.

Take a look below, visit the site as well. See what’s coming our way. Hell. Just tell me you are with me, lets stand, lets make our own fate, please, this time wont return. We are the only ones that stand a chance, if at all. We need each other, not these cancerous elements. Unite. Let’s show them we can rise above the divide they plant in the name of language, ethnicity, race, caste creed and religion.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. I PRAY THAT ALLAH HELPS US START SOMETHING. A CHANGE TAKES GENERATIONS, A REVOLUTION A GENERATION; TO EVOKE A REVOLUTION REQUIRES A SPARK. LET’S TRY AND DO OUR BIT. LET’S CREATE THAT SPARK AND SEE IF IT CATCHES FIRE. IF YOU ARE WORRIED TODAY WHO WOULD BELL THE CAT, WHO WOULD TAKE THEE BULLET, WHO WOULD TAKE A CHANCE ON BEING TORTURED, MY ANSWER IS, I WOULD. NOW WE HAVE ONE. I HAVE FOUND ONE BELIEVER IN ME, CAN YOU DO THE SAME.

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At least 687,079 people have been killed, and1,318,163 seriously injured in Afghanistan and Iraqsince the U.S. and coalition attacks, based on lowest credible estimates.
Casualties in Afghanistan Casualties in Iraq
Most recent update: September 5, 2008.This page is updated monthly.
More than 98 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1993-2004. About 229 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001.
Sources and methodology Notes about varying casualty counts cited elsewhere

No. of Casualties in Afghanistan:

Afghan troops killed: 8,587

Afghan troops seriously injured: 25,761

Afghan civilians killed: 3,485

Afghan civilians seriously injured: 6,273

U.S. troops killed: 513

U.S. troops seriously injured: 1,539

Other coalition troops killed: 433

Other coalition troops seriously injured: 1,299

Contractors killed: 75

Contractors seriously injured: 2,428

Journalists killed: 6

Journalists seriously injured: unknown

Total killed in Afghanistan: 13,099

Total injured in Afghanistan: 37,300

No. of Casualties in Iraq:

Iraqi troops killed: 30,000
Iraqi troops seriously injured: 90,000
Iraqi civilians killed: 638,579
Iraqi civilians seriously injured: 1,149,442
U.S. troops killed: 4,154
U.S. troops seriously injured: 30,324
Other coalition troops killed: 176
Other coalition troops seriously injured: 528
Contractors killed: 917
Contractors seriously injured: 10,569
Journalists killed: 154
Journalists seriously injured: unknown
Total killed in Iraq: 673,980
Total injured in Iraq: 1,280,863

Sources and methodology: (Source) All other relevant links are available there,

U.S. and coalition authorities rarely provide any public estimates of Afghan or Iraqi troop or civilian casualties or injuries. In this absence of official data, we present the latest and lowest credible estimates we’ve found. Where a range is estimated (for example, 2,500-4,000), the lower figure is always cited.

• Afghan troops killed: Based on an unpublished November 2003 estimate by Mark Herold, Ph.D at the University of New Hampshire, augmented by Dr. Herold’s tracking of media reports since. See Dr. Herold’s website for more information.

• Afghan troops seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops during wartime.

• Afghan civilians killed: Based on estimate and tracking by Dr. Herold through May 2003, and augmented from media accounts since then, as listed at Dr Herold’s website. Deaths since Dr Herold’s latest update (July 2004) are not included.

• Afghan civilians seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 1.8:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for civilians during wartime.

• U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan: US military deaths in Afghanistan are announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tallied at Wikipedia, which notes that “the American figure is for deaths ‘In and Around Afghanistan’ which, as defined by the U.S. Department of Defense, includes some deaths in Pakistan and Uzbekistan, the death of a DoD civilian employee, and the deaths of four CIA operatives.” According to Wikipedia, “As of September 3, 2008, there have been 884 coalition deaths in Afghanistan as part of ongoing coalition operations (Operation Enduring Freedom and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)) since the U.S. invasion in 2001. In this total, the American figure is for deaths “In and Around Afghanistan” which, as defined by the U.S. Department of Defense, includes some deaths in Pakistan and Uzbekistan[1], the death of a DoD civilian employee, and the deaths of four CIA operatives; and the Italian figure includes the death of an intelligence agent. In addition to these deaths in Afghanistan, 62 Spanish soldiers returning from Afghanistan were killed in Turkey on May 26, 2003 when their plane crashed.”

• U.S. troops seriously injured in Afghanistan: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know). Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops.

• Other coalition troops killed in Afghanistan: Coalition military deaths in Afghanistan are announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tallied at Wikipedia, which notes that “In addition to these deaths in Afghanistan, 62 Spanish soldiers returning from Afghanistan were killed in Turkey on May 26, 2003 when their plane crashed.” We have included these 62 dead.

• Other coalition troops seriously injured in Afghanistan: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know). Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops.

• Contractors killed in Afghanistan: Based on this July 2007 Reuters article, which cites US Department of Labor statistics obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The article reports that 75 private contractors had been killed in Afghanistan from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

• Contractors seriously injured in Afghanistan: Based on the same article, 2,428 private contractors had been seriously wounded in Afghanistan from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

• Journalists killed in Afghanistan: Based on numbers tracked by Wikipedia.

• Journalists seriously injured in Afghanistan: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know).

• Iraqi troops killed: Based on an estimate of 30,000 deaths, offered by US Gen. Tommy Franks, cited by the Washington Post on Oct. 23, 2003. No estimate has been made publicly since that time.

• Iraqi troops seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops during wartime.

• Iraqi civilians killed: Based on this study [pdf], published in the British medical journal The Lancet in October 2006. The study concluded that at least 392,979 Iraqi civilians had been killed in the occupation, in addition to deaths expected from Iraq’s normal death rate, through July 2006. The study’s mid-point estimate was 654,965, and its high estimate was 942,636. U.S. authorities, including President Bush himself, have loudly complained that the study is based on “flawed methodology” and “pretty well discredited,” but as often happens when Bush speaks, that’s simply untrue. The study was conducted by Johns Hopkins University, and used standard, widely accepted, peer-reviewed scientific methodology. Explained very briefly, Iraqi respondants in numerous randomly selected locations were asked about recent deaths in their households, and family members were able to show a death certificate to document 80% of the deaths they described. Results from these interviews were extrapolated nationwide, the same way political opinion polls extrapolate a few hundred interviews to reflect nationwide opinions. It’s the same method used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to estimate deaths from disease outbreak anywhere in the world, the same method routinely trusted by the U.S. and U.K. when counting deaths from warfare, civil unrest, or other situations anywhere in the world. From the study’s lowest estimate of 392,979 deaths occurring over the first 40 months of occupation, we have extended this rate of civilian deaths (9,824 deaths per month) over subsequent months of the occupation since the study was published.

• Iraqi civilians seriously injured: Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 1.8:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for civilians during wartime.

• U.S. troops killed in Iraq: Based on numbers announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tracked by the good folks at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.

• U.S. troops seriously injured in Iraq: Based on numbers announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tracked by the good folks at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. (According to this article by Salon reporter Mark Benjamin, an additional 25,289 service members had been evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan for injuries or illnesses, but not included in the official numbers and not included in the numbers presented on this page.)

• Other coalition troops killed in Iraq: Based on numbers announced by US Department of Defense and CENTCOM, and tracked by the good folks at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.

• Other coalition troops seriously injured in Iraq: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know). Posted number reflects our estimate, using a conservative, historically-based ratio of 3:1 (serious injuries to fatalities) for troops.

• Contractors killed in Iraq: Based on this July 2007 Reuters article, which cites US Department of Labor statistics obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The article reports that 933 private contractors had been killed in Iraq from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

• Contractors seriously injured in Iraq: Based on the same article, 10,569 private contractors had been seriously wounded in Iraq from the beginning of hostilities in 2001 through July 2007.

• Journalists killed in Iraq: Based on numbers tracked by Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.

• Journalists seriously injured in Iraq: To the best of our knowledge, this data is not publicly tracked (if you know a reliable source for this information, please let us know).

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

An appeal to those Pakistanis who think bashing Pakistan is cool

Auhtor: MantoLives

... pause and think about where you are and how much Pakistan has contributed to to where you are. ( A simple exercise would be to compare the number of Indian Muslim International Students to Pakistani International students on American and British campuses... In my day ... there were 30 Pakistanis to 1 Indian Muslim on an any given American University campus).

Whatever Pakistan’s flaws... it goes without saying that many are heavily indebted to it... I suppose one can only speak for one’s self... my mother would not be a highly successful doctor and a professional had it not been for her grandfather, an ardent Muslim leaguer, who forced the girls in his family to go to school... because he felt that now that Pakistan had been created ... it could only be sustained with women’s education.
Without my parents, both direct beneficiaries of Pakistan, I would be no where... So think... before you abuse the country next... whether you would have that scholarship, that university admission, that base for you to be where you are... had it not been for Pakistan.

Ofcourse this does not mean we blind ourselves to Pakistan’s flaws - of which there are many and some of them most ridiculous- but we must correct them as Pakistanis indebted to Pakistan...

As Benjamin Franklin said ... My country right or wrong... if right to continue to be right and if wrong to make right.
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