Much Ado About Nothing
So Mr. Musharraf resigned and awaits a befitting fate. Why are we so worried about what happens to the former president or what is going to be the coalition's next step? Have we conveniently forgotten all about atta, daal, roti, mehangai and the other pressing issues that are in truth more relevant and noteworthy than mere politics? Politics, too, which could never have its agenda straightened out in 61 years. And 61 years is a lifetime in today's time frame division.
People have short memories and voters have even shorter ones it seems. We are the same public who bring in one ruler and then dispose off him only to produce another, who is no better or may be worse than the previous. It is not as simple as letting bygones be bygones. It is a flaw in the basic character of the nation. We have long forgotten what democracy is and we may not even ever remember it again. Today, there are more important issues than trying to follow what's being done by whom because they all do the same. It is the U.S. - their wish is our command. Write as much as we can, nothing much can be done about it. So my suggestion is to limit our concerns to our family and personal lives and how to be better humans. Only that might bring in some fruitful results.
Azam Shahensha
Following Blindly!
Today, an in-depth analysis of what we have, and what we follow blindly, is in order. We have been adhering to three kinds of governments uptil now: 1) military dictatorship, 2) civilian dictatorship, and 3) so-called democracy. The first two have been handed down to us from history, from the very beginning of dynastic imperialism, which had nothing to do with the Islamic institution of Khilafat. But, the third and last is the construct of the modern, European model.
The fact is that our modern model of democracy is based on electing the most popular man from amongst the nation's list of representatives. Most popular means the one who would write off massive personal loans, dissolve all cases, and will avert his eyes from the devastation of the recent past. Khilafat had a much bigger ideal: to select the best man from the nation, not the most popular, who would not look away from the transgressions of individuals and bodies, and who would punish those who have caused great loss to the nation!
Rakht
Dalbandin
Is it for Real?
A few days ago I headed to a nearby general store to buy some groceries only to find it closed for the Namaz break. I decided to come after half an hour but still it had not opened. Surprised, I asked around and realized that most of the shops in the area were closed not because they have suddenly rediscovered their spiritual side but a sub-divisional magistrate was on round checking shops who are charging high prices. That made me question the reasons that are often quoted behind the rising graph of inflation and whether it is for real or not, which apparently seemed to be created by the shop owners in this case, otherwise why had they run away to save themselves from the SDM's wrath?
I later came to know that this was exactly the case as flour that was supposed to cost Rs. 125 now is still being sold for Rs. 155 per kg. What does a citizen who lives below the poverty line do in such a scenario? I fail to comprehend. If roti is so expensive, what do these poor souls actually eat? Another vivid example is that of a local beverage that is openly advertised as being sold at a lesser price than the one charged by the shopkeepers. But they refuse to budge. One cannot argue with them or else they ask you to move on and buy from somewhere else. I wonder where we are headed. It is without doubt a jungle out there in which everyone is working for his own vested interest. Only the fittest, the toughest and the wily survive.
Safa Mishal Khan
In The Name of Religion
It gives me goose bumps to think about the recent instance of suicide bombing in Dera Ismail Khan, a heinous act carried out by fanatics, yet, once again. And all in the name of religion. The scholars and the enlightened propagators of Islam need to come on a platform and impart to the nation that Islam does NOT preach killing your own brethren. And that, too, the suffering. How can anyone be this cruel? People who are already suffering from bad health or other such ailments that need urgent care can be targeted, is beyond comprehension. Who are these mad bombers who are killing the sick, children, young and old without any fear of the Hereafter? These murderers are condemned by all of us… they are murderers, they are killers, and we must seek guidance from our Holy Book on how to deal with such miscreants.
Sara Subhani
via e-mail
Quote Me Not
"After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign."
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf
“When I was kidnapped, my parents snapped into action. They rented out my room.”
Woody Allen
US movie actor, comedian, and director
