Better To Die Than To Be Alive!!!
by AYUB JAN SARHANDI
The people of this city as well as of the country are in hue and cry with the uprising price hike and other problems, but the leaders of the political parties and of the Government seem just struggling to get their power more and more and to be stronger than their nearest rivals. No one seems interested in the problems of the people and as in this city beside the price hike and other civic problems; the law and orders situation is so worst that the people do not feel safe in the broad daylight moving in the city; every
sort of crime is seen here but all the parties even the government are just busy in a power game. They just need share in power; no one seems concerned with the miseries of the people. The MQM and PPP struggling just to get on the point to be together and share the power but they do not even seem having any sign to feel the miseries of the people of this city who are suffering for every sort of crimes and terrorism. The allegation and counter allegations are seen among the leaders of the parties and the situation is going from bad to worse in this city. The crime rate and fear and tension increasing but no body seems interested to minimize them; all are involved to get some power and use every sort of efforts to be in power. A few days ago the MQM Leadership had warned against a conspiracy to destroy peace in Karachi but we never seen a peaceful Karachi from last two decades and every sort of crime and bloody games are played in this city by the criminals, terrorists and the politicians. All of them use this city and spoil the life of the people who do not feel safe in this city. The leaders just shower long statements but they do not even realize the miseries of the people.
The recent statement of the MQM leadership added more fear as the leadership said that arms had been brought into this city and distributed among miscreants. They have not named and particular part or person but made oblique references about certain elements. Soon after warning ominous incidents have been taken place in the city. There have been unprovoked attacks on political activists, some unidentified person fired at Bilawal house also. Two members of Mutahida were killed in landhi while other workers were injured in Ranchore line and other areas but no one is seen arrested in such incidents and the Police and law enforcing agencies seen like a puppet in this city as criminals can move around and play their bloody game. No body is seen concerned in the on-going crime and killing in the city just they blame each other and put allegations on each other but the question is that from where do these killers come? Aren't they human beings? Do they belong to this earth? Why can't they be caught and seen? Where are the law-enforcing agencies? We never get any answer of these questions as on each and every killing one party puts blame on other while others put on them! And this is going on from decades whereas the security agencies and police seem like silent spectators and hence no action is ever seen.
Politically, sometimes they appear to be more concerned and show the arrest of innocent people but the main culprits are never seen booked. Now the Mutahida alleged that the terrorists belong to Mahajir qaumi Movement HAQIQI and they are involved in target killings in the city, But the Haqiqi and Sunni tehrik have also leveled similar allegations against Mutahidda Qaumi Movement. This is not the first time we are seeing these allegation and counter-allegations. It's a routine affair but where are the police, rangers and other agencies? Why can't they be able to book the real culprits? It is a mystery and we need to solve it. It's really a time that the Police and Rangers and other
agencies must act promptly. They must fulfill their responsibility and act to uncover the miscreants whosoever they are before they do more harm to the peace of the city as the people of this city are already in fear and tension and in the grip of every sort of problems. At least they need peace so that they can even earn one meal for their loved ones. If the Police and Ranger and other agencies are so much incompetent then what is use of these forces? Let the people protect themselves and have the weapons in their hands.
Indonesian Cultural dances
The Indonesian Consulate held a cultural show at the Travel festival which was held during last week at Park Tower. The Indonesian Cultural dances were the hot item at the festival which was enjoyed by the numbers of audience mostly all the 4 days of the Festival. The Indonesian Dances are very popular as the dresses are colorful and the steps taken during the dances are perfect and enthrall the audience and the people of Indonesia, including elaborate dance dramas as well as dances intended solely to display grace of movement. Indonesian dance has three main traditions: the Javanese, in eastern Java; the Sundanese, in western Java; and the Balinese. Javanese and Sundanese include folk and courtly styles, but in Bali these are merged into a single style shared by all social classes. In general, Indonesian dance is slow in tempo, with controlled, reserved motions. The dancers stay close to the ground (in contrast to the high leaps of Western ballet), and arm and hand movements are important. Sundanese dance tends to be more sensuous and expansive than Javanese and Balinese dance. The dance of Indonesia was strongly 
influenced by the diffusion of Indian culture in the 1st millennium ad. At The festival the Indonesian Consulate participated to present their cultural dances but they did not invite any cultural troupe from Indonesia but they performed at the festival with the staff of their consulate who presented their cultural dances so perfectly that one can say that they are more than professional dancers. The consuls and their wife presented these dances and really enthralled the audience on all the 4 days of the festival. Their performances were highly appreciated and the audience gives them big applause on each and every item they present. Those Indonesian consulate staff and their wives who presented the dances at the occasion were Poniman and his wife Nur, wife of the Consul Djoko Mrs Tresnasari Sulastomo, Juli Andri, Mrs Kadio and Ms Nuke Nurjanah. All the dancers performed marvelously. They presented a very popular dance of Indonesia called Paco-poco. This is a very popular line dance which originally comes from the Minahasa people in Sulawesi. The steps are said to originate from farming activities such as picking cloves, planting rice, hoeing the fields and peeling coconut fiber. The Poco-poco dance become very popular throughout Indonesia a few years ago and has been integrated into aerobic classes and at dance schools throughout Indonesia. It has become one of many dances that young and old want to learn. Many organisations 
hold Poco-poco dance competitions and it is also a popular dance for celebrations such as weddings, birthdays and Independence Day. This dance has really become famous here in the city also and many audiences who see the dance can't hold themselves and start dancing with the performers. The audiences are even seen asking the song and the music cassettes from the organisors as this music and song really have real melodies and those who hear it can't hold their steps not to go on stage. Anyway, this dance performance of Indonesian consulate staff really entertained the guests and helped to introduce the Indonesian cultural dances here. The Indonesia is celebrating 100 years of National awakening and for this they considered 2008 as the visit Indonesia year and inspiring the tourists all over the world to visit this land of beauty and culture. At the festival the Consul General of Indonesia Mustakim Komar was seen really happy as their cultural show had become hot cake. They also put an Indonesian stall on which the Consul Djoko and other Consuls were distributing the magazines and other information about Indonesia and encouraging the people to visit and see the land of beauty and culture and they also giving information about getting the Indonesian visa. Also the Indonesian products were on sale at the occasion. Anyhow the Cultural show of the Indonesian really entertains the guest and they enjoyed it and appreciated the performance of the Dancers. Well done Indonesian Consulate.
Thailand Exhibition
The Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce Royal Thai Government in Association of Royal Thai Consulate a three-day single country exhibition held at a local hotel on the title Thailand Exhibition 2008.The Federal Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was the Chief Guest while Ms Usa Wijarurn, Minister Councellor Royal Thai embassy Dhaka specially come to the city for the exhibition. The Chief Guest Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with the Consul General of Thailand Joompol Manaschuang and other jointly cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Exhibition. There were different stalls on which the Thai products were on display and the Federal Minister along with the Consul general of Thailand visited different stalls and get the information about the products. Around 33 Thai companies with 9 categories of products including Chemical, Construction material, hardware and machinery, food and beverages, health and beauty, leather and footwear, furniture and other Thai products displayed at the Exhibition Federal Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while talking at the occasion hoped that bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Thailand would grow manifold with the regular holding of trade exhibition. At the inaugural ceremony of Exhibition, the minister said holding of such exhibitions on regular basis, would go a long highlighting Karachi worldwide as a normal city where trade activities were continuing without any fear of violence. He hoped Pakistani exporters would also display their products in Thailand to draw attention of their buyers, which would ultimately help boosting country's export in diversified field. While talking to the media at the occasion the Federal Minister hinted at further increase in petroleum products prices, holding the previous government responsible for inflation in the country. He said that the government might not be able to provide relief to the people on petroleum products. He said that the country badly needed dams to meet the increasing water and power demands. He said that construction of Kalabagh dam was significant. However, it could be initiated with consultation of all stakeholders. He said that judges would be reinstated within the stipulated 30 days' period and expressed hope that the National Assembly would pass resolution in this connection with a majority of vote. Abbasi said that the government still holds the option of impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf. However, there is no such move under deliberation. He said that there were talks for political reconciliation. He said that there were no differences with Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).
Urging local exporters, the Commerce Minister said that they should hold a single country exhibition in Thailand for increasing the country's exports. He termed the Thai Exhibition as an important event and hoped that it would boost bilateral trade ties between the two countries. Thai Consul-General, Joompol Manaschuang said we have full confidence in the economic potential of Pakistan as hub of trade activities of the region and this consecutive trade exhibition bears testimony to this fact. He said by the end of the current year or beginning of the next year, Thailand would open permanent commercial office in Islamabad, which would help strengthen trade ties between both the countries. He said during the tenure of the present government, bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Thailand would grow with leaps and bounds. He said there were many potential sectors in which Pakistan and Thailand could mutually benefit which includes hotel and tourism, construction, leather, agro-based industries and fisheries, power generation and infrastructure development.
Anyhow the Exhibition was visited by a large number of business communities along with the people from all walks of life and they show keen interest in the displayed product. It was one of the successful exhibitions of Thai product in the city and such exhibition from Pakistan side must be needed to hold in Thailand to introduce our product there in Thailand.
