When the highest budgeted institutions go weak ..

Its quiet a known thing now, that Pakistan military has got increasingly high budgets with priorities to defense rather than education and health, the more important issues. However, there are also serious concerns raised that all these years of increased taxes, miserable living standards, inflation, crime, suicides and poverty due to the defense priority still leave defense a weak and worthless institution.

I Keep wondering on how can there possibly me SO many security and intelligence breaches? Every other day an attack on the armed forces causing a shocking damage, a successful breakthrough and a significant hole in the hopes of the people. It’s quite obviously our war as our assets and institutions at risk, eyed and under question. Six men really? More powerful than our navy? 16 hours to get back the premises with 2 terrorists escaping? What more shall come your way, one has no idea. Rangers, Navy, CID, yes go on attacking and prove of proud we shall be of our institutions and strength. Honestly, it’s a highly disappointing state of affairs. A poll regarding it by Express Tribune at FaceBook, shows this lack of confidence towards its government as majority have voted a ‘No’ when asked  ‘Do you believe the government and military are narrating a true picture of the navy base attack?’.

No answers, even no hope for them. Probably our worthy institutions just know how to kill, beat and torture their own people as protection against few armed men they can’t have for themselves. Defense high budgets show the importance our country lays on defense, which as stated if cut my half can lower so much of poverty and misery for the people of Pakistan. Armed forces were once high esteemed to protect the country while its people slept peacefully in their homes but perhaps they are just stories now. Our armed forces give us great hopes being everywhere and in all institutions and businesses except doing the job entrusted upon . them. A depressing state of affairs..indeed

Pakistan (Land of Pure), land most in need to respect Individuality & let justice previal

The history and time of the country I am born in has always been conflicting and contradicting. A country tore apart from a powerful and rich area, the Indian subcontinent. This land of pure was always plagued under the greed for power and control. Politics here was hence always a dirty game.

From getting control from the Indian Hindus, to getting a Pakistan for the Muslims with loss of several innocent lives and avoidable bloodshed, this new country was born with bloodshed and religion possessiveness. The reasons for separation was merely not being able to anymore co-exist with the same people we had for years just because they were different, of a different religion. But it wasn’t far enough that history proved that the differences were with people of the same religion too, Muslims living in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

Pakistan has now become a vulnerably used state. Anyone and everyone can freely avail it to their advantage; all you need is money and perhaps a bit of contacts and speaking. Among the existing hopelessness in the country due to being torn down by countless problems, there still rare patriotism among people. The same reason that bring in this hope, happiness and unity i.e. cricket can be a killed hope for these people, as the increasing scandals with our cricketers and match-fixing.

West Pakistan becoming Pakistan still didn’t see the end of its trouble. The country to date is highly divided with differences, now on ethnic grounds and a new wave of extremism, intolerance and terrorism in the name of religion. Ethnic differences are again controversial to many as they say these nationalities and their identities. But, the division in this identity and pride is also clearly distinct from unity under the hood of being a nation of diverse people. If a party has a Pashtun leader it’s a party of the Pathans, if it has a Punjabi leader it’s a party of the Punjabis and so on. The trend has lasted from the birth of the state and that has several reasons to it. The problem is a hard nut to crack as even after 60 years of existence of the country.

Every individual is different, unique and special. God’s creation is not worthless. Every human understands the language of love and desires peace. And the best peace for Pakistanis, is protection through Justice. Every party talks about things that have never pleased me and so I left following news even though I want to specialize in International Relations because for me, no one was speaking something most important and beneficial to all. The key to peace is respecting individuality, every individual is different and it’s a diverse world out there. Everyone is a struggler and a survivor, when you respect people as they are, differences are respected and diversity can co-exist to bring together unity, humanity and a much peaceful world (with time hopefully).

An extremely confusing state of affairs

It is an interesting issue to keep eyes on, probably the world is but at the same time it surely is a confusing one too. Peace in South Asia has to come, all efforts being made for its gradual occurrence but the way states are torn apart due to pressures and self interests really confuses the state of affairs around here.

Pakistan has a strategic importance due to which Mr.Obama said as his answer to an Indian girl over why Pakistan is not termed as a terrorist state by the US. Pakistan has all the pressures to do more, cooperate, curb terrorist networks in Pakistan, back policies for Afghanistan and what not! Even working on these terms blames and harsh comments are aired every now and then against Pakistan. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates states that US has no plans to send troops into Pakistan. Agrees that US is impatient and himself tells that Pakistan has put 140,000 troops on its Western borders to fight Taliban and other terrorists networks. Something if told to him 2 years back he won’t believe. It was also interesting to learn from his statements at the discussion at the Wall Street Journal’s CEO council meeting that Pakistan had withdrawn six divisions from the Indian Border to deal with this problem. Yet, Pakistan’s presence was invisible in the Nato Lisbon Summit, while discussing Afghanistan.

US wants India, Pakistan to support a transition in Afghanistan in view of its new Afghanistan strategy but still the Lisbon Summit, billed as the most important meeting in the 61-year history of the alliance failed to give Pakistan its due credit and role. Pakistan is needed for cooperation on bringing stability to Afghanistan by the US yet its presence was ‘uninvited and invisible’ generally in the summit.

It is also interesting to hear the rare confession of Nato’s senior civilian representative to Afghanistan Mr. Mark Sedwill that talks with the Haqqani network weren’t going well as “the kind of demands they are making cannot be met by any Afghan government”. So that explains how difficult the talks and fulfilling demands are and hence even aren’t as easy thing for Pakistan. Yet Mr.Sedwill has to say that ‘scale and pace of transition’ would depend upon on quickly Pakistan ends the terrorist sanctuaries in its tribal areas.

Earlier this year, Afghanistan had a major policy shift deciding to send officers to Pakistan for training as the major commitment Nato is expecting from its member countries is training programme. The pilot programme could not take place because of fears in Afghanistan and the West that the move may annoy Indians.

Wow! The US really thinks about not to annoy the Indians and has plans to include India later on as a permanent member of the Security Council but conveniently forgets to consider Pakistani sentiments at all. These confused moves and statements about knowing Pakistan is doing a lot which they might not believe if told to them 2 years back and are just impatient, knowing talks aint easy and demands unacceptable to meet, yet putting the increased continuous pressure that Pakistan should do more and back US strategies, cooperate with India and help in the reconciliation process to make peace in Kabul are the most weirdest, strangest contradictory statements to hear!

They surely annoy the Pakistani sentiment a lot. The country is struggling with internal issues yet doing its best as an international responsibility but decisions made are just so bias. Pakistan is taken so much for granted. I don’t think anything would work out for Afghan, War on terror, India, Taliban, etc if Pakistan is not given it’s due share of respect and importance. Underestimating Pakistan and taking it for granted would only give rise to resistance and hatred among the Pakistani who would not want to pursue US policies which fail to acknowledge any Pakistani interests or security and peace to its people. These controversial statements surely demotivate Pakistan to comply with working for peace in the given scenarios. I don’t blame you Pakistani government, we put in a tough dilemma among such confusing state of affairs.

Women’s Cricket Team Makes Nation Proud!

Pakistani cricket fans were amazed by the wonderful performance by the women’s cricket team at the Asian Games, creating history by bagging gold. The first gold medal for the country in the present Asiad was won by crushing Bangladesh in the finals by 10 wickets.

While the crazy cricket fans around the nation were suffering hopelessness with the increasing controversies and scandals among the cricket board, and the unsatisfactory performances of the players, their hopes have surely got a new life with this win! It is surely amazing how these girls in green have put up an amazing performance and earned the nation the honour. Women are always underestimated; this win surely answers a lot of people who hold the biasness within them and great news for believers in women’s power.

Go girls! May you never lose the spirit and bring about loads of such victories to the nation!

Pakistan is surely proud of all of you J

Power Corrupts: Ministry Should pay Saudi Fine

The annual pilgrimage of Hajj has surely seen enough scandals and controversies every year, the recent ones including the problems caused by corruption of real estate agents however, the ways by which elite in Pakistan get highly discriminated privileges is another unfair bias. Power surely corrupts and Pakistani politicians have attracted enough attention towards corruption in Pakistan especially in the hands of our dear politicians. Chartered planes and doing Hajj with support of government expenses in the most luxurious ways by families and friends of our dear politicians have already been a source of agony for the general masses, who are burdened with inflation and having a hard time coping with all the shortages of the country making their life miserable. However, the ever increasing taxes and stressed life of the masses is an alien phenomena to the elite class to seem to exploit masses fully to pay for their ever luxurious unjustified trips.

The chartered plane of PIA carrying friends and families (189 people-passengers and crew) of Interior Minister Rehman Malik flew to Saudi Arabia after the deadline for the last Hajj flight had passed. This special flight landed in Jeddah with the delay of 14 and a half hours just because some close friends and relatives had to be accommodated.Without securing permission from the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority, the plane left for Jeddah under pressure from higher authorities. Knowing that  it would lead to a fine by the Saudi authorities and could lead to confiscation of the plane. After diplomatic intervention, the flight was not confiscated but a fine of Rs. 4.8 million has been imposed by the Saudi government. The PIA facing unprecedented losses already has asked the interior ministry to pay the fine as it is unable to do so. Interestingly, it is also learnt that the expenses were actually borne by some other people including a real estate developer however the impression given was that they are being met by the Interior minister. 


This special flight not only upset the PIA schedule for Europe and other important regions but is also an embarrassing incident for the nation. The use of power to self advantages have always been a source of unfair discrimination and hopelessness among the masses, but the politicians that should be guarding the state's interests and working for the welfare of the people seem to have long forgotten their duty. Such incidents damage the reputation of Pakistan internationally as well as break the hopes of the people when it comes to these politicians. With the image of Pakistan already suffering internationally, such irresponsible and arrogant behaviours by our ministers is the worst of the things happening. One can only wish system changes and they can be held accountable!

Japanese Vice Minister Nakayama Says ‘Sorry’ for Gaffe Against Women

Mr.Yoshikatsu Nakayama, the vice minister of economy, trade and industry sent his regrets via email to women who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit (APEC) in early October and who were taken aback by Mr. Nakayama’s old-fashioned remark about Japanese women’s role in society.


Mr. Nakayama remarks faced heated criticism made before an audience of about 300 business women and other participants representing the 21 member economies of APEC last month He stated that “Japanese women find pleasure in working at home and that has been part of Japanese culture.”
Adding to it he said  “That should be given more credit through (raising their husbands’) salaries, but it has become impossible as the situation surrounding men became severe.” 


His infamous remarks hummed back the gender bias existing in the modern era and hence made the listeners feel unpleasant. The apology may be for whatever reasons possible but the remarks are a hard to forget as they reflect upon the existing thinking even in high profiled people containing bias against women. It reflects upon the thinking that women's role is confined to home and the hurdles culture creates for women's freedom and development. The remarks though targeted to Japanese women aren't confined to them. They address a wider picture of the portrayed image. When policy makers or people in influential position bear this mindset then progress towards a free, fair and equal society seems a distant dream and an on-going fight. Surely it has been an on going fight and a battle with such mindsets and a restructuring of the role of women is essential. These remarks would surely strengthen the cause and is an eye-opener to the modern day existing biases towards women even in a developed society like that of Japan.

China catches the cricket bug !

The Chinese have finally discovered cricket! 

Cricket was never known to Chinese. They did not grow up watching or playing it. However, the sport has now gained momentum in the country. Students gather everyday after university classes at different fields such as football pitch, volleyball pitch, etc to practice cricket. And, are liking the sport too!

The sport is surely new to the Chinese but they are pretty determined and focused on their efforts towards it. Having targets set already for not just playing but winning from major cricketing nations. Observers say that when China chooses to develop a sport it always gets result. The question of gathering talent and developing on it for the sport to achieve the set targets is however a story time has to tell. The Chinese students portray impressive enthusiasm for the sport and I really look forward to seeing the Chinese cricket team compete with the world in the coming time.

For the world, look out! A competitor is about to set foot in the cricket fields and may steal the show with its new-found cricket craze