Good Governance
The words would need to be changed by myself again and again to keep this post publishable. Feel free to substitute the choicest of words from your own vocabulary. There could be a dozen or more topics that I could write about where good governance would be badly needed.
Could someone tell our esteemed ministers (no matter which one) that to blame the past 8 years or the ones before that would not solve anything. A saying goes "where there is a will, there is a way".
Swat Exodus or the IDPs they can easily blame from Jinnah till Musharraf that they made the mess, who #$%$^& errr messed up, by not planning properly for handling them. Or was it again a fault of people before them that they do not plan anything.
I would for this post at least focus more on Electricity Crisis. Stop blaming the west. Stop blaming everyone else. Let's start blaming ourselves. Why can't an elected person (a Minister) be put to task, if they fail to increase the output in a given time. After all how hard would it be. I would like to think that to establish small generation systems (preferably green) would not take more than 4 months. After all if someone can privately order a windmill or solar panels and have them working for them within a short span of 2 months, why can't they as being part of government sanction a 100 if not 1000 of these projects.
Heck the amount they are charging for each unit, i sometimes fear what would the electricity bill be if the electricity is there for the whole month.
Mujinks
Googled Positive News Pakistan and Wow!
All day I have had a bitter taste in my mouth, combined with this choking heavy feeling. Whatever I do, whatever I read gets overshadowed by the negative coverage our media broadcasts. I am all for freedom of speech, justice and bringing forth the truth... but... there are ways of going about things. Anyways that is altogether a different discussion.
As I was about to switch off my computer tonight I thought, "There is not one positive thing i have read or heard today." Not wanting to sleep under this blanket of pessimism, I opened Google and typed positive news. Didn't get a hit to my liking so did a second search and googled "positive news Pakistan".
What i saw was not something i was expecting. An article or two is what I was expecting to get. But a whole site dedicated to positive Pakistan.
WOW!!!
Haven't looked through the site as yet. Even finding such a site was enough to disperse all negativity. If your site is what I think it is then count me as a regular.
Just wanted to THANK YOU in advance for thinking of this.
Sharmeen
PakPositive: It's been online for a while now, and you're most welcome. Thank you. :)
Pakistan & the U.S. - East Meets West
People of Pakistan and people of the US operate in such different contexts that it is hard to imagine that their fates are somehow linked.
The people of Pakistan stood up to restore their chief justice. The realization may not have fully descended yet, but this is a history changing event. People power has another reference point for positive achievement. Publicized properly, this has the potential to snow ball, with implications for Pakistan as well as internationally. The last time people power achieved something similar was when the people were able to force the elite class to restore Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.
The people of the US rose up against the Vietnam war back in the 70s with such force that it was not for another 30 years that the US openly went to war again. Should the people of the US rise up again against waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan it would have an immediate and profound impact on the lives of the people of Pakistan.
But why would they do such a thing ?
They may do so out of inspiration. One does not have be big or glamorous to inspire. The story or the defeated king and the spider demonstrates that.
They may also do this out of plain self interest, as the war is costing them more than they can hope to pay for within their lifetimes and beyond.. These wars have mortgaged the future of America's children.
To get to the end point, they may have to go back to the starting point, i.e., the event that created the excuse for America to go to war.
Like the Pakistani people got their victory by sticking to the truth of the accusations levelled on Nov 3, the people of the US can have theirs by revisiting 911.
The events on 911 have a grave significance, they resulted in 3,000 American deaths and became the basis for the murder of almost 1.3 million Iraqis and thousands of people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It is a matter of some importance as to who was responsible for the carnage on 9112001. As that is the basis for the greatest military adventure the US has ever embarked upon, supposedly to punish the culprits responsible for those events. Therefore, who is actually responsible for 911 is a matter of some significance.
When a country with the most advanced military in the world gets ready to wipe out a million beings of human origin, or in other words their next of kin, it had better make sure that this does not turn out to be a holocaust of mistaken identity.
However, such precautions were not taken. Only US$15 million were spent to investigate 911 and put together the 911 commission report. In comparison about US$65 million were spent to investigate president Clinton about possibly inaccurate statements involving the creative use of a cigar and real estate deals.
Eight years later, after the murder of 1.3 million human beings, a massacre of mass proportions, the questions remains as relevant as it was on Sept 12 2001, if not more.
Who ?
There has been a disturbing amount of evidence pointing towards a massive cover up relating to 911. The most disturbing conclusion which appears to be gaining increasing currency amongst the people of the US is that the bald eagle is holding the smoking gun.
This is a claim of unusual import and it is not without supporting evidence. But then again evidence can be accumulated for or against anything and much of that may not be evidence at all.
Professor Noam Chomsky believes it is entirely irrelevant as to who is responsible for 911. Furthermore, according to him, "Even if it [i.e., the US government is responsible for 911 and not foreign terrorists], were true which is extremely unlikely, who cares ! " His view about who is responsible for JFK assassination is "who knows" and furthermore "who cares".
I agree with his statement to the extent that 1.3 million people would still be dead whether the US government was responsible for 911 or Al Qaeda.
In that context "who" is not the relevant question. The relevant point is that the American public would go along with a proposed massacre in response to a perceived attack by a non state player. In order words the US public is fine with declaring war on countries in response to perceived attacks by a non state player.
The alternate explanation is that American public never agreed with it.. They just never objected strongly enough. Who would have thought, there would be a such a dear price to pay for not objecting strongly enough.
I have a friend from Pakistan who had to pay dearly for not objecting strongly enough to a marriage proposal by his parents. They went ahead and confirmed the engagement in his absence. Upon strong protest they argued that if he was not amenable to it he should have protested strongly back then.. A lack of strong protest was taken as a signal of consent.
Never could I imagine that something similar could transpire outside a village in southern Punjab, leave alone in USA, the country with the highest per capita lawyers and highest per capita inventors.
I further agree with Naom Chomsky's statement relating to JFK to the extent that JFK would still be dead whether it was a deranged man who killed him or the US government.
However, a mildly reasonable and objective person would admit the possibility that had JFK escaped assassination, he may not have allowed an invasion of Vietnam, which Lyndon Johnson actively precipitated. Also, the US invading Afghanistan or Iraq without blaming them both for 911 may not have been sell-able at home and an invasion may never had taken place.
In short, we would have been looking at a very different history of the world.
Now to the extent that these two events are history changers, I believe most people care who was responsible for 911 and most people would like to know who killed JFK. The suspicion that the same force is responsible for both seemingly unconnected events further adds to the interest in the matter.
Furthermore, it is of interest for the same reason why the justice system in a society, spends so much time and effort trying to ascertain who is the perpetrator of a grisly murder of an ordinary individual. At the lofty level to satisfy the demands of justice. But at a practical level to make sure that directed retribution by the justice system keeps the criminal encroachment from becoming a free for all. To make sure that the same murderer does not commit another murder and his example keeps other murderers from joining in. If murderers of ordinary people started getting away with it, society may very well collapse.
The same argument applies to mass murder. However, it seems that mass murderers get away with it in relative ease. They are termed conquerers, in case of victory and war criminals in case of defeat.
Presidential murderers going unpunished or the suspicion of mini massacre of a people by its government pushed under the rug therefore is a matter of grave import. Not easily dismissed with someone saying who knows and who cares no matter what their standing or position in society..
Also to the extent that should the truth relating to 911 come out in the open, the current US adventure in Afghanistan and Iraq may have to end abruptly due to mass protests at home, and withdrawal of international support, may also be a strong justification as to why the people should care, not just of US but also of Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and the world at large..
That the people of the US can take a cue from the people of Pakistan in getting the will of the people recognized is ironic. But it is reality. When a sleeping nation awakens such ironies become fact.
Here is another irony.
The Pakistan Army has lost twice the number of troops in operations in the tribal area, as compared to US military in Afghanistan. However, in the view of the US, Pakistan is not doing enough to deal with the Taliban militants in Pakistan and they continue to pose a threat to US forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan has lost about 1,500 troops to date in the tribal area and swat operations. The US army has lost about 700 and other coalition forces have lost about 500 troops during the entire occupation of Afghanistan. Someone bombs the US.
Now that the US is raising its military presence in Afghanistan by 50% and even contemplating carpet bombing of Balochistan, the interests of the people of Pakistan and US are more aligned than ever.
Both peoples can avoid bankruptcy in the financial and moral sense by exposing the facts relating to 911, a day that shall live in infamy in the annals of history.
As for the jihadis in Pakistan's backyard, no one should be naïve enough to think that American departure will make them less of a nuisance. That is again where the interests of the people of Pakistan are aligned with that of the rest of the world. Justice with strict law enforcement and development is the answer not military operation.
Pakistan Among Fastest Telecom & Data Services Growth Countries
Pakistan is mentioned as one of the fastest growing country for telecommunications in a recent UN report on technology. It is very encouraging to know that there is realization in Pakistan that mobile phones and mobile telecommunications can help developing countries like us to improve our economy. The report says specifically about Pakistan that "Some developing countries, though, have moved up considerably in the Index over the five-year period, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam. This is partly due to high mobile cellular growth, coupled with an increase in Internet users."
Many new technologies, especially mobile data services, have taken a strong footprint in Pakistan. Wireless GSM devices are very popular amongst Pakistani consumers. Text Messages and multimedia messaging services (SMS, MMS, etc) have experienced tremendous growth. Like SMS, GPRS backed internet on cellular phone is also becoming quite popular. Unlimited GPRS and time-based hourly internet packages by Zong, for example, are appealing to more customers for mobile internet access.
According to a recent report by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, Pakistanis, on average, exchanged 68.51 Million text messages per day during January-March 2008, a phenomenal rise with 85 million users in the country.
Ali Nizari
Recession and Grace
Seems interesting that everyone is focused on talking about recession and how it impacts people from all around the world. Many companies have even used the global recession as an excuse for "delayed salaries" and reimbursements. However, it is ironical how life for the owners and the executive board goes on unaffected.
If I am not being too blunt, then I suppose the best way to put it is: "it seems the big bosses don't get affected too much". However, my observation of the Pakistan technology market reveals a different story.
If anyone's interested, do let me know, I'll be more than happy to share my review of the Pakistani Technology Market.
99names
Fed up by the negative
I am also an ordinary Pakistani like yourself who is fed up by the negative coverage that Pakistan gets on international media. I have been away from Pakistan for quite some years but it doesn't matter as my only identity is my country of origin. Honestly speaking there are times when I resent it but I guess a lot of other nationalities do that as well. After all no nation is perfect.
My wife is a journalist and she writes opinions in international publications. We spend an awful lot of our time reading international press and can't help but notice the fact that 'simple Pakistani news' is amiss. Doesn't creating a stereo-type of such a large nation defy common-sense? Were it only 1% of the population of Pakistan (1.5+ million) who believed in what the world thinks Pakistanis believe in, we would have seen end of time!
Obviously now is not the time to just sit back and hope that perceptions about Pakistan will change by themselves. Yours is a commendable effort. It simply shows that we are a living, breathing society not much different from any other. And though we have some serious problems, there is the other side of the coin too!
The only all female pop band in Pakistan is from NWFP, there are millions of Pakistanis abroad (both skilled and otherwise) who have made tremendous contributions to the societies they live in. We love our music, we have a thriving art scene, Pakistani fashion designers are known world-wide. Why don't we take about these things as well?
Phew! This was my two-paisa worth and it was more an effort to vent out my frustration than anything else. I do visit your website and will do so more regularly in the future, contributing things which are 'PakPositive'.
Cheers!
Kamran (KB)
Ali Moeen Nawazish, Bravo!
Ali Moeen Nawazish is a real role model for me from now on. He really made our country famous especially in these times. We all congratulate you and hope that you succeed in your future as well. Great achievement! All Pakistanis are proud of you. You proved that Pakistani nation is capable of achieving which others can’t. Wish you good luck. I specially pray for your dream which you think of. It’s an honor and a great model of inspiration for the nation in such a time of difficulty, all our prayers are with Ali, may u prosper in every walk of life and raise the name of your country with pride and honor. You have a great feature ahead and a great chance to present the inner truth of Pakistan. In spite of so many wrong statements from foreign media particularly against Pakistan, it is your moral duty to show that, we are a true peace-loving country not only due to our social bindings but also our religion guided us to do so. I just have simple request, just don't isolate yourself from Pakistan when you have completed you education. If you memorized the facts, they will evaporate. If you synthesized, then you are a real genius. If you go there, you may get a cultural shock and you may be disoriented. Also, don't forget that this is the most formative phase. If you spend in Pakistan, you can contribute a lot to teaching and inspiring others. Don't forget that there will be unexpected problems abroad. My creativity is going down the drain. It's been happening since 2001. In my time, I was a 4A student and I have written and published many papers. Anyway, a good positive news story for Pakistanis after a long time. Wish you all the best and pray for your success in all your future endeavors.
Saulat Affendi
Ramchand Pakistani - Disappointing
Re: Ramchand Pakistani Wins Indian Hearts
I was disappointed to watch Ramchand Pakistani. Poorly directed it just drags and draaaaags. Some of the scenes reminded me of famous Hollywood movies and I was not expecting plagiarism from Mehreen. I have seen that shot in a Hollywood movie when Ramchand puts a bug in the matchbox. Also that sex scene in beginning was totally unnecessary ( Also have seen this in an Indian Art film). With Javed Jabbar and Mehreen behind the film, I would rate it as a total flop. Not impressed Mehreen. You can do much better.
Khalid
What is the reason for the downfall of Pakistani dramas?
As an avid watcher of Pakistani dramas in the past all I can say now about dramas being shown on channels these days: they are crap!
What is the point of making stretched out soaps which have no direction in story lines or changing cast members half way in to a serial another thing that annoys me is wall to wall glamour.
I doubt your average Joe Pakistani lives in a big house has a model wife and has a BMW parked in the drive way but that is not reality for most Pakistani these days with the cost of living soaring all round the world. Pakistani TV channels should show more gritty dramas with social issues but importantly go back to the successful formula of keeping dramas to 13 episode serials than competing with our Indian counterparts.
Being a patriotic British-Pakistani i think our top stars like Humayun Saeed who uses Indian actors and actresses who are considered third rate in there country should be banned and our stars like Humayun should be considered as traitors in helping ruin our television drama production industry now a days. OK you may agree or disagree with some of my comments but having seen our film industry falling a part and i do not want see our TV channels going on the same path to destruction so please please turn around and go back to making high quality dramas which in the past where considered better than Indian movies.
Nadeem Ashraf
Don Quixote in Karachi
Don Quixote written by Cervantes is said to be one of the greatest Spanish revelations of all time. Now this mad night comes to Karachi!ACT's latest production, "Don Quixote" will be playing at the Arts Council Theater, Karachi, from 23-27 November 2007. Tickets are available at Agha's, Espresso and The Basement. A must attend for any theater fanatic!
Daniyal Ahmed
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Re: Don Quixote in Karachi
You are doing a wonderful service for people like me who want to see some thing positive about Pakistan not just freaks in strange clothing and radical muslims. I thank you for bringing the pride of Pakistan forward so people can know Pakistan is a wonderful country on its way to advancement, prosperity, freedom, and a great future.
Thanks and I am sorry when people do not show their appreciation and are upset about some tatto issues....
Please understand that this is typical Pakistani people's behaviour, finding some thing wrong in every thing and the thrill that they are patriot and good muslims.....
these people cannot do a damn thing for their people but to open their mouths an d criticize....it makes them feel better, important when they find negativity in most positive site such as yours...Sorry for people like that...but believe me Pakistan and other muslim people need people like you to bring positive image forward..thanks.
Ann
Fashion and Movie industry
1.
I am very impressed with this site, however, why are you ignoring the fashion and movie industry? I did not see any link for Miss Canada World contest winners. Pakistan is a dynamic country and pakistani women are one of the most beautiful women in the world...why will you not mention no thing about them? Glamorous, beauty fashion industry is not just about taking off their cloth but it takes much more to become miss universe or miss world...
Pakistani models are breaking the barriers and they deserve the credit and appreciation for their beauty, style, look..
Thank you and keep the good work on. It had been a shame to associate with Pakistan, but I am glad that their are people like you who are working to create positive image of paksitani people..
Ann
PakPositive: There are lots of posts on movies and fashion. Just do a search on PakPositive. For starters, check these out:
Miss Pakistan Pageant Attracts Packed Audiences in Canada
Miss Pakistan Canada to Compete in Chinese Beauty Pageant
Acclaimed Pakistani Movie Debuts, Reviewed in US City
Fashion show for exquisite Pakistan, India couture
Bhatti’s Fashion Show Dazzles Islamabad
Pakistani Student Wins Paris Fashion Award
Spunky Pakistani Fashion Models Catwalking Home and Abroad
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2.
I am so glad to find a category of show biz here. thank you.
I still do not see Nadia Ali and Junoon?? Thanks
Ann
PakPositive: Well, first the good news: try this revolutionary feature called Search PakPositive (also on the sidebar) and enter keyword "Junoon" without the quotes... et voila!... you will get what you seek - guaranteed! :) Bad news: it completely fails when searching for Ms Nadia Ali, but worry not, there's another invention around the corner: the Web. Just select the option Web on the Search PakPositive page, instead of www.pakpositive.com! Apologies.
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3.
Please find that I had been shamed to tell any one that I have ties with Pakistan, your web site is a fresh light to see the place in a whole different prospect. first time I am glad that I can point a finger and say "hey this person is from Pakistan and has a positive image".
We have to put up with the negative media exposure regarding Muslim people and most of the Muslim people are too stupid, ignorant, rat brains to realize that discrimination, negative opinions, will destroy Muslim presence from western world and then they can sing songs about the so called culture and identity...
Thank you for setting up this web site... I wish there were more like you with a vision, understanding of changing needs..
Ann
Shame on the Private Media of Pakistan
As a Pakistani born American I am deeply ashamed of the management of Pakistani TV stations like Geo and Ary. They could contribute to helping the different parties to have dialog and bring some sense of 'Hubulwatani' to our strife torn country. The media loves to FAN the flames of discontent. Our Politicians and Mullahs and also the Media have only had their own selfish gains and notoriety to blame for the present situation at hand. I am shocked that even a moderate so called patriot like Imran Khan cannot see that first we must try to have some stability in Pakistan before you can give any kind of a Democracy a chance to work. Twice before we have allowed Benazir and Nawaz Sharif to loot and plunder our dear Pakistan. After living in Texas for 30 years I am ashamed to say that this is a shameful situation for us to be in. We need a strong and ruthless Military dictator to run our country for the next 5 years so our ungrateful society can learn to appreciate having the democratic right to have a difference of opinion without destroying the very fabric of one of the greatest Muslim Nation in the world. God bless Pakistan and God Bless General Musharraf. I hope he will have the fortitude to dispense the kind of Military Dandaa discipline to these fake Mullahs and Askariat Pasand people who want to impose their subverted and obsolete form of Shariah in the beautiful scenic and serene mountains of My NWFP.
Musalmaan Texan
Paragliding in Pakistan
Paragliding is a very young Aerial Flying sport. In Pakistan a very few people know about it. But as the time is passing, it is growing day by day. Pakistan Association of Free Flying (www.paff.org.pk) contributing its major role in promoting this energetic sport. Some local clubs are also playing a role in promoting this sport. Pakistan is a heaven for paraglider pilots of the world. They come to Pakistan to fly in the northern areas in the huge mountain ranges. In Pakistan, very rare people know about two Pakistani Paraglider Pilots Mr Sajjad Shah & Mr Jabbar Bhatti who did Paragliding in 1986 & 1987, when this sport was born. I've a wish that this sport should be promoted under the government supervision and tourism ministry and should be promoted in Pakistan.
A B M Faisal
Microcredit in Pakistan
Microlending is an emerging field in Pakistan that is generating much activity and interest. It is a solid solution to problems of poverty, and its drastic results.
During the recent investigations of the 4/11 Nishar Park blast, it was revealed by responsible authorities that they are aware of young men who are willing to kill themselves in order to earn a living for their families - and that religion and politics has nothing to do with their decision (Jang report). This is the real state of affairs.
While we make superficial comments on "why are they doing it?" - we have to look deeper, and it doesn't take an effort. What must be taking an effort, honestly, is avoiding the obvious: the monster of poverty, desperation, and fairlessness is rampant in this country.
I have some good news now. Microcredit is emerging as a popular solution, and a much better alternative than one-off charity. Pakistan Microfinance Network (http://www.pmn.org.pk/) is a platform site for many MC organizations.
Strongly recommended for all concerned and kind souls who are looking for ways to improve the condition of the country.
Ramla A.
Karachi's W11 Minibus in Melbourne
Pictures of the Karachi Tram
flickr.com/photos/...057594089284512/
subsepehlepakistan
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Re Karachi's W11 Minibus in Melbourne
Go to www.pakaustralian.com for full story and pictures of the story.
Khalid
Lahore photos
Lahore Photos - 4 - response to Rizanna's comments
I 100% agree with you that there is no harm in focusing positive features of a city and modern aspects of Pakistan. But to me positive picture of Pakistan would be a tolerant , disciplined nation who respect all with their differences. Tall sky scrapers , glamorous shopping palzas, wide roads and posh suburbs do not truly represent us being modern.
About the Western media portraying us in an exaggerated negative fashion - it’s true! but we are the culprits of our own tarnished image. I live in the West and deal with them on a day to day basis . I simply have no answer for my western friends when they ask me why Pakistani’s are killing each other? why are they burning their properties? etc.
When I was in Pakistan I also wanted to see glamorous images of our cities on western TV, websites etc. but now I only wish that all nations respect Pakistan and Pakistanis as prgressive and forward thinking nation.
We simply cannot build a modern and progressive society on concrete and bricks, we need to work hard and change our point of view.
Khalid
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Lahore Photos - 3
There is no harm in focusing on the positive features of a city. We understand these features may be an integtral part of the city but there has to be a certain degree of clever propaganda on the net or elsewhere, to highlight some modern aspects of life in Pakistan as well. Certainly, we have enough of the Western media protraying us in an exagerrated negative fashion. Therefore, photos that somehow consolidate what the media day and night depicts to the world, is like, agree or disagree, playing their game.
There is nothing pseudo about that.
Rizanna
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Lahore Photos - 2
I simply do not agree with Asim. Photos like these represent the true spirit of our cities. It's high time we discover ourselves and stop being a pseudo nation.
Khalid
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Lahore Photos - 1
I am Pakistani and i used to live in Lahore. I have seen the website and the images of lahore on http://www.pakpositive.com/photos/. Please when you represent the cities in Pakistan, try to show some better pictures. There are so many pictures which show the city very poor and dirty. We should not represent our city very dirty or poor on International level.
Asim
PakPositive: Chill out, bro. They're still better than riots and carnage. Besides, beauty is in the eyes of you know who. :)
Tracking Mobile Phones
[Re] When your mobile phone is switched on, your cellular network provider knows exactly where you are in the world to within a hundred metres or so. Similar technology is used to track down lost aircraft and yachts through their radio beacons. It's not identical, because most radio beacons use satellites and cell phones use land-based aerial arrays, but the principle is the same.
At any one time, your phone is usually able to communicate with more than one of the aerial arrays provided by your phone network. They're ten or twenty kilometers apart (less in cities) and it's usually within range of at least three of them. So by comparing the signal strengths and time lags for the signals at each station, your network can triangulate your position and work out where you are.
This is true whenever your phone is switched on, whether you're using it or not, because every so often it sends out a check signal to make sure everything is working as it should.
Not surprisingly, the phone network companies are shy about admitting they have this ability. But within the industry, it's seen as just one more piece of data. There is even talk of selling the data to Internet content providers so they can send information to your Internet phone based on your location, for example reviews of nearby restaurants.
The triangulation capability of cell phone network companies varies according to the age of their equipment. A few can only do it manually with a big drain on skilled manpower. But these days most companies can generate the information automatically, which makes it cheap enough to sell.
Imran Khan
Group against the blogspot.com ban
You are probably aware by now of the ban that has been put into place on the blogspot.com domain. We are no longer able to access it without proxifiers. I've put together an action committee of fellow Pakistani bloggers who will soon launch an organized, disciplined protest against the ridiculous ban. Please help us spread the word and fight back against the caprices of the Powers That Be. Do visit the group, everyone is encouraged to join and help further the cause.
http://groups.google.com/group/AGABBIP
Drpak
drpak.blogspot.com
Why Violent Protests?
No doubt that the violent protests in Lahore, Peshawar and few in Karachi are largely condemned by all political and religious parties but we have to take serious consideration and strict measures about these events to prevent them in future.
The main causes of such violent demonstration are lack of education, poverty, unemployment and frustration for the inequality within the society both domestic and global. But there are many secondary reasons including lack of sports and entertainment activities and negative inspiration from electronic media and movies. So participants find these protests as good physical, entertaining and group activities and trying to be more prominent and visible.
Young people being more vigorous and having sudden rise and fall of emotions need a sensible leadership which can guide them in right direction. Specifically, as the crowed psychology is very unlike, we saw people guffawing, tapping hands on hands, waving the sticks and making victory signs, looting the shops, drinking colas and eating burgers while leaving the supreme cause aside, destroying their own properties and putting their own people in difficulties.
The leaders and parties who call these protests should control and guide people properly and not just let them free. They must propagate their objectives to the participants and guide them what to do and what not if they are straight and sincere to the cause and peoples.
At the same time government authorities should be more active and in close contact with the parties and leaders. They should give them freedom according to planned and mutually agreed right. Also precautionary measures in terms of security are very significant because a little lack of attention and resource saving may result in heavy damages, moreover we should learn from experience before it is too late.
Muhammad Tayyab
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Re: Why Violent Protests?
Dear Muhammad Tayyab
there is a simple explanation for this! Destruction of the country, outlaw behavior, strangely in USA we have strong guidelines for protest and it is accepted without any question. On the contrary, if other countries make arrest it is labeled as human right abuse, ban on political freedom, and anti democracy. Just remember democracy is a tool to destroy muslim nations, create problems, destroy stability and so on....
Quite frankly it does not matter who the hell runs the country, they are all same, instead of changing the governments people shall work on their issues, problems and solutions. Most of the people are too stupid and brain washed to understand it, change of government is not in the best interest of a country.
Ann
Don't Burn Pakistan
It won't mean a thing. Naive young students in their uniforms are running on the streets, people are getting killed and we are anxious for some time bomb to explode. Is this my Pakistan?
http://dontburnpakistan.blogspot.com/
Me and a few friends who believe this world will not be changed by burning flags alone are posting here. I love my country, I love working here and I don't believe we all want to set the country on fire. Do you?
Zunaira
How Pakistan Is Picking Itself Up
businessweek...campaign_id=rss_daily
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz talks about efforts to deregulate and build the economy while overcoming the recent earthquake and fighting terrorism.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz traveled to New York and Washington in late January to meet with President George W. Bush, as well as U.N. officials and investors. He came at a delicate time, when U.S. forces had just bombed a Pakistani village, and while his country was still recovering from a devastating earthquake. Aziz discussed these turbulent events with BusinessWeek Senior Editor Chris Power. But the Prime Minister -- a former top executive at Citigroup (C ) -- also gave a surprisingly upbeat assessment of Pakistan's economy.
Abbas Halai
http://halai.blogspot.com
KPT Water Fountain
I would like to congratulate and appreciate what PakPositive.com s doing and it is certainly very nice and gratifying to see positive news about Pakistan without any bias on a regular basis. Keeps our hopes and spirits high for our homeland. Hope you guys keep up the great work and wish you all the best in life.
I would like to request if you can get some pictures of the newly constructed water fountain by the Karachi Port Trust and post it on the photos section. I have been trying to get hold of a picture of the fountain but I have been unable to find it anywhere on the net and would really like to see it. Thanks Again.
Ashar Ahmed
Ferrari hires Pakistani crew!
Ferrari's F1 Team has fired its entire Pit Crew. The announcement followed Ferrari's decision to take advantage of Pakistan's unemployment, and hire unemployed Pakistani youth from Karachi. The decision to hire them was brought on by a recent documentary on how they were able to remove a set of wheels from a car parked in the street in less than six seconds without proper equipment, whereas Ferrari's existing crew takes more than 8 seconds with the right equipment. This was thought to be an excellent yet bold move by Ferrari Management, and, as most races are won and lost in the pits, Ferrari would have an advantage over every other team. However, Ferrari's expectations were exceeded, as during the crew's first practice session; not only were 'da boyz' from Pakistan able to change...
jang.com.pk/thenews/dec2005-...-23-12-2005/p1.htm
Ali K Chishti
PakPositive: Hahaha! It's not serious, is it?
Pakistan Contingent Leaps Beyond Normal Duties
Last para:
"Perhaps the Pakistan Contingent with the UNMIL will best be remembered for the benevolent feeling and warmth they have been able to generate among the destitute and war torn people of Liberia parading a gregarious and sociable approach manifested through wide range of community based assistance initiatives with concurrent undertaking of sacrosanct responsibilities in other facets of peacekeeping."
allafrica.com/stories/200512140540.html
Umer Farouq
Well done Karachi Sisters
Well done Karachi Sisters! This is called Innovation!!!!!!!! Wish you more and more success, one suggestion is, also make our great work in Farsi available in Urdu, so we can learn Iqbal, Saadi and other great writers, philosophers, whose gems are in Farsi and we are not able to understand, and do not know Farsi. Wish you, Karachi Sisters, again more and more success.
Mohsin Rasool
www.it.acmeaims.com
17-year-old British Pakistani philanthropist
I have recently interviewed a young promising singer Sarah Francis (British Pakistani) who is also a famous philanthropist and vocalist and using her singing potential for noble cause of charity. She is only 17 years old and has been awarded with so many prestigious awards.
17-year-old British Pakistani philanthropist
Sarah is visiting Pakistan now-a-days; during an interview she told that I was born with the passion to help others. I was six years old when I visited Pakistan for the first time. I always used to have an idea that Pakistan is a poor country. My dad always used to help poor people. Once I gave money to a poor Afghani refugee kid and the other day when I saw her with clothes and shoes; It gave me courage to keep giving and getting more money from my father. At the age of 13, I decided to sing and help the poor people. So, I traveled to different European countries and raised money for them...
Continue reading "17-year-old British Pakistani philanthropist"
Mawra Muzaffar
Any info about Quetta
Any info about Quetta? As being a citizen of Quetta. All I could see in ur news is karachi and lahore and places which are very known.
Where is Quetta ?
Even in the photos section. What about Quetta ?
Maniya
PakPositive: Very true. Balochistan is under-reported in the mainstream media (hence the trend reflected on PakPositive). Out of curiosity, I did a check myself on how many items there are on PakPositive.com about Quetta/Balochistan. Here are the results (very low, sadly.) As for PHOTOS, anyone from Quetta/Balochistan got photos? Send them here.
Karachi Cricket Match
“The best ever one day match was the first match of the series when India last visited Pakistan played in Karachi.. Even though India won the match but….. “ I have quoted these from an internet site,,,, & yet another exiting match between Pakistan & England. Even though Pakistan was fully in charge of match & need no further gracious & admiring wording about the performance of Individual & team, after what has been published around the world, yet I want to highlight ‘Karachi’ as a venue for any international game.
Even though when Pakistan lost after nail biting ending, the crowed chanting for Indian team, with real ‘Sprit of Sports’, rather than any admiration of the political & so-called friendly days between the two countries. It was obvious during 15 Dec 05 match that Pakistan will win the match comprehensively, but the crowed was not willing to go home until the last ball of the match. No doubt this was again the high spirit of the spectators; & their attitude was merely a slap on the face of the PCB, administrators, and government who are failed to organize international test matches in the city, even though there is no argument that law-an-order is the issue in Karachi. But deeply we have to look from where the law-an-order starts to indulge & deteriorate. If the police & security personnel don’t obey what the ordered for, than there is no surprise that law-an-order situation will be arise & this what is common in Karachi in particular & all over Pakistan in general.
Following is few paragraph from BBC,
“Over the next five minutes, I had my bag checked four times, was patted down by five separate officers and walked through three airport style metal detectors.
Then I was twice buzzed by a hand-held metal detector, had my ticket checked a further six times and still then got called back to throw the batteries for my digital camera in a box for the day.
Amazingly, inside almost everybody who had negotiated security successfully seemed to be smoking cigarettes whilst making incessant calls from their mobile phones despite the fact that mobiles, cigarettes, lighters and matches were supposedly banned!”
Complete you can read at:
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/.../4534112.stm
If anything happened, the high spirit people again ban for years to watch any match in their city, & government says, “What we can do,,, we can not control the law-an-order situation… & that’s why we are in office… other wise we might be outside the boundaries of Pakistan or beneath the soil of Pakistan…”
This is one of the leak in so-called presidential level security, which is ineffective to implement on every one uniformly & equally. Whose knows, if any one planned some thing mischievous, won’t find any or little difficulty to shatter the already horrific image of Karachi.
Sohaib KHAN
What is your criteria of positive?
I strongly believe that Pak Positive should revisit its criteria of a positive news, can you please let me know how opening of a Tattoo shop marks as a positive, it is actually complete opposite. I think as Pakistanis we should cherish our family and cultural values, and hold on to them tightly. I agree that body piercing (earrings, nose pins etc.) and temporary tattooing (mehindi) exists among the women of our country for centuries, but please explain to me how an establishment that facilitates people to have dragons drawn on their body, is a positive step for Pakistan.
Please understand that there is a difference between being progressive and loosing our identity, everything coming from the west is not progressive neither it is positive. As a nation if we really have this urge to follow the west lets start by picking up their system of justice and equality instead of setting up body piercing shops.
Zeeshan Shah
PakPositive: Thanks. You may wish to read this and probably this too.
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Re: What is your criteria of positive?
Well, here is another example of self delusional behavior where some people must find some thing wrong and the whole identity crisis, cultural values, shake ups......cannot you concentrate the positive thing this web site has to offer? Where is the pride? I am shame to even tell someone I have ties to Pakistan because what shall I show......Oh yeh the old culture crap....sure maybe it works for you but not for people who wants to be proud of their country....
Oh shut up all of you!!!!!!!!!
I am glad at least there is one web site who is trying to bring some pride in the miscible lives of people singing the old boring, useless, dumb song of their culture and identity....
every thing changes but Pakistani people are not allow to change are they??????
Ann
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Re:What is your criteria of positive?
Shut the hell up Zeeshan.....Pak Positive is a nice site, only thing I will change is to have more sexy pictures of hot pakis up here....
Go find some thing better to do...don't cry!!!! Only purpose of people like you have is to find some thing to criticize, and feel the false sense of doing some thing for your country...Well you are not doing a damn thing good.....so shut your mouth and find some thing constructive......I like tattoos and they are big fashion statement. If you don't like them please keep your opinion to yourself..........
Ann
PIA Concorde?
A Dream..... Although the dream of a PIA Concorde will remain a dream.... But nevertheless PIA now holds the World Record to fly the longest flight ever in the history of aviation in cooperation with Boeing.....
Tabraiz Feham
PakPositive: Dream on! Concorde's history too, by the way. ;)
Paper Trail
Roughly translated from French, Couture Paperie would mean papery fashion. Not a far shot from what the exclusive Lahore based products and service company launched by two NCA alumni provides.We generally think of paper as providing the base for any aesthetic exercise, or to wrap up something creative perhaps, without often giving much thought to what paper itself can do in artistic terms. One is reminded of the many imaginative possibilities of paper itself in the various packaging solutions Couture Paperie provides.
jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2005--2005/#11
AK
Supplies to school
My students have collected school supplies and would like to send them to the school in Pakistan sponsored byGlamour's woman of the year. Is there a contact person anyone can send us so we can get this stuff to Pakistan?
Ms. Feeney
BBC Article: Pakistan quake revives civic power
Please read it and see if it's your cup of tea or not. I for one felt very good after reading it. :-)
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_431798.stm
BilalPakistanis have astounded themselves with their own generosity since the catastrophic earthquake that hit the country on 8 October.
A tidal wave of ordinary people have rushed to help the victims of the earthquake, raising money or just hiring trucks and delivering goods to Kashmir.
These actions of civil society, not seen since the 1965 war against India, have united the nation and they will have significant political implications.
Article on Pakistan Israel Diplomatic Process
There's a nice article on Pakistani-Israel diplomacy process which I thought sharing on Pak Positive. To quote from the article:
The latest piece of evidence they have mobilized is the delay of six days between receiving an offer of Israeli aid to victims of last month's earthquake and Pakistan's conditional acceptance of it, and the conditions imposed, namely that aid from Israel could not be delivered directly by Israel. Under titillating headlines like "Pakistan's Dirty Laundering," Islamabad's steps over the past few months are being described as little more than a Washington-pleasing trick.
I am afraid that these critics are missing the forest for the trees. The main point is that Pakistan has publicly acknowledged that it is accepting Israeli aid, and is now openly engaging the Jewish world. I saw as much thisweek in Pakistan, during a meeting with Musharraf and while inspecting the areas hit hardest by the earthquake.
No one expected that Pakistani-Israeli relations would reach full maturity overnight. We are witnessing a change, as complex and difficult a process as every major diplomatic volte-face — so the inescapable implication of such criticisms is that, as it has not reached its final destination, the process should be shut down.
Complete article at this url: http://www.forward.com/articles/6870
S. Abbas Z
Pakistani-American Author's Book Wins Norumbega Award
Beyond the Cayenne Wall, a collection of short stories by Pakistani-American author Shaila Abdullah received the Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction in the 2005 Norumbega Fiction Awards. It's an an annual literary competition open to American and Canadian writers who have completed a work of fiction since 2003. The book was released in October. It is available on both Amazon and Barnes and Nobles websites.
Abdullah has been writing for Dallas Child, About Families, Sulekha,Women's Own, Fashion Collection, and other publications since 1993. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature, and her creative work focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistani women and their often unconventional choices in life. She is a member of the Texas Writers’ League and enjoys meeting readers at book signings. She may be contacted through her Web site at http://www.shailaabdullah.com.
Carol Ikard
