Wishes for 2013 – A safer and tolerant Pakistan
Today marks the official end of one of the most talked about years in human history — the year 2012. It started with much anticipation and apprehension because of the famous Mayan Prophecy which proclaimed that the world will come to an end on December 21, 2012. Well the prophecy did not really come true; however, it would not be wrong to say that the world did come to an end for many Pakistanis who either lost their own lives or the lives of loved ones in bomb attacks, sectarian violence or targeted killings in 2012.
The year 2012 certainly was more violent as opposed to the preceding many years as sectarian and terror attacks surged greatly. Mosques, religious procession, pilgrims and children were attacked throughout the year making history in terms of intolerance towards other schools of thought and faiths. Reports also suggest that violence against women also increased by seven per cent in the same year making the said year bleaker for many Pakistani women.
Many Pakistanis, Indians and other people who are well aware of the political dynamics of the region and live elsewhere do not feel very optimistic about the existence and future of Pakistan as a country. In fact many believe that she will be broken into several small territories before perishing into the history.
Mahar* who originally hails from Karachi but now lives in Montreal, Quebec said, “It is most unfortunate for us to witness whatever is happening in Pakistan. We are fighting insurgency, poverty and other forms of violence all at the same time. Balochistan is one of our biggest concerns; however, no one is interested in sorting the issues out. We blame foreign countries for their involvement in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan but the truth is that what is happening in the region is our fault.”
“As much as I hate to say this but I really see no hope for Pakistan. I see it breaking into smaller countries and being removed from the global map unless something radical happens. For now I only see this country being ruled by fundamentalists and opportunist who are nothing more than scavengers,” he added.
Another Pakistani-American from Detroit, Michigan on condition of anonymity said “A country where small children and women are attacked just because they demand their rights for education and free speech cannot survive for very long. Everyone feels threatened in Pakistan. Whether you talk about women, journalists, Ahmadis, Hazaras, Balochis, Shias or Hindus, no one is safe and most importantly everyone I know is looking for a way to escape. I do not blame them for feeling that way because had I been in Pakistan now I would have felt the same way.”
Their words made me realise that many amongst us share similar views in the deepest corner of our hearts but are hesitant to voice them fearing that they will come true or else we will be killed for expressing a little too much.
An Indian from Bangalore that I recently met said, “I know that it gets difficult for people to accept my words because I am an Indian but trust me I have more Pakistani friends than Indians. Pakistan has given birth to some really intelligent, determined and honest people. Every time I hear that the situation in Pakistan is deteriorating I feel really sad because I know that majority of them are sane and secular people who deserve a safer homes and better lives.”
“To be honest it kills me to say this but it is evident that the future is not very bright unless another leader like Muhammad Ali Jinnah emerges and takes over the reins of the country. You guys really need a revolutionary leader,” he added.
It was quite saddening to hear all the comments from people who follow the news and are concerned about the geo-political situation of Pakistan. However, having lived in Pakistan for the longest time I can vouch for the dedication and resilience of Pakistanis who strive hard to make Pakistan a better place for everyone. It is rather ironic but the perseverance of Pakistani men and women, as a nation, never ceases to amaze me. Despite of all the challenges and threats that we faced in 2012, we continued to work harder to achieve our objectives. We defied all the odds and stood up as a nation when a young girl was attacked by Taliban putting aside all the danger. We poured out on the streets and demanded justice for the slain polio workers who worked diligently to protect the future generation from living on crutches. We demanded protection for Hazaras and Shias who are regularly killed and harassed for belonging to a different school of thought. The will and fortitude of young activists and general public who continue to serve Pakistan in their own capacity by putting their own lives on stake is most definitely extremely inspiring.
Many of us face deadly situations every single day and wake up the next morning with same will to renounce the radical forces. How many people in the world have the courage to rise from the ashes and start from scratch hoping for the best to come in such sad circumstances? I would say not many. I take this as an opportunity to salute all Pakistanis who work day in and day out to serve their country and its citizens. We are going through trying times but I am sure that our determination will certainly bring about a positive change in the future giving rise to an inclusive and sanguine society.
I fervently pray that 2013 is a better year for Pakistan including its Hazaras and Shias who were brutally massacred in 2012 and the preceding year. I wish that that this year will bring prosperity and peace to the lives of many Hindus who are looking for ways to cross the border or seek refuge in foreign countries because of the reprehensible state of affairs. I hope that our mosques, temples, churches, pilgrims and religious processions will remain safe from violence this year. I pray that our schools and other educational institutes remain free from all religious biases and are only used as a platform to propagate true knowledge rather than venomous text that causes rifts between people professing different faiths. I also wish that the approaching year proves to be better for women from all walks of life and brings an end to sex and honour crimes. I look forward to see Indo-Pakistan relations evolving into friendly ties from 2013 onwards and most importantly I hope for Pakistan to become an inclusive and tolerant society where rights are mutually respected and accepted.
So Happy New Year and I wish a safe year to all Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis and North Americans and everyone else in the world.
*Identity concealed due to security reasons.
The writer is a Reporter at Dawn.com
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Pakistan had great peaceful people such as Bacha Khan, Samad Khan Achakzai and a lot others. Pakistanis never appreciated them and called them Kafirs and traitors. This nation will continue to live in living hell until they accept the truth.
I have a wish for the people of Pakistan Get Rid of your useless,pathetic.currupt Gov. and then you can only move forward.
I appreciate the work of the writer and I also agree that people are realizing about the importance of having unity among them. Sad but true is the fact that change is occurring at a slow pace. We have seen countries these days do not split up that quick but they get destroyed ethically and become lawless very quickly if right people are not there to handle the matter. In Pakistan we have been very unfortunate to have a public whose political perspective hasn’t changed a lot in last three or four decades. What we see on TV is a small proportion of educated people not the labor class or under privileged people comprising more than 50% of the population. There is a long list of unfortunate facts but I see no point in stating them we all know there is very little we have done right so lets not repeat those mistakes.
Regardless, of all the odds I still have a hope that one day Pakistan will become a peaceful country where contradicting views are respected. We do not need to compete with anyone in the world all we need to do is to interpret Islam in the right manner which preaches humanity and harmony not we in Pakistan have made out of it. I have a firm believe that the day we all are hoping will soon come and we will be proud Pakistanis soon.
I am an Indian and I appreciate what you have written. India, very recently had one incident, which lead to a youth movement which shook the Govt and forced it to enact stringent laws. You have such incidents almost on a daily basis. Where is the youth movement. Has Pakistan really given justice to Malala? Pakistan will survive, but not before it fights a major war with itself.
If wishes were horses…
I fervently pray that 2013 is a better year for Pakistan.
Pakistan friends refueling!
Luck is yours but Wish is mine. The past was replete with grim and gloomy happenings. It does not mean future will be no different. Humans can and will bring about a change. Good wishes to my fellow brothers and sisters across the border. Happy new year 2013
Happy New Year to the Dawn community and to all the Pakistanis irrespective of cast and creeds. May Allah (swt) bring (in words of Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah) Unity, Faith and Discipline. I would like to add the word of “IMAN” along with it. May Allah (swt) save Pakistan and bring peace,prosperity and Imanic order among the leaders,businessmen in order to save and improve the condition of the hopeless common peoples. Ameen!
Peace is what I pray for in the region. Violence and intolerance has brought disaster. It has not pleased any god nor has it done anything for humanity. Politicalizing religion only suits the evil.
OUR PAST IS FULL OF OUR MISTAKES>WE CANT CHANGE OUR PAST BUT CAN LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCE TO HAVE A BETTER FUTURE>WISH EVERY ONE HAPPY NEW YEAR FREE FROM TERROR>
TO SPEAK THE TRUTH UNEQUIVOCALLY CANNOT BE LEARNT WHEN YOU ARE AN ADULT
RELIGIOUS DOGMA IS A SERIOUS CONFORMATION IN BRAIN & IT HAPPENS IN CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENT. UNTIL THE ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGED THE MIND IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.
LOOK AT HINDU SUPERSTITION OF CASTE SYSTEM PROPAGATED BY FEW MISCREANT BRHAMINS WHO WAS NOT IN POWER. THE DEVASTATION OF THIS SUPERSTION IS SO GRAVE THAT TILL TODAY CASTE SYSTEM EXISTS AS A CURSE IN INDIA.
CAUSE OF PAKISTANI FUNDAMENTALISM IS in ISLAM & until that can be amended the Ground reality won’t change.
I agree.
But why are you SHOUTING.
Dear all it is regional dilemma, hundreds of churches have been burnt in India , thousand is Muslim women raped in Kashmir.. Where were you the dear writer … Because you were not paid to talk about that… Wish you a happy new year
There have been incidents of church burning, rapes, riots, etc., which are isolated not in thousands, Ahmed Saheb. Such incidents are vociferously condemned by the society. So don’t justify sectarian violence very prevalent in Pakistan.
We should worry about our house first buddy!!!!!!!
سرحد کے اس ور سے وس ور کے بھائیوں، بہنوں اور دوستوں کو ایک امن اور خوشحالی بھرے نے سال کی مبارقباد!
! الله تالا ہم سب کی خطاءیں معاف کریں اور کوئی اور چمن نہ اجڑنے دیں
( گلت اردو کے لئے اس اردو کے طالب کو معاف کریں )
kaafi theek thaak Urdu he ap ke…
Congradulations to fearless Faiza Mirza and wish everybody happy and prosperous New Year 2013.
Malala is the fearless one. In Pakistan nobody knows Faiza Mirza.
what has fearless got to do with fame man? Why do you read her if you dont like her grow up man and learn some manners rather go back to school and learn to differntiate between right and wrong. Do you have the guts to do what she does or write?
She is doing what Malala did . Perhaps on more larger scale than Malala. We can not measure fearlessness and courage on basis who got shot and who is not. She is doing a great job by speaking about the wrong things in society. Thats exactly what Malala did. She definitely has more courage than you many men like you in the society.
It gives us great pain and dicomfort when our Pak brothers ( we are twin brothers before 1947) is under crisis. But don’t lose hope. When millions of secular and democratic hands join together, a handful of anti.human forces will fade into oblivion. Here’s your other brother wishing you a blissful new year . May God give you the strenght to uproot the forces of evil and re-establish the order of civilised humanity.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
If you don’t have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you gunna have a dream come true?
Only the weak dream. Those with will and power plan.
jinnah was not a democrat, or secular so saying leader like jinnah would solve the problem is wrong, he dissmissed elected assemblies, in is 14 months he behaved like an autocrat, he did not let democracy flourish, and his followers followed suit and dissmised the elected parliment
to change pakistni mindset change the syllbus thought on school whic is so anti minorities
and everythng else will follow
let me see u publish my views
Whether 2013 will be a more peaceful year depends upon how quickly competing parties can identify, face, and resolve the underlying issues.
When a society transforms from an agrarian to an industrial one, from a rural to an urban one, it goes through a heart wrenching Civil War. England under Cromwell in the 17th century, France during Revolution in the 18th, America in mid 19th, Russia and China in beginning 20th, and India under Nehru (who remarkably dealt with it).
Here are 4 Laws of Civil War
1. Civil Wars are neither short-lived, nor bloodless
2. No System undertakes an internal Civil War unless it perceives that external threat is no more
3. No enemy has ever taken advantage of a Civil War to obliterate a System
4. Every System comes out of the Civil War stronger than before.
Civil Wars resolve socio-economic contradictions, and always end up in the city winning over the countryside, the Feudal-military complex giving way to Military Industrial complex. Why Pakistan should be any different?
The current Civil War is a measure of Pakistan’s strength, not weakness. With Pakistan becoming nuclear it could afford an internal conflict because existential threat disappeared. No other system could have survived 30 years of warfare – not India, not UK, not Canada.
Just as Christianity is the natural religion of the Agrarian Era, Islam is the natural religion of the Trading Era (our Prophet AS was a businessman trader). Hitherto, the world was agrarian, so Christianity reigned. Now with world Trade and Globalization, the Environment has become conducive to Islam, and churches empty and mosques fill. Pakistan is now strong enough to tackle issues that have been left under the table for 1,400 years – Guns vs Butter, Kaliphate vs Republic.
The fundamentals of Pakistan are solid, and once the Civil War between Agrarian Economy and Exchange Economy comes to an end, she will shoot like a rocket, inshallah.
Heavy duty analysis Abbas.
Be nice to Indians. In a civil war there will be a huge rush for the Pak-Indian border.
Simple plain Political Theory 101
Looks like you’ve met your match Prof Howell. 2013 could be the year of abbastoronto.
I’d have thought living in Toronto might have enlightened you but seems like you have become delusional like lot of other Muslims who want to turn back the clock 500 years back.
Not just 500 years but 1500 years. He thinks it is good for trade in the future.
If the civil war is so good for the country — then by all means let’s have a civil war in Pakistan — but remember, no civil war is civil.
Wow, a great comment (no civil war is civil).
Civil Wars are neither short lived nor bloodless.
“”Now with world Trade and Globalization, the Environment has become conducive to Islam, and churches empty and mosques fill “”…..Churches are empty in West because they have social security and state is secular and Mosques are always full because there is still heavy religious strife with no social security in the Muslim countries.
Most of the Muslim countries identify themselves with their religion, whereas countries in West do not identify themselves with their religion.
You are being too optimistic about future of Pakistan, but the reality is not so rosy. There are fundamental & structural problems which have to be solved before Pakistan takes off.
Rao ji, Namaste
Andre Malraux (d 1975) the darling of the godless Left and Minister in de Gaulle’s Cabinet famously said that the 21st century will be a religious one or it shall not be.
That is because religions are nothing more than socio-economic systems that answer efficiently to the Primal Question of Existence – Survival, Growth, and Evolution.
Just as Hinduism and Christianity were the natural answer to an Agrarian India and Europe, Islam is the natural religion for the Trading Era we are in today. Mecca in 7th century was a trading system, and Mohammed AS was a businessman trader. That is why churches empty and mosques fill. And yes, religions always provide an empty net. Today Islam for the urban poor is what Christianity and Hinduism was for rural poor.
Best wishes
Mosques are filling because of propaganda. There is no future for any religion that has a strong tendency to mix religion with politics (Relipolitics). The main enemy of progressive education, industrilaization and compassion to all is the Relipolitics. Thus, islamization of politics is guaranyteed to fail. A great example is in your own country: not one religious party has ever been voted to power. Zia Ul Haq and Bhutoo tried to Islamize the constitution and perished. Nawaz played with it and almost got killed by Mushy. Imran tried to appease to religious brutal Taliban and he is paying a price for it. So, your heavy-duty analysis is full of holes. Absolutely no substance in it at all.
Glad Tidings to Pakistan
Today world has 5 living civilizations – Hellenized West, Christian Russia, Islam, Indics, Sinics.
Last 2 are regional, racial, Christianity is other worldly. That leaves West and Islam, both universal and of city and trading origin (Athens, Mecca) to battle for the hearts and minds of the globe in the Era of Trade and Globalization.
The de-facto leader of the West is USA, and of Islam is Pakistan. In the past the US has led the world, in the next 100 years Pakistan will lead the pack.
1. The West has been declining for the last 150 years, Islam on the rise. This will continue.
2. Pakistan is the leader of Islam. Let us work by elimination
Not Indonesia/Bangladesh – on the periphery. Non-Arabic language
Not Turkey – confused nation, rejected Arabic script – can not read Quran, pan-turkism
Not Iran – minority sect only
Not Egypt – Pan Turkism. Laughable Arabic
That leaves Pakistan, now mired in an unending Civil War. But shortly has the best chance of leading the Muslim world. To begin with
• Only people to espouses pan-Islamism: Iqbal’s Muslim hein hum watan hey sara jahan hamara
• Has right mix of sects – Leadership producing Shia to Manager-producing Sunnis (1-4)
• At the geographical heartland of Islamic domain
• Language closest to both Arabic and Persian. All can read Quran and many understand it.
• First Islamic nuclear state, Republic/Democracy
• Only Muslim country where English is the working language
• High on world Happiness Index
• High on world Resilience Index and increasing
Islam’s equivalent of West’s USA:
1. Same National Symbol – Eagle soaring free above the clouds: Individualists, freedom-loving government-hating
2. Newest nations in respective blocks – founded as Republics, against Democracy
3. Manifest Destiny – Extra-Territoriality within their blocks
4. Born Free Enterprising, positive public attitude to business US #1, Pakistan #2. Efficient market, cheapest living in their blocks.
5. Love drugs, armaments, guns; Violent regime changes
6. Very similar practical sense of humor
7. Profoundly religious; unique musicality – Jazz, hip-hop / Qawwali
8. Extremely mobile
9. Mixed language, widest gene pool, Fastest Growth, largest family size, largest pop., net population influx; hospitable, generous, charitable, poor-friendly
10. Can survive without trade – feed population with borders shut.
It took the terrible Civil War that reduced Lincoln to malnutrition to propel America to lead the West. Expect the same with Pakistan and Islam, give or take a few years, Inshallah.
Oops
Not Egypt – Pan Arabism (not Turkism). Apologies.
As Lincoln lay dying, his secretary of war Edwin Stanton [whom he never really got along with] at his bedside said, “Here lies the greatest leader of men the world has ever seen.”
It is no wonder you are attacking Lincoln. In your mind he is in competition with your prophet.
The Muslims of Central Asia were in awe of “Ibrahim” Lincoln, as they were anxious to see the yolk of Czarist Russian slavery broken.
Your read on the American Civil War is far off the track, Abbas. Very superficial.
Well Islam has plenty of mouths to feed that part is true.
Attacking Lincoln?
Cyrus Howell: Greetings
Attacking Lincoln? Where do you see that?
One’s knowledge of any subject (the American Civil War) could be better. However, I was a regular at the “Blue and Gray Society” in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and visited many a Civil War battlefields, including the Gettysburg.
Indeed, I owe my political theoretical model developed over the last 40 years to the American Civil War and its relevance to the developing situation in Pakistan.
In case you have not noticed that I work on application of Systems Theory to socio-economics.
Best wishes
Dream On. Pak is neither Arabic or has anything to contribute o Islam. The real Muslims are Arabs and rest are followers. Pray Pak does not lead the wold for the cause of destruction of Islam
That wishful thinking has reduced your country to its current awful state.
No scientific or historic basis to your analysis, just pure absure wishful thinking!
No, Urdu is much more closer to Indian languages than it is to Arabic!
Can you please refute any one of the facts in the analysis.
I never claimed that Urdu is closer to Arabic. I stated that Urdu has Arabic script. Urdu and Hindi are indistinguishable when spoken, but our Indian friends can not read or understand the Quran, we can because we learn Urdu.
You poor headed guy, What do you mean by Indians. INdian muslims very well understand Quran
My Muslim business colleague has an MBA from Allahabad, speaks excellent Urdu, but can not read a word of it because Urdu is no longer taught in most of India, Hindi is.
He reads Quran in English transliteration, and obviously, does not understand it as well as a Pakistani who can read Urdu would.
Speak in urdu to an Indian and he will understand you. Speak in urdu to an Arab and he will say “yalla rafique maafi hindi”
Urdu is younger sister of Hindi.
Correction: Urdu is much more closer to Pashto, Farsi and Arabi than it is to Indian languages. Hindi is hardly spoken in India anymore. The language called Hindi is a modern era Urdu, which was established by the Pashtoon and Farsi empires.
Urdu (based on Turkish word horde) began to take shape in the region of Uttar Pradesh in the Indian subcontinent during the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1527), and continued to develop under the Mughal Empire (1526–1858). Urdu is mutually intelligible with Standard Hindi spoken in India. Both languages share the same Indo-Aryan base, and are very similar in basic structure, grammar and to a large extent vocabulary and phonology, that they appear to be one language.[5] The combined population of Urdu and Standard Hindi speakers is the fourth largest in the world.[6]. Urdu is not based on Pashto which is spoken by just 15% of Pakistanis. Pashto has its origin in Iranina language and therefore has little to do with Urdu, which developed in India.
@Lakhkar Khan:Greetings from earth! You must have landed from Mars yesterday..or may be that is the funniest joke of 2013 you just cracked
If you re Pakistani , you got to be kidding about your thoughts.
First who welcome and accept Pakistani citizen starting from Saudi Arabia, mainly when Pakistani citizen is Muslim .
Who vouch for Pakistan to lead Islamic world Nobody, my suggestion to my Pakistani country men and women just stop living in dream, start telling your kids Muslims ruled the world for thousands year,
Ottoman empire has nothing to do with Pakistani Muslims, Arab do not want their daughter to marry Pakistani Muslim man BTW they have slightly different view about Pakistani Christians.
This reminds me of how Hitler thought of his mother land and the German race
What have you been smoking?
It came from Afghanistan
hahahahha my thoughts exactly!!!!
LOL! Now, what have you been smoking? Surely, you are returning to superpower Pakistan soon. Right?
Are you OK ?
awesome man …u will put Zaid Hamid to shame…as long as guys like u are in pak there is little hope for the country…let me put this short for u …its just plain humanity, ability to identify right and wrong…thats it…ur indian friend
By the way have they legalized marijuana in Toronto yet — looks like they have.
Buddy, you really live in Toronto….. how you reached there in first place..?….Pakistani will lead in future and is told by a guy of Pakistani origin migrated and living in Canada, LOL !!!
The future of Pakistan is in the hands of its people. It is the people who have to lead from the front. I think all the problems of Pakistan have one simple formula. The Pakistan army must stop supporting, sponsoring and promoting terror. This policy has created havoc in both Afghanistan and India. The army should not indulge in the politics of the state. Its job is to secure the borders. Let the civilian and elected government formulate the policy. Things have reached such a point that the people of Pakistan must stand up to the destructive polices of the army and secure their country.
As a Canadian-Pakistani and well also wisher of Pakistan but living in a far-off land, I endorse your views 100 percent! Let the military guard Pakistan’s frontiers and the politicians, the bureaucrats and judiciary administer the country. No more military involvement please!
“A strong people is the only lasting strength.”
Viva Zapata
I also wish well for Pakistan. I hope they become progressive and healthy nation. But who is gonna convince defese council of Pakistan (Dr. Hafeez Saeed), military, Hamid Gul the importance of military staying out of politics? Even Tahir Qadri and Imran are saying Military must get involved.
Where Are all these ” sane Pakistanis ” when a minster is shot by his own bodyguard? Out celebrating and throwing roses on the killer. Again and again we hear of these mythical sane Paks hidden somewhere in the country. Where are they ? I see no evidence for there existence.
The author believes that Pakistan will be broken into smaller pieces. Why is that a Bad thing? Pakistan is a failed state and a threat to the entire world, perhaps a series of successor states could do better, they certainly could not do worse.
LOL.
if a body guard shooting a Minister is the criterion than what about where a bodyguard shot and killed the Prime Minister?
Is India a failed state?
yeah but we dont have lawyer throwing flowers on the murderer
You can call Pakistan whatever you want but there will be no young lady getting rapped by 6 monsters, in a full passengers bus, while people taking pictures on their phone cameras. That is a shame.
From where are you reading/hearing the news dude ?………Do you really know what had happened….half truth is more dangerous than a lie buddy…..If you do not find any reliable source, I will explain you what exactly had happened.
Must have read in a Jamat-ud-Dawa newsletter.
The difference is that the former was garlanded and the later was sent to gallows!
But no rose petals shower for the killer.of the prime minister..he was executed as per the law of the land..why no action was not taken against the minister’s killer? Now and then hear about the support rallies for the killer..Where this will end?
“If you kill one innocent, it is as if you have killed the entire humanity.” How many great Mujahideens actually follow these words of god? That ought to stop you from making outrageous and childish comments, that is off course if you are not smoking Afghan hashish.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi,Azhikodan Raghavan,Beant Singh,Haren Pandya,Indira Gandhi,Pratap Singh Kairon,Rajiv Gandhi,Krishnanand Rai,Nagina Rai,Paritala Ravindra,K. Kunhali,Pramod Mahajan,Lalit Narayan Mishra, and many other democratically elected leaders assassinated in india by mostly indian citizens. Lets follow Andy advise and divide India even more, since their assassinations go longer and larger then Pakistan and Bangladesh.
do you live in Pakistan, Sir? do you know about Pakistan Sir? certainly not. and FYI that man was not Minister he was Governor of Punjab – Mr sympathizer. I know dozens of people who condemned the Killing of Salman Taseer.
Wow.. 12 people gave you thumbs up.. now I understand why democracy doesn’t work properly in this part of the world.. lol…
@Atif: are you talking about the part of the world you live in? its called military rule, glad to know you have heard about democracy
” I also wish that the approaching year proves to be better for women from all walks of life and brings an end to sex and honour crimes.”
Amen!
Ameen.
“Identity concealed due to security reasons”……seriously, why would you post her photo with name to make it convenient for people who wants to know who she is.
Mahar’s identity is conceled; not Faiza’s! READ SLOWLY AND ASSIMILATE!
Women are dying for attention.
Looks like you are also dying for attention.
Excellent commentary. But how many people of Pakistan will accept that there is something wrong with your religion. You need reforms ASAP. I saw a lot of debates involving Pakistanis from Britain and Australia. They seem to threaten the hosts with their ugly behavior. They almost shout down the participants and intimidate them. Normal people do not do this. It is very sad to see people in Hijab also becoming virulent and abusive. They have really spoiled Europe, which is very sad. Most of them went there with begging bowls and as refugees (political and economic). They go there and threaten the hosts. If those people can do this in a foreign country (which is supporting you so admirably), what else can they do in Pakistan? Anything to be surprised? Can you find Indians behaving this way abroad anywhere? How can you ensure 2013 will be any different?
@raw is war:
First off all, wish you a very happy new year!
Well friend, the article was of hope, a hope for a more peaceful world. I supplicate you to not hinder the great efforts of people like this author by harping on the deeds of the misguided people, however large their population might be (real or imagined).
Please wake up to reality that very few people gain from violence, strife and war. The common people always suffer, with lack of healthcare, education, jobs, peace etc. The faster common people realize that and start demanding their rights, a functional and accountable government, that cares for it’s people, the better our lives will be.
The world is divided into the peaceful and the war mongers. Which side are you on?
And by the way, I reckon you are an Indian like me. I’d like to remind you that one of our fundamental duties as prescribed by our constitution is to abjure violence and to promote peace.
So please don’t be ashamed to seek peaceful relations with all our neighbours.
Jai Hind!
“”raw is war”…..you must be insane when suggesting that there is something wrong with our religion, how much do you know about my religion ???? You are badmouthing like a typical Indian who feel proud after spewing venom against my country and religion.
Can you comment on recent incident in India where a young innocent girl was gang-raped in a bus and then thrown on the road side to die……..don’t you feel ashamed, people like you remind me of famous saying “the pot calling the kettle black”.
The recent incident in India has nothing to do with religion. Don’t wish to offend you but need to state the truth – most Hindus believe that Islam is a limited subset of the ancient Indus Valley religions (which incidentally originated in modern day Pakistan), And that the Vedas contain everything that’s found in Islam. And more. Doesn’t mean Hindus think there is anything wrong with Islam, but they certainly believe that it is limited in scope, and was meant for nomadic tribes in 7th century Arabia, not for the modern age. Can you let others have their opinions, and live with that at least in peace?
No religion can survive reason.
It is a problem with all religions, and not just with ours.
“But how many people of Pakistan will accept that there is something wrong with your religion. You need reforms ASAP.”
Only an Indian has the gall to call others when his house is not in order, at least let the ashes of the gang rape victim get cold before you make self righteous statements like this.
The Hindu Newpaper “India loses 3 million girls in infanticide” as of 2011, Indians killing fellow Indians.
India has more deaths in road accidents than any other country, Indians killing fellow Indians
United Nations Report: 2011 India had 40,752+ murders, Indians killing fellow Indians.
Have fun in your shining India.
Great Analysis by you, Now check the stats about Pakistan from the same source. Pakistan had some 13860+ figure against it. Also you ignored the murder rate in very next column which is 3.4 in India and 7.8 in Pakistan. more than double. just wait for 2012 stats . you ll be very pleased to see it because it will add up Karachi peace lover and all those peacefull cold murders of Shia Muslims.
But you wont i think because as your name suggest you live in a glass house
“something wrong with your religion”….
My God or should I say My Bhagwaan!! are you happy now?
Utter nonsense…
Thats rich coming from an Indian. You should know that your country is the rape capital, AIDS capital and poverty capital of the whole world.The entire world is sick at your countrymen’s horrid antics. I am amazed that you still muster up the audacity to come here and lecture us. Allah ki shaan.
people of south asia are basically the same race.Only there religion marks them out into different groups.A punjabi can be hindu sikh muslim or christian.So this punjabi just by having a different religous software in his/her head can have a huge antethisis towards another punjabi of different religion.Violence intolerance division and seperateness all stem from this software.Islam has the greater problem in that politics and religion are most intertwined even upto the most personal level. In islam its much more common to be accused of not being a good muslim and some like taliban and TTP force their views by violence .Born a hindu punjabi i hardly follow any of my religion or understand vast array of so many gods rituals.But never has any other hindu or religeous body accused me of being a bad hindu or threatened violence.This is the problem for Pakistan today.The minority extreme violent radicalized lobby control and have sway over the silent peacefull majority in almost all aspects of life and politics driving pakistan and pakistanis down a balck hole.
Imran go and check in any country Indian people have earned great respect.Many Pakistani in western country call them selves Indian when asked about their origin.More over we do not spoil the society if we go outside India We conside a country as our own whereever we get settled and provide us livelihood.We adapt to condition and society much better than Pakistani and it is a known fact.
We have our problems but we do not give a pass to those problem. We are working hard to make our country progress and we ll overcome all the problem.