Wednesday, August 8, 2012

“The game continues after checkmate” | The News Tribe Blogs

“The game continues after checkmate” | The News Tribe Blogs

"The Game continues after checkmate."

“Mama! That is checkmate.” My young daughter giggled and said it to me when in a very controversial and humiliating press conference Senator Faisal Raza Abidi showed the documents that the address of F&A Enterprises was Chief Justice House. I shook my head and gave a very ignorant gesture to her because Isaac Asimov’s words started comforting me that “In real life, the game continues after checkmate.” Although, it was really surprising for me that unlike past events WHY there was no suo moto from Supreme Court or WHY the registrar did not appear in scene for any clarification. I also wondered about the authenticity of the account number 01104739201of Silk Bank and then transactions above ten million, that how it is possible to have millions of transactions? As Chief Justice himself on 7th June 2012 gave a statement on Quran in Supreme Court that he did not own even a single, vehicle land or residence anywhere in country, and that he took loan from HBFC for valima ceremony of his son Arsalan Iftikhar. So a son who is dependent of his father, how come can have millions of rupees in business, or how and why someone would take loan from HBFC if they already have millions of rupees.
However, hold this question here, because the conspiracy further confused me when Senator Abidi argued in his unbearable outrageous tone that how could he take loan from HBFC when he did not own any land or residence. He further alleged that even if there was some land or residence, the loan was supposed to be consumed on the construction and not on wedding. He did not end there; he further alleged that the Honourable Chief Justice was born on 12th December 1948 while the loan is allowed for the people aged 18-60, while he is 65 now, therefore, under which law he was given loan?. He also said that the maximum limit of loan is 10 million while the expenditure of the ceremony in Marriott Islamabad was 30 million rupees. Now that was the limit to outburst my anger as I wouldn’t hear or watch that dirty filth against my honourable Chief Justice, who is symbol of freedom of civil society and independent judiciary. I turned off the TV in extreme fury and started biting my lips. That was the moment when my daughter giggled and said “Mama...! That is checkmate.”
I shook my head, gave her a very bad gesture and said that ‘No, how it can be checkmate when the game shall continue in real life’. I then started communicating with some big fishes of media and lawyers about there opinion. I wanted them to launch a demand to Supreme court to give a good lesson to this senseless senator, (who himself calls him a crazy). I argued that why and how a crazy can hurls with such false evidences with grave allegations. I demanded that why not to make him an example for next generations, that no one shall dream about any humiliation for our holy judges. I suggested that there should be some law for anyone, who speaks such nonsense, immediately be send to prison, or there should be some law like blasphemy that no one ever dares to speak against our supreme judiciary even on twitter and Facebook, and if they cannot control, then they must block these sites. Exactly the way, they abolished the recent relentless bill of Parliament. Huh.. The Parliament…, which is nothing but filled with corrupt people, elected by ruthless and illiterate voters. I persuaded them that his suspension from core committee of party is not enough but he should also be disqualified from his senate seat, the same way they disqualified ex-PM Gillani for his grave contempt. I told my lawyer colleagues to launch a serious demand to Supreme Court to take suo moto action, as it was ABSOLUTELY not possible that an official residence of a Chief Justice can be declared as the 'head office' of a private company. I also sought for a justification from Supreme Court for a biased report in which Islamabad police cordoned off a market of Islamabad when Arsalan Iftikhar wanted to have coffee.
I wanted to demand from Supreme Court that there shall be some law in blue books which provides FULL PROTOCOL, not only to our holy judges but to their family members too, as they are not only holy for us but they are highly vulnerable and under security threats of our bull headed agencies. However, as anything is possible in Pakistan, therefore, story did not ended here. I received a very annoying call from Pakistan where a CHEAP Journalist taunted me and said that Arsalan Iftikhar has given a statement in a newspaper that the address of his FATHER’s OFFICIAL residence was nothing but a mere fact,( although in those days the honourable Chief Justice was suspended). He further taunted me that The Senator is not sacked from core committee neither his entry to presidency is banned, he is ONLY given a show cause , he also informed me about the provoking interview of infidel Aitzaz Ahson to BBC where he clearly said that this judiciary is biased, which is not beneficial for the better good of the country. (‘Huh… He is not in senses after losing his worth.’) I mumbled. That cheap journalist was nevertheless in the mood to irritate me, he at end giggled and said, “ .Seems like a checkmate.”, ‘Ohh! why this word again?’ I could not control on my temper and hung up in extreme irritation and anger, and since then again biting my lips, shaking my head that ‘No, the game must continue after this grave humiliation. The judges must teach them a lesson on 8th of August.’ I am sure that my FREE and INDEPENDENT judiciary would not disappoint me and would certainly teach such a lesson not only to this insurgent senator but also to the disobeying government too in a way that no one in future would ever dare to speak ruthless. I know my INDEPENDENT judiciary would not disappoint me…!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Pakistani Politics, Democracy is the best revenge | The News Tribe Blogs

Pakistani Politics, Democracy is the best revenge | The News Tribe Blogs

Democracy is the best revenge...!!!


“First they will ignore you, then they will laugh at you, then they will fight you and then you will win.” I was only nine years old when my father told me these words of Mahatma Gandhi during a walk when I cried and complained about some class fellows, who used to make fun of me, suddenly started fighting and beating me before securing first position in exams. He persuaded me to follow the quote of Gandhi and take the insult as a key to win. I still wonder that was my first position later in exams was due to that insult or hard work. The purpose to write that incident of childhood and mentioning the quote is Multan election. Because, after decades those words started blinking like a bright flash light when the nation saw the most interesting and tough electoral contest in Pakistan after 1990’s. Although it was a by-election contest on the vacant seat after the dismissal of Pakistan’s another ELECTED Prime Minister by a controversial decision of only three member bench (out of 17) of Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan. However, it captured the attention of whole country and media to see the response of public after that dismissal.
Former Prime Minister Gilani’s own son Abdul Qadir Gilani contested against an independent candidate Shaukat Bosan in a nerve wrecking election. Mark Twain has once said that it is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog. Therefore, nobody took the contest as a single seat by-election but it was taken as PPP’s worth after the grave charges of corruption, poor governance and the rage of public according to media and survey reports. Although, it was obviously likely that Gilani’s son would win as the seat belonged to the areas which are traditionally the stronghold of the Gilani family. Nevertheless, the hype created by the media, the support of all opposition parties and the impression that people would not support PPP after SC’s decision really made the election as one of the great contests in Pakistan’s history of elections. Although Bosan apparently fought as an independent candidate but it was crystal clear that PML-N, PTI, JI, DPC openly supported him and the most surprising thing, which is beyond imaginations that Mr Bosan even used name and photos of Chief Justice during his campaign. Pakistan, where anything is possible in politics, has left another surprise for the critics and lawyers that under which law any political person can use the name and posters of a serving Chief Justice during an election campaign, that the people who support Honourable Chief Justice should vote for him. Not only this, the most surprising thing that why no court took any suo moto action for that action as a contempt. In addition, the major groups of media played a key role to provoke people of Multan, also, opposition parties persuaded them to SAY NO TO GILANIS due to the corruption and scandals charges. Therefore, it was not only a contest of PPP v all, but also a test case for coming elections that what would be people’s mood after a massive media campaign. However, as Gandhi said that when they will fight you then you win, so he won, though with a narrow majority of almost four thousand votes. But he won.
Now, the matter to discuss that why people of Multan did not consider the media propaganda. Why charm of Imran Khan, the romance for honourable Chief Justice and the magic of Nawaz Sharif could not work? Why they again elected a corrupt person? Why PPP won again? Benazir once said that People of Pakistan see her as symbol of democracy, my question that why still charisma of BHUTTO factor overwhelms his followers when no Bhutto is leading the party. Unfortunately, the dilemma of critics and political actors remained beyond repair when they blamed people of Multan for a wrong decision. It was really interesting to see media tycoons biting lips, and ridiculing the people that why they again elected the corrupt. Wonder, if they would really understand the mind set of a rural man and not the surveys of urban organisations. An ordinary person of Multan, Dadu, and Mansehra has nothing to do with the elite class and technocrats. They watch programs, they discuss programs, they like programs, but when it comes to vote, they would not only go to the Biradri system but they would also judge that who is more helpful and influential to solve their problems. Jamshed Dasti is bright example to understand the mind-set of rural voters who thrashed the orders or disqualification of Courts, people elected him again, and may re-elect him again. That is the basic mentality, which is not grasped by an intellectual of Lahore or Islamabad who has never been in the Otaq of any Wadera or Sardar. No matter he belongs to PPP , PTI or PML, but the local influence in rural area would always play key role in winning the constituency. Perhaps that was the basic formula, which compelled Imran Khan to change his policy of change by induction of large number of SIYASI LOTAZ to secure more seats in assemblies. Although in urban areas situation can take any turnover at anytime, although in the battle of “Untouchables” a common man is left empty handed having no electricity, security and peace but the role of impartial media and civil society can play a vital role for the defeat old players. I still remember the reaction of Pindi voters with Shaikh Rasheed, however, Churchil also said that in war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times. Similarly, one can again rise as a TITAN if once defeated. However, for such results, it is necessary to let the system go accordingly.
The main reason of whole disturbance and chaos is the vigilant role of some media people and unelected parties to provoke courts and hidden forces to derail the democracy. We are perhaps the only country where our judges make up the mind after watching talk shows, and the echo of boots starts haunting within few years of a democratic process. Let the people decide their fate as democracy is the best revenge. It is not the prophecy of media to dictate or the non-political actors to overcome for the change of system and leave it with more wounds. The filtration or accountability is only possible by a true and fair process of elections, not by laughing, and then fighting because it would end up only in another victory.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saint George, The dragons and the city of Chaos.

Pakistan is perhaps a unique country in the whole world where the word “NORMAL” is slowly diminishing or being extinguish. It is either news, incidents, or stories. All would falls under box of Abnormalities. Actually, a continuous series of unfortunate events seems never ending. It is the only country, which owes to fight against terror; it gives sacrifice of thousands of civilians, army men, and an ex-PM’s life but then also convicts the main person or a hero who helped to vanquish the mastermind of terrorism. It is at the same time the only country, whose parliament passes resolutions after resolutions for sovereignty yet at the same time helplessly witness drone attacks. It is the only country, where you would witness no law and order in the biggest city. Dozens are killed every day for no reason, also police has arrested no one for the assassination of a woman due to open fire on road, who was victims of death only being part of the protest rally against movement of refugee province. It is the only country where you would daily read a great number of kidnappings for ransom or rape incidents of young girls even of age four and six., no matter how against the whole nation, government, administration is, but no one has ever been able to stop the incidents, or convict the defendants publically. In fact, no one even bothers to follow the trials of proceedings indeed. Media only cover the story of the rape, organisations issues statements on channels, and then another incident happens so the show goes on. This is also the only country, where Prime minister rudely says to the one-third population to leave and choose even hell to settle down, because if they are not happy within the country, then they should rather leave it forever. This is the only country, where you would see its own citizen (honourable ambassador to US), ridiculed in the media and in the courts, but a foreigner citizen to not only be treated as darling but giving directions to the courts and commission to take his statement in some other country. Finally, this is the country, where you would see a culprit, a corrupt making signs of victory with pride, and appearing proudly before the courts. You would see politicians penalised due to political disputes in courts but not a true culprit or corrupt convicted for wrong doing, however, I was very hopeful and optimist during the recent shocking proceedings of Family gate Scandal. Luxury flats, London and Monte Carlo trip, Buddha bar Casino, a beautiful companion and the name of the DON, who was no other but Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Supreme Court’s chief justice. One of the country's top business tycoons; Malik Riaz showed the list to a specific group of journalists. That he was black mailed by Arsalan Iftikhar’s false hopes of helping him for his cases in “His father’s court”. The matter was first discussed in closed drawing rooms for months, until one of those journalists leaked the story on you tube and then the case was opened in court by CJ’s suo moto action. I still cannot believe that is that really a true scandal or a plot of some successful Bollywood ‘Masala’ (Fast and Furious kind of Spicy plot) movie. As the allegations were seriously grave and prima facie credible. Also, so authentic that it is still hard to believe that how could CJ remained unaware of such a big scandal within his own home. How could he believed that his son started earning millions of dollars suddenly who had no job a few year ago, how couldn’t he think that what magic his son showed in business which 98% of other businessmen can’t. However, his honesty is beyond all reasonable doubts and he was rather seen with more respect after suo moto action against his own son’s case, although later he excluded himself from the bench. And the case became a hot topic to be discussed in all TV and talk shows. Pakistan is, nevertheless, again a unique and for sure only country in the world, where the prime entertainment time is fully hijacked by political talk shows. The case is not that the media has no entertainment channels, but it is because of the pubic that political shows are now more entertaining than any other entertainment. Like old roman days where the only entertainment of romans was to watch their gladiators fighting to death. Similarly Our public has also said GOODBYE to cinema, theatres, and drama industry for their media gladiators. They get excited by seeing their favourite politicians raising fists and abusing each other’s. In other words, these political actors are fulltime entertainers to satisfy the torturous lust of our frustrated public. Who themselves cannot do anything against the corruption, load shedding and terrorism but at least feel good by watching their opponent leaders insulted by their favourite leaders at the peak dinnertime. Any ways, summing up the point that the case had become a blasting topic to be discussed and watched over dinner tables, offices, social media and perhaps even in bedrooms. Also, Due to not tackling the matter carefully in media, the family gate scandal turned to filth gate scandal. However, first time, we witnessed a major split. Although, no one had any doubt on the honesty of Chief Justice, who has an image of Saint George of Pakistan, Yes the same Saint George who fought against dragon in the city of silence. Here in this case, our Saint George fought against the dragons of corruption in the city of chaos. He became the sign of freedom and hope of any poor. Although, the split was actually on his son’s role, one group called it conspiracy while the other insisted that the corrupt son shall be punished, and CJ must sacrifice for his son for the sake of saving the institution. Nevertheless, Friedrich Nietzsche perhaps said a quote for our current scenario that “He who fights too long against the dragons becomes a dragon itself.” the CJ fought against the dragons, the nation made him saint, and made him so powerful that he himself became a symbol of resect and not the Supreme court. However, the question is that if he himself becomes a dragon then what may happen. Like, in past few months, a few media correspondents and some politicians persuaded his attention for their own agenda.. It happened in past campaigns, especially in Memo gate Scandal, where only due to news reports PML-N jumped to the SC about the inquiry. Or SC took actions against government for planting a conspiracy by only depending on media reports of a specific group. He is no doubt honest, but no one can deny that he gave many controversial verdicts against a specific party, which is in government. There are many other cases against other groups and parties, but the main target since his restoration remained only one party. Similarly, his suo moto actions in number of cases were calculated, he took a great effort against missing persons, but he never reached to the main cause of those missing people. He never listened to the other side of the story by the agencies who had their own logics of taking those people. However, I myself am against of that kind of prosecution as every human even a criminal has basic rights, they could be taken publically and brought before the courts, no matter even military courts, but at least they should be given chance of a fair trial. But the way CJ behaved in the proceedings , gave other impression to the agencies. He took suo moto in many cases but surprisingly he never reopened any trial proceedings against 12th May 2007 incident. Where more than seventy people were killed only due to him. The whole nation saw a hostile commission against Mr Haqqanni and then the laughable report of the commission. However, for his own son, his own created bench only issued a short order by referring the matter in hands of Attorney General, who immediately said that there would be no action if the culprit returns the money. It is beyond thinking that if SC had to do so then what was the need of taking suo moto action? People are compelled to think that by giving the matter in the hands of government who itself is involved in corruption cases is more likely to balancing the equation. As it simply would end the matter and people would see another smiling face walking away from the court with the sign of victory... Like Shah Rukh Khan said in his blockbuster movie that it is not only difficult but also nearly impossible to catch a DON. On the other hand, the filth gate scandal has now turned into Media gate. A list of journalists suddenly circulated in social media that they were bribed from MR and at the same time, the other group leaked a “Behind the Scene” conversation of two anchors with MR to establish it as a planted interview. It is irrelevant to write that one of them is fired from job, and other is going through the process of survival... However, even if they would survive, they would not go out to face the hostile public. Not only this, but the full court had a special session on that interview, that why it was released, which means that the judges would be considered like prophets or holy cow and anyone who would ever dare to speak on their corruption ( if any) may be in breach of their self created blasphemy rules. They could have call the session for the supremacy of the Court, but not for their own selves. Now, my question in this media gate scandal to my media brothers and sisters, that aren’t we all slanders of behind the scenes or in OFF THE RECORD conversations. As a media woman, I know how do we instruct or get instructions by our employers, directors or even from influential guests…. Therefore, if it is all published, then we all are not slanders, but libels. So if it is so, then where are our human rights…? Therefore, here is the point where journalists like me are scared to write that if any of their word offends a specific group with harsh mentality and extremism, then anything could happen to them, they could be fired by their organisations, they can be ridiculed by extremists on Twitter, and other social media. Alternatively, that hostile group of lawyers who even beat the judges in lower courts can beat them. Because, the trend is scaring me that anyone is punishable who would raise voice with their own opinion. Why our level of tolerance has gone below zzero level that we only see other person’s corruption but if it comes to our own wrongdoing, we become ready to cut their throats. Although I am within the reach on Social media, but physically, I am little saved for not being in Pakistan. Otherwise, I would face the same kind of bullies, who threated me to death only due to giving water to stray dogs and cats in extremely hot weather of Pakistan only due to that reason that they would grab them and touch their clothes in the way to mosque for prayers. Those poor creatures used to cuddle on every road passer that they would be also kind like this crazy writer and would give them food and water. It is irrelevant to write that those all poor creatures were poisoned to death by the same group. Therefore, you never know the level of frustration of the other, and you never know about their beliefs. We are again emerging as a unique nation, who says hip hip to sweet and thu thu to bitter.