Archive for May, 2008
Which is Best: A Kingdom or A Democracy ?
Guest Blog by EnI’s Domain
I read a book recently and a lot of what was written - even though fiction - seemed to be true for Pakistan. The book showed how people from a democratic country, who had gone through a major man-made calamity, grabbed onto the idea of a kingdom in hopes of finding [...]
You deserve what you get
For sometime I contemplated if this article may best be simply linked too in the collection of Decidous Links [mini-links] we have running on the blog but then it would not have opened an opportunity for comments and reactions and I suspect this heart felt article by Ghazala Minallah might evoke some comments from our [...]
Safe Passage for Musharraf - for What?
There are strong reports coming in from Islamabad that General Musharraf may truly [finally] be unseated and sent home packing.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held an extremely important meeting with President Pervez Musharraf at the Army House Rawalpindi late on Wednesday. The meeting continued till after midnight [...]
Where is our parliament in all this?
Guest Blog by Amjad Malik
Economy is nose diving in Pakistan and people with load shedding, wheat and oil crisis are forced to take law in their own hands and we saw people burning the robbers in Karachi and indecisiveness is breeding law and order crisis, apathy and decline where any thing can happen as a [...]
Bt cotton is “welcomed” in Pakistan
Published in Financial Post on May 12 2008 by Najma Sadeque
Previous discussions on BT Cotton can also be found here ‘Monsanto - Genetically modified BT Cotton ‘terminator’ seeds being introduced in Pakistan‘
No other fabric can compare with cotton, especially for warm weather wear. It will always be worn; it will always have a market. [...]
Pervaiz Elahi audio tape
The latest twist to the political chaos where Ahsan Iqbal shares an audio recording of conversation of Ch. Pervaiz Elahi who seems to be talking to a contact about a plot to manipulate the judges in rejecting the bye-election papers of Nawaz Shairf and Shahbaz Sharif. My reaction to all this is that it [...]
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me
Guest post by Salahuddin Ahmed
Lets not live in cloud-cuckoo land.
Zardari asked for 30 days time to restore judges. It was given. He agreed with Nawaz for an extension of 12 days. We all waited in vain. Now we are expected to continue waiting for an indefinite period of time (no ulti ginti, please) to allow [...]
Judicial Crisis in Review
This short 10 minute video presentation is a timeline of the political and judicial crisis in Pakistan. The timeline starts from the appointment of Mr.Iftikhar Chaurdy as CJ in 2005 and moves on to imposition of emergency in 2007 and its after effects. Various snapshots and videos for each event in between these dates have [...]
Economic Terrorism - by Zaid Hamid
I share with you a five-part series of the talk show Brass Tacks televised on TV One, the interview is of Mr. Zaid Hamid who shares his opinions on the global banking problems in light of historical understanding. He has some strong arguments, definitely worth a listen. Your views would be interesting to [...]
The Package is out !!!
by Afzal Khan
Islamabad May 24
The Constitution Package proposed by the PPP is partly out. It is comprehensive and probably first attempt to cover a broad spectrum of changes and correct distortions made by military rulers since the original document was approved in 1973. It also tries to enshrine most part of the Charter of Democracy [...]
All The President’s Men
by Afzal Khan
Islamabad May 24
Musharraf keeps his strangle hold on the governance
Islamabad May20:”We want governance and not just government”, PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari had bravely declared soon after elections. Unfortunately for him, that runs counter to Gen. (R) Pervez Musharraf’s concept of shedding the authority he had usurped in 1999 and has retained much of [...]
Cui Bono: Is This Constitutional Amendment a Ploy?
Guest blog by Temporal from Baithak
The media is speculating about a 62 point draft of a constitutional amendment that would ostensibly cleanse the 1973 constitution of the changes made by Pervez Musharraf.
“Pakistan’s main ruling party has drafted a set of constitutional amendments that would erase the legacy of President Pervez Musharraf, its leader said [...]
Khuda Khair Karay
Guest Blog by Temporal from Baithak
The KSE 100 index has fallen below 13000 to an eight month low. There are rumors of three members who may default. The contributing factors have been:
The Rabbani government’s inability to provide economic leadership
SBP’s unprecedented pre market opening rate hike
Co chairman of the hand written will’s egotistical and hard [...]
Nawaz Abbasi may be appointed as ad hoc SC judge
Reports are circulating within some quarters that provisions are being made to allow Justice Nawaz Abbasi, who took oath under Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) to serve in an ad hoc position in the Supreme Court. It ironic that on one hand the government [aka Zardari] is making tall claims to push for restoration of [...]
Walk for Restoration of Judiciary & CJP Iftikhar addresses Karachi Bar
A city wide call has been issued to all Karachiites who believe in the restoration of Judiciary to join Citizens, Students, lawyers, trade unions, civil society groups and show support for Restoration of the Pre-Nov 3rd Judiciary
The call is being issued by the Lawyers where the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry will do [...]
Chairman CBR dancing away…. [Updated]
Abdullah Yusuf (Chairman CBR) seen doing an exotic dance in a suit in front of an excited crowd which also had Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz seated in the front rows. I just found it amusing… Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JGbtExt0_g
Credit Faisal Khan | Download Clip
Video updated with the longer version and a clearer image
Is the Judges Issue a Distraction to the Economic Crisis?
The most common argument that I get asked day in and day out, is “Judicial issue is diverting the governments attention from the core issue of the economical crisis”, in response I have endlessly argued against the rhetoric, since I have long since believed that the economical problem though valid and very important is more [...]
Valedictory Speech of Munir Malik - 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights
Courtesy of 518 International Solidarity Blog: May 18 known as 518, is one of Gwangju’s most significant dates. The annual commemoration is a tradition that has been observed by the families of the victims which the government only instituted in 1995. It is also an important date for Gwangju citizens and the Korean public in [...]
How Citibank Laundered Asif Zardari’s Money
I just came across this write up found on Chowk published on November 7th 2007, its definitely worth reading.
In addition to Mr. Shaukat Aziz, current Prime Minister of Pakistan, numerous former Citibankers occupy highly influential positions in the government and the private sector in Pakistan.
Citibank is one of the largest banks, and operates one of [...]
Monsanto - Genetically modified BT Cotton ‘terminator’ seeds being introduced in Pakistan
Last week, while the country was besieged with crippling food and energy shortages, the government authorised the Ministry of Agriculture to finalize a deal with Monsanto for the introduction of BT cotton. BT cotton’s global record, failures and dangers were not adequately publicised in the media. There has been no public debate to discuss its [...]
Teeth Maestro v 4.0
Welcome to the new design of Teeth Maestro’s Blog, it is for the record the fourth major re-design of this blog since 2004 when I first started to blog on the world wide web..
The v3.0 had been running for almost an entire year and saw us through some serious political debates here in Pakistan but [...]
When Justice does not prevail…..
Yesterday an Urdu daily Khabrian published this shocking image which showed three people being burnt alive whilst a large crowd stood watching. A Daily Times reporter wrote a story without the gruesome image. For the record I must fully condemn this incident and my sharing this story is only to highlight the failing [...]
Muneer Malik and Aitzaz Ahsan accept the AHRC’s Human Rights Defender Award
The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to inform you that at an award ceremony held at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club, Hong Kong , Mr. Muneer Malik accepted the Human Rights Defender Award on behalf of himself and his colleague, Mr. Aitaz Ahsan. Mr. John J. Clancey, the chairperson of the AHRC made the presentation [...]
Lawyers Marching to Islamabad for Justice
It seems there is a group of lawyers who are marching their way on foot from Lahore to Islamabad to save the Judiciary in Pakistan. Tired an drained last night they were reported to have reached Jehlum and would commence their journey towards Dina, Sohawa & Gujar Khan early today morning. A detailed [...]
Princeless Moment for Pakistan
The Pakistani nation of 160 million awaiting justice & acountability: $ FREE
Cheap animal suits to celebrate the ’successful’ London talks: $30
Camera to share your priceless moment: $50
There are somethings that the establishment can buy,
For everything else there is the NRO card
Stale Mate
Guest Blog by: Amjad Malik
At last, it has happened what was feared for days by many here and abroad, that judges are not restored and Sharifs are out of cabinet. Nawaz Sharif has said good bye to PPP led cabinet preferring to sit and wait whilst lawyers and civil society is sorting out their armoury [...]
May 12, 2007 - In remembrance
Pakistan stood stunned almost a year back on May 12th 2007 when the city of Karachi was held hostage in the hands of terrorists who went on a killing spree. The culprits were caught on tape and much was said about bringing these culprits to justice, but unfortunately nothing has come out, despite our [...]
Restore Judges not Dogars, Peoples Resistance Rally in Karachi
Members of civil society in Karachi asked the democratically elected government to respect their anti-establishment and pro-judiciary mandate and not follow agenda of establishment by complicating the issue of reinstatement of judiciary.
These views were expressed after a walk was held to support the restoration of judiciary from Khadda Market to the residence of non-functional Chief [...]
Soomro’s royal pilgrimage cost Pakistan $2.8m
The Nation published a news item highlighting the lavish spending done by the caretaker Prime Minster Muhammadmian Soomro when he took a few day sojourn to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. The state visit damaged our national exchequer to the tune of over $2.8 Million / equivalent to Rs 196 Million, since a Boeing [...]
PR Protest on May 11 for the Restoration of Judiciary
People’s Resistance is organizing a walk from Khadda Market to Chief Justice Mr Sabihuddin’s house on May 11 at 6:15 pm. The participants will gather outside Rahat Milk Shop and start their walk from there. Prominent lawyers and civil society activists are joining the walk.
People’s Resistance, a coalition of concerned citizens, students, teachers, NGOs, trade [...]
Pakistan Hood’winked
It was back in April when Moin Ansari of the Rupee News Blog trumped us with the news that the Commandant of Guantanamo Bay Prison, Maj Gen Jay W. Hood had been sent to Pakistan. It does not take a genius to figure out that Guantanamo Bay was a major goof-up by the American [...]
