President Zardari

Sindhi Culture under attack by Pakistani Media – Celebrate Sindhi Culture on December 6, 2009.

Let us join in the mass celebration of Sindhi culture on December 6 & renew our pledge to protect our language, culture, and identity.

President Zardari was seen wearing Sindhi cap proudly inspecting Guard of Honor in Kabul (Capitol of Afghanistan) on international media.

by: Khalid Hashmani, McLean, Virginia

For many years, Pakistan’s exploiting class including Urdu and some English media have been engaged in a malicious propaganda against Sindhi culture and language. First, they and short-sighted custodians of Sindh destroyed Sindh’s education system which was once envy of other provinces. Their particular assault was against Sindhi-medium schools that has ultimately resulted in the closure of more 7,000 Sindhi-medium schools in Sindh. This conspiracy has succeeded so much that many of Sindh’s middle class and upper middle class parents send their children to only the English and Urdu medium schools. Seeing the success of this conspiracy, the enemies of Sindhi culture and language have now extended their assault against Sindhi dress and other cultural aspects.

Spearheading this attack are the anti-Sindhi GEO television reporters and anchors that took cheap shots against President Asif Zardari, who wore Sindhi cap (called Topi) together with other elements of Sindhi attire. They were particularly ired because Mr. Zardari was seen wearing Sindhi cap proudly inspecting Guard of Honor in Kabul (Capitol of Afghanistan) on international TV stations. Their blatant attack against the 5,000-old traditions of Sindh has awakened the sleeping Sindhi intellectual and educated class.

The cultural stewards have thus far been hibernating in denial, gently pushing other Sindhis to abandon Sindhi leaders and look towards non-Sindhi political groups that have only shown contempt for Sindhi culture and the respect Sindhis have for all religions of the world.

Sindhis all over the world are going to hold rallies and meetings next Sunday (December 6, 2009) to celebrate their cultural identity and to renew their pledge to protect their culture and language. The cynics among Sindhis await anxiously if the renewed appeals to protect Sindhi culture and traditions would result in some tangible progress or as usual they will go back to their old ways, once the political juice has been extracted.

Nevertheless, let us join in the mass celebration of Sindhi culture on Sunday (December 6) and renew our pledge to protect our language, culture, and identity.

Foods that Fight Infection

Colds and flu get their starts when just a few viruses slip into your system. Once they are inside, they immediately set to work making more viruses. If your immune system doesn’t stop them early on, they multiply to enormous numbers, and that’s when you start feeling sick.

One way to stop this microbial invasion is to eat more fruits and vegetables. These foods contain a variety of substances that strengthen the immune system. Making it better able to destroy viruses before they make you sick.

Lemons, grapefruit, oranges, cauliflower ad peaches are good for cold and flu. Garlic contains compunds anti- bactaria and anti-virus nutirents has been used throughout history for treating virtually every type of infection. Now there is a increasing evidence that it can help protect against colds and flu as well.

Garlic contains chemically active compounds. Two of them, allicin and allin, have been shown to kill germs directly. Plus, garlic appears to stimulate the immune system to release natural killer cells. Which destroy even more germs. Vitamin C is also very useful against cold and flu. To get the benefits of garlic, however, you have to eat a lot of it to stay healthy with Nutrition. If you get cold take black tea or green tea or herbal tea without milk and sugar. Take vitamin C or lemon juice every day.

MOGADISHU:  A judge for an Islamic militant group in Somalia says a woman has been stoned to death and her boyfriend given 100 lashes for having an affair. Sheikh Ibrahim Abdirahman, the judge for the group al-Shabah, says the woman was killed on Tuesday in front of a crowed of some 200 people near the town of Wajid. Abdirahman says the 20-year-old woman had an affair with 20-year-old unmarried man and gave birth to a stillborn child. The militants that control much of southern Somalia and have links to al-Qaida have instituted a conservative reading of Islam’s Sharia law. The stoning death was at least the fourth for adultery in Somalia over the last year. It was the second time a female has been killed. Last month, two men were stoned to death in Merka after being accused of spying.

Antibiotic-proof bacteria

Stockholm: Resistance to antibiotics is increasing in Eur0pe and throughout the world because of their excessive use, a deadly and costly curse according to health experts meeting in Stockholm. Experts at the 2nd annual European antibiotics awareness day says hyper-resistant bacteria is a emerging and threatening the pillars of the global health. Some bacteria are  becoming resistant to all treatments. Hyper-resistant bacteria also cost Europe too much. The Hyper-resistant or super bacteria kill tens of thousands of patients in the US, according to officials. Experts suspect the situation could be even worse in poor countries, where antibiotics circulate more freely and are often available without a prescription.

Chandigarh/Lahore: Indian Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has been invited to Pakistan for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Guru Nanak Dev University being set up by the Pakistan government at Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev – the founder of Sikhism.

The invitation was extended by former education minister of Pakistan’s Punjab, Imran Masood, at a meeting with Badal and others here. Masood has been instrumental in doing the ground work for setting up the university at Nankana Sahib named after Guru Nanak Dev. The ground-breaking ceremony of the university at Nankana Sahib, near Lahore city, will take place next month. Masood said the formal invitation for the university ceremony would be sent to Badal and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the Pakistan/Punjab  government shortly. Former Punjab minister said he is hopeful of cooperation from the Indian Punjab government in helping set up the university in Pakistan and the university in Amritsar would extend all possible help in providing literature and other related educational material for the research in this upcoming university at Nankana Sahib.

President Asif Zardari

Sindh Democratic Forum met on Nov. 27/09  in an emergent meeting and deliberated on the issue raised by all such print and electronic media that are pursuing anti-Sindhi policies and continuously malign Sindh culture and language. SDF showed its dismay over the launch of a media trail against 5000 years old civilization by focusing President Asif Ali Zardari for wearing a Sindhi Topi during his diplomatic visit to other countries as head of the state. Wearing century’s old sings of great Indus civilization and culture is also a fundamental right of the president of Pakistan as a Sindhi… SDF Further said that criticism on the conduct of present regime is a fundamental right of professional bodies of civil society including media. Sindh’s civil society is too vigilant of the governance failures of the regime of PPP but attack on a nation’s culture and dress cannot be at any cost tolerated and forgiven.

SDF has appealed to all journalist unions, forums and press houses to intervene in this matter and talk to their colleagues not to become so partisan, non-profession and biased to the rich culture of Indus valley.

To protest against such an offensive and vile attack on the signs of Sindhi culture, Sindh Democratic Forum has called a protest march on December 6th, 2009 @ 12.30 PM sharp from Gymkhana Chock to press Club Hyderabad Building.

Leading intellectuals, writers, peace, human rights and women activists, lawyers, columnists, journalists and concerned citizens will join the march and everyone is directed to wear Sindhi Topi and Ajrak to express their love to these great signs of Sindh’s identity.

Abrar Kazi (Convener), Zulfiqar Halepoto (secretary)

By Khalid Hashmani
The fundamental principal behind Qurbani-e-Jee -Eid/ Eid-Ul-Azha is that one must be prepared to sacrifice to uphold the noble causes that are most cherished by God, which I believe are peace, respect and justice for every one. Indeed, Allah wants us to do our best to bring an end to discrimination and exploitation and to protect human rights and as well for animal rights. Those who sponsor animal sacrifices that incur intense pain on goats, sheep, lambs, cows, and camels may want to consider donating the equivalent amount to the organizations that are dedicated to animal welfare and human rights.

Islamabad: Pakistan celebrated the rollout of a multi-purpose jet fighter manufactured in the country under a joint venture with China. The first locally produced JF-17 Thunder made its debut at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, a small garrison town so 65 km northwest of Islamabad. ” It is indeed a landmark achivement, which signifies the trump of the will of our nation,” Pakistan Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Oamar Suleman said in a statement. The all weather jet fighter is equipped with advanced avionics and weapon system, and can reach top speed of Mach 1.6. It has a combat radius of 1,350 km, but is also capable of in fight refueling.

With no freedom to chose within Pakistan, people of Sindh will chose freedom…

- Iqbal Tareen, Washington, DC

People of Sindh clearly see a Noora Kushty in conflict between PML (N) and MQM. Politically naive people couldn’t get the drift of MQM at all. MQM excels in “Use and lose” game. In my book “Harvest will come” I had predicted that MQM will stab PPP in the back because Nawaz Sharrif and MQM have common family tree going all the way to Zia-ul-Haq. Combined with all other rightist parties this is another IJI, which is once again engaged against a party that was not manufactured in GHQ. Many so-called “progressive and people friendly activists” have been taken for a ride.

Although many rightist organizations used PPP’s reconciliation with MQM as a pretext to demean PPP but their real motive was an overthrow of a representative democracy to replace it with GHQ preferred and hand-picked gang of a few. Now that Nawaz Sharif and other pro-Uma parties are ready to baptize Altaf Hussain, the MQM will overnight turn from a Haraam party to a Halaal party.

The dating game between MQM and Muslim (N) actually started when Javed Hashmi came up with his weird idea of 12 provinces. Through him PML (N) actually extended an olive branch to MQM. The idea of 12 provinces and PPP-hate has placed all the bad eggs in one basket.

NRO and corruption issues are nothing less than a stunt pulled by these parties combined together. Nawaz Sharrif lived in Medina Sharrif for almost 8 years under the selective blessings of NRO midwife by the Saudis and granted by Musharraf.

Altaf Hussein and his party leaders including present governor of Sindh live cot free under amnesty from murder and felony cases granted to them by Musharraf government and his kangaroo courts.

As far as corruption and crime is concerned, it is embedded in Pakistani society from top to the bottom and sideways. From judiciary to Pakistani military brass, bureaucracy, politicians, Ulema, business leaders, and civil society members, and educators all are deep into corruption and favoritism.

None of the opposing political and religious parties are free from corruption and crime. Pakistani establishment thrives on systemic corruption and power abuse. Absolute majority of civil and military officers live imperial lives beyond their means. Many are directly and indirectly beneficiaries of drug business in Pakistan and have their hands stained with blood for assassinations and murders of innocent civilians and their political rivals. It is beyond me to see bunch of unscrupulous people preaching scruples.

The menace of corruption should be dealt with by a fair and open judicial process. You don’t overthrow a mandate because some of the members of ruling party are also corrupt.

To the people of small provinces the current hate movement is all about zero tolerance of their representative government by bunch of pro-establishment hate-driven parties, which are bent upon creating environment leading to an overthrow of a democratically elected government in Pakistan.

Baloch people have already lost faith in provincial autonomy or even talk about 1940 Resolution. They are clearly demanding freedom for Balochistan. People of Sindh are also pondering if Pakistan is a viable arrangement for the recourse of their decades old grievances. It is an overwhelming perception of people of Sindh that none of the small province based leadership is ever acceptable to Punjab-Muhajir dominated body of politics in Pakistan, which constitutes a core of Pakistani Establishment.

Many Sindhi and Baloch leaders and parties have worked on the premises that “Whenever Sindhis and Baloch participate in national politics, the Sindh and Baloch rights will are compromised” According to them thus “It is a futile exercise to waste any effort into a lost cause”

They raise a question that if moderate and pro-Pakistan Sindhi and Baloch leaders like ZA Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Ghous Bux Bezenjo, Wali Khan, and Akbbar Bugti were not acceptable to Pakistani establishment, how can any Sindh or Balochistan rights party or leaders can find a sympathetic ear in the present setup.

A singled out onslaught on Asif Zardari is also perceived as a zero tolerance for a Sindhi leader in Pakistani national politics. PML (N), PML (Q), MQM, and all religious parties are united in bringing one man down. Entire media has issued a eulogy on Zardari’s government already.

Just a friendly warning if you bring down a strong proponent of “Pakistan Khappay”, you will be hard-pressed to find any soul in Sindh calling Pakistan Khappay again. A domino’s effect in already in action grabbing Muslim world into its grip. Pakistan falling into the hands of pro-Taliban and spineless political forces will trigger downing of various South Asian Muslim states. The fall of representative democracy will give rise to total Talibanization in Pakistan.

Any overthrow of their elected representatives will force people of Sindh to vote with their feet. They will simply walk away from Pakistan. Sindh is nation of Latif, Sachal, Sami, and Lal Qalandar. People of Sindh are not in the business of hate and violence. But they will not allow spin doctors to undo their mandate.

People of Sindh have no part of establishment on its side. Sindhis have only ballot power to leverage. Majority of Sindhis believe that given peaceful and fair elections they hope to witness vanishing of politics of corruption, incompetence, and power abuse within a decade or two. If their mandate is stolen and their power of ballot is diminished Sindhi people will lose their right to choose.

With no freedom to choose within Pakistan, people of Sindh will likely choose their freedom without Pakistan.

November 26, 2009

by: K. Ashraf

That is the impression MQM leadership is trying to give that the killing people is lesser crime than corruption. MQM has created a territory for itself. Govt. auditors cannot audit Karachi and Hyderabad city governments.

One of the conditions agreed upon MQM and PPP to become coalition partners was to leave Karachi and Hyderabad’s finances unaudited. It is not only MQM and PPP, basically Pakistan’s total ruling elite has become addicted to corruption. They cannot survive without it. They don’t give a damn if Pakistan survives or not.

Courtesy: K. Ashraf & crdp@yahoogorups.com

LINGUISTICS AND NEW PROVINCES – PML-N and MQM alliance returning to Zia’s roots

by: Iqbal Tareen

Javed Hashmi is either desperately fishing to carve a new political platform where he can clearly distinguish himself or PML-N has thrown a bombshell to shakeup PPP-ANP-MQM ruling coalition in center and in the province of Sindh. Dividing Punjab in multiple parts will not dilute its effective power unless Pakistan army is transformed into a true national army from its current regional structure and characterstics. For all practical purposes Pakistan army is the only political party, which has been in power since the birth of the country. The windfall benefits of Army rule always flow to Punjab.

Let us be real. If you take a serious look at it, Punjab was actually divided in 5 provinces. In 1971 it lost its eastern province and now it is reduced to four provinces including itself, Sindh, Pakhtoonkhwa, and Balochistan. It is unfortunate that people of Sindh and Balochistan are generally presumed unpatriotic unless proven patriotic, whereas people of Punjab are presumed patriotic unless proven unpatriotic. The talk about dividing Punjab into multiple provinces has no real objective of reducing its uncontested monopoly on the State and the governance of Pakistan. This ploy by Mr. Hashmi and others like him serves following three purposes:

1. It puts supporters of Siraki province especially Sindhi and Baloch nationalists on defensive and on the ropes.

2. It extends an olive branch to MQM either on behalf of PML-N or from ambitious Javed Hashmi himself by providing them renewed impetus for a separate province within Sindh (A making of an unholy alliance).

3. In either case the objective is to form a “One unit”. You can form one unit in multiple formats by either forcefully pushing unique and distinct nations under common thumb or by breaking them into tiny little pieces so that they can’t even recognize their own identity.

The concept of so called “Zonal Federation” or breaking historically cultural national units into generic administrative units is nothing new. Many uneducated “Educated” politicians and pundits give example of USA and the formation of its states without realizing that the entire nation of USA is an immigrant nation. All early settlers had to do was to put the stake in the ground to own the land. A sort of similar expetitions were practiced under “Evacuee property laws” and free allotment of prize agricultural lands to members of Pakistan military in Sindh.

WHEN IT COMES TO INTRA-NATIONAL DISPUTES AND CONTESTS, IT IS NOT THE AMERICAN BUT EUROPEAN HISTORY THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE SITUATION IN SOUTH ASIA. Talk about taking land from Germans, Serbians or Irish, French, Scotish, and other European nations regardless of their size, you will have a thousand years war on your plate. So watch out folks before you run up to your crazy kitchen to cook up these weired ideas. You are not serving Pakistan by throwing shoes in the beehive. You are cutting at the roots of your country and destroying the possibility of peace and coexistence.

4. There is also a 4th motive in the play. US Government, especially Obama White House is coming down on Pakistan to strengthen its constitutional and democratic institutions in such a way that they become representative of the peoples of Pakistan. A good amount of money has been earmarked to support Pakistan consolidate its judicial and democratic institutions. Certainly there is a push for making Pakistani Senate more relevant and vibrant in legislative process. In order for Senate to become an effective “checks & balance” institution it must have equal representation from all provinces. By proposing multiple provinces of Punjab, PML (N) and MQM hopes hedge against possible dilution of historic monopoly on legislative bodies in Pakistan especially in the future setup of Pakistani Senate.

Please don’t have wrong ideas about some of these misleading and sugar coated stunts, which various politicians pull in order to please their clients.

If Javed Hashmi or Mian Nawaz Sharif want to bring equity in Pakistan,there are already plenty of opportunities and policy instruments in place to do so. If they start with the following steps they do not need to re-invent the wheel:

1. Remove concurrent list from 1973 constitution with immediate effect

2. Revisit NFC award to make it more fair based on the principle of “From each province according to its contribution to each according to its needs”

3. Introduce Conscription in Pakistan to transform Pakistan military from a regional to a true national army

4. Make constitutional amendment to declare raising of arms by citizens a constitutional right in the event of any government takeover by military

5. Declare Sindhi, Baloch, Punjabi, and Pushto as national languages of Pakistan.

6. Declare switching of political parties illegal for all elected representatives. They should have a right to re-contest their existing office from a new political platform.

7. Remove religion from politics and politics from religion.

8. Remove balssphamy laws. Let the God protect his religions and human beings take care of thier own sins.

(Originally drafted in August, 2009)

HYDERABAD, Nov 24 (APP):The Consul General of the United States at Karachi Mr. Stephen G. Fakan has said that Pakistan is a strong country and its youth should work hard to bring it among the developed countries of the world. He said this during a visit to Univesity of Sindh on Monday. Vice Chanceller University of Sindh Mazhar-ul-Haq Siddiqui briefed the visiting Consul General about the academic and research programmes offered by the university.

The VC informed Stephen Fakan that Sindh University is the second oldest university in the country and it was established in 1947.

He also informed the Consul General about the facilities being provided to foreign students who are studying at the university.

The Consul General appreciated the standard of education provided by different faculties and departments of the university, and said that with regard to its area and staggering number of enrolment University of Sindh was veritable to any American university.

Later on, the Consul General visited the Department of Mass Communication and Institute of Sindhology, where he met with faculty members and students.

During his visit to the Department of Mass Communication, Stephen G. Fakan said that the subject of Mass Communication holds an auspicious future for its students as the growth of media, specially electronic media, is a recent occurence in Pakistan.

He said that female students of the department, who would become journalists in their future, should give priority to reporting on the issues of women empowerment, education and welfare.

The Consul General said that the USA is interested in providing higher education facilities to the students of Pakistan and in this regard has facilitated a large number of Pakistani students who are enrolled in many different universities in the USA.

Dean Department of Mass Communication Dr. Rizawana Chang briefed the guest about ongoing academic programmes and research papers which have been published by the department.

The Consul General also visited the print and electronic media laboratories and studio of the department.

The Consulate General, later on, visited various galleries in the Institute of Sindhology and appreciated the works of the artists.

Courtesy: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90566&Itemid=2

Courtesy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ghAXpfOtlg

WASHINGTON DIARY: Destabilising the democratic system

by: Dr Manzur Ejaz

Courtesy: WICHAAR, Daily Times

No one has any idea how the NRO is going to play out in the courts. But everyone knows that corruption is rampant in Pakistan and there are no effective means to check it. Ousting Zardari will neither fix the system nor validate the continuation of democracy in Pakistan

The system of democracy is a little dirty game based half on calculations and half on blind faith. Most of the time the leaders, after winning the elections, are proven to be very different from what they appeared before going to the polls. Most of the election promises are quickly broken and the new leaders are perceived to be a replica of the old ones. And yet the voting public, despite collectively rejecting the policies of the serving elected leaders, waits for a new election to choose better leaders. No extra-constitutional force or activist judiciary tries to oust the sitting leaders. This is the way the system of democracy, as we know it, has worked and will continue working. However, the meaning of democracy is subverted in countries like Pakistan, where replacement of elected leaders is a favourite game.

President George W Bush was one of the most unpopular presidents in the US. He took the country into an unjustified and murderous Iraq war. Favouritism and nepotism flourished during his period. His favourite corporations milked trillions of dollars through the Iraq war and by manipulating the local markets. The Bush administration subverted many established laws of the country. His administration was known for spreading false information and keeping secrets to hide its misdoings. And yet the US population, military or judiciary did not try to oust him mid-term.

The US is not unique in this respect. All the established democracies go through this cycle. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was also very unpopular due to the Iraq war but he departed voluntarily. Our neighbour India’s elected leaders go through ups and downs but no one tries to shorten their tenure. However, in Pakistan the game is played quite differently. Sometimes it seems ridiculous.

During the 1990s Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif took turns serving as prime ministers. Both did not complete their terms. What would have been wrong with Bhutto and Sharif completing their terms? The total number of years they ruled would have been the same number, except that the democratic system would have been consolidated. The purpose of replacing one with the other was not to improve governance but to keep the democratic system unstable. When it was clear that both the PPP and the PML-N can win elections with the same personalities and same functionaries, why was the democratic system continuously subverted?

To understand this better, we can look at the current situation where President Asif Ali Zardari is being pressurised to resign. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is also being pushed around to quit. Whoever is playing this game either has no idea of the consequences or is determined to keep destabilising the democratic system in Pakistan. Zardari’s replacement will probably be treated the same way.

All of Zardari’s drawbacks now being highlighted were known to the constituency that elected him. Everyone knew that he and many of his close associates have been protected by the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). This means that a majority of the electorate, wrongly or rightly, discounted this factor. Now according to the established democratic principles, either he has to be allowed to complete his term or be impeached according to the provisions of the Constitution. Any other method would be a violation of the essential democratic rules.

Zardari was kept in jail for eight years without any verdict on the corruption charges for which he was booked. If he was bailed out in one case the government would register another case to keep him behind bars. Primarily, he was incarcerated as a political bargaining chip. The circumstances helped him and the same game of bargaining in which he was a mere chip eventually elevated him to the seat of the president. The whole game, starting with his incarceration to the presidency, is bizarre. The campaign of ousting him is also part of the same bizarre manipulation.

Like most Pakistanis I too believe that Zardari and his cohorts have used their positions to accumulate illegal money. They siphoned off billions of dollars to foreign banks. They may be doing the same right now. But the question is: how do they do it single-handedly? Many institutions must be involved in this loot and plunder. Why can the system not stop such thefts while they are happening?

Most Pakistanis who have become rich in the last three decades — about 10 percent of the population — have not accumulated wealth through industry, trade or other legal means. An overwhelming majority of the new rich has used illegal means to gain wealth. But the proportionately much higher number of PPP leaders covered by the NRO indicates that the establishment and their proxies had a vendetta against them. Otherwise, hordes of the rich would have been in that list.

No one has any idea how the NRO is going to play out in the courts. But everyone knows that corruption is rampant in Pakistan and there are no effective means to check it. Ousting Zardari will neither fix the system nor validate the continuation of democracy in Pakistan.

Zardari may have been the worst choice as a president but a constituency elected him with full knowledge of his shortcomings. The same constituency has the right to dislodge him according to the provisions of Pakistan’s Constitution. Any other method employed to dismiss him will mean the failure of the democratic system in Pakistan. And the architect of such an illegal ouster should be ready to suggest not just Zardari’s replacement but also an alternative to democracy.

The writer can be reached at manzurejaz@yahoo.com

Courtesy: http://www.wichaar.com/news/294/ARTICLE/17414/2009-11-24.html

Very serious legal matters are being discussed in different TV channels of Pakistan like proceedings in open air discussions. Some anchors are portraying as a complainant, chief witness, trial lawyer, prosecutor and judge all together and then they are giving verdicts about legal matters to instigate the general public and different institution to revolt. According to the constitution, it is not fair to persecute anybody in general public by open air media trail for character assassination. According to law, every one is innocent until proven guilty. It is the right of the honorable court to give a verdict after a fair trial. Justice is blind and it can not be selective. Accountability should be for all and not against one person or party. It seems that such organizers, anchors and TV channels are running a one side campaign against one party and trying to destabilize and weaken the democratically elected Government of Pakistan.

DR ALI AKBAR DHAKAN

Chairman, Sindh Development Foundation

By: Raja Jee

On 22nd November, Quomi Awami Long March led by Rasool Bux Palijo has reached Karachi, and thousands of Man, women and children marched from Mazar-e-Quid to Imprest Market, the historical place from where Sindh played his role in 1857 war against British. Main leadership of Muslim League (N), Jamait-e-Islami, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf, Muslim League (Q) and civil society showed absolute solidarity and participated in this Grand Peaceful Public Gathering of more than two hundred thousand Sindhis including about fifty thousand women. Participation and unanimous support of leaders of various political parties indicates that they are united over the issues and all called this event as most exceptional, mammoth, unique and longest protest march in Indo-Pak history and congratulated Awami Tahreek and Rasool Bux Palijo for this heart-awakening march. First time a march of a Sindhi Nationalist political party was the big head line evening news for all English, Urdu and Sindhi TV channels and named as a remarkable and unprecedented massive show of strength of indigenous local people.

This march started from Kandh Kot, upper end of Sindh on 8th of October 2009 and by walking 20 to 25 kilometers daily thousands of marchers including men, women and children crossed Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro, Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro, Sijawal, Thatto, Dabeji, Ghaghar phattak, Quidabad, Malir, Bhitai Abad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Guru Mander to reach Destination. This distance became around 1000 kilometers which was covered in 46 days as scheduled. The main route of March touched from one end to other end (North to South)of Sindh province where to cover the breadth/ other sides of Sindh merging short marches have also joined the main march which includes as (1). Ratodero to Shikarpur (2). Dadu to Moro (3). Nawabshah to Sakrand (4). Tando Allahyar to Hyderabad (5). Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan (6). Daro to Mirpur Bathoro. In this way this tree shaped march touched every district of Sindh.

Distributed pamphlet tells the following aim and objectives:

• Right of governance with complete autonomy as per 1940 resolution instead of rule of imperial forces and their agents.

• Hold back the right over natural resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, and coastline.

• Right of water of River Indus as per Sindh – Punjab Pact 1945

• Stoppage of controversial water projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thal canal.

• Stop alleged settlements of outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenous population in minority.

• Reject allotment of million acres of provincial land to non Sindhi population and multinational companies for illegal possession over cities.

• Restrain Sindhi students from admission in educational institutions of Karachi and preserving Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture.

• Uproot all forms of Terrorism as state, urban, tribal, and religious in cities and lawlessness in rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords.

• Protest against Continuous unemployment and non observance of due share in jobs for Sindhis in judiciary, military, financial institutions, autonomous authorities and other departments.

• Protest against Jirga system, Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature marriages and other violence against women and minorities.

It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek first in December 1991 from Sukkur to Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to Karachi, third in 2001 from Bhitshah to Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to Karachi in 2005 and this is longest fifth one. There is no doubt in saying that Awami Tahreek always gained huge support from publics and their struggle remained peaceful and non-violent. No scratch on any vehicle or any damage to property or misbehave to any persons on any basis of sect, language or creed were reported so far. On the other hand in 2001, they faced baton charge, injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day by police in a bid to foil the long march and they set new example of bravery ahead the government blockade, torture, brutality and aggression and succeeded to reach Karachi peacefully.

Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming to establish a welfare state with participation of renowned Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political activists and intellectuals under leading theoretician Rasool Bux Palijo. Besides contribution in all democratic and human right struggles in Pakistan, the active role of Awami Tahreek is largely recognized in Anti One- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh Dam, anti urban terrorism, restoration of judiciary , violence in educational institutions and violence against women and peasant in all over Pakistan.

Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo (80) is a well-known politician of Pakistan and he earned the fame in struggling against feudalisms, marshal-laws, establishment, colonialism and imperialism. Besides top constitutional and criminal lawyer, he is an authority over world history, philosophy, science, religion and political theories and also wrote more than 40 books on numerous subjects. He remained about 11 years in jail and declared as Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International in 1981. Organizing women and Hindu scheduled Castes are his more remarkable and revolutionary traits. His continuous love, affection and guide uplifted them as first class citizens and He has broken the walls of untouchability and chains of women slavery very practically.

During passing through no-go area of Saradars in Kadh Kot, Rasool Bux Palijo expressed his views as “Through planned conspiracy, big cities of Sindh are handed over to terrorists while the rurals areas have been distributed to tribal chiefs and Jagidars and both are the agents of imperial forces. Feudalism and urban terrorism are being nourished by dictators and imperial agencies to maintain status quo. Criminal negligence of present government over the urban terrorism on Sindhi and tribal terrorism over women and Hindus are very shameful. However, the sons and daughters of Sindh without any discrimination of caste, tribe, creed and religion are ready to play their role in struggle to get back sovereignty of Sindh and the resources of Sindh”.

Averagely 500 men, women and children have walked in changing weather from hot to cold in the entire province on foot and when crossed through towns and cities the caravan turned into huge public gatherings. Leaders spoke there to highlight the issue and purposes. Caravan received warm welcome by local organizations, political parties, civil societies, bar associations at every stop along National Highway. There were singers who kept the participants energized with revolutionary songs of Shah Latif, Faiz Amed Faiz, Shaikh Ayaz, Habib Jalib, Ustad Bukhari, Sahir Ludhiyanvi, and Bhagat Kabir and also the well-worded poetic slogans were loudly chanted with pleasant rhythms as

• Jo America jo yaar aa – Ghadaar aa Ghadar aa.

• Qudarati waseela – Awam ji hawaley kario.

• Karo-kari ain jirga system – Na manzoor no manzoor.

• Daryan ji Aabadgari – Band Kario band kario

• 12 May ain 18 October Ja qatil – Girftar kario Girftar kario

• Jagia Jagia – Sindhi Jagia.

• Sindhu te ko b dam – Na khapey Na khapey

• Rahbar Sindhi Quom jo – Rasool Bux Palijo

• Kery-lugar ain NRO – Na manzoor Na manzoor

• Dahishat garidi ain Gunda Gardi – Band Kario band kario

Besides the frequent appearances of Rasool Bux Palijo (Cardiac Patient), Advocate Ayaz Lalif Palijo, Sayed Aalam Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, Qadir Ranto, Hakeem Halepoto, Mazhar Rahujo of Awami Tahreek and Umrah Samo, Zahida Shaikh, Nazir Qureshi, Husna Rahujo, Marium Gopang, Kalavanti Raja, Fahmaida Soomro, Azmat Halepoto of Sindhiyani Tahreek are leading the March.

Ayaz Latif Palijo (44), Awami Tahreek’s current president possessing moving and shaking personality and having very vast knowledge and grip over the issue of Sindh told that “Today Sindh is passing famine like situation. People are committing suicide and selling their children due allegedly made price hike and corruption. Broad day-light dacoity is made on water, finances, employment and resources of coming generations. How long the rulers embroil the people of Sindh in concocted stories? People are full of hatred and warmly contributing their part in struggle. Hugely participation of public and political groups irrespective of socio-political and religious affiliations proved that Sindh is united”.

Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, General Secretary AT expressed the significance of march as “It’s a mammoth demonstration and protest ever held in Pakistan. Main theme of this protest is restoration of all rights of Sindh and establishment of democratic republic welfare state. We are not against any group or nation but we oppose those who perpetuate atrocities on Sindhis and other working classes of Pakistan. This march is organized against ongoing unemployment, price hike, terrorism, lawlessness, corruption and shortage of water for which we have received tremendous response from masses, people are hosting break fasts, Lunches, dinners and night stays voluntarily. ”

Ms. Umrah Samo, President of Sindhiyani Tahreek, replied when asked about hot weather, hard journey, as “It is tiring at instant but energizing and interesting ahead public enthusiasm, supportive attitude, hospitality, walking along, showering of rose petals, offering of foods, juices, sweets, snakes, tea and milks by common people in thousands. At start some were fairer but now we all are of same colour and complexions. Our refreshed health and fitness is just the byproduct of 46 days long march”.

Many surprising and emotional scenes were observed; some memories shared by Mr. Riaz Ahmed Pechuho, a 46 days marcher, are as under:

1). During passing through Ghauspur hundreds of Hindu Bagri women appeared and joined march singing songs in their own language.

2). In Kumb city Menghwar Community welcome the long march with many baskets of sweets and celebrated Deevali Festival with Caravan.

3). Huge group of Young Shaikh Community leading by Latif Shaikh received the long march like traditional Barat in Gambat and all danced for hours in the tunes of barati band-baja and drums.

4). Parents arranged the marriage of Sakina Maganhar but she joined March till the first ceremony of ‘wanwah’ and all marching women left her with placing ‘Mendi’ on her hand palms and marriage songs.

5). Two old age (above 75 years) persons Ahmed Laghari and Ali Ghulam Nizamani are determined to walk for 46 days and many youngster of 7-10 years are in the walk. Women with infants are surprising entries.

6). A man near Sakrand stopped his car and left his wife and three daughters in long march and come back at evening and repeated thrice.

7). Many Small tea hotel owners at rural side stopped the caravan and forcibly offered the tea to all persons free. Ended all milk and tea and started walking.

8). All Gadi Nahins of Dargahs as came across like Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Inayat Shaheed Of Jhok Sharif have warmly and culturally welcomed with presenting Ajraks and singing sufi songs and showed complete solidarity with march objectives.

9). Feet of participants were wounded and swelled but the glow of their eyes were very shining and they kept the victorious smile on their faces.

10). Many women carried their milk feeding babies on their waists and continued 46 days march with a military discipline.

Bravo! Awami Tahreek have played well its role with befitting courage and sacrifice to aware, protest and project the cause and demands of Sindh in democratic, disciplined and peaceful ways towards Government and all well wishers of Pakistan and stressed to resolve the issues and make the country go on in well and honoured manner.

(The writer is a social worker and civil society activist. He can be reached at raja.jee.khi@gmail.com. )

Washington, D.C. November 23, 2009. “Kashmir dispute is simply this: the people of a large territory which is not part of any existing sovereign state were assured by the entire international community represented by the United Nations that they would be enabled to decide their future by a free vote. It was supported without any dissent by the United Nations Security Council and prominently championed by the United States and other democratic states. Until now, this assurance has not been honored,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center on the occasion of Prime Minister India’s visit to Washington.

Dr. Fai said that the Kashmir dispute primarily involves the life and future of the people of the land. Because of its impact on relations between India and Pakistan, however, it directly affects the peace and stability of the South Asian subcontinent. This is a region which contains one-fifth of total human race.

He warned that two wars have been the harvest reaped from the dispute. The possibility of a third, bloodier, probably nuclear and more extensive one has by no means been eliminated.

The Executive Director reiterated that the dispute is not insoluble through peaceful procedures. It appears to be so only because the obduracy of one of the parties is encouraged by the apathy of the world outside.

Dr. Fai hoped that the Obama Administration can, and should, lead the effort to achieve a fair and lasting settlement of the dispute, fair to the people most immediately involved and fair to its own commitments to democracy and human rights. By doing so, the United States can strengthen the principles of a just world order. It will also earn the gratitude of generations in Kashmir, in Pakistan and even in India itself.

Dr. Fai underscored that the importance of the peace initiatives between India and Pakistan cannot be overstated, particularly when considering the link between stability and American socioeconomic and geopolitical interests in the region. Sadly, the potential for violence is ever-present which could catapult South Asia towards uncontrollable destabilization.

Dr. Fai underlined that in order to save the region from descending into the chaos, experts on South Asia have all rightly analyzed that the resolution of Kashmir issue is necessary for peace in the entire region. The extremist elements in the region have hijacked what is essentially a political issue and have used it as a convenient alibi for realizing their sinister agenda. This fringe element has mastered the art of brining the two neighbors to the brink of war. At present, the unpredictability of the Afghan rebellion and it’s ever widening encroachment on governmental control directly threatens both regional and international stability. Nothing would be as catastrophic of Pakistan collapsing under the weight of militant tyranny. As a candidate President Obama mentioned on October 30, 2008, “We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India, but on the situation

with those militants.”

Dr. Fai said that now is the time that President Obama tells Indian Prime Minister that the past sixty years history bears testimony that arm-twisting methods have not helped in containing or defeating the political dissent. This simplistic strategy has proven dangerously counterproductive and augmented regional instability. It may be reiterated that suppressing the political dissent and suffocating the public opinion is like laying of a minefield that has the potential of blowing up on the slightest touch.

“The United States paved the way for freedom around the world and it can help the people of Kashmir achieve peace, freedom and self-determination. Indeed, the appointment of a special envoy on Kashmir would hasten the progress of peace and reconciliation in the region, particularly India, Pakistan, Kashmir and Afghanistan,” Dr. Fai emphasized.

For more information, please call: gnfai2003@yahoo.com

Received via email

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JSQM rally

by: Aziz Narejo, TX

Pushed to the wall, the people in Sindh seem to be coming together. First JSQM’s mammoth rally of November 7 and now AT’s big public meeting at the culmination of its 46-day, 900-kilometer “Long March” in Karachi today. Another party, STP is to hold a grand rally in Karachi in January.

Congratulations to Jeeaey Sindh Qaumi Muhaz and Awami Tahreek for their peaceful and highly successful rallies and best wishes to Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party for their upcoming event.

It is auspicious to see major political parties and groups in Sindh coming together to work for the rights of the people. Hope their cooperation with each other will help end injustices and bring peace and prosperity to the people and the land who have suffered heavily during last 62 years under various democratic as well as undemocratic regimes.

The next step should be sitting together of the leadership of these parties and groups and chalking out a plan to take Sindh back. Holding big rallies is good but should be considered only a beginning of a thorny and complex journey.

Report by: Khalid Baloch

Baloch-Sindhis, Kachee-Sindhis, Selawat-Sindhis,  Seraiki-Sindhis and Memon-Sindhis of Karachi participated overwhelmingly

The scene on M.A Jinnah Road Karachi and Saddar today was remarkable and unprecedented—hundreds of thousands of Sindhis marched into the heart of a major Pakistani city, stopping all traffic and disrupting business as usual for a whole weekend afternoon to demand that their voices be heard. Awami Tahreek protesters left their villages, towns, workplaces, and neighborhoods all over the Karachi region and beyond to converge on the front road of Mazzar-e-Quaid area. And they delivered an unmistakable NO to the discrimination and injustices against Sindhis, Balochs and other oppressed nations.

This historic LONG MARCH led by Awami Tahreek’s president Ayaz Latif Palijo was a national show of strength and unity for the local population of Karachi, Thatta and Jamshoro Districts and sent shock-waves far and wide-throughout this metropolitan and the entire country. Thousands of marchers were walking since October 8th and hundreds of thousands arrived today in hundreds of chartered buses and trucks. Though the protesters were non-violent and were not attempting to obstruct any road, but their strength and movement jammed the taxis and the mini-buses. Cars and vans stopped to pick up people on street corners who weren’t able to get on the crowded city buses heading toward the march starting point.

Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek workers took to the streets in Karachi in protests timed to coincide with the announcement of NFC and Bill for the Provincial Autonomy and the two main speeches of Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo and Ayaz Latif Palijo paved the path for participants to shout, “Sindh belongs to Sindhis”, “Petrol, Gas, Coal, Port and Indus belong to Sindhis” and “Implement 1940 Resolution”

Aerial news footages of TV channel showed the streets throughout the Mazzar-e-Quaid and Zaibunissa Street packed with Sindhi women. Estimates of the size of this massive show of strength reached upwards of 180000 to 200000. The people who came out were mainly Sindhis, overwhelmingly party workers and followers of veteran thinker and politicians Rasool Bux Palijo but the participation of Balochs, Kachees and Seraikis was very important and positive. First time a march of a Sindhi Nationalist political party was the big head line evening news for all English, Urdu and Sindhi TV channels.(Dawn TV, GEO, Samaa, KTN, Sindh TV, Awaz, Mehran, Aaj, ARY, Duniya & Waqt TV)

By: Khalid Hashmani

The “American Friends of Baluchistan” organized an International Conference On November 21, 2009 in Washington DC. According to organizers, the main purposes of the conference were to highlight issues in Eastern and Western Baluchistan that organizers and to pay tribute to Baluch leader Balaach Marri, who was slain two years ago. This all-day conference was very well attended with many standing in the back of the meeting room. The venue of the conference was National Press Club in downtown Washington, DC. The list of persons who addressed or presented papers was long and covered a variety of topics from history of Balochistan to happenings as recent as three days ago. The presenters included Selig Harrison (Asia Director at the Center for International Policy), Aziz Baloch (British Columbia representative of Baloch Human Rights Council and former General Secretary of Baloch Student Organization), Andrew Eva (an expert on resistance warfare fighting for his homeland Lithuania to regain independence), Saghir Shaikh (a Sindhi Rights activist and former Chair of World Sindhi Congress), Wendy Johnson and Annie Nocenti (co-producers of wll-known “The Baluch” documentary), Zafar Baloch (A Baloch Rights activist from Toronto, Canada), T. Kumar (Advisory Director for International Issues for Amnesty International), Gul Agha (A Computer Scientist and a well-known speaker on Sindhi Rights), Musa Arjemandi (brother of Norwegian Ehhan Arjemandi, who recently disappeared in Pakistan), Humaira Rahman (A Sindhi Rights activist and the General Secretary of World Sindhi Institute) and others.

The session moderator was Ahmer Mustikhan. More details about the presenters can be viewed at http://mustikhan.newsvine.com/_news/2009/11/02/3452978-panel-assembled-for-baluch-international-moot.

What Baluch say about their Situation?

Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri

Baluch say they had never wanted to be part of Pakistan.

Baluch claim that they were duped by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who is considered father of Pakistan and engaged by Baluch to negotiate sovereignty and autonomy from British.

Baluch argue that instead of negotiations and redressing their complaints, successive Pakistani governments have engaged in brutal force and unleashed their tyranny through five military operations since 1948.

Baluch point out that in spite of the 1973 constitution that says that complete autonomy within ten years (that is by 1983), not only that provision remains forgotten but more and more centralization has been imposed by strengthening the central government at expense of provinces.

Baluch cite statistics that Balochistan is ruled as colony with 88% of Baluch living under the poverty line, 78% has no access to safe drinking water or electricity, and 79% has no access to gas and their gas is taken to provide to households and industries in other provinces.

Baluch cry that Balochistan has been discriminated and exploited so much that in spite of its immense natural resources they are at the bottom of indices compared to other provinces in literacy rate, school enrollment ratio, education attainment index, and health index.

Baluch articulate that there is a slow-motion genocide going on against them and want the world to help them free themselves.

Baluch Leader, Hyrbyair Mari

What do Baluch want?

Baluch want immediate and complete cessation of military actions, withdrawal of all Pakistani armed forces, and no more military cantonments in Balochistan. They want the world to ask Pakistan to provide a firm timetable for the pullout of their troops and intelligence agencies from Balochistan. They called upon the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to broaden its terms of reference and send peace keeping forces in Balochistan. They want Pakistan to dismantle its nuclear weapons program and stop any nuclear tests in Balochistan.

Baluch demand immediate end to torture, murders and disappearances and unconditional release of Baloch activists.

Baluch want immediate enactment of the autonomy provisions of the 1973 constitution and passing immediate control over all areas except Defense, Communications, Currency, and Foreign Affairs.

Baluch ask that all lands secured in Baluchistan for so called the “Military strategic” reasons be released to the provincial government.

Baluch support the appeal by Beglar Begi Mir Suleman Daud (Khan of Kalat)’s appeal to the International Court of Justice against Pakistan that it has annexed Baluchistan by force.

Baluch appealed to multi-national companies to halt exploration work on disputed projects until the dispute between Pakistanb and Balochistan is resolved. They say they will welcome these companies to restart work in the building of a new Balochistan when they are free and a sovereign nation.

Baluch want the world recognize their right of self-determination in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter on the International Covenant of Human Rights. Baluch say that by virtue of this right, they are free to determine their political status to pursue their cultural, social and economic development without any external interference.

Other important Take-aways from Conference?

Baluch expressed sympathy and solidarity with all victims of urban terrorism in Karachi (Sindh) and condemned killing of social activist Nisar Baloch and demanded immediate arrest of his killers, who are believed to be supported by a government allied party called MQM.

Baluch pledged allegiance to the Baloch sarmachars (freedom fighters) and called upon all Baloch people to rally behind them to regain Baloch national sovereignty and protect their language, culture, and national survival.

Humaira Rahman, A Sindhi Rights activist

Baluch demanded from UN Human Rights Council to investigate the extra-judicial killing of innocent Baloch leaders, political activists and others.

Baluch expressed opinion that people of Baluchistan and their pro-independence leaders must be involved in any decision about the future of the region in the context of Afghanistan-Pakistan Crisis.

Baluch resolved that the people of Balochistan should be the first beneficiaries of their resources – oil, gas, copper, silver, and gold.

Baluch want a comprehensive infrastructure building program in Balochistan and want special attention to be given to the training and hiring of local Baluch to assume professional responsibilities in the rebuilding program.

A document circulated at the conference expressed solidarity with the struggle of Sindhis, Seraikis, and Pushtuns in Pakistan and expressed support for Kurds, Ahwazis, Turkmen in Iran.

The same document expressed trust in Hyrbyair Marri, Brahumdagh Bugti and Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch as their national heroes. The document further said that they have full trust, confidence and faith in the leadership of Hyrbyair Marri as the main spokesperson for the Baluchistan independence movement, internationally.

Other Events at Conference

Audio Address by Musa (Ali) Arjemandi (Ali) from Norway

Mr. Arjemandi made a heart-wrenching appeal to the Norwegian government and the world community to help in securing the release of his brother. In his appeal Musa says that his brother Ehsan Arjemandi, a Norwegian citizen, was taken away by Pakistani agencies in July this year. Like in the case of disappearance of Sindhi activist Dr. Safdar Sarki, the witnesses saw Mr. Arjemandi being led away by security personnel, but the Government of Pakistan is now denying any knowledge of his whereabouts. More information on this disappearance and other Baluch-related issues can be found at http://www.thebaluch.com/

Screening of well-known Documentary “The Baluch”

The real condition of Baluchs in Pakistan. This picture of Baluch mother speaks loudly!

It is often said a picture is worth a thousand words and indeed “The Baluch” documentary, which is only 26-minute long narrated the deploring conditions in Balochistan, the simple lives of its simple people, and interviews with top-most leaders of Balochistan. The Baluch leaders explained history of their country and go into details of why they have been driven into fighting for their rights and independence. The documentary can be viewed at http://www.blip.tv/file/1211472.

The audience were fortunate to have opportunity to listen to both Wendy Johnson and Annie Nocenti (co-producers), who described their trip, their impressions and why they sympathize with Baluch. Ms. Nocenti advised that she appalled at the lack of knowledge about the plight of Baluch among Americans. She advised that Baluch should change their communication strategy by relating their plight with the conditions of native Americans. She said that Americans are aware and feel guilty of what happened to native Americans – pushed to live on reservations with worthless treaties. They would see the similarities between the wrongs done in the past to the native people and the opportunity to stop the same tragedy happing to Baluch and Sindhis. Ms. Johnson said that making this documentary has been both joyful and sorrowful. She added that she has been impacted so much by the plight of the nomadic Baluch people that she wants to help more and is the webmaster of most comprehensive web site http://www.thebaluch.com/. She talked about her exchange of emails with Balaach Mari and Hyrbyair Marri and what convinced her to become supporters of Baluch people.

Homage to Mir Balaach Marri

The homage to Shaheed Balaach Marri was circulated at the conference with title “A Profile of Courage”. Balaach was born on January 17, 1966 and was killed fighting Pakistani military on November 20, 2007. He was the fourth among six sons of Nawab Khair Bux Marri. After release from Pakistani prison in 1979, Khair Bux Marri and his family went into self-exile ito Afghanistan n 1979. Thus, Balaach completed his secondary education in Afghanistan. It is believed that Balaach was very close to his father and used to call his father as “Ada” (a Balochi and Sindhi word that means “Elder Brother”). Balaach studied “communications engineering” in Moscow. He left his homeland when he was only 14 years old, and returned back at the age of 27 years. Starting in 2003, he started organizational work for Balochistan resistance. One of his greatest achievements is that he played a pivotal role in resolving the long-term feud between Marri and Bugti tribes and worked closely with Nawab Akbar Bugti to lead the Balochistan national cause.

Baluch vitim after the bombing of Fighter jets

A passionate Plea fom Baluch

Some Baloch came from West coast and some joined from East coast. Others came from Canada, Europe, Baluchistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries. I heard them making presentations and chatted with them during breaks. I presented alternate scenarios and differing point of views. When it was all said and done, it was the first time in my 25 years of activism in the Sindhi Rights movement that I sensed an unshakable resolve of Baluch in fighting for their rights. They were passionate for their cause and angry that many of their brightest have lost their lives. They mourned, they cried, they shouted and asked that Pakistani military to leave their lands. The said again and again that they t

Khalid Hashmani, son of the soil of Sindh

hey want to rebuild their lives and their country without foreign domination. They want the world to help them get rid of the yoke of slavery so that they can build houses for hundreds of thousands who are now refugees, educate their children, and use their natural resources to bring gas, electricity, and economic welfare to their people.

About Author: Mr. Khalid Hashmani is a Washington DC-based veteran human rights activist. He is the founding President of Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) and Chief coordinator of Sindhi Excellence Team (SET) that participates in advocacy activities on behalf of rural Sindhi.

Courtesy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkW5k-j_0To

by: Mohammad Khan Sial

Our some friends are paying rich tributes to late Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, His life can be divided into two parts. As well as first part is concerned, their tribute to late G M Jatoi is generally correct but there were some bitter facts about 2nd part of his life.

01. When army dictator Ziaul Haq removed elected Govt of Z. A. Bhutto, there were the persons who immediately met Gen Zia in the darkness of night. They were Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Maulana Kausar Niazi..

02.Unfortunately Rais Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Abdul Hafiz Pirzada both did nothing to save the life of Shaheed Z. A. Bhutto. When Bhutto Saheb was in Jail and waiting for death, he asked Abdul Hafiz Lakho, advocate of Shaheed Bhutto, if both are unwilling to come forward, please ask them to come in public at least for face saving”. (Reference BBC Urdu interview broadcasted on April 04, 2009. In search you can find the video.

03. In MRD many innocent Sindhi people were brutally killed. Saein G. M. Syed also pointed out this. In those days, Jatoi Saheb and his younger brother Mujtaba Jatoi were leading the movement. They led the movement in a way that many people were killed so that they should be in better position of bargain with Ziaul Haq to become Prime Minister (Jatoi Sc) but Pir Pagaro did not agree and he gave name of Mohammad Khan Junejo.

04. Jang dated 21st Nov 09 , has printed a statement of Zia Abbas – a close associate to G M Jatoi who disclosed that Jatoi was to be appointed as Prime minister and General Ziaul Haq agreed to this. Had Ziaul Haq not killed in air crash, Jatoi Saheb would have become Prime Minister of Pakistan within a few days.

05. After the execution of Shaheed Bhutto, Gen Zia also decided to appoint him as Prime Minister and this was accepted by Mr Jatoi in an interview. But Begum Bhutto issued statement that if any one is appointed as Prime Minister on our strength (PPP), he would be ousted immediately. This statement stopped him to become Prime Minister but now Zia Abbas has disclosed that a few days of his death, Gen Zia again agreed to appoint him as new Prime Minister.

The memory of human beings is very short. I have no personal ill-will with Mr. Jatoi. in personal capacity he was good man but I am writing above lines to keep the record straight.

Courtesy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwLA5SW-IPA

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A Review of Robert Service’s Trotsky: A Biography

By David North

Trotsky: A Biography

Robert Service,

Harvard University Press,

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2009

The Specter of Leon Trotsky

Courtesy: wsws.org, via Globeistan

In 1955 James Burnham, the intellectual godfather of modern American neo-conservatism, reviewed The Prophet Armed, the first volume of Isaac Deutscher’s monumental biography of Leon [Lev Davidovich] Trotsky. Fifteen years had passed since Burnham had resigned from the Fourth International at the climax of a political struggle in which he had crossed polemical swords with Leon Trotsky. It had been a difficult experience for Burnham, who felt somewhat overmatched in this political and literary contest. “I must stop awhile in wonder,” Burnham had written in a document addressed to Trotsky, “at the technical perfection of the verbal structure you have created, the dynamic sweep of your rhetoric, the burning expression of your unconquerable devotion to the socialist ideal, the sudden, witty, flashing metaphors that sparkle through your pages.”

In the aftermath of his repudiation of socialism, Burnham moved rapidly to the extreme right (as Trotsky had predicted). By the mid-1950s he viewed Trotsky’s life and work through the prism of his own ideological commitment to a global struggle against Marxism. Deutscher’s work filled Burnham with alarm. The problem was not literary in character. Burnham readily acknowledged the author’s masterful reconstruction of Trotsky’s revolutionary persona.

“Mr. Deutscher has cast his story of Trotsky in the Greek mould, and with sufficient justification,” Burnham wrote. “His Trotsky is a protagonist of the most dazzling brilliance, who rises in 1905, 1917 and in the Civil War to successive heights where he fuses with History and becomes her voice.” Burnham allowed that the author had succeeded in conveying to his readers Trotsky’s extraordinary qualities: “the flaming oratory, which many who heard him believe to have been the greatest of our century; the linguistic facility; the witty and vibrant prose; the quickness with which Trotsky mastered every new subject; the breadth of interest, so rare among the dedicated revolutionaries.”

Burnham noted that Deutscher’s portrait of Trotsky was not one-sided; that he “conscientiously displays, also, Trotsky’s weaknesses…” But despite the many literary virtues of the biography, Burnham denounced it as an “intellectual disaster.” Burnham’s reason for his condemnation was that “Mr. Deutscher writes from a point of view that accepts and legitimizes the Bolshevik revolution.” The biography was “organically warped” and unacceptable. “Not all the scholarly references from all the libraries are enough to wash out the Bolshevik stain.”

Burnham confessed his horror that Deutscher had received “all the courtesies of our leading research institutions, the aid of our foundations, the pages of our magazines, publication and promotion by the great Anglo-Saxon Oxford Press.” Did the establishment not recognize the danger in allowing, and even encouraging, the details of Trotsky’s heroic life and revolutionary ideas to reach the broader public, and especially the youth?

Burnham concluded his review with a cry of despair: “The minds of many of our university students and opinion-makers are being deeply formed, on the supremely important issues with which he [Deutscher] deals, by his ideas. It is surely one more among the many indications of the suicidal mania of the western world.” (2) The conclusion that implicitly flowed from this review was that Deutscher’s book and others like it, which portrayed the October Revolution and its leaders sympathetically, should not be published.

Courtesy: http://wsws.org/articles/2009/nov2009/serv-n11.shtml

Balach Mari

by Dr. Ahmed Makhdoom

Balochs are our blood brothers – as a Sindhi, I have a special kinship with Balochs, I consider myself related to them and throughout centuries of living together and loving and respecting each other we have become entwined and inseparable.

If a bullet of the tyrants penetrates and runs through the heart of any Baloch, I feel the pain, extreme pain, hurt, distress, anguish and deep grief and sorrow. I have been living with that deep wound, that painful hurt, since this brother of mine, the valiant, illustrious son of Baloch nation, Balaach Marri Saaeen was Martyred.

Certainly, we Sindhis everywhere – in Mother Sindh and in Diaspora – mourn his passing away and it will be my honour to attend the service in memory of this beautiful son of beautiful land, Balochistan, in London on Sunday, 22nd November, 2009 along with my sister Suraiya Makhdoom, who will be representing World Sindhi Congress.

Onward Balochistan, forward Balochistan, march on Balochistan – we are with you right till the end! Long Live Balochistan! Long Live Sindh! Long Live entire world!

Khonom Googoosh not only a QUEEN OF HEARTS of Iranians but all those souls who love music.  The poem and lyric is probably written by an Afghan singer Ustad Zaland as a gift for Googoosh.The ban imposed on her by conservative government of Iran. Googoosh left the country in 2000.

Translation of song – I have come, wow, wow, I have come, LOVE shouts, I have come; I have come to fund Coquetry, Love shouts woow, I have come; My Sweetheart, I wish you live for one century, sit beside me and become my neighborhood; Become my neighborhood to shade on me, maybe Joining you is my Destiny; I have come, wow, wow, I have come, LOVE shouts, I have come woow; Love came and lodged in my Heart Desert, Manacle my heart with Loyalty; If Love do not Redress my heart, woe, my heart, woe, my heart, woe;

Courtesy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8-duSlrJYY

by Iqbal Tareen

I am not 100% clear how it was created but we know it was not created within a moment’s notice. Unless a moment was equal to trillions of earth years.

I will pass on any temptation to issue a decisive judgment though. If it was so obvious to everyone who created the universe, we will not have this discussion at all. We will all be in a total agreement. We don’t find lots of people disagreeing on the fact that fire burns. It seems whatever the theories are postulated they can’t stand the test of time. Each new generation seems to be smarter than the previous one. Yesterday’s advanced philosophies are just a common sense today.

The battle between mind and matter will probably continue forever. Both schools of thought share a common premise “God/matter” neither can be created nor can it be destroyed. It only changes its format. Ask a

Sufi, he/she will tell you “God” can be found even in the dead leaves.

Those who believe in matter they can experimentally prove their theory that can be witnessed and testified by anyone. Whereas those who believe in supremacy of God/soul will equally assert that they can see and feel God and they talk to him/her.

Faith is equally hard to refute because it does not require any proof and does not rely on test of reason.

We all agree (I hope) that we even don’t know what should be the ultimate definition or confines of “Universe”. The scope and vastness of universe changes every day if not every moment. It is actually so mind boggling that we have not been able to scratch the surface of it.

Let us just agree that both theories are highly relevant to their respective subscriber.

The writer can be reached at iqbal.tareen@gmail.com

A man proposed a lady who rejected his proposal. Amazingly the man was not SAD. Friends asked him “WHY YOU ARE NOT SAD ALTHOUGH WE KNOW VERY WELL THAT YOU WERE SO EXITED TO MARRY HER”. The man replied “WHY SHOULD I BE SAD? I LOST ONE WHO NEVER LOVED ME WHERE SHE LOST ONE WHO REALLY LOVED HER“

Courtesy: Posted by Najamuddin Ghanghro and wwnf@yahoogourps.com

Courtesy: YouTube

Washington Sindhis Get-together with Nazir Essani and Discussion on Sindhi Challenges

by: Khalid Hashmani

On June 12, 2009, several members of Sindhi community of the Washington D.C. area had a get-together with a visiting Sindhi Social Development consultant Mr. Nazir Essani at a local restaurant. Apart from customary introductions, the group had an excellent discussion session about the current situation in Sindh and the challenges that must be met by Sindhis to survive as a nation. Those who participated in the discussion included Nazir Jawaid Bhutto, Essani, Khalid Hashmani, Ali Nawaz Memon, Sarfraz Memon, Hanif Sangi, Aijaz Sindhi, and Iqbal Tareen.

Remembering old Sindhi Comrades of Thatta – As SaeeN Nazir Essani comes from the Thatta district of Sindh, the discussion invariably moved to the cultural, social, and political development of that area. Few friends who had spent some time in that areas talked about the contributions of well-known Hari leaders Sher Khan Lund, Qasim Pathan, Umer Khushik, and Akbar Shah. These Hari leaders traveled to many rural areas of Sindh and enlighted rural Sindhis by interpreting and reciting poetry of Shah Abdul Latif and talking about their Sindhi Rights. The work of these leaders in reaching out to Sindhi masses to raise their awareness will be remembered by all those who were active and/or are familiar with the Hari movement that was active in early sixties in Sindh.

Sindhi Grassroots Opposition to unchecked mass migration to Sindh – It was clarified that the opposition to the recent migration of those affected in the ongoing military-and- Taliban fight in Swat is a genuine grassroots demand of Sindhis. Unlike what enemies of Sindhis say, it is not racially motivated. Like the Sindhi unanimity on the issue of “water and large dams”, there is now a consensus among Sindhis that further mass migrations to Sindh are a threat to their survival. The Sindhi society is not a hate society that dislikes other people. Their opposition to mass migrations is due to their natural desire to survive as a nation in their historic land. Sindhis recognize that there would be a small number of people moving from one province to another due to normal economic “push” and “pull” factors but they are opposed to mass migrations because thesy threaten their majority position in Sindh. Although, some PPP leaders are throwing welcome mat to those displaced in Swat, many Sindhi leaders in PPP realize that the stand against further mass migrations to Sindh is a universal feeling among Sindhis and therefore are largly staying quiet. Indeed, the Sindhi nationalist parties are in the forefront of the public demonstration against the current migration, but they also know that the outcry is genuinely at the grassroots level. MQM may think that it will benefit them if this crisis leads to Sindhi-Pathan friction, they also know that if Sindhis come to recognize the value of a united response to fend-off their sorrows, they will soon be challenged for usurping a disproportional portion of power that they are enjoying by blackmailing PPP.

Sindhi masses must awaken and recognize the value of their vote and Sindhi nationalist political parties must grow beyond their “street and drawing room politics” and participate in elections — After a long discussion about possible solutions for Sindhis to pull themselves from the present predicament, a concensus developed among the discussion participants that other than some divine or not-so-devine external intervention, the only choice for Sindhis is to effectively participate in the democratic process. To succeed through the democratic means, rural population of Sindh must awaken and recognize the power of their vote. The Sindhi nationalist parties must recognize that to become a viable alternative to PPP in the eyes of common men and women of Sindh, they must start contesting elections. To people, they would not be a viable option until they overcome their fear of loosing elections. Sure, they are going to loose couple of elections very badly, but soon people will realize that they do represent a credible alternative to PPP’s arrogance. Once this starts getting reflected in elections, PPP too will wake up and start delivering on what they promised to their constituencies. It may take three or four more elections, but ultimately we will achieve Sindhi Rights!

Invites you and your family to participate at Kashmir Peace Rally In Front of the White House, Lafayette Park / (Nearest metro: McPherson Square (Blue & Orange Lines) Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. What Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India Does Not Want President Obama to talk about! That the Kashmir is recognized by the United Nations as a disputed territory whose status is yet to be determined by its people.

That Kashmir is the most dangerous place on earth. (President Bill Clinton)

That Kashmir is the most beautiful prison on earth. (European Parliament)

That Kashmir is the largest military concentration anywhere in the world. (International Educational Development)

WHY? Because the people of Kashmir demand what was pledged to them by both India and Pakistan and guaranteed by the Security Council, with the unequivocal endorsement of the United States, namely demilitarization of Kashmir and a free vote organized impartially to ascertain popular will.

Unresolved Kashmir dispute is a rebuke to the international community for its inaction.

The United States paved the way for freedom around the world and the United States can help the people of Kashmir achieve peace, freedom and self-determination.

Now is the time for President Obama to listen to Candidate Obama who said on:

September 25, 2008, “I will continue support of ongoing Indian Pakistani efforts to resolve Kashmir problem in order to address the political roots of the arms race between India and Pakistan.”

October 23, 2008, “Working with Pakistan and India to try to resolve, and Kashmir, crisis in a serious way. Those are all critical tasks for the next administration. Kashmir in particular is an interesting situation where that is obviously a potential tar pit diplomatically. But, for us to devote serious diplomatic resources to get a special envoy in there, to figure out a plausible approach, and essentially make the argument to the Indians, you guys are on the brink of being an economic superpower, why do you want to keep on messing with this?”

October 30, 2008, “We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis.”

Contact: Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai at 202-607-6585 or gnfai2003@yahoo.com

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Received via email – Kashmiri American Council, kacouncil@kashmiri.com

The elephant that massages Thai girls delicately!

Courtesy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVJSdqImiHM