Khawaja ji brings Indo-Pak closer

Courtesy: Film: Jodha Akbar, Music: AR Rehman

ISI’s classic blunder in Siachen Conflict (1984)?

By: Tausif Kamal

1984 Siachen was another debacle by Pakistan Army. Shouldn’t our COAS and GOC Siachen should be held accountable and resign? Of course don’t count our shameless generals to resign in the long tradition of our Army. They did not resign upon loosing wars or even loosing half of the country. Did they resign when the GHQ was attacked, or Mehran base or Kargil or 1965 or surrendering of whole battalions to Talibans, other fiascos. Most probably they got more bonuses and DHA plots and promotions …

Courtesy: Pakistani e-lists/ e-groups, April 9, 2012.

President Zardari pardon Indian Spy Gopal Das

Indian spy Gopal Das returns to India

LAHORE: Indian spy Gopal Das, held in Pakistan for 27 years was handed over to Indian officials at Wagah border on Thursday. Das was released on presidential orders.

The spy was transferred from the Kot Lakhpat jail to Wagah Border in a special vehicle. The notification by President Asif Ali Zardari to remit the remainder of the spy’s prison sentence was issued on March 27.

President Zardari issued the notice on humanitarian grounds following an appeal from India’s Supreme Court.

Das — who told reporters he was 26 when he was arrested — was sentenced to life in prison in June 1987 and had been due for release by the end of this year.

Pakistan’s presidency did not say why he was convicted, but Das himself confirmed reports that he had been jailed for spying.

“Yes… I went to Pakistan on a spying mission and I was arrested for espionage,” said Das, who was clearly angered by what he saw as his abandonment by the Indian authorities.

“Indian intelligence never bothered to get me released from jail in Pakistan,” he said.

“I carry a grudge against the Indian leadership because it does not bother about Indian prisoners still rotting in Pakistan prisons for many years,” he added.

He made a point of thanking the president and prime minister of Pakistan for his early release.

Read more » The Express Tribune

Bashir Qureshi: “Such is my Love for Mother Sindh, Other Beloveds all Forgotten”

By: Dr. Ahmed Makhdoom

Extremely saddened and shocked to learn about the passing-away of one of the most cherished, loved and illustrious son of Sindh, Saaeen Bashir Khan Qureshi.

The glorious ship of our motherland, Sindh, was so ably, bravely, passionately and fervently and, of-course, single-handedly, steered and guided by the indomitable, invincible and indefatigable will and leadership of Bashir Qureshi, the ardent believer and follower of the great Sindhi leader, Saaeen G.M. Syed’s legacy, and philosophy. Now, Sindh is left alone, bewildered, broken, shocked and in extreme pain and anguish.

Each and every time that I had an honour and privilege to visit my beloved Motherland on an annual pilgrimage, I was always blessed, illuminated and enriched by the few serene and tranquil moments that I had spent with Bashir Qureshi at his house at Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Karachi, Sindh just a walking distance from my brother’s house, where I used to stay.

We talked about Sindh, nothing but Sindh, because Sindh was his passion, the struggle for Free, Sovereign and Independent Sindh was his mission and the guiding of Sindh to take its historically-proclaimed rightful place amongst the community of the nations of the world was his vision as he always used to recite, with great gusto and fervour as well as tears in his eyes, this couplet of Saaeen Ustad Bukhari:

“Sindhu saan ahrree jindu jarree, jo mbiyaa dil waaraa wisree w1yaa,

Jiyei Sindhu sadaaeen jiyei, mbiyaa sabhu naaraa wisree wiyaa.” (Ustad Bukhari)

“Such is my love for Mother Sindh, Other beloveds all forgotten, ‘Long live, forever live, dearest Sindh!’ Yes, other slogans all forgotten.” (Ustad Bukhari: Translated by Ahmed Makhdoom)

Bashir Khan Qureshi was a leader par excellence and a human being extraordinaire. Personally, he was a wonderful friend and a very generous and hospitable carer and comforter to his guests at his home. As Chairman of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), (the Long Live Sindh National Front), he carried himself with great sense of responsibility and immaculate character.

I will sadly miss his inspiring company during my next and subsequent pilgrimages to my Motherland! The glorious land of Sindh and the generous and gregarious Sindhis will miss his wise helmsman-ship, courage, enthusiasm, patriotism and charismatic leadership.

Bashir Qureshi joined the movement for the liberation of Sindh from the ignominious chains of slavery brutally tightened around the neck of Sindh by the Punjab-dominated Pakistan in 1976 when he was just 17 years old. This movement known as Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) – Long Live Sindh National Front – was founded by the Great Helmsman of Sindh, G.M. Syed. As an ordinary worker and member of this Front, Bashir carried out his duties and responsibilities with great zeal and patriotic ideals, fervour and ardour, enthusiasm and exuberance and with remarkable energy and prowess.

During the 1980s, Saaeen G.M. Syed was jailed, even though he was old and feeble, and Bashir through has sagacity and love for Syed and Sindh organised many protest rallies and hunger strikes, where he was always in the forefront. After the passing-away of Saaeen G.M. Syed, the baton of leadership was passed over to Bashir Khan Qureshi, who performed his duties as a successor of the great Syed with so much bravado and competence, earnestness and eagerness and with complete reverence and loyalty to his Motherland, Sindh. During his Long March for the Freedom of Sindh he was threatened by the Pakistani Security establishment, shot at by the heartless and senseless Pakistani Armed Forces and savagely jailed for several years by the dictatorial Punjab-dominated Secret Service and Intelligence agencies of the failing state.

And, despite all brutalities and animal-like behaviour of Pakistani vile and arrogant authorities, Saaeen Bashir never lost his patience, calm-nature and candour. He mobilised Sindhi masses to carry out peaceful, non-violent Gandhi-like protests on the streets of cities, town and villages of Sindh from Karachi to Kashmore, many times bringing the heavily-armed savage Pakistani civil and martial authorities down onto their knees. He vociferously demanded the economical, linguistic, cultural, political and hereditary rights for the hapless, helpless and long-suffering people of Sindh.

A Humble Tribute to Bashir Khan Qureshi

By: Dr. Azhar A. Shah

The premature death of Mr Bashir Khan Qureshi, Chairman Jeay Sindh Qomi Mahaz (JSQM) just a couple of weeks after he arranged a huge rally ‘Freedom March’ in Karachi on March 23 has shocked every person irrespective of his/her socio-political orientation. On March 23, Mr Quershi reiterated the demand for the independence of Sindh, which was initially raised by his predecessor leader Saaiin G.M Sayed in the aftermath of the independence of Bangladesh. Like Saaiin G.M Syed, Mr Bashir Khan Quershi also based his struggle on the principle of non-violence and he was vehement supporter of de-weaponization at the University Campuses. Mr Quershi used to extend unconditional support to every movement which asked for the rights of the people. Therefore he became a real beloved leader of the people of Sindh.

Media in Pakistan including Sindhi TV Channels have remained biased to Sindhi nationalists. They don’t show full details of the events related to nationalist politics as per State policy and hence majority of people at home and abroad remain aloof of such developments. The advent of social media like Facebook, Youtube etc have provided alternative for people to communicate. I take this opportunity to share a few comments of some persons as tribute to Saaiin Bashir Khan Quershi.

Rabail Aziz: Brave son of Sindh Bashir Khan Qureshi passes away, he died through heart attack (Sources). but during his life he has no any problem of heart, it is political murder by anti sindhi forces.

Irfan Raza: Dear Hameer. You may disagree with philosophy of JSQM. But I think you should not take a hard-line. I worked with JSQM Workers (Back in 2005: I was in Ghotki, when Pakistan’s bad-ever Train Accident happened @ Ghotki Railway Station – 3 Trains crashed and around 230 people died in accident) Then it was only JSQM workers who saved lives of 100 people [most of them were Punjabi, Pashtun and urdu Speaking] who might be confirmed deaths. I am not Sindhi, never been JSQM Worker. But Bashir Qureshi was a voice – who always raised on/for the rights of those who never been heard. RIP Bashir Qureshi.

Han Dil Udas Raha Aaj Thora Sa. Insano Ko Un K haqooq Milnay Chaheyen. Ye Baat Kahnay wali aik aur awaz Rizk-e-Khaak ho gae.

Amar Sindhu: All other nationalists are the leaders of their parties but BKQ was the leader of sindh.

Tody Sindh proved the she can weep and cry for every being who loves her pplz. the myth of bhuttos also has been proved wrong that Sindhi pplz only can cry for bhuttoz, Sindhi pplz can cry for every leader who offered them unconditional love and this time they cried for Bashir Khan Quraishi as they cried for bhuttoz.

Arfana Mallah: Millions of people are gathered at Rato Dero, all TV channels blocked this view, I am requesting all those who are there please record this view on mobile and upload on your facebook, to show the world that how sindhies love their leaders.

Courtesy: Sindhi e-lists/ e-groups, April 8, 2012.