Justices in search of ‘justice’ in Pakistan

Mr. Iftikhar Ch. - Chief Justice of Pakistan

Pakistan is a real amazing country. I mean the things that you find here will hardly find anywhere in the world. 3rd November 2007 can be declared as the worst day in the judicial history of Pakistan, when a dictator (Gen. Musharraf) deposed the hounourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Mr. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other 59 judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. Their fault was only that the so called President of Pakistan had a feeling of decisions against his own will from them. President also put these judges under unjustified house arrest and their children could not attend their schools and colleges till after the 18 Feb. Elections Prime Minister Gillani ordered their release.

Musharraf nominated a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice A. Hameed Dogar. Similarly he chose other new judges for the provincial High Courts.

Since then Pakistani lawyers associations and civil society is organising protests and rallies for the restoration of the deposed judges. Long March was also a sequence of this movement. These days deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar M. Chaudhry is visiting the country in a very hot weather and addressing the bar councils in all the four provinces. It is shameful for the PPP government that they have done nothing for the restoration of judiciary in Pakistan and now lawyers are raising their voices against Asif Ali Zardari.

In a country where the judges cannot get justice, how poor and helpless people can think for any justice???

Government takes back notification about ISI and IB

on Saturday, 26th July 2008, Pakistani goevernment issued a notification that ‘Inter Services Intelligence’ and ‘Intelligence Bureau’ would be reporting to the Interior Ministry instead of Prime Minister. Asif Ali Zardari favoured the decision and said that it would help both of these institutions to work without any political interference.

Yesterday, all of a sudden government issued another notification in which they said that there has been a mistake in understanding the previous notification and both ISI and IB would be reporting to the Prime Minister as previous.

Its another blunder (as I would call it) of PPP led allied government. Before some days they announced wrong figure of increment in the price of CNG due to which the whole nation suffered and paid millions of extra rupees for two days. On the other hand, I see it as the first CLASH between the political government and Pakistan Armed Forces. In my view this notification is taken back on the pressure of Army Chief, who did not like this move. This is the time when the government must act in a very serious and mature way for improving its non-serious image.

Ramchand Pakistani – Lollywood making ‘Art Movie’

Ramchand Pakistani – new face of Lollywood

 Its one of the most amazing and unbelievable news that Lolloywood has taken a new turn and now there are Film Directors in Pakistan who are coming up with ‘Art Movies’. Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye can be termed as the first ever art movie, which created a very positive image of Lollywood (and of course Pakistan) in other countries. It was released in India as well. Indian superstar Naseer-ud-din Shah also played a very importan guest role in this movie that gave this movie an international image.

Now Mehreen Jabbar, daughter of former minister Mr. Javaid Jabbar has come up as a new Director with a film, Ramchand Pakistani. In this movie, Indian actress Nandita Daas has played a major role. Story is about a Pakstani Hindu child named as Ramchand who crosses the Indo-Pak border by mistake and has to face lot of problems.

Its a common issue between the two countries and many people have suffered a lot due to this issue. Mehreen desaerves lot of appreciation on taking an initiative to bring this issue on silver screen. The film is being released in Pakistana and India on 1st August 2008. So it will be the first Lollywood film that will be released in the two countries at the same time. Hats off to Mehreen Jabbar and we wish her a very good luck.

Ismail Ajaz on youtube

Dear Viewers,

We have just added two very nice videos of Urdu poet, Mr. Ismail Ajaz on youtube.com. We recorded these videos in Sharjah at my residence on 25th July 2008, where we had a nice get together. People present in the videos are myself, Eng. Irfan, Eng. Faiz Rasool, Mr. Jairsom James and Mr. Ismail Ajaz.

You can type “Ismail Ajaz” in the SEARCH area of youtube.com for watching these ghazals (one is serious and other is funny). Please do post your comments on Mr. Ismail Ajaz’s poetry page on this website.

Dr. Shahid Masood starting Meray Mutabiq from PTV

Its an interesting news to share that Dr. Shahid Masood is going to start his popular political talk show “Meray Mutabiq” from state TV channel PTV very soon. These days PTV is showing its trailer. Till now no date has been given by the PTV Mangament, where Dr. Shahid is working as the Managing Director now. Dr. Shahid has been criticising President Musharraf strongly in this programme, when it was broadcast from Geo TV. Now we will see that what his action will be; whether it will be “MERAY MUTABIQ” or “UN KAY MUTABIQ” where “Un” is President Musharraf……..

Samad Khurram – a great and true Pakistani

Samad Khurram - a brave Pakistani Student

An award distribution ceremony was held in National Arts Gallery, Islamabad on 18 June 2008 to appreciate the brilliant Pakistani students. Samad Khurram, who is studying in Harward University, USA was selected for the Harvard Scholarship Award. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson was the Chief Guest who had to distributes the awards.

When Khurram Samad (originally from Lahore) was called up from the stage to receive his award, he put all the audience in surprise by not receiving thae award from US Ambassador€. Instead of shaking hand with the chief guest, he moved to the dice and said, “I will not receive this award as a protest against the cross border attack by Americans in Mohmand Agency, which resulted in the death of 20 Pakistani soldiers and still many more are missing”. He also added that US policy of suppotring President Musharraf is not in the interest of Pakistani nation.

Samad Khurram is not a political person but just a student and still he has to complete his studies in Harward. His great attitude is a light of hope for the youth of Pakistan that we have such persons who can speak the truth without any fear. Its also a lesson for the politicians and government officials who never stop following unreasonable and illogical US orders like slaves.

‘Petrol Bomb’ blasts in Pakistan

Last night Pakistani government has hiked petrol prices at a maximum level all of a sudden. There is an increase of 11 Rs. on 1 litre petrol and 9.5 Rs. on the same amount of diesel. It has been taken very alarming by the society as poor people have to use public transport for reaching their work destinations and other locations. Hike in the diesel prices will increase the prices of everything, i.e. food items, stationary items, grocery, travelling, daily use items and so and so…….

No doubt that there is an international increase in the fuel prices these days and all those countries, where fuel is purchased from oil producing countries, are suffering a lot due to the hike in fuel prices. However, our government must pay due consideration to find fuel resources in Pakistan as according to researchers lot of petroleum reserves are available in Balochistan and if explored they can help a lot to help nation in coming out of this very very adverse situation.

Some latest political news

Today (20 July 2008 ) I am sick and taking rest at home. Last night Prime Minister Gillani addressed the nation on the television and got the nation in confidence on present critical issues being faced by Pakistani government. He assured that judges will be restored very soon. He also requested people to adopt simplicity and save resources. He asked Investors to make investments in Pakistan and guaranteed that they will be privded governemt protection.

Same day, President of Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan held a press conference and announced a new DEADLINE for the restoration of deposed judges on their formerly held positions. He has given the date of 14th August 2008 as the deadline. After that, as he said, lawyers will start “civil disobedience” till their demand is fulfilled.

Shahbaz Sharif eating lunch with a poor villager

Shahbaz Sharif yesterday visited Liqatpur (District Rahim Yar Khan), fulfilling his commitment to give more attention to the Southern Punjab. He took strict action against the Public Health Engineering Department staff after finding the bad quality unsafe drinking water. Shahbaz showed a nice gesture by accepting a poor villager’s request to have food at his house and he ate with his family.

A note to mention: I (Shahid Javed) worked on the World Bank funded Water Supply development project of Liaqatpur in 2006 from NESPAK Engineering Consultants and we submitted detail technical report for bringing clean drinking water to this city, where people are utilising unnhygienic grey coloured water for long long time. Its pity that even after 2 years this World Bank Project could not improved the situation.

Opinion: Shahbaz Sharif and Aitzaz Ahsan must work together to save Pakistan and help the country coming out of crisis. Shahbaz in my opinion is the best personality for the designation of Prime Minister and Aitzaz Ahsan is the most suitable persons to work as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. I hope my wish could come true. Serious comments are awaited on this opinion.

Reema Khan in ‘Yeh Ghar Aap Ka Hua’ quiz show

Reema - Host of Yeh Ghar Aap Ka Hua

Lollywood Superstar Reema has given a new turn to her career. She has joined Geo TV for hosting the quiz show, “Yeh Ghar Aap Ka Hua”. Reema looks quite good and also makes funny comments during the programme. Like Amitabh Bachchan (who compared famous Kon Banay Ga Crorepati), she also creates good suspense after each answer.

However at some points she looks cheap. Specially when she tells about a helpline “Boss mujhay hint chahiye”, she just looks immature.

Amazing thing that is difficult to understand about this programme is the poor intellectual level of the contestants. Sometimes they cannot reply even very easy questions and prefer to use helpline, even that they get selected after a very tough competition. Last week a Medical Doctor from Karachi appeared in the programme and he didn’t know that TITANIC is the name of a ship or of a satellite. Therefore the producers of the programme must ensure that only real intelligent people come to the programme.

Nawaz Sharif got maximum popularity

Recently a survey was conducted in Pakistan by a US based unofficial organisation, Aerican Republican Institute. 4000 people from various districts of Pakistan were interviewed. It revealed following interesting facts:

82% people like Nawaz Sharif among all political leaders

72% people love Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan

65% people support Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry

9% people like President Musharraf

8% people like Ch. Shuja’at and Pervaiz Ellahi

45% people like Asif Ali Zardari 

70% people think that inflation is the biggest problem

(Source: Express News)

Nawaz Sharif got popularity because of his unshaken stand for the restoration of deposed judges. It is highly appreciable that Sharif and his party PML-N resigned from the ministries for the sake of judges and they did not compromise with Musharraf and his allies. Such leadership is asset of a nation.