Brown Watch

On my way to Pakistan for Easter break at the end of March, my watch (yes, my watch) got stopped at security. I took it off to put it in the scanner, and as I was gathering my things, I realised that it was not there. I panicked and looked at all the Bresis (British desis) around me suspiciously. When I asked the quite clearly Muslim, Brown Bresi (because they all look alike for some weird reason! I mean really. They do. I often see couples who could pass off as each other if they changed clothes, which is quite sick) where it was, he told me to get it from the main security desk.

Horrified with my ingrained racism against my own diasporic race, I went to the desk to pick it up. It was manned by lots of Bresis. When I asked for my watch, they asked me the most ridiculous of questions.

Bresi: Where did you buy this watch?
Me: In Lahore. In Pakistan.
Bresi: When did you buy this watch?
Me: Sometime last summer. Probably August or September.
Bresi (holding watch from me suspiciously and concealing it): What brand is it?
Me: Swatch.
Bresi nods: Yes. Now why did you buy this watch?
Me: Why did I buy the watch?
Bresi: Yes, why did you buy the watch?
Me: Are you serious?
Bresi: …
Me (now exasperated and feeling more racist than ever against Bresis): Is this because it’s a Brown watch?

The watch was meekly handed over. On my way back, I requested to be seated next to Pakistani passport holders. I mean really Bresis! When will you become normal people?

And now here’s a rather terrible but relevant poem by an exasperated person who is aspiring to be a Bresi. They’re quite clearly trying to copy my style as you can see, but falling flat on their face. [Please note use of the singular they− I  am not referring to multiple people and deliberately concealing the gender of this wretched soul. Do you think it’s a male or female? I think it’s wonderfully androgynous.]

Rejected and Deceived

Rejected and deceived,
We are told not to enter because
We will never leave.

This is the sin
Of being a Paki.
This is the crime
Of being brown.
This is the retribution
Of being victims of the Taliban.

At home I’m an infidel,
One who refuses to conform
To this Shariah created
By the Wahabis,
Sitting comfortably on thrones
In Saudi.

They are the ones who are responsible for this,
This militant brand of Islam.
They are the ones who are pouring money
Into tribal ignorance.

They are the ones.

They are the ones
Encouraging these men to behave
In a manner so horrifying,
So violent,
That it makes you want to kill them
In return.

Paki:
Filthy
Dirty

Get out of my country.
Leave.

Time for some Sugar Mamas

So there you have it! A very reliable study has shown that children born of older men have lower IQs than those born to younger ones, thus challenging the rather misogynist and, to me, disturbingly essentialist androcentric evolutionary theory that men look for younger women because of their potential fertility, and the fact that they will be able to reproduce more and healthier children than older women. Although there is indeed historical merit in this argument, it does further the notion that as society evolves, and as we begin to understand ourselves more and more, we will necessarily have to adapt. After all, we apparently don’t even know about 96% of the universe and use only very little of our brains (is there even any need to find articles here? Proof lies in… well… the world!).

When I first read this, I laughed, mostly because studies have shown the exact opposite for older women. The older the mother, the smarter the child. Perhaps we’ll now see a shift: older women being drawn to younger men like Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. After all, women do live longer than men. Under the current system, there are more widows than widowers. Oh, and as women delay their reproductive age, they increase our longevity as well. I can’t find any links for this, but there are quite a few documentaries explaining this in connection to studies done of fruit flies. However, I cannot remember any names.

forget the bones

forget the bones
forget the land
withdraw the cash
take the cat
take a toke
of this fine hash
then run

give me the jewellery
and I will strap it
all over my body
carry it off to another land
and run

life will go on
amidst the bombs, amidst the guns
life will go on
don’t run

but we are brown, we are green
in a world with no in-between
crescent mooned
lampooned
soon to be
harpooned

forget the bones forget the land bury the jewels take the cash take the cat
run!

there’s no return
no u-turn
don’t look back
but run

educate
we have our brains
they can never take them away
don’t give up
believe in luck

but…
they can blow them up
each one
had at least two guns
nay, they WILL blow them up
you are an infidel
kafir
RUN

and there will be no return
no looking back
(stroke the cat)
no more heat, no more kites
but lots and lots and lots and lots of flights
FOR GOD’S SAKE WILL YOU PLEASE FUCKING RUN!

forget the bones forget the land
strap the cash smoke some hash
(stroke the cat)
we are pawns
we are just bait
so liquidate
dilate
deflate
concentrate
defecate
full of hate
is this our fate?
even fear won’t set us straight

so just forget the bones forget the land
take the cash
(don’t leave the cat!)
take a toke
of this fine hash

r
u
n

Terror Tactics

By Nida Maqsud

The people of Pakistan aren’t vociferously outspoken enough against the terrorist attacks that have taken place, both within and outside Pakistan’s borders – or so it has been claimed by many a commentator. I have read article upon article with such a premise, and, as a citizen of the world, I have agreed. But as a Pakistani at heart, I’ve struggled with this theory for many months, only to keep knocking against a wall of inconsolable despair. Why have I not spoken out until now? Because I am a hard-working, intelligent resident of Pakistani society, a loyal citizen of the United States, and it kills me to have to suffer the incompetencies of corrupt elected governments; the conniving schemes of powerful countries trying to take advantage of “failed states”, and vice versa; the demoralizing illiteracy of a large and ever-increasing group of people who believe that their anguish can only be expressed through violence; and the heartbreaking optimism of a people who continue to work hard and believe in the nation that their ancestors fought for so tirelessly. Add to that the defeatist tendencies of my own friends and family, and there you have yourself a sample slice of a world, terrorized and speechless.

So why aren’t we, as Pakistanis, speaking loud enough for the rest of the world to hear: We condemn terrorism. Could it be a result of our confusion? I mean, what exactly do we say? Whose side are we on? Most certainly not the Indians who have always been our enemies, in all but music, film, theater, literature, student exchange, intellectual discourse… And of course not the American government, who seeks to displace all other ways of life with their own, in their on-going conquest of the world. Not even Pakistan’s own rulers, hypocrites of the first degree, murderers and high school drop-outs, thieves, embezzlers, and power-hungry dictators, painting a palatable picture of ‘democracy’ for CNN and BBC to broadcast around the world. Do we stand up for capitalism, socialism, or communism? For secularism or theocracy? For democracy that is true or staged? Do we categorize ourselves as Pakistanis, Muslims, victims or perpetrators? Should we create a facebook group with our own website, catchy title, and slogan? Or print T-shirts and wear them on our Long March into hell?

Let there be no question that Pakistanis are suffering. Some in silence, attempting to pick up the pieces and go on with their lives as lawyers, doctors, musicians, chefs, drivers, teachers, businessmen, or civil servants; some through activism, by building schools, arranging protests, vying for the underdogs; and still others erupting in fury, burning tyres, smashing windows, blowing up their local KFC, not knowing who to blame and how to vent.

Let there be no question that Pakistanis condemn terrorism. The terror you feel when the world of, first the performing arts, then international sports, is attacked within a couple miles of your home, in the span of only three months. The terror you feel when so many vested interests are vying for power to decide the fate of your country, and hence, the world. The terror you feel when you think ten times before deciding whether it’s safe to bring a new child into this world. Of the powerless under the powerful. And let there be no question, by powerful, I mean, greedy – be it for money, revenge, or just a chance to be king of the world – anything but peace which is just so profitless, bad for ratings, and, come one, let’s face it…boring.

So what can we do to help? Protest, make phone calls to our elected officials, write letters to the newspaper? – that seems to work in the US. Trust the local authorities to solve our problems? – that doesn’t seem to be working in Swat. Fight fire with matchsticks, as they’ve been doing in Gaza? Become conspiracy theorists, and spread the word about the evil of the Rothschilds? Pray? I ask you, oh terrorized people, oh terrorizers, of the world, what can we do? What, in the name of Allah, Jesus, Ram, Buddha, secularism, fuck’s sake, whatever you hold dear, can we do? How can we pull the plug on this globally televised event we call “Terror”? And end the real suffering.

Psychics?

“You need to let go of the past! You are too rigid. You need to move on,” he said as soon as he displayed my cards. “Put it behind you. You need movement.”

There were many things he told me, the tarot card reader who sits in a gypsy van at the Brighton Pier, that were eerily accurate. Or was it because they were ambiguous? Isn’t that what this is all about? Like horoscopes that can apply to a variety of situations? Or is it because we want to read into it; we want to believe that the person sitting across from us is like a celestial human being?

The truth is that I am a rigid person. I am indeed a person who was (at that point since this was in December) hanging on the past, enraged by it, irritated by my inability to deal with many things that I thought I had left behind despite the fact that I had moved away and changed my life. But… aren’t we all always haunted by our pasts in some way or the other? I know I am not alone. I know he could have said the same thing to many other people and it would “fit” for them too.

What I do know is that if any of the shamans I have encountered in my life are to be believed at all, my life should have taken various multiple turns by now depending on who I believed to be most accurate I guess. (Does that make any sense?) One man did my entire astrological chart three years ago told me things that I hope not to be true. He told me I wouldn’t be published until my 30s (not that they’re far now!) and that I would get married soon. That was then. Still not married (thankfully) but still not published. Another person told me I would get married twice; the first would end in my early 20s. Well… 27, almost 28 in fact, has proved that wrong. Out the bin quack! Oh, and apparently I’m psychic (some “cross of venus” nonsense), something that I have convinced a few people of. I know the trick… it’s not about being psychic at all− it’s about memory, it’s about knowing information they think you don’t know. And it’s fun to fool people for sure (especially students). This is especially easy in Lahore since it is a city filled with gossip where no one can have any privacy and everyone is connected.

Irrationality is part of the human condition. I wish I didn’t believe that to be true, but I think this because I too have fallen victim to this. It’s all too easy to believe that a series of coincidences have some spiritual purpose or force behind them: people don’t realise the strength and power of self-fulfilling prophecies. Perhaps like Macbeth’s witches, we are our own demons.

PS: I’m only writing this because I wish to understand why so many intelligent people I know fall victim to this nonsense!

Campaign to save the judiciary

A high level meeting of Pervez Musharraf, PML-Q led by former Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and Musharraf’s legal team, led by Sharifuddin Pirzada took place at the President’s house today. A source privy to the meeting informed us about the possible plans to derail the restoration of the judges that were discussed in today’s meeting. Suggestions included having a stay order against the working of the parliament, offering money and black-mailing members of PML-N and PPP (reminder: Faisal Saleh Hayat was a PPP member but joined PML-Q after having his multiple murder and corruption charges dropped). The judges have been promised to be restored by Nawaz Sharif by the 12th and we must actively oppose all possible moves to derail the process.

This is where we need your help. A few emails, sms-es and calls on your part can greatly help Pakistan and further the cause for the restoration of the only independent judiciary of Pakistan.

2) Contact the people in the meeting, urging them not to conspire against the judiciary:

Sharif uddin Pirzada (responsible for all the coups in Pakistan):
051-4440483

Attorney General Malik Qayyum (complicit in Nov 3’s act of treason):
0300-8456118

Faisal Saleh Hayat (charges dropped against him even before NRO)
051-9224578      0300-8444798

Ahmad Raza Qasuri (of black spray-painted face fame)
0300 9558217                    051 2654762

2) Get the message through to Musharraf to STOP interfering with our judiciary and parliament:

Ideal person to contact:

Bilal Musharraf:
(note Bilal has only been selected because he has been actively supporting his father’s actions of Nov 3rd and has been trying to misrepresent the act of treason committed by Pervez Musharraf at many gatherings in San Francisco Bay Area, especially at Stanford University).

Email: bilal@eplanetventures.com
Cellphone: +1-650-861-0229

Through his friends:

Mushaid Hussain Syed          0300-5006056
Ch. Shujjat Hussain              0300-5157029
Muhammad Ali Durrani          0300-8453883
Sheikh Rasheed                   0300-8554242
Wasi Zafar                           0301-3001720


ISPR:

Director General ISPR

Major General Athar Abbas

Tel Office : 0092-51-9271600 Tel Office : 0092-51-56130041 Fax Office: 0092-51-9271682 Tel Home : 0092-51-9273379 Tel Home : 0092-51-56132209 Cell : 0302-8555741 Email: abbasathar@hotmail.com dg@ispr.gov.pk

Directly:
Pakistan Secretariat
Fax: 92 51 9224 768 / 9221422
Phone (+92)(051) 9202750, 9202752-3
Email: president@pak.gov.pk

Aiwan-e-Sadar,
Islamabad, PAKISTAN
FAX: +92 051 920-1893/1835 or 4632

Chief of Army Staff House,
Golf Road, Rawalpindi

051-5556822
CE@pak.gov.pk,

You can also get the message to him through his secretary:

PR Secretary
Colonel Hassan    PRO President    0300-8555569

To send a COMPLETELY anonymous email, use the following program:
http://anonymouse.org/anonemail.html

3) Spread the message:
As always spread this like wild fire.

Feel free to publish this on ANY BLOG as long as you give the mailing list link (so more people can subscribe)

In solidarity
–
Ryzwan

Restore the Judiciary NOW

Join the Mailing List:
http://lists.hcs.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/emergency

Emergency Times:
http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/
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Emergency@lists.hcs.harvard.edu
http://lists.hcs.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/emergency

The Importance of Natural Selection

By Zarrar Said

The primeval soup of multifaceted compounds and elements spawned molecular dependencies which we refer to as life. The key for survival was replication or procreation, initially in the form of mitosis and then through reproduction. It is this combination irregular trial and error that created single-celled species which progressed to multi-cell species. Nature judged and approved each organism’s ability to sustain life in its environment. Genes are ever perpetuating and the examples are what we see around us. We are machines carrying these primeval genes since the beginning of time; when life originated in the primeval soup. Organisms’ sole purpose would be to procreate and pass on as many of its genes into nature as possible. Throughout time we have asked ourselves whether we are fallen angels or risen apes. The answer lies in a simple yet tabooed subject.

Charles Darwin would go down in history as probably the most misunderstood person ever. The Origin of Species commanded the awakening of human contemplation and laid the foundations for the answer to our very existence. The progression of our species’ intellect has always been hindered by convictions of the blind; more commonly known as “blind faith”. More than a century later, we as a species have still to grasp in totality the importance of comprehending natural selection. Classrooms across the world shy away from the subject. Ignorance leads many to whole heartedly accept that it is nothing but theory. While we progress to ascertain complex mathematic equations, quantum mechanics, and new and improved economic strategies, we fail to realize the most important of all subjects. The subject which would make us understand equality in the human race, altruistic human compassion as a means of survival, social, economic, and political Darwinism. Most of all, we would understand how we got here and what our purpose of existence entails. And yet, there are only a handful of people who are privileged to be exposed to it in their educational life.

Surprisingly, many would rather believe a preconceived notion of angels, demons, and heavenly prehistoric beginnings rather than fact based actualities of Homosapien evolution. Understanding natural selection would require time and debugging of preconceived religious decrees. But eventually, one can conceive that in every strata of life, the stronger (whatever strength may equate to in the respective situation) individual would survive and is more likely to spread offspring into the environment. Almost every question could be resolved through Darwinistic measures. In an office environment, the most hardworking and productive worker will be promoted. In the political scenario, whether by physical power or compassion, the strongest candidate would succeed, etc.

Altruistic behavior is present in our primate cousins, the chimpanzees. Chimps have a democratic political construct similar to that of humans. The chimp “chief” is elected by acts of compassion and selflessness. The “gene” or combination of genes for this altruistic act allows the most compassionate chimp to become chief. In the movie, “March of the Penguins”, one can witness a group of penguins punishing one particular penguin who steals another’s egg. Again, this act relates to similar altruistic genes carried by all organisms. Although compassion is not on the agenda for all organisms, somehow violence and irregular injustice do seem to prevail. However, each organizational strata would again justify the survival of the appropriate “fittest”. Gandhi, for example, was assassinated. His overall message, however, allowed millions around the world to fight tyranny. Overall, our genetic code allows for survival of organisms which allow perpetuation of their respective species because if there is no species left, the organism can not create offspring, which is its first and foremost purpose.

Overall, it is essential that we learn and teach our children the importance of natural selection and the importance of the Scientific Method to judge accuracy. The beauty of science is that it is accumulative and perpetual. It will continue to grow and compound previous knowledge. Nothing is certain or set in stone. This does not mean that what science promotes has the potential to be wrong but instead the potential to become much more right. Newtonian physics is many years old but is still applicable to a projectile throw of a stone. However, to launch a satellite Newtonian physics would have to be coupled with modern physics for strategic accuracy. Charles Darwin wrote a theory backed by hard hitting evidence. Over time, his “theory” has become a fact as solidified as the existence of gravity itself. It has been advanced and improved upon rather than debunked. Yet in this day and age most people are ignorant of this fact.

Neither are we fallen angels, nor are we risen apes. Instead we are a complexity and permutation of millions of years of natural selection without a predestined or strategic plan. The sooner we realize the actuality of this very fact, the easier it would be to excel in any arena in life whether it is work, health, love, or politics. We have to see the importance of promoting natural selection over creationism which bounds the minds ability to reason. The advancement of human intellectuality will correspond directly with the advancement of humans themselves. And yet we are faced with the question, “if there was no plan, what is the purpose of our existence?” The answer is that life in itself is intrinsic to serve its own purpose and in this cosmic lottery ticket we will one day cease to exist like the other millions of species. Our purpose, is to make the most of it for ourselves and the millions that exist with us.

I am woman, hear me roar lyrics

A lot of people come to this blog looking for the lyrics to the song “I am woman, hear me roar” by  Helen Reddy and Ray Burton, so I thought I’d put them up.

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman

Application for registration of FIR against Musharraf and others

   AFRIDI, SHAH & MINALLAH
Advocates & Legal Consultants
24th, 1st Floor, Beverly Center ,Blue Area, Islamabad.
Tele Nos:  2278253-4  Fax: 2278257

March 3, 2008

The SHO,
Police Station,
Secretariat,
Islamabad.

REGISTRATION OF CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST GEN ® PERVAIZ MUSHARRAF, MINISTER OF INTERIOR, SECRETARY INTERIOR, CHIEF COMMISSIONER ISLAMABAD, IGP ISLAMABAD, SSP ISLAMABAD, DC ISLAMABAD AND OTHERS FOR KEEPING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN JUSTICE IFTIKHAR MOHAMMAD CHAUDHRY, OTHER HON’BLE JUDGES AND THIER FAMILIES UNDER/IN WRONGFUL RESTRAINT, WRONGFUL CONIFINEMENT, COMMITTING CRIMINAL TRESSPASS, CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION,  ETC PUNISHABLE UNDER THE PAKISTAN PENAL CODE 1860 READ WITH OTHER ENABLING PROVISIONS.

We have been authorized and instructed by the respective Presidents of the High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi Bar Association and Islamabad Bar Association to submit this application for registration of a criminal case under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and other enabling provisions. It is, therefore, stated as follows;

1.    That on March 9, 2007 the then Chief of Army Staff, General Pervaiz Musharraf attacked the independence of the judiciary by illegally using the State machinery to criminally intimidate, coerce, threaten and assault the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry so as to illegally force him to resign from his office.

2.    That on refusal to succumb to the illegal pressure and subjugate the independence of the judiciary, the Chief Justice of Pakistan was taken into custody and kept in illegal confinement and house arrest with the other members of the family for more than two weeks. The officials of the intelligence agencies and the administration at the behest and on orders of General ® Pervaiz Musharraf trespassed the official residence of the Chief Justice and kept him and the members of his family confined to two rooms within the residence.

3.    That General ® Pervaiz Musharraf publicly confessed and regretted the illegal and wrongful restraint and confinement.

4.    That on July 20, 2007 a thirteen member bench of the Supreme Court honourably restored Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Pakistan and held that the allegations in the Reference were malafide, illegal and unconstitutional. It is important to note that the  evidence relating to the purported allegations in the reference had been withdrawn and the lawyers representing General ® Pervaiz Musharraf and the Federation tendered apologies before the Supreme Court and the Bench of the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000/- against the Federal Government.

5.    That in a shameless act of revenge solely for his personal ego, General ® Pervaiz Musharraf committed high treason on November 3, 2007 when taking advantage of his position as the Chief of Army Staff, he issued an illegal and unconstitutional Proclamation of Emergency and a Provisional Constitutional Order. He, thereby not only committed high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution but also conspired to bring the Pakistan Army into disrepute merely for his personal gain and ego. He attacked the independence of judiciary yet again and the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan as well.

6.    That on November 3, 2007 a seven member bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan suspended the Proclamation and the PCO. The authorities were restrained not to act in pursuance of the Proclamation or the PCO and held any act performed thereunder as illegal and unconstitutional.

7.    That General ® Pervaiz Musharraf taking advantage of being the Chief of Army Staff and in flagrant violation of his oath as a member of the armed forces criminally abused his authority by taking control of the Supreme Court in the evening of November 3, 2007 through the law enforcement agencies. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other Hon’ble Judges, except five who agreed to collaborate in this heinous crime, were taken into custody. The acts and omissions are also contempt of the Supreme Court. This also is contempt of the Supreme Courts order dated November 3, 2007.

8.    That the officials of law enforcement agencies and the administration of Islamabad Federal Capital Territory at the behest of and on instructions from General ® Pervaiz Musharraf criminally trespassed the official residence of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and other Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice and the judges, along with their families, were wrongfully confined and restricted in their respective official residences so much so that the outer doors were padlocked and chained. Barbed wires were put all around the residences and the roads leading to the judicial colony were also barricaded and barbed wires were placed.

9.    That the eighteen year old daughter of the Chief Justice of Pakistan i.e Ifra Iftikhar was not allowed to leave the residence for taking his “A” Level examinations.

10.    That eight year old physically challenged son of the CJP, Ballaj Iftikhar, who has been termed as the ‘Youngest Political Prisoner” by local as well as international media has not even been allowed to come out to the garden of the residence let alone allowing him to attend the school.

11.    That sixteen year old Palwasha Iftikhar a student of ‘A’ Level has also not been allowed to leave the residence and attend her school.

12.    That Justice Sardar Raza Khan, Justice Shakirullah Jan and Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk also remain under wrongful restraint and confinement.

13.    That General ® Pervaiz Musharraf and on his instructions and his behest the Minster of Interior, Secretary of Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, IGP Islamabad, SSP Islamabad, DC Islamabad and other collaborators have committed offences, inter alia, punishable under the Pakistan Penal Code.

You are, therefore, advised to forthwith register a FIR against the above named offenders under sections 338, 334, 341, 344, 441, 442, 503, 506, 107, 102-A and other enabling provisions failing which further legal proceedings shall be initiated.

For the applicants
President High Court Bar, Rawalpindi.
President District Bar, Islamabad.
President District Bar, Rawalpindi.

Through

(ATHAR MINALLAH)

# 24, 1st Floor, Beverly Centre,
Blue Area,
Islamabad

I’m prepared

I’m prepared for the violence that will inevitable ensue after the elections. I’m prepared for a rigged result in favour of the PML-Q. I’m prepared for the state brutality- the torture and mindless killings that will take place- shoot at sight orders have been given, and they will be abused. I’m prepared to stay at home and watch. I refuse to part of violent mobs. I’m prepared to cry. I’m prepared to wonder, yet again, if there is any hope.

But I’m hoping it won’t be that bad. I’m wishing that PML-Q doesn’t win. I’m praying that my country doesn’t descend into chaos. And more than anything else, I’m hoping that Musharraf will leave, or be made to leave. I’m going to keep hoping, wishing and praying now. There’s nothing I can do but watch.