Today’s WAF protest took place at Dilli Gate, in the heart of the old city. Took me an hour to get there because of the miserable weather. It was cold and wet today, something we’re not used to here, especially since we’ve had a very mild winter.
It was a regular rally with the same people I see everywhere. What was different was that this was the first rally that I’ve been to in the old city. The atmosphere was totally different. First of all it was painfully wet. Anyone been to Kashmiri bazaar? It consists of tiny, tiny lanes, which are full of holes and overflowing sewage. We marched through it, holding candles and placards in support of Benazir Bhutto. (The candles were kind of pointless since they kept extinguishing because of the rain.) We protested against the injustice we all see, we all feel. The best though, however, was that people on the streets (well… lanes) were quite fascinated and some joined us. I heard many teenagers and children screaming: “Go Musharraf go!” One shopkeeper’s entire family took out all their PPP posters and we stood in front of their humble shop (and home) and chanted with them.
Some of the naras from today are:
1. Bibi tayray khoon se inqalaab aaye ga! (Bibi your blood will lead to justice)
2. Yeh jo dehshat gardi hai, is keh peechay wardi hai! (The [army] uniforms are behind this terrorism)
3. Muk gaya tera show Musharraf. Go Musharraf, go Musharraf. (Your time is up)
4. Yeh colonel general baghairat! (The army [colonels and generals] is shameless)
5. Hum lay kay rahain gay azaadi! (We WILL get our freedom)
6. Girti hooein diwaroun ko, ek dhaka aur do! (Give the crumbling walls another push)
7. Yah Allah, yah rasool. Benazir bekasoor! (Dear God, dear prophet. Benazir is innocent)
I can’t remember all of them, but these were in my mind so I thought I’d share them. They do get lost in translation! They sound quite stupid and juvenile in English.
I must say I was very impressed with those who made it. Even I felt like turning back after half and hour of sitting in traffic in the middle of the old city, waiting for a cow to cross. The intensity of these few people’s passion motivates me. I was hoping to see more of the teachers. We specifically cancelled this evening’s Teachers’ Action Committee meeting for the protest. I guess, today, I can’t blame anyone who couldn’t make it. For tonight, I won’t judge.
Jab thak janta thang rahe gi
Jang rahe gi jang rahe gi!
Jab thak bhook aur nang rahe hi
Jang rahe gi jang rahe gi!
Jang abhi jari hai…
Strange how everyone assumes Musharraf is to blame when Asif Ali Zardari had the most to gain from Bhutto’s death, and was apparently the person who disallowed an autopsy.
Just a sad thought from an outsider…
Comment by jonolan — January 8, 2008 @ 11:32 pm |
Very valid. He should definitely be investigated.
The autopsy issues is a little complicated… the state should have done one, as the law sates, with or without the consent of the family. In Islam, an autopsy is not considered “respectful”. In medical colleges in Pakistan, students hardly ever see a female body. The few female bodies they get are usually victims of honour killings etc. Benazir Bhutto’s family did not want an autopsy because they didn’t want to disrespect the “sister of the nation/ the daughter of the east” and all the other populist nonsense they use…
This can be seen as a very dubious situation. Now the government is saying that they will conduct a post-mortem if they exhume the body. That will never happen simply because it is just not allowed in Islam. In fact, it is one of the most disrespectful acts. If they do exhume her body, I can guarantee that the province of Sindh will wage war.
Zardari can be implicated and so can the government. One theory is that he didn’t “allow” an autopsy because he was told that his assets would be released if he complied. He certainly did come and take all her money to Dubai. So, in a way, it is sort of a win-win situation.
The truth is that we all doubt that it was just one group’s involvement. The ISI (our intelligence) must have had something to do with this. One reason why I say this is because Musharraf has been number one of the Al-Qaeda hit list for many, many years no. BB was definitely not even on the top ten. How come he always survives? I know we all sound like crazy conspiracy theorists, but, unfortunately, in this country one never knows what the hell is really going on!
Comment by Nabiha Meher — January 10, 2008 @ 2:18 am |