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.

Hum Logge 9 February, 2008

The Hum Logge protest rally was by far the most incredible rally we’ve had so far. The response and turn out was astounding. Over 1000 people came together from all over Pakistan to demand the restoration of the judiciary. What was most incredible for me was the fact that people were united under one flag: our flag. Of course, there were a few bad eggs like people who insisted on carrying a black flag; the communists and Tehreek-e-insaaf also should have carried the Pakistani flag in solidarity.

We started at Nehar Ghar in Zaman Park at 7 am. Before leaving, we issued media statements etc. Then, a procession of about 20 cars and 2 buses left for Islamabad via the Grand Trunk road. Every car had stickers of the Pakistani flag, as well as a small flag. On the way we stopped at Gujranwala where many lawyers joined us. The reception we received was very warm and tons of people gathered on the streets to hear Bushra Aitzaz speak. Everyone was shouting “Go Musharraf go!” There was a lot of energy and solidarity. We were off to a great start.

Our next stop was Gujrat where we had lunch. More lawyers joined us and we went straight to Islamabad. On the way, people were waving and flashing victory signs. The Islamabad organiser, Kamil Hamid, was calling me frantically since we were pretty late! We had aimed to reach there by 2:30, but we got there at 4 instead. On the way to Aitzaz Ahsan’s house, we noticed that the police had set up barricades all over the Supreme Court. We were originally supposed to go there, but we had to change our venue and decided to go to the Chief Justice’s house instead. When we got to the gathering point, I was stunned by the amount people who kept pouring out from all over- from inside the house, from the street. I only realised just how many people there were once we started the rally. Again, the energy and solidarity was incredible and I salute all the brave people who came to this event.

As soon as we got close, they started spraying us with water. We all thought it was tear gas, so I started taking videos before running. Then we discovered it was water. They were hosing us down. The fire department- I repeat- the fire department was not attending to actual and real fires; they were being used to fend off protestors. This in a country where water is scarce- very scarce. Because it was just water, people kept going. They kept marching. One man stood right in front of the water with his arms extended. That’s when they started pelting us with stones. But people kept going.

Within a few minutes, they gassed us with some poison. It definitely wasn’t tear gas. I was retching and couldn’t breathe. My skin was stinging for a whole day afterwards. My mouth still feels like someone has scraped it with a knife.

The gas didn’t deter many people though. Some people were picking it up and throwing it right back at the police. People just kept going. They urged everyone to keep going, but I was just not ready to face that poison again.

And the police were brutal. After watering us, throwing stones at us, and gassing us with poison, they started firing rubber bullets. They baton charged and beat the crap out of people. They arrested people who were receiving treatment in hospitals. Details of an eye witness account are available here and here.

And lastly, the blog is now white. I can finally put pictures up here so it’s here to stay!

Hum Logge- A rally on 9th February, 2008

Today Pakistan stands at the crossroads of chaos and instability. The events of November 3rd, and December 27, 2007, have had a devastating affect on our nation, the Balkanization of which is now a very likely future scenario. The gravity of the situation demands that we, the people of Pakistan, stay united and work for the restoration of our judiciary, which can restore order to our nation. In the wake of rising provincial disharmony and the judicial crisis, Hum Logge has organized a plan to rally under the flag of Pakistan for solidarity on February 9th, 2008 from Lahore to the capital, Islamabad, via the G.T. road.

“Hum Logge” consists of organizers, in consultation with the Leaders of the Bars and major political parties, who are advocates of civil rights, the independence of judiciary, and a restoration of democracy. The parties will participate in the rally for a national cause since they too stand as a symbol of the Federation. We will rally with full support and enthusiasm from all classes of people (awam: the real people), the Leaders of the Bars and other participants including WAF (Women Action Forum), HRCP (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan), CCP (Concerned Citizens of Pakistan), the members of various NGOs, local civil society groups, SAC (Student Action Committee), and most importantly, the most marginalized citizens of this nation, who are the real voters. Hum Logge- We, the people, ARE the government. United we stand to make our voice heard.

Objectives:

The rally aims to reiterate the people’s demands for the restoration of the judiciary, free and fair elections for democracy, and to show solidarity amongst the four provinces in order to move the country away from the prevailing, vulnerable situation. It’s time to work together for the solidarity of our country.

We will join our brethren in Islamabad and together march towards the Supreme Court so that we can influence the present regime to meet our demands. We aim to show solidarity with judicial leaders who are acting players for the suppressed of the country, and who are fighting for the independence of the judiciary, civil liberties, freedom of democracy, a free media, and a society rid of atrocities and tyranny.

We anticipate everyone’s involvement and request that all individuals and organizations send their delegations as representatives in large numbers to show strength, power and the struggle of the people of Pakistan for their rights and for democracy.

This is for PAKISTAN and for ALL Pakistanis. It does not matter who you are and what your affiliations are. We ONLY want the Pakistani flag here, be it in the form of the flag itself, stickers, banners, etc. We want to focus on unity instead of the minor differences in agenda that we may have. Now is the time to unite.

We would also be obliged if people can donate cars for transportation to Islamabad. Please do register your cars with us and confirm the number of people you will be bringing along with Bina Qureshi. Please contact Bina Qureshi and Nabiha Meher in Lahore, and Kamil Hamid in Islamabad for any details and information.

UNITED WE STAND FOR A SOLID PAKISTAN.

Looking forward,
Bina Qureshi
Team leader
Phone number: 0300-8412435
Email: images_help@yahoo.com

Nabiha Meher:
Phone #: 0308-4579807
nabihameher@gmail.com

Kamil Hamid:
Phone #: 0345-5104892
kamilhamid@gmail.com

Protests: 2nd and 3rd Feb

First of all, this blog is now black because well… I got tired of the narrow columns of the green one. It’s also appropriate. It just is.

The rally on the second at Nasir Bagh was a mega-event! Thousand of people united to demand the restoration of the judiciary. The parties and groups put aside their petty difference and united to voice their dissent. Aitzaz Ahsan came and spoke before leaving for the airport where he was re-arrested. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay very long, but I managed to take a few pictures and a video. This blog is refusing to cooperate with me, so those who want to see the pictures, they are on facebook here. And the video is here.

Yesterday, on the third of February, there was a protest outside Aitzaz Ahsan’s house. It was also a very interesting event. The pictures are here.

This is a video of a lawyer. It’s really, really good. I will write the transcript and then translate it soon.

And this is just adorable. Here’s a child appealing for freedom.

I apologise to those who aren’t on facebook. I’m not sure, but I think you may be able to see them without having an account since I’ve made them visible to everyone. I will put up pictures on this blog as soon I can figure out how to fit them!

Protest Rally: Nasir Bagh to Regal Chowk. Saturday, 2nd Feb, 08.

Protest rally starting from Nasir Bagh to Regal Chowk at 1:30 pm. This is a mega event involving all civil society organisations, lawyers, students, NGOs, as well as like minded political parties.

Please try your best to come to all the events and bring along friends and like minded people.

Nasir Bagh is opposite Town Hall on the Mall. Further down from NCA.

Update: Aitzaz Ahsan will be leading the rally.

So, what do we do?

At the Concerned Citizens of Pakistan’s convention in LUMS on Tuesday (22/1/08), Talat Hussain, from Aaj TV, concluded that the energetic, and unabashedly embarrassing Lahori audience, had contradicted his belief that emotions and rationality are completely separate from one another. The overwhelming display of emotion that was flagrantly displayed by the audience was grounded in a rational thought process. People were unwilling to hold in what they felt because most have reached a point where they really want to see some change. Instead, nothing seems to be happening. The judiciary has not been restored, elections will probably be postponed again, and Musharraf is still clinging to power. The country is facing a wheat and flour crisis. People line up for hours just to buy a staple commodity that should be easily available, especially since we grow it! The electricity and gas supply is sporadic at best and the country has never seen as much violence as we were seeing today. Terrorists are loose and seem to be free to wreak havoc. Musharraf’s handpicked caretaker government refuses to accept any responsibility and doesn’t seem to be doing enough. People have had enough.

Just about everyone in this country would like to see Musharraf leave. Don’t believe me? Look up the numbers on his popularity ratings. People do want free and fair elections, but they are not at all possible without an independent judiciary. The elections will almost certainly be rigged in favour of the King’s party- the notorious mafia called the qatil league- unless the PML-N strikes a deal with Musharraf similar to the power sharing one that was planned with BB, in which case they will be rigged in favour of PML-N. Either way, they will be rigged, and Musharraf will probably rig an inflated percentage for the religious parties, like he did in the last “elections”, just to show that Pakistani society is under threat. He will try to prove himself to be invincible now more than ever, and by doing so, he may end up tearing apart the federation. And the biggest problem is that even if we do have free and elections, what are our options? And are they good enough? Are they worth the change and upheaval they will bring? Can we trust the very parties that looted and plundered the country in the 90s? Can we trust parties that are now saying that they are willing to work with an illegal dictator? And, most importantly, what on Earth can we do?

These were some of the questions that were on people’s minds at the CCP convention. The panel included representatives of Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Imran Khan’s party), PML-N, and PPP. Hameed Khan and Pervez Hassan were also present. Diep and Asim Sajjad (of UWC fame) were part of the panel. The turnout was huge. However, because of the camera crew, people were not able to come and sit all over the floors, and many stood outside the door peering in. Even my boss showed up late; he was left standing and being pushed around until he got frustrated and left. It was wonderful to be in a place where there were young people and not just lawyers and the same old ancient activists. (No offence ladies, but you guys have been at this an awfully long time. Some of you are grandmothers!) For me, personally, it was great to see LUMS students in a regular crowd. They tend to live in a bubble and protest only on campus. More than anything else, it was great to see a diverse crowd.

The convention started with Hamid Zaman reading out the list of demands. They were the usual ones regarding Musharraf’s resignations, the restoration of the constitution and judiciary etc. Then Talat Hussain started his discussion and Pervez Hassan was the first to speak on the current judiciary crisis. What was interesting for me the response of the party representatives.

TI: We are great… Musharraf must go… judiciary should be restored… we will never work with a dictator…. we have boycotted this sham election…

PML: We are great…. Musharraf must go… judiciary should be restored… we must participate in the elections…. Too much violence… country needs to be saved….

PPP: We are great…. Musharraf must go… judiciary should be restored… we must participate in the elections…. Too much violence… country needs to be saved…. BB was killed….

No one stated the obvious: what do we do? And when asked, no one had an answer that could satisfy. In fact, people felt that the political parties were not acting ethically and working towards the removal of Musharraf by courting him. Hameed Khan made an excellent point, which was that by not joining in the citizens’ and lawyers’ protests, the political parties had stood idly by and didn’t supported the masses. He also stated that if they had joined in, Musharraf would have left by now. When the PPP representative said that Aitzaz Ahsan was leading the lawyers’ movement, no one really bought this lofty excuse. So what if some of the participants are affiliated with political parties? Where are the civilian supporters and why don’t the parties join in the protests in large numbers. The PML-N candidate was grilled about the current talks being held between Shahbaz Sharif and Musharraf, and the PPP candidate was reminded that their party did the same. What I wanted to ask the PPP candidate was why they were not supporting and promoting their most prominent candidate: Aitzan Ahsan, who they had used as a example. Why aren’t demanding that he be freed? Why are so few of them present when there is a rally outside his house? And why haven’t they set up a hunger strike camp or something outside his house. Why aren’t they raising a hue and cry over this? Frankly, in my opinion, he is he best candidate for Prime Minister, and if he were to run, I would campaign for him tirelessly.

Anyway, back to what do we do? Diep testified that no political party in the country was truly democratic. In her opinion they are not at all democratic. How can one work with these parties then? The crowd, meanwhile, was getting more and more restless and rowdy. People were hoarding the mike and making all sorts of elaborate statement instead of asking questions. What amused me the most was people’s long-winded and entirely narcissistic introduction of themselves. We had to shout: “ask the question!” on more than one occasion. The President of the Pakistan Medical Association was the most painful audience member because he absolutely refused to stop talking and ask a question, despite the fact that he was being reminded that we were running out of time. He said that he had gotten the mike after great difficulty and needed a few minutes to speak his mind. I was the one who let out the loud snort when he didn’t stop and asked him if he wanted me to vote for him. I just couldn’t resist. But basically, he just didn’t ask a question and Talat had to cut him off. One man got up and started reading a poem he had just written. A few of the Punjab University students got up and started shouting “Go Musharraf go!” The audience joined in because the audience refused to shut up. Refused. No matter what Talat said, people kept shouting and booing the political representatives, and contradicted what they were saying. Some people didn’t wait for the mike and just said what they wanted to. It was terribly embarrassing, yet, in a twisted way, fun.

Despite the atmosphere, many pertinent questions were asked. What people really wanted to know was what the political parties would do. Many reminded the PPP and PML-N candidates that their treatment of the judiciary- and media- left much to be desired. Their tenures in office didn’t achieve much. When the PPP candidate was asked why her party didn’t amend certain laws, her excuse was that they didn’t have a 2/3 majority in parliament. The PML-N candidate also came up with similar excuses when asked about the judicial scandal during their time, when people felt that unfair promotions were being given. And the very, very sorry fact of the matter is that they are not our best choice, but they are, unfortunately, our only choice.

So, what do we do? We fight. We support the right people, like Aitzaz Ahsan, as well as the ordinary citizens who want to run for election. They are our best bet because the political parties are proliferated with feudals, and the army is, at the moment, the only other option. We need to continue with our non-violent protests, despite the fact that they haven’t achieved much, because we have to make our voice heard. We need the media to cover our dissent so that people the world over know how desperately we need Musharraf removed. His support from the West certainly isn’t helping, and the blind and irrational belief that he is the best bet for Pakistan at the moment is delusional at best. He has gone to Europe to salvage his decreasing popularity over there. But he has, as usual, put his foot in his mouth and shown his true colours. He has now stated that Pakistan isn’t as evolved as Europe and isn’t ready for a transition into democracy. That really insulted me. When your own president declares to the world that you are indeed the third world citizen you are treated as, then he is not your leader anymore. He is doing you the biggest disservice. He cannot be trusted to represent you in any way, shape, or form.

Not giving up should be our most important priority. If we do, then we are injuring our nation. I know it’s hard not to get disheartened. I know how emotion and frustrating it can be. I too sometimes think that the best thing to do would be to just leave. But, I also know that this is my only home. I love this country, and especially my incestuous city, despite all its faults. No matter where I go, this is the one place I return to. This is one place where I belong. This is the one place I cannot be judged by the colour of my skin or my religion. I am not a third class citizen here. I belong. I am Pakistan.

Suicide Bombing in Lahore!

There was a bomb blast at the Lahore High Court on Thursday, 10th January, 2008. A suicide bombing to be exact and so far it seems to be the work of a militant group. It occurred in the middle of a rally- the weekly lawyers’ rally that takes place every Thursday. Generally I try and take part in it, but for once my indolence has saved me. I didn’t go. I had a day off so I slept in. I woke up to the news. My friends were calling me- most hysterical- thinking I must have been in the rally. My first reaction was to cry and wonder who all I know was there: Luckily, no one I know has been injured or hurt. It seems to be an attack on the Police, but most of the lawyers claim that it was aimed at them because if they had not been running late, they would have been in the midst of the bombing. However, the fact that bomber drove up on a motorcycle and then walked towards the Police, lends more credibility to the theory that it was probably the Police who were targeted.

A year ago, I used to hear the same disastrous news about Afghanistan and Iraq and picture a ravished land, full of warriors. Suicide bombings, sectarian violence, Taliban and Al-Qaeda aggression… I remember thinking how dangerous they were and wondering how people lived there. I remember wondering if these people lived in perpetual fear. I used to wonder why they didn’t just get up and leave. Well, I guess now I know. We are living in volatile times. Even “The Economist” has declared us the most dangerous country in the world No one is safe anymore. No one except Musharraf it seems.

Yet, I don’t feel unsafe. I’m not scared, even though I know I should be. I don’t fear death, and I don’t care if I get injured while fighting for a cause. I will not be silenced, even though a new cyber crime bill will be able to try those who are criticising the government. Here is the text from an email I received: http://nabihameher.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/cyber-crime-bill-promulgated-by-the-president/

When Musharraf first came into power, he freed the media, and made Pakistani society more free than ever before. Now, he has completely gone in the other direction. We are no longer free. He wants to control the media. He wants no one to criticise him. He has support, but it’s beginning to wane. Kabul has come to Islamabad. We are what Afghanistan used to be. We can’t even go to Swat! It’s only a few hours north of Islamabad. The militants have completely taken over. They have moved from Afghanistan to Pakistan, simply because the government doesn’t keep a check on the millions of people who cross the Pak-Afghan border every year. This is really spinning out of control. Pakistan used to be a very secular country. Even now the vast majority of the population does not support the fundamentalists. Yet we are allowing our nation into a training ground for rouge elements. We are disenfranchising our youth, hurtling them into the hands of the militants. This is Musharraf’s responsibility and he should be held accountable for it. Where are the millions and millions of dollars he was given to fight the militants? Why is the army still unsuccessful? I don’t believe their lofty excuses about the fact that “the territory” is hard to control. Even if Waziristan is impenetrable, what about the rest of the country? What can’t the cities and northern areas like Swat be controlled?

The fact of the matter is that Lahore is (was?) actually the safest city, and if Lahore can be bombed, then the problem lies with the government that cannot seem to control the Taliban. Furthermore, since the government claims that the police were targeted, they are conducting a very through investigation into this bombing. They also didn’t hose down the forensic evidence. So, apparently, the police are smart enough to know that. They have also found the head and some of the limbs of the bomber and are sending it for DNA testing. The results are due soon. They also conducted an autopsy on the severed limbs. I would like to ask why Benazir Bhutto’s assassination was not handled as efficiently as this one. This also begs the question of why an autopsy was not performed on her without the family’s consent? I mean the fact of the matter is that they did not, and probably cannot, find the family of the bomber and ask their permission. Why the disparity? Will the government now claim that they learned from their mistakes?

If this can happen in Lahore then Pakistan has truly descended into chaos. This has got to end. This chaos has to stop. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the midst of much anarchy. If only influential people were not so apathetic… I still don’t want to have to say, “I told you so,” again. But I think I will and that scares me.

WAF’s rainy protest

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…

Concerned Citizens of Pakistan rally at Zaman Park

Concerned Citizens of Pakistan had a rally on Sunday the 6th of January, 2008. Around 300 people from Civil society, lawyers, WAf members, doctors, PPP members, JAC members, students and teachers participated, amongst others of course. It was a pretty good rally because we managed to create a lot of noise and get a lot of attention. It all started at Aitzaz Ahsan’s house, which has been declared a sub-jail. His house arrest has been prolonged for another three months. This protest was mostly about freeing Aitzaz Ahsan and restoring the judiciary.

The rally started at Aitzaz Ahsan’s house in my tiny little neighbourhood: Zaman Park. After speeches, we walked up the Mall underpass (as in we were going the opposite way on a one way road). We chanted our slogans, held placards saying “Restore the judiciary” etc, and distributed leaflets in support of the ousted Chief Justice. The police were quite accommodating, but they asked us to turn back from the Mall intersection since it was a major intersection. We didn’t listen. We marched right on the Mall, blocking traffic and creating a little bit of chaos. While the majority of the people stood on the green belt and chanted their slogans, some of us decided to aggressively hand out the Urdu leaflets. Because I was feeling terribly energetic, and perhaps a bit manic, I started blocking cars, making them open up their windows and accept the leaflet I was giving them. I also opened a few doors- in my defence I asked them top put their window down, but they didn’t listen. I also stopped motorbikes, but that wasn’t easy! However, we managed to make them all grab the leaflets out of our hands as they went by.

Thorough all this, the police patiently stood on the side and let us do what we wanted. The one time a policeman tried to stop me, I asked him to arrest me. That shut him up. I even managed to make some of them accept the leaflets despite their constant refusals. I definitely amused one photographer who kept following me. Eventually we sang the national anthem and went back to light candles.

I’m only writing this because I’m hoping someone will read this post and realise that protests can be a very fun way to deal with one’s frustration. They’re not all about sitting in front of the High Court and fasting. They’re not about crazy mobs. They’re not about unrest. They’re about solidarity and strength. They’re a great way to interact with people who want to make a difference. The world of the protestors is worlds apart from the coke snorting, partying all night while drunk off their asses crowd. I constantly hear Lahoris whine about the lack of intellectual stimulation around here and the party crowd. Too many people I know are getting sick of meeting the same people over and over again in different clothes. Every party is the same… a repeat of the night before. It gets monotonous. Protests are a great way to meet conscientious people who are far more interested in worthwhile discourse than who they’re going to sleep with next and how much alcohol they’re going to consume. This is side of Lahore you all (pretend to?) want to see. Come join us. We need you.

Memorial at Rhotas for BB

Yesterday evening I went to a memorial for Benazir Bhutto. It was held at Rhotas gallery where a really interesting exhibition was also on display. There was an evil cherub, and an amazingly brave mix media depiction of two maulvis kissing. The place looked beautiful. Since there was no electricity- not for the 2 hours that I was there- the whole place was lit up with diyaas and lanterns. A small bonfire was lit in the garden and lots of people huddled around it and drank kashmiri chai.

What amazed me most about the event last night was the fact that lots of people waited patiently for it to begin. The organisers were hoping that power would return, but that was not to be. Finally, it was decided that the event would start regardless of the fact that we had no electricity. So we all crammed into a small tent and sat under the glow of lanterns.

It started with Asma Jehnagir, our champion of human rights, sharing some of her memories of BB. By the time she ended, she was in tears and I was too because I realised, yet again, that we have lost a leader who really could have helped our ailing state. Don’t get me wrong- Asma Jehnagir did not romanticise her or praise her to no end. In fact Jehangir and many others who were present were very critical of her policies etc. What Jehangir did was humanise her for us by sharing anecdotes. She talked about how she once went to see Benazir, and saw that BB was constantly spreading her hands wide and asking her servants: “Woh itna bara daal ka pyala kahan gaya hai? Itna bara!” (Where has the huge bowl of lentils gone? The bowl was this big!) Finally she started talking to the people who had come to see her, but the whole time she kept interrupting and asking about the “daal ka pyala.”
Jehangir once met BB in Dubai. BB had a lunch for I.A. Rehman and a dinner for Asma Jehnagir on the same day. Two meals with the same people. For dinner she took them to Planet Hollywood and recommended one of the burgers.

Apparently she took an interest in human rights, and under her government, thousands of haris (bonded labourers) in Sindh were freed. She cooperated with the human rights commission and took their criticisms seriously. Yes, she didn’t implement all their suggestions, but she did listen, unlike any other leader this nation has had. She readily issued statements against honour killings and other issues related to violence against women. Yes, it’s true she didn’t repeal the Hudood Ordinance, nor make any legislation that would curb honour killings. However, the fact that she was actually willing to speak out against such volatile issues shows me that she had some compassion. I can’t but help but admire a Sindhi feudal woman who spoke out against bonded labour and honour killings. Sindh has the most honour killings per year in this country. Sindh was her constituency, and despite knowing that her statements might offend her fellow Sindhis, she issued them.

I was very critical of Benazir’s politics and I still am. However, I would like to give her a break and praise the good things that she did. Should she have done a hell of a lot more? For sure. There’s no doubt about that. Yet, I now wish to state the positive. I know I am always stating the negative. (Similarly, Musharraf has done some great things for the country and should have stepped down before he became a menace. His misdeeds, however, are making it hard for us to give him any credit- due or not- at the moment.)

Was Benazir Bhutto corrupt? No doubt. Her husband was, and still is, notoriously known as Mr ten percent because he apparently took 10% of all money the government got a hold of. But has any government ever not been corrupt? In the 60 years since we have been an independent nation, we have not had a single government that is not tainted with corruptions of allegations. Should BB and Zardari be held accountable? Absolutely. But why are they only ones? What about the PML-Q (qatil league)? Have they not looted and plundered the past few years? Have they not been the mafia? (And on a separate note, why the hell haven’t they taught Chaudry Shujaat to speak with his mouth open? Can anyone understand a word he says? He just mumbles!)

Last night, Asma Jehangir said that BB was the most humiliated with allegations of corruption. I’m beginning to believe that it’s true. She’s the only one who was investigated by international agencies. Nawaz Sharif wasn’t charged because he went to Saudi Arabia. While BB’s husband was imprisoned (not unfairly), Nawaz Sharif and his family were sent to live in decadent luxury- in a palace! (Though he was definitely humiliated when he came back in September and was sent back. He was treated terribly.)

While I definitely thought that last night’s event was special, I’m also itching to do something else. I’m getting a little tired of lighting candles and chanting: “Aaj bhi Bhutto zinda hai, kal bhi Bhutto zinda tha! Kitnay Bhutto maaro gay? Har ghar mein Bhutto zinda hai!” (Bhutto is alive today. Bhutto was alive yesterday. How many Bhuttos will you kill? Bhutto is alive in every house.) I’m also getting very irritated with people’s constant need to say fatheh for her soul. I think a moment of silence is great. Not every Pakistani is a Muslim, especially within the activist community. Hum sachay kafir hain. We are true heathens. It’s time to stop praying and get active. Let’s hope Scotland Yard is able to figure out who the culprits of this loathsome crime are. The bigger question now is: what are we going to do about it? Because if we let this go unchecked, we will have more attacks like these.