Shameful Flight - Redux

"Only in the desperate days and weeks after those celebrations of mid-August did the horrors of Partition's impact begin to emerge. No viceregal time had been wasted in planning for the feeding and housing and medical needs of ten million refugees. No British officers or troops remained to keep the peace in shattered Punjab, or in Bengal, nor in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, left in deadly limbo to become the source of increasingly violent conflicts between India and Pakistan, the cause of three wars to be waged between them over the next fifty-five years." - Stanley Wolpert, Shameful Flight.


There are many similarities in the events of yesteryear and today. The difference is that the British had an escape route, we dont!

The images of displacement of a million people this week horrifies me to think of its repercussions. While the government's rhetoric is of a united counter insurgency attack which requires support of all stakeholders (political parties, public and foreign countries) involved, I fail to see any real strategy laid out by those in charge. Again, today's speech by the PM in the National Assembly was demoralizing to say the least, apparently, the PM has no backup plan if things go wrong. The point that strenghtening the armed forces and utilizing foreign aid on the military offensive will bring success is a narrowly viewed idea.

First of all, the enemy is not clearly defined for both tactical and operational levels. The Talibans are like a conglomerate of multiple factions with similar tactics but not necessarility the same set of motives and sponsors. They comprise of the Afghan Talibans, the Pakistani Talibans, the Mohammad Sufi's men, the Mullah Umar's Talibans and the like. Defining a single attack as a strategy will most definitely lead to highly construed results.

Secondly, there is no declared plan to track and trace the talibans appearing as refugees. This would allow them to disperse into the heartlands of Pakistan and regroup as a unit anytime in the near future. Without a clearly defined enemy, the Army is risking a high casualty rate which will put the Army to be indirectly accountable for it the future in the form of 'revengeful' insurgency. A displaced boy who loses his father by Army attacks will have the greatest propensity to become the next generation insurgent.

Without a well defined and practiced rehabilitation program for the refugees, it is impossible to curb Talibanization in all its manifestations. This seems like a Utopian idea at the moment considering the fact that there hasnt been any proactive preparation of refugee camps and as of now, no strategy for refugee integration has been laid out by the government.

While the President is in the US, begging for foreign aid which has never seen the light of day at the end of the tunnel, the social aspects of integration of the refugees in provinces like Sindh and Baluchistan are catastrophic. The separatist plots in Baluchistan and the ethnic tension between the Pashtuns and Muhajir masses will force the Army to contain the refugees within NWFP.

Only depending on the military strategy within NWFP beyond the current Swat operation, the stationing, servicing and rehab of refugees can be planned out. With only NGO's tackling these issues on public donations for the time being, it becomes further complicated to mobilize the volunteer workforces, allowing them greater access to areas, especially under moving curfew locations. Access to resources and lack of infrastructure including roads makes it a highly challenging obstacle bound to failure.

It becomes highly difficult to budget for funding these operations especially when there is no set time frame for succeeding in the operation. According to the President's statement in the US, the strategy is to kill as many Taliban as possible while letting the rest flee the country. To where exactly? It is highly unlikely that Afghanistan and the US will allow a safe route to the Taliban who ultimately have to be confronted in a heavy casualty battle with the Pakistan Army.
The amount of civilians caught in the crossfire is another major concern on the tables. The success of the operation and the war at large thus, remains an open mystery.

The government has to take immediate drastic measures to establish policies to cater to each individual issue and to execute strategies for social, political, provincial and economical and not just the military perspectives of the war.

Be Strong Today!

Every moment we r faced with decisions, at every moment we r changing our futures, our futures can't be forecasted to be linear extensions of our present coz we are making decisions at every step in our lives. 

So y be disdained or ordained by our current lifestyles, they won't remain the same, ever!

But more importantly are the emotions accompanying us, determining our decisions, a bit of a slip in focus, a slight distraction of motivation and our decisions change and we take on another path in life, but only for a short while as once again another decision will await us and we will be challenged again, nevertheless, changing our future...

So dont think abt the uncertainties of the future, think of your emotional strength, because that determines your future, not your current lifestyle!

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Review

“Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I see I have alarmed you. Do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America“ - The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mohsin Hamid

Enter the post 9/11 world where chaos has curtailed us for long and only recently a re-look over past decisions and emotions have led to some reconciliation from all sides of the divide. For long, Americans, more notably Republicans led by George Bush had us believe his version of the truth and even for us urban Pakistanis, a lot of ground realities of our own regions have been forcefully mislead through our own governments which was puppetted along with the greater emotional American sentiment. Until recently, the Americans had befooled themselves for not differentiating between AlQaeda and the Taliban, our own government was busy creating an unrealistic divide of moderates and extremists depending on mere political inclinations. The actions of such rhetoric led to greater increase in rebellion and that too in a pretty bloody brainwashed way. However, in general, the masses, even the educated ones have a strong resilience to American 'adventures' as one political analyst says, in the region, the international media has still been kept in the dark.

For the outside world, the gray scale of reality is but a sharp noir of alqaeda vs US rhethoric. It veils all parallel truths propelling the mischief of terrorism (or accused terrorism). It also motivates the case for writers such as Mohsin Hamid for portraying that unlucky character who stands between fanaticism and confused enlightenment of extreme nature.

Here lies the beauty of a novel as compact as a couplet but vast in its implications and thought provocation that leads one to really ask the fundamental questions of liberty, justice and equality. It is not about "Either you are with us or against us", it is not about, "war against terrorism", it is not about exporting scape goats and whistle blowers, it is not about detaining 'suspects' who generally aren't good at pleasing big brother. Its about perceptions and motives.

Thumbs up to Mohsin Hamid for not just putting this point forward but to open up a subject with a truly subjective understanding for the reader. What happens in the end of the novel is what you may want to believe or already are fastened to believe. The case rests that yes, there are other explanations of the post 9/11 world than what we can perceive in our small shells.

Awaiting Freedom

Caption: A Pakistani passenger in transit lounge of King Khaled International Airport, Riyadh anxiously waiting for this flight back home via PIA.

The frequency of travel between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased over the recent years. There are many people who dream of visiting the land due to their religious desires to visit the Holy cities. There are those who seek employment in a not-so distant land and find their way to Saudia. The recent political turmoil in Pakistan, especially in the NWFP has forced many Pakistani citizens mostly laborers to seek a livelihood here. One can find many taxi drivers who were once recruited as either freedom fighters, the Pakistani Army and without any doubt as Taliban. Most flee to this land.

However, with the nearly suffocating work conditions for mostly the labor class, pre-Islamic expatriate laws and a general rude attitude towards Pakistanis, many see the wait at the KKI airport lounge as a way to the other world, a world where they might die of hunger or hatred but a world where they can raise their head and feel free.

A short relief to energize one's life, meet with friends and family before coming back to Arabia...

A case of exploding mangoes - review

A case of exploding mangoes, a case of an Indian crow, a case of Generals and Ambassadors, a case of bashing of dictatorial eras. Timing is perfect. A recent military (and country) ruler is ousted albeit not in quite a fashion as the one whose case is presented. A novel with the shortcomings of real characters. A satire with geniune creativity. A case of riding the bandwagon, of new age Pakistani writers trying to establish a market. Fashion prevails and the novel on the outset picks up that characteristic of being too westy, the usual mullah bashing but no doubt, one of the most hilarious ones. The novel portrays ZIa's character, in his usualy percieved self, a hypocritic character with many a inconsistency.

Although the novel provides several vantage points but presents the whole episode using one of the suspects as the protagonist. This works, as it glues one to read the fuzzy feelings the protagonist feels and his encounters with the General Secretary of the Mango Farmer's Union. COming to know that the novel was long listed for the Booker Prize was more than a motivation but the novel did dissappoint after the first 70 odd pages where characters started to become predictable and monotonous. Nevertheless, a novel one should read, but without any pretentions of political accuracy. All in all, a good enough case to read.

Getting a Driving License in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Yes, you have just stepped into the Kingdom and one of the first thing you have already realized or will soon is life in the Kingdom is pretty stagnant without one's own private conveyence. This also holds to the Holy cities as well to an extent provided you are a local resident. Getting a car is not as difficult as getting a driving license. The traffic has increased in the recent years and a lot more cars are added on the roads thanks to a very poor public transport system in major cities like Riyadh. Getting a license has also become difficult due to the presense of many nutcases on the roads which will make you think of the term 'defying gravity' in a totally new way. For special considerations of this, do take time to see this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXpv_5yolTU

Anyways, to get a private license called Rukhsa Khaasa (for private cars etc) as compared to a public license called Rukhsa Aaamma, you must be a MALE to start off with. Once you possess the required gender, you can go to one of the four driving schools/offices to get a license. The two major ones are Dallah Driving School at Takhasussi Road and Sulayee Driving School. I was myself recommended to goto Dallah and it didnt disappoint me much, so ill reinforce the recommendation to goto Dallah for reasons like RELATIVELY better administration, RELATIVELY leneant examiners, and RELATIVELY closer to the city center.
If you are not aware of Arabic and the general route to getting information in Saudi Arabia, getting a license can be a bit frustrating. But here is a simple guide, hopefully to make your life easier, atleast in getting a license (welcome to the roads then, MUwahaha).

Get a taxi and tell them togot Dallah Driving License office. Once you get out of the taxi, a small mob will surround you asking you to do an atm transaction. Before you feel bemused with such personal assistance, keep in mind the following documents required:

1. Valid Saudi Iqama (for special types like business visas etc, sorry chap, i dont know much...)

2. Blood Report (Ask any medical center to get you a driving license blood report, they will need your iqama verification).

3. Filled Form. (form is in arabic and is available just outside the entrance).

4. Four passport size photographs with white background. (If you are not sure of their acceptance, dont worry, there is a photographer just outside the entrance).

5. A letter from your company allowing you to get a driving license. Huh? And this letter should be attested from the chamber of commerce called "Gurfah Tijaariyah" for around 25 Saudi Riyals

6. Finally a payment slip of SAR75 in the name of the Traffic department called "Maroor". This is easily done at any Riyadh Bank or Rajhi Bank ATM with an ATM card of the same bank. If you dont have an ATM card of these two banks, you dont need to worry much.

7. Valid driving license of another country. (optional)

OK, now you are out on the road again, facing the mob, you already know that you dont have a Riyadh or Rajhi ATM card with you, so you accompany with one of the Saudis from the mob to the nearest ATM and let him do your transaction using your Iqama. Make sure he doesnot take your iqama and fleeeeee. He will though charge you on a bargain of 15-20 Riyals for his service.

After the payment, goto the Translator office, right outside the entrance and ask him for the form. He will fill it up for you as well for SAR 5. He will also translate your driving license of your originating country and prepare a file for you. He will also make sure your docs are in place. He will take something around SAR20 for all these horrid services.

Ok, you finally have the file ready, make your grand entrance inside the Dallah License Office cum Driving School and as you enter, goto building 2 on the left of the entrance. Once you enter, there will be a counter on your left, a booth on your left, two counters on your right and an exit on your front.

Goto the counter on the left for an eye test, the officer sitting will simply see whether you have eyes or not using his own eyes and will stamp your file papers.

Then goto the counters on the right. Out of these two counters now, first goto the counter on the right, he will simply put a stamp without doing anything. After that, go out of the exit (not the one you came in from) . you will find yourself in the middle of a driving test area where newbies and license aspirants are demonstrating their skills to an examiner. There will be seating arrangement afront, just go there and wait till the examiner brings the car infront of you, hand him your file and wait for him to call you for a spin.

This is test number 1:

You simply have to start moving the car and make a turn on the right, then stop, then reverse back into an L shaped lane. Simple. If he puts a tick on top of your form in the file, you may proceed, if not, taxis are a way of life.Once you get the very special TICK, go back to building 2, and goto the second counter you visited, where he will again put a stamp on your file. Now goto the counter next to this one, that is the left of these of the two counters. He will take your file and SAR100 and give you a reciept called Fatoora. Take this and come out from building 2 from the entrance you came in the first place. On your left will be building 5, called something like Immediate Training or crash course. Before the entrance to building 5, there is an open entrance inside the building where there are some seating arrangements, you can wait there if building 5 is closed. An instructor will then invite you into building 5 where he will hand you a chart of traffic signals and signs in your desired language. Some of the langauges they have include English, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Philiphino and Arabic. You will be confined in the training room for an hour or so. Take this time as na opportunity to learn all the signs, especially the ones the instructor specifically mentions because they always appear in the test.

This is test number 2:

There will be 20 multiple choice questions, in 2 sections of 10 questions each. You have to correctly answer ALL questions from the first section, yes 10/10 to proceed. In the second section, out of ten, as soon as you correctly answer 5 of them, you are cleared. This takes place at a touch screen terminal. The intrsuctor will guide you to the place where you can find these terminals. Once you enter the building, just wait for your call as they already have your file with them. You will immediately know the result of your test. If you fail, you have to reappear after a week and the license office might subject you to attend a one week course on driving, so make sure you utilize your one hour with the instructor well.

Once you clear this, just go outside this small office and wait at the fan booth for a police officer to call you.

This is test number 3:

Get in his car, ideally on the right back seat. Each ride will test four applicants, if you want to tbe last one (so taht you can see the feedback of the examiner on others), get yourself seated on the right back.

After that your test will be finished and you have to come again into the small office you gave your traffic signals test. There will be two counters there, one of them will call your name and will hand you your file back with a report sheet on the front. This is the lifeline of your license. If they tell you to proceed, you are cleared, if not, they will ask you to reappear next week or whenever they deem necessary and it might include some training classes to be attended with an additinonf SAR430. Make sure you learn some basic arabic, especially directions like Yameen (right) and Yasaar (left), Qaff (stop), Yalla (hurry up) etc. as this examiner might not speak anything but Arabic. Whatever you do, dont be INTIMIDATED by his personality. Afterall, he is a cop....

Hopefully you'll get the green lights in your report, head out of the entrance of the license office and right opposite the entrace is building 1. As soon as you enter, goto the first left booth, i think it is number 15, but cant be sure. He will write a number on your file. Once you get the number, goto a desk on the right of the entrance and make sure all your papers are punched inside the file, especacially the recent test result sheet. Then goto your designated counter and wait for your turn.

Hand in all the documents, photographs and payslip of SAR75 to the officer on desk. If things go well, he will ask you to wait, and thats about it. You wait till someone calls your name to hand you your Saudi driving license!

Make sure you dont consider this as an official guide and this is just my personal experience. By the time you apply, the requirements and procedures might have changed.
best of luck!

Long Walk to Justice

Comes the hour after a long silence of a nation, a silence not so easy ot maintain amidst social and economic starvation of the masses, amidst contradictions and paradoxes prevailing since the February elections. At that juncture, there was hope and a refreshing vibe of change, symbolized by the denial of a judge who found his awakening a year ago. Justice was done when the elections wiped the culprits off the government. The new coalition government has a lot of support and people under all the stress it withstood, granted patience to let the new coalition stand on solid footings. Three months passed by and now several revelations of disappointment is obviously apparent to every sane soul especially the masses.

The good news is that in this mob of politics and politicians, milk is separated from water, and now the confusing mists are over. A clear picture is ahead, one man, in one political party, has taken hostage this entire country. The significant coalition partner although not the most impressive in terms of actions, have done the rightful in their limited capacities and it is time to break the silence.

There was an apartheid which brought a revolution in South Africa, although we lack the Mandela in our leadership but likely figures do exists and a formidable civil society block along with the lawyers man force and now a newly mobilizing ex-servicemen community join the APDM members on 10th June to force the politicians to respect their mandate.

This long awaited march has far greater repercussions for PPP as even though the march claims apolity, will still bring PPP with a sour taste for much worse things to come. A formal motion against the PPP mismanagement and lack of spine will be launched with this, a true opposition in action will take place which won't be good for PPP to sustain five years of mere talk. Add to that around a hundred PPP workers desiring to participate in the walk indicates the lack of confidence in any top level PPP policy.

The old general has also spoken, on a very pinching time during the PPP' leadership's visit to the Kingdom. With a public gesture to openly challenge AZ to impeach him using the instrument of the parliament is a final pre-walk charge that will make this walk much anticipate and very effective. Already AZ has started to give public gestures of impeachment, if even it remains mere talks, they too took some spanking before coming.

These are all positive signs for those who believe that the country's revival is dependent on its justice system and policing to actually work. Where the definition of right and wrong as per our constitution is applied to the rich and not just the poor, the first step is to bring the judges back who stood against continuing fraud.

Let them know we are coming, MARCH FOR JUSTICE!

Parallel Universes of Human Diet

I have been so much intrigued by this photo essay by TIME magazine, I couldnt help but repost it...

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide - 2 adults, 2 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina - 2 adults, 2 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: $341.98

Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City - 2 adults, 2 teenagers

Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily - 2 adults, 3 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Great Britain: The Bainton family of Cllingbourne Ducis

Food expenditure for one week: 155.54 British Pounds or $253.15

Kuwait: The Al Haggan family of Kuwait City
Food expenditure for one week: 63.63 dinar or $221.45

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca - 2 adults, 3 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

United States: The Caven family of California
Food expenditure for one week: $159.18

China: The Dong family of Beijing
Food expenditure for one week: 1,233.76 Yuan or $155.06

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna - 4 adults, 1 teenager
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo - 7 adults, 5 kids
Food expendit ure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Mongolia: The Batsuuri family of Ulaanbaatar
Food expenditure for one week: 41,985.85 togrogs or $40.02

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo - 4 adults, 5 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village - 7 adults, 6 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp - 3 adults, 3 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23