25 men killed by our own FC?

I got call yesterday from someone who witnessed first hand these events. That person is a Sindhi-Baloch and is a permanent resident of Dera.

He informed me that there was an attack on FC convoy in which one man, presumably of the FC, was killed. In retaliation, FC men indiscriminately started firing towards the local people, who were running halter shelter to save their lives after the bomb blast. Instead of understanding the situation FC started firing and killing. One of the relatives of my friend, who related this incidence to me, was also shot dead inside his own shop which happens to be nearby the place of bomb attack. In total, 25 men were killed by FC men. Many more are injured. I think Tribune should carry out more research as the numbers of dead might as well increase.

In a sad tone my friend told me that he did not object to the presence of FC in his province before this incident. But from now on he demands, like all residents of embattled province of Balochistan, that these killer FC men be brought to justice. But he also told me that he cannot imagine our crooked Army and Court officials to take a stand against FC. So the sufferers would remain the poor and the down trodden of Balochistan.

I would like to hear the version of Pak Army / FC about this incidence.

Why kill Abid Shirazee?

KARACHI: With reference to a news item in your newspaper about the death of Abid Shirazee, I would say that his murder is a tragedy for hundreds of people who knew him. He was a name among the waterproofing contractors and consultants of Karachi. Who killed him and why no one can be sure. This target killing has been a scourge of this unfortunate city for long. And those who have been targeted have been Pashtuns or Shias. Abid Shirazee may have been a Shia but he had nothing to do with any sectarian outfit or group. It is then doubly tragic that a non-sectarian, non-political person is killed.
As a junior waterproofing contractor still learning the trade of waterproofing I, was really impressed with the skills of Shirazee sahib. He was prudent and would often win many prized waterproofing projects. On a personal level, he was very fond of good food and would invariably offer you some if you happened to be around – even if you were his biggest competitor.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2010.

Zionist Killing Machine and our pre-occupation

Israel has become a perfect killing machine, as is once again evidenced by the latest killings of common Palestinians yesterday and day before yesterday. An estimated 270 + Palestinians have been brutally bombed to their death. That includes lot of school children. And there is strong evidence that Israelis committed this aggression knowingly, that they would kill mostly innocent, unarmed civilians. In return only four Israelis have been killed.

Well, this brings to our past occupation, which I think has now gotten at back of our minds. The preoccupation with what Israel has been doing to Muslims in Gaza Strip instead of what we have been doing to our own people over the past six decades or so. What Israel does to Muslims in Palestine is open for all to see. We condemn such acts of violence. And we show our solidarity with the Muslims of Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

As Pakistanis, we rarely show ANY solidarity with the ones who are in jails; men and women bonded by bad luck and nasty waderas of our times. As Pakistanis, we rarely condemn acts of our Army. Whenever we do, that is subtle as we our afraid. Our army has been involved in many heinous acts. Every act condemnable in strictest sense; some as gruesome as the ones commonly perpetuated by the Israeli Army.

As fair and able minded citizens (and readers / writers) we must be able to see through the events. We must be able to analyse events and understand its implications. We must never forget men and women under occupation, in our land or on somewhere else.