Gorhi temple and village, Sindh

Gorhi temple and village, Sindh
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Places in Pakistan: From Ghakuch to Gupis

From Ghakuch to Gupis, Pakistan
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Date: 20th Sep, 2011.

This is river shandur and we are travelling on our 16-seater, Pathan van. And we are racing towards Khalti lake. Earlier, after breakfast at Hafizullah's home we had got the van for Rs.7000 for the journey to Khalti lake and back to Gakhuch, the district capital of Ghizer dist. Our driver was funny but professional. And for us, the photographers, quite ready to stop his van wherever we wished it to be stopped. The sun was now shinning and we could see the glory of the mountains and the smashing noises the blue-green river made. Although it wasn't the best of time to visit the place due to early and long nights and cold weather we, nevertheless, found beautiful scenery all along the way to Khalti lake. The places are worth a day off. But due to shortage of time and funds we found it prudent to see them on passing.

Davis to be released soon: FO

Yes sir, I will personally drop your citizen and killer of my citizens at your doorstep. I am sorry we had to keep him for so long just for killing our useless Pakistanis. In any case Pakistanis are killed by your good drones. I am sorry and so is my President for holding your Highly Honourable Citizen. Please don’t worry about our courts. And just forget our media and our people. Sorry again.

(I imagine our worthless minister for nothing, Mr. Rehman Malik saying such things to US delegation which visited Pakistan yesterday to demand immediate release of this CIA agent.)

Well done, Democracy.

Flood of the Century?

Not sure if the headline is true but I just read it on BBC website. And I am not particularly shocked after viewing the gory details and the images of what has come to pass. And just now, while I was having my late breakfast (as today is yet another strike by MQM in Karachi) I watched BBC anchorperson discuss with someone from HSBC about Pakistan's economic growth. She asked her how in the world Pakistan can progress if such menacing devastations continue to hamper its growth and wash away its agricultural land (as in this flooding)? Well, HSBC person had no answer to that. And here we are asking for more aid and our good President is out in Paris to discuss bilateral trade and security concerns. How sick is that!

Well, as of now, floods across Frontier and Punjab have killed over 1400 people and made homeless countless others. Every second footage on TV is now showing angry people blocking roads, destroying government properties and shouting in front of foreign media that 'our' government is helpless and useless. And really with no food and shelter that's the case indeed in most parts of Swat (Kalam is one of the worst hit areas), Nowshera and Peshawar, which is cut off from rest of the country.

Pakistan Army has dedicated over 30,000 of its troops for relief operations across the affected areas but people still feel that nothing is being done. That's mostly due to the vastness and remoteness of most of the areas affected by flooding. just imagine a rainfall of over 312mm within a span of 36 hours. And put in one of the largest catchment areas in the world and you have water spilling everwhere, breaking bunds and barrages and bridges and all. But atleast decomcratically elected government should have shown some sense and visited the areas affected by rains and flash floods. No, not at all. Only Army is supposed to do all that. Why, I am not sure.

USA has pledged 10 million USD as aid package to the country and has allowed the use of 4 of its helicopters for aid dropping. But it is the jawans of Pakistan Army and members of Edhi and UNO which have done the bulk of the aid work and it is to them that we salute.

p.s Pakistan Met Office has reported more monsoonal rainfalls across lower Sindh, Punjab and KP proinves. Well, we are in for a bit more hell here.

Baluchistan Diary - Part 1

Just leaving for Quetta via PIA flight today at 11:20 AM INSHALLAH along with Danial of flickr.com. We plan to make a journey spanning some 14 days and intend to cover as much Baluchistan as possible. This is a funded project and therefore, we will submit all our photographs and even diary notes to our fund raiser. Obviously, Baluchuistan is facing some problems just like other parts of Pakistan but we are determined to do our work. I have been informed about the certain areas which must be covered on priority basis but detailed briefing is expected today anytime in Quetta. My brother, Ovais and my mother are dropping me at airport just now.

Will update diary from inside Baluchistan, if time permits.

If Zardari remains President of Pakistan for 20 years....

Then, following is expected;

1) Pakistan will become a colony of USA / World Bank / UK.

2) All Pakistani cities will have a casino dedicated to the memory of Benazir Bhutto and their title would be Shaheed Bhutto Casino.

3) Half of the population will sleep naked.

4) Girls from all class and all ethnic groups would be sold in open market.

5) Males of Pakistani origin would die of hunger; they would also serve under their gora masters.

6) Zardari would have then married three times, killing his wives after their insurance(s) have matured.

7) All industries would give Zardari a profit of 85%; rest will go to their original masters.

8) Islamabad would have by then be renamed as NON-ISLAM-ABAD

9) Zardari would be the richest men in the history of this world surpassing Firoun and Nimrud of ancient times and Bill Gates and King Faisal of our times.

10) Every second property would belong to Zardari.

11) Pakistan would be renamed as ZARDARI-TAN.