Places in Pakistan: Khalti lake, Gupis, Ghizar dist.

Khalti lake, Gupis, Ghizar dist., Pakistan
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Date: 20th Sep, 2011.

As we reached Khalti lake after numerous stops it was already sun down. The shadows of the receding lake, however, remained. In the distance we could make out the fort. I am not sure whether it was the fort or not. But I would like to think that it was. A fort by the lake side. In fact, like all lakes, Khalti is merely an extension of the Shandur river. Here, for a moment, the maddening rush tends to stop; in its place, the calm of the water takes over. But this lake is slowly drying up and I am sure it will be gone altogether, if water level continues to go down. There are some dams planned up river as well, which will alter the geography of the land considerably.

It was time to return to Ghakuch.

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.

My comment on Shoib's media valima

I see no reason why our media is going haywire with Shoib's valima. He is not a superstar cricketer. And he does not enjoy widespread popularity among the masses as does Afridi or Yosuf. And he is still banned. Moreover, apart from one cricketer no one has publicly congratulated him for his marriage. Jealousy? Likely. But it is very clear to me that Pakistani media, like the dead-brain Indian media, is just being carried away. And people are loving it. For they have no source of happiness at present. And electric problems and economic voes of contributed immensely to this drama. When this media honeymoon subsides, I think Sania will feel that her decision has come a bit quicker than it should have been.

[Posted here at Express Tribune paper]

Central Asia Online publishes my photograph

I have happy to announce that good people inhabit Pakistan in great numbers. And some of them live outside but report on the country with their hearts attached. Here is an example of a piece written in Washington D.C by Central Asia Online, which also used my mangrove photograph for this write-up.

The article titled, 'Climate change fuels sea encroachment on Indus delta', is written by Amjad Bashir Siddiqi, whom I don't know yet and photograph is taken by me, which you can view on the top right hand corner of the article page.

Concern for fast disappearing mangroves is growing amidst cries for protection of wetland areas for the larger benefit of the country itself. The protection of flow of Indus river waters is the key to the survival of these mangroves. Already, only 2 species of the mangroves may be found where previously 8 species were to be seen.

Building of dams has had a key affect on the destruction of an ancient way of life as well as on the thousands who earn their living downstream or from mangroves by fishing in its waters. As our author points out in these words,

'“The process of sea intrusion was first witnessed in the mid-90s”, Akbar said. That was when the Arabian Sea engulfed about 1.2m acres of land, he said. Now, it seems to have expanded to almost 2m acres. “The most dangerous trend is the one happening underground”, Akbar said, adding that the sea is contaminating aquifers and making soil useless.

Wildlife is suffering too. Acacia and prosopis forests don’t thrive in salinated soil, and fishermen find prize species giving way to less desirable ones. The availability of Pallah fish (Tenualosa ilisha), a local delicacy, has shrunk markedly. '

We can only imagine the consequences of our actions today. Do we need a barren coastline with no fresh water, salted lands and infertile soil or do we wish to have a life giving water, should be our matter. And we need to solve it. Today is World Water Day and we must concentrate on using water with much more maturity than we have shown in last 62 years.

Public kissing at Sea View, Karachi

Couples are always there. Sea View is a place of choice for young couples. Married and un-married ones moving around, sitting, engrossed in their chats; children playing around; older ones walking or just sitting idly. But it is the Saturday night which perturbs me. And the young, apparently un-married couples, huddled in the black tinted glass cars, sticking together, kissing. These are the sort of men and women you might expect everywhere in the world. But the type of things they do, and it is obvious what they are upto, raises quite a few questions.

Ok yes, it is not my responsibility to stop every of the 254 men and women kissing on a wintery Saturday night at Sea View. But as a citizen of this God-damned city of Karachi it is my responsibility to whine about the irresponsibility of DHA and CBC patrol police there. How can you tolerate all these couples, huddled in their cars, kissing loudly and touching each other obscenely within the clear view of all the married men and women and their children and old men and women. What sense, if any, shall be made of such a display of lust and sex right in the middle of a public place? I feel sad that these men and women are not yet married and that their lust for sex has driven them so mad they ought to have sex displays in front of public. I feel sadder for their parents who are unaware of their sons and daughters doing whatever they are doing. It is not about morality going awry in Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is as if our entire system of civic sense and understanding of our own roots have gone down a DHA drain. We as a nation do everything we can copy from the West. And this appears to be no different.

Much thanks to Musharraf for all this help these go-getters got from amendments!

Gojra violence

Gojra violence is the newest touted phenomenon across world media. And once again Pakistan is the key to it all. No matter how many Muslims and their kids are burnt alive by the blood-thirsty Ultra-Jewish Israelis, all incidents related to Pakistan make it to the world headlines. And no wonder this violent episode will remain on world debate for quite sometime. It will be used by all and sundry as one more reason why Pakistan should disintegrate; a good reason why Pakistan has to be called a failed state [sic].

According to wikipedia, 'Gojra (Punjabi, Urdu: گوجرہ), the capital of Gojra Tehsil, is a city of Toba Tek Singh District in the Punjab province of Pakistan[1], it is located at 33°16'60N 73°20'60E[2] and is located 30 miles (50 km) from Faisalabad,.. ' So you know, if you happen to be a fan of Saadat Hassan Manto that Toba Tek Singh is and has been part of violent, mentally short circuit culture of many parts of our region, specially that of South Punjab. I was, therefore, not surprised to hear from Dawn's analysis in monthly Herald that many of the most cultivated terrorists of Pakistan are actually coming down from Southern Punjab region including nearby Jhang. Further, it should not surprise any that the violence which killed 7 Christians in Gojra this Sunday was perpetuated by the men from Jhang and that it was supported at Police level. And considering the recent reports about an imminent operation in South Punjab by Pakistan Army [Punjabi-led Army higher ups are concerned about the fall out of this war zone] we know for certain that ISI officials must have known this mischievous act in the making. They did nothing speaks for itself about the quality of men we now have at all official levels: Army, Intelligence, Police and Ministers.

Damage has been done and now Shahbaz Sharif, who himself supports hardliner Wahabis and Jihadis, has ordered an inquiry. What for? Why did he and his minnows not stop the violence when it was perpetuated in broad daylight? Why O Why dear Minister? And no answers from his office or any such office are forthcoming. That itself is sad and speaks for all of us.

For me it goes to another level. For 11 long years, from Class 1 till completion of my O' Levels [Year 1999 Batch] I studied at one of the premier schools of the city, St. Michael's Convent School. It disturbs me no less that the Christians with whom I studied and who were well behaved would be treated in such a brazen, horrific manner. It is hopeless to note that certain elements within our country would want to destroy such a peaceful bunch of men and women. And more so to note that such elements operate with immunity across the country. They burn everything; they kill everyone. For them Islam and Prophet are but a step towards their own nefarious goal achievement strategy.

This incident, and the past incidents involving minorities in the country, clearly shows our apathy towards other faiths, towards other human beings. This incident would no doubt put a question mark over many Christians' minds. They have been inevitably forced to rethink their loyalty to Pakistan. It being August, month of our freedom, government should at all costs bring to gallows the men involved in this heinous crime. Instead of giving sweeping and long statements by ministers, we need to ask why this crime was done. And who did it.

Supreme Court asks Musharraf to defend himself

Supreme Court, in not-so surprise move, has asked Musharraf to answer as to why did he kicked out 60 judges when emergency was declared in the country during his final stint as Pakistan's top ruler.

Musharraf is presently in England afraid that his coming back would seriously compromise his security. But now, as SC calls him, he has to come and defend his decisions. What a turn around from the day Musharraf called on Chief Justice, Chaudry Iftikhar, and ordered him out after a marathon 5 hour closed door meeting. Chaudry fought back and was eventually reinstated. Now, once again, he is the CJ of Pakistan's top court and now, as fate would have it, Musharraf will stand trial. And if he cannot answer properly - and Pakistan's military chief, General Ashfaque Kiyani has indicated that army won't interfere - Musharraf will have to face the music.

But my question is: Why is he not being charged for murdering hundreds of Lal Masjid students? Why is he not being charged for not improving electric capabilities of the country? Why is he not being charged for covertly supporting militants across Swat valley who are now being eliminated? When Musharraf, the all-powerful two in one leader, could have done a lot he did not. Why?

We need answers from Musharraf. But we also need to ask Supreme Court's demanding answers for only one crime. Why bigger, more horrible, crimes are being over-looked?

Answers, not reasons.

I love indecent , provocative and ill-motivated SMS

I love smooching and indecency, etc. But I am too afraid of the draconian laws of the good government of Pakistan [whatever that means; sorry for indecency!].

I don't understand this democratic setup of our govt. They cannot just stand the funny jokes, made in good measure, against our good president of the very good country. Who are these people who have just got out this order of 14 years of prison for a person who dares to send out the jokes against very good men of our times, Zardari Sahib and his play mates, the PM, the FM, the CM, and all others. What will our govt. achieve by all this non-sense [am I being indecent here???]

One thing is for sure. If you add some taxes per SMS and if you delete the jokes on Zardari, then you've got the problem. At least if you are part of Mobilink or Warid network. Your business greatly suffers. And our collective sense of humour, even it is on a morbid side of things, suffers a lot. Already we are suffering lot of fools around us. And the mullahs. And the terrorists. And all other whacky kids from Afghanistan, India, Russia, USA, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

But Mr. Zardari, who must have helped in bringing this law to life, should be happy. I have not received, for a very long time now, any jokes on Zardari.

Long Live Zardari, the good President of a very bed-ridden and sick country. [Is this, my Lord, indecent, provocative and ill-motivated?]. Sirs, please answer.