Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Apology delayed NATO denied
So at the end of the much publicized NATO summit in Chicago the tensions between the US administration and Pakistan's political and military leadership are turning into a cold war.
Pakistan wants a bigger piece of the Pie, a favorable and friendly government in kabul and the end to CIA operations especially the Drones.
Pakistan wants a bigger piece of the Pie, a favorable and friendly government in kabul and the end to CIA operations especially the Drones.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Wasiq1News #karachi : Wasiq just had a tree ripened first mango of the season
Wasiq1News #karachi : Wasiq just had a tree ripened first mango of the season: Wasiq1News #karachi : Wasiq just had a tree ripened first mango of the season
Sunday, May 20, 2012
twitter banned in Pakistan
The most popular social networking site Twitter is banned in Pakistan today.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
is journalism dying or is it already dead in Pakistan...?
Pakistan is one of the luckiest countries in the world because our founding fathers had their own press and considered journalists to be the most important soldiers of the fight for independence.
Soon after the independence of Pakistan the founding Fathers died or were killed but their press survived and to run those presses a new breed of young journalists were required.Karachi and Lahore had the most educated people with university degrees and diplomas especially those who had migrated from the other side of the border.Journalism flourished here.
Then came the industrial revolution.The Martial's law ,cold war and communism seemed lesser evils combined together.The only thing that kept journalism alive was entertainment. yes the entertainment of the very rich and powerful. Through the length and breadth of Pakistan a term became very common "Drawing Room politics " Leaders and constitution of Pakistan was mocked and institutions destroyed.
During this period the war to gain control over the press and media in Pakistan intensified between the Establishment and the Established(Seth). Dynasties and families came into existence.Journalism grew weak.Pakistan lost the national identity and was divided into two, but the War with India helped the Press and propaganda machinery. Television came to Pakistan but it had a very selected viewership in the urban population nevertheless it changed the so called "Drawing Room Politics" as Television Took the center stage in most urban drawing rooms and houses.Conversations,Interests and reading habits changed.Artists,Actors,performers and sportsmen became more popular than the political people.
Then came the Satellite Dish Revolution.The power struggle converged to the fight over the remote control.Being seen with a newspaper or a magazine in the hand became a sign of being a backward person.Although the television lost its center stage in the drawing room but it became a full time companion a more personal possession like a wrist watch and moved into the bedroom. Here a new term emerged "the Parential Lock" meaning that the parents ,grand parents ,uncles and aunts are locked in their bedrooms and cannot disturb the children while they play the video games, surf the net or chat with their online friends on the computers, laptops,phones and mobiles.What i mean to say here is that the lifestyle of the Masses begin to change and in this life style there seems to be no room for the journalism because the broad audience have no time or desire to waste on issues that don't concern them.
The War in Afghanistan was apparently over when Putin came to Kremlin and Bushes started running the whitehouse or it got into the phase of re-building.
According to the agreement both were to pull out.after soviet tanks moved out the americans blow up their ammunition dump at ojri April 10,1988
Pakistan emerged out of this useless war as a "Good Guy"
looking back the thing that surprises me so much is that how did Pakistan made such a bold and courageous decision unanimously. Was it because of the Journalism or the Generalissimus..?
Anyways Pakistan as a good guy and having suffered very badly due to the war and afghan refuges was greatly rewarded.The rewards and benefits continued for over a decade.Some might see the nuclear explosion of 1998 as the turning point or the love lost but i feel it was also a part of the reward and benefits that Pakistan was invited to the Nuclear Club all expense paid.With great power comes greater responsibility.So now was the time to test.
Switch on the television in Pakistan and go through all the Media channels owned by the Established (seth) and regulated by the Establishment (PEMRA) and you will feel as if somebody offered them a ride full of fun and frolics in a Ferris wheel (merry go round ) and as soon as all aboard and moving....somebody pulled the plug.So the ones on the top cannot come down and the ones in the middle can neither go up or come down only the lucky ones that were near to the ground gets out replacing with some new faces who are under the impression that things could get better soon and the fun will start anytime soon.Do you honestly believe this is journalism.The one that our founding Fathers choose for their fight against the imperialism.Or the journalism they choose to build a Nation.Pakistan has always been among the decided and firmly committed this is the first time it is among the "Undecided" and "Confused". The World ,our Allies and friends are beginning to think and treat Pakistan as if it is a Good guy no more....
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
President Obama in Address to the Nation from Afghanistan
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 01, 2012
Remarks by President Obama in Address to the Nation from Afghanistan
Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
4:01 A.M. AFTTHE PRESIDENT: Good evening from Bagram Air Base. This outpost is more than 7,000 miles from home, but for over a decade it's been close to our hearts. Because here, in Afghanistan, more than half a million of our sons and daughters have sacrificed to protect our country.
Today, I signed a historic agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our countries -- a future in which Afghans are responsible for the security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign states; a future in which war ends, and a new chapter begins.
Tonight, I'd like to speak to you about this transition. But first, let us remember why we came here. It was here, in Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden established a safe haven for his terrorist organization. It was here, in Afghanistan, where al Qaeda brought new recruits, trained them, and plotted acts of terror. It was here, from within these borders, that al Qaeda launched the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.
And so, 10 years ago, the United States and our allies went to war to make sure that al Qaeda could never again use this country to launch attacks against us. Despite initial success, for a number of reasons, this war has taken longer than most anticipated. In 2002, bin Laden and his lieutenants escaped across the border and established safe haven in Pakistan. America spent nearly eight years fighting a different war in Iraq. And al Qaeda’s extremist allies within the Taliban have waged a brutal insurgency.
But over the last three years, the tide has turned. We broke the Taliban’s momentum. We’ve built strong Afghan security forces. We devastated al Qaeda’s leadership, taking out over 20 of their top 30 leaders. And one year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I set -- to defeat al Qaeda and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is now within our reach.
Still, there will be difficult days ahead. The enormous sacrifices of our men and women are not over. But tonight, I’d like to tell you how we will complete our mission and end the war in Afghanistan.
First, we've begun a transition to Afghan responsibility for security. Already, nearly half of the Afghan people live in places where Afghan security forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward.
As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more and more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.
Second, we are training Afghan security forces to get the job done. Those forces have surged, and will peak at 352,000 this year. The Afghans will sustain that level for three years, and then reduce the size of their military. And in Chicago, we will endorse a proposal to support a strong and sustainable long-term Afghan force.
Third, we’re building an enduring partnership. The agreement we signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people: As you stand up, you will not stand alone. It establishes the basis for our cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions. It supports Afghan efforts to advance development and dignity for their people. And it includes Afghan commitments to transparency and accountability, and to protect the human rights of all Afghans -- men and women, boys and girls.
Within this framework, we’ll work with the Afghans to determine what support they need to accomplish two narrow security missions beyond 2014 -- counter-terrorism and continued training. But we will not build permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its cities and mountains. That will be the job of the Afghan people.
Fourth, we’re pursuing a negotiated peace. In coordination with the Afghan government, my administration has been in direct discussions with the Taliban. We’ve made it clear that they can be a part of this future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence and abide by Afghan laws. Many members of the Taliban -- from foot soldiers to leaders -- have indicated an interest in reconciliation. The path to peace is now set before them. Those who refuse to walk it will face strong Afghan security forces, backed by the United States and our allies.
Fifth, we are building a global consensus to support peace and stability in South Asia. In Chicago, the international community will express support for this plan and for Afghanistan’s future. And I have made it clear to its neighbor -- Pakistan -- that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan’s sovereignty, interests and democratic institutions. In pursuit of a durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al Qaeda safe havens and respect for Afghan sovereignty.
As we move forward, some people will ask why we need a firm timeline. The answer is clear: Our goal is not to build a country in America’s image, or to eradicate every vestige of the Taliban. These objectives would require many more years, many more dollars, and most importantly, many more American lives. Our goal is to destroy al Qaeda, and we are on a path to do exactly that. Afghans want to assert their sovereignty and build a lasting peace. That requires a clear timeline to wind down the war.
Others will ask, why don’t we leave immediately? That answer is also clear: We must give Afghanistan the opportunity to stabilize. Otherwise, our gains could be lost and al Qaeda could establish itself once more. And as Commander-in-Chief, I refuse to let that happen.
I recognize that many Americans are tired of war. As President, nothing is more wrenching than signing a letter to a family of the fallen, or looking into the eyes of a child who will grow up without a mother or father. I will not keep Americans in harm’s way a single day longer than is absolutely required for our national security. But we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan and end this war responsibly.
My fellow Americans, we’ve travelled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. The Iraq war is over. The number of our troops in harm’s way has been cut in half, and more will soon be coming home. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al Qaeda.
This future is only within reach because of our men and women in uniform. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve in distant and dangerous places. In an age when so many institutions have come up short, these Americans stood tall. They met their responsibilities to one another, and to the flag they serve under. I just met with some of them and told them that as Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder. And in their faces, we see what is best in ourselves and our country.
Our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians in Afghanistan have done their duty. Now we must summon that same sense of common purpose. We must give our veterans and military families the support they deserve, and the opportunities they have earned. And we must redouble our efforts to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.
As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it’s time to renew America -- an America where our children live free from fear and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as one nation.
Here in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call to defend their fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen and those who suffered wounds, both seen and unseen. But through dark days, we have drawn strength from their example and the ideals that have guided our nation and led the world -- a belief that all people are treated equal and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny. That is the light that guides us still.
This time of war began in Afghanistan and this is where it will end. With faith in each other and our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand and forge a just and lasting peace.
May God bless our troops, and may God bless the United States of America.
END 4:12 A.M. AFT
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