The strategic depths of yesterday have become flash points of the war on terror. It’s now hard to fathom the situation in the FATA area in one go, very hard. There is Laskhar-e-Islam, Ansar ul Islam, Tehreek-e-Taliban, and many other small outfits. In Tirah valley of Khyber Agency, many factions are fighting among themselves, while the ISAF forces are polishing their guns to land at them any time. In Hangu and Swat, security forces are doing an active operation against the Talibans.

While such things are weakening the foundations of the country, Maulvi Omer, the spokesperson of Tehreek-e-Taliban has made it a habit of threatening the ANP government of NWFP daily.  He had given a deadline to ANP government to withdraw the security forces from “their” areas and to end the operations. Now he says,”It’s an important issue but the ANP leadership did not take it seriously. They should have taken it seriously as we don’t want any confrontation with the party and its government. This party came into power as a result of its pledge to restore peace to the province and the adjoining restless tribal areas. We realised contradiction in their words and deeds.”

While so alarming is the situation in the FATA, another disgustingly funny things is going on the fringes. The 12 idiotic MNAs from the FATA area are fighting among themselves over petty issues of power. They have divided into two groups, and now contending with each other to grab more power and pelf.  Talibans should do a favor and take all 12 of them hostage for the good of everybody. It’s time Talibans would have done something good for the Pakistan.

170 million or whatever, population is not a problem for Pakistan. Allah has sent every individual with his/her quota of the resources to live on this planet, and Allah is the guardian of every person. It’s the follies, blunders, mismanagement, greed and the vested interests of the humans which has created a dearth of resources, and the short-sighted humans opt for the easy way of controlling the population, rather than to challenge those who are occupying the maximum of resources, or to control those who are wasting the resources.

There is no lack of water, wheat, rice, cotton, vegetables, meat, fish, sunlight, oxygen or anything in this world. Rather, these resources are inexhaustible. The only problem lies with the occupation of few countries or corporations or individuals on the resources, and the rest of the woes are due to the greed and mismanagement.

And there is no link of extremism and population explosion? Many of the militants in Afghanistan and Iraq belong to the Western nations, having been studied and groomed in London, New York and Madrid and Riyadh. We are not bigots or extremists, rather we in Pakistan are the victim of dictators and civilians idiots. We need leaders.

Our problem is the lack of a true leader.

Waqar Ahmed, Secretary Board of Investment, has been appointed in his place, as per a notification issued by the Establishment Division. Abdullah Yousuf, considered to be the closest bureaucrat to President Musharraf, was tasked to run the prime federal tax-collecting institution in March 2004.

He got closer to Gen Musharraf by getting elevated to the highest quarters led by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, with whom Yousuf made a team of economic managers that worked exclusively under the president’s instructions.

After Shaukat Aziz’s departure, it was being assumed that the days of Yousuf were numbered, but he sustained a number of political pressures and attempts by challengers who planned to grab his post.

Quarters close to President Musharraf said the most effective conspiracy was when a video of him dancing with Gen Musharraf was leaked to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QMC3×5xI9c), a US-based internet site which enjoys reputation for running exotic and scandalous videos fed into the system by contributors and video-sellers.

Yousuf, the longest serving chairman of the FBR (50 months), also launched reforms in the tax collecting machinery, which did not go well with many senior customs and income tax officials, who wrote against the reform plans to the president and the former prime minister.

But none of these officials could snatch his post, as Yousuf played his cards not only politically but also socially, having a wide circle of supporters at the top level in the federal capital and also abroad.

(source: The News)

Karadzic has three days to appeal the ruling. His lawyer, Sveta Vujacic, said he will launch the process to fight extradition on the last day, Friday, to thwart authorities’ wishes for his immediate transfer.

Karadzic — a psychiatrist accused of masterminding the deadly wartime siege of Sarajevo and the executions of up to 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica during Bosnia’s 1992-95 war, Europe’s worst massacre since World War II — had topped the tribunal’s most-wanted list for years.

Government official Rasim Ljajic said Karadzic, once known for his distinctively coifed hairdo, was unrecognizable.

“His false identity was very convincing,” Vukcevic said. “Even his landlords were unaware of his identity.”

Karadzic used a false name, Dragan Dabic, Ljajic said.

The editor in chief of Belgrade’s “Healthy Life” magazine, Goran Kojic, said he was shocked when he saw the photo of Karadzic on TV, recognizing him as a regular contributor to the publication.

“It never even occurred to me that this man with a long white beard and hair was Karadzic,” Kojic said.

Karadzic’s whereabouts had been a mystery since he went on the run in 1998, with his hideouts reportedly including monasteries and mountain caves in remote eastern Bosnia.

Serbian security services found Karadzic, 63, on Monday while looking for another top war crimes suspect facing genocide charges, Bosnian Serb wartime commander Gen. Ratko Mladic, Ljajic said.

Karadzic “was arrested Monday evening near Belgrade while changing locations,” he said. “International pressure was to arrest Mladic, and a few had expected that Karadzic would be captured.”

His family in Bosnia, banned from leaving the country over suspicions that they helped him elude capture, asked Tuesday to have the restrictions lifted, his daughter told The Associated Press.

Sonja Karadzic said family members want to spend at least a few hours with Karadzic before his transfer to U.N. custody.

“We even suggested traveling under police escort to see him for at least for a few hours,” she said. “For years we have not seen our father, husband and grandfather; my mother’s health is not very good, and we do not have the financial means necessary to travel to Netherlands.”

A judge finished interrogating Karadzic on Tuesday and issued the order for his extradition.

The complexity of a case that encompasses most of the worst atrocities of the 1992-95 Bosnian war, likely legal wrangling and a packed docket at the court in The Hague all stand in the way of a speedy trial.

“Karadzic is the second most important defendant that we have had. It will not be a quick trial, but I believe it can be held as soon as possible — possibly within a few years,” tribunal judge Frederik Harhoff of Denmark told Danish TV2 News.

Ljajic refused to reveal more details about his arrest, saying Karadzic’s movements are being analyzed and will be kept secret until Mladic’s capture. “We are absolutely determined to finish this job,” he said.

Karadzic — disguised by the bushy beard and glasses — managed to move freely while living in a new part of Belgrade and working at a private clinic, Ljajic said, holding up a photo of a much thinner-looking Karadzic.

Governments worldwide hailed the arrest of the man described by the tribunal as the mastermind of “scenes from hell, written on the darkest pages of human history.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called it a “historic moment.”

“The victims need to know: Massive human rights violations do not go unpunished,” she said in Berlin.

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels said the arrest sets Serbia firmly on the path toward EU membership.

“We have waited for this for 13 years. Finally. Finally,” said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in Brussels. “This is a very good thing for the rapprochement of Serbia with the European Union.”

In Sarajevo, Bosnian Muslims rushed into the streets Monday night to celebrate the news of Karadzic’s arrest.

“This is a very important day for the victims who have waited for this arrest for over a decade,” said the tribunal’s head prosecutor, Serge Brammertz. “It clearly demonstrates that nobody is beyond the reach of the law and that sooner or later all fugitives will be brought to justice.”

Nationalists lashed out at Serbia’s newly installed pro-Western government.

“This is a hard day for Serbia,” said Tomislav Nikolic, leader of the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party said. “Karadzic was a myth and a legend of the Serbian people.”

During the siege of Sarajevo that began in 1992, Bosnian Serb troops starved, sniped and bombarded the city center, operating from strongholds in Pale and Vraca high above the city and controlling nearly all roads in and out.

Inhabitants were kept alive by a thin lifeline of food aid and supplies provided by U.N. donors and peacekeepers. Walking down the street to shop for groceries or driving down a main road that became known as “Sniper Alley” was a risk to their lives.

The siege was not officially over until February 1996. An estimated 10,000 people died.

The international tribunal indicted Karadzic on genocide charges in 1995. The psychiatrist and self-styled poet-turned-hardline Serbian nationalist continue to wield behind-the-scenes power over Bosnian Serbs, occasionally appearing in public before going into hiding three years later.

The worst massacre was in Srebrenica in 1995, when Serb troops led by Mladic overran the U.N.-protected enclave sheltering Bosnian Muslims. Mladic’s troops rounded up the entire population and took the men away for execution.

By war’s end in late 1995, an estimated 250,000 people were dead and another 1.8 million driven from their homes.

Sent by Melosovic Through Email to TPS 

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
I like to think I become more articulate in my writing voice, and I admit that words flow much easier for me writing my own truth as a non-fiction blogger than all my previous years of fiction writing, though they were fun in their own way. Progressive growth in writing is like any other growth for me, personal/emotional/intellectual or otherwise, it’s an on-going part of life and I think we all like to think that everyday we just get better.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
Most memorable was when I received comments that changed the way I was living my life entirely, an anonymous person’s words spoke to me, which was so great. I’d like to believe that I do that for others inadvertently also. I’ve received long commentary on US politics that were eye opening, it’s also happened with entries I wrote about relationships/alpha males/females. I even had my own self appointed ‘armchair’ therapist for a time, hahaha, and that was compelling commentary. I allow commenters to e-mail me privately and it always amazes me how many shy people read my writing and want to speak up, just not in a public space.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I read several blogs weekly, some daily. Some I comment in on a sporadic basis, some I comment on everyday. I love to see what the ‘topic du jour’ is an anothers’ mind. I’m an observer of people and enjoy seeing what makes them tick through their choice of subject and their approach to it…it’s so much more nuanced when it’s the written word.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

Internet and e-mail campaigns like Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. He’s created a whole new style of grass roots campaigning and people who normally would not be donors are ready, willing and able to give small amounts to his campaign, weekly/monthly and on an ‘as needed’ basis, as you can see by the staggering numbers, it’s one successful strategy. Youtube videos are pretty cool also.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Absolutely, everything is in ‘real time’ now. The 24/7 part of it can be a boon or perceived as mildly daunting, depending on your emotional state on a given day.
What do you think sets Your site apart from others?
Oh boy, maybe it’s my conversational tone while talking about politics, relationships, and everyday meanderings? And, hmmm, I don’t know, maybe it’s because I like to talk about sex/relationships every now and again, mostly on Wednesdays : ) better known as Hump Day.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Inner strength. No further explanation necessary, especially if you met me in person.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

On a happiness scale of 1-10, I try to run at least at 7-8 daily or I sit and re-evaluate my attitude and go from there. So, I have numerous moments of relative happiness pretty regularly. Gloomiest, oh, for sure it was the day my father died, I was nine months pregnant, and 3,000 miles away, it was a very sad day for me. I wasn’t ready for that.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Only 3?! Cambodia/Vietnam, India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Bangalore…), Kenya and Capetown, SA, the Andes Mountains, and then add London, HK and Dubai and the Amalfi Coast, sorry, I love travel, and experiencing a different culture, so this list just skims the surface really. Lately I’ve been craving a ski in the Chilean Mountains, too.
What is your favorite book and why?

For fact based fiction: Ken Follett’s “Pillars of the Earth’ it’s a long saga about England during the twelfth century, the story takes place during the time known as the Anarchy. I made snoring noises years ago when someone recommended it, but Follett’s writing is so visual and visceral, I was there inside the story within two paragraphs, I highly recommend it. Follett just released the sequel twenty years later, ‘World Without End’ he’s still quite the wordsmith, a very talented writer. On the self help front: ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhard Tolle.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

If they’re male or female, hahaha, then eyes, I can tell a lot about anyone through a few minutes of good eye contact…then body language…that’s more than you asked for…

Is there anyone from your past that once told you couldn’t write?
I once had a creative writing teacher who didn’t like one of my main character outlines, at all. Since the character was loosely based on me, I just switched teachers; we weren’t going to get along. She never said anything was wrong with my prose though…

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?
Oh, there are lots of ways, in fact, I have the writer of Entrepreneur magazine’s ‘The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Optimization’ Jon Rognerud, a long-time best friend (when everyone else is on vacation) who is assisting me with my site as I write this interview. There are several avenues to explore: link love, permalinks, oh I could go on but since I haven’t completed my reading of his book yet, it’s all just premature rambling on my part. Who knows, it could lead to a monetarily successful endeavor, I sincerely hope so, because then I’ll be living my dream, writing and earning money for it; that would be heaven and total freedom…I can write anywhere.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

I don’t know about others but I often write up several blog entries on a week/weekend afternoon and then tweak the writing and/or write something entirely new during the week based on time availability. That being said, I’m a curious one and have no greater love than reading/researching and/or writing in my spare time.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?
This is an interesting question, I usually spend time speaking out against…countries, cultures, etc…that allow or just don’t pay any attention to women’s issues, violence, poverty, etc…and it’s fun to just call out US politics/politicians whenever the mood strikes. The truth of the matter is that we all have to get knowledgeable enough and upset enough to act and so while my entries may ‘call out’ a nation/culture/behavior, I hope that the info will show people how others live and hopefully they will gain some insight, empathy and compassion. When people experience those emotions they are usually ready to create change…or at least hope for change, no?

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

www.michellemoquin.com/wordpress is definitely my daily fave, full of wit and wisdom and aliens, with many regular commenters, always very interesting… http://bdgroupllc.blogspot.com/ is interesting political banter. http://whyaminotsurprised.blogspot.com/ is a great 2x weekly stop for me, this woman writes about racism, http://www.ted.com/ a site that has ‘inspired talks by the world’s greatest thinkers and doers,’ and it is sooo interesting http://revellian.com/ the R man has a certain writing style I find engaging, no matter what his topic is…

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

I think it’s a toss up between my three day alpha males/females series and a four day series that was actually a commenters political rant, he allowed me to run it along with my own comments and questions, both series certainly made my private e-mail inbox full, it was fun and I love the hearing everyone’s opinions, that’s what this life is all about, expressing ourselves, right?
What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
Well, it seems like women have a lot to overcome there to just be treated reasonably. This is so troubling because I think it’s important for women to be equal to men in this day and age. It takes men and women to create a successful society. Would that personal opinion be baffling to a Pakistani male or female?

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Not really, I’ve read all kinds of content, we all have a unique take on things, and when I find a blogger I like I tend to go back and check them out at least 2x’s a week.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing

country?
Hmmm, this is an invitation to an all day conversation, hahaha, but I’ll keep it brief. 

Under UN rule countries can determine that distinction for themselves, but the usual factors are: infrastructure development, per capita income, and regarding the human resource aspect: education enrollment, adult literacy rate and GDP is part of that equation also. In my own opinion, and generally speaking of course, developed countries have a bit more entitlement mentality going on and developing countries have a stronger work ethic and a determination to improve lives, they thrive on hope for their future.
What is the future of blogging?
I think there’s strength in the number of opportunities to help others worldwide, if only through reading of anothers’ experience; that’s exactly why I read some of the blogs I do, the authors are of another nationality, race, etc…and for a short span of time I get to see things from their perspective only. I think it’s a gift to have that kind of experience right here in my own house or local WiFi café’.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal

and professional life?
I can write the very quick version of a business letter/e-mail requesting info, donations, time/energy and I think that’s a direct reflection of my daily writing. I don’t have to think so hard to find the right words. I’ve improved my proofreader/writer skills for marketing campaigns I assist with for charities/school board/newsletters, etc…

In my personal life, some friends and acquaintances have read my blog and ask me more direct opinion questions, and I answer more directly. I think they may have perceived me differently before reading my blog, and possibly I may not have been as open as I am now, this has been a growing experience personally for me in a big way.

What are your future plans?
I’m open, totally open, I keep life planning loose, I’d like to do lots of traveling, and writing. I’m not in a position to plan much past next Friday at the moment…

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
I actually wish they could give me a clue. I read about the amount of violent occurrences women suffer in your country, and it makes me feel pretty helpless towards my global sisters. Maybe I should travel there. I’m just seeking to understand how and why this violence is so prevalent. It’s hard to imagine, the statistics are staggering, how very sad…

Why Pakistan does not come out clean? What is at stake? Is our conscious asleep or has our moral values also left us for good and gone up to the plaedes? Muslim Ummah is responsible for the fall of own Ottoman Empire that in 1920s the kings of Arabia in the persuasion of personal greed became the tool to put an end to the empire with their own hands and made it fall in the hands of enemy right at the gates of the last Islamic Seat of power–Damascus. On the other hand, for the sheer impediment and humiliation attached to the fall of Empire, this Ummah chose to go into self afflicted hibernation by taking a self-pitying refuge in collective repentance, taking the fall of Empire as some wrath of God. A full century is coming to pass but this Ummah is still broiling in deprivation; as a destitute, forsaken and poverty ridden lot as it used to be.

The time had ticked by; this world transformed itself and excelled and progressed leaps and bounds, especially after World War II, reaching the towering heights in economics, technology, communication and wellbeing of a common man in the street but Muslim lot all over, having kept themselves aloof remained in deprival; suffering as the victim of their own torments. Ever since, this resolve of Muslims is keeping their life system, hung between agony and despair. Misery is prevalent all over and is in command in all the spheres of  Muslims life. On other hand, the old oppressor forces had been busy subjugating the Muslim countries one after other. The Arab Lands are in western fold and the Kings, princes, Emirates of Arab Peninsula were happy to be retained as western stooges in a symbolic form. US President, D.Wight Eison Hower famous statement at the time of Suez war of 1956 that these ‘kings and Princes be installed to police the Middle Eastern streets with their Police Headquarter in Washington’, is most pestering. There should be no illusion for any patriot Pakistani that the oppressing forces after subjugating the rich economic resources and lucrative Muslim world, have come long way, to knock at our doors; to knock down the Last bunker; the so called Fortress of Islam- Pakistan once for all.

This country which has also acquired its nuclear weapons to deter and keep its enemies at its bay is already sizzling in the anarchy of extremism and mayhem owing to the turmoil in the visionless, self centric leadership. The pity is that all the route leading to heart lands of Pakistan from the west are infested with Taliban extremists and their cohorts. These hirelings, enablers while practicing their centuries old Jewish traditions are the culprit of receiving the hefty monies and are playing in the hands of enemy. Invariably they are working against the interests of this country. They are fuelling a state of insurgency in the name of religion to create a monopoly of their boorish orthodoxy in wheeling and dealing their affairs which is Jewish in essence that they remained stick to it even after accepting the faith of enlightenments – Islam.

Earlier they had migrated here from Palestine (before the advent of Jesus* the Christ) and settled here to escape the oppression of their enemy; Aryans in 12-20 B.C. Aryans were weary of Israelite and forced the 9 out of 12 Israelite Tribes to fled Palestine for their safety to this, God forsaken, arid and inaccessible land called (now) Afghanistan; a long way far from Palestine. Their feature their conduct of business, even the name of local tribes, towns and mountains; all bear Jewish imprints. Present day, the self acclaimed purported religious standings and their concocted sharia laws for the conduct of society and implementation by force have got nothing to do with Islam or the cause of Pakistan. The entire border belt especially the Federal Administered Area is being kept isolated on purpose for their nefarious activities, especially to run the opium trade that its transactions are in Billions and Billions of dollars. They are keeping a fluid, heated up situation with continual initiation of  provocative actions on their parts to instigate the invasion by the enemy forces but with a hope that with their divisive scheme of terror they may be able to have their own self declared governing of area and thus be successful in baring the entry of regular forces to establish writ of Government. Any regular development like of civilised world in the area for the benefit of common folks is taken as fallback of their scheme.

The traditional ‘pakhtun wal-aey’ which used to hem around the tribal chiefs and traditions, is now turned to Taliban-ism. After 9/11 incident ‘the radical new ideology of Middle Eastern militants such as Bin Laden has spread among the Pashtun tribes in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, providing a new language and justification for age-old resentments against central authority, buttressed by new ideas about ‘the global attack on Islam by the West’ and a powerful call to ‘jihad’. One powerful factor has been the massive growth in recent decades of the hard line Deobandi traditionalist school of Islam. With tribal leaders losing their authority in the new radicalised environment, the clerics are more influential than ever. ‘The traditional structure with tribal chiefs, big landowners or merchants and religious figures sharing power has broken down, ‘At the moment it is the mullah and the Taliban who are in charge.

A system that has lasted centuries has been overturned.’ It is these mullahs, whose religious education is often minimal, who are forming the private militias labelled as ‘the Pakistan Taliban’. In fact, they are little more than a fractious confederation of mini-states run by warlords. Together they have succeeded in expelling almost all representatives of any government authority from their territory and in doing so, some analysts fear, have laid the foundations for a state without borders or flags, but which has a justice system and a common ethnicity, ideology, culture and religion’.

Diamonds cuts diamond and concocted myths of Taliban style sharia law must be countered with super myths for deeper cut; Pakistan is supposed to be an Islamic Country; where are its cleric and Religious elites that they cannot even give a clear cut verdict against Taliban or able to pursue the Parliament to pass a clear cut legislation that these Federal Administered Area Mullahs nefarious activities are Un-Islamic and be ceased forth with.

It must be done and done now; or all Pakistanis be ready for a collective suicide as a nation?

Otherwise; sure it is: *[ Tumhari Dastaan tek bhi nah hou gi Dastanoun main}

In a declaration of All Pakistan Lawyers Convention, the Pakistan Bar Council has announced August 14 as deadline for the government to reinstate the deposed judges. So be it. That deadline should act as final for the lawyers, and after that they must not repeat the fiasco of the May Long March. They should do what they can do in order to restore the judges, and they should not budge this time. Still the people support their just cause, and still people want to see those judges in the higher courts who said “No” to the dictator. But people do not want to be dragged along in endless games of deadlines, long marches, train marches ,Dharnas or protests at every Thursdays.

Still the popularity of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary stands highest, and still people are ready to rally behind the cause of the lawyers and civil society, and now PML-N is also ready to come in public for this cause without any bindings with the PPP, but it must be the lawyers who should be leading the cause, and it must be them who should not bow or kowtow in front of any political agenda either from PPP or from PML-N or from anyone else.

Chief of Army staff was also present in the meeting, and his approach is also very commendable, and his professional persona has given Pakistanis lots of hope. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the Pakistan Army has the capability to carry out an operation against miscreants at border and no foreign power will be allowed to use Pakistan’s soil for operation.

But now the onus resides on the leader of the ruling coalition, and specifically on the premier Yousuf Raza Gillani to take all the coalition partners and the opposition parties on board, and have a concerted, coordinated and combined effort to end the militancy in the FATA, Hangu, Balochistan and Swat area first through dialogue and if that doesn’t yield any results then through the force.

It was really heartening to see that all the coalition partners including PPP, PML-N, ANP, JUI-F, and MQM and also the representatives of some other factions were unanimously in the favor of dialogue and they were in the favor of the political solution to the problem. But this meeting must not prove to be a mirage, and just another effort on the part of PPP to delay the task and just a lame effort to appease the angry partners.

Along with Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Naheed Khan, Khalid Shahanshah  was also present in the vehicle of Benazir Bhutto when she was assassinated right in front of bloody Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. Khalid Shahanshah was one of the closed aide of the Benazir Bhutto, and he was the incharge of her security. After her murder, he was appointed as incharge of the security of Bilawal House. He also became the victim of unknown bullets, when he was returning to home from Bilawal House.

What exactly he knew, and why exactly was he assassinated are the questions burning in the minds of the people. Some are trying to divert the attention from his killing by saying that he had some connections with the underworld dons, and they might have blown him, but how could those underworld dons would accomplish such folly, when Shahanshah was the security officer of the country’s most powerful man?