Reinventing Pakistan: The Rise of The Left

A wonderful article as usual...

``Yet, the odd paradox is that the Left elements rather than the Rightist Maulvi contributed more to the creation of Pakistan``

This is a fact that is more often overlooked... but the Communist Party of India supported the Muslim League while the Rightist Mullahs from Deoband and Jamaat-e-Islami opposed it. Well said. I won`t describe Sir Syed Ahmed Khan or Allama Iqbal as necessarily left ... but Jinnah was the member of the British Fabian Society from the 1931-1934... In the mid 1940s Jinnah made a deliberate effort to attract more leftists within the Muslim League fold which was being dominated by the Punjabi Landlords post Sikandar-Jinnah pact... the result was Mian Iftikharuddin, Sajjad Zahir (Who contributed a lot to the left wing of the league) and even Faiz Ahmed Faiz who became the editor of the League`s leftwing mouthpiece ``The Pakistan Times`` in January 1947 (as opposed to the centrist ``Dawn`` and rightist ``Nawai Waqt`` also the league mouthpieces)

--

That said... all elements of Pakistani society will succeed if we just follow one thing: the 1973 constitution in letter and spirit because while I might find it distasteful for this reason or that... it is a consensus document.

Saima Sahiba,
Great Article....

I love it.....

If Pakistan just had a few more daughters like you...

Pakistan does need a reformation.... it is so overdue...

Unity, Faith, Discipline...... Jinnah needs to stop rolling in his grave!

We Pakistanis need to make sure of it............

You`ve covered the left`s slow- non-confrontational revival very well.. I think in parts of Karachi, it is incredibly visible -you can see polarisation very clearly. In Lahore by contrast the proliferation of Hijabs and Beards is lower... as is the proliferation of spaghetti straps and tank tops...

A good article.

But raises more questions than it answers.

A very optimistic article,I hope for the sake of the subcontinent that reasons for this optimism is well warranted.
A peaceful and progressive pakistan is the interests of all south asias especially Indians.

Regards
Nandan

Happy New Year to you, too.

Brief views:-

Most religions, and all established religions, including Islam, tend to be left of centre if not extreme left in their philosophies. That is the only way these pillars are acceptable and sustainable, by society.

Nature in all its forms, forming the roof over these pillars of religion, on the other hand, tends to go with survival and evolution of the fittest. The intelligent and the brave and the strong will prevail is the basic thumbrule here.

When any religion tries to move away from its inherent leftist approaches, and heads right wing, then sustainability suffers. That pillar then decays, crumbles, and finally vanishes.

The roof of nature, however, is held up by the other religions.

And the foundations are science. Those pillars of religion built on sound foundations will simply get more of the roof of nature to hold up.

I am glad to hear that the publishing industry is looking up in Pakistan. Now if only the common people from Pakistan would stop believing everything they see in Indian movies as well.

Side note - spaghetti straps and tank tops are a symbol of leftist thought, wow, and our leftists are so shabbily dressed most of the time!!

Good article.

``At various times, in undivided India Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal and M.A. Jinnah, with Leftist ideals were jailed.`` Is this correct? I was under the impression that MAJ never spent a single day in prison, unlike Gandhi, Nehru et al.

Nice thought provoking article..

I believe that we never took Pakistan seriously, self imposed masters of Pakistan are the most hypocrite people on the surface of earth.

In this game of raping, looting and molesting of the homeland,muslim clergy is playing the same role which Christian clergy was playing in the Europe of dark ages.

Mullahs who survive on the crumbs of feudals are discouraging people from wearing ``pants`` or to work with machines,or to read Western Books of science and technology, and they quote some ``ahadiths`` to support their destructive and deceptive ideas.

``Ahadiths``, which were compiled several centuries after the death of prophet.

Who knows, how many ``ahadiths``, enemies of equality and social justice might have interpolated in the Islamic belief system.

``Tablighis`` were quoting such Ahadiths to a businessman of Islamabad, until he lost his interest in this world, and as his business declined, same cunning Tablighi preachers bought his business at a throw away price.

Why are we keeping people backward and unaware of the destruction, which we are causing due to our non scientific and unsustainable abuse of environmental and natural resources???

When Western scientists and environmentalists were working in Northern NWFP and they were catching and disclosing the thefts of forests, and warning us about the consequences,then we scared them away with the help of fanatic religious Mullahs.

Brutal and unchecked thefts of Our forests and this recent earth quake has triggered massive land slides, which has almost filled the Mangla and Tarbela lakes.

Depletion of natural resources, scarcity of food and energy crisis will trigger a chain reaction, a civil war and complete anarchy and destruction of our society.

Mullahs tell us that wearing a professional and safe ``Pant`` type dress in order to work with machines is unislamic and again they quote some ahadiths to support it.

Foresters wear ``pants`` during their tough training in the forest college Peshawar, but when they become DFOs , they start wearing white ``shalwars`` , ``boski`` shirts, become very religious , but forests keep on disappearing under the table.

Have you ever seen recently,any Pakistani forestor, or a Civil Engineer, a government overseer etc. who was wearing professional duty uniform,like ``pants`` and he was working with his hands??

If no body will work with hands in an honest manner,then who will pay for our white ``partoogs`` and our free foods and our emotional talks etc.??

There is some thing terribly wrong with the application of Islam in our society, and we are going to leave a collapsed, extremely polluted, poisonous and dangerous society for our children.

Dear Layman,

You are correct when you say that M.A.J (as well as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Allama Iqbal) was never imprisoned a single day... unlike Gandhi and Nehru, the British never saw the need to fluff him up as a leader of the people... Infact his house was perhaps the only politician`s house not on the British`s watch list.

This is precisely why Jinnah`s picture hangs in the most hallowed hall of the British legal tradition i.e. the great hall of Lincoln`s Inn.

Veeresh...

Context... I actually see all that Saima has mentioned a result of globalisation and therefore global capitalism...

However... what Saima is using here is ``left= socially liberal``.

Good article precisely because it links happenings in Pakistan to wider happenings around the world, in tune with the sociological imagination discussed by C.W. Mills and it deals with crisis in identity in a globalizing world, what Habermas discussed under ``life world and its colonization``.

The author states <<< After all, nations and borders are not about getting along but about not getting along. Quite often ‘Center’s for policy research’ are thinly veiled efforts to intellectualize and rationalize the politics of identity and so much of new technology is used to reduce freedoms. >>>

True, exactly what I have been stating about bureaucratization of social structure and how all that is the antithesis of a free and democratic society. USA is the most un-free society in the world precisely because of these reasons.

Then, the author states <<< Science slowly but surely has defected to the Right. Instead of liberation, science is making the authoritarian Right stronger >>>

Very true, science in the hands of the `power-elite` (who might belong to the ``official left`` or ``official right`` but are class conscious extremists nonetheless) becomes a machine used to further their power and privilege, a means to an end and little else. A good case in point showing this would be the entire patents regime, that blocks scientific discovery from being used for human benefit even as it considers profits more important and also the unequal transfer of technology, and the militarization of science. This point is quite well established.

The author states <<< We have been convinced that hate is a necessity. “Nuclear weapons therefore will ensure a peaceful world free from conflict.” “Defense spending goes hand in hand with economic growth.” >>>

Yes, a classic example of double speak that the mass society is propagandized with. Behind all these developments is the interplay of the economic, political and military institutions in the form of a US permanent war economy; directly affected by whose effects are the developing nations.

I would differ with the author on her description of Islam as a ``society based upon segregation``. These practices entered Islam much later in history, including the importance on special dress and appearance. The description of women/men relationships and dealings as stated in the Quran, do not reveal a segregated society, but one in which men and women are equal partners based upon justice.

Regarding women working, the Quran is explicit in stating, ``for men is what they earn and for women what they earn``. And unlike most modern systems that exploit women expecting them to work a ``second shift`` by doing housework, the Quran recognizes that work, whether it is childcare etc to be ``work`` that necessitates remuneration. In patriarchal societies there have to be some safeguards to protect the rights of women, until relative equality is achieved or the results we will get will be mere slogans of liberation under a condition of total bondage: the American woman being the case in point.

Pakistan might be ripe for democracy but will those that benefit from military rule (i.e. the American elite more so than others) ever let democracy flourish in that country needs to be taken into consideration. As long as we don’t totally detach ourselves from the machinery of the ``crackpot realism`` of the US elite, that the Pak military rulers are happy to fall into, (whether right or left as the tide demands), no democracy is ever possible in Pakistan, in my opinion.

A good book to read to develop a connecting perspective, to get the BIG picture would be C. Wright Mills`, The Sociological Imagination (1959).

Overall, I thank CHOWK and the author for publishing articles like these because they deal with REAL issues rather than partisan bickering over non-issues.

how refreshingly nauseating -- how expat pakistanis consider themselves experts on pakistan --

#12 very good, you are a living-breathing example of low quality journalism coming out of Pakistan regardless of the degrees next to a person’s name. Instead of contributing to the discussion you paint all contributors here with your stereotypical brush. You also ignore in this stereotype the fact that at times it is best to study a society as a ``stranger`` from the outside than the inside. Thank you for proving to us that ignorance is independent of formal education. Keep up this good work (sarcasm intended)

#7. Thanks.

Veeresh,

Thanks for the comments. The word `left` has many connotations. But it is best used without defining it because I think we all grasp what it means. Spaghetti straps aren`t Left, but tolerating them is Left. And Left is a relative word.

Regards

Saima

Science did not only fail or leave the left. It was the left that left science due to its questionable usage by the facists in the early 20th century.

For the sake of my new found Indian friend Ranjit and out of respect for the excellent article that Saima Shah has written, I will refrain from a certain political leader`s alleged success ``beyond our wildest dreams``...

I hope all of you are very grateful.

refrain from commenting that is...

Saima,

kahaaN tak suno gi.. kahaaN tak sunaoN?

Prefacing a stunning statement `Pakistan is a brave attempt to answer humanity’s most divisive and difficult questions such as ‘Is there a God?`, is an ugly malapropism of `DNA belonging to a nation..`?? The complex molecules that determine an organism`s dispositions are akin to describing the genesis of a locus of abstract boundaries??

You must know that the article veers off to tackle issues in your head, then somehow snaps back into `focus` with a grand realization that `Pakistan is also struggling with the same questions as the rest of the world`. SAME, eh? Is that why this article is published? That its all the same??

The silly dichotomy of Left and Right.. then why they are `slightly` different in the West and in Pakistan (`There is where the fledgling Pakistani Left is different from the Left of the West`).. all this confused stream of consciousness is really getting silly. Please drop this juvenile insight.

The temptation to say something worthwhile at the cost of substance has you dropping statements like `Peaceniks are just that, nicks without names` etc, reminding kaka of Versey. Please do not follow her in pursuit of insight and wisdom. She is a fool.

Here`s an example of the care that kaka would like to see. Very anal but please appreciate the beauty of achieving that Platonist sensibility:

When you say, `Science slowly but surely has defected to the Right`, the operative word that begs evidence and further explanation is `defected`. Suddenly noticing that that Science is on the side of Right when you remember it being on the side of the Left, does not merit that statement. Since you used `defected`, you have to try to describe the dance and the movement from Left to Right including intermediate positions and postures of Science. OTHERWISE DO NOT USE THE WORD `defect`. Say something like, `Now we find Science saddling in nicely with the Right` or something similar..

Lastly, the bulleted lists of `good` things happening in Pakistan is condescending.. but not more so than the presumed acquiescence of the readership that you, or anyone else for that matter, means well for their surroundings and should do something about them.

Re #17:

Manto:

I also caught that {a certain political leader`s alleged success ``beyond our wildest dreams``... } That certainly was Saima`s imagination stretching a bit, I suppose.

Respectfully submitted,

If somebody says ``glass is half full`` because The Left has made inroads in Pakistani psyche, I am a little confused. Shouldn’t it be ``the glass is half empty``?

I would like to know where in its entire history, The Left has done any good?

#17 Mantolives
I hope all of you are very grateful.

Clearly, you suffer from delusions of grandeur. Another Jinnah in making?

As a Punjabi, my sympathies lie with Punjab. Why is there not a single patriotic song written in Punjabi idolizing Pakistan? Why has “Pakistan” (identity and affiliation) become a chanson de passion of only a certain Pakistanis?

Show me a Punjabi or a Baluch who is worried about Pakistan, and I will show you 10 who give a crap. Made up dreamt up identity is no substitute for Ethnic distinctiveness.

Pakistan in many ways is like the United States – both countries need immigrants to sustain (psychologically) and both killed Indians.

Okay. I Love India and Indians... Hindus, Muslims, christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Atheists alike...

Some of the Pakistanis need to grow up and stop Bashing Indians on chowk.....

Some of the Indians will follow by example.......

Ye kya hai....

Ab bas bhi karo tum log

chotey log

choti zehniyet

Bey Ghairat

Bey Haya

We are brothers and sisters, Indians and Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. We breathe the same air. The spirits of our ancestors, our grandmothers and their grandmothers, and their fathers and mothers and so on and so forth live in the Indian Subcontinent.


Please grow up for their sake..... for your ancestors.....

Stop this mutual bashing of each other..... Bhagwan ka wastaa.... Allah ka Wastaa... Wahe Guru ka Wasta....

Kulharee

There aren`t any songs idolising Pakistan (to my knowledge) in Sindhi, Seraiki, Baluchi, Pashtu, Kashmiri etc. either, they are usually sung in Urdu, as its the national language (meant to be) understood by the whole nation, not just a particular province.

I too am Punjabi and have sympathies for it, but we have a better lot by working with the other provinces. Already the economies of the provinces are interdependent, so we can have as many sympathies as we want, but the bottom line is we have to work together whether we like it or not, and much of Pakistani business already does so quite happily.

Your analogy of Pakistan and the US is nothing but utter codswallop. Please explain how immigrants will sustain Pakistan now?

We came from the Indians (Punjabis at least, are same race as Punjabis across the border), the Amreekis didn`t. We fought them in a war or two, the Amreekis slaughtered.

I hope the `Left` doesn`t mean state control of economy and education . We are still recovering from THAT disaster.

Re # 25..

Ally, what I meant by that was that immigrants “in their minds” believe that the country depends on their genius. You don’t have to agree with what I had to say.

By the way, have you been reading on what’s going on in Baluchistan? Urdu is “national” language? Says who? Urdu is an “official” language, and not a national language – we have 4 national languages. It only means that the government work is conducted in Urdu (and hopefully not for long). It doesn’t mean that it is understood by all. If anything, it is understood by fewer than Punjabi is. Having inter-dependence shouldn’t be a criteria for a country. If that were the case, we should merge with Kuwait.

JG...

Don`t you mean ``Mahatma``.. but I protest- I have no such intentions.

re: Saima Shah

Saima, I agree that in the last five years, Pakistan is trying to make up for a lack of investment in education. The problem is not a lack of investment in education in the last twenty years. The real problem is the loss of a generation in the last twenty years due to conflict, religious zeal and politically diabolical games of intrique.

The investment in education, which is being made now, will yeild results in the next twenty years, but the ruined generation of 1980s and 1990s, will come to influence and power as the expected investments of 2000-2005 start to materialize. Higher education is a solution in the long term, but in the short term, it is not a solution but a problem. The problem is that Pakistan will produce a low amount of graduates despite the vast sums of money poured into higher education, because it never bothered to create a viable infrastrure of primary and secondary schools. Hence, having the best equipped and the most modern universites, with the best imported minds in Pakistan will do nothing, as there will be a very small number of students who make it to that post-secondary level of education due a prevailing rate of high illiteracy in the primary and the secondary levels of education.

Investment in education is meaningless, without a coherent educational policy. In Pakistan, education is a mess and the mess is made more worse by the provincial bickerings over the nature of the curriculum in our educational institutions. There is a movement towards this effect, and the idea is to establish a standard medium of instruction for all private and government schools in the next five to ten years. The problem is that, in achiving this aim; the government also wants to standardize all curricula as one in all schools of Pakistan; both private and public.

The problem exists in the sense, that the standards of the government schools are at extreme variance, with the private schools. Under this policy, the idea that Aitchison College will teach the same curricula, for example, as a school in Jacobabad, Sindh. In this case, there is an impending ``Panipat`` in the offening as Aitchison or Beacon House or Karachi Grammar School will resist such a policy, because it will mean a potential lowering of their standards in order to balance the low standards in the government schools. On the other hand, the government schools will not be able to teach the level of education imparted in the private schools, because they lack the qualified teachers and generally do not teach, even though they claim, English as a medium of instruction.

Hence, the question becomes critical as to how, this equality of educational standards between private and public schools, will be achieved?

This issue then cuts across class and economic demographic lines, as the people who send their children to private schools in Pakistan tend to belong to its educated classes and are either bureaucrats or professionals, who wish their children to have an economically viable education. They will resist, in this sense, the apprent down grading of the educational standards in the private schools. Thus, educational reform in Pakistan becomes a political and economic class struggle, with the educated intelligensia hoping to keep educational opportunities limited to their own demographic group.

The other side of this debate is that though the idea is feasible in principle, in reality it means that since the government cannot hope to compete, with the private educational institutions in terms of quality of education, it is doing this for political reasons. By harmonizing the quality of education in both private and public schools, the government can make the claim that its schools offer the same quality education that a private school offers but a fraction of the cost.

The sub-textual issue, within this debate, is which standard will be adopted: private or public? Given the fact that government schools might have a hard time to attain the levels of private school education, the private schools will be forced to adopt the curriculum of the government schools.

Therefore, investment in education in Pakistan is a good idea in principle, but in reality it is an invitation to open a Pandora`s box of irksome issues involving provincial and federal rights and secular versus theocratic education and other related issues destined to make a pig`s breakfast out of an attempt to reform the educational system in Pakistan. In this sense, the circle will complete itself in the next ten or years, because the generation that will come to majority, politically and economically, and will be the decision makers in Pakistan will be educationally illiterate since it will be the lost generation of 1980s and the 1990s. This illiterate generation will at helm in Pakistan at a time, when Pakistan`s educational policy`s future will be at a crossroads of hope and expectation.

Pouring money into education in Pakistan is a bad idea as long as the nation does not have a viable educational policy to ensure that such an investment will pay off eventually, because the failure of such a policy will mean another lost generation and Pakistan cannot afford to lose any more generations for any reason; we have suffered too many lost generations in Pakistan.

Ciao

I read the whole piece, am still searching which indicator suggests ‘The Left’ is making inroads. All I noticed is that plain commonsense is slowly replacing reflex response and I think this is a very good sign.

The glass after all is half full!

...i have been shouting at the top of my voice at the threat from across the border since yesterday but no one seems to see the oncoming ``indianization`` through brainwashing by the bhayyas from within... who are suddenly active in the akhandization of bharat mata...and the proof is found in the patronisation of the unheard salvar kamiz instead of our beautiful shalwar kameez...if it was 70s or even 80s, i could have apportioned blame on CIA but seeing the growth and growth of the largest democracy in the last five years it has gotta be...RAW...;)

Kulharee

From the Pakistani govt site

http://www.infopak.gov.pk/public/govt/basic_facts.html

Urdu (National) and English (Official)

Arabic is not a mutually intelligable language, and Kuwait is not joined to us by land nor is it part of the Pakistani Federation, so there is no need to `merge` with it or any other area (Kashmir still being disputed, so am not including that in here)

There are no queues in Pakistani high commisions across the world for ppl to emigrate to Pakistan like there are for the US. Immigration to Pakistan stopped a while back, when Indian Muslims decided to be exactly that `Indian and Muslim` and stay put in Bharat Ma.

If the immigrants you are talking about are the Urdu speaking Mohajirs of Kolachi and Hyderabad, then i feel it is unfair to taint all of them with a stereotypical view that they believe Pakistan depends on their genius, just as it is unfair to taint all Punjabis as moocha marooring land grabbers, and all Pathans as gun wielding crazy men.

I have been reading what has been happening in Baluchistan, and i was in Quetta only a few weeks ago. Whats happening is very sad and is a culmination of events and ill feeling and mis treatment, not only by the federal govt but also by the Baluchi vaderas. As with all political matters, nothing is what it seems. I can only hope and pray that the govt sorts this out without using force and violence, and the rights of the Baluchi ppl are respected.

And what is wrong with Urdu being the national language? It is the lingua franca of our country and helps it function. I can share with you the analogy of the dukandar that i have given before, a Punjabi man in Faisalabad selling cotton and lawn. He uses a Balochi truck driver to send his maal to his Sindhi client in Sukkur, which language do you think they will speak to each other? it is not fair to expect all three to know each others languages but what is fair is to expect they have rudementary working knowledge of Urdu, that they all learnt in school at least till grade 10.

As a Punjabi person i would like to see educational institutes teach in my language and be able to go to Punjab High Court and speak in Punjabi just as they do in Sindh. But in Sindh they also learn Urdu so that Sindhis can speak to the rest of the country. I do love my ma boli, but loving your mother tongue and culture does not mean not liking or being negative towards your national tongue and culture. It just means giving them both their due place.

Pakistan has a multitude of problems and sins, but which country does not? Yes, we can cuss and diss and take the rip out of the govt all we want, because it is our country and we have the right to do so to highlight the problems and get something done about them.

Ally - that’s all nice and dandy… what about Urdu speakers learning the local languages? Why do Sindhis need to learn Urdu and Urdus can get away without learning Sindhi while living in Sindh? Remember Bangladesh? Well, that’s what happens.

kulharee...
don`t you know that urdu is the language of civilized people whereas, punjabi, sindhi , pashto, hindko and barohi are spoken by jahils and daggas... how can they learn local languages which have neither ghalib nor meer not even an akbar allahabdi...

Khamay… Couldn’t you come up with some healthier Urdu-daans? These three morons are revered more by Tuwaifs than intelligentsia (nothing against Tuwaifs really). Ustad Daman beats them all hands down –literally and proverbially.

Nice article..the leftist movement in Pakistan has never been properly researched..there are few books on the subject and the role it played pre and post independance. Although I should qualify that by complimenting writers like Mantolives and many others in the mostly english press who have written about them..

The Maoist component of Pakistans leftist movement seemed to have collapsed with Maulana Bhashanis death..but from what I have read it was a powerful force in the 1950`s and 1960`s. The pro soviet element with the NAP ..seemed to be more ofan alliance of convenience for many ..after all in its 1970`s stint in power the NAP pretty much practiced centrist politics. but even that alliance collapsed with in the late 70`s with Bizenjos split from the NAP.

The PPP was and remains the only party to have attracted people from across a spectrum of leftists (The NAP was similar but did not have that level of sustained popularity)..unfortunately ZAB was too insecure to channel the movement into an effective permanent force and turned on it with a brutality which probably far excelled Indira Gandhis emergency ..

Then Zia came..but despite all the suppression..the end was wriiten by Benazir taking the PPP to the centre right ground..which was at the same as the collapse of the Berlin Wall..


Sorry I am lecturing...but this article and the recent passing away of Hanif Ramay..got me thinking..

Dear Saima -- great article -- though you have not elaborated with examples as to how the left in Pakistan is in resurgence.

You are right -- LEFT is a broad spectrum term that carries under its umbrella such blood thirsty murderers like Khmer Rouge -- Shining Path -- to Maoistas -- Naxalites – democratic CPIs – to the gentle souls like Arundhati Roys and Asma Jahngirs.

Hatred is not the soul domain of the Right-wingers or the Bushy Neocons -- or the lunatic Lashkarias or the insufferable Saffronistas -- Left has also it s own brand of rigid, doctrinaire foaming mouths.

Both sides can kill equally well -- rather than persuade -- for their man made jumble of words and syntax of their ideologies.....

It is good to hear that a gentler and articulate Left is rising in Pakistan -- otherwise the way the Leftist intellectual giants were treated in Pakistan -- and the Islamization of the Progressive Poets like Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi into Naatia and Humdgo shair occurred -- (shukre adaa kur uss rub kaa bahi -- jisnay hamari gai banaee) -- one had almost lost all hopes for Pakistan`s literary and political salvation......

great piece enjoyed it.....

“The Left, always an anti-thesis to the mainstream had failed when it changed hands and become the Right in parts of Eastern Europe and USSR.”

There is lots of confusion in the article. First Saima must decide what she means by “the left”?
Is it the good old liberalism, secularism or the plain old Marxism? All three have been mixed up so badly that context is the only guide to figure out what she actually meant when she used “the left” to describe a state.

The Marxism that took over in the USSR was never liberal. It was not even secular as it discouraged any religious freedom. Marxism is not liberalism, though it springs from similar sources as liberalism.

Marxism professed to smash existing establishment and economic system and create a new establishment and economic system by way of proletariat dictatorship. What is liberal in this concept?

Marxism attempted to replace the control of resources from the feudal and capital in the hands of yet another minority; the proletariat. Marxism never even advocated a popular platform. It never believed in civil liberties or in women’s rights or in freedom of speech.

Marxism believed in control of all organs in the hand of the proletariat. Marxism should never be associated with liberalism as liberalism is a belief that the individual is ontologically prior to society and politics and therefore the purpose of politics, is the maximization of the ability of individuals to satisfy preferences.

Liberalism and Marxism had a temporary political alliance in Europe and that alliance collapsed after the cold war. The Marxists in the other continents were mostly the only militant opposing force so they ended up donning the liberal jacket too. That was only due to their views on religion but I doubt that any Marxist seriously believed in liberal ideals. I must say that in the current environments, the distinctions are hard to keep track of as Marxists are trying to get under the liberalism umbrella.

“Science had seemed to side with the Left for so long.”
“Science slowly but surely has defected to the Right. Instead of liberation, science is making the authoritarian Right stronger.”

Now here it appears that Saima meant the left as in liberalism. If that is true, then her statement about science leaving the left or liberalism is inaccurate. There have been many attempts to use science to help the so called religious or the rightists’ ideals. Latest being in the debate of creationism and the so called intelligent design but it is not flying smoothly.

Science helps liberalism but scientific inventions and the goods the science delivers are agnostic and don’t support either the left or the right or the liberalism or the conservatism. The use of scientific gadgets cannot be construed to be a defection by science or the science taking sides. This is demagoguery. The stem cell research has taken the breath away from the religious rightist. The mullah is selective in his use of the gadgets but he still does not believe in science.

A society becomes more liberal and secular as time passes. The right attempts to arrest this natural course and brings in a strong support of traditions and existing structure to slow down this process. Finally in Pakistan, the onslaught of religion has been tamed or subsided and people are acting up their natural tendencies.

But saima`s view is a limited view of Karachi only. I don’t see that it reflects the cultural landscape of the whole country. Karachi in even the dark days of religious supremacy was able to keep its head above the water but other parts of the country that were already under the feudal influence were never as liberal as Karachi was. What is on the rise in Karachi is at best secularism mixed with liberalism in pockets. Or plain common sense on the rise.( #30 by kalihawa )

“Islam has always been a society of segregation.”
“Similarly Naguib Mahfouz’s unforgettable books about Cairo, and others have described how fundamental segregation was to Islamic societies.”

What is an Islamic society? There has never been an Islamic society in Pakistan at least the Pakistan that I know of was never Islamic. Pakistan barring a few pockets is under feudal cultural influence and the Pakistani Islam draws heavily from the feudal culture to create an illusion that the country is somewhat religious. The segregation that feudal and the tribal cultures in Pakistan preach is entirely local.

Naguib Mahfooz talked about the arab society as Islamic society but putting Pakistan under the same roof is not accurate. Even though there is no Purdeh in Hinduism, the Indian society is as segregationist as the Pakistani society is. The strong influence of feudal culture does not make Pakistan an Islamic society.

>>So be it. If the self-esteem of a nation needs its scarves and beards, who am I to object? After all, people take Prozac and Viagra for the same. <<

I did not know keeping beard works same way as taking Viagra.:-)

My Pakistani friends,

If you want to add to your leftist population, please, please ask India for help. We will gladly ship you thousands and thousands of leftists. They are infesting India all over. In fact, we will even pay you to take them over.

Tell you what, if you are willing to take them all (including all the CPM/CPI guys), we will even give you Kashmir in the bargain. If we can pursue great economic policies without any obstruction from them, it is well worth the trade.

Thanks,
Yours Ranjit

#38 by HP on January 4, 2006 2:36pm PT


Even though there is no Purdeh in Hinduism, the Indian society is as segregationist as the Pakistani society is.


BS..Lahore is the one with the marathon where men and women run separately..

Pakistan has no Kiran Shaw..

#33 by Kulharee:
``Urdus can get away without learning Sindhi while living in Sindh``

With all due respect, you should refrain from commenting on things you don`t know about. Sindhi is a compulsory subject in school till matric for everyone. In most karachi schools sindhi is taught starting atleast from 6th grade onwards. Many schools have it as early as 3rd grade or even earlier.
Please, take your ethnocentric bs somewhere else. Thank you.

Saimashah

A good article but a bit loose one. No doubt the canvas is too large to conjure up in a single article as Saima has tried. Anyhow she has provided a good fiest for thought.

She rightly says that the science is now on the side of the right. The mullah armed with the almighty loudspeaker are blaring out terror all the time to our homes reaching even our womenfolk whose physical presence in his terror house he considered unwelcome to say the least. And what about the clashankov, the remote controlled bomb, rocket-propelled grenade etc. All these inventions are being used now on the side of the right, the mullahgardi. As Mullah Nusruddin had once stated the dogs are loose while the stones (the nukes, etc.) are bound.

sex-segregation is the official policy of the government..

Men and women will run separately, says Imran Masood

Zakkk,

Thank you for complimenting me for researching the left and writing about it in the English press. My research was initially focused on the left`s role within the Pakistan movement... but I have now discovered that left has a rich, but at times comical, history... Here is a website that does some good work documenting the socialist-marxist movement in Pakistan post 1947: CMKP.tk

Recently a new left alliance has emerged led by the Labour Party Pakistan .... and I believe a sort of Fabian Society for Pakistan is also in the works. My problem however is that I don`t believe in the economic programme of socialism anymore- as capitalism has shown that it works. HP is the great authority on left movements in Pakistan and he must be commended for his most balanced point of view.

-YLH

Well it wasn`t so last year.... when men and women ran together in the Marathon.

Pakistan is progressing very fast. Pakistan (KSE) stock exchange gain for year is second best in world 54% return. All foreign investors are thinking of investing billions of dallars. Mr. Arjun how much was BSE gain for last year not 54% for sure.
Pakistan problems is liberals and leftists damaging the country. Behram gave mother jone newspaper from USA and there is our brilliant columnist Cowasji telling world about future of Pakistan saying Pakistan is doomed and Musharraf just wants to stick to power nothing more and nothing less and this man is leftist and liberals. Due to these average good person does not like leftist. He should be charged for defaming country instead he write in english newspapers. Very bad. Pakistan is doomed due to leftist people.

ahmedmadani please stop this propaganda , Musharraf cannot cure the cancer of corruption, nepotism, incompetency, cheating and religious hypocrisy which is far spread in the body of Pakistan.

All laws and government rules are for sale in Pakistan, and according to Transparency international,Pakistan has been declared as the second most corrupt country in the world.

People like Cowasji and other journalists and columnists of Pakistani media are candles and beacons of truth, who give light to others.

Cowasji is a great teacher, and he is educating us about the malpractices and corruption of bullies, grabbers, and land molesters of our country.

To a sick person sweet honey tastes bitter, so is your case, that you are unable to see his pain and his love for the betterment and education of his people and his country.

SAIMA BEHAN

mala pherat yug bhaya,
phira na man ka pher.
kar ka manka daree dey,
man ka manka pher.

[kar:- of Hand ; manka:-pearl of a mala; daree:put down]

As I always tell my father, `having broader roads is not a very solid indicator for mental freedom and progressiveness...`

``The glass is half-full.``

I think the bottom is just wet......there is a ray of hope.............it is a lifetime of effort for a well meaning liberalist.......first he will have to push the army back to barracks...then reclaim the secular foundation of Pakistan.........then undertake legislative reforms, judicial reforms, administrative reforms......massive educational reforms.......massive financial and taxation reforms.........find some way to make mullahs and the madarassa educated illiterates productive and part of the modern capitalism................reduce military spendings.....lay off its army personnel at all levels...........


seems like a life time of effort for those who want Pakistan to be in the league of developed nations........

Proof by declaration?

Those who are right-leaning may well have been involved in much of the progress mentioned in 1-4...perhaps not the ruiling parties, but then I don`t think your usage of the term ``left`` is restricted to established political parties.

Identity is a very important issue...even in the west; one needs to look no further than the worries about integration of Muslims in Europe and North America that lately seem to dominate the narrative on Islam in the Western media.

In Pakistan, however, the only legitimate voices of identity seem to eminate from the traditionalist/religious crowed...the liberal ``left`` being a rehash of western values and traditions. Perhaps we are in the phase before a backlash...I mean, reading crap like this (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/sunday/default.aspx?c=feature.htm) one can see that things are getting a bit out of control - at least for many traditionalists and even religious modernists (who I suppose you`ve included in the ``left`` under the guise of ``sufis``). It`s one thing that these things do occur, but having the media (which is a source of influence) essentially praise it is asking for trouble. Let`s see if the westernites have a backbone...

Vertex that is not true-

There are many liberal and secular Pakistanis who are as touchy about their Pakistani identity...

Pakistan , as well as India should not aspire for the Left, Right, Front or Back. They should always aspire for the TOP. The only thing is that someone should show them the way.

Here is a new concept which I, humbly put forth for the perusal and consideration of all and sundry. I am sure that the concept ,as & when when implemented, will revolutionise the subcontinent and will solve all its problems.

I call this new concept as ``SAHU``. Yes SAHU, taken from the word “Sahukars” i.e. money-lenders of the past. In its expanded form it will read as ``SOUTH ASIAN HIGHWAY UNION``. The main theme of the SAHU will be ``Let the people remain divided ,let us unite the Highways.`` The total subcontinent will be converted into a world-class 8-lane Highway. The people whose Houses, Fields, properties will get destroyed will be bundled to Antarctica, if they protest. Majority-Minority problem in India will be solved by a one-time offer to the Minorities to get converted into Majority out of their own sweet will at the first instance. Otherwise, they will be forced to do so by a parliament resolution without any legal remedy at their disposal. There will not be any minority community left in India, all will be converted into Majority Community.

Pakistan will be converted into Punjabistan and will be named so. Those who disagree/protest will be given a reclaimed area to be brought up in the Arabian Sea at a later date. Till such time, they will be given shelter in tents at the Rann of Kutch. Those who prefer to stay back, will surrender their history, language and culture and will adopt Punjabi language and Punjabi culture in toto.

There will not be any poor left in SAHU. We will manipulate our Exchange Rate in such a way that our per capita income ,on paper, never falls below a certain value, commensurate with those of Scandinavian Countries. We will continue to grow at 10-15% annually by manipulating the growth data so that there is uninterrupted flow of FDI in SAHU.

Our Highways will be our pride. Only Ferraris and Mercedezs` will be allowed to run on them...no other lesser model. The Ferraris and Mercedez will be subsidised by the respective governments so that a person who can afford a two wheeler today can afford a Ferrari/Mercedez.

Our poor and downtrodden people are our greatest resources, we must remember. They will be exported as Slaves to other countries at a hefty premium(to be paid only in Dollars) so that we can earn foreign exchange to subsidise Ferraris and Benzs`.

American Army will be given a free hand to recruit our poor people and use them as cannon-fodder in its worldwide adventures elsewhere. We will take a commission of 50% out of each individual`s monthly salary who joins the elite American Forces. The families of who die in the battlefield will have to deposit 40% of the insurance/terminal benefits received by them from US Army in the Govt Depository.

Our ladies will be given a free hand in the nation-building and their talents will be exploited to the full extent. Our ladies are considered to be the beauties of the world. Rich Arabs will be given a free hand , of course after paying the requisite commission and provided the ladies are designated as ``Queens`` by the Arabs.

In the final analysis, no more India, no more Pakistan, no more SAFTA, no more SAEU, no more Naya Hindustan, no more United Hindustan, no more United India, nothing. Its only SAHU, SAHU AND SAHU.

LONG LIVE SAHU. SAHU ZINDABAD.

yes, karachi is on the right track for the first time since zab came to power. and the reason for the turnaround has nothing to do with implementation of left or right values. rather its due to (i) sound economic management by the government and (ii) huge improvement in law and order situation which came about after army action against mqm in the mid nineties and against the sectarian elements after 9/11. sectarian elements are largely neutralized while mqm, after being taught a lesson by the army, has morphed from mafia-type organization into something resembling a normal political party although it still relies too much on the cult of personality for my comfort.

for karachi to progress further, govt needs to focus on developing the hinterland because this will reduce the flood of migrants streaming into karachi. to develop the hinterland, army needs to use the same approach in tackling the anti-development forces that it used in karachi. this means that the government must be firm against the people causing the law and order problem in baluchistan and against the people resisting the kalabagh dam. and sure these people will fight tooth and nail like the mqm did. point to remember is that the larger awam will benefit from govt actions much in the same manner as karachi awam benefited after action against mqm.

A well written piece and a fresh approach to things but raises some questions considering that the Left identified here signifies Liberalism or Secularism.
Is shedding of hijab and shaving off yr beard is a pre-requisite to development? Can we not achieve economic progress without getting rid of the so called symbolic Islam?
Do we need to escape from Islam in order to progress?Pakistan was created in the name of islam and is a pure ideological state and had limited linguistic,cultural,geographic pretext for its creation. Radcliff line was simply drawn because we wanted to create a state based on the principles of Islam. People in Turkey ,Egypt and Iran would still retain their identity if they were to part ways with Islam but we only became Pakistanis because of Islam.
I am no fan of the mullah but some how I believe that the so called icons of the” Left” have been mainly responsible for our inability to fully realize our potential as a nation.
1) Leadership after Jinnah until 1958 subscribed to these similar pro west anti mullah theory.Much of the present rot is due to the mistakes made in those formative years.

2)Ayub khan,again a mullah hater,a proud liberal and an extremely pro west,pro US person.His failed vision and leadership ultimately aggravated the feeling of deprivation in Bengal and laid the foundation stone of the 1971 debacle.

3)Bhuuto,the biggest villian.We are still reaping the “benefits” of his economic policies and the Islamization steps he took to appease the clergy in 1977.

4)Benazir, princess of corruption.Introduced us to new depths in the name of democracy.
Its not a left,right or centre thing.What we need is an integreted approach for creation of a just and egalitarian welfare society in line with Jinnah’s vision of modern and model Islamic state.
The so called Left domination would again give us another Lebanon or Iran under Shah both models which failed badly.

``It is quite likely that the biggest battle for God will be fought here, on its grounds, in its corridors and on its borders.``

Yeah..thats correct. The match is already on. If Pakistan wins, ``Khuda ki Khudai`` will lose.

You people are simply great. The destiny has brought you to the point where you can change the world. You can change the way the world thinks. If Pakistan wins, we will believe there is no God and the human endeavour can reverse/change any of the natural processes. If artificiality can win, mother nature has to lose.

So go ahead. It`s between you and God. Here goes the whistle and the match is on. If you win, the crescent and the star will rule the heavens. What to talk about this world.

#47 by ahmedmadani on January 4, 2006 9:35pm PT


All foreign investors are thinking of investing billions of dallars.


Thinking?? That and $1.65 will get you a cop of coffee at starbucks..

Kulharee,

As mentioned by Aasif, EVERYONE in Sindh, Kolachi included, must learn Sindhi even if its not their language and don`t use it in their everyday lives.

It seems from your posts that you are anti the Mohajirs and Urdu. Why should that be? You are Punjabi why are you concerned when the Original and New Sindhis are working issues out for themselves.

This sort of ethnic bashing is just petty and is what is leading our country into further trouble, while the world moves on we are still fighting over silly issues like this. Give each province and city its due respect and kader and move on.

I believe societies are either in flux or equilibrium. Western Societies are in relative stable equilibrium due to numerous safely valves built into there system even then there are pockets which are in taut equilibrium such as areas where Mafia has large influence etc. India, even though a democracy, is not in such a stable equilibrium. Actually some parts are in a highly taut equilibrium therefore unstable and it manifests in snapping of that equilibrium now and then in Naxal violence or separatist movements etc.

Saturation Mullaism on one hand and Military leadership keeping eye over civilian rule too has created serious tension in Pakistani society, which should have led to taut equilibrium but elements cannot be kept in a state of tension indefinitely as creep tends to make tense situation as normal situation. In this context I am relieved that there is no violent snapping of equilibrium instead there appears a gradual shift towards more stability in Pakistan. This is a highly desirable situation.

thanks to the Mongoloid Invader from Texas the LEFT is on the RISE all over the world.

Viva La Boooosh!

Re: 38

There is lots of confusion in the article. First Saima must decide what she means by “the left”?

S: The Left in Pakistan is a nameless, party less, agenda less entity. It is the very rudimentary beginnings of an opposition—a true opposition to rightist elements. I speak of left ‘elements’ like the straws that eventually become a nest.

I cannot decide or define the Left in Pakistan. It is for the Left to define itself. I only reported what I saw.

Is it the good old liberalism, secularism or the plain old Marxism? All three have been mixed up so badly that context is the only guide to figure out what she actually meant when she used “the left” to describe a state.

S: Another reason why I did not define the Left. What it is, what name and what boundaries, we don’t know yet. Is it liberal left that will emerge, Secularism, or Marx. Or Sufi Or what??

The Marxism that took over in the USSR was never liberal. It was not even secular as it discouraged any religious freedom. Marxism is not liberalism, though it springs from similar sources as liberalism.

S: Well that was USSR’s Left and its failures mentioned in the article.

”Marxism professed to smash existing establishment and economic system and create a new establishment and economic system by way of proletariat dictatorship. What is liberal in this concept? “

S: Sharing resources. But it failed for many reasons, irrelevant here, but relevant elsewhere.

Science helps liberalism but scientific inventions and the goods the science delivers are agnostic and don’t support either the left or the right or the liberalism or the conservatism.

S: Not true. Science was a liberating force for a long time, but in the last century it has switched sides —technology has been hijacked by capitalists and governments for rightist agendas and is used to increase the power of the elite than to increase the freedom of the common people. Whereas the initial industrial revolution brought safer working conditions and equality between classes, science today is a means of control, and gaining wealth--Science has become Technology.

But saima`s view is a limited view of Karachi only. I don’t see that it reflects the cultural landscape of the whole country. Karachi in even the dark days of religious supremacy was able to keep its head above the water but other parts of the country that were already under the feudal influence were never as liberal as Karachi was. What is on the rise in Karachi is at best secularism mixed with liberalism in pockets. Or plain common sense on the rise.( #30 by kalihawa )

S: I would have agreed with you, but I think it is important to recognize this movement and call it something, Left fitted it more than ‘democratization’ ‘liberalism’ ‘capitalism’ or other such ideas. Yes it is an intellectual Leftism with no leadership, cause of manifesto.

What is an Islamic society? There has never been an Islamic society in Pakistan at least the Pakistan that I know of was never Islamic.

S: Perhaps you should find out how Muslims used to live in undivided India in the last 300-500 years.

Re #42 by Aasif

``Urdus can get away without learning Sindhi while living in Sindh``

>>>>With all due respect, you should refrain from commenting on things you don`t know about. Sindhi is a compulsory subject in school till matric for everyone. In most karachi schools sindhi is taught starting atleast from 6th grade onwards. Many schools have it as early as 3rd grade or even earlier.
Please, take your ethnocentric bs somewhere else. Thank you.<<<

Aasif.. who the hell are you to tell me to refrain from expressing my opinion ? In Pakistan the literacy rate is hovering somewhere between 3% to 19%.. and how do you teach the non-school going Urdus to learn Sindhi? And Einstein, why aren’t all Subjects taught in Sindhi in all Schools in Sindh? I think Urdu should be just one (optional) subject in schools across the nation, since it is only spoken by Mohajirs (only 8% of the population). The medium of instructions in Pakistan should be the native languages.

# 62 Saimashah

``The Marxism that took over in the USSR was never liberal. It was not even secular as it discouraged any religious freedom. Marxism is not liberalism, though it springs from similar sources as liberalism. ``

I think one of the most effective hoax, other than Elvis sightings, that has worked like charm so far is the misguided notion that the Secularism protects the religious freedom. In essence Secularism is a religion itself that establishes itself on the dogma that religion should be separated from state. On the other hand some religions, Islam particularly, promotes that religion must be a part and parcel of politey and system of institutions. That makes religion and secularism two mutually exclusive ideologies. The proof of that is the anti-Muslim laws in Germany and France where secular political ideology is threatened by a 10 year old Mulsim girl`s Hijab.

Like all religions, Secular dogma seeks ``converts``; secularism does not stop the doors of the political institutions, it very mush creeps into your house and effects every aspect of one`s life. In certain countries secularism has only ``tolerated`` religion so far only and only because it was politically expedient. The new Europe and France in particular is the emerging face of secular ideology- masquerade is no more.

Manto,

Fair enough, I wouldn`t want to quatify the proportions of secular/liberal Pakistanis who are/are not westernized...

Saima,

``The Left in Pakistan is a nameless, party less, agenda less entity. It is the very rudimentary beginnings of an opposition—a true opposition to rightist elements. I speak of left ‘elements’ like the straws that eventually become a nest. ``

Something that amorphous can`t be an opposition to anything. The true test happens when the right, the center right, and even elements of the religious left (who remain socially conservative) get tired of ``moderation`` and lead the back lash.

The ``Left`` has an image problem, and in order to avert this back lash it needs to distance itself from westernization, and continue to be non-confrontational. The latter is, of course, problematic for a political movement.

#64 by Urstruly on January 5, 2006 8:51am PT


The proof of that is the anti-Muslim laws in Germany and France where secular political ideology is threatened by a 10 year old Mulsim girl`s Hijab.


They don`t feel threatened by the little girl..they feel threatened by her very-likely-to-be-a-suicide-bomber elder brother who forces her to wear a hijab..

Dekhta kaya hae mere mun ki taraf
Quaid-i-Azam ka Pakistan dekh
(Why do you look towards me ,l ook at Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan)
In our own country, the Pakistani ruling-class, which is a product of British colonialism, is ideologically, economically, culturally, and politically enslaved to imperialism. From the exploitation and genocide in Bangladesh, to the oppression of nationalities, minorities, workers, peasants, and women, they have proved to be corrupt to the core. Politically our country is once again under military dictatorship. Economically, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We are slaves of our own backwardness.Our ruling class, over the years, has systematically been purged of the enlightened and progressive people. Our rulers have one and only one agenda that is to produce conditions for a system making room for the capitalistic system of production and accumulation of the capital in a few hands only. Considering the specific conditions of our country it is difficult but not impossible to think of a revolutionary change. yes we can have a socialist system and ultimately the Islamic Socialism here in Pakistan also. For that - fine it is a good place to discuss and get enlightenment on the forum of chowk, but the field work has to be among the masses and the proletariat who are the actual rulers of tomorrow if it has to be some kind of socialism. All the religions at their respective times were revolutionary and were instrumental for drastic changes and betterment of the societies of their times. When ever there is a struggle for changes the old system has no option but to resist to the change.

#67 by IAliBirmingham on January 5, 2006 10:47am PT

``For that - fine it is a good place to discuss and get enlightenment on the forum of chowk, but the field work has to be among the masses and the proletariat who are the actual rulers of tomorrow if it has to be some kind of socialism. ``

Personally, I think the field work had started during and after Jihad in Afgahinstan with Soviets. It has two components to it: one component was the actual mobilization of the foot soldiers who faught the war and second component is the ideological component that penetrated into the society through mosque and madrassa. Fifteen years later what we have is an acutely polarized society. The society is polarized into the ruling class and an absolutely disenfranchised oppressed class, who now can see that the ideological component that they were made aware of was absolutely true. The country has been occupied by a slave class who are reminiscent of our colonial past. They have their fangs dug deep into the jugular of the oppressed class and they are not willing to relent the slightest of the concession to the oppressed class.

But the ruling class is also scared to death by the level of awareness among the prolitereate, as you put it. They name this phenomenon as the ``Talibanization of Pakistan`` and portray it to their Western masters as religious extremism. West has its own axe to grind in this respect. In short, any populist agenda at this time will be crushed with deadly force. The disappearance of about 16,000 activists, imams, and religious leaders under POTA like laws, in Pakistan, and criminal silence of western human rights orgs over this is a sad reminder as to what people of Pakistan are up against.

Pakistan is Yugoslavia in the making. And that might be the only outcome to save this nation.

#66 by arjun_m on January 5, 2006 10:00am PT

The easiest part in the ideological wars is fighting suicide bombers; the impossible part of the war is to fight with the 10 year old girl`s hijab.

#70 by Urstruly on January 5, 2006 11:20am PT


the impossible part of the war is to fight with the 10 year old girl`s hijab.


It`s Islamists like you who`re threatened by the 10 year old because she`s not wearing the hijab...Although the liberterian in me abhors the french restrictions, I think it`s high time someone did something to civilize muslims..

the article for some reason shows a reading of post-Cold War theory and history - and seems to be clueless of what precedes.

some very interesting and intelligent points. E.g. Science serving the global Right. (Golbal is important).

However, being involved in grass-roots leftist activism, this piece seems to me to be no more than a better articulation of edifying middle-class ideals and the Dream. There were a host of things that were discussed without any reference to their histories which is imperative to their understanding and functioning: identity and culture. There was no mention of army getting entrenched in the political system everyday. The pretty picture that the author has painted is actually a stark realization of what the General wants this country to be. And the stuff in the pointers. It is quite quite preposterous.

Several new parks and cleaner roads - Oh REALLY! Where have you been living? Not in Karachi of course. (The park they made out of sabzi mandi is named `ASKARI PARK` btw)

Several flyovers in Karachi, with remarkably less traffic congestion than a year ago. In a city where construction takes years this is an achievement (WAAAAAAHH!!)

Organized airports (I am lost. No seriously...)

Revamp of the identification systems e.g., passports, ID cards (For? providing more facilities? NOOOOO... Uncle Sam.... hmmmm...)

Police hotline (YES! Something most karachiites would never use to save their life!)

Significant entrepreneurial activity albeit manufacturing is not growing as fast apart from textiles (Thanks to import bans on China)

Rapid growth in educational institutes (Yes. And PhD`s. Like Dr. Atta supervising 200 theses at the same time)

Better roads and telecommunication (Of Course, Of Course. A Curse upon myself if this is false)

Increased accountability from all levels of authority. (THIS is a GEM! No seriously, how many times have you seen ANY general or karnal getting convicted in a `bloody` civilian court in the history of this country? And they mind the top public and private companies. Ooooooh I get it. I get it. You mean they are so `professional` and `disciplned` and of `high morals`... I see I see).

But really, enough is enough. I suggest you start writing about Pakistan

I do not know which left do you represent, but in your long essay I saw no mention of the working-class or the peasants or that wage workers get a 20 PAISA rise ANNUALLY at the top Manufacturing concernsin Pakistan (e.g. Packages Pakistan). Which left are you talking about lady? Has Musharraf made a new left for us too?

Happy New Reality.

bts

``Has Musharraf made a new left for us too? ``

I also laughed my tail off when I read that Pakistan is about to establish colonies over the moon in this article. I think Saima has turned into a narc; she used to be really cool sometime ago.

But situation for the left is not that bleak. There are some blue blooded leftists left in Pakistan who stood the test of time and still are paragons of virtue, honesty and justice. Zahida Hina is one of them, whom I deeply respect (and probably I am secretively in love with her too).

Saima,
Very interesting way to look at the political spectrum, if one exists anymore, in Pakistan. Yes, the left in most societies had been progressive, liberal (duh?), and egalitarian in outlook. With the fall of communism, something unusual happened. Many Pakistani ex-commies, in their zeal to hate the US and the west, decided to become Jihadist, right-wing, fundo Muslims. The PPP, hardly the Communist Party of Pakistan, once in power, especially during the two short Benazir terms, became more of a party of feudals. I contend that the left basically got devoured by self-interest or born-again Islam - the remainder just absconded to western countries. Once there, the Pakistani leftists just wasted away trying to emulate the burning issues of western leftists - gay rights, feminazi agenda, color issues, environmental, anti-nuclear, and peace activism. The more important issues of basic healthcare, education, genuine concern for women`s rights, clean water, and decent housing were lost in the clamor for same sex marriages. We must be grateful to Mushy for preserving and enhancing the liberal agenda in Pakistan. The progress (or diminished deceleration) of human development can only be attributed to Mushy`s regime. The neglect of education, the curse of Hudood laws, and proliferation of burkas, resembling grotesque little individual tents, can all be attributed to the legacy of the past 40 years - Bhutto`s ``leftist`` agenda and Zia`s ``rightist`` one. Thanks for providing this opportunity to discuss an interesting phenomenon.

#63, Kulharee {``I think Urdu should be just one (optional) subject in schools across the nation, since it is only spoken by Mohajirs (only 8% of the population). The medium of instructions in Pakistan should be the native languages. ``}

Dear Axe Brother,
I am seriously agreeing with you and disagreeing with you in your message. Yes, Urdu should not be the medium of instrution. And no, the native languages, should not be the medium of instruction. The natives are not only revolting, but they are disgusting also. :)

I say we use English as our instruction medium and the official language. That is the only way we can work with India and share its bounty of call center proliferation revenues. Also, for the absolutely necessary reunification with India, Pakistanis will need to speak ``furfur`` English. :)

Salim Bhaijan... I was just joking yaar. I love Urdu, and I agree that Punjabi sucks - but in a good way. I get jealous of Urdu speakers and I wish I spoke Urdu like my Guruji, he is not even native Urdu speaker.. He is Bengali from Kolkota...

During the last rituals of Pope, American President, George Walker Bush and First Lady of America, Laura Bush were also present. During the whole ceremony, Ms Laura Bush had covered her head properly with a veil. Also all the other American and European women present there had covered their heads properly with veils.

It is also to be noted that all the Christian Nuns / Sisters always keep their heads properly covered with veils which are exactly same in shape as the scarf (Hijab) used by Muslim women to cover their heads. The same covering of head by Muslim women is openly and strongly being opposed by the American and European authorities and organizations. So much so that covering of heads by girl students and teachers has been banned in many educational institutions in USA, Canada and Europe.

In addition covering of head by some in USA, Canada and Europe dubbed as sign of oppression while the others call it fundamentalism / extremism.

If this is not blatant Hypocrisy then what else ?

Further, Pope is leader of all the Churches in the world who is always a man. Heads of all the churches in the world are always men. There have been and are many very senior Nuns / Sisters in different churches. At least some of them may have been excellent in knowledge and character but never a Nun / Sister has been made head of the church.
On the other hand the People in America and Europe bitterly criticize Muslims that they do not let women come forward in the religious institutions. If some one goes back in to history, he / she will find several Muslim women scholars of Islam who were also accepted by all the Muslims as Mufti (one who is an authority on Islam and can issue an edict). Can anybody bring one example of such a woman in any other religion ? No, there is none.

If it is not Hypocrisy on the part of Americans and Europeans then what else ?

on a slightly different note, not meaning to counter anybody`s points:

urdu speaking community in Karachi should have gotten over with their hangups on being Ehl-e-Zubaan and being the ancestors of nawabs and owners of imaginary mansions and estates in UP, long time back. Mohajirs and their intellectual lot never made an effort to acquaint themselves with the rich sindhi heritage and its culture, literature etc. The land they had chosen to settle down for good. Most likely, because the establishment had it going for them by modulating Islam/TNT through Urdu everywhere at the expense of native cultures and since learning Sindhi never figured into getting jobs. They created their own bubble. From observation: the snooty behavior in Muhajir families seems to be quite rampant when it comes to non-muhajirs, even in the highly educated ones like the University professors and Doctors.

Contrast that to urdu speaking community living in Punjab (basically the ones whose granddads chose to stay in Lahore at the time of migration): they seem to have merged quite well with the punjabi culture and are bilingual. There is something to be said about that.