When Pinky Broke My Heart

Urstruly,

After reading the true story ``White Charade,`` I was compelled to read all of your articles. Needless to say, this article too had a deep impact on me.

Just like the previous article, I felt sorry for Karachi. Somehow it seemed like an innocent child raped and molested till it became unconscious. The rape and abuse goes on unabated. Even though I am a born Punjabi Lahori, Karachi is my home. I came here at the age of 5 and ever since I have loved Karachi for all that it has given us. I have always hated those who have spit on its face and done everything to give it a bad name.

I know there are a lot many people like me. Let`s come out and do something for our Karachi, our home. Probably you could start by writing something that appreciates the beauty of this city and all that it has to offer. Probably this might stop the exodus of the educated class of this city to land of opportunities.

Save my Karachi please!

UsrTruly,

yara, it was so very horrifiying. I can swear my heart didnt beat untill i finished reading the last line... or atleast thats what it felt. I could myself feel the still eyes of that Namaaloom staring, see his mutilated corpse lying in front, and hear the cheers of the world all the way.

Greetings,

anNy, Pat.

Wow.. 17-18-19-20.. interesting years of my life they surely were..

I had struggled out of O`levels, I was debating whether A`levels was worth it, or should escape Karachi.

If I rummage back into certain figments of my imagination, (only for the fact that, that is how I tend to deal with certain phases of my life), I find it very hard to cope with life. I made a few mistakes, I let my friends make a few mistakes.

I remember shots being fired and I pinching myself to snap back to reality. It was too late, I almost hold myself responsible for that friends death. It was a close call for me. Death had come knocking on my door.

I guess I was faced with a big decision, what`s life worth to me and how do I plan to make the most of it?

I saw a mother screaming and I saw his sisters yelling, I could hardly believe my eyes, I saw this mess on the big black gate in the scorching June afternoon, ``is that what the inside of one`s head really look like?``

I had my Ad Math Paper the next day, I am not sure what went on the next couple of weeks. I kept my mouth shut.I started my O`Levels with a very different attitude towards life, and I walked out of school with my head upside down.

Since then, my only wish is to make my life worth it. I owe it to my friend, I owe to my Parents.

I worked at a Darus-sukoon for a bit, mentally challenged individual`s helped me understand life to some extent. My uncle was a Mongol child. -- I found the effort to give my SAT`s and escape Karachi, but now only want to be back.

Your efforts will pay off inshallah.

After a point, life only gets better.

Cheers

NONONO!!!

I was NOT being sarcastic sir...

let me tell you how you`ve made a difference...today I and 5 friends are going to buy all the bun kababs, chocolate flavoured Milo, Kheer(its good for growing children) and Fries(aloo is good for them too..and its easily digestible)We will then go to all the slums that we can(keep in mind we are 18, 19,20 year olds)2 hours before iftaree and discreetly give our goodies to all the needy people that we see on the streets. We have decided to forego those delicious looking Armanis,our waxing,the nice iftaree deals and internet hours all of this month... we will put our money into milk and kheer...why? because of your post..it triggered something within all of us..we dont know how well it will go or if we`ll even make a diference..but the point remains..your one act of selflessness has inspired me and 4 more who are normally too busy doing their nails or complaining about incomplete assignments to be submitted in their 48,000 a semester schools..who knows how many more you`ll be making a difference to through us?

anNy

Dear Samuel (re. 195)

It was as heartening to read your hope-filled message as it was heart-rending to to reminded therein of the poverty that surrounds us back home. Thank you for providing that jolt to our complacent consciences.

Toward the end, though, you seemed to despair and say ``...I feel disgusted at times when I realize I am in no position to make a difference or bring a little change to some unfortunate`s life.``

Sam, have you heard the story of the little boy on the sea shore throwing beached starfish back into the sea?? Well, in case you haven`t, I`ll recount it for you...

A man comes up to the boy and says, ``Hey kid, what`re doing? There`re millions of them on the beach.. you don`t really think your throwing a few hundred back is going to make a difference, now do you?``

And the kid, tossing another one back into the ocean, replied ``Well, sure made a difference to THAT one!``



Do let us know how you plan on making a difference `someday`. What are you doing in the US?

If you care to, please reach me at postmatser@yahoo.com (note the spelling). We might have a lot in common.

Best regards,

Pat

anNy,

you`re absolutely right, I cannot possibly make the tiniest difference.. I do not consider that episode of much significance either, nor did I intend to speak of it to claim attention to any services rendered.. you missed my point completely. The incident only made me think of the greater need that exists

My response to Zahra and Urstruly was not talking about my little episode.. it was not about that at all.. it was about the fact that we`ve lost our sanity in the scheme of things.

Your sarcasm was however duely noted, i expected alot worse, but regardless, the respective responses never fail to amuse me.

On a more personal note, yes I am making a difference, I sponsor a child in Pakistan every couple a months, I invest in our local markets and help contribute towards the promotion of our local industries overseas. I help generate revenue in FOREX, that keeps our pathetic dwindling reserves going to some extent.

Try and understand the idea behind speech, and not take each concept too literally.

Cheers

sorry..that will be samuel not sameer

Deja Vu...cinammon roles are 105 each no? 115 with toppings i believe...

Mister Sameer..everytime i go to that place i eat food worth more than what all those roses cost...then i go sit in my nice lil car with those lil boys you talk about telling me how lovely i am and if id please buy a rose..i ofcourse look down my pretty lil nose at them...bequeath a smile upon them when im in a really good mood and then sail off into the sunset

yes sir...uve made a difference..one helluva difference

Zahra,

You`re right, I did intend to cover all surface area possible. I know the difference between the two concepts well, but at the rate we`re going why leave out the issues we have amongst the sects, and to be honest, I was being a little sarcastic too. Perhaps it was too subtle.

Again, I completely agree with you that there is nothing to be sad about the fact that we have provinces and that we belong to them. But provinces were not made or outlined to differentiate amongst ourselves, to the extent we tend to, in this day an age.

The concept one holds of each other, in Pakistan of being from Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and NWFP is very uncivilized from the one that was intended.

Our hate or disgust for each other in Pakistan seems to stem from the fact that one is from Sindh or Punjab. That`s my issue with the idea. Our provinces and the people from them should be a sense of pride for each respective individual. Instead we hold it against each other.

I have no insecurities amongst respective`s, nor do I feel sad that we belong to certain areas of Pakistan, yet when we label each other in disrespect by referring to them as a native of a province, is when the idea loses its meaning.

I call myself a Pakistani, I was born in Karachi, that would make me a ``Sindhi`` right? - Wrong, my parents being from Northern India, I have been labeled as a ``Mohajir``.

As for the US, it is truly a grand achievement. What you see as United State of America is not just a country, but it’s a continent almost. It stands united with its 50 states in Unision. Compare that to Pakistan. One, it would be very wrong of you to compare Pakistan and the US in any context, two Pakistan is smaller then Texas, it`s existence a short 50 Years, if you put it next to giants like the US, you wonder what went wrong? Nothing went wrong, it`s just a very unreasonable comparison to put forth. United States is over a 150 years of age. It unites 50 states under one constitution and one president (which was debatable until recently of course.) Why does it not sputter and spasm to a stop every 10 weeks.



Perhaps over time it has concluded that it must be responsible for the people it bears. Perhaps the platform it has built itself upon is a steady one. Perhaps the government and state leaders do understand and realize that they stand responsible for the basic needs every individual has a right to.

Yes, you do have homelessness, poverty, drugs, alcohol and what have you, addictions and abuse. But it`s the ratio and proportion that is important. We have similar issues, but we seem to be just overwhelmed by money and power. We have very little of both, but that very little is held in huge ratios by very few people.

Thus we have dissension among ranks, and complete anarchy on a moment’s notice. People in Karachi, Lahore and other similar cities feel they have nothing to lose. Nothing to look forward to, nothing to build upon and no one to care about.

We cannot even provide every citizen of Pakistan with food, water and shelter. Health and Education are another ball game altogether. How does one then expect anyone to be satisfied with themselves, let alone each other.

Urstruly asked me my points of view or ideas to improve us.

This response becomes lengthier by the second, but about a year back I was home for a visit after about 3 years. I discovered this interesting place called ``DE JA VU`` in Karachi. I was most intrigued, and decided to have some ``coffee`` there.

Upon arriving there, I was approached by this tear-stained little man, in a pair of torn oversized blue faded jeans and a T-shirt that stood out for it had the ‘Super Man’ insignia on it. He held up a bunch of long stem roses and said, ``Piyari Baji ko dua doonga, lailo bhai.`` (I`ve been told I can be quite a basket case at times), but this little man was convincing enough and after a bit of pondering, I bought two stems from him and gave him perhaps 50RS. And asked him to get some food. – His eyes shone, perhaps there was still some hope.

As I left that place, which was a pleasant interesting one for sure, I was approached by not one, but a handful of those little men. Must be ages between 5 and 10, not more. Each held those long stem plastic covered roses and had the same chant to their tongues, ``piyari baji ko dua dangay``. Well ‘piyari baji’ or not, she wasn’t getting a gazillion roses and I certainly wasn’t going to buy the lot. I struck a deal, I got them some food, (Cinnamon Rolls) from `De Ja Vu` and milk, they sat and feasted over the much dreamt of food article they held in their hands.

I do not boast of my insignificant donation to our society, but it makes me wonder how little it really takes to some times satisfy a genuine need.

The satisfaction on their faces seemed to be more, then had I given them 5 or 10 RS. They were simply hungry.

We have our government spending 70% of our budget, but we cannot come up with enough food shelters to ensure that our fellow residents don’t sleep on empty stomachs.

You and I and everyone else stand equally responsible for providing such a need. But I do believe the government is obligated to do so. Perhaps we could start from that and see where we go.

You`d be surprised how much an individual changes on a full stomach. Our ability to decide, to be patient, to speak, to reason, to understand and to forgive, can change and can improve depending on our health, our emotions and our strength to go through another day.

Surely, I do not suggest hunger resolves all issues, but it’s a start. Nor am I saying that there is no one providing such needs. I know Edhi Welfare does, and I am sure others do too.

But that’s just a tiny portion. Our needs our few, but our wants keep growing and we seem to have forgotten why we`re here in the first place.

I`d hate to be labeled, but I feel disgusted at times when I realize I am in no position to make a difference or bring a little change to some unfortunate’s life. I do however intend to, but for the moment I`ll have to be patient, for talk is cheap!!

Regards,

Samuel.

Just read the piece. Briliant writing-- poignant and moving!

Do keep writing.

regards

anNY #187 Glad you liked the post. The internet is truly a unique medium - you may discuss experiences and thoughts that are quite personal with total strangers. How we use it is up to us.

Urstruly,

And how can you speak on behalf of others? ``We should not scold or scorn ali1.``

And how come you don`t get picked on for doing that by Zahra?

Thats unfair!

Urstruly:

You have been repeatedly using an expression that`s a misrepresentation or probably it seems to me that way. This is a discussion board! Discussions can include: arguments, counter arguments, cross examination, hotheaded views, controlled emotions, harsh thoughts, cynicism, sarcasm, humor, deep sarcasm, praise, and etc.....

No one is scolding and/or scorning anyone here. At least, that`s my take. If you think differently, then you may have a point using ``scorn and scold`` ten million times.

Just a thought!

Urstruly,

Let Miss Zahra know that I am feeling quite well!
And the reference to the two posts provided by Zahra referred to Mr. Bilal Ahmad...

Also, tell her that her post to samuel was well written and strikes at the core of ethno-politics in Pakistan!

Thanks.

Sadhna:

I think you are hinting towards the idiom -- birds of feather flock together? Fairdinkum is not feeling well, so he is all over the place. I did not mean Mr. Ahmad at all. I am also clueless why was his name brought up in this chup`qalush?
Then, Fairdinkum is Fairdinkum[producing clueless arguments here] Although he wrote a fairly knowledgeable response to Solitude`s post previously - must be under the weather!


Urstruly:
Please let Mr.Dinkum know that your brief ``candy sermon`` was gender specific. Ok!

I am not into candies, but if you insist then I will go for ``Marzipan.`` When ?

Take Care,

Samuel:

[Clearly, you`ve triggered an interesting dialogue amongst our beloved ``Sindhi`s, Punjabi`s, Mohajir`s`` .......perhaps we could get into Shia`s and Sunni`s too. ]

Correction -- Regions are different from sects. Sects are united by common beliefs, regions aren`t. We can have Shias in Punjab and Shias in Sindh. So don`t confuse the regions with the sects. I think your intention was to bring forth all the sensitive issues than anything else. Correct me, if you meant otherwise.

[Get over it, Yes, we do have these provinces, Yes we do belong to them and Yes we are labelled and identified through them. It a sad fact of life, but its not the end of the world. ]

There is nothing to be sad about it. You cannot take out the provinces from the map. Can you do that to any country? People in Southern United States have their own dialect, and that very much differs from other parts. When you meet any one of them, they are very comfortable talking about their origin/state. In fact, they initiate a conversation with that - a secured attitude! At least, that`s been my experience. In our case, why should we start feeling guilty? The problem occurs in political scenarios/power tussles, when people start associating the origins with the politicians/bureaucrats. In the above case, if the politician was unsuccessful/lost the game/disappointed the masses, he/she would be cursed for his/her origin than being blamed for his/her incompetence. What`s this? Some kind of exercise for the day of judgement? Ridiculous!

Lastly, people from one region should talk to the other region, but they ought to keep in mind the unique features of that region. Haven`t we heard that love begets love and respect begets respect? If everyone walked and talked the same way in a country, that place must be very boring and gloomy. A rainbow is never appreciated for one shade or the intensity of the other. It`s the combination that maketh it stand out. My thought!

Take Care,

tahmed321

reply #182

nice to see some humanity and good sense prevail in this lil dissing contest we`re having here

your post made me think..about a lot of things

where does it say it was censored ?????

urstruly, was this a true story??? i am sure a lot of us would like to know ...

an excellent `article`, `story`, whatever ... hope to see more of ur articles in the future

Samuel # 175

Thanks for writing another interesting post. There is no doubt that actions speak louder than words. You are also right that we should have started doing some actual work long time ago. But I have realized that the Karachi is a unique situation. When I was in Karachi, and whenever a `Hangaama` broke loose, they used to close down college for indefinite time and I had to leave for Punjab. In Punjab the newspapers usually used to print the news of `incidences` in Karachi as only two-column news in inside pages and PTV and Radio Pakistan were oblivious of any happenings in Karachi. They (newspapers) drastically used to tone down and down played all such news. When my parents used to ask me what was going on in Karachi, I used to tell them that it was fine and told them that there were only some areas that were `unsafe` fearing that they might worry for my safety. The other people never cared much because they didn’t know the gravity of the situation. I believe that unless Punjab is fully mobilized the situation in Karachi (and Sindh) cannot improve. As you may have figured that out from the interacts that people in Punjab have no idea about the gravity of situation and they still believe that the genuine concerns of Karachiits are no more than empty rhetoric. The representative political parties, especially MQM has failed to plead their case in Punjab. The situation is similar to 1970 when Awaami League never pled their case in West Pakistan in the court of public opinion. I am trying to create awareness, among the people of Punjab, of the plight of Karachiits.

If you have any ideas how can we act beyond our words, please do share them with people at Chowk. Every tiny little raindrop counts to start a rainfall.

TACTICS OF BIGOTRY

Zahra # 176

Zahra, all of your concerns are absolutely genuine. There is not one single point in your post that can be refuted. However, you must also understand the tactics of bigotry. We must understand that the bigots sometimes do have a point. A bigot usually tries to make a point by pushing his concerns piggyback on rhetoric of hate. It serves two purposes 1) he gets his point across 2) it repels sensible people to scrutinize his point. If you closely observe the rhetoric of , Ali1, Solitude, and Jay etc., you will note that they all use the same tactic. They corner all the sensible interactors in the beginning so that they get an open playing field. There are no set criteria to counter such an offence; it really depends on the personal threshold of tolerance, commitment, perseverance, and dedication.

This tactic is not unique to bigots only our so-called liberal friends use the same tactic. Usually, a label such as `fundo`, `Jehadist`, `Islamist`, `Taliban`, `herd mentality`, `old fashioned`, `orthodox` do the trick for them. They use the attractive terms such as `free thinkers`, `modern`, `master of their own will`, `individual freedom` etc. to describe themselves. I can`t say for sure if anyone falls in their trap or not but it sure corners some of the saner people. You must see the changing behavior of certain interactors on that wine and liquor thread, who are fighting to prove that they are `liberal` too.

Despite Ali1`s nauseating rhetoric I will still not approve of scolding him. Some of his concerns are genuine. It is like a white bigot and a black bigot kind of thing. Whereas, a white bigot`s bigotry is baseless or at least based on race and color, a Black`s bigotry does have historical background; some of his concerns are genuine. A society accepts this difference too. That is why we have National Assoc for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) but there is no NAA-White-P; whereas Black-Pride weeks are celebrated with full endorsement, the White-Pride weeks are scorned.

Despite all of that Ali is my brother; my own flesh and blood. We share the same roof called Pakistan. I owe him to look into his genuine complaints and concerns as a `big brother`. I have never lost faith in justice. Justice brings back love too.

Zahra, fairdinkum
Absolutely NONE of my business, but I think Zahra doesnot mean Bilal, do you Zahra? (I hasten to add, your views are your own and I donot endorse them.)

Zahra #176 Travel does make a difference - when I first came to the US, I was certain that I would have to share a room with some wierdo and decided that to avoid any discussions I would pretend I did not speak English. The roommate turned out to be a fine fellow, and it did not take me long to start appreciating the sense of responsibility and other many fine qualities of the American people. The next step in my education came when I first met an Indian who was not a prisoner (my first encounter had been with Indian POWs in a hospital in Pakistan after the 1965 war, and at that time it seemed like these were people from Mars). I felt insulted when the Indian student said something about Pakistanis being no different than Indians. Soon I realized that he was quite right, and it was something to be proud of. Ahmedis of course I had known in Pakistan, and always felt these people were given a bad rap (I had once witnessed Ahmedi students books being burnt in a hostel in Lahore by a pack of Jamaatia bums, and always felt deeply ashamed about that incident even though I had nothing to do with it). My first roommate once made me realize how close-minded we Pakistanis can be when in the course of discussing things he asked if there was anyone in the world I actually liked other than Pakistanis. Listening to the Gore and Bush speeches today, I realize again how important it is not to let bitternesses get in the way.

Urstruly,

Zahra is the one acting like a nikky kaaki....but i will go for the candy :)

I think now it is time to scorn and scold Zahra and Fairdinkum or would you both rather have a candy? Nikkay Kaakay.

Dear Fair`Dinkum`

Oh, I simply cannot be that unkind to keep the following information to myself. Pleeeeeeeeeeease consult the following site and pick the stuff that will be most suitable to your needs.

www.vitaminshoppe.com

Poliiiiiiite Regards

Fairdinkum:

I still wish you a speedy recovery. I neither have the interest nor the desire to know of your flocking intentions. It seems you really start losing your mind when you are taken to task. In fact, you become oversensitive when your arguments are challenged. Please....get some Ginseng and Gingko mixed together. That may help. Oh, St.John`s Wort may prove to be an excellent remedy for mood swings.
Zahra``Notatallladli``(Tears)

Polite Regards,
Best Wishes,
Tusleem,
Adaab,
AllahBaili
RubRakha
TakeCare

Zahra #176

“Fairdinkum must be very sick to appreciate the intellect of this poster. Then, of course birds of feather ``love`` to flock together.
Personally, I’d regard them as gutter posts with gutter intellect! “

Zahra,

Perhaps Bilal Ahmad’s thoughts are beyond the flight of your imagination and beyond the scope of your understanding/intellect? :)

You are a grown up person now aren’t you? [perhaps mentally you are not]… still you should move on from the stage of “my friend told me that”, “I heard it in a function I recently attended” … What rubbish! Make an effort to know yourself! Broaden you horizons… living in US does not mean you become an open and broadminded person. And travelling between East and West coast of US will not make you enlightened being.

Your near and dear ones probaly overlook the rude and pompus tone that you have adopted [if you are a ``laadli`` of your family], but it is not ok to talk to everybody in this rude ``bud tameez`` manner.

And I would rather flock together with the likes of Bilal than you!

Get a life lady!

In the past interactions, I came across the word ``intellect`` a few times. It would be very unfair, if the readers do not appreciate the lingo and the thought process in the following ``Highly Cultured and Intellectual Posts.``

*Post 1:
http://www.chowk.com/bin/showr.cgi?f=fversey_dec1100&n=70#reply40

*Post 2:
http://www.chowk.com/bin/showr.cgi?f=ransari_oct2700&n=10#reply102

Fairdinkum must be very sick to appreciate the intellect of this poster. Then, of course birds of feather ``love`` to flock together.

Personally, I’d regard them as gutter posts with gutter intellect!

Tahmed:
It’s not only stereotyping, it’s also a certain sick ``mentality.`` Some of these cultured and refined folks’ [An insult to any cultured and refined one]``mentality`` is damn convoluted and whatever they do they can never get rid of it. How can anyone come forth and start raising hue and cry based on the actions of one or two individuals? For Example:

-Benazir did not know how to rule a country; does that mean all Sindhis lack the insight for leadership and management?

- Zardari never knew how to treat his wife (a PM); shall we consider all Sindhi men as women abusers?

- Musharraf took over the country after a military coup and now has gotten into another fiasco; can we blame all Muhajirs [The Cultured/The Sophisticated/The Refined Ones] for that?

Pathetic and Disgusting!

Recently,I was at a panel discussion [Pakistani Gathering] where a young girl got up and raised few points on ``Muslim vs Non-Muslim marriages.`` In her own ignorance, she questioned, ``Why can’t a Muslim from one region marry a Sindhi?`` This raised a slight commotion in the hall. Later on, she corrected herself by making up another question. I left that session thinking:

*How do people get hold of such retarded thoughts?
*What are they being taught while growing up in US?
*Are they ignorant or simply a confused bunch?

I used to believe and still do to a certain extent, that it has a lot to do with broadening one`s horizon. If you`ve lived at one place throughout your life, you would never know the beauty that lies outside. In fact, people around you will also share the same outlook. Besides the fact that each individual has their own individuality, to a certain degree THEY ARE influenced by their surroundings. Well, I would love to hold on to my above sweet thoughts, but I have also come across individuals, who, besides having all the exposure are mentally sick. That’s making me amend my very own views now. I hope I do not have to take an 180degree turn.

Like you, I am also lucky to be friends with people from different nationalities and ethnicities. I would like to share an interesting encounter, that I find very amusing every time I think of it.

Few years back, I met a Pakistani lady at my company’s job fair. I invited her for an Iftaa’r dinner later on. Midwest is pretty damn cold in winters and if you are traveling and fasting then Ul’ Amaa`n Ul` Hafeez. I asked her to meet me at a certain restaurant. We met in the lobby, and she offered me few dates. I wasn’t that organized to carry dates with me [Being a fresh graduate, I had just started using my Franklin Planner], therefore had to Iktafa-karo-fy on one of her dates. After the usual pleasantries in the lobby, she said, ``Oh, I forgot to tell you that I am from Fiqae`Ahmadia.`` She also mentioned the differences in the fasting schedules and etc. At that time, I was cold, tired, and hungry, therefore considered the very mention of anything, other than food, to be sinful. With a blank look, I smiled at her and said, `ok.` Kind of .....Phir? We had a very nice dinner. I got invited to her place many times after that dinner. It was always very enlightening and educating to sit in her company and talk to her. It’s rare to come across strangers/individuals with whom one can be on the same wavelength. After a year, we moved to different cities; I headed out to the Eastern hemisphere, whereas she left for the Western. We still keep in touch with each other and plan to do so regardless of our sects.

Greetings,

Clearly, you`ve triggered an interesting dialogue amongst our beloved ``Sindhi`s, Punjabi`s, Mohajir`s`` and so forth, Urstruly.

Sorry, excuse me, before I get into trouble of not recognizing a particular sect or class/culture, let me add Pathan`s, Baluchi`s and while we`re at it, perhaps we could get into Shia`s and Sunni`s too.

All discussions seem most intriguing and perhaps well justified by each respective individual, but perhaps we seem to forget that at the end of the day our proudly presented petty remarks and retorts DONOT make us any better then our unfortunate illiterate mass of population.

Thus the concept of educated fools was realized. Now I realize some of us reading this are just itching to take this writing personally and perhaps should to an extent for the fact that the previous cross-fires have just been very personal.

It`s most impressive how we twist and turn every peice of literature into a racial/ethnic issue.

Sometimes it really is`nt about it. It really is not. Our problem is not any where close to being Sindhi/Punjabi or Mohajir nor is it about Hindu/Muslim.

The issues we`re faced with are found in every culture and society, we are simply more comfortable attributing it to being of a particular class or culture.

Get over it, Yes, we do have these provinces, Yes we do belong to them and Yes we are labelled and identified through them. It a sad fact of life, but its not the end of the world. But it is certainly not why we find a few looney`s going off the rocker and throwing people out of balcony`s.

That is a function of them being insane, it is a function of them being mentally challenged and psychotic.

THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE ADDRESSED BY ARGUING OVER OUR ETHNIC CROSS POLLINATION AND THE SAD STATE OF IT.

It does`nt matter, nobody cares, and we will not find a resolve to these issues arguing over it.

If we would only stop indulging in this beaten argument we may perhaps spend time figuring out what to do about it.

Regards,

Samuel.

SameerJB # 154

Your examples of Blacks, Hindus, Native Americans etc. are irrelevant, because their oppression is OVER, that of the people of Sindh is NOT.

Based on your reading and (mis) interpretation of history, you are convinced that Hindus were oppressed for 700 years by muslims. fine. How come you can`t read the newspaper or visit Karachi or Larkana and see for yourself that Sindhis are indeed opressed by Punjabis?

``Most of them have nothing to do with whatever an individual`s grievances are.``

Please point out my personal/individual grievance from my posts.

sincerely



fairdinkum # 162

``You come across as an intelligent person, but....``

fairdinkum sahib,

thanks for the generous praise but........I am in reality a very dim witted person. :-)

I will try and follow your advice.

sincerely

ms zahra,

kya?...i was hoping we could continue this :) how did you know? do tell me... i am surprised! you are either extremely intelligent or a psychic...

Fairdinkum:

I am sorry that you are feeling sick, probably you should consult a doctor first. Hoping for your speedy recovery!

Kind Regards,

Zahra #163 You are so right. Stereotyping is too easy, and always wrong. I too have had the good fortune to have friends from many different parts of Pakistan as well as from elsewhere. I could not damn an entire group of people without realizing how wrong I am when thinking of individuals I know from that group. Of course, you do come across some people for whom you cannot respect, but that again is not the monopoly of any group (religous, ethnic, national, male or female).

SameerJB #154 As usual, you make some excellent points that benefit all of us. You are one of the handful of insightful thinkers who make it worthwhile to visit the chowk. One can either spend time listing real or perceived injustices, or else thank God for the many blessings he has given us and try to make the best of the time we have in this life.

Ms zahra,

The pomposity, and rudeness of your following statements makes me sick! Especially since YOU ms zahra have contributed very little on the issue at hand.

“Please continue to contemplate on the above. You will ceratinly need some time to do that.”

“Mr. Dinkum:”

“Ok, Mr. Dinkum!

“I hope you were able to catch the drift, if not then please let me know. I will be MORE than glad to assist”

“Unfortunately or Fortunately, I haven`t been following your posts and/or thoughts to form an opinion of them. My eyes, my prerogative! I hope you won`t take it to your heart.”

Tell a lot about your mindset don’t they?

If you have problems with individuals making blanket statements or speaking on behalf of their community/group, why not address your concerns directly to them? Why sit on the high horse and make pompous/demeaning/rude/sweeping statements yourself?

think about it!

FairDinkum:

(L) is not at all a sweeping statement!

I have pointed out quite a few interactors who have this damn bad tendency to put forth views that either lack the base or are personal prejudices. When a person has personal prejudices, they ought to write that as a personal perspective than stating on behalf of their community. It is fine to have personal prejudices/likes/dislikes. I have mine.

- Can you speak on behalf of all:

a)Dinkums?
b)KHIites?
c)Men?
d)Muslims?

Please continue to contemplate on the above. You will ceratinly need some time to do that.

Take Care,

Ms zahra,

“I have/have had friends who hailed from KHI. My friends included: Urdu Speaking and Sindhis both. I have heard and keep on hearing far more interesting stuff which will not be very pleasing to the ears of Ali1. Intent is not to hurt anyone but to conduct a reality check. He seems to have his own experiences and I am not challenging them - but speaking on behalf of all and sundry should be checked. (Al-Mukhtasir)”

What else do you know about Karachi, apart from what your friends have told you?

RE; Zahra

There is no contest about (g) and (h). It is as evident as sun rises in the East. Take for example.....ahem!.

Ms zahra,

for a min. please concentrate on the following:

L) ``[That`s the hallmark of quite a few on board]``

Is this a sweeping statement or not?

Addendum to the Pompous Fut`vaa:

Oh, I missed an important point from the list of generalizations:

c) Baluchs do not exist

PS: This should be added between (b)and(d).

Ok, Mr. Dinkum!

Mr. Dinkum:

General Statements are where people start generalizing on behalf of their communities or start making assumptions on behalf of all and sundry. How the hell can anyone come forth and state:

a) Punjabis are XYZ
b) Muhajirs are X1X2X3
d) Sindhis are Y1Y2Y3
e) Pathans are Ukhhhhhhhhhh
f) Women are Naqis-ul-Aql
g) Men are prudent and pragmatic - my foot!
h) Poets are romantic
i) Writers are thinkers
j) Movies are relaxing
k) Life is a bed of roses

I can go on and on. I hope you were able to catch the drift, if not then please let me know. I will be MORE than glad to assist.

I have/have had friends who hailed from KHI. My friends included: Urdu Speaking and Sindhis both. I have heard and keep on hearing far more interesting stuff which will not be very pleasing to the ears of Ali1. Intent is not to hurt anyone but to conduct a reality check. He seems to have his own experiences and I am not challenging them - but speaking on behalf of all and sundry should be checked. (Al-Mukhtasir)

[Pompous Fut`vaa` Over]

Ali1 #153

“Just 10 years? Another punjabi chutya, Irfan Raja, our ex Deputy High Commisioner to Bangladesh, doesn`t know after 30 years as to who plundered whom in East Pakistan.”

Dear Ali,

You come across as an intelligent person, but your tongue seems to get the better of you. Wouldn’t it be better to put your point across in words, which are not demeaning or insulting to others? You can’t expect to have dialogues with people by making statements such as the above (your wrong choice of couple of words makes the whole statement absurd).

Please consider this a request.

ms zahra,

I asked you a simple question and you could not answer it... you know why… because you don`t practice what you so pompously preach. Answer the question or quit making such foolish statements.

SameerJB

We must acknowledge the fact that this is the reality for Karachiites. It does not matter whether it is real, imaginary, or perceived or a combination of all of those-but that`s the way things are. We must also acknowledge the fact that Karachi has rebelled against the system and state apparatus. The blantant disregard for human and civil rights and use of tribal tactics by the state apparatus has created a resentment which can not just go with any amount of smooth or hard talk. It is a tragedy that they (Karachiites)blame their misery on Punjab. The reason is quite understandable-Punjab has not stood by them in the struggle against this everyday humiliation which common folk suffer at the hands of police and bureaucracy. The least that we (Punjab) can do is to dis-associate ourselves from oppressive and currupt state apparatus and we should condemn it equivocally. By doing that we are not doing them a favor, we are doing us a favor.

I am sorry to use this ``us`` and ``them`` rhetoric, I assure you it is only ``us`` and there is no ``them``. This monologue had to go that way.

RE;Zahra

Thanks for the advice but I think I will stick with D-Fence. I think it is the best medicine and the strategy under such an aggressive attack of flu and.....gulp!

Fairdinkum:

Please allow me to break the bad news: you aren`t on the list. Should you be ? BTW, it was based on the ones I have cared to read. Ahem...emphasis in on ``cared.`` Unfortunately or Fortunately, I haven`t been following your posts and/or thoughts to form an opinion of them. My eyes, my prerogative! I hope you won`t take it to your heart.

Kind Regards,


Urstruly:

Scold [chuckle * *2]? That was sweet. I hope you know what you are saying?
No.. No.. No over the counter stuff....get Allegra-D and take it with a cup or two of well made Numkeen Chai`[Kashmiri Tea - with Salt and No sugar]. Then, expect miracles!

After your Halat-ae-Zaar sudhro-fies, don`t forget to pray for Na`cheez in the Taraveeh Prayers.

Regards (Aaaaaaaaaaaaa....choooooooooooooooooooo)

Gentlemen!

Let`s not scorn or scold Zahra because she is currently being oppressed by Punjabi Influenza virus. Goddamn! those Punjabi viruses, they are everywehere. Even my throat is sore.

PS.

And kindly enlighten us with your analysis of the situation in Karachi as well.

ms zahra,

``[That`s the hallmark of quite a few on board]``

And that is not a sweeping statement?

Please identify the interactors whose hall marks, according to you, are sweeping statements/generalization.

Urstruly #151: Very intersting statement:

[I think we should not scorn or scold Ali1 for him being blunt. A 12 years of civil war can do this to a man]

Here are few more similar statements for everybody to think about.

I think we should not scorn or scold Blacks for being blunt. A 300 years of slavery can do this to people.

I think we should not scorn or scold Amerindians for being blunt. A 500 years of genocide can do this to people.

I think we should not scorn or scold Hindu Indians for being blunt. A 700 years of subjugation can do this to people.

I think we should not scorn or scold feminist women for being blunt. A ????? years of maltreatment can do this to women.

Whatever happened to growing up? Growing out of this mold? There is no rason to throw mud at all people belonging to a particular culture. Most of them have nothing to do with whatever an individual`s grievances are.

Who plundered whom:



Further to my post # 150 and tahmed # 142

tahmed [``one could spend ten years trying to get the facts on who plundered what from whom and still not understand the true picture.``]

Just 10 years? Another punjabi chutya, Irfan Raja, our ex Deputy High Commisioner to Bangladesh, doesn`t know after 30 years as to who plundered whom in East Pakistan.

http://www.dailystarnews.com/200012/09/n0120902.htm#BODY3

Pakistani Diplomat`s Remarks and its Reaction

sincerely

Ali1:

Well, please accept my heartiest apologies for interrupting your ``Mur`seeyaa`` with my ``Unasked Fat`vaa`.``

A Friendly Tip[in a whispering tone]: In order to make your arguments spicier, make sure that you add lots of blanket statements and generalizations.
[That`s the hallmark of quite a few on board]

All the best,


Urstruly,
I will get back to your sermon later.

PS: It is a little hard to handle two interactors when one[Sinfae`Nazuk] is under the weather :-)[Shoon...Aachoo...Aachoo..Shoon..Shoon!!] Where is my damn Echinacea? Aa................. choo!

Zahra

I think we should not scorn or scold Ali1 for him being blunt. A 12 years of civil war can do this to a man. Beleive it or not, his sentiments are exactly those which are moving men and material in Karachi these days. Again we must not single out one party or other. It is the politics of hate, whether it is done by MQM or Punjabi-Pakhtoon Itehad; they use the same rhetoric and it works like magic. It has been working like magic. I wish we could somehow channel this energy into positive use. We could have done miracles. Unfortunately we used it to hurt each other. So here we are-bleeding, beaten, tired and lost.

tahmed [``I call this one-sided since you (a) ignore the fact that (per fairdinkum`s earlier post) that mohajirs came to Karachi in 1947 and took over businesses and homes left by the Hindus. Ever wonder what those Hindus did to deserve this theft of their property? ``]

Are you saying that Habib Bank, Muslim Commercial Bank, Adamjee Insurance, Isphahani Holdings, Eastern Federal Union, Jubilee Insurance etc. were businesses owned by Sindhi Hindus, stolen by Mohajirs??

[``(c) You talk about the plundering of muhajirs wealth by Panjab: one could spend ten years trying to get the facts on who plundered what from whom and still not understand the true picture.``]

Oh really! Please name a Punjabi owned business (JUST ONE) which has been forcibly taken over by mohajirs. Can you quote a single instance of transfer of Punjabi wealth to Sindh???

You contribute several thousand words per day to chowk. I hope you know what you are talking about.

sincerely

RE: Zahra # 148

[``I think your comments are not only ignorant, but are also lacking in substance``]

Thanks for the fatwa. I challenge you take any argument that I have given and prove that it lacks substance; or counter argue that it is incorrect/based on ignorance.

I don`t think that you have the intellectual capacity or the knowledge (like Bilal Ahmed for example)to pass sweeping judgements like these.

sincerely

Bahmed:
ditto! It is indeed a very strong word and people have a tendency to misuse it.

ali1:
Each person has his/her own biases and they are entitled to hold them. Those who claim to have none are talking jargon. It`s human nature to like and dislike. People who are worth ``something`` will prove themselves in all circumstances and scenarios. They cannot keep on mourning all the time. I think your comments are not only ignorant, but are also lacking in substance. Probably, you should come up with substantive arguments than putting forth lame excuses on behalf of Muhajirs and Sindhis.

What rubbish!

THE RHETORIC OF HATE

In the US, children and young adults often use the word ``hate`` to express their dislikeness for various things/conditions. Whenever my children used this word, I said to them: ``Hate is a very strong word.`` Now, even if I jokingly use this word, my grown-up sons jokingly tell me: ``Dad, hate is a very strong word.``

A feeling of hatred is actually a sign of weakness. How much prepared are we to empower ourselves?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

P.S. Urstruly, I appreciate your post regarding hatred.

RATIONALE OF HATE

The human mind is a strange thing, it rationalizes everything, even emotions. It even rationalizes the hate; the strongest of the emotions. The toughest job a human can hand over to his mind is to rationalize hate; especially, when this hate is directed towards the fellow human beings. It is a great challenge for human mind; because no two humans are alike. So, then, we force our mind to “create” reality for us; we push it to its limits to filter every observation and perception through the sieve of our prejudices. We compel it (mind) to constantly feed us the ideas that will help us rationalize our prejudices. As its is said that the mind is a terrible thing to waste; wasting it yourself is tragedy.

Dear AnNy!

It is so hard to humble when one gets those kind of letters which you wrote. So I delayed the response to give myself sometime to deflate and to fit into my own Jaama. I have two words for you and you know where they are coming from:

THANK YOU.

Fairdinkum #136 Agreed on all points but one - I think it is not right to generalize about any people, and while you may have run against Sindhis who were lazy, that is true for all of them all of the time. No more than the same thing is true for Panjabis or Muhajirs or anyone else. Given the right environment, people can show remarkable energy and initiative. For example, if the hari has his own piece of land and the security that whatever he puts in he will get back, he will be far more interested in working. The same city-dweller who would have gone through life as a slow-moving bureaucrat puts in everything he has got when starting his own enterprise.

al1: Further to your previous post, I had said that you were ``distorting facts and presenting a one-sided picture``. You ask mee to explain how, so here goes:

You write ``Karachi’s (and Pakistan’s) financial foundations were laid with mohajir capital and mohajir expertise and know-how... Today, it is impossible for mohajirs to get a job even as a chaprasi in these banks... The difference is the accent: police stations echo with the pothowari “achna gachna” where as Habib Bank echoes with the guttural “haigha jay haigha jay” of Lahore/Gujranwala...The loot and transfer of wealth from Karachi to Punjab is without historical precedence in my view ``

I call this one-sided since you (a) ignore the fact that (per fairdinkum`s earlier post) that mohajirs came to Karachi in 1947 and took over businesses and homes left by the Hindus. Ever wonder what those Hindus did to deserve this theft of their property? (b) Your ridiculing of Panjabis in the above post does not deserve a reply, to call it one-sided is to elevate it. (c) You talk about the plundering of muhajirs wealth by Panjab: one could spend ten years trying to get the facts on who plundered what from whom and still not understand the true picture. I take back the statement that you are distorting facts - you are present know facts to begin with, all you present is a one-sided set of statements, ethnic slurs, and other remarks designed to create rifts between Pakistanis.

I also notice from your last post that your pea-sized brain is getting overheated from use. Well, dont expect me to help you find your way to the looney bin when you are well enough to realize that is where you belong - you`ll just have to get there by yourself.

Re #: 121 fairdinkum

fairdinkum it is :=)

by manipulation Sir, I mean the differences created amongst the various groups that you all write such `humungous` post about. Nobody is born with these feelings of inferiority nor with those of superiority. Some thing, rather someone causes them. And I believe that it`s those on top that do so. Divide and rule. But we wont focus on that. They will come and they will go; not leaving an iota of good behind.

Unimportant people in the face of all the wonders and changes that you and I can and will bring about. You ask what we can do to reduce if not eliminate the hate.

`Love` I suggest.

If you look at it from my point of view Sir, things are really quite simple. My dad tells me that in 65 when he was a teenager, people would hug and make up on the streets in the case of a clash of interest. ``We are one`` He says the entire country crackled with this overwhelming, crackling electrical feeling of brotherhood. Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis and Pathans- all were one. This is not to suggest that another war please be started to bring us scattered groups together.

But if it happened once, just a few decades ago, why not again?

The people of this country are beautiful. They are capable of so much beauty and love that it sometimes leaves me stunned. We are as a nation, good people. The good is filhaal, buried under disgust, hopelessness, frustration and hence corruption of all sorts.

We all here, are privileged. Good education`s and safe homes. We owe this country so much. In our own little ways; whether it is a random act of kindness or a post that fills another`s heart with love (and many do, I tell you) we have to help build again this sad land of ours.

Ali1,fairdinkum,Tahmad,ahmadb:

How about a smile?

Hakim Ahmad Shujaa wrote:

In the good old days post-partition,when there was such a camaraderie among muslims and we enjoyed our ethnic pecularities,this pleasantry was over-heard.

A mohajir from Lucknow or so came to the halvaii shop to buy some yogurt.Now the Lahore halvaii being a Punjabi was not accustomed to dispense yogurt in a glass,which this customer had extended towards the halvaii.In Punjab Yogurt is put in a pot or katora and milk in a glass or bowl.

Perplexed,and to make sure,that that is really what the customer wanted,he enquired in his urdu-ised Punjabi:

``Tho fayr mian jee daee issi vichh paa doonn``

And mian jee,the language afficiondo,sardonicaly muttered:

``Haan mian,ubb jubb humm yahaan aaa hee gayey hain,tho humein puthaa hai tumm issi mein PAADOGAY!``

__________________________________________________

wassalaam

tahmed321 # 119

[``ali1 #115 Nationalization of banks was done by Bhutto. Bhutto was a Sindhi, and the one whose daughter along with his talented nephew, is now using condemnation of Panjabis as her smelly strategy to build up a power-base in Pakistan.``]

Punjabis love it when Sindhis and Mohajirs fight it out, in the streets or on the web. Sorry to disappoint you (old) man, we have (hopefully) learnt our lessons.

BTW, Nawaz Sharif de-nationalized MCB and ``gifted`` it to Mian Mohammed Mansha th

ru a rigged process.

[``Dont the poor people of Pakistan have enough problems that you try to stir up ethnic hatreds as well by distorting facts and presenting a one-sided picture?``]

In reply to your fiery rhetoric all I can say is this: ``buzurgo, batti-see sambhalo tey holay gal karo; matay dhay pai te navi banouni paysi``

Please point out and correct the facts that I have distorted, or be (old) man enough and apologize for your dumb accusation.

sincerely

In response to Ali1 (Reply # 132)
Dear Ali:

Your statement: “All policemen are looters but ethnicity (sp?) matters. . . .”

Comment: I cannot say with certainty that all policeman are looters. What I am certain is that the institution of police is full of scoundrels and inhuman persons who ruthlessly violated the rights and liberties of the citizens of Pakistan. Something drastic is needed to reform the police gradually.

Your statement: Police ethnicity matters because “ the mohajir/sindhi policeman has roots in Sindh; transfer of wealth to Punjab doesn`t take place.”

Comment: I sympathize with your position. Should the people of Pakistan have the freedom to move from one part to another in search of jobs and new homes? What would you say about a policeman who has local roots, who is intensely corrupt, and who eventually transfers his/her (dis)honestly acquired wealth to a foreign country?

Your statement: Police ethnicity matters because a policeman with local roots “. . . does not hate the local culture, people and/or traditions, he is part of it!”

Comment: I once again tend to agree with you. I know a lot of Punjabis/Pathans in Karachi whose roots are now in Karachi.

Your statement: Police ethnicity matters because a policeman with local roots “. . . is part of the social fabric and has some social connections/obligations which might help the locals.”

Comment: Please remember that Karachi does not belong to any single ethnic group. Maybe you and I need to rethink our position about who is a Karachiite and who is not. Isn’t Karachi a part of Pakistan? Why don’t we use a better basis to claim our rights and liberties? Why shouldn’t we struggle against parochialism wherever it exists? Struggle against parochialism does not mean an end to place-based identification.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

In response to fairdinkum (Reply # 136)
Dear Fairdinkum:

Thanks for your kind words! Lets hope my sanity (whatever it is) never leaves me.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

In response to fairdinkum (Replies # 125 and 129)
Dear Fairdinkum:

In pre-Partition days, othernesses in Sindh were created on the basis of religion. The Partition uprooted the Muslims in India and the Hindus in Pakistan. A lot of Hindu Sindhis decided to migrate to India – some left immediately after the partition, some stayed for a while. However, many Hindu Sindhis never left Sindh. In the mid-1960, I visited a few Hindu Sindh settlements some twenty-miles north of Karachi city (somewhere near Darsana Chano). I have recently read that some 80 percent of the residents in Tharparkar district are actually Hindus.

Fairdinkum, do you have access to the Census of 1931. If yes, does it provide information about the proportion of people speaking Sindhi in the city of Karachi. I have my doubts that Sindhi was the lingua franca of Karachi City in the early 1947. Even if Sindhi was the dominant language at the time of Partition, what proportion of Sindhi speaking people were Hindus/Muslims.

I came to Karachi as a four year old child. Even as a child, I had the opportunity to see dead bodies in both Delhi and Karachi. My father shared a flat, in front of the Khaliq Dina Hall, with a life-long Hindu friend, who migrated to India soon after the partition. My father’s friend is 90+, still maintain good health, and lives happily with his family in Mussorri, India. My deceased father would never have traded his friend’s friendship with anything else. Yet he came to Pakistan after the Partition. Why? According to him, for the safety of his family.

On 14 August 1947, Karachi became the capital of Pakistan. This, and the hospitality of the host Sindhi population, led to an influx of immigrants from India in various parts of Sindh. Most Sindhis empathized with the immigrants (mohajirs) and opened their hearts to make the lives the immigrants as comfortable as virtually possible in those days. In 1947, Karachi was a very small, beautiful, well-managed, and extremely clean town. I have myself seen the streets of Karachi being washed on a regular basis.

Although the mohajirs from India soon formed a majority, they did not control the local and regional politics. Before the partition, the business was controlled by the Hindus (Sindhis or otherwise), by Gujrati speaking Muslims (native Karachiites), and by the Parsis. Karachi had a substantial Goanese Christian population which provided considerable secretarial and clerical services. The Christian population also occupied jobs in the area of health (mostly nurses) and education (both males and females). Parsi women were teachers, social workers, philanthropists, etc. In pre-Partition days, the only major industrial establishment was that of Dalmia (Cement Factory). The Marwari and other Gujrati speaking business/industrial community (Valika, Bawani, Dawood, Adamji, Fancy, etc.) established themselves either in the late 1940s or the very early 1950s with the planning and establishment of the Sindh Industrial and Trading Estate (SITE) and the Landhi Industrial and Trading Estate (perhaps LITE) . Punjabi venture capital came to Karachi a bit late. The mohajirs and Punjabis, of course, controlled the federal bureaucracy. With new employment opportunities, a large number of labor migrated from the NWFP. The Pathans worked in the factories, road building and other construction activities, and as Chowkidars and transport workers (especially private car drivers). Karachi owes a lot to the Pakhtoon workers. Karachi also had a good number of Baluch (particularly Mekrani) people which mostly lived on both sides of the Lyari river.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Karachi had acquired a cosmopolitan character where anyone could come, live, and work without any apparent ethnic difficulty. Trouble started with the consolidation of power by Ayub Khan. His initial period was very good as everyone cared for making Pakistan a strong and prosperous country. Ayub’s decision to relocate the capital to Rawalpindi-Islamabad created a temporary vacuum. This move alienated the Bengalis, in particular, and reduced federal government employment opportunities for all Karachiites. Ayub’s anti-Karachi/Mohajir stance alienated the people of Karachi too. An overwhelming majority of Karachiites supported Fatima Jinnah against Ayub Khan, while most Pathans supported him. Ayub Khan won. This eventually let to the first ethnic trouble between the Pathans and the non-Pathans (predominantly the Mohajirs). The rest of the story is fairly well-known. More later.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Dear TAhmad

My personal views in relation to situation in Karachi/Sindh are slightly different to those expressed in Rashid & Shaheeda`s paper or in Mr. G M Syed`s writings or those that are promoted by nationalist organizations such as ``jiya sindh`` or MQM...

And I have a lot of respect for Bilal Ahmad`s views... I think he presents a sane, and balanced approach...an approach that is essentially geared towards reconciliation, healing, and moving on to bigger and better things in life (i.e. our national life)... However, I do believe that a recognition of wrongdoings (on all sides) helps in the healing process. Bitterness, mistrust, and constant complaining without making efforts to rectify the situation is not what I promote.

I do not think that ordinary people of any particular nationality should be blamed for the injustices and bloodshed in our beloved homeland… we have all been victims of the evil power play that our ruling elite engage in…

For me, BB, NS, PM, etc. etc. are all the same… they do not represent me.

Tahmad, I must agree with you … Punjabis are hardworking people! I have personally witnessed Punjabi families in Sindh working hard to make a living… In thatta we have quiet a few Punjabi families on farms. But they are more Sindhi than Punjabi… they speak sindhi like natives (better than me anyway) and they have made thatta their home… Sindhis are lazy people in comparison. .. sindhis love their political discussions over tea (in the local chai shop) whereas Punjabis would rather finish their work and go home… I am sure that much of what ordinary Punjabis have earned is through hard work and sheer persistence.

In response to tahmad321 (Reply # 134)
Dear Ahmed:

If your reference is to fairdinkum`s Reply # 125, a reply of the same is in progress. I and fairdinkum have many commonalities, though our life experiences are somewhat different.

The long and irrelevant post (as you view it) was in reposponse to Urstruly`s request. It seems that you have jumped to a quick conclusion.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

fairdinkum #125 I read your post with interest, and with sorrow. What a poor deal Pakistan has been for the poor people of Sindh, and how shamefully have the rest of us - Muhajirs, Panjabi settlers, Sindhi waderas - invaded their lands and (in case of Sindhi waderas) forced them into serfdom. This is not what Pakistan is all about.

There are two sides to every human conflict - I also know some Panjabi settlers and the how hard they worked to make those lands fertile - one army officer`s wife used to tell us how she and her son spent an entire night on a tree in Sindh to escape floods (anyone who knows army officers pampered wives would appreciate what this means in terms of dedication); and I know that Muhajirs contributed much business acumen and enterprise as well. But the fact remains, that these people (Panjabis and Muhajirs) were - to put it bluntly - carpetbaggers, and it is about time they started getting off their high moral pedestal and aggressive behavior and thanked the Sindhis for letting them in and apologized for past mischief.

So, thanks again fairdinkum - your post should have been an article, I think.

Bahmed: I am sorry that instead of responding sympathetically - or even directly - to fairdinkum`s important post, you chose to simply send in a long and irrelevent piece of what someone wrote in 1991. I think you can do better than that.

Urstruly #123 I meant Mumtaz Bhutto by talented nephew, but you are right, he was the talented cousin. On who nationalized Banks, it was the Bhutto the elder, ZAB.

RE Prof Bilal

My reply to you got lost in cyberspace or was trashed by chowk staff. The gist:

All policemen are looters but ethnicity (sp?) matters because:

- the mohajir/sindhi policeman has roots in Sindh; transfer of wealth to Punjab doesn`t take place.

- he does not hate the local culture, people and/or traditions, he is part of it!

- he is part of the social fabric and has some social connections/obligations which might help the locals

sincerely

BTW, have you been to a Pakistani police station in your life?

Goodness! And wasn`t Jam Sadiq terminally ill? Or was it much later?

“JAM SADIQ’S POLITICS OF REVENGE”

In the following piece, A. B. S. Jafri argues that the primary purpose of Jam Sadiq Ali’s effort to use coercion in Sindh is to destroy his political opponents through “political vendetta of the most virulent, callous and un-God fearing kind.” Jafri then questions the apparent indifference (by implication the role) of Islamabad in this matter.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

On February, 1991, A. B. S. Jafri wrote:

“Former premier and co-chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party, Benazir Bhutto should be taken to task for being so awfully late in focusing attention on the appalling state of law and order in Sindh. It would be incorrect, an understatement at any rate, to say that the situation in that province has deteriorated. It had never been satisfactory. What had actually happened was the new IJI [Islami Jamhoori Ittihad] chief minister of the province had gone hammer and tongue so furiously that the misdeeds of the miscreants had been more or less overshadowed. There had never been any slackening on the part of the decoits, highwayman and all manner of other evil-doers. Under the pretext of what had wishfully been seen as a firm government policy on the crime situation, CM Jam Sadiq Ali has been playing political games of the most unedifying sort. Most of his crime-control is, in fact, settling of old scores. It is scarcely short of shattering to note how much of old scores he had to settle and how cold-blooded and calculating can one be in trying to slake his spleen. There is hardly any notable PPP figure not under the sword of the Jam from Sanghar, more of an emperor than Chief Minister of Sindh.

It has to be conceded, no doubt, that when in power the PPP government did not prove to be paragons of virtue in their political behaviour and treatment of opponents in general. However, when seen in the background of the decade long trauma which the PPP had to bear during the longest martial law in the country’s history, a measure of revengefulness would be passable as unwise and unworthy and still human. What has Jam Sadiq Ali to be so vindictive about? As an individual he would seem to have had the best of both the worlds and he has drained delight to the very last dregs. There can be no doubt that the miscreants should be dealt with in the sternest possible manner. But political opponents must be treated with best regards, even kindest regards. It appears that the greying and pertinent playboy chief minister of Sindh never read as a boy the story of defeated chieftain Porus and the triumphant young lad, Alexander. Or, if he had read it, he must have forgotten that episode with a vengeance.

We have reached a stage when Jam Sadiq Ali’s handling of the law and order situation should be seen for what it really is: political vendetta of the most virulent, callous and un-God fearing kind. He evidently believes he has all the license of a 007 commando. But what ever be his belief’s and cravings, he ought to be stopped from running riot. He has gone too far in quest of revenge which has now begun to look like an unquestionable appetite for scalps. This is something which the governor of Sindh should take serious note of, in the first place. Then, it should be the concern of the IJI chief and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Is the Sindh chief minister chasing every political personality of the opposition at the behest of the Islami Jamhoori Ittihad? That would be incredible. And if that is not quite so, why doesn’t somebody in Islamabad try to bridle the runaway inquisitor in Karachi? Politics should not be debased in such a raffish and reckless manner in a civilized society” (A. B. S. Jafri, 1996: 119-20).

Re: Bilal #128

Well, after the partition the population of Karachi changed from an overwhelmingly Sindhi speaking Sindhis to overwhelmingly Urdu-speaking mohajirs... Karachi did absorb economic migrants from other parts of Pakistan, however this migrant workforce was largely blue-collar... the cultural scene was largely dominated by mohajirs and their version of ``tehzeeb``... there was very little interaction (apart from business related contacts) between the blue collar economic migrants from other parts of Pakistan and the majority mohajirs... the reason i say that Karachi never became a true cosmopolitan city is because mohajirs fiercely resisted influences of indigeneous/other cultures of Pakistan... language riots of 72 is good exmple...
in a true cosmopolitan city the diversity is not only in nationalities/ethnic mix of population, but the cultural scene is enriched by the influences of various cultures represented by the diverse population... In karachi, even the cousine in the mohajir household essentially remains the same as it was when they arrived here from india... people of karachi, generally speaking, know very little about rural Sindh, or NWFP or even Baluchistan and Punjab... intermarriages between mohajirs and people of other cultures are very rare... what is the cosmopolitan character then all about?

Does the mere presence of diverse cultures/nationalities in a city make it ``cosmopolitan``?

I may be wrong... but that`s how i view it..

Karachi predominantly remained a ghetto despite exposure to so much diversity... one of the reasons MQM was so easily accepted by an overwhelming majority of mohajirs..

In response to fairdinkum (Reply # 127)
Dear Fairdinkum:

Your statement: ``. . . i have reservations about the claim that Karachi is/was a true cosmopolitan city...``

Comment: Please explain your viewpoint. What makes a city true cosmopolitan?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Thanks Bilal... i concur we need to understand the full implications of MQM on the cosmopolitan character of Karachi.. However, i have reservations about the claim that Karachi is/was a true cosmopolitan city...

In response to fairdinkum (Reply # 105)
Dear Fairdinkum:

In asking Ali1 a question, my intent was to learn from his experience and understanding of the situation in Karachi. It is unfortunate that the actual Mohajirs from India and their Pakistani born off-springs are forced to call themselves as Mohjirs. We need sound research to understand the whole Mohajir Qaumi Movement and its implications for the people of Karachi and the rest of Pakistan. Please remember that the key to Karachi`s progress and prosperity lies in its cosmopolitan character.

Is there any Chowkwalla, who understand the Quota System?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

P.S. Fairdinkum, I am aware of Rashid and Shaheed’s useful research paper. Chowkwallas, this paper is available at: http://www.unrisd.org/engindex/publ/list/dp/dp45/dp45-04.htm