Goodbye, Allah Rakhi

Re: Allah Rakhi Benazir Bhutto and US!

With due apologies to Shirin Ahmed!That Allah Rakhi gone. Unfortunately this one who is hauting the US talk circuot is not as innocuous as the one departed. Yet our Pakistani brethren are enamoured by her for some obscure reasons, defying all logic and all intelliegnece, despite her having been shown to be dismally corrupt, and having given substantial backing to Mr 10%, her erstwhile noble husband. These things indeed need to be reported, to lift the mask of civility of gargoyles such as this excuse of a politician/woman. She is begging for support in US, ignoring the following trancript prepared by the US govt, indictoing her and her husband of wrong doing. She is anything but the pure driven snow she claims to be during these please of udnerstanding she is making here in US. Read and weep!

excerpt taken from cowasjees latest 11 feb 2001 article!

In this world of information technology the crimes of Benazir and her husband are widely known. For those interested in the topic, I suggest they switch on their computers, get on to the Internet, click on and open www.levin.senate.gov/issues/psireport2.htm, retrieve and read a US Senate document headed ``Minority Staff Report for Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Hearing on Private Banking and Money Laundering: A Case Study of Opportunities and Vulnerabilities`` dated November 9, 1999. I particularly recommend that our judges, our NAB men, and our official prosecutors download and study this document.

The 50-page Report details the grimy monetary dealings of seven notorious wheeler-dealers. The Republic of Pakistan has the proud privilege of having one of their own on this august list. The list: Raoul Salinas, former Mexican government official, brother of former president of Mexico; Asif Ali Zardari, former Pakistani government official and legislator, husband of former prime minister of Pakistan; El Hadj Omar Bongo, president of Gabon; Abacha Sons: Mohammad, Ibrahim and Abba Abbacha, sons of General Sani Abacha, former military leader of Nigeria.

Under the sub-title ``The Facts``, it is written of Asif Zardari: ``The second case history involves Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan. Ms Bhutto was elected prime minister in 1988, dismissed by the President of Pakistan in August 1990 for alleged corruption and inability to maintain law and order, elected prime minister once again in October 1993, and dismissed by the President again in November 1996. At various times, Mr Zardari served as senator, environment minister and minister for investments in the Bhutto government. In between the two Bhutto administrations, he was incarcerated in 1990 and 1991 on charges of corruption; the charges were eventually dropped. During Ms Bhutto`s second term there were increasing allegations of corruption in her government and a major target of those allegations was Mr Zardari. It has been reported that the government of Pakistan claims that Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari stole over $ 1 billion from the country.``

Listed are details of Zardari`s relationship with Citibank which began in October 1994 ``through the services of Kamran Amouzegar, a private banker at Citibank private bank in Switzerland, and Jens Schlegelmilch, a Swiss lawyer who was the Bhutto family`s attorney in Europe and close personal friend for more than twenty years.`` Schlegelmilch was invited and came to Karachi for Benazir and Asif`s wedding in 1987 and has paid several visits since then.

The relationships between the account holders, banks, depositors, kickbackers and cover cocerns is highly complicated and can only be sorted out by a careful reading of the Report. Hereunder a few excerpts:

``The staff invited Ms. Bhutto to provide additional information on the M.S. Capricorn Trading accounts, but she has not yet done so.``

``During the period 1994 to 1997, Citibank opened and maintained three private bank accounts in Switzerland and a consumer account in Dubai for three corporations under Mr. Zardari`s control. There are allegations that some of these accounts were used to disguise $10 million in kickbacks for a gold importing contract to Pakistan .......``

``Citibank told the Subcommittee staff that, once opened, only three deposits were made into the M.S. Capricorn Trading account in Dubai. Two deposits, totaling $10 million were made into the account almost immediately after it was opened. Citibank records show that one $5 million deposit was made on October 5, 1994, and another was made on October 6, 1994. The source of both deposits was A.R.Y. International Exchange, a company owned by Abdul Razzak Yaqub, a Pakistani gold bullion trader living in Dubai .......``

``The Zardari case history raises issues involving due diligence, secrecy and public figure accounts. The Zardari case history begins with the Citibank Dubai branch`s failure to identify the true beneficial owner of the M.S. Capricorn Trading account. As a result, the account officer in Dubai performed due diligence on an individual who had no relationship to the account being opened. In Switzerland, Citibank officials opened three private bank accounts despite evidence of impropriety on the part of Mr. Zardari. In an interview with Subcommittee staff, Citigroup Co- Chair John Reed informed the Subcommittee staff that he had been advised by Citibank officials in preparation for a trip to Pakistan in February 1994, that there were troubling accusations concerning corruption surrounding Mr. Zardari, that he should stay away from him, and that he was not a man with whom the bank wanted to be associated. Yet one year later, the private bank opened three accounts for Mr. Zardari in Switzerland. Mr. Reed told the Subcommittee staff that when he learned of the Zardari accounts he thought the account officer must have been `an idiot`.``

If this government does not do whatever needs to be done, however correctly or obliquely, to disqualify and debar every man and woman who held elected office from 1988 to 1999 - all collectively responsible for the present state of the nation - from henceforth holding any elected office ever again, history will hold it responsible for the accelerated disintegration of what is left of this country.

Re: Other gargoyles contribution to Pakistan!

`Nawaz put pressure to convict Benazir`

By our correspondent

LONDON: The ``Sunday Times`` has published transcripts of conversations in 1999 between top minions of the Nawaz Sharif government and a High Court judge hearing the case of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, bugged by an intelligence official who later fled Pakistan with the tapes.

..

The disclosure came from a senior Pakistani intelligence officer who has said in a letter to the president, obtained by The Sunday Times, that he was told to bug the Justice Abdul Qayyum`s phones. The bugging allegedly revealed that Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister, was intent on securing Bhutto`s conviction at any cost.

In Pakistan Justice Qayyum challenged the veracity of the tapes saying they could have been concocted or doctored. He refused to comment on the merits of the case as it was being heard by the Supreme Court but said he gave all decisions according to the dictates of his conscience and the requirements of the law.

...

By coincidence, the judge who sentenced him to hang was Qayyum`s father. Since she left Pakistan the government of Musharraf has intensified efforts to track assets Bhutto is suspected of having acquired illegally. Many were received by Zardari, who is in prison.

Transcript (I)

PA to Khalid Anwar: Is Justice Qayyum at Home?

Girl: Who is going to talk?

PA to Khalid Anwar: Khalid Anwar - the federal law minister - would like to talk.

Girl: Please hold on

Justice Qayyum: Hello!

PA: Please hold I`ll connect you with Khalid Anwar.

Khalid Anwar: Asalam-o-Alaikum

Qayyum: Salam-o-Alaikum, how are you sir.

Khalid Anwar: I rang you earlier but you were not at home. Where are you now?

Qayyum: I am in Lahore at the moment

Khalid Anwar: Frankly speaking, I have to discuss two, three issues which

Saif has discussed with me.

Qayyum: Who did?

Khalid Anwar: Saif Sahib has. I can`t talk clearly but in my opinion you would understand it. The fact is that I really respect you and also Saif Sahib does.

Qayyum: Yes, it is all right.

Khalid Anwar: Somebody [Nawaz Sharif]is unhappy over the delay of hearing of his case to Saif that nothing has been done so far and why has it not been concluded. In return Saif defended you and said there is no such delay. There should be no misunderstanding because he is trying his level best. But the gentleman [Nawaz Sharif] is very unhappy, because of the situation. There was discussion regarding this issue and I was wondering that a problem might arise. Now I am thinking if you could reach the final result within the outside limit of two weeks.

Qayyum: Apparently there is no problem we will have to complete the procedure. Cross-examination has been completed entirely. Now their statement under 432 has to be recorded.

Khalid Anwar: So get it done on Monday.

Qayyum: It is being done on Monday. After this we have to give them some time for defence evidence and then the matter will be closed.

Khalid Anwar: What we should do is to start the hearing day to day.

Qayyum: We were hearing it day to day but they have requested for two days time, as there are 356 documents. Now you tell me when we will have to fix the date for defence evidence, some time will be required.

Khalid Anwar: If you are giving them two days so after that you should proceed without any break and stay in Islamabad for the full week instead of two days so that this case is completed within two weeks.

Qayyum: I have been there nearly every day of the last two week.

Khalid: You should just take up this case for the whole week.

Qayyum: I am doing nothing else.

Khalid: I am the one who keeps on asking you all the time and by the Grace of God you have done a good job in banking cases. Whenever I meet the World Bank people you are... Last time you sent me a fax. I was in meeting so I showed it to everybody and said this is what you call performance.

Qayyum: Regarding this, when I come this time , I shall meet and tell you. Our Chief Justice is already there. I also told him that a slight delay is inevitable. For, example, if you ask them for defence evidence, then you will have to give them time, you just cannot say bring that tommorow.

Khalid: Kindly try that the work is done. And next time you call me so that we can have a quiet cup of tea.

Qayyum: I shall definately do it. But I had to tell that the others like me are nowhere close to me.

Khalid: I know how much I respect you.

Qayyum: By the Grace of God we shall conclude this very soon.

Khalid: Kindly do it because from reading between the lines I could gather that there is a lot of pressure on Saif.

Qayyum: No, no... I shall definitely do it.

Khalid: Thank you.

Qayyum: No, sir, I am at your disposal.

Khalid: Allah Hafiz

Qayyum: Thank you sir.

Transcript (II)

Saif-ur-Rehman and Justice Qayyum:

Saif: Aslam-o-Alaikum sir

Qayyum: Same to you.

..............

..............

Full story at:

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/feb2001-daily/05-02-2001/main/main1.htm

http://jang-group.com/jang/feb2001-daily/05-02-2001/topst/main1.htm

Re: Ras and faith in gargoyles :)

All i can say is, Cry, my beloved country, for there is no hope, when its educated populace having been duped too many times to know better, begins to trust this gargoyle yet again.

Let me some up my sentiments on this issue, once and for all, Ras by the wise saying,..``Deceive me once, Shame on you. Deceive me twice, Shame on me``

And it is indeed a royal shame to be seen courting this wolf in sheeps clothing for the third time. Enuff said!

Sincerely,

Asim

This writing was in memory of Noor Jahan. But if you must insist:


From The Nation Lahore Thursday Feb 1, 2001

Benazir, Bush to attend prayer breakfast

From Humayun Akhtar
WASHINGTON-President Bush, who called Jesus his favorite philosopher during his election campaign and this week proposed government funding for “faith-based” social services, is expected to join the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton.
Organizers expect 3,500 to 4,000 people to attend the breakfast, from 170 nations, including former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto alongwith 12 heads of state.
Benazir has already reached US and making her presence felt by giving interviews, visiting various old friends and government officials in the new administration. It is said that the former President Bush has a soft corner for her.
Like many foreign dignitaries in town for the breakfast, Benazir will also use her visit here to establish contacts with the new Bush administration.
There is all the likelihood that President and Laura Bush might meet her apart from saying ‘hello’ at the prayer meeting. Her meeting with Colin Powell cannot be discounted.
Her theme now is likely to be that she is the only political leader in Pakistan who commands popularity amongst masses and can usher in democracy, reign fundamentalism, sign CTBT, bring in a solution of Kashmir problem and good relations with India.
Event organizers, however declined to provide a list of international VIP participants with the plea that, “We have a policy of not commenting on who is expected to come, because we honestly do not know who is coming until they get here.”
The prayer meeting is one of its kind event in the world, where religious leaders of all faiths and denomination and politicians mingle and pray over breakfast of their choice; meeting continue even after the meeting.
Started in 1942, the National Prayer Breakfast is held by the Fellowship Foundation, a Virginia-based ecumenical evangelical organization that shuns publicity. Run by David Coe, the group is variously described as “covert” and “secretive” in its understated ministry to the world’s political leaders.
According to The Washington Times, “They are exceptionally circumspect to give an opportunity to world leaders to be engaged in enhancing religion in statecraft,” said Russ Spittler, provost dean of academic affairs at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. “It is very quiet, subdued, not hyped at all. An aggressively asserted religious impulse is deadly in politics.”
The event drew almost no media coverage until 1994, when Mother Teresa attended and spoke on abortion. President Clinton drew considerable coverage in 1999, when he attended just after his impeachment.
Stories abound about how Christian leaders who met at the prayer breakfast forged fast friendships that later helped resolve civil conflicts. One example, detailed in the book “Religion: The Missing Dimension of Statecraft,” by Doug Johnston, describes the meeting of Kenyan diplomat Washington Okumu and South African Zulu leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi after one breakfast. As a result, Mr. Okumu’s mediation as a fellow Christian averted a conflict between the Zulus and the African National Congress in post-apartheid South Africa.
But prayer diplomacy is not always successful. Last year, several pro-Israeli Jewish and Christian groups boycotted the event when it became known that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat would attend.
There is some hope that Rwandan President Paul Kagame and new Congo President Joseph Kabila will be able to meet and pray, leading to a breakthrough in efforts to end their nations’ protracted war, writes The W. Times.
Perhaps, it would have been a good idea if Gen. Musharraf and the Indian Prime Minister could have attended the prayer breakfast, sat on the same table and had discussed their problems threadbare without their experts assisting them; may be next year!

Re: Allah Rakhi and Ras #85

Ras,

As long as this partcular ``Allah Rakhi`` is away from Pakistan`s power corridors (and the current regime has fortunately made sure of that), I have no problems with Miss Bhutto`s cameo appearances abroad.

No matter how much she appeals to the sensibilities of the ``foreign`` people, and begs to be heard, one thing is for sure, her cricketing days in Pakistan are certainly over, after having been clean bowled by the crafty and wiry Musharraf. Like most retired cricketers, she is merely acting as the ``expert opinion`` on political affairs with Pakistan, mostly rubbish however thankfully from the sidelines. No one in his right mind, is allowing her to open the batting for Pakistani evconomics agaian, after all the match fixing and losing her wicket that she has done.

Hence, let me reiterate... for i do love saying it.

``Goodbye Allah Rakhi``.

May she flourishes on the talk circuit, may she gets lots of followers, (even intelligent and compassionate ones like my good buddy Ras), and may she get to finally enjoy the fruits of her labours, which culminated in her lottery worth a cool 2 billion dollars.

Sincerely,

Asim Hayat

P.S Benazir talking with think-tanks!! The irony! :)

Ras Sidd:

I could not resist pointing out the harsh irony in the following news.

Asim: Sorry, had to comment!

Benazir is meeting with the think-tanks? What a joke! How many think tanks flourished during her era? It seems that there is a typo. It CANNOT be a think-tank in any way or shape. That`s an insult to the concept of ``thinking.``

For my good friend Asim:

Ms. Benazir Bhutto Arrives in Washington

LONDON, UK, 30 January 2001 (PPP): Former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto arrived in Washington, DC on Monday (January 29, 2001) for a visit to the U.S. capital.

She is expected to have a wide range of meetings with thinks-thanks,
members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, U.S. State Department, PPP USA members, American media and the Pakistani press.

Yesterday, Ms. Benazir Bhutto gave a lengthy interview to the Voice of
America (VOA) on the political and economic situation in South Asia. She discussed the conditions in Afghanistan as well as the imposition of UN/U.S. sanctions on Afghans. The VOA interview was conducted in Urdu and English.

Ms. Benazir Bhutto also gave an interview to Awaz TV, a local Washington area-based half-hour TV program for the Pakistani-American community. She discussed her plans for a democratic movement to establish real democracy in Pakistan and the need for the Pakistani people, like the people of Philippines, to bring about a change of government.

Ms. Bhutto also granted another interview to a widely heard Philadelphia
network.

She met with a delegation of the Sindh Association of North America (SANA), which extended invitation to her to join their annual meeting in July 2001.
They also discussed with her the present situation in Sindh and the lack of
Sindhi representation in the bureaucracy, army and public sector units by
the people of Sindh, the second most populous province of Pakistan.

Ms. Benazir Bhutto also met a delegation of minority rights activists
and assured them that the PPP believed that ``all Pakistanis,
irrespective of their race, religion or gender, should have equal
rights``. She opposed the ban on minorities voting in every precinct and
said this ``amounted to religious apartheid``.

Pakistan Peoples Party (UK) Media Office
www.ppp.org.pk - www.pppuk.com
E-Mail: media@pppuk.com

Asim:

I have written my strong views on an issue under this topic[REGARDING the artist vs their practices]. I want to come back to something that has been bothering me. I think taking it out of the system is the best way of having a clear conscience. There was something that needed to be addressed in my own point, for it was an oversigh! Stay tuned!!!

Later,

Re: adnan:

``to judge a person we shd not make our own standards

we have the quran to guide us``

Try closing your eyes, and using your just conscience, for a change(that is if we have some of it left)! You will see you dont have to rely on anything more basic than your inner voice which will guide you, if you want to be guided about what is right or wrong.

Must we drag religion into every single small thing. That is our severest handicap, we Pakistanis, tend to be a bunch of self righteous angels who can do no harm or wrong, when they throw the book at those who happen to be different from us in any minute detail, be it religion, region, skin tone etc..

We cant think logically without our religious cap on. And if that does not help, we go to simplify our dilemma by going to ulema and asking for ``fatwah``s and to the fortune teller(in no particlular order) who uses ``pigeons to pick up ``faal`` to help our little selves.

No wonder we are lost!or was that our collective conscience!

Sincerely,

Asim

National Accountability Bureau has provided warrants to arrest Benazir Bhutto to all 14 ICs of the country for her alleged corruption , daily Jang has reported.

http://jang-group.com/jang/jan2001-daily/28-01-2001/topst/main1.htm

Goodbye, Allah Rakhi! :)

Asim

May be I agree with you.

The reason is that I myself have been so busy after that particular age that I do not find time time to listen to songs repeatedly (to develop a taste and appreciation).

Since I am not oriented to Punjabi, I have listened the Qawwali of Nusrat Fateh Ali in Urdu. And I found him very moving singer.

I would say that Ghazals of golden period including your famous daughter Farida Khanum, Malka Pukhraj etc (if I am not mistaken) are excellent. But Nahid Niazi`s (probably from Mianwali) ``Ek Baar Bhi Kaho Zara`` I like best among all Ghazals.

I did not have a chance to listen to Daler Mehdi and Arif Lohar but his father Alam Lohar was very good. Similarly some like Allan Faquir, Shehki`s ``Wash Malle`` instead of not understanding their language music and quality of their voice itself is very moving.

Being raised in Pakistan my Engliah Music is restricted to Tina Charles (I think Brown girl in the ring was her song).

Basically I am restricted to repeating old Ghazals and Qawwali these days. Mehdi Hasan has no parrallel as far as I am concerned. But Iqbal Bano has sung good. And not to forget the famous Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. Also single Ghazals which have given popularity to singers like Shokat Ali`s ``Jab Bahar Aae To Sehra Ki Taraf Chal Nikla`` or Asif Ali`s ``Ub Ke Saal Poonam Mein`` or Saleem Raza`s ``Jane Baharan Rashke Chaman Shireen Sukhan Ghuncha Dahan`` etc etc etc.

Your mention of Ata-ullah Esa Khelvi is right on mark. With his peculiar style he sang excellent and I am a great admirer of him.

I have heard that new singers like Reshman are also good. Although lot of good things are written about Pathane Khan but I have heard only one song of his which you mentioned.

There is a very good site and I am sure you know about it I think it is Pakistan Music.com. It is a good site to hear old and gold.

KRashid:

Well, this may be a little more than enlightening :-)so you`ll have to spend a few minutes or so reading it!

[Your taste in music and literature only tells when you were young(general statement)..Moreover to tell you the truth, these young artists you named are considered only hip hop by us (my better half and her worse half) As far as universal artists are concerned, they are ageless and are appreciated by everybody.]

I will tend to disagree[mostly] with your above thoughts :-) I think the regional culture plays an important part here. The hip hop stuff that you are saying is not only hip hop. Daler Mehdi is not only liked for his exuberance, lovely voice, sweet Punjabi lyrical ballads, but it`s the lively spirit he portrays of the culture that is simply killing!I`ve heard him live in a few concerts and it a pleasure to listen to him and the joy he brings to the audience. His masterpiece: Ghulam farid`s kafi

samina#59

I will just repeat wht i wrote before

to judge a person we shd not make our own standards

we have the quran to guide us

go through it

then form ur opinion abt ppl

adnan

Zahra #77

Your taste in music and literature only tells when you were young (general statement).

For example you can judge my age if I say Qawwali of Fareed Qawwal, Songs by Lata, Kishore, Mukesh and Rafi and among Pakistanis Shehki`s ``Wash Malle`` and acting of Amitabh and in Pakistani dramas Firdous Jamal.

When some of old generation of mine used to watch films of young Dilip Kumar, those movies were too slow and boring for me.

Moreover to tell you the truth, these young artists you named are considered only hip hop by us (my better half and her worse half)

As far as universal artists are concerned, they are ageless and are appreciated by everybody.

Krashid:

Are you talking about Yulduz or you are referring to Nur Jehan? This reminds me that you were into Russian arts and literature. Have you heard of Yulduz? Heavenly Uzbek singer? As I mentioned previously, I was never a fan of Late Madame. Well, then I cannot stand Lata, Mukesh, Rafi, Sehgal, Talat Mahmud and this whole clan as well. Sorry could not develop a taste for them, in spite of having a lot of family who loves them like hell. My strong associations lie with Qawwali and Bhangra music, namely Nusrat, Jassi, The king of bhangras - Daler Mehdi and few others of the same clan. As it is a tribute to the Late Madame`, I do not want to bring others. But I could not resist as well :-(


Asim Dear:
Welcome to the club! I am happy that you chose the road less traveled.

:-) :-) :-)

Good Move!

Zahra #70

I thought she was appreciated for her voice also.

But she was also appreciated fully apart from her voice.

Does it put it in proper perspective.

Or is it still male chauvinism.